#but I can’t explain why this idea popped into my head and wouldn’t leave me alone

[countlessimagines]

Star Lord’s Sister [ Adam Warlock x Reader ]

GOTG VOLUME 3 SPOILERS!!!

Summary: Star lord’s sister takes a liking to the new member of the Guardians

A/N: my beloved!!! <3

-

Ever since you met Adam Warlock, he had been head over heels for you. Constantly following you around, wanting to be by your side 24/7, interested in your hobbies, and so much more.

You honestly didn’t mind it and found it adorable. And you would be lying if you said you weren’t catching feelings too.

Adam and you had been on quite a few dates since meeting and tried to spend most of your time together since Rocket always whisked him away for Guardians’ duties. He would always pout when he had to leave, but would always kiss you with so much passion, that the rest of the guardians would gag while boarding the ship.

And your brother seemed to not enjoy the constant hanging out together as much as you did. Peter had begun to call you at the end of each week from Earth to catch up on what was going on. He quickly noticed your interests began to revolve around Adam and you two seemed to be attached to the hip.

“So, the guy saves me and you fall madly in love with him?” Peter snickered and shook his head. “I leave for a few months and already it sounds like you two are married.”

You rolled your eyes at your brother’s response, not wanting to hear any of his nonsense. “So what? I am an adult and can do whatever I please.”

“Okay sure, let me know when the wedding is.”

You were about to fire back until Adam walked in from the bathroom only in a towel, saw Peter on the monitor, and promptly fell to the ground and army crawled away.

You groaned and dragged your hand across your face. “Adam!”

“Hey hey wait a minute! I was joking about the wedding, Adam get your ass back to the screen!” Peter began to shout over the screen. “Stay away from my sister!”

“Okay bye, love you!” You hurried and ended the call quickly.

Adam rose from behind the side of the bed and shrugged innocently when you turned to him. You picked up a pillow from the ground and tossed it at his head.

“Sweetheart! I told you I was calling my brother, he was finally warming up to the idea of us,” you stood up and laid flat on the bed. “Now he’s seen you half naked in my place so I can only imagine he’s going to fly all the way here to beat you up.”

Adam shuffled into clothes and flopped beside you. “I would like to see him try to keep me away from you.”

You faced him and couldn’t help but melt at his cute pouty face. “Yeah yeah, but please don’t hurt my brother if he tries to kick your ass.”

Adam nodded and grabbed you lovingly in his arms. “Can we just stay in today?”

“Why’s that?” You mumbled into his chest.

“Because I rather cuddle my girlfriend than help rocket on a mission today.” Adam kissed your forehead repeatedly and made you giggle uncontrollably.

“Stop stop!” You said and pushed on his chest. “Why don’t you go tell rocket that you can’t make it and then we can have a lazy day in?”

Adam planted a kiss on your check, stood up, saluted you, then quickly left to get out of saving the world today - simply because his world was too cute to leave.

-

An hour went by without Adam returning, and it wasn’t until your monitor began to beep did you put two and two together. You answered the call that was coming from the Guardians’ ship and saw Adam’s face pop up, and he was in full gear.

You shook your head and sighed, “Care to explain yourself?”

“Okay, well,” Adam dragged off his voice and moved a bit from the screen to point an accusing finger towards Rocket, “He told me it would only take an hour, but once I got on the ship he told me it was a two day trip.”

Rocket popped up and said, “Sorry for stealing your boyfriend, (Y/N). You’ll have to cuddle your pillow the next couple of nights. The world needs Warlock, and trust me I wouldn’t bring his bright gold self unless it was necessary.”

Rocket jumped away when Adam tried to wack him.

“I’m sorry my love. I promise it will go by quick and I’ll be back before you can say ‘I have the best boyfriend in the whole wide galaxy and he’s gonna smother me in kisses when he returns!’” Adam tried to do a high pitched voice to imitate you to which you rolled your eyes.

“Alright, whatever you say,” you waved and blew a kiss to him before ending the call.

-

The next few days were uneventful, and you were knocked out asleep when your guardians pin began to beep and pulled you out of sleep.

You pressed on it and spoke into it sleepily, “what’s wrong?”

Rocket’s urgent voice spoke through the comm, and it made you wake up fully. “(Y/N)! Prepare med packs! Adam got hit and we need to work on him urgently!”

You rushed out of your apartment and down flights of stairs before running to the supply closet. You pressed your comm again to speak to Nebula. Once she finally answered, you explained quickly what was going on and she was next to you within minutes to set up for their arrival.

It wasn’t long before Kraglin rushed in with Adam slumped over his shoulder, barely responsive. He placed him on a nearby table while you grabbed Adam’s hand and tried to figure out what was wrong with him.

“He took a blow to his stomach, we should be able to patch him up quickly but the beast repeatedly hit him in the wound… making him bleed out.” Kraglin was rushing his words, not making complete sense but still wanting to explain everything.

You nodded as Nebula put a med pack on his stomach, hoping it would help. Adam started to breath deeply and you let out a small cry seeing him in such distress.

A part of you knew that the pack would either help or just make the situation worse. As Adam didn’t wake up quickly enough to be okay, you grabbed a sewing kit, alcohol, and a towel.

Removing the med pack, you removed his vest and immediately began to work with Nebula’s help. It was a tense moment, only the sounds of Adam’s breathing could be heard in the room.

Not too long after you finished the stitch across his stomach and placed the med pack on his wound to finish the healing process. Everyone let out a breath of relief as Adam began to breath normally again.

“You guys can go and clean up, I bet you all have some wounds that need to be tended to.” You said to Kraglin and Rocket who nodded.

Nebula reassured Rocket that she wouldn’t leave you alone. You smiled gratefully at her as you grabbed Adam’s hand and pulled up a chair beside the table.

“I’m gonna wait a few hours before trying to move him to my place.”

-

Hours went by and you had fallen asleep, still holding tightly onto Adam, not wanting to let go in fear something bad would happen if you did. It was in those moments, going in and out of sleep - that you both realized how much you truly loved one another. It was a selfless and innocent love, something so pure that nothing would come in-between the two of you.

Adam had woken up first, confused and sore, but the moment he saw you slumped over the table, holding his hand - he instantly calmed down. He was so relieved he made it back alive and was with you again. He remembered his promise he made and kissed your hand repeatedly to wake you up.

With a startled jump, you woke up in a frenzy and immediately checked to see if something was wrong.

“Did I worry you?” Adam said softly, gazing lovingly at you.

“Oh, so so much.” You placed a hand on his cheek, so happy to see him awake and well. “I think I might have to kidnap you from missions from now on until you’re better.”

“Trust me, I am going to try to take less advice from Rocket and Groot on missions… and take a break.” Adam said and shuttered as if remembering how he ended up in the situation in the first place.

“I’m just happy you’re home,” you smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek.

Adam became teary-eyed at the thought of you being his home. After being pulled out of the cocoon too early and losing his mother, he had felt like he would never feel at home anywhere and be lost without anything to live for. Thankfully, he was wrong. He had found you and the guardians, and now he could go home to someone who loved and cared for him. And Peter would be lying if he said he wasn’t happy that you had found someone to love. In the whole of the galaxy, your brother was happy you had Adam.

[manjiroro]

secret lover

character: mitsuya

content: fluff, gn reader

synopsis: mitsuya seems to have gotten into a relationship and the boys are determined to get him to confess who his secret lover is

wc: 529

hello! i’m somewhat back so have this short drabble i thought of because im having mitsuya brainrot <33 my skills are rusty so im sorry if its wonky,, hope you enjoy!!

“C’mon mitsuya just tell us who the lucky person is and we’ll leave”

“Yeah mitsuya it wouldn’t hurt to tell us y’know, your BEST friends”

“Guys i genuinely have no idea what you’re talking about. Just go home already.” mitsuya said, backing up into a corner by his friends, to which mikey pouted, draken and baji scoffed, and pehyan pointing an accusatory finger at him,

“Nuh uh, i saw you holding hands with someone after school when you said you were too busy to hang out with us.” 

Mitsuya sighed, sweat collecting along his hairline. It was because of that accusation that caused the rest of the toman founders to storm into his club room, demanding who this secret someone was that was causing him to be ‘too busy’ to hang out with the boys.

“It’s not like we’re gonna freak out that you’re in a relationship mitsuya, just tell us.” draken calmly said.

“The bigger question is why are you here draken. You’re not the typa guy to hound on me like this.”

“I’m curious. And also so that these two idiots don’t do anything stupid.” draken explained, head tilting to refer to both mikey and baji. 

Just as mitsuya was about to defend himself once again, the doors to the club room swung open revealing an exasperated student, clutching onto their shirt buttons.

“Taka-kun! This is an emergency! My shirt button popped out and i can’t possibly walk around school with my chest exposed for the whole world to see!” you cried, hoping to be met with the open arms of your boyfriend, but soon stopped in your tracks seeing your purple haired lover being cornered by four other boys. 

“Uh- am I interrupting something here..?” you asked slowly, confusion evident on your face. The toman founders turned their attention from you to the poor boy cornered in between them. Said boy was flushed, his face and ears turning a light pink colour, eyes casting downward in hopes of avoiding the other boys’ gazes. 

“So, taka-kun, mind introducing who this lovely person is?” baji teased, wrapping his arm around mitsuya’s shoulder and directing him to you. 

Mitsuya clears his throat, removing baji’s arm and walking towards you, his shaking arm wrapping around your waist tightly, almost as if to ground and calm himself down. 

“This is y/n, y/n these are my friends. Now come with me, lemme fix your shirt for you.” mitsuya guides you to his work table while he turns his head behind to mouth a ‘get out’ to his friends. The boys snickered before they finally left the club room and flustered mitsuya alone.

“I’m sorry taka-kun, i didn’t know your friends were here.” you apologised to your boyfriend, a cute pout making its way to your lips. To which mitsuya chuckled and placed a gentle kiss on your lips.

“That’s alright my love, i was gonna have to introduce you to them sooner or later.” mitsuya smiled at you and gave you a small pat on your head. Although, it wasn’t the way mitsuya was planning on introducing you to his friends. He was definitely going to kick their asses later.

reblogs are highly appreciated!!

❥ masterlist

requests are closed!!

[theoceanandthestars]

Friendly Lies

A/N: This is my first post/story, I’ve written before on Wattpad but never committed to writing but I feel like this is something I can actually commit too. Let me know any NCIS requests and I’m hoping to open up my writing to other fandoms soon too. This is definitely a testament to my ability to yap. Apologies for any mistakes :)

Also, I know the timelines probably don’t match up in terms of Gibbs knowing Tobias etc and Tobias having another daughter, or maybe they do, I don’t know but I thought it was a fun idea so belief will just have to be suspended. ;)

NCIS y/n fanfic, slight y/n x tony dinozzo, tony dinozzo x reader

Word count: 1969

Summary: Fornell’s daughter, Gibbs' Goddaughter, is an FBI agent working a case with her father and Godfather and decides to help get her dad to leave McGee alone after he found him asleep on the sofa with his ex-wife (I loved that episode so much) at Tony’s expense.

____________________________________________

You’d only known Tim, Tony and Ziva for a few weeks but already you knew you’d be great friends. After only knowing them for 5 minutes the day you ended up sharing a case with both your father and godfather, you were making plans to hang out with them. Your godfather, or your Uncle Gibbs as you preferred to call him, was of course more than happy to see you and be working with you, although the protective dad act from the NCIS and FBI agents had driven you slightly insane. Although you loved the rare times when you and your father shared an FBI case, that time had made you nearly want to quit, which had driven you straight to Gibbs’ team, who were more than welcoming and friendly to you.

Now, you sat on Ziva’s desk, chatting to her and McGee while your father and godfather interrogated a suspect and Tony watched.

‘And that’s why your dad hates me’, concluded McGee after explaining to you what he described as the ‘incident’ between your dad and his ex-wife Diane.  Both you and Ziva had been laughing the entire time he told the story.

‘I’m sure he doesn’t hate you, Tim’, you smiled at him ‘he’s only mentioned it a few times.’

‘A few?’ Tim asked in horror, causing Ziva to snort in laughter. This topic had taken up a good 20 minutes and it had clearly been playing on his mind for a long time before that.

‘Look if you want me to talk to him I can’ you offered, trying to ease Tim’s obvious panic, but your offer only seemed to send McGee into a further state of pure anxiety.

‘No, absolutely not, that would only add to it.’ He spoke moving his chair slightly as it was currently situated next to Ziva’s desk where you were congregated. As Tim moved you gaze shifted to DiNozzo’s desk and an idea popped into your head.

‘McGee, I’m sure y/n’s right, Fornell can’t be holding on to a grudge for that long.’

‘He brings it up every time we see him!’ Tim insisted.

‘Hang on’ you quickly said jumping up from Ziva’s desk and captivating both agent’s attention, ‘I think I know how to get my dad to forget about you and Diane.’

‘First of all there was no me and Diane’ Tim quickly insisted, causing the pair of female agents to roll their eyes as they failed to hold in their laughs ‘But what’s the idea because I will do anything to make him stop bringing it up?’. Both agents’ gazes were fixed on you as you moved from Ziva’s desk to sit on Tonys.

‘Oh you wouldn’t have to do anything McGee, it would be all me’, you smirked as the two agents watched eagerly, ‘this isn’t entirely selfless though, remember when Tony told Gibbs and my dad that I’d been sleeping with an NCIS agent to try and piss them off? And it took me weeks to convince them he was just trying to mess with me and them?’, the two NCIS agents nodded, smirks growing on their faces as they pieced together what you were planning to do, ‘well I think it’s time I get Tony back for that, don’t you?’.

Just as you said this your father and Gibbs reappeared into the room and as they did, you got up from Tony’s desk and made a beeline for them, meeting them just in front of Gibbs’ desk.

‘Dad, Uncle Gibbs I need to talk to you’ you said, grabbing their attention in the most serious and anxious voice you could muster, grabbing one of their hands in each of yours, ‘I know this is really important and I want to be honest with you both’ you took a deep breath to highlight your nervousness. At this point you had captured your father’s and Godfather’s attention, squeezing their hands as you raised your eyes to meet theirs you finally said, ‘I’m pregnant.’

Now Ziva and Tim were clearly shocked and impressed by your lies, hiding their laughter surprisingly well and instead adorning looks of shock and intrigue. Your father and godfather on the other hand, with hands still held by yours, were looking at you with such pure shock your father had turned slightly white. Before they could even utter a word, you quickly continued, ‘and its Tony’s’.

At this revelation, McGee and Ziva quickly turned so that Gibbs and Fornell couldn’t see the laughter that was daring to burst out. The silence was quickly broken by a synchronised ‘WHAT?’ from the two men who held your hands. Their gazes had turned harsher, but you knew that if you wanted this to have the best effect you had to really milk it.

‘I know we haven’t known each other long’ you stated looking them both in the eyes, but were quickly interrupted by your father half shouting, ‘How did this happen?’, quickly followed by Gibbs’ ‘I’m sorry what?!’

Before you could think of an answer though everyone’s attention was diverted in the sound of a voice, Tony’s voice, ‘hey boss. Fornell.  You look like you’ve seen a ghost, what did y/n do? Tell you she’s pregnant? I told you she was sleeping with an NCIS agent.’, as he Tony laughed at his own joke, Tony sauntered towards his desk, but only for a second before Fornell was on him, pinning him to the wall. Tony’s face quickly shifted to panic and confusion, his eyes scanning the room.

‘You got my daughter pregnant!’, Fornell shouted.

‘What? No’ DiNozzo squeaked out as Gibbs removed Fornell from him, freeing him from the wall. You quickly shifted your eyes to where Tim and Ziva were still at Ziva’s desk, attempting to contain their laughter. You knew you didn’t have long before the two of them blew the prank, but you also knew that the damage would be done soon enough and you would have got Tony back and your dad would definitely forget about finding McGee and Diane on the sofa asleep together.

Suddenly Tony rushed over to you seeking some sort of explanation or help but before he could squeak out another word, you grabbed his arm hugging it slightly and turning the pair of you to face Gibbs and Tobias.

‘Me and Tony are in love, dad, you can’t stop our love’ but as you got to the end of your sentence McGee and Ziva had burst into full belly laughter, causing you too to crack and lean on Tony as you couldn’t stop laughing. As the three of you continued to laugh, Gibbs only rolled his eyes at your antics, shaking his head slightly and letting out a slight chuckle. He knew that DiNozzo had told Tobias that you were sleeping with someone at the agency to piss him off and he also knew that your dad had practically become a helicopter parent for a week after he had done so.

As Gibbs moved back towards his desk, you patted tony on the chest before calming yourself enough to say, ‘you should have seen your face’. Quickly, McGee walked behind you both to return to his desk, slapping Tony on the back as he continued to laugh at Tony’s expense. He stopped by your side quickly whispering to you how he was now free from any comments about Diane. Your gaze then shifted to your father who still stood in front of you both, surprisingly quite but glaring at you both.

‘Gotta keep you young dad.’ You smiled at him, kissing his check and moving back to Ziva’s desk, the pair of you still giggling and smiling. Your dad however, kept his gaze on Tony, glowering at him, as Tony seemed to continue to shrink under his glare, still looking stunned and scared. Finally his gaze shifted as Gibbs called him telling him to go down to autopsy to see Abby with him.

At first he didn’t move, continuing to stare, before finally moving when he heard his name shouted by Gibbs. ‘I still don’t trust you DiNozzo.’ Tobias said, finally moving towards Gibbs’ desk, his gaze remaining on Tony until they were out of site.

At this point you, McGee and Ziva all began to laugh again with the same force you did when your dad had pinned Tony to the wall.

‘I did not think you would take it that far’ commented Ziva, ‘I admire your commitment’. You smiled at her amongst the laughter but couldn’t respond as tony too moved towards Ziva’s desk, where McGee had now joined you and began to stare at you all.

‘Not funny guys, I thought I was going to die!’, Tony’s statement only caused more laughter though, as his hand reached his neck, fiddling with his shirt collar even though your father had only grabbed his shoulders. Finally you spoke through the laughter, ‘I told you I was going to get you back Tony and McGee needed by dad to lay off him about the whole thing with my ex stepmother, so really I was just helping a friend’ you smiled a sickly sweet smile at him before the phone at his desk began to ring causing Tony to quickly scurry over to his desk, grabbing the phone before answering.

��Yes boss?’ he questioned into the phone, as you high fived Tim and Ziva, ‘right away boss’, followed by him quickly grabbing his things after he put down the phone. ‘Gibbs says Abby’s matched the ballistics from the gun, wants me and Y/N to bring in the suspect.’ He stated as he continued to gather his stuff. As you listened, you quickly grabbed your bag that was sat next to Gibbs’ desk, but before you could leave Gibbs and your father returned, arguing as they walked.

‘I’ll go with DiNozzo Gibbs’ your dad argued, his gaze landing on Tony, at which point Tony swallowed.

‘No you’re not’, Gibbs deadpanned.

‘Then, I’ll go with them both’ he stated as he moved towards the pair now standing together with their bags, but not before Gibbs grabbed his shoulder directing him towards the director’s office and repeating ‘No you’re not’.

As you and Tony turned and began to walk towards the elevator, he quickly began to argue with you. ‘You know your dad is going to kill me, right?’ he questioned as you pressed the elevator button, your gaze shifting to him.

‘No he won’t’ you dismissed, ‘but he won’t trust you for a while, just like how he’s been hovering over me for weeks after you told him I was secretly sleeping with someone at your office, or like how he constantly brings up that time he found Diane and McGee together asleep. I guess it’s just time for you to get a taste of what we’ve been putting up with for years now.’ You smirked as the elevator reached your floor and you stepped inside, turning slightly as you watched Tony’s face change from looking like he was about to argue, to just giving up.

‘You know’, he turned to look at you, smirking, fully grasping your attention, ‘if you were to sleep with anyone in this office, I’d be the perfect guy. You’ve already told your dad and although he’ll keep glaring at me and probably wanting to kill me, he’d never suspect that we were actually sleeping together.’ He said, waggling his eyebrows at you as you chuckled, and he reciprocated your laughter.

As the elevator doors, reopened on the ground floor, you turned away from Tony, shaking your head slightly and rolling your eyes , before simply stating, ‘In your dreams DiNozzo’ before walking out of the elevator, not missing Tony’s whispered reply, ‘oh you bet’, before he followed you out to find your suspect.

[buckysgrace]

Awkward Encounters

Single dad!Billy Hargrove x fem!reader

Closer to My Heart Masterlist

CW: Fem receiving oral sex, light spitting, the word daddy is mentioned

Theo has a mishap with gum. Your night with Billy takes a bad turn.

Gum was not allowed in your classroom. Under no circumstances. It ended up everywhere. On the desks, in the toy bin, on the rugs and on backpacks. And in hair. And oh boy, was this a rather large wad of gum in his hair.

You had tried everything; gum, toothpaste, vinegar and ice cubes. Nothing was working. Poor Theo’s blonde locks remained stuck to the top of his head, making you wince every time you brushed through it.

“You done yet?” The toddler squeaked from in front of you, trying to glance back at you before you gently tilted his head in the right direction once again. He huffed, clearly bored from how long he’d been forced to sit in front of you. 

“No,” You sighed as you rubbed your wrist against your nose, careful not to touch your sticky fingers, “Theo, how did this happen?” You asked seriously, sighing as you tried to massage the gum out of his blonde strands. 

“I chew it,” He nodded his head as you continued to gently brush at the wad of gum, “And then I blew a bubble and this happen!” He replied dramatically as he popped his hands up towards his head. You frowned as you dropped your heads in defeat. 

“Uh huh,” You sighed, “Okay. I’m going to have to call your dad.” You told him softly, finally confirming that you wouldn’t be able to get it out of his hair. You breathed out deeply, worried about what Billy would say. 

“Am I in twouble?” He asked you worriedly, blue eyes wide with concern. You shook your head, sighing softly. You were pretty sure you would be the one in trouble. Billy had such beautiful hair, clearly well taken care of. You were fairly certain he cared about Theo’s hair in the same way. You feared this would be a breaking point.

“No,” You told him gently, “I just can’t fix your hair.” You responded, wincing as you took one last look at the stuck lump.

“Uh oh,” He whined, his bottom lip trembling, “I bald?” He asked you worriedly, almost making you laugh at his concern.

“You’re not bald,” You responded softly, unsure if he would be by the time it came out, “Why don’t you go back to your desk and leave this part of your hair alone, alright?”

You scrubbed your hands clean, trying to give yourself a little pep talk in the mirror before you moved on to the dreaded phone call. You had no idea how you were going to explain this to Billy. You just feared he wouldn’t be mad.

You held the phone between your cheek and shoulder, staring down at the number on the paper before you finally got your fingers to work. You winced, shutting your eyes tightly as you chanted for Billy to not be there. For no one to answer. Please. No one pick up. 

“Speak to me.” You wanted to punch the air as someone answered on the last ring, sounding a little out of breath. Or perhaps exhausted. But there was no mistaking his raspy tone. It left you warm and prickly on the inside. 

“Hi, Mr. Hargrove. This is -,” 

“So formal,” He teased, his tone smug as he interrupted you, “Calling me while you’re at work is risky. What are you wearing?” He teased you as you looked around, ensuring that no one had heard him.

“I’m still teaching,” You squeaked out as you stared down at your cow print skirt, “And I’m calling because Theo got gum stuck in his hair.” You shut your eyes tightly, waiting for the blow.

“Did you try peanut butter?” He asked casually, not sounding nearly as upset as you thought he would.

“And everything else,” You sighed, “I’m so sorry. I don’t even know how he got it.” You told him quickly, nearly promising that you hadn’t had this happen since your first year of teaching. You thought you had learned your lesson then. 

“Yeah, I wouldn’t know either,” He laughed softly, like he knew more than he was letting on, “He’s a kid, it happens. You can cut it.” He suggested, leaving you speechless.

“Me?” You asked in disbelief, “I only have safety scissors.” 

“You don’t own any adult scissors?”

“Well, I’m sure someone does,” You gulped softly, “But I don’t in my classroom. It causes too many issues.” You explained slowly, knowing that anytime you pulled out a pair of regular sized scissors every single one of your students wanted to use it. It was too much of a hassle. 

“I’ll be there soon.” Came his response, quick and to the point. You blinked, about to answer before you were cut off by the line ending. Shoot.

You felt dread sinking into your bones as you waited and waited. Surely Billy wouldn’t actually leave work to come over some gum in Theo’s hair? 

Snack time was always a bit chaotic. You divided your time between punching straws in juice boxes, opening bottles, peeling fruits and opening different plastic containers. Theo always opened his own snacks on his own. And it was always the same. Half a bologna sandwich with ketchup. 

“Hey,” Billy interrupted everyone, a pained look on his features as all of your little students turned their heads in his direction, “I’m here for Theo.”

“Daddy!” He yelled happily, scooping his sandwich up in one hand before he rushed to grab his backpack. Billy followed, giving him a small shake of his head. 

“I’ll have him back in an hour or so,” He told you as he hung Theo’s backpack up, keeping it behind, “We’re just getting your hair fixed, bubba.”

“Shi-,” Theo paused, the word hanging on the tip of his tongue as you felt your eyes widen, “Shoot.” He corrected a second later, making you sigh in relief. 

“I’m really sorry,” You apologized, feeling awful as you approached them, “They’re not supposed to have gum. I don’t know how it snuck past me.” 

“I got it from-!” Theo stalled by Billy covering his mouth, smiling stiffly in your direction.

“No tattle telling,” He teased Theo softly, making your eyes squint playfully at him, “We’ll see you soon.”

It was a little over an hour before they returned, right in the middle of lunch time as you worked on your salad and listened to Peggy’s story about her dad and moms recent fight. You always got good gossip from them, however you couldn’t always be sure what was true or not. 

Theo strolled in, his happy meal in hand with a pair of sunglasses on. He strutted towards his desk, giving his head a little tilt to show off his fresh hairdo; a mullet. He perfectly resembled a little Billy now, mirroring him exactly.

“Sowwy,” Theo replied as he plopped his Happy Meal down on his desk, “You see my hair?” He asked happily, touching his palms against the little curls as he showed it off to everyone. 

“Wow,” Betty giggled as she covered her mouth, looking at her little friends with wide eyes, “I wike it.” She grinned as she leaned forward to touch it, making him smile a little brighter. 

“You look very handsome, Theo,” You agreed with a smile, pressing your lips together as you glanced towards Billy, “Just like your daddy.” You added softly, stomach flipping repeatedly as you met his eye. 

“Oooh, teachew,” Caleb snickered from his desk, “You wike him.” He pounded his fists against his desk, giggling hard as you snapped your gaze in his direction. You knew where this was going. Once this got started, it never ended. 

“I do not.” You said quickly, huffing to yourself as you shook your head. Your fingers twitched from the flushed sensation that spread over you, nervous as you refused to look in Billy's direction. 

“Teachew and-,” He paused as he tilted his head, “Mistew, what youw name?” He asked directly, making your eyes widen. You did not want your students to start singing the kissing song about you and Billy. 

“You don’t have to answer that,” You pleaded with him quickly, “Don’t answer it.” You held your finger up, not caring how immature you sounded right now. You still had a reputation to try and uphold. 

“That’s my daddy,” Theo said proudly as he dunked his nuggets into his ketchup, “Teachew come over fow pizza!” He added excitedly, hitting the nail on the coffin as you lost control of all of your little students. 

“Ooh!”

“Not like that.” You started again quickly, looking to Billy for support as you tried to think of a good answer. He just shrugged his shoulders, looking a little proud. 

“They’re like four,” He chuckled softly, “See you later, bud. No more gum or it’ll rot your teeth out.” He said before he delivered a little kiss to the top of Theo’s head. His blue eyes widened, jaw slacking in disbelief as he turned towards your direction. 

“Teachew?”

“Well-,” You sighed deeply, heart hammering as Billy glanced back at you one last time before leaving, “Ten minutes before lunch is over.” You said meekly instead, wondering how you’d gotten in such a position. 

You weren’t sure how Billy had managed to find a babysitter so quickly, but he had. You weren’t really concerned with eating dinner, but did so to prove a point. It was nice. You learnt a bit more about him, although it was apparent that he was very reserved. Many walls were placed up, hiding him away from you.

Your apartment felt too small when you dragged him back inside, your heart hammering harshly as you thought about the last time you’d been here. You shook away your guilt, reminding yourself that this had to technically be a date. And not your first either. It was fine to have fun with him. At least that’s what you kept telling yourself. 

His hands fell to your hips, squeezing you tightly as his tongue dragged over yours. You moaned at the sensation, your body pressing further against his as his fingertips dug into your flesh. Your heart hammered roughly, your nerves jolting with electricity. 

“God,” He groaned as he pulled away, his bottom lip dragging against yours slowly as he inhaled deeply. His nose brushed against yours, his warm breath coating your face as he slipped his fingers across your damp panties, “Already wet? Slut.”

“Shut up.”

“Didn’t think you were this desperate for me,” He teased as he stripped you down, blue eyes twinkling as he ran his palms over your thighs. He squeezed your thighs roughly, smirking as he leaned forward to kiss at the front of your panties, “You gonna be a good girl and take my cock?” 

“Uh huh,” You muttered, completely in awe with the way he lazily dragged your panties down your legs. He leaned forward, his lips dragging across your inner thighs as your clit ached in pleasure, “Please, Billy. Wanna feel your tongue so badly.”

He smirked up towards you, his expression cocky as he slowly dragged two of his fingers through your wet folds. He licked at your inner thigh, holding eye contact with you before he dragged his teeth against your skin.

You yelped, jolting forward before he pushed you back down. You gaped, pulse racing as he used his two fingers to spread your folds apart. You gasped, body burning as he spit onto your cunt. He mumbled something under his breath, making your veins ache in pleasure as he began to rub his saliva against your pussy. 

Moans fell free from your lips as you gripped your sheets, your hips slowly rocking forward to meet his movements. You shut your eyes in bliss as he continued to rub your swollen numb between his fingertips. 

“You’ve got such a pretty pussy,” He praised as he leaned down to give your clit a little kiss, making you jolt in pleasure as he grunted softly, “Tastes sweet too.” He hummed as his large hand fell to your thigh, pushing you apart as he delivered another swift kiss to your folds.

You exhaled deeply, your lungs burning as he slid his tongue across your pussy. You moaned at the way your hole contracted around nothing, leaking as he began to trace the tip of his tongue across your clit. 

He wrapped his pretty lips around your clit then, sucking softly and melting your bones in the process. You felt weak as you slowly rocked your hips forward, enjoying how he played with your clit. The pleasure burned inside of you, leaving you craving for more of him. 

“Billy,” You moaned as your fingers lightly fell to his hair, twisting through his strands as your hips began to rock against his mouth, “Oh God.” You breathed out, nipples hardening in the exposed air as he continued his motions. You felt like you were floating and drowning at the same time.

He lapped at your cunt, licking away your slick and wetness while groaning to himself. The vibrations of his sounds left you weak, your thighs shaking as he dug his fingers deeper into your flesh. You craved the sensation, liked feeling like he was desperate for you. 

The feeling of his tongue rapidly lapping against your clit left you squealing, blubbering as you gripped the sheets and rocked your cunt up against his face. He held onto you tightly, burying himself in deeper as the muscles in your stomach twisted tightly.

You felt the rough waves of pleasure crashing over you, leaving you breathless as you reached for the head of the bed. You came with a loud cry, overstimulated with the rough way his tongue was lapping at your clit the whole time. It all felt too good. 

You felt weak as he slowly spit onto your pussy before he then licked away your mixture. You moaned deeply, your throat tickling from the rough sounds as he slowly pulled himself away. His lips were slick and red, eyes hazy but arrogant. He knew what he was doing. The bastard.

You gripped his strong muscles, pulling him over your body before you crashed your lips against his. You moaned as you tasted yourself, savoring the feeling of his tongue sliding against yours as he removed his remaining clothes. 

He pressed your legs apart, spreading you wide for him as he slid his knees against your skin. You gaped, sitting up a bit to get a better look at the way he lazily dragged his fist over his hard cock. Butterflies spread through your body, leaving you needy as you wiggled your way closer to him.

“Please.” You moaned as you reached down to squeeze his cock, looking at the way his precum slid from his red tip. You gaped, hungrily watching as he tore open the wrapped condom with his teeth. 

“What do you want?” He teased as he slid the condom over the head of his cock, nearly making you drool at the way his thick girth filled it out. You moved your hands to your sides, trying to keep yourself from playing with your clit. 

“I want you to fuck me,” You begged, gaping as he slid his hard cock around your slick cunt, “Please daddy.” The name slipped free awkwardly as you stumbled over your tongue, your eyebrows furrowing together as you were unsure of yourself. You weren’t sure where that came from, but it certainly bursted free roughly. 

“Uh,” He froze for a moment, blinking quickly, “What?” He settled back on his knees, blue eyes filling with surprise as he stared down at you. You winced as the mistake washed over you. 

“Um,” You gulped harshly, quickly realizing that you had misspoke as the embarrassment set in, “Sorry. Too far.” You apologized awkwardly, your insides burning from humiliation. So much for trying your hand at dirty talk. Maybe calling him a slut would’ve been better. 

“No, no,” He shook his head, watching the way you wiggled yourself free from underneath him, “I just-, I’m a dad you know.” He gestured towards himself, making you look away quickly. You felt your defensive walls coming up, not meaning to make it so weird. 

“I didn’t mean it like that.” You protested as you sat up, pressing your knees up to your chest as you tried to think of a quick escape. 

“It’s fine,” He shrugged his shoulders, “Just freaked me out a bit.” His smile was soft, but your ego was far too bruised at the moment. You were shutting down. You needed to be alone and try and figure out why your tongue had betrayed you in such a way. 

“Maybe you should go then,” You gulped as you pulled your blanket over yourself, feeling a rush of shame, “I have to work tomorrow anyways.” You said awkwardly, refusing to look at him and instead staring at the schedule on your wall. Almost as if to prove that you weren’t lying. 

“It’s not-,” He sighed as he watched you, but you kept your eyes peeled towards the floor, “Alright.” He replied gruffly as his movements shifted you back and forth on the bed. You continued to stare, almost afraid to look at him. 

You held your blanket tightly over your chest, breathing in harshly as you listened to the sound of his footsteps on your floorboards and then the eventual sound of the door shutting as he left. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. 

You had totally and definitely just ruined things between the two of you.

Tags: @cassandracorvo @marshmallowgem @shes-an-odd-bird @stormy-stardust @highwaywildflower @amberpanda99 @sssstarstruck @zoexme @missingbillyhargrove @let-love-bleeds-red @empath-bunny

[scrubbinn]

_____ HRT: 14 months “_____”

Cw: strong language

“Hello? Hello- ah, you must be Ms. Abigail, you called about Ms. Mulberry being in an unusual condition? I don't normally do house calls, but after T.H.E.M.S contacted me specifically, I assume it's something urgent.”

“Yeah. Urgent is a word you could use. You're Dr. Erian right? May's told me a lot about you. She's in her room right now. I don't know what you gave her exactly, but now you're going to fix it.”

“There's no need to get abrasive. Now let's all calm down and I'll take a look at the situation……… That's a cocoon… I believe I see why I was called.”

“What. The fuck. Did you give her?” A fucking cocoon?! Why would a slime go into a cocoon?! Why don’t you try explaining it to me, because right now, I don’t know whether to sue you, or beat you! You dumb, dumb, dumb old… AUGHHHH FIX IT ALREADY!”

“Look Ms. Abigail, I understand you’re upset, but threats are not appreciated, and what I would appreciate is a bit of respect for what I do. Now then, everything will be alright. It will just take some time while I figure out what is wrong.”

“What’s wrong? It’s your insane medication, that’s what’s wrong! I think it’s obvious as to what the problem is! May was right. You are a quack doctor. You just say whatever pops into your head! Slimes don’t do this! They don’t just go into a cocoon! I literally checked. No one has a clue what the hell this is! Not another slime, not even the other doctors! I’ve asked everywhere I could. Now tell me already, what the hell did you give her?”

“Please tell me you didn’t send out pictures of this. Ms. Abigail, this is a grave breach of trust. You can’t share this sort of thing around. This is simply a job for professionals. Asking around is simply an awful idea that could lead you towards a rash decision. It’s also not something I can readily reveal to you. Even if you are close to Ms. Mulberry. It would be best if you deleted any messages or photos you sent out.”

“Why should I? I’ve heard what’s been going on with her. Directly from her. You’re not giving her the standard medication are you! She lets me listen to her recordings, all of them. I have the last one saved and I’m going to send it out to every news outlet in hyper city if you don’t explain yourself, and yes, I am blackmailing you. So start talking!”

“...That’s quite a threat… What I’m about to tell you must never leave this room Ms. Abigail. Do you understand me?”

“Oh, sure, uh huh. Yeah ok.”

“I am quite serious. If anyone finds out, gods forbid that witch finds out… She would, well I could stand to lose a lot more than just my job… Look, when I started this path, I did it with noble intentions. Sure it was a lucrative untapped market, but there were other reasons too. I chose this career because I truly believe it makes people happy. When Mayday, or anyone else arrives, I see someone who needs help. That is what I do. That is-”

“Get to the point, don’t give me your bullshit.”

“Sigh… When Mayday requested a type of slime with color and texture changing, well that sort of thing requires a control that slimes just don’t have, I attempted to tell her this, but you must understand, she was insistent on this. I knew the normal medication wouldn’t give her the happiness she was looking for, so I, changed, the medication myself to something else. I’ve studied our medication long enough to create my own recipes, and I already had every ingredient I needed. There were some initial tests that looked promising. Of course, Mayday was the first human to test it. But you se-”

“YOU WHAT?!!! You gave her something you had no clue about!!? WHY??”

“You wouldn’t understand Ms. Abigail. When someone is suffering you help them. I know for a fact my own formula is stable, whatever is happening to Ms. Mulberry is simply part of the process. The memory problems were, unexpected, but continuing the medication was her idea, not mine. I simply wasn’t given enough time.”

“Then why didn’t you ask for some time? Or you could have asked someone else, you mentioned like a witch or something, you could have asked her. Or something!”

“Ms. Abigail, you don’t under-

“NO! You don’t understand! You talk about being kind and helping others, but all you’ve done is take shortcuts! You don’t even have the energy to care about the people you apparently want to see happy! You just treat it like it’s another day of your crummy work where you sit around and make people feel like they’re freaks! Do you know what Mayday goes through every time she visits you? Every single time she has an appointment with you! I get a phone call from her crying, feeling disgusting, feeling like she’s worthless and invalid. Do you know what it’s like for the people you supposedly care so much about helping? Do you think they walk out of there thanking you? …Just get out, this was a waste of time. We’ll figure something else out without you, and if you want to be useful. You’ll actually talk to people for once, and you’ll ask for help, rather than trying to validate whatever sick ego you have!”

“I see… Perhaps I’ll have something to think about on the walk back. If Ms. Mulberry still wishes to take her medication when she meets the waking world again, I will do my… I will do better, for the both of you. I wish you both the best of luck. Goodbye, Ms. Abigail. Perhaps we can meet under those better circumstances. In the meantime, I think I have to make a few calls. Do what you will with that recorder, and I hope you’ll see that despite my flaws, I am trying.”

“Yeah. We all are.”

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Mention list: @a-shramp, @calliecwrites, @be702, @respectfulevil, @hyacinthdoll1315, @aster-is-confused, @bloodandbrandywine

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Hey! Guess who finishes the next part way too early! It's us! Hope you're enjoying Slime HRT, though I guess it's slowly no longer just Slime HRT is it. If you can guess the twist, you'll get a virtual cookie!

Either way, we really hope you enjoy. This is the first part that was almost entirely written by someone who isn't Navi. So hope you enjoy! I hope to help out writing more of the story. Love you all for supporting us and hope you'll continue reading!

-Sweetheart💗

[deanobear67]

”It’s okay to not be okay.”

—————————————————————————

Drowning in your own thoughts is hard to share with others. Especially when you have no idea how to explain them. Thankfully dean understands fully.

—————————————————————————

warnings - fluff, comfort, Anxiety is mentioned, overwhelming thoughts, sadness, mild angst

Dean x gn!reader (mostly)

There is one sentence where he refers to the reader as she. Also the readers hair is long enough to put behind their ear.

Thank you for overwhelming support on my first fic!! I’m not sure how often I’ll post but i’m going to try to post every once and awhile!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You were staring blankly at the tv in the ‘dean cave’, as you sink into the couch. A small blanket covered half of you, keeping you from feeling the cold air of the bunker. The lights were low, making the room feel like it knew what you were feeling. Miracles head was in your lap as he laid beside you.

You forgot he was even there for a minute. Too distracted by the running thoughts in your head. You were surprised he followed you in here a couple hours ago. Usually it’s rare that he leaves Deans side.

He sensed your emotions like dogs do. Gently pushing his nose into your thigh every now and then trying to comfort you. Your hand subconsciously petting his head as you zoned out again. 

Not even a few minutes later, Miracle popped his head up from your lap. His ears arched as he listened to something. You look towards the cracked door as you hear soft footsteps echo in the hallway. Dean entered not long after, looking between you and the tv.

You felt guilt flood your stomach as you had no excuse for why you weren’t in bed. Except your anxiety keeping you awake, making you feel embarrassed about it. Even though it wasn’t embarrassing at all….was it? 

You could tell he just woke up not long ago. The sleep around his eyes now fading as he grew more concerned. His gray robe thrown over a black shirt with a pair of scooby-doo pj pants you got him, Halloween edition. 

“Hey” Dean said quietly as he sat next to you on the couch. He reached out to pet miracle who moved to him excitedly. “Hey” You replied after a minute of watching the interaction.

You went back to the tv as your hands laid in your lap unsure what to do. You could feel his warm gaze knowing he was finding the right words to say. 

“Can’t sleep?” Dean muttered after a minute not expecting you to answer. You nodded slowly after a moment. Looking down at your hands as you messed with them. You knew he wouldn’t judge you for your thoughts. You just didn’t know how to explain them. 

Dean continued to stare at you for the next few minutes petting the excited dog. “I get that….but I want you to know something.” He said quietly as he stopped petting Miracle. He reached over grabbing one of your hands gently to ground you. 

“It’s okay to not be okay…” He gently squeezed your hand as he caressed the back of your palm with his thumb. “Sometimes…that’s just how it is…..but you can’t hold it in all the time until it you can’t stand it anymore.” After a minute he chuckled to himself. “Hell maybe I should take that advice myself.”

You laughed with him as you felt a bubble in your throat appear. A few seconds pass in silence before he speaks again. “You know I worry about you.” He pauses to let out a breath. “And I know sometimes it’s hard to explain what you’re feeling.” 

He moved a bit closer, scooting Miracle out of the way gently. He let go of your hand to run it over your back. “Which I understand but I don’t…I don’t want you to shut me out all the time sweetheart.” You sighed softly as you adjusted yourself against the couch.

“Look at me please..” Dean asked softly as he placed his hand on the back of your neck. You hesitated as you felt the emotion build up in you after holding it in for so long. “Honey, look at me.” He said a little bit louder. You finally turned your head to look at him.

Dean smiled softly at you, gently putting a piece of your hair behind your ear. “There she is.” His smiled widened as he softly caressed your cheek. You couldn’t help but smile back but it quickly faded as you felt your lip quivering. 

You went to turn away feeling embarrassed again. “Hey” Dean gently grabbed your chin, turning you back towards him. “It’s okay…” He caress over your cheek again as he softly smiled. 

You felt the pressure build up in your eyes. You licked your dry lips as you stared at him, finally ready to give into the feeling. “I don’t know how to be okay.” You muttered through a broken voice as tears fell against your cheeks.

Dean frowned for a moment pulling you closer to him. “I know..” He whispered back to you. You wipe a few tears before he could. “I’m just tired of feeling like I’m alone at the end of the day.” You didn’t want to admit it to him but you did feel alone. Dean brought you love, protection and a feeling of home. Sometimes thoughts can seep in long enough to the point where you can’t ignore them anymore.

“Oh baby..” Dean muttered bringing you into his arms. He held the back of your head as you tucked yourself into his neck. He hated seeing you like this, hell it pained him too. “I’m here…I’m right here honey.”

He continued to caress the back of your head and back. “Let it out, I’m not going anywhere.” He muttered as he felt the tremble in your body against his hand. Eventually you soon calmed down, completely relaxed against him. You pulled back from his neck to wipe your face.

“Don’t apologize.” He whispered with a soft gaze knowing you were going to. You laughed softly before kissing his cheek. You laid your head back on his shoulder. His presence seeping into your loneliness, comforting you with its warmth. 

For tonight you decided to let him in again. Needing him to lean on, you let yourself accept the help. He covers you with the blanket you were using earlier. He decided to let you two stay like this for awhile before he would take you to bed. 

“I got you sweetheart” He whispered against the top of your head, holding you close. He felt his protective side kick in, trying to shield you from the thoughts of yourself for a bit. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ thank you so much for reading!! <3 :)

[damn-stark]

Chapter 29 Birthday surprises

Chapter 29 of Sugar

A/N- One more chapter before we get to the angst 😆

Warning- Swearing, angst, talks of death and grief, FLUFF, cigarettes, spoilers!! long chapter, talks of well I don’t want to spoil it hehe….

Pairing- Choso x Gojo!fem-reader, Suguru Geto x Gojo!fem-reader

Takes place during-

(Let me know if you want to be tagged)

————

*SHOKO P.O.V. 11 YEARS AGO*

Perhaps she just betrayed her best friend by calling Gojo, perhaps she also just betrayed you in some way for giving away Geto’s location, but she isn’t going to sway. She isn’t going to break her head deciding who’s wrong or right, she knows what she needs to so she made her choice and if someone doesn’t like it well that’s too damn bad.

Albeit, Geto doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave to avoid being caught—not like she believes Gojo will do anything against Geto, Gojo loves his best friend too much. But Geto is still hanging around her without a cigarette in between his lips, or without another word to say about his beliefs, or about anything else actually.

He’s just beside her in silence and that raises her suspicion, but then again she doesn’t have to think too deeply about what’s keeping him there.

“She was taken by her family,” she reveals as she assumes he’s going to ask about you. “They came in the morning and took her. That’s why she probably hasn’t tried reaching you….that’s what you were going to ask about right?”

Geto sighs softly and nods. “We agreed to meet up to talk. She never got there.”

Shoko takes a drag from her cigarette and after she blows out smoke she continues to try and defend you. “Yeah, they surprised her. Used their techniques on her and took her. I haven’t heard from her since, but Satoru said she’s okay.”

Geto’s head slowly turns and his thin eyebrows slowly knit together. “He didn’t take her with him?”

Shoko scoffs. “No. He came home recently without her. Her parents probably didn’t let her come back.”

“No,” Geto quickly counters. “Even if that was it, they listen to him. He could’ve brought her back to the school if he wanted. He left her there. My guess is so she doesn’t talk to me.”

“You really think…” she trails off as she realizes the answer to her own question.

Gojo did seem to never come around to accepting Geto and you, but was it really that bad? She always looked at it as him being overbearing and overprotective for his little sister and for his best friend, but did he really dislike the idea so much as to leave you in your family home with a family that finds ways to scrutinize you when they can?

No. That can’t be it, she knew Satoru. He wouldn’t leave you just to prevent you from talking to Geto. He’s just being too overbearing, he still sees you as his little sister, not his sister who can make her own choices and conjure up her own thoughts about everything.

And this is why she’s glad she’s an only child.

“Shoko,” Geto calls out softly and pushes away from the railing to face her. “Could you do something for me?”

Without hesitation, she nods and interjects. “Depends what the favor is. I won't help you burn a village if that’s what you’re going to ask.”

Geto doesn’t find humor in her comment, so she wonders how it is that you make him laugh with your terrible puns.

“It’s about y/n,” he clarifies.

She lets out a deep breath and turns off her cigarette before stepping forward to stand before him. “Sure,” she assures her friend. “What is it?”

“It’s doubtful that she will get her phone back when she gets back to the school,” he begins to explain. “So when she goes back without her phone could you please let her borrow yours and have her call me.”

Shoko nods, but she brings up a possibility that pops into her head. “What if she doesn’t want to talk to you?”

Suguru’s eyes flicker down and an upset look flickers on his face before he faces her with nonchalance. “Then just tell me…” he trails off and reaches into his back pocket to pull out a folded paper. “And whether she wants to talk to me or not, give her this.”

Shoko takes the paper and lets curiosity take control and opens the paper, causing Geto to explain what all the words mean. “It’s her favorite poem.”

“The Passionate Shepherd to His Love.” She reads the title in her mind.

“It could’ve been something inappropriate,” Geto remarks.

“I need to know what I’m smuggling to her,” she shrugs him off whilst she folds the paper back before putting it away—“anything else?” She asks.

Geto’s eyes fall to the ground and he nods gently. “If you see her, if she doesn’t want to talk to me, tell her I understand. Tell her to not stay in that school, if she wants to leave then she should tell her to do everything that leads to her happiness. That’s all that matters. Her being happy…” He pauses and draws out a deep breath before meeting her gaze with a small but hurt smile.

“…she deserves to be happy. Tell her that she’s…no…just tell her that if she ever changes her mind I won’t be far, I’ll be there waiting for her. And,” he says with a sweet and adoring smile he only has reserved for two people with the same family name. You and your brother.

“Tell her I know the answer to her question.” He laughs softly.

——

*YOU. NOW*

“…we have to put a hard structure to their training. With the battle…”

You tune Utahime out and yawn into your hand. Even if you got plenty of sleep last night, meetings like these have a way of draining you. They’re so boring!

But…you have to pay attention.

This is like being back at school all over again though. When you’d have strategy meetings with your family they were never this boring. There were drinks and food! All you have here is the temptation to walk out since everyone chose to come over to your house and do anything else like, maybe take a horse ride, tend to your garden, read, or even help your daughter with some of the homework you left her.

Alas…here you are…with Satoru watching you?

You drift your gaze to the corner of your eyes and you can’t see what his eyes are pointed at because of his blindfold, but you can see that his head is slightly shifted your way, and tilted slightly down.

Is he sleeping?

You slowly churn your head his way and tilt your chin down. This makes Satoru swiftly tilt his head up to meet your gaze behind his blindfold, letting you know he is awake, and he was looking at you, so you shoot him a pointed look that conveys your sass.

“You wish,” he whispers sassily and finally looks away.

“You wish,” you mock him, and that makes him counter by pinching your arm.

“Ow,” you hiss and try to swat his hand away, but even if he’s choosing not to have his infinity on, he still swiftly pulls his hand away with a stifled snicker.

“Real mature,” you murmur and hit his thigh with your foot.

Satoru moves to react, but he’s interrupted by the woman leading this gathering, Utahime. “Are you two listening? I know this might be above you Gojo, but this is in regards to your students.”

Satoru reclines back with his hands pressed on the floor and glances between you and Utahime. “You need to use first names Utahime, there’s two of us here once again. It’s confusing,” Satoru only says all that to annoy her.

“The both of you are being scandalous,” she grumbles. “Did either of you even listen to a word I said?”

You nod. “There needs to be structure,” you repeat what she just said. “Training is too chaotic with all the students under one roof, yeah, yeah. I mean,” you sigh and fold your arms over your chest. “If only there were such a place where there was structure for teenage students.”

Utahime grinds her teeth, and Shoko interjects. “Says the high school dropout.”

“I’m surprised you remember what high school is,” Satoru bounces in and leans over. “Considering your professional career eats away at your brain by just looking pretty and letting flashes blind your eyes.”

You slowly turn to look at your brother with a threatening glare, but don’t give him the satisfaction of responding to his stupid untrue comment, you just pierce your glare at him before you look back at Utahime and address her.

“What is it that you were saying?”

Utahime lets out an exhausted breath but has no choice but to repeat herself. “Besides your own students, you will help other students in controlling their technique. You have experience and…you are good at the fluidity of your cursed technique.”

You smile at her smugly because you know she was dreading saying all that to you.

“Don’t worry,” she adds. “You’ll only need to help these students while we prepare for the battle. I’ll tell you who later.”

You respond with a nod and intend to continue listening this time, but this idea you thought of last night comes back around and you have to share it before you forget to before the group breaks apart.

“I have a suggestion,” you interject and bring the group's attention back to you once again. “Regarding the students.”

The parlor room doors open in the midst of you talking and soft patters hit the floor. Before you can see who it is, a little arm wraps around your neck, long black hair drapes over your shoulder, and a math and handwriting worksheet falls on your lap that has your daughter's name on it.

“I see that team morality could use some work, especially between Kyoto and Tokyo students, so I thought why not go on a trip,” you finish sharing before you pick up the worksheets and multitask.

“A trip?” Utahime asks unsure.

You nod and spare her a glance. “Yeah. A beach trip. I have a beach house, it should be large enough. And it’s not like we have to stay long. A day trip would be nice…it’s just to help them build trust between each other, don’t you all think?” You ask.

For a moment though the group of adults stays quiet as they think of your proposition and debate whether it’s an actually good idea, or an excuse to be lazy.

“Well,” Kusakabe is the first one to share his thoughts. “That doesn't sound like a terrible idea. We can’t just depend on them to bond on the battlefield.”

“It’s a terrible idea,” Kashimo pitches, making you look up from the math sheet to look at him with a pointed look.

“Why are you in this meeting again?” You quip.

Kashimo doesn’t get offended by your question, he in fact just meets your gaze and shrugs. He doesn’t even give a reason as to why he disagrees, he just declares it is and leaves it at that.

He’s weird.

“It would let us newer sorcerers have a chance to get to know you all more too,” Takaba shares excitedly. “I think it’s a great idea.”

You offer him a smile before you hand Satori her math sheet. “Good work,” you praise her. “You got them all right. And your handwriting can use practice, but we have time. You can go play now.”

Satori beams at you and snatches her papers to zoom off.

“Let me do your hair,” you yell after her over your shoulder.

Satori reaches the door and even if her hair gets in her eyes and all over her face as she dramatically turns her little head, she still shouts back, “No!”

You groan, but leave it be and just return your attention to the group.

“As long as all the expenses are paid then I think it’s a great plan,” Mei-Mei’s response doesn’t surprise you whatsoever. “Besides staying in one place for too long won’t do anything to help them improve either.”

“Very well then,” Utahime hesitantly gives in. “All those in favor?”

She offers a vote and no one opposes, so you win.

“Okay, then when do you want to do this?” She asks you now.

You glance at Satoru and share the rest of your idea. “December 7th? That is if you don’t mind Satoru?”

He likes to celebrate his birthday, especially if it’s with friends and those he loves. So you thought why not celebrate his birthday at the beach with his students and friends?

“No, of course not,” he assures you with a smile. “I don’t mind at all. I actually like the idea of my birthday at the beach.”

You flash him a grin and pat his shoulder. “Good,” you whisper.

And just like that a beach day on the 7th is added to everyone’s schedule. It might be winter, the air is bitter and the water is freezing, but it’s the beach! And when you’re playing sports you won’t even feel it so you won’t mind the cold then. It will feel weird going back to that beach house without your family though. Especially without the twins, and Suguru; the man who gifted that beach house to you.

Will the memories of them haunt you? You have to wonder to yourself.

But it’s not because you feel guilty for going there with a boyfriend, Suguru wants you to be happy and you’re following that. It’s just the thought of going back there with everything so different…hurts to even think about.

“Y/N!”

You slow down your pace on your trail to Choso and when you peer over your shoulder you see Shoko coming after you.

“Baby,” you greet her and halt in your tracks to wait for her. “What’s up? I thought you didn’t want to come outside.”

The moment Shoko falls by your side you continue towards Choso who should be teaching some blood manipulation techniques to Itadori.

“I forgot I needed to tell you something,” she says, piquing your interest.

“What is it? Is it about that bag I let you borrow 11 years ago? Because if so it’s yours.”

Shoko shakes her head and looks at you nonchalantly. “No, I accidentally burned a small hole through that.”

Your eye twitches and a pang hits your chest at the horrible, terrible news.

It was so cute and so expensive too.

“I will pretend you didn’t say that,” you mutter between gritted teeth before you let out a dramatic sigh and rewind to what she needed to say. “What is it, Shoko?”

Yet just as she took a breath of air to speak, you come to an immediate halt as you catch Satori letting Choso do her hair, while her friends watch.

“Look at that,” you muse happily. “She’s warming up to him again.”

And or, Satori also had enough with her hair being in her face. But does she want your help? No.

“After I told her that Choso and I were dating,” you let Shoko know as you keep admiring the way Choso is neatly braiding your daughter's hair—“Satori got sad. She doesn’t want Choso to replace her dad, so she got upset, but now look at them,” you laugh breathlessly as your smile only widens with glee and admiration.

“Hey, can you braid my hair too?” One of Satori's friends stands up and asks Choso.

“He’s doing mine first!” Satori hisses at her friend as if they were going to take him away at that exact moment.

Should you give her some advice about her not getting upset about something so small? Yes. Will you? No, no you won’t because you’re happy she’s coming around.

“Wh—what were you going to say?” You redirect your attention back to your friend. “Sorry, I got distracted.”

Shoko’s gaze drifts for a second, but you don’t follow her line of gaze since you keep your eyes fixated on her as you wait curiously.

“Oh,” she sighs. “It was just about an idea I have about giving Satoru a present together.”

Your eyes brighten and you quickly nod in agreement. “That’s a great idea. I was breaking my head over what I should buy him, but this will help. What do you have in mind?”

Shoko shakes her head and impresses you by the way she swiftly pulls out a cigarette.

“That was my first step, telling you, I’ll think of ideas,” she says, making you laugh softly.

“Well,” she adds and steps back. “I’ll let you be now. If you need me I’ll be around.”

You blink in confusion since this all seemed too abrupt, but she doesn’t let you ask any more questions before she walks off.

Then again if it was important she would have told you. You’ll talk to her about it later. For now, you turn to face your beloved with your little beloved and can’t help but grin as you catch him twisting her braids up in two buns, just the way she likes it.

It warms your heart—No, seeing that she’s not being so distant, and asking Choso for help with something she doesn’t let you help her with makes your heart feel like it’s bursting with pure bliss. You’re so enamored.

Choso catches your lovestruck gaze and his cheeks turn a soft shade of pink, making you tempted to go over there and join them to be a part of a memorable moment. But, you don’t want to ruin their little moment so, you stay where you are and grin at him with bliss and love clearly expressed in your fire-colored eyes.

Choso can’t help but smile back at you with a proud and also loving gaze, making it seem at that moment that only the two of you exist in a world full of people.

——

*A COUPLE WEEKS LATER*

“THE BEACH!” You exclaim and throw your hands out as you draw in that salty air. “Do you smell that Satori?”

“It’s cold,” she complains and hugs her jacket tighter around her. “Can I stay inside watching TV?”

Luckily it isn’t that windy today, it’s chilly, but it’s bearable. So you take your coat and shoes off before you answer your daughter as you tilt your head down to swiftly make your sunglasses fall over your face. “No. We’re all going to be out here.”

“But I can’t even play, I’m too little,” she brings up.

You peel your eyes away from the calm water ahead and see her pouting. “You can be With Ui-Ui and keep score, hm?” You try to advise her while you pull small sunglasses off your shirt and put them on your Worm that rests on Sarori’s shoulders as of now. “Looking nice buddy.”

The Worm smiles and you grin back before you refocus on your daughter and continue offering suggestions. “You can build a sandcastle, or play with your kite.”

Satori tilts her head away and groans, but she doesn’t continue to argue. You then take advantage that everyone else is slowly filtering out, and walk to the shore, but stand behind the waterline to just watch the waves roll in and darken the sand it runs over.

You look up and admire the gray-blue sky and catch winter birds diving in the water to catch food. In the distant horizon, you see an endless body of water that makes it look like you’ll reach the end of the world.

You then draw in another deep breath, but this time you can feel the water. Not on your toes or any part of your body, you feel it inside you. That’s a beautiful aspect of your technique, if you concentrate deep enough, you can feel your connection to the air all around you, the flowing water where you find it to be, the earth beneath your feet everywhere you go, and especially fire of course since you do produce it. It’s calming to feel their company. It helps you relax.

It seems that since last year you haven’t been able to find time to just relax, but now as you hear the soft crashes of the water rolling in, as you remember that you’re accompanied by those you love, you finally feel like you’re relaxed.

It's dangerous now though. Considering what has to happen in a few weeks, feeling this relaxed makes you want to live in this state forever and not attempt to fight.

But you will fight to see a future with your daughter, with Choso, and your brother. And especially to get justice for the twins who were killed by Sukuna, and justice for Suguru whose body is being used by Kenjaku. You’ll fight for that even if it means you finally stay with death and not escape its grasp.

“Y/N, please put on a long-sleeved shirt or a jacket or something,” Choso interrupts your silence.

You look back and see him carrying your jacket and shoes you discarded to run over here. “I can’t play a sport with a jacket,” you explain. “And I’ll get hot with a sweatshirt on.”

Choso knows not to argue since you won’t go anywhere, so he just throws your jacket over his shoulder and falls by your side instead, he then follows your line of gaze to the dark blue ocean.

“Your head isn’t hurting anymore is it?” He asks.

You shake your head. “No, it's gone now. I’m good, I think I was just excited.” You grin.

“It’s the third time this week you’ve had a headache,” he mumbles. “Maybe you should ask Ieiri to check on you.”

You smile at him and wrap an arm around his shoulders to swing around in front of him and hug him to bask in his warmth. “I’m fine Cho. Really.”

Your boyfriend returns your embrace and starts caressing your back. “Your brother keeps avoiding me. I tried to say happy birthday, but he never let me approach him. I thought he was fine with me, but I’ve noticed that he’s started avoiding me since a couple of weeks ago. He doesn’t like me does he?”

You rest your chin on his shoulder and glance ahead, catching the man you’re talking about playing with a ball as he talks with his students.

“Just give him some time,” you try to assure Choso. “I wish I could say more, but that’s all I can offer you.”

Choso nods softly. “No, I understand. It’s just getting worse instead of better.”

You meet Choso’s gaze and offer him a pitiful frown. You wish you could comfort him and say it will get better, but your brother is being immature about this situation and refuses to understand that Choso is a good man.

You could say you’ll talk some sense into him, but he’s quite stubborn when it comes to accepting your relationships. So you’ll just have to talk to him to tell him to at least be nice.

“Just let him be, okay?” You offer the best advice. “He doesn’t hate you. He’s just being…protective.”

Choso nods softly.

“Hey,” you smile and pull back just enough to meet his gaze. “At least Satori likes you now. That’s the only person that matters.”

A soft proud smile tugs on his lips. “That’s true,” he says.

You hum softly and raise your hand to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear before you share a quote that seems fitting for the thought that grows in your mind. “Come live with me and be my love, and we will all the pleasures prove, that valleys, groves, hills, and fields, woods, or steepy mountain yields.”

Choso's eyebrows knit together and you can’t help but giggle softly before you explain yourself to the poor confused guy. “It’s part of a poem. My favorite poem, it’s about a Shepherd trying to convince his lover to come live in the countryside with him.”

Choso’s eyebrows unravel but he still seems confused as to why you said it. Even if he did love the way you spoke the poem.

“I know I make all these plans for after our battle, and I do plan to see them through, but how about I add one more?” You clue him in. “How about we come live at my beach house in the summer? We’d be pretty secluded, we’d be under the gleaming hot sun, and find comfort at night by hearing the waves crashing against the sand.”

Choso glances out at the water and sighs deeply. “I suppose it is relaxing here. Even if it is cold.”

You chuckle. “Just for now. But it’s nice in the summer. The turtles hatch their eggs, so you get to see the little ones diving into the water for the first time. You get to see dolphins, and most importantly you get to see me training in the water, which can get cool.”

Choso didn't need much convincing, you just needed to share your plan and he’d be ready, but he did like hearing you try to convince him. “Well, it sounds fun. How can I say no?” He quips.

You smile brightly and press a kiss on his cheek. “Yay. Now,” you change the subject and drop your arms to your side to turn away. “Let’s go start our game!”

You run to join the others, and before Satoru can turn to look at you, you jump and slam your hand down on the soccer ball to try and shove it out of his hands. Albeit you got too cocky, he heard you approaching and gripped onto the ball, so all you do is slap your hand on the ball and throw sand everywhere when you land on your feet.

“Fucker,” you grumble and he starts to laugh manically.

“Too loud,” he teases between laughs. “You can’t outsmart me.”

You pout and roll your eyes away from him to address the group. “Everyone huddle up!”

The different conversations die down, and those who were apart from the group walk over, whilst those who were close just turn to face you.

“This is how it’s going to go, we’ve made a raffle of what game we can play and Satori here will pick one out,” you explain excitedly. “All right? So no whining over what we get. And remember these are all team sports to build our bond with each other. Especially to build the relationship between you students because we won’t win if we’re strangers and fighting a battle between each other, so…” you trail off and look around at the quiet group of students, and grow a bit bashful.

They’re all just looking at you. But you go on nevertheless.

“Chipmunk the cup please,” you tell your daughter. And even if she’s still upset that she’s on the sidelines, she walks between Satoru and you with excitement—“It’d only make sense if the birthday boy chooses, so pick the game, brother.”

Satoru holds the ball against his hip to reach into the cup and mix the pieces of paper before he pulls out the answer.

“Drum roll please, Satori,” he points to your daughter, and she happily obliges.

Satoru chooses to be overdramatic and prolongs announcing what he picked, filling the silence with Satori hitting the table.

“Come on,” Maki rushes him.

Satoru chuckles and opens the paper, causing Satori to stop and stand up on the chair to peek over.

“Volleyball!” Satoru shouts.

“Yes!” You celebrate and make the water in the distance splash up.

“Here’s the deal,” Satoru continues and throws the paper back in the cup. “We will split into teams, Students against adults.”

The students share perplexed glances before Kirara raises their hand.

“Yes, star student,” you pick on them.

“It’s a bit unfair, no?” They point out. “You’re all older and stronger.”

You scoff and share a knowing look with Satoru before assuring them. “And you have Maki and Itadori. Heavy hitters. you'll be more than fine. In any case, we might lose.”

“Impossible,” Kashimo interjects. “I won’t lose.”

You side-eye him before you ignore him and clap. “Let’s set the net up and get started.”

You turn away to pretend to be busy, and from the corner of your eyes, you see Satoru picking up the volleyball and aiming it at you.

“Think fast!” He quickly blurts and throws the ball toward your face, but you manage to catch it in time.

“You suck,” you grumble and throw it at him, but he catches it of course, getting you annoyed.

However, you quickly grow mischievous and form a ball of sand on your hand with your technique to hurl it at him.

Nevertheless, of fucking course Satoru puts up his infinity so the sandball just crumbles and sprinkles back on the ground.

“You suck,” you murmur with a glare.

Satoru snickers and drops the ball to bend his knees and put his arms out. You immediately catch what he wants to do so you start backing away.

“No,” you warn him. “Don’t you dare. You're 29.”

Satoru snickers and matches your pace, so you make a sharp turn and run toward Shoko. Satoru of course chases after you in an attempt to catch you and throw you in the water like he liked to do, but you’re faster, you reach Shoko and throw yourself on her back.

“What—”

You cut her off by spinning her around so she can face Satoru’s wrath.

“For heaven's sake,” Shoko grumbles as she picks up on Satoru’s intentions. “Have you not grown out of this?”

“It’s my birthday,” Satoru throws out as if that’s a magic excuse card.

“Don’t you dare,” you hiss at him and turn Shoko as he steps towards another side. “Stop it.”

Satoru chuckles. “Where’s your husband now?”

You gasp. “Low,” you snap at him with amusement.

Satoru digs his heels and darts for one side, but you let Shoko go and sprint away, catching the attention of the others setting up the net, and your daughter.

“Go Uncle Satoru!” Satoru exclaims.

You’re going to pretend she didn’t just root for the opponent and make another sharp to try and evade your brother.

Albeit he’s faster now and catches you at that turn

“Haha!” He taunts like a psycho and sprints toward the water.

“Satoru let go of me! Don’t you dare throw me into that water!”

Your warning though goes through one ear and comes out the other because he only seems to pick up his pace. You try to hit him, but your punches do nothing. You kick him, but he just laughs. And before you know it, without even avoiding the water himself, he turns around swiftly and throws himself back to dive into the water first before he yanks you down in the cold fucking water with him.

Cheering goes off above water and it’s not hard to guess who encourages such stupid behavior; your students and your daughter.

But whatever, you’ll get them back for encouraging him. As of now luckily he didn’t run in too deep so you manage to immediately find your footing and throw your head back after you stand to your given height.

“You fucker!” You sneer at Satoru as he can’t stop laughing. “You’re a grown man.”

Satoru flips his wet hair back with his hand and shrugs. “You’re still my little sister.”

You discreetly manipulate the water to wrap it around his ankles and yank him down before he can put up his infinity again. And even if you know that doesn’t bother him, you find pride in getting the last laugh.

“Refreshing,” he teases you when he sits up on the sand.

You roll your eyes and just slap some water on his face before you stomp out of the water. Choso being the good boyfriend he is, meets you halfway with a towel, but you find an easier way to dry yourself off; using the wind, you pick up its speed and blow it over you.

After a couple of seconds, you’re all dried up, leaving Choso impressed, and leaving you still annoyed.

“You okay?” Choso asks.

You huff as you stomp back towards the setup you have on the sand. “Peachy. I’m just seconds away from melting my brother's eyes in his sockets.”

Choso laughs softly and reaches over to rub your shoulder. “You have an odd relationship.” He pokes fun.

You groan and sulk on the chair until finally the net is set up and everyone is ready to start the game.

“Remember everyone,” you interject a lot more excited than you were seconds ago. “No techniques! If Satoru catches a whiff of it that’s an immediate out!” You grin and throw the volleyball in the air. “We can’t stop using physical ability, but besides that, it’s a normal game!” You catch the ball and hurl it back to your setter, Utahime.

“A little warning next time,” Utahime grumbles under her breath.

You turn to face your group which you now realize is very large. You’re so used to playing with your family which didn’t consist of too many people so the teams were small, but now there’s three rows on both sides to fit everyone.

“Sorry,” you tell Utahime. “I totally thought we were all coordinated. Anyway! So, how are we setting up? Just a heads up,” you smirk and turn smug. “I can hit a wicked spike.”

“Because of your technique,” Kashimo is quick to spat.

You put a hand on your hips and shoot him a glare. “Nuh-uh. Remember how I exploded the earth beneath you with fire? Well, that’s how. All that training made my swings super powerful. So I can go to the back or the front, whatever floats your boat.”

“Well,” Utahime sighs. “Obviously Satoru is in the Center since he’s the tallest. Ino you’ll be the libero since you are the youngest. Takaba and Choso will be in the middle row, and Mei-mei will be in between both. Y/N, you’re on the left so I’m trusting you.”

You shoot her a wink to assure her.

“Shoko you’ll be the right wing, and Kashimo,” Utahime continues. “You’ll be at the back, in the middle. Did I get everyone?”

You all glance at each other and when you don't see that anyone is left out you awkwardly break away to get into position.

“Good luck, lover,” you pat Choso’s back. “And if I am ever mean during this game, don’t take it personally, I enjoy winning. I’m competitive.”

Choso snickers. “All right well should I prepare to comfort you if you lose?”

You tap your bottom lip and hum. “Are you saying you’ll give your brother the game? If so then yes.” You tease and flash him a smile.

“Well that’s where I’m conflicted, should I make it easy for him or you?” He says back with a faint smile.

“Well if you let me win I can give you something,” you bribe him with a flirty smile.

Choso snickers. “You know I can’t resist you, but well, we’ll see how you play. You have a wicked spike, no?” He taunts with a smirk.

You chuckle and grab his jaw to press a big fat kiss on his cheek before you turn and run to your spot before you can spend all your game flirting with your boyfriend. But now as you face the opposing time you realize you’re really in trouble, Itadori, Hakari, and Maki are in the front. Momo, Miwa, and Inumaki are their weakest players so they’re in the middle. But another powerhouse is in the back with Kirara, the student Noritoshi Kamo, and Okkotsu.

This game could go either way, fast with how specialized everyone is, or slow for that same reason. Either way, it’ll make for a fun game. The games with your family were a lot more tame that’s for sure.

“Ready?” Utahime signals everyone before Ui-Ui blows the whistle and once and for all initiates the game!

Up first Utahime serves the ball with a loud bam. The ball flies over the net and a shadow casts over the middle.

“Miwa!” Maki exclaims so serious-like which is kind of scary. Then again she just kind of scares you. She probably—no she could win against all of you single-handedly. She��s that impressive.

Regardless, Miwa moves forward and raises her hands, but instead of hitting the ball, like a flash of lightning, Itadori and Maki zoom back, they both jump up at the same time and end up clashing together, but Itadori manages to hit the ball over the net instead.

“Y/N!” Gojo warns you. But just as the two of you jump to block it, the ball whizzes past the tip of Satoru’s fingers and hits the sand behind you so hard the sand implodes everywhere.

“Damn,” you murmur and look over at the boy completely starstruck.

That was fucking faster than you thought. They got a score in the first few seconds! And it was probably at their worst too!

“Come on birthday boy,” Shoko scolds Satoru. “Get your head in the game. You’re a giant for a reason aren't you?”

You look away from the students passing each other smiles and tease Shoko right back. “Oh someone’s getting grouchy. I forgot how bad you get when you play sports.”

“She’s also a few shots in,” Satoru whispers in your direction.

“Come on Okkotsu break these old fuckers backs,” Kusakabe cheers on the boy from the sidelines with a beer in his hand.

But you’re not even old…you’re only 28. Tsk.

Whatever…

Yuta gets the ball, he reels back his hand; and even with your conflicted feelings for him you know he’s not to be messed with, so you prepare to block. Yet the ball flies over and falls towards Takaba’s direction. He seems to panic, but he manages to smack and manages to hit it hard enough to get it across.

“Nice,” you throw over your shoulder while you keep your eyes on the ball, seeing that it gets close to Kamo.

When he jumps to meet the ball, he’s smart enough not to hit the ball with too much power behind his swing, he taps it just hard enough to get across, with hopes it’ll catch you all off guard and get them another point. However, a shadow casts over Mei-Mei, but it’s not near her range, so Kashimo runs ahead and jumps to return the ball to the other side.

Itadori receives the ball and passes it to Hakari without as much as an eye signal. They’re coordinated more than you thought, but you know Hakari more than Itadori. You know how hard he can hit and how far he can jump, so you prepare to counter.

As to not give it away though, you don’t bend your knees, but you do prepare your hands. When he hits it over, Satoru passes you a knowing look he could’ve passed on earlier, but whatever, you still catch him, and see him lazily stretch his arms out to do a fake, letting you jump over, reel your arm back, and slam the ball down with all your force.

Hakari and Itadori try to catch the ball, but it whizzes down and you hit a spike.

It’s now a tie match, but you don’t care, you still throw your fists in the air.

“Good job Mommy!” Satori exclaims from the sand a few feet away from the court.

You throw her a thankful thumbs up and focus back on the game. You wish you could say the rest of the match was smooth, that it was an easy win for the more experienced adults, but as awkward and quiet as the students were with each other, they’re strong, faster, and they don’t let your team get ahead. It’s a tie match all the way until the last minute, but now this is where it gets more intense. Even if it’s the first round, this last moment decides the first winner, this can decide how the rest of the game can go. So you focus.

You’re at the front again after some rotating. You aren’t confident about the back row as of now, but you have to make do with what you got, so you narrow your eyes. You don’t give your move away and just watch the ball fly across the net with a focused gaze. Ino and Kashimo act as decoys, while you hastily hop over, reel your hand back, and summon momentum to your palm to slap the ball with all the force you mustered. Maki tries to block it, her fingers reach for the ball. But she miscalculated her jump, she misses and the ball slams on the ground with an explosive thud that sends sand everywhere, setting your team as the winner for the first match out of five.

Which isn’t really something to celebrate over, but you still do, you throw your hands up and shout. “That’s how it’s done!” You beam and spin around to run to Choso.

Your boyfriend is unaware of your actions, but the moment he sees you running to him he prepares himself and manages to catch you when you jump on him

“Ahaha!” You laugh whilst you wrap your arms around his neck, and your legs around his waist.

“Nice game,” he doesn’t miss the chance to say while he tightens his hold around you.

“What can I say?” You gloat and slide off him to face him with a grin. “I have a wicked spike. You surprised me though. You make good serves.”

“Yes, but I can’t say I’m good at much else,” he says.

“You just need to call who you want to pass it to,” Shoko interjects as she walks over to return to her initial spot. “You’re not giving anything away so don’t worry.”

“All right.” He takes the advice and then narrows his gaze. “Ieiri I thought you gave up sports because of a man?”

You snap your eyes to Choso and shoot him a warning glare since he’s not supposed to know about that guy. She told you not to tell anyone she dated that man, especially not in front of Satoru because he’d never stop teasing her. Yet your sweet man doesn't understand.

“Oh,” Shoko laughs awkwardly and shoots you a pointed look. “Well, this is harmless fun. Besides, the guy is old news. He’s long forgotten.”

“Oh.”

“Good.” You nod slowly and ignore her shaking her head at you. “Well we still have four more rounds so let’s get going.”

Shoko turns away first so you grab Choso’s arm and pull him to you. “Choso, you weren't supposed to know that. I over-shared, so please don’t repeat it in front of anyone else, okay?”

Choso blinks in confusion but he doesn’t argue. “Oh, all right. Sorry.”

You scoff softly and flash him a smile before you let him go and return to your spot.

From then on the match's duration decreases as both teams start to get more comfortable with each other, silences fill with shouts of desperation and excitement, and laughs are born after a powerful hit, or a quick point.

Adrenaline and excitement rushes through all your veins as you’re swept up by a competitive high, (some more than others), so you all end up forgetting that it’s winter and the weather is far from friendly; especially some of the guys.

Satoru and Kashimo slip their shirts off and don’t get bothered by the cold winds embrace. You want Choso to take his shirt off, but even if he doesn’t get cold easily he just keeps on a tight short-sleeved shirt and you’re left just drooling over his abs stamped through the material, and his sweat gleaming over his face and biceps. He does take his shoes off though and wraps his feet, but that’s it. Sadly.

You will get him to take his shirt off later though. Just for you to see.

On the other team, Hakari takes his pants off to be in shorts and takes his shirt off to leave his torso bare, no one else on his team follows his lead though. His team, however, does seem to work just like you wanted; like a team, a united front. Their teamwork improves and their communication skills are speechless but tactful.

Their stars are almost always the same, Harkari, Itadori, and Maki, but they give the rest of their team a chance. They work on their mistakes and you, Satoru, and Utahime couldn’t be prouder.

Even if you aren’t a teacher, you are the mentor to some, so you get happy to see them working together. Just like it’s meant to be. Just like Suguru dreamed of.

If Suguru was here he would be proud, he’d be over the moon. Out of the many goals he had, seeing sorcerers getting along and working as a team was the most important. So even if this is a playful setting, he still would be happy. You’re proud you could see a part of his dream come true.

“Y/N!” Shoko warns, but It’s just a tactic.

You’re on the last match, just like many times before you’re neck to neck. With 3 points left on each team before the ultimate winner is decided.

You are getting increasingly more tired, but you jump and throw your hand back. Albeit the ball doesn’t reach you, with a soft but swift tap Satoru hits the ball and scores before any of the students could dive to counter.

“See!” Satoru exclaims and runs past you to fall on his knees and slide forward. “That’s how it’s done!” He shouts and throws his arms up to thrust his fists in the air.

Takaba being the man he is is the only one who celebrates with Satoru, the rest of you see that you have 2 more points to go so you wait for him.

Once he’s done he grabs your shoulder and shakes you.

“Ugh,” you groan but can’t help but smile anyway.

Satoru laughs and when he returns to his spot he bends down to put his hands on his thighs, and smugly stretches from one side and then to the other.

Now you hope you lose.

“Ready?” Utahime warns everyone before she sends the ball flying across your side toward the middle row.

Now unlike before, their weak spots are fortified. Inumaki catches the ball and passes it to Hakari, who hits hard and far. Yet Kashimo is fast, he runs back, and as he’s reaching for the ball he meets your gaze to send you a signal.

“Mine!” You give away your move and immediately hop up when Kashimo sends the ball you're way. Itadori, Harkari, and Maki get ready to block your fast hit, but you outsmart them. They thought you wouldn't go with a soft hit back-to-back, so they’re unprepared when you end up softly pushing the ball down directly behind their line of defense.

“Come on now!” You bellow happily and skip to the end of the court to high-five Kashimo.

“Not bad,” he manages to say in a not-so-grumpy tone. He tends to always sound annoyed, but that's maybe because he’s an old man in spirit.

“Careful old man you almost smiled at me,” you interject with a laugh before you twist around and run back to your spot whilst giving a high five to Choso and Takaba.

Once you’re in place Utahime hits the ball directly towards Maki’s grasp. Yet just as Shoko and Satoru prepare to counter or block, Maki drops her hands and lets the ball pass to Momo.

Now Momo might be smaller than the others, but she has a mighty swing. Once her hand hits the ball it goes flying. You move to try and block it, but first Itadori hits it with all his might. Choso and Takaba dive to try and make the team miss, but the ball carves a hole in the ground when it lands inches away from the grasp of your teammates.

“It was a nice try honey,” you assure Choso as you help him to his feet.

“Not good enough. I’ll try better,” he redirects, making you grin.

Now with the other team serving they have the advantage. And they use it. They trick you and once again tie the match by soft tapping, leading to you and your brother almost crashing together.

“We need one more point and we win,” Satoru says as he grabs your shoulders and pushes you back to your spot. “Let’s win this and show the students who’s the best!” He smirks.

You faintly mirror his gesture and roll your shoulders back.

“Come on Yuta let’s make this our last serve,” Maki interjects and bends her knees to get ready for what could lead to the winner or not. Neither of you know, but you both intend to make this the last round. All your hearts know that as they begin to pound during the anticipation. You were all sweaty too, but as you watched Okkotsu get ready to serve it’s like you feel the thick beads of sweat streaming down your face. You feel every muscle in your body burning, and your exhaustion is draining you, more than usual, but you stand your ground and glare at the opposite team to intimidate them.

The moment Okkotsu hits the ball, it flies directly toward you. Satoru can’t help you block or counter, so you summon all your strength behind your swing. And when the ball gets close enough you hit the ball with the tip of your fingers and push down.

That can be your winning point, the ball gets close to the ground. Albeit Itadori swiftly reacts and dives down to pass the ball.

“He blocked me?!” You whisper sharply and huff.

Hakari follows by jumping up to strike, but it’s a trick that Satoru and Shoko don’t fall into, they move to block Maki. But her swing is swift, hard, and powerful, you can’t even see how fast it moves until it smacks hard on the ground and you’re hit by sand.

You don’t realize you lost until Kashimo complains. “What the hell was that?! Where were your heads?!”

You slouch in defeat and watch the ball while the students on the other side shout, jump up and down, and huddle together.

“Well,” Satoru sighs in defeat. “That was a good game.”

You blink and fall on the ground to pout. And yes you should be proud, the students won with all their teamwork and blah, but you lost!

“Good game,” Choso pats your back.

You wave his hand off and sigh dramatically. “Yeah, yeah.”

Choso chuckles and tries to sit down next to you but you meet his gaze and smile at him.

“Go to Itadori, I’m just catching my breath and sulking. I’ll get over it.” You assure him.

He’s hesitant, but he presses a kiss on your head before he walks away, letting Shoko sit next to you.

“We used to be a damn good team,” you mutter in defeat. “What happened?!”

Shoko snorts. “We got old?”

You drop your head on your knees and actually try to catch your breath now as you still sulk.

“Do you need water?” Shoko asks with concern.

You nod. “Yeah, but I’ll get up in a second. I’m thinking about my life now.”

Shoko chuckles. “You’re so dramatic.”

You tilt your head up and flash her a smile, catching at that moment Satori wandering over to you.

“Maybe you can build a sandcastle or fly a kite?” She redirects what you told her. That snarky little girl.

“Ahaha,” you feign a laugh before you genuinely grin at her as you watch her walk up behind you. “Was it fun?” You ask.

Satori blows out air and wraps her arms around your neck as she presses herself on your back. “No. My tiger and I flew my kite instead.”

You narrow your eyes, but Shoko asks your question for you. “How do you fly a kite with a cursed spirit, little one?”

“Easy,” Satori answers casually. “He made himself big so I could mount his back, and he ran for me.”

You giggle and praise her critical thinking skills. “Smart.”

“Now I’m soooo bored,” she groans and slips her hands off your neck to twist around and drape her head over your shoulder.

“Ah, well since it is Satoru's birthday, why don’t you help your auntie Shoko and I bury your uncle in the sand, Hm?” You suggest, making her beam at you.

“Great idea! Let’s go!” She exclaims and pushes herself off you before she yells out for her uncle. “Uncle Satoru coming over here, quick!”

——

*LATER*

The rest of the evening everyone seemed to forget how cold it really was outside, including you. For that entire day, no one remembered the tragedy that awaits everyone on the 24th of December. And maybe that’s why no one let the cold weather bother them, because of what awaits you. Everyone wants to enjoy one day without worry.

Sure Satoru is fighting Sukuna first, he has the chance to end the fight, but you can’t plan for a hopeful outcome. As negative as it sounds, as much as you hate it and feel a pit in your stomach, you have to also plan for what if Satoru loses. You also have to plan to fight Kenjaku, which as of now the first runners-up are you, Okkotsu, and Takaba.

For now, you hope that’s enough, but time will only tell. Time knows everything that will happen. It’s wise, and it taunts you for not knowing ahead. You could wish to know the future all you want, but you can never peek ahead and know what’s going to happen, whether to celebrate a good outcome or avoid a bad one.

If you could, wouldn’t everything be different?

You don’t know that either, you only know the past and what’s happening at this very moment. Which is a gift amongst itself. You can recognize that. You’re happy—no you’re grateful to be alive and get to watch your daughter carrying out Satoru’s birthday cake. You’re proud that you get to see Satoru aging yet another year. And most importantly you are happy you’re not alone.

“Happy birthday Satoru!” You cheer and clap.

Satoru passes you a faint smile before he focuses on recording Satori bringing out his cake like a proud parent recording their child’s dance recital.

“You made it to 29!” Shoko exclaims as she helps Satori set the cake down in front of Satoru.

“Someone tell him to take his infinity so he can taste his cake,” one of the students shouts from the crowd gathered around the birthday man.

“Come on Sugar, let's take a picture together,” Satoru suggests, and your daughter happily obliges.

“But don’t do bunny ears,” Satori warns him. “You always do them.”

Satoru raises one hand. “I swear,” he assures her, but you see him crossing his fingers on his other hand under the table.

“Mommy quick take a picture before the candles melt,” Satori yells at you impatiently

“Okay, okay, I was getting ready anyway,” you comfort her with a soft laugh before you walk around the table to stand across from them. When you point your camera they both end up giving each other bunny ears without knowing. How cute.

“What about one more,” you let them know after you snap the first picture.

Neither party complains, but this time instead of just them, all of Satoru’s students jump in for the picture.

“Nice,” you muse and put the camera down, hearing them all laugh, and seeing Satoru grin softly.

“Blow the candles now!” Satori tells her uncle before she looks back at Hakari and giggles, letting you know that they’re up to no good.

“Come on make a wish,” you encourage your brother with a smile that you can’t let go of, it even starts to hurt your cheeks a bit.

“All right,” he breathes out before he flutters his eyes shut for a few seconds before he shows off those bright blue eyes of his, puckers his lips, and blows out the candles decorating his cake, causing the room to erupt in cheer.

“Yay! You’re halfway old now Uncle Satoru!”

You snort at Satoris' boldness and can’t help but laugh with everyone else while Satoru grabs his chest and acts hurt.

“Thanks, Satori for that insight.” He mutters and leans down.

Satori notices and her eyes widen with excitement. She once again looks over at her partner in crime, and he gives her a nod and offers her a thumbs up. Now you should come in between whatever they're up to, but then again what’s the harm in what they want? So instead you start recording and smile as you watch Satori put her little hand over Saroru’s head. Before he can move she slams her hand down and tries to push his face into the cake.

Satoru had noticed what her intentions were, she wasn’t really discreet even if she thought she was. So since his big fat head is heavy he actually helps her out and basically shoves himself in his own cake and gets what he wanted; Satori laughing and happy.

“Nice job little one,” Shoko praises Satori with a smirk.

Kirara and Itadori shove past you to steal a quick picture of Satoru’s face covered in frosting.

“Excuse you,” you grumble and squeeze past them.

“Now you!” Satoru exclaims and swipes some frosting off his face to wipe it on Satori’s face.

“Hey!” She chuckles. “That’s no fair!”

They both end up laughing at each other and you can’t help but tear up just a little as you watch them. Not for what you could’ve had if you reunited sooner, but over the unknown future. You don’t want Satori to lose yet someone else she loves and looks up to. She’s lost too many people already at her young age, you don’t want her to lose Satoru either. You didn’t want to lose him either.

“Okay everyone come get cake no one is serving anyone!” Shoko announces before she backs away from the gathering crowd.

You sigh and let out all your gloom and doom, instead you keep trying to make the best out of this day.

“Hey, Uncle Satoru,” you hear Satori interject. “When do you think we’ll go out and exorcise curses together?”

Satoru turns his head with his mouth full of cake and snickers, making her slowly pout.

“Don't laugh,” she says sadly. “I train. I’m strong. and my mommy says I will make a great partner. I just want to go on a mission like you and my daddy would.”

Satoru’s breath hitches softly at the mention, and you…smile down at your hands. A part of you wants to cry just thinking about it, then again you have been more emotional than usual, but that’s beside the point, you don’t cry. You feel joy hearing Satori bring that up.

“My daddy always told me cool stories,” Satori continues trying to presuede him into accepting. “I just want to have a cool story of our own.”

Satoru swallows thickly and laughs softly. “Is that so? Well, maybe after all this is over we can go on an easy mission, okay?”

Satori's face immediately changes and she beams at him now. “Yay!”

Satoru scoops up more cake with his spoon and wonders out loud. “What else would your dad say?”

Tsk. Of course, he’s going to probe her about Suguru now. He did it every chance he got.

Anyway, you let them be and find Choso in the living room talking to his brother. You put a foot forward to sit next to your boyfriend, but you’re then hit with a realization so you step back and pull your camera out.

“Uh, Itadori, Cho,” you interject and immediately gain their attention. “Would you mind if I took a picture?”

Itadori and Choso look at each other, and as nervous as Choso got out of fear his brother would reject this simple request, he answers for him and his brother. “No, not at all.”

You smile and whisper excitedly, “great!”

As you lift your camera, Itadori scoots closer to Choso and wraps his arm around his brother before he offers the camera a wide happy grin. Choso first looks over at Itadori with a smile before he shows off that same smile to the camera, letting you snap a picture that triggers the flash to go off.

“Perfect,” you say cheerfully. “Thank you boys.”

With the inability to stop smiling at Choso’s new milestone, you sit down beside him and lean into his ear. “See I told you I could get it.”

Choso looks at you with awe and interjects. “Now all we need is the Christmas portrait.”

You chuckle, making him proud that he’s getting a lot better at making you laugh with the little things he says.

“Itadori come on, we’re going to start,” Panda whisks Itadori away with the other students outside.

“Do you want to watch the fireworks with me?” You ask Choso and bat your lashes as if he isn’t going to agree right away. “Hakari and Inumaki found some in the garage and they’re going to pop them now it seems, so do you want to watch the light show with me?”

Choso watches as you press your hand on his chest and draws in a deep breath before meeting your pleading gaze and giving in without a fight. “Yes, that sounds fun.”

You grin at him and first grab a throw blanket that was on the couch, and then grab his hand to take him outside with you. Albeit you don’t go too far out where the students are, you decide you’re too old to be huddled around them, so you keep your distance, and plop Choso on the cold ground before you follow and snuggle your back against his chest.

He then grabs the throw blanket you took and hooks his arms around your neck to wrap the both of you in the warmth of the blanket. While you wait for the students to start you lay your head back on Choso’s shoulder, and watch the star-littered sky. He on the other hand sighs softly in satisfaction and watches you.

“How about tonight we do face masks together after we take a shower, hm?” You suggest and drift your eyes to meet his gaze. “Maybe we can also watch a sappy movie tonight. Do you like that idea?”

Choso nods. “Yes, I don’t mind.”

You smile at him and only lift yourself a little to give him a fleeting kiss on his chin. He offers you a soft lovestruck smile and that reminds you of something.

“Oh, and by the way the secrets I tell you, like the one about Shoko, are supposed to stay between us. You’re not supposed to know,” you remind him before you could get into trouble.

“Oh,” he gasps softly. “Sorry. I forgot.”

You laugh softly and tilt your head down. “Don’t worry about it, just remember that the gossip I tell you is not shared.”

“Right,” he mumbles whilst he rests his chin on your head. “What about the stuff I hear? Do I tell you?”

You pull away from him and twist around halfway to meet his gaze with a pressing look. “Did you hear something?” You probe.

Choso chuckles. “I suppose that’s a yes. Well when I was helping Satori build her castle out of sand, I heard your brother and Ieiri talking about uh, Mei-Mei trying to “make a move” on a Higuruma when they were on their way here.”

You gasp and turn completely to grab his arms. “What else did you hear? Because I heard she was talking all sweet to Kashimo.”

“Uh, your brother said that she has a way to scare off men.” He says.

You scoff and turn to lay back against him. “That's so not it. That’s how you know he doesn’t know her. She just figures out if they have money or not, if they don’t then they’re not worth her time.”

“Oh.”

The corner of your lips tug to a half smile. “She most likely found out that neither men have money so she just didn’t bother getting to know them.”

“Hm.” He doesn’t say much but he still absorbs everything you tell him and always recalls what you have mentioned in the past.

It’s another reason why you love him. He’s a great listener.

“You know,” you add and drop your gaze to watch Hakari finally light a small firework. “I think Kashimo is warming up to me.”

Choso drops his head and mutters quietly. Oh?”

You smirk and drop your hand to start caressing Choso’s knee. “I think he’s okay for an ancient sorcerer. He reminds me of my middle school boyfriend,” you lie and follow the firework to the sky. “Except he had red hair.”

The firework is small but it’s still loud and bright overhead. The white light lets you see Choso’s bothered pout when you glance back at him.

“And his hair was straight and shorter. He had green eyes, and he gave me good gifts,” you list things off and see Choso’s eyebrows pinch together, making his nose wrinkle all cute-like.

“And…” you roll out, and he finally glances at you, so you start to laugh—“and I was just kidding. I just wanted to see you pout my love.”

Choso sighs deeply and glances away, causing you to giggle and throw your arms around his neck to pull him down to slam your lips on his. All while another firework goes off, this one brighter and bigger, a deep red instead of white that paints both of your faces with its light.

“I was just teasing,” you coo when you pull back just an inch from his lips.

Choso holds your gaze with a hardened look for a moment longer before his face eases and a smile cracks on his face.

“I like your smile,” you make him blush. “Where else could I see a smile like yours, Cho?”

Choso scoffs and shows off a softened look full of adoration.

“You know,” he adds softly before he looks away to watch more of the light show that continues to paint the sky. “Living by the ocean isn’t bad. I…like it.”

You lift your gaze to the sky and smile softly.

“It’s calm, quiet,” he continues with a smile you immediately recognize as a timid one. “Most importantly you’re happy here. I think it’s a good place for our family.”

Family? What does he mean by that? Like for the family you already have? Or to add on to it?

You part your lips to ask but you’re interrupted by Satori calling out for you as she runs outside. “Mommy!”

“Over here,” you drop the subject for now and drop your eyes to watch your daughter run to you.

“I want to watch the fireworks too;” she says when reaches you.

Your eyes and smile brighten, and you can’t help but answer giddly. “Okay.”

You then open the blanket, and she sits herself in front of you to let you embrace her with the blanket too. When she’s all snuggled up, Choso shifts his arms and his legs away to get ready to move and give you and your daughter space, but you grab his hand and yank him back against you. Because if Satori was bothered by him cuddling with you then she would have not accepted your invitation to snuggle with you under the same blanket, she would have kept her distance, but she didn’t so she doesn’t mind, therefore he can stay.

You want him to stay so you could be sandwiched by the people you love the most, and find comfort in their warmth on such a chilly night.

Unbeknownst to you though, while you watch the fireworks paint the sky like you watch the rain with Choso, in a comfortable silence, Satoru watches the three of you from a distance. He tries to remain neutral for the sake of you, and for Satori, since he sees that she likes Choso now. He also tries to see Choso in a better light, but no matter what, he can’t come to agree or like him with you. Now more than ever.

——

*LATER*

All the rooms were occupied, so Satori had to come sleep with you for the night, making Choso decide that it would be better if he slept on the couch in the parlor room. So now you’re sneaking downstairs to sleep with him like a teenager forbidden to go out.

Albeit on your way to the parlor room you notice Satoru in the sunroom all alone watching the distant waves through the window, pondering over who knows what.

Now you’re presented with a choice, go to him, or ignore him and go to Choso.

You are tired, so you move a step forward.

However, that’s the furthest you get because then you think to yourself that you can’t actually ignore your brother all by his lonesome. If you want to mend your relationship you have to try. So what’s so wrong with staying up a bit longer?

Thus you walk over and when you reach the door you knock first out of courtesy. Once you’re walking inside nothing is spoken, the silence carries on. Not because you made it awkward and uncomfortable by interrupting him, but because you both just basked in the white noise of the waves in the distance. It was soothing.

You almost want to leave the silence as it is. You could actually fall asleep where you are, you already have so many times in the past, but Satoru is out here for a reason, and you have to be sisterly and worry.

First, though, you start off slow.

“When Suguru and I found out we were expecting,” you fill the silence and keep your eyes on the ocean reflecting the night on its clear surface—“since we didn’t want anyone to find out we were going to have a baby, we came to live here for the entirety of my pregnancy. When…” you trail off as your voice breaks and fiddle with your nails.

“When,” you sigh and continue. “I started getting bigger Suguru and I would spend a lot of our evenings here and he would read Satori books. That was his favorite thing to do.”

After being basically frozen in place, Satoru shifts in his seat and then drifts his blue eyes to you, which is hard to miss because of how bright they are.

“This is my first time coming here since he died,” you murmur and meet his gaze. “This is my first time being in this room without him.”

Satoru hums and instead of looking sad or simply bummed out by what you said, his gaze slowly starts to harden.

But you don’t take it as anything bad though, you finally ask the question you’ve been building up to. “Are you okay?”

“Besides now,” he breaks his silence and only looks at you with what appears to be conflict. “Do you ever think about Suguru?”

You blink repeatedly in confusion and fail to answer because you think he’s somehow joking. When he doesn’t say he is, or ease his glare, you draw out a deep breath and nod stiffly as you drop your gaze.

“Everyday,” you share quietly. “When I look at my daughter living day by day without her father. When we talk about Kenjaku. And those moments when it’s quiet, when it’s just me and I have something stupid to say about my day…” you pause and look at him with a sorrowful look. “Why?” You ask.

Satoru drops his gaze and swallows thickly. “Because I can’t stop thinking about him and how it hasn’t been a year yet but you’ve already moved on.”

You blink with surprise and slowly the sorrow in your eyes turns to conflict, and that sad frown curls into a scowl.

“Have you thought about that?” He throws at you sharply as if he’s the one you’re hurting.

“I think about it,” you mutter while you ball your hands to fists. “But why are you? What does it matter to you?”

Satoru’s eyes snap up and he counters back quickly. “It matters because I don’t think you know what you’re doing. I mean saying you love this new guy after what? It hasn’t even been a month since you met him. You got with him and said you loved him after like three weeks.”

You lose all the initial worry you had for him and get fueled with anger. Hot anger you had for him before you forgave him. That resentful anger you bore for years.

“I told you why I love him, I told you how it all came to be,” you argue and defend the man you love. “I gave you hundreds of reasons why it shouldn't matter how many days it’s been since we’ve known each other, and he’s given you thousands. So why does it matter how long I’ve known him for? Why is it so important for you to tell me how long it’s been since my husband died? My husband, not yours, the father of my kids, not yours, the love of my life, not yours. Tell me, Satoru, tell me,” you sneer.

“Is it because you don’t like Choso?” You don’t leave him room to respond as your anger starts to burn hotter and begins to blind you. “Because you don’t want me to be happy? You want me to be buried in my blankets grieving Suguru? Because trust me I’ve been there, I was there. I grieved Suguru, I felt like dying every day since I lost him. I wanted to stay that way for the rest of my life because living on without him felt pointless, but I stood up, I fought to live on every day. It felt so dreadful,” you spat with tears of anger and anguish filling your eyes, with every word your voice filling with more rage and sorrow. “But I kept living because my daughters needed me. I moved on because my daughters needed me, because they didn’t deserve to have an empty husk of a person as a parent, because my students brought the light back to my life.”

Tears slip down your cheeks, and you expect him to cut in to apologize or argue, but he stays quiet, letting you continue with your rageful rant.

“Or are you just saying all this because you can never be happy for me and the people I chose to be with? First, it was Suguru, and now it’s Choso. So tell me brother, why do you have that need to always act like such an asshole? And don’t give me that big brother bullshit, it works only for a little bit, but we both know you never liked Suguru and me together. So tell me,” you whisper and try to sound angry but it comes out shaky more than anything.

“I want you to be happy,” Satoru interjects with his look of conflict not lost, it’s still showing, but now you see anger too—“but I’m looking out for you too, you may not like that answer, but that’s it. We have parents and other family, but you are the only part of that family I care about…”

Your breath catches in your throat, and you feel your head hurt as you don’t know whether to stay upset or not.

“It’s always been that way,” he continues with a hint of softness in his voice. “You are my home. Suguru was my home too…that’s why…I was always hard on you when you were a couple. I didn't want my home to break apart, with you two being together, there was a risk. Do I regret being so harsh? Yes, that moment when you were saying your goodbyes last year I saw that I was wrong for being upset, and I’m sorry for that.”

Well, when he puts it that way it’s hard to stay angry at him. You understood things not wanting to change, but that doesn’t explain Choso.

“What about Choso?” You bring up with that anger lost completely now. “He isn't your best friend so why are you against him?”

Satoru clenches his jaw as he sighs deeply. He continues to stay quiet and hold your gaze for a moment before he speaks up without a hint of losing his anger. “Because of who he is. You may see him as human, but I don’t.”

Oh, and just like that your anger returns

“He’s half a curse, y/n. Please tell me you know that.”

You stiffen and respond without hesitation. “I do, but why should that matter? He’s still human too. He’s more human than some people I know. There may have been some problems with him in the beginning, but he turned himself around. Itadori can vouch for that, Satori can vouch for it, my students and Shoko can, you would see how great he is if you gave him a chance.”

Satoru scoffs and rolls his head away before he brushes his hands through his hair out of frustration. “Of course you would say that,” he mumbles. “Why should I be surprised given…” he trails off, leaving you puzzled.

“Given what?” You ask sharply.

“Don’t. I know.”

Your eyebrows furrow and your glare turns to a puzzled look. “Know what?” You quip.

Satoru’s eyes drift to you and he glares before he rolls his eyes away sassily.

“What?” You press with frustration. “What do you know?”

Satoru stands up straight and snaps his head towards you to narrow his glare on you. He has yet to answer you so you raise your eyebrows to press him.

“You don’t know…you’re pregnant?” He asks unsurely.

And without saying a thing you answer his question with a shocked gasp.

“Oh,” he whispers and sucks air through his teeth as he feels guilt for revealing that the way he did, but he doesn’t regret anything else he did say.

“I,” is all you manage to mutter as your disbelief heightens and clears your mind.

“It was faint at first,” he adds on as if that would help your shock. “I thought it was just your cursed energy since it’s like a dancing flame, but as these weeks have gone by I started to see that it wasn’t just you, I was seeing two other bundles of cursed energy growing inside you—oh, damn,” he catches what else he revealed when it’s too late.

“Twins?” Is all you can say now with a smile wanting to tug on your lips, but you still can’t believe what he said so you’re still a bit paralyzed.

But you are starting to realize that all your headaches, your erratic emotions, and your exhaustion make sense. But since these days are around the time you get your period you haven’t been given the chance to find out for yourself.

“I don’t know,” he says. “For all we know they can be curses.”

You snap out of your shock as his terrible words travel in your ears, and snap at him. “How could you say that?”

Satoru’s face contorts with frustration and he’s quick to argue back. “How could you not? That guy is half a curse, y/n, remember? For all we know those things growing inside you could be full-blooded curses that could kill you.”

You glare at him and shake your head. “No. I would know. And him being half a curse doesn't matter. He has a human body, he has human blood. He’s human, why can’t you understand that?”

“Because as long as he has any potential to hurt you and Satori, I could never forget that,” he says from the bottom of his heart. “That’s why. And if that mattered to you you would get rid of…them before they have a chance to kill you.”

You grab your belly and hear his mean words echo in your head for a moment before you finally react in anger. “You are being cruel, Satoru. I don’t want to talk to you.” You turn on your heels and storm off.

Once you’re in the hall that leads to the parlor room, and far from your brother you stop to take in what he just said. He was so mean, so negative. It all catches up to you and those emotions you’ve been trying to hold back all day finally escape you, but this time it’s not because you’re happy, or reminiscing about the past, this time it’s because of what Satoru said.

In your heart and gut, you know Satoru’s fear isn’t true, they’re babies. They're yours and Choso’s babies. You want to be happy about it, but the way Satoru spoke with so much malice found a way to ruin the moment and fill you with anguish.

You almost want to take back your forgiveness, but you don’t. You can’t. He’s just…worried. You understand. Even if it pisses you off now, you understand deep inside that he’s worried. You just need a moment to sulk in your sadness and frustration. Just a moment.

Just a moment, you repeat to yourself and take just that to wallow in your anguish before you let out a deep breath and wipe away your tears to enter the parlor room.

Perhaps you should have returned to your room given the news you were just blurted out, but the only thing that helps you feel at ease, especially in your current mood is Choso. Besides, when he sees you walk in he greets you with a smile.

“What are you doing down here?” He whispers as if he is accompanied by a third party, but it’s just him and you.

“I wanted to come sleep with you,” you tell him and thank the cover of the night because he can't notice that you were crying.

“Is that okay?” You ask as you find your way to the couch he’s on.

“Appreciated,” he assures you and lifts his blanket to welcome you to his side, which you quickly take so he won’t see your face now that you’re close.

When he wraps you with his blanket you wrap your arms under his arms and snuggle your head against his chest without saying a word. Which is a small mistake.

Choso knows you enjoy your silence, especially when it comes to falling asleep, but he can also pick up when something is wrong when you’re quiet. He has suspicions of that now because of the way you averted your gaze.

“Is everything okay?” He asks whilst he wraps his arm around your neck and cups the back of your head to massage your scalp.

“Mhm,” you hum in agreement, and in that second you want to tell him the good news you just found out, but there’s also a chance Satoru could be wrong. Those babies he saw could be spurts of erratic cursed energy, and if that’s all it is then you don’t want to get Choso excited or upset over nothing. So you’ll have Shoko double-check for you before you say anything.

Thus for now you hide your news and your sadness.

“I’m fine,” you assure him. “I just wanted to come sleep with you, that's all.”

Choso doesn’t believe you, but he also doesn’t press because if you were ready to share what was upsetting you then you would. He lets it go for now and just presses you closer against him.

“I love you,” you whisper as you try not to cry more now that you’re in the comfort of his embrace.

Choso presses a kiss on the top of your head and says it back fondly. “I love you too.”

.

.

.

.

A/N- The ending Is so twilight coded 🤩 guys we’re gonna have two little rumpelstiltskins! (Please tell me you get it 😂😭)

Tagged- @deniseabad1928 @secondary-character-25 @starlightanyaaa @notsaelty @d4rno @moonnime @kodzukein @yozora7154 @heijihattorisgf @elegantweirdorchest @natakina

[em-prentiss]

the way that you glow

-----

Hotch kisses Emily’s forehead and it finally dawns on Spencer. Because while he might go as far as taking her into his arms and rocking her lightly, Spencer knows there’s no platonic explanation for a kiss on the forehead.

Spencer closes his eyes and welcomes the darkness, feeling a strange happiness in his chest for his friends despite Emily’s current struggle. It makes sense, Hotch and Emily; so much so that now he sees it he’s surprised it didn’t happen sooner.

Or, 5 times a member of the team found out about hotchniss, and the one time Aaron and Emily admitted it.

-----

JJ

73 days ago

“Shit.”

“What?” Aaron asks as Emily stands in front of her side of his closet, one hand on her hip and the other held to her mouth.

She starts flipping through her clothes frantically, messing them up after Aaron had neatly folded them for her. 

“Something missing?” He stands next to her and surveys the mess. Emily groans. “I don’t have a shirt to wear.”

She chews on her lip and glares at the offending clothes, as if she could force a shirt to materialize between them. “This is all your fault,” she grumbles, “if you hadn’t torn off half of them I’d still have something to wear.”

Aaron hides his smile, well aware that it wouldn’t be appreciated at this time. He wraps his arms around her and brings her into his chest, feeling her involuntarily melt into him. “I never once heard you complaining,” he kisses her temple. “In fact, you encouraged me multiple times.”

“Not helping,” she sighs. “What do I do? I can’t stop by my apartment, I’ll be late. And my boss is a hardass,” she gives him a pointed look over her shoulder. 

Aaron laughs. “I have it on good authority you’re his favorite.”

She ignores him. “The team will obviously tell if I wore yesterday’s shirt.” Emily shakes her head at their negligence of the laundry, leaving it to pile up until she has nothing to wear. Aaron, she notices grumpily, has plenty.

Aaron looks down at the shirt she’s wearing—one of his—and an idea pops into his head. “You could wear one of mine,” he suggests.

Emily laughs and turns around in his arms. “Yeah right, like that isn’t noticeable,” she rolls her eyes and tugs at the one on her body, reaching halfway down her thighs.

“I’m serious,” Aaron insists and moves to take out a shirt of his own, a greenish blue one she always said brought out his eyes. 

“Just roll up the sleeves and tuck it in, it won’t be that bad.”

Emily considers it for a second before she grabs the shirt with a sigh. “Not like I’ve got an abundance of options.”

She does as he suggested and tucks it in, letting him help her roll the excessively long sleeves. Emily looks in the mirror and sighs, adjusting her suit jacket over the shirt. 

Aaron creeps up behind her, pristine in his own suit. “You look gorgeous.” He kisses her cheek.

Emily stifles her smile. “You’re doing the laundry when we get home.”

He can’t keep his eyes off her the whole day, the sight of her so casually in his shirt distracting him from his work. She’s left the top two buttons undone, almost indecently low because of how large the shirt is, exposing a generous amount of skin that drives him crazy. 

It seems JJ has taken the same interest to Emily’s shirt. “What?” Emily asks when she catches her staring for the third time.

JJ shakes her head, “Nothing.” But she continues staring at her, taking in her thick rolled up sleeves and the way it seems to hang baggily on her frame despite being tucked in.

The seams extend way past her shoulders and it finally dawns on JJ. She knows well and good how a man’s shirt looks on a woman’s body, and Emily had never been one to wear oversized clothes.

That explains why she’s been brushing her off lately whenever JJ brought up the idea of dating, waving her away with an eye roll and a secretive smile. Interesting, JJ thinks.

“Actually, where’d you get that shirt?” JJ smiles, a glint in her eyes that makes Emily freeze. 

Aaron’s eyes flick to her and he smirks to himself as she stutters, her mouth opening and closing as she tries to come up with an answer. 

“I’m not sure,” she stammers uncharacteristically, the realization that she was wearing Aaron’s shirt at work suddenly hitting her full in the face, making her cheeks flush. “I got it a long time ago.” She smiles tightly at JJ.

JJ arches her brow, unconvinced, but she lets it go. She eyes her friend the whole day, wondering why the shirt seemed so familiar despite its size. She’s in Penelope’s office having lunch, her eyes skipping over the pictures on her desk when she sees it. 

It’s a picture of them at Dave’s, one of her favorites; they’re gathered in the kitchen, Emily and Penelope sitting on the counter while Dave tilts the pan in his hand to the camera, his mouth open as he indulges them with his cooking secrets. Hotch stands with Morgan and Reid, his eyes on something over Dave’s shoulder. JJ clocks in the shirt he’s wearing and barely holds in a gasp.

It’s a greenish blue, rolled up to his forearms, the material hugging his shoulders perfectly. JJ could swear on her paycheck it’s the exact shirt Emily was wearing now. She suddenly remembers him wearing it at another team dinner as well, just a few weeks ago.

She hurries out of Garcia’s office, the picture fresh in her mind, and stops abruptly when she sees Hotch and Emily exiting a storage room, Emily’s shirt untucked from the back, her cheeks flushed. Hotch’s hair is fluffier than it was, his tie ever so slightly crooked. JJ’s mouth drops open when he reaches over to tuck the shirt back in and fix Emily’s collar, his lips turned up in a smile. She doesn’t think she imagines the way his fingers linger on her skin.

They walk away further down the deserted hallway as JJ stands, still in shock.

Morgan 

51 days ago

Emily hums as Aaron’s hands drift lower, the steam of the shower thick in her lungs. He kisses her neck, his fingers slipping on her skin, stopping abruptly when they hear his phone ring through the door.

Emily throws her head back on his shoulder and groans, Aaron’s sigh echoing in her ear as the phone continues ringing obnoxiously.

“One morning,” he mutters, and despite it all Emily smiles at the way it gets under his skin too. “Just one.”

She yelps when he spins her abruptly and presses her against the wall. Emily shivers against the tiles, the ringing of the phone still audible through the door, and feels her breath hitch as Aaron crowds against her.

He nips at her wet skin, his hand gently forcing her legs apart. “What about the phone?” She breathes, sliding her hand into his hair and gripping it.

“Fuck that.” His voice is a deep rumble in her ears, something she feels in her skin, right against her neck. The phone finally stops and he looks up at her, a glint in his eye. “We’re not leaving here until I’m done with you.”

Emily shivers despite the heat and smiles. “Trust me, I’m not complaining.”

****

“This fucking sucks,” Emily grumbles as she runs her comb through her hair one last time, the dripping wet strands staining her suit jacket. “I hate going into work with wet hair.” She grimaces.

Aaron checks his watch and blows out a breath. “We have to go, sweetheart.”

She turns to him impatiently. “You go, I’ll head out in a few. We can’t arrive there at the same time, anyway,” she reaches for a towel to dry her sopping hair. “Besides, I can be late. The boss can’t.” Her lips twitch despite her annoyance.

“Not too late,” he warns as he picks up his briefcase. “You won’t have time to dry it before the jet leaves,” he says, familiar with her routine.

Emily rolls her eyes, “Yeah and who’s fault is that?” She crosses her arms and gives him a pointed look.

“Hey,” Aaron says mildly. “You were a willing participant,” he pokes her stomach.

She bats away his hand, choking on her laugh. “Yeah, well, I’m regretting my cooperation.” She turns back to the mirror to clip on her earrings.

Aaron smiles and leans in to kiss her cheek, “I’ll see you there.”

“Bye,” she calls out. She holds her hair up with both her hands and grimaces at the wetness on her shoulders; she’ll need to change her jacket. Emily sighs and curses the serial killers of America, curses her job and curses her handsy boyfriend as well as her inability to say no to him all the way to work.

She’s late enough that everyone is already in the jet by the time she walks in, though her hair is still painfully wet. “Sorry I’m late,” she apologizes and plops into the empty seat next to Aaron. 

“It’s alright, Dave walked in just a minute before you did,” JJ smirks, exchanging a knowing look with Emily. 

“She didn’t need to know that,” the man in question grumbles.

Morgan looks up from his file. “Getting some much needed beauty sleep, princess?” He grins at Emily. 

“Of course,” Emily replies easily, smiling at him. “You know I like to look good for you, Derek.” She bats her lashes, her voice sickeningly sweet.

He shakes his head and laughs, about to throw another retort at her when Aaron speaks up. “Let’s review the case.”

They discuss it for a while, briefly working out victimology and throwing ideas back and forth before they lapse back into silence, nothing to do until they land.

Morgan looks up at the hushed voices of Hotch and Emily. Their heads are bent together as they look down at their files, their bodies unusually close. The distance doesn’t seem to bother either of them, he notices, despite Hotch’s obvious dislike for unnecessary physical touch. Morgan’s gaze travels up from their connected elbows to the soft smile on Emily’s face and the slight indent of a dimple in Hotch’s cheek—clearly no longer discussing the case—eventually going to rest on their hair, catching the light.

Morgan pauses at this. Emily’s hair is clearly wet, curling on her shoulders and slightly longer than it usually is. He looks back at Hotch, who’s hair is also damp, the strands glossy and dark, curling around his ears.

He suddenly sits upright and surveys them more closely. Both of them coming in with their hair the same level of wet, talking to each other in hushed tones, their elbows touching and Hotch smiling? In all his years at the BAU Morgan has never seen Hotch crack a smile, except with Haley or Rossi. He didn’t even know the man had a goddamn dimple before today. Could they be..?

But they came in separately, he reminds himself. And much as he wanted to believe his own theory, it wasn’t unusual at all for two people to shower before work. He has to find some way to get them to slip. Maybe if he could get them drun—

“Morgan.”

His gaze snaps up to his boss, who’s looking at him curiously, along with the rest of the team. Morgan gets the sense that he’d been talking for a while. He clears his throat, “Yes?”

“You and Prentiss visit the crime scene, I’ll interview the parents and the rest of you work on victimology and geo profiles.”

It’s drafty at the crime scene, the wind throwing Emily’s cold hair against her neck and making her shiver. Morgan stands close enough to smell her strawberry shampoo, the wind blowing her hair practically into his own face.

“Didn’t take you for a strawberry kind of girl, princess,” he teases as they’re walking away, the wind sending another gust of strawberry scented hair towards him.

“Well excuse me for not wanting to smell like cedar and sandalwood,” she drawls as she climbs into the car. “I get enough of that from you.” She flashes him a smile.

“Hey, hold on, I’ve always wanted to know this. Do you use shampoo or do you—”

“Alright, very funny,” he deadpans as he pulls out of his parking spot. Emily laughs and turns to look at him. “Well do you? It’s a very valid question.” She reasons.

“Yes,” he glares at her, regretting bringing up the topic to begin with.

Emily nods solemnly. He expects another question but she stays quiet and he basks in it. Unfortunately she doesn’t stay that way for long. “How about conditioner?”

Morgan laughs despite himself. “Fuck you, Prentiss,” he says easily, his smile widening when she chuckles. “How about you go bald yourself and get all the answers you’re looking for?”

“No, that won’t work. I need to maintain my luscious mane, otherwise how else would I get all the ladies and gents?” She winks at him.

Morgan shakes his head, another laugh escaping him as Emily looks down at her phone, texting someone and smiling. He eyes her curiously before turning his gaze back to the road.

He doesn’t expect it, but he accidentally proves his theory later that day. 

“It was an organized crime scene,” he says when they get back to the precinct. “No prints, no bullet or casing. Speaks to an experienced unsub.” He tells Hotch, who nods. 

He moves past Morgan to get to the whiteboard, saying something as he taps the pictures on it. Morgan isn’t listening. He’s rooted to his spot in surprise, the faint scent of strawberries lingering after Hotch.

His mouth drops open. No damn way. He searches for Emily, thinking he somehow may have confused them, but she’s standing on the other side of the room, arms crossed as she looks over Reid’s shoulder.

Morgan almost bursts out laughing at the thought of his stony, stoic Unit Chief washing his hair with strawberry shampoo. Emily must have him whipped if she’s got him using strawberry shampoo.

“Morgan?” Hotch’s voice snaps him out of it. His brows are furrowed in annoyance at his lack of attention for the second time in as many hours. “You said there was no sign of the bullet or the casing, right?”

“Right,” Morgan nods, biting the inside of his cheek to hold in his laugh. He catches a whiff of it again when he has to lean over Hotch’s shoulder to grab a file from the desk in front of him. Morgan grins. Stupid idiots. The least Emily could do was dry her goddamn hair.

Reid

37 days ago

If there’s one thing Reid is good at, it’s finding patterns. Like how Garcia comes out of her office every two hours to pour herself a coffee, how JJ brings chocolate chip cookies with her on Fridays. And how Emily tenses whenever there’s turbulence on the plane, how Hotch’s eyes flick to her periodically when she does.

He brushes it off the first time it happens on a rocky flight to Chicago. He’s already memorized the case file in his hand so he tips his head back and rests it on the seat, the tremors of the plane vibrating through his bones.

In his line of sight is Emily, her lip between her teeth and her eyes fixed on something in her lap. Hotch, sitting next to her, looks up at the sound of her shaky breath when the plane rocks.

He frowns at her lap, something hidden there by the table, blocking Spencer’s view. “Hey, stop that,” he whispers. Spencer sees Hotch’s hand move into her lap—awfully comfortable, he notices.

Emily stills. “Sorry,” she says quietly and he shakes his head, brushing it off. “Try to get some sleep,” he tells her. 

She scoffs at that, the sound turning into a choked yelp when the plane dips. She clutches Aaron’s hand tightly, a substitute for her own cuticles, and feels her body go tense.

“I fucking hate my job,” she grumbles shakily. 

“I know.” Aaron soothes, squeezing her hand back and wrapping his fingers tightly around her own. 

His hand stays there in hers, either unaware or uncaring of Spencer’s gaze right across from them. Aaron doubts he’ll be able to tell anyway. Morgan has his eyes closed and JJ is spread out on the couch, her back to them.

He hates that he can’t do more for Emily, but for now he has nothing to offer but this, and she takes it gratefully, though it doesn’t do much to soothe her nerves.

As is often said, twice is a coincidence. Which is what Spencer considers it when Hotch places a mug of tea in front of Emily minutes after the jet starts shaking. She’s sitting in the lone chair and Spencer’s on the couch, giving him a perfect view of the two of them.

He buries his head in his book when Hotch walks past him and back into his seat, digging into his go bag as Spencer pretends to read. He raises the book and peeks over it, for some reason drawn to his coworkers interactions.

Hotch walks back to Emily, a blanket thrown over his arm and something held tightly in his fist.

Spencer watches as his boss wraps the blanket around Emily, his touch gentle even from afar. She smiles up at him and accepts the pill he hands her, washing it down with the tea. 

He squeezes her shoulder before settling back into his seat next to Morgan, unaware of Spencer looking at him curiously.

He knows that Emily is closer to Hotch than most of them, the two of them pairing together on cases and riding in the SUVs more often with each other than with other members of the team. But this is still unusual, Spencer muses to himself. Hotch cares about them, yes, but he wouldn’t go as far as holding one of their hands or wrapping a blanket around their shoulders to ease their anxiety. Emily seems to be an exception. Spencer files this information away for later, telling himself it’s just a coincidence.

But three times, that’s a pattern.

He doesn’t even mean to catch them this time—not that he ever did. He’s woken from his light sleep by a particularly shaky air bump, the plane trembling as he opens his eyes blearily. He can tell it’s late, the lights dimmed and Dave’s snores coming from right behind him.

Spencer shivers and adjusts the blanket around himself, stretching his body until his feet hit the armrest of the couch. He’s about to close his eyes when he sees movement across from him.

Emily is closest to him, letting out a quiet whimper he barely hears over the loud roar of the plane. Her hand is clenched tightly in a fist at her side, her chest heaving as she takes in deep breaths. 

Hotch sets down the pen that was in his hands and brings her into his chest with no hesitation. His chin rests on her head as he tucks her into him and holds her tightly, his large hands rubbing up and down her back.

His mouth moves as he holds her close, murmuring words of reassurance Spencer can’t hear from this distance. He can see Emily holding on to him desperately, her back shuddering with each heaving breath she takes, the stuttering of her body similar to the way the jet shakes.

Hotch kisses Emily’s forehead and it finally dawns on Spencer. Because while he might go as far as taking her into his arms and rocking her lightly, Spencer knows there’s no platonic explanation for a kiss on the forehead.

Spencer closes his eyes and welcomes the darkness, feeling a strange happiness in his chest for his friends despite Emily’s current struggle. It makes sense, Hotch and Emily; so much so that now he sees it he’s surprised it didn’t happen sooner.

“Breathe, sweetheart.”

It’s the last thing he hears before he falls back into tumultuous sleep.

Rossi 

1 day ago

Rossi would claim he knew of their relationship ages ago if you ask him, but there’s one particular scene that stands out in his head.

With the unsub in custody, Dave, Aaron, and Emily were left at the precinct, packing up their boxes and taking down the countless maps Reid had used.

Emily stifles the urge to roll her eyes when officer Evans approaches them—or more specifically, approaches Aaron.

“Need any help here?” She asks when they’re practically done, only a handful of files left to pack. After we finished? Emily holds in her scoff. 

“No thanks, we’re good,” Emily gives her a fake smile, gritting her teeth when the officer gives her a once over glance before returning to Aaron.

“I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate you coming down here, Agent Hotchner,” Evans places her hand on his arm, her nails digging into his skin through his jacket.

“We’re glad we could help.” Aaron smiles at her tightly, acutely aware of her hand on his arm and a conversation he’d had with Emily last night.

“She’s flirting with you!” Emily insists as she aggressively rubs off her makeup. 

“She’s not,” Aaron says dismissively, his head buried in a file he’s memorized a thousand times over.

“Can I get you a coffee, Agent Hotchner? Please call me Katie. Are your rooms comfortable?” Emily mimics in a high pitched tone, disdain dripping from her words. 

“And what the hell did she mean by that, anyway?” She spits out. “Was she going to offer us her own room? I’ll bet she would’ve been all too happy to give it to you,” she grumbles, throwing her dirty cotton pad into the trash.

Aaron closes the file and gets up from the bed, cautiously moving toward Emily as if she was going to attack him too. He hides his smile when she glares at him and pulls her fuming, heated body into his.

“Okay, she’s flirting with me,” he agrees, cupping her face and rubbing his thumbs over her flushed cheeks. “So what?”

Her mouth furiously drops open and he places both of his thumbs on her lips to keep her quiet. “I mean it doesn’t matter. She can flirt with me till tomorrow and I’ll still only have eyes for you, Em.”

Emily crosses her arms to stop herself from touching him, not wanting to give in to his sappy words too soon. “Go on,” she narrows her eyes.

Aaron laughs and kisses her forehead. “I love you, sweetheart. I don’t see anyone else. I never have and I never will, okay?”

She melts under his touch when he kisses her, his lips fierce against hers in an attempt to show her just how much she means to him. And it’s not like she doesn’t know already—God, she does. It frustrates her that she can’t do anything about it, that she just has to sit and watch as this random woman touched him every time she addressed him, batted her lashes and spoke to him with an overly sweet tone that she dropped whenever she talked to anyone else.

“You don’t ever have to worry about anyone else,” he tucks her hair behind her ear gently. 

Emily sighs against his lips. “I know that, Aaron. It’s just not fair that she gets to touch you like that and I don’t.”

He holds his breath, finally hearing her admit to something he’d been thinking about for weeks. “How about we tell the team about us?” He asks, his heart racing in his chest, “that way we won’t have to hide it anymore.”

She immediately beams at him, all her anger gone as she clutches his shirt in her fists. “Really?”

Aaron smiles, the tightness in his chest easing. “Of course, Em,” he kisses her forehead. “You’re it for me, you know that. They’ll have to know at some point.”

“When this case is over?” She asks hopefully, her eyes bright. “When this case is over,” Aaron nods.

“I’d like to thank you personally, if you’d let me,” officer Evans inches closer and smiles at Aaron, taking no note of the other two agents in the room with them. “Maybe over coffee?”

Emily sees red. She breathes in deeply, placing the last of the files in a box and slamming the lid on it. Dave startles away from her, giving her a confused look she doesn’t notice. She sees Aaron backing away, removing his arm from Evans’ grip, and she smiles smugly despite her anger.

“Here.” Emily shoves the box into her hands, forcing her to break free from Aaron. “These are your copies of the case files as well as our notes. Maybe you could take a look at those next time you need help, hmm?” She smiles sweetly, her eyes deadly blank.

Evans is staring at her in shock, her mouth dropped open like a fish. “Uh—” she stammers, her cheeks flushing.

Emily picks up her jacket and turns to Aaron. “I’ll see you on the jet, Aaron.”

Aaron smirks and stuffs his hands in his pockets. “See you there, Emily.”

He watches her go and stifles a laugh at the bewildered look on Evans’ face. Aaron turns to Dave. “Can you handle the rest of these boxes? I have to talk to Detective Moore.”

“Sure,” Dave agrees. 

Aaron leaves the room and makes his way to the detective’s office, smiling when he sees Emily a few paces in front of him. He rushes past her, making sure his palm ghosts over her lower back as he walks by and into the detective’s office.

He hears her light laugh as he enters the office and smiles.

Finally, Dave thinks as he eyes the interaction. He picks up the boxes and heads out too. “Nice working with you,” he calls out cheerfully to officer Evans, who’s still standing there, hands clutched around the box.

Penelope 

0 days ago

He blows it before they get a chance to tell the team. 

Aaron groans into Emily’s neck when the phone rings obnoxiously. He’s bone tired, the case they just came back from last night exhausting him. Emily is knocked out, not even stirring at the loud ringing of the phone.

He turns around and snatches the phone grumpily from the nightstand. This better be real fucking good. “Hotchner.” He says gruffly, his voice rough with sleep.

He’s met by silence. “Hello?” Aaron calls out, throwing a hand over his eyes to block the sun. Why hadn’t they closed the blinds last night?

“Um, sir, why are you answering Emily’s phone?” 

His eyes fly open. Aaron takes the phone away from his ear and looks at the contact, ‘Penelope’ written on the screen with a pink heart next to it. He looks back at the nightstand and sees his own phone lying there. Aaron vaguely remembers Emily throwing down her phone on his nightstand and climbing over him to get to her side of the bed, too tired to walk all the way around. “Fucking shit.”

“Uh—” he stammers, looking next to him at Emily’s limp body, both her arms hugging her pillow as she sleeps soundly, her hair spilling down her back. “Emily had some trouble with her faucet, she needed me to come fix it.” He says, not even knowing what the hell just came out of his mouth.

“Trouble with her faucet?” Penelope questions. “Why would she call you, then? And why would you answer her phone?”

He can almost hear the click in her mind when she figures it out, and he most definitely hears it.

“Oh my god!” She shrieks in his ear. Aaron pulls the phone away from his ear and groans, almost feeling his eardrum burst. A loud stream of screams and incoherent words bursts from the phone and into the air. Emily jumps upright, her hair a wild mess, and looks at him frantically.

“What the hell is that?” She demands roughly, pressing her hand to her racing heart. Penelope is still yelling into the air, her words barely understandable from the way they slur together.

Aaron sighs. “I blew our cover.”

Emily takes the phone from him and ends the call, throwing it over the bed and hearing it thump on the floor. Aaron chuckles as she slumps into his chest, burying her face in his neck.

“You couldn’t wait till later today?” She yawns and snuggles deeper into him. Aaron adjusts the blanket back over them. “You know me, I can’t wait to show you off,” he slurs, already falling back asleep.

“Sap,” Emily mumbles, her eyes drifting shut too. 

+1 (the one where they tell the team)

0 days ago

A minute later the alarm rings and they both groan.

Emily shuts it off with a grunt and falls back into Aaron. “You know, since we’re telling them today, we can be late,” she suggests, linking their fingers together. “Really cement the idea of us being a couple and all.”

Aaron hums. “I like the way you think.”

But in the end he drags her up at the ring of the next alarm, forcing her sleepy body into the shower while she curses at him.

He makes up for it by buying her a coffee on the way to work, effectively making them late and granting them their grand entrance into the BAU.

No one pays them any mind as they enter the bullpen, so Emily wraps an arm around Aaron and stuffs her hand into his pocket. 

“Not very subtle, are you?” He smiles down at her.

Emily shrugs, her eyes sparkling. “I have no reason to be.”

They see the team already gathered in the conference room, Penelope visible next to the TV and flailing her arms widely. “I'm guessing she beat us to it,” Aaron deadpans.

Emily laughs, “Yeah, and how much do you think they’ll believe her? Let’s go prove it ourselves,” she winks at him.

The team’s voices spill out into the catwalk, the high pitch of Penelope’s excited voice and the low timbre of Morgan’s chuckle audible before they get to the open door. “Don’t tell me you just found out, baby girl.”

Emily and Aaron exchange a look at that. She removes her hand from his pocket and bursts into the room, making everyone’s gazes snap to her.

“Well hello,” Dave smiles smugly.

“What do you mean by that?” Emily demands, pointing her finger at Morgan. “Did you know too?”

She feels Aaron come stand beside her, much closer than he usually would.

Morgan grins at them. “I see you dried your hair today.” He comments. Emily touches her dry hair and looks to Aaron in confusion. He shrugs, equally bewildered. “We all knew, Emily.”

“How?” She looks at the team, a spluttered laugh escaping her. “Even Reid?” She arches her brow at the doctor, who protests loudly. 

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”

JJ pats his shoulder, “Today we all found out that we knew, and Pen was the last to join the group,” she says. “Though Rossi is a close second, no matter what he tells you.” She smiles wryly.

Aaron speaks up. “Well, we wanted to tell you today but since—”

“Are you guys gonna get married?” Penelope interrupts. Aaron’s mouth snaps closed. Their friends watch in astonishment as both Emily and Aaron are reduced to a blushing mess, their cheeks tinting pink as Emily stammers.

“Not relevant.” She finally says, glaring at Penelope. 

“I’ll try to convince her,” Aaron clears his throat, the tips of his ears pink. Emily’s head snaps to his, her hair whipping into her face. Penelope and JJ’s squeals are muffled in her ears.

“You don’t need to convince me,” she whispers, a soft smile pulling on her lips, her dimple deep in her cheek. Aaron grabs her hand and kisses her forehead, not quite ready yet to kiss her properly in front of everyone, but he needs to expel the burning love in his chest in some way.

Emily beams at him and lets go of his hand to wrap it around his waist, tucking herself into his side. Morgan rolls his eyes at them and Emily points at him threateningly. “Careful there Morgan, I’m under the boss’s protection now.”

“You were under the boss’s protection a long time ago bella, but the two of you only noticed it now.” Dave says. “How did you two get together, anyway?”

“None of your business,” Emily says breezily and breaks free from Aaron to sit down at the table, smiling when he sits down next to her and places his palm on her thigh, hidden from view.

“That’s a story for another day,” Aaron says. “You all still have to finish your reports from yesterday’s case, I’ll be expecting them by the end of the day.” He looks at them sternly, trying to force the smirks off their faces.

“Except for Emily,” Morgan scrunches his face in annoyance and breathes out a long tortured sigh.

Emily laughs and pinches his cheek, “Aw, you jealous, Morgan? Maybe if you—”

“Especially Emily.” Aaron interrupts, causing both her and Morgan’s heads to snap to him in surprise.

“What?” Emily exclaims indignantly. “Aaron!”

“I’ll need yours by the afternoon, so I think it’s best if you come work in my office,” he smirks slightly. “Less distractions over there.”

Emily’s frown instantly turns to a knowing smile. “Ah. Of course,” she agrees. “Less distractions.” She bites her lip and tucks her hair behind her ear, winking at him not so subtly.

JJ laughs, the sound drowning out Penelope’s squeal and Morgan’s sigh.

“For fuck’s sake.”

[tickly-giggles]

Can we have a drabble for lee!Hawks, prompt 12, with his wings? I'm a sucker for lee!Hawks and especially ticklish wings! Only if you want to, tho!!

YES OF COURSE YOU CAN, ANON! Thank you for sending this in, I've been waiting for someone to send one!

A/N: Some sentence starters are a little awkward for me to put directly at the beginning, so this one is a little further down, but it's there! This isn't necessarily connected to my current DabiHawks tk universe, but if you wanna think of this as a little flashback type deal, then go for it! Also, I decided to make this a college AU, cuz I couldn't find a proper way to make it in the normal universe and have Hawks be struggling with something that has a deadline that he could fail on. So, college AU it is! A quick thought just popped into my mind, though, about renewing hero licenses, though I don't know if that's a thing. REGARDLESS, ENOUGH RAMBLING-

Warning: Tickle fic ahead!

Prompt: "I'm gonna fail if I don't finish before the deadline."

Characters: Dabi, Hawks

Shipping: Technically DabiHawks, I promise they'll get together soon, guys

Lee: Hawks

Ler: Dabi

Word Count: 1,072

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yet another sleepless night of never ending studying put Keigo into quite the irritated mood. He sat at his desk in front of his laptop, head in his hands, the screen displaying a document that currently only had three paragraphs written. Birds started chirping outside his window as light from the sunrise began streaming into his dorm. With a frustrated sigh, he looked up at his computer screen and glared at the document. He had never been this stressed in his life.

Keigo’s overthinking was abruptly interrupted by a low groan and the shuffling of bed sheets from behind him. Touya slipped out from under the covers and stretched, then he looked over at his roommate, who had his back turned to him and was still staring at the laptop.

“You’re up early,” Touya commented, shivering as his bare feet hit the floor.

“Haven’t slept,” Keigo replied curtly.

Touya frowned and stood, walking over to his roommate. Empty energy drink cans littered his desk, and a small pile of dirty plates sat beside his laptop. When was the last time he even moved from his chair?

“You gotta get some sleep, Keigo,” 

Touya said as he reached for the laptop. He huffed when Keigo swatted his hand away,

“When’s the last time you showered?”

“Like, last night or something?”

“Bullshit,”

Touya hissed, glaring at Keigo, who refused to look at him,

“I had a hard time getting to sleep cuz your sleep deprived ass wouldn’t go to bed, and that damn laptop is brighter than my fire.”

“Tsk. Whatever, I just need to get this done.”

“You need to look after yourself.”

“I’m fine, Touya.”

“You’re not fine,”

the hot head crossed his arms,

“Your wings are drooping.”

“Dude, I’m gonna fail if I don’t finish before the deadline,”

Keigo finally turned to his friend, 

“You know how important this essay is! It’s due tomorrow, and I barely have anything written down. I know how my quirk works and how I can use it in battle, but I can’t explain it!”

he growled and slammed his fist on the desk,

“Why is an essay gonna be the deciding factor of if I graduate or not?!”

Touya sighed and rubbed his roommate’s head soothingly, 

“Relax, birdbrain. It isn’t the end of the world. You still have a whole day to get it done,”

he then took Keigo’s hand and tugged gently,

“But you need sleep first. You won’t be able to think properly if you’re running on fumes.”

“I can’t sleep right now,” Keigo groaned,

“Please leave me alone.”

Touya glared at his friend, getting more frustrated as time passed. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head, and his annoyed expression quickly transformed into a mischievous one.

“Fine,”

he huffed as he walked behind Keigo and positioned himself at his wings that hung over the back of the chair,

“I guess I’ll have to make you.”

“What does that even me-HEEEHEHEAN! NONONO TOUYA STOHOHOHOP!”

Keigo shrieked with sudden, uncontrollable laughter. Touya smirked as he dug into his friend’s fluffy wings, then yelped when one of them flapped a little too hard and smacked him right in the face.

“You little shit,” the hot head grumbled.

“I-I’m sohohorry,”

Keigo whined, standing up and holding his hands up in surrender while his roommate approached him,

“Touya, please, I’ll go to sleep, just anything but this– TOUYA!!”

Touya wasted no time, pouncing on his winged friend and pinning him to the bed, then scribbling all ten of his fingers over his sensitive feathers. Ever since they were children, Touya knew Keigo’s worst spot was his wings. He loved tormenting him whenever he got on his nerves, or even if he was just bored. His friend never failed to provide an entertaining experience.

“Too little too late, Keigo,”

the hot head smirked evilly, savoring his trapped roommate’s screams of ticklish agony,

“You should’ve decided before I had to resort to this. ‘sides, you hit me with your wings. I deserve some payback for that.”

“IHIHIHIT WAS AN AHAHAHACCIDENT, YOU PRIHIHIHICK!” Keigo cackled, thrashing helplessly,

“YOU WERE TIHIHIHICKLING MEHEHEHE! I COULDN’T HEHEHELP IHIHIT!”

“Not my problem,”

Touya shrugged, moving his fingers toward where Keigo’s wings connected to his back, and he chuckled as his friend’s laughter became more high pitched and desperate,

“Poor little Keigo. Can’t handle it, huh? Is it too much? You poor thing~.”

“SHUHUHUT UHUHUHUHUP!!”

“Awww, does teasing get to you? Hmm? Does it make it worse?”

he leaned in closer to Keigo’s flushed face, still talking in that sickeningly effective baby voice,

“Do you like it when I tease you? Huh, little birdie~?”

“TOHOHOHOUYA, PLEHEHEHEHEASE!!” 

Keigo felt extremely hot, and he pushed at Touya’s face with one hand while covering his own with his other hand.

“Ohh~? Do you like that nickname, little birdie? Does it make you flustered? Ah ah ah, don’t cover your face,”

Touya huffed and quickly grabbed Keigo’s wrists, pinning them above his head and giving him a little breather,

“Or I’ll make you regret it~.”

The winged student swallowed nervously and stared deeply into his friend’s eyes while catching his breath. He’d be lying if he said this wasn’t exciting and fun, but he still had his paper to write. He frowned and averted his gaze.

“Can I go back to working on my paper, please?”

“Your paper will be there.”

“Touya, let me up.”

“Nope.”

“Touya–”

“That’s it.”

Laughter once again rang throughout the dorm room, only stopping when Keigo’s boisterous cackling turned into silent hysteria. Touya knew he wasn’t going to listen, so he had no choice but to tire him out enough so that he wouldn’t even think of anything but sleep. 

About an hour had passed when the hot head finally decided to let up, and his plan had worked. Keigo fell asleep almost instantly after the tickle attack, and Touya tucked him in gently. He smiled as his roommate snored peacefully. It was an adorable sight - his flushed face stained with mirth and a small smile resting on his lips. He looked so comfortable. Touya sighed fondly and ran his fingers through Keigo’s soft hair, his eyes lingering on his lips for longer than he would admit. Finally, he walked over to the desk and made sure to save his friend’s work before closing the laptop, and began cleaning up the mess. He was positive Keigo would do better once he got some rest.

Request a drabble~

[spideybatsy]

A+B | Chapter Six

Summary: GN!reader is falling in love with Bruce Wayne, even if they won’t admit it. Everything takes a turn for the worse when Bruce’s biggest secret comes to light.

Pairing: Bruce Wayne x GN!Reader

WC: 1.6K

Warnings: na

Notes: I finally finished planning the story and we have two more chapters and an epilogue! Super keen to finish it up and share it with you all!

Masterlist

I end up ordering Nick a gift basket the second he drops me off at home. It’s the biggest one I could find, filled with chocolate, flowers, and a few keepsakes. The second we’d driven away, the apologies spewed out. He seemed okay, just a tad shocked. Part of me wanted to defend Bruce but I knew that he didn’t deserve it.

Stacey sits on the end of my bed, pretending to play on her phone. I know she’s really waiting to listen in to my phone call, assuming Bruce calls me. It’s midnight by the time we call it quits and I can’t help the hollowness in my chest when I fall asleep.

--

I awake to a shake on the shoulder. Upon opening my eyes, I see Stacey leaning over my bed.

“Someone’s here to see you,” her voice is as soft as a whisper.

My eyes trail to the door, where no other than Bruce Wayne stands. His shoulders are so wide that they brush either side of the frame. His smile is tender and he’s holding a bowl that looks tiny in his calloused hands.

“Hey,” is the only word I manage to say.

Stacey gives me a knowing look as she leaves the room, causing Bruce to step further in. His eyes trail the walls and I realise this is the first time he’s been in here. A shiver runs down my spine as he takes a seat at the edge of the bed.

“Alfred made this for you.” He holds out the bowl. I take it in my hands and pull off the lid. Pumpkin soup.

“Smells incredible.” As if to prove my point, I take a deep breath. “Is he waiting with the car?”

“No, he’s at the manor.”

“Then who drove?” I look up at him, my eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

“I did.” He tries and fails to hide his grin.

“I didn’t know you knew how to do that.”

This issues a chuckle. “Why would you think that?”

“I’ve never seen you do it,” I shrug. “Alfred always drives you.”

“He insists,” Bruce admits. “I think he’s worried I’ll drive too fast and crash.”

“I wouldn’t put it past you,” I laugh. “Does he drive the batmobile too?”

The grin drops from Bruce’s face instantly. “Eat your soup before it goes cold.”

“Bruce, we need to talk.” I start shifting around in the bed.

“I know,” he puts his hands over the top of mine, stilling me. “As soon as you eat.”

I look down at the soup, it looks delicious but with the anxiety eating away at me I know there’ll be no way I can finish the bowl.

“I don’t have a spoon.”

Stacey pops her head in, holding two spoons. She quickly walks over and hands them to me. “I’ll close the door on my way out,” and she does just that.

I shift over, creating a space next to me on the bed and hold out a spoon for Bruce. He hesitates, his eyes flicking between my face and hand, before taking the open spot. His side presses against me, the heat instantly warming me. I can’t but help scoot closer to him, if he notices he doesn’t say.

We flick through the channels, finally landing on a Looney Tunes episode and watching it while we eat. The soup is delicious, smooth, and creamy with the perfect aftertaste. I don’t know how Alfred manages to cook such delectable meals. The bowl balances on our touching thighs and I can’t help but pout when I go in for another spoon full and find the dish empty.

“It’s okay,” Bruce puts his hand on my thigh. “There’s more at the manor.”

I nod and we sit in silence for a few minutes, waiting for the show to finish. As it finishes, I switch the TV off and turn to Bruce. I stare at him expectantly, hoping I seem confident. In reality, I have no idea what to expect or even what I want out of this.

“I’m sorry,” he starts. “There’s no excuse for what I’ve done but I hope I can at least explain why I did it.”

Lost for words, I grab his hand resting on my thigh and squeeze.

“I like you. Actually, I like you a lot and I tend to get swept up in the moment when I feel like this.” My heart begins to race at his confession but before I can speak, he continues. “I guess I forgot about everything else when I was with you, but it started to crumble when we saw that hold-up on the news. Part of me wanted to just… ignore it and stay with you. But I knew that I couldn’t do that.” He takes a deep breath, “Leaving you that night was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Then I stopped the mugging and something in me broke. My actions had put you directly in danger's path.”

“That’s not true,” I whisper.

“It is. If I hadn’t left, you would’ve never been on that street.” He releases my thigh, instead holding my hand. “That’s when I knew I had to do a better job of distancing Bruce and Batman. When I was with you, I could only be Bruce. Anything else would put you in danger. I was thinking of ways to manage it when you said my name.” He tilts his head, getting a better look at me. “I always knew you were smart but wow. How did you know?”

“This,” I place the tip of my finger on the mole next to his eye. “I saw it and just knew.”

Bruce smiles, practically leaning into my touch as I shift to cupping his cheek. “Looks like I have to rework the cowl.”

You share a small laugh, but it fades into silence. Bruce sighs and pulls away, looking off into the distance.

“Now that you knew, there was no separating Bruce and Batman. I realised you’d be in danger as long the Dark Knight lived. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you, so I ran.” He smiles but there’s no joy in it. “If leaving dinner felt like the end of the world, this felt like hell. For months, I monitored your walk home. I wanted to keep you safe, but it was also the only time when I didn’t feel truly alone.”

He's still looking away, so I take his chin between my fingers and turned him to me. My eyes grew glassy as I notice the sheen on his own.

“I thought I was doing the right thing. Putting my own desires aside to protect you, even if I knew you were hurting. Time heals all wounds, I told myself, even if it never worked for me. Then I saw you at the restaurant and I knew,” he takes a deep breath. “I knew I could never let you go.”

I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “Alfred did say jealously was one of your biggest downfalls.”

Bruce quirks his eyebrows, “Alfred?”

“Oh no,” I instinctively lean forward and hide my face in his shirt. “Forget I said that.”

I feel his chest shake with laughter. “I guess I should be thanking him for planting the idea. God knows what I’d be doing now if he hadn’t.”

I pull back, “Probably moping.”

He smiles a big toothy smile. “Probably.”

We stay like that for a moment, two idiots smiling at each other on a bed. Then his eyes drift down to my lips, and he starts leaning forward. He keeps looking back into my eyes, monitoring my reaction. I find myself moving as well, eager to close the gap. We’re only millimetres apart when I suddenly pull back.

A look of shock crosses his face, swiftly followed by dejection.

“Of course, I forgot about Nick.” He pulls away completely. “I’m sorry.”

“No, Bruce,” I grab his hand with my own. He doesn’t react, just keeps his hand flat. He murmurs, saying something that I can’t make out.

“Bruce, please.” I take his face in both my hands, bringing it closer to mine. “Listen to me.”

He nods but won’t make eye contact with me.

“I’m begging you, listen to me.” He seems empty, I don’t know how it all went downhill so quickly. There's only one thing I can think to do. Without hesitating, I lean forward and press my lips against his.

It’s quick. Closer to a peck, really, but it has the desired effect. His eyes shoot up to mine and life comes back to his eyes.

“I-I thought you didn’t want- “

“If this is going to work, you need to work on your communication skills.”

I can’t help but mirror the grin that grows on his lips.

“I’d do anything if it meant I could be with you.”

This time when he leans in again, I meet him at the halfway mark. His lips are so soft and plush that I wish I’d applied lip balm before he got here. Something just feels so… right.

We’re out of breath when he finally pulls away. I quickly follow him and press my forehead against his own. I notice how swollen his lips have gotten and I wonder if I look the same.

“Why do you call me A, B?”

“Because I want you on top of me.” He pulls me over so I'm sitting on his lap, still facing him. I can’t stop laughing and quickly hide my face in the crook of his neck. He runs his hands down my back and just like that, I know everything is going to be fine.

[daengtokki]

Your story is like the first one I’ve been so deeply captivated by when it comes to serial killer shit, like I can’t explain it. Sure I’ve read yandares and silly ghost face skz story’s, but this one made me feel…disgusted? Like I’ve never had a fictional story about skz make me feel so grossed out. I don’t want you to take it as a negative thing, and if you do i apologize 🩷

I’ve read sooooo many fics through three years and I was a little bit skeptical when I first read the “serial killer! Seungmin” but I’m glad I kept reading cause I’m so excited for the next part.

What I meant by the “it grossed me out” part, is the scene where he killed the man? I don’t know why but I dead ass almost threw up, might be cause I’m sick and the only thing I’ve been consuming are medications. But holy fuck dude, I had to step away😭

Also!! I got so, frustrated? And confused? When she DIDNT LEAVE THE COUNTRY!? A MAN JUST KILLED YOU FOR LIKE TWO MINUTES AND YOURE OVER HERE KISSING HIS LIPS AND WHAT NOT.

But I think that’s what makes a story good! The minute a fic I’m reading is making me feel some kind of emotions, better bet I’m reading until the fkn end.

Anyway, pardon my rant, and again I really hope you don’t take it as offensive, but if you do I’d totally get it tbh.

Stay safe and healthy! Lots of love🩷🌺

Sorry I took so long responding, but I really had to gather my thoughts for this one. Apologies for it being so long and for me basically taking an opportunity to unload.

All of the "negative" parts popped out because I was so tired and out of it. And I was like “oh no please don’t hate please don’t hate the story” 😭 ㅋㅋ ㅋ I'm out of it today, too, so hopefully I type this up properly.

But I don’t take your comments negatively! My job as a writer is to make you feel all of the emotions my characters are dealing with.

So thank you for taking the time to write all of this out! Seriously. I'm a little floored anyone (this goes for everyone who has sent a message or left a long comment about the fic) has been reading thoughtfully enough to catch everything l've been putting into the story. We’ll be getting more into readers fucked up head very soon, since you mentioned that!

I’m glad these not so pretty parts have gotten a reaction out of you, because I’ll take that as me writing the scenes well! That’s very important to me as a writer, and as someone who has always taken writing seriously. I love writing simple fanfic that you guys can lose yourself in, because that’s why I picked up ff again after stopping for many years. And because of Seungmin, ofc. But this is also why I was very nervous about posting DEITY even though I’ve been wanting to do serial killer!Seungmin for months now. I knew it couldn’t be simple, but I had no idea it would already be this long halfway through (almost 50k words). After writing the intro and getting into the first part, I decided to just write an entire novel. I already had the plot in my head.

I don’t see many stories like this on tumblr, but I also don’t read much (I’m not exaggerating when I say all of my free time is spent writing) so putting something darker out there that wasn’t just oneshot smut was a little scary. I’m aware that’s what get most of the attention on here (short stuff, ott smut, ~imagines, etc) and why even though I have readers like you, I don’t have much in the way of likes and reblogs. It does get discouraging, but I’m pushed forward when I think about all of you reading each part.

So ANYWAY. Sorry this got so long. Thank you so much for your reblogs and your comments on those reblogs. It’s so important to me and the other writers on tumblr.

And thank you Seungmin for being my muse. I wouldn’t be writing every day again without you making me so delusional.

Again, sorry if this is too much and none of it makes sense. I took too much of one of my meds today and I’m very dizzy and lethargic from it.

[atonalginger]

It's Snippet Sunday! I know this because @fangbangerghoul tagged me and thank you for that. I'm trying out a new banner I put together, trying to spruce up the posts.

Today's snippet is from The Ranger and the Deputy. Still working away on the mini case intermission before act 3 and the ranger questline picks up.

I'm going to toss it under a cut to save dashboard scrolling, there is a brief hint of spice (some touching) but the two small scenes are not spicy on purpose.

Diego had repeated that stupid knock of his four times now as he stood at the front door. Kitty had grabbed a fresh towel an slipped into the bathroom to start the shower while Delgado reluctantly pulled his pants and undershirt back on and went to answer the door. A very vocal part of Del’s mind wanted to pop Diego for the intrusion but it wouldn’t undo the loss of their tender moment.

He didn’t know what had compelled him to ask that of her but the way his name rolled off her tongue filled him with a warmth and happiness he hadn’t felt in a long time. Which frightened him as he thought about it. Diego knocked a fifth time, each fist strike filled with agitation.

Del threw the door open and snarled at his fellow ranger, “someone better be fucking dying, Diego.”

“Not yet,” Diego leaned against the door frame, “but the way a friend of yours from Neon is acting, people might soon.”

“What?” Delgado glared at Diego, his hand still on the door, wanting to slam it shut.

“The Weasel showed up in the Rock begging for someone to throw them in a cage. Says they’ll only talk to you so Blake told me to come get you. It’s not like them to leave Neon so Blake figured it was serious.”

Del closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose, trying not to scream. Blake was right, it was serious. Reed wasn’t supposed to leave Neon per the terms of their probation. And for all the shit they got into, the Weasel wasn’t stupid, it was why they worked so well together.

“Give me ten minutes and I’ll be back in the Rock to see the little shit,” Del rubbed his temple.

“Blake wants you to being Kitty along, good training opportunity,” Diego said.

“Ten minutes.”

--

“What did Diego want?” Kitty asked as Del stepped under the water with her. Her hair was full of suds as she massaged her scalp, her eyes closed and head tilted back.

“We’re being called back into work. One of my people in Neon showed up in the Rock begging for a cell and Blake wants us to talk to him.” Del rubbed on her body, cupping her breasts and bum before setting about washing his own hair.

“Why can’t one of them talk to him?” Kitty asked as she rinsed her hair.

“Reed is very particular about who they deals with. We have a long history so they’ll only speak with me.” Del explained, “it happens when you deal with folks like this. Trust is hard earned and not every ranger works the same.”

“If that’s the case then why am I getting called in?” she asked.

Del could hear her squirt bodywash into her hand and then her touch on his chest. He stifled a moan and cursed their need to hurry; he wanted to pin her to the shower wall and take her so badly, risk of slipping on the tile be damned.

“Blake wants you helping,” Del explained, “this will be a good learning opportunity for you.”

“And this can’t wait till the morning because?” he could hear her irritation. She gave him a couple playful strokes before turning to rinse her body. Clearly she had other ideas as well.

“This person is not supposed to be traveling, them showing up means they skipped town and will have Neon security hunting them. Coming directly to us means there’s a problem that can’t wait, otherwise they’d have just sent me a slate.”

“What do you think is the problem?” she asked as she smoothed condition into her hair.

“For Reed to flee town?” Del sighed through his nose, “It would mean either their boss is dead or is planning something stupid.”

“Who is his boss?”

“Luca Episcopo,” Del traded places with her to rinse his hair and body, “insists he be called The Bishop by most in Neon because the man doesn’t have a single clever bone in his body. He manages a bar his father owns in Ebbside and oversees a smuggling ring on the side. They run guns and hooch.”

“Oversee?” Kitty asked, “Who’s actually in charge then?”

“Ah, you picked that up,” he smiled, “Reed does. Luca is a lazy shit who delegates everything to other people. Just like his old man. So the head bartender actually runs Boleo and Reed runs the smuggling operations while Luca takes designer drugs and drinks in his VIP booth. Because his family has influence in Freestar politics he’s safe from Syndicate interference as well as Neon security. Or was, since I get the feeling that’s why Reed is hiding in a cell instead of working.”

“Boleo? Is that the club Helga mentioned a while back?” Kitty asked as she rinsed the conditioner from her hair.

“Yes, it is.”

“I’m guessing if we have to head out there we won’t have time for fun, will we?” she was grinning, her head back while she ran her hands through her wet hair.

“We’ll see,” he said.

[firstdivisiongirl]

Sono quello della richiesta di Sabo e del tradimento con Koala, grazie per la disponibilità!☺️

Hi. I’ve worked hard on this and I’ve had my sister read it like three times. We both liked it and I hope you do to. Enjoy my friend!

Misunderstanding

Sabo was exhausted.  He was up until 2 AM just doing paperwork.  Oh, how he hated paperwork.  When he got to his room, it was completely dark, but he could make out a silhouette of a person in bed.  They were completely covered by the sheets and comforter, head and all.  He figured you were asleep, so he got into his pajamas and drifted into a deep sleep.

The next day you got home from your mission.  It was pretty easy, just break into a marine base, steal some files and leave.  But of course you had to do it without your boyfriend knowing.  You wanted to be a revolutionary so badly, but Sabo was too overprotective to let you.  So you talked to Dragon.  He said it was a great idea, you were small and innocent looking which made you the perfect person to go undercover.  But the only bad thing was he sent you on a lot of night missions so Sabo wouldn’t know.

You walked into the small room and saw your handsome boyfriend sleeping peacefully.  He must have been up late working you thought.  Suddenly, you noticed someone else in his bed.

“Sabo!,” you screamed.  He shot up from his deep sleep, fell out of bed and hit his head on the nightstand to his left.  He looked up and noticed he was naked.  He struggled to put his pants on, he knew his little sleep stripping habit was annoying.  He looked at you confused as to why you looked so angry.  Then he looked at his soft bed he just left, noticing someone was in it.  He looked at you, then the bed and back and forth.  Suddenly, the pile under the covers moved, and Koala popped up, rubbing her eyes.  “That was such a good night.  I’ve never slept better, but man am I sore.”

“Seriously Sabo!  You cheated on me with Koala!  I hate you!  We are done!  Go rot in hell you piece of shit!”  you said.  You stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind you.  The two of them were in shock.  This was bad.  Meanwhile in the hallway, you sat on the floor and cried.  You left a few moments later running to find Dragon.

***

“How am I going to get her back?  This is bad,” Sabo said, exhausted as he had his hands in his hands.

“Sabo just tell her it was a big misunderstanding,” Koala replied.

“No, I’ve messed up enough. I guess I’m alone now…forever.”

Sabo was acting like a little kid.  He was moody all day and just crying at everything that reminded him of you.  Koala was done with him.  She grabbed his face and pulled his cheeks as far as she could.

“YOU IDIOT!  GO TELL HER AND EXPLAIN OR I’LL THROW YOU OUT A WINDOW!! STOP ACTING LIKE A FIVE YEAR OLD!!”

Koala let go of Sabo’s cheeks.  There was a loud smacking noise when his cheeks reached their usual place.  He rubbed his cheeks that were now super red.  

You walked into the kitchen from around the corner right after you heard Koala screaming at the young chief of staff about the whole situation.  They were sitting at the small wooden table that sat between two walls lined with cabinets.  “Okay, so what are you going to tell her you idiot?  You know she’ll understand that you can’t think when you’re exhausted.  It’s not like we even like each other that way. I would never want to sleep with you!”

Sabo gasped, “What’s wrong with me? I’d have you know I’m a snack!”

“Sabo,” Koala sighed.  “You’re like my little brother.  That’s why?”

Their little conversation was interrupted when you said, “is it true Sabo?  Did you really not cheat on me?”  You looked down at the ground.

The two turned around, their eyes widened.  Sabo got up from his seat and approached you.  He placed his hand below your chin to bring your enchanting (e/c) orbs to look into his.  “I’d never cheat on you, I love you?  I promise from now on I’ll be more careful to not get into bed with anyone else and I’ll talk to someone about the sleep stripping.”

You smiled and hugged him.  You wanted to cry but you were too happy to cry.

“Thank goodness.  I’m happy we’re good.  Looks like Dragon was right.  He said no one besides me would sleep with you.”  You broke away from the hug to look at him.

“Why does everything think I’m so undesirable?  But let’s promise not to keep secrets. If someone finally decides to admit my sex appeal,” he said, displaying his body and how gorgeous he was, “I’ll make sure to tell you if I’m being chased by women.”

“Okay well since we aren’t keeping secrets.  I’m a revolutionary, not Dragon’s secretary like I told you when you saw me in his office.  Dragon has been having me break into bases and other places to gather information for him.”

“That’s awesome…wait WHAT?”  Sabo said.  I guess it was now your turn to explain this misunderstanding.

Please do not copy, modify, translate, or repost my writing on other platforms. Comments, reblogs or likes are highly appreciated!

[bangchanslovebot]

Forgotten Anniversary

-angst, fluff, smut

-fem! reader

-

Chan was at the studio while you were at home. This was basically part of your routine, staying up late waiting for your boyfriend, who, sometimes, wouldn’t come home. If he didn’t come home, he’d always make it up to you the next day by going on a date or, if it was his day off, spending the entire day with you, making sure to get you little presents if you were out.

But he should be home today. He promised you he’d be home by 5pm. It was almost midnight now and you were sat on the couch, trying to distract yourself by watching some show on tv. But was it working? Definitely not. All you could think of was if he had forgotten about your anniversary or if something had happened to him.

You glanced over at your phone and sighed, as no notifications from your boyfriend popped up.

It was almost 4am when you heard the door open. You immediately got up and walked to your boyfriend, who was entering the house.

“Baby? Why’re u still awake?” He questioned, looking at you confused. You had never been up so late unless you were at a party or some other event.

You sighed as a response and helped him take his jacket off.

“Princess?”

“How was your day?” You asked, trying to change the topic. The male noticed it, yet decided to shrug it off.

“Tiring but okay. I was at the studio working on another song, which is why it took me so long to come back home” He explained as you nodded.

Of course he put his work first. He always does. But he’s never forgotten an important date, not even your birthday.

“There’s food in the fridge if you’re hungry” You said before going to your shared bedroom.

The male went to the kitchen, as he was basically starving. He was looking for some snacks when he opened the fridge, revealing a cake you had baked. “Happy 1 year anniversary baby” was written on the cake.

Chan finally realized why you seemed off. He had forgotten your one year anniversary. The male frowned as tears began to build up in his eyes.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I actually forgot it…” He muttered to himself countless times, tears streaming down his face. He thought this was just a nightmare, but it wasn’t.

He quickly grabbed his phone and began texting his members, saying he had messed up and that he had no idea of how to fix everything.

The boys suggested many things like buying a box of chocolates or a ring but none of the ideas they gave him seemed good enough to him.

That was when he remembered. The song he finished a few weeks ago. He had written and composed an entire song to show you when you had your anniversary.

The male grabbed his laptop and looked through the files, trying to find the file of the song. Once he found it, he played it to see if any arrangements needed to be done.

“I hope this works” The male said to himself before going to your shared bedroom.

As soon as he stepped in the room, it felt like his entire world fell down. You were sobbing and muttering things to yourself, such as “I’m not enough” and “he doesn’t want me anymore”. Those were the thoughts that ran through your head. Those were the answers of why he always put his work first and forgot about you.

“Love…” Chris said softly, walking up to you and placing his laptop on the bed before sitting next to you.

“I’m sorry, princess” He whispered as he pulled you close. “I know I forgot our anniversary. I also know I’m extremely lucky to have you. And why? Because you’re the girl of my dreams, the one I want to marry”

You bit your lip, trying not to let any more tears leave your eyes.

“You might never forgive me, and I respect your decision if that happens” He sighed before continuing. “I finished this song a couple weeks ago and I was planning to show this to you once it hit midnight, but I guess stuff didn’t go according to plan. Either way, I’ll still be showing you the song. If you want to listen to it, of course”

He smiled softly as you nodded. Once he started playing the song, you couldn’t help but gasp as you realized the song was about you.

You listened attentively to it, making sure to pay attention to every little detail of the song. Chris was watching how you would smile every time he mentioned some of the things that reminded him of you in the song or how your eyes would shine when he hit a higher note.

Once the song ended, he closed his laptop and looked at you. “So..? What do you think..?”

You stared at him for a bit before pulling him into a deep kiss. Soon enough, the male was on top of you, kissing your neck as you moaned his name out softly.

He loved the noises you would make when you were under him. They drove him crazy.

“Chan…” You whined, wanting more.

It didn’t take him long before he took his shirt off, not taking his eyes off of you. You couldn’t help but blush at the sight of him, even though you’ve seen him like that thousands of times.

He looked at you as he tugged on your shirt, as if he was asking for permission to take it off.

You nodded as response, and Chan, not hesitating, pulled your shirt off before running his hands along your curves.

You knew he was simply teasing you. He always did that.

In contrast with his actions, his eyes stared at your body full of love and affection. Chan was sure you were the love of his life. Yet, he couldn’t forget what had happened. He was going to make it up to you by giving you the best night of your life. The song, of course, was supposed to be your anniversary gift, but he wanted to give you something else.

“I want tonight to be all about you” The male said before unhooking your bra and pulling it off, throwing it on the floor.

You couldn’t help but blush. His gaze on your body made you feel butterflies in your stomach.

“Channie…” You sighed. “Please don’t tease me for too long…”

If there was something Chan loved to do, it was teasing you.

The male grabbed your wrists and pinned them over your head, beginning to leave little hickeys all over your chest, as he knew you loved being marked by him. You loved seeing the marks on your body in your reflection in the mirror.

Chan himself also loved seeing your body marked by him. The thought of being the only one who could mark you like that made him want more.

Not wasting any more time, he took your jeans off along with your panties, admiring your body for a few minutes before removing his jeans and boxers.

“I wanna try something new, love” You heard Chan say.

Once he was sure all of your attention was on him, he began speaking again.

“Edging and overstimulation. You up for that, babygirl?” The male asked as you nodded slowly.

He slid his left hand down to your clit, moving two of his fingers around it slowly, watching your every action, from how lewd sounds would leave your mouth or how your eyes would search for his.

“Mm.. More~ please, Channie… I need more~” You moaned out, earning a smirk from the male as he pushed two fingers inside you before starting to plant kisses on your neck.

He slowly began thrusting his fingers in and out of you, making sure you had enough time to adjust. The party was just getting started.

A couple minutes had passed when he started to move his fingers faster, paying attention to every detail of every reaction of yours.

He couldn’t take his eyes off of you. To him, you being like that was absolutely perfect. You were his. Only his.

You started whining, which indicated you were close. Chan smirked and pulled his fingers out, watching you arch your back as you gasped.

“You’re mean~!” You whined out, looking at him with teary eyes. He knew you were extremely close.

“Me~? Mean~?” He spoke, chuckling. “C’mon baby, I’m not being mean~ not yet”

You gasped as he smirked, pushing the same two fingers inside you again.

“I love you…” You let out a whisper. Those words were only for him. He knew you loved only him. Your heart belonged to him and only him.

“I love you too, babygirl” The male said, thrusting his fingers in and out quickly as you moaned out his name.

“Channie… let me cum… please~” You whined, looking up at him. The male kissed your neck, as if giving you permission to cum, letting go of your wrists.

You quickly wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him close, cumming all over his fingers.

“Shit…” You moaned out softly as he pulled his fingers out, licking them clean.

“Tasty as ever, my love” You heard the man say, making you blush.

He quickly removed his pants and boxers before getting on top of you. As if it was instinct, you wrapped your legs around his waist.

The male kissed your neck softly before sliding his dick inside you, trying to distract you from the pain you would feel.

You gasped, feeling him deep inside you. Even though you’ve felt it many times, you still haven’t gotten used to it.

He waited for a couple minutes until you told him you were ready.

That’s when he started moving, making sure to do it slowly, giving you time to adjust. Even if he wanted to be rough with you, he always made sure you got used to his size. That was one of the many things you loved about him.

“Chan~ faster~” You moaned out, making him chuckle.

“Your wish is my command, princess” He said before beginning to thrust faster in and out of you.

You let out little whimpers, not wanting to be loud. Chan noticed it. He never let any detail escape, especially when it came to you.

“C’mon baby, I wanna hear your pretty moans” He said, starting to hit your g-spot as hard as he could, knowing it would make you feel better than you were already feeling.

Moaning loudly, you began to lose control over your own body. The pleasure was too much for you to handle and Chan knew it. Yet he didn’t stop.

The room was now filled with your and Chan’s moans, as well with the sound of your skin and his slapping.

“Oh my gosh, I’m close” He softly said before pulling you into a deep and passionate kiss.

Chan’s thrusts became sloppier and soon the both of you came.

He laid next to you and pulled you into a hug as the both of you were catching your breath.

“I definitely didn’t plan on this happening” He said, making you chuckle.

“I love you so much, Chan”

“I love you so much more, princess”

You were beginning to fall asleep when you heard him speak.

“Hey baby, we’re not done yet. We haven’t tried something else I suggested, remember?”

You whined and buried your face in his chest before looking up at him with puppy eyes.

“Okay okay, we’ll try that some other day” He said before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

[alyosiuscreightonward]

-F-

Gerta was sitting in her outrageously expensive designer chair listening to Derrick tell her about the irrigation system.

“ Well, Miss Santino, ma’am. From what I understand is that there are some trees and plants over there that are really overgrown. They’ve been growing out of control and the roots broke into the pipes and now the water is just backing up and creating a stagnant pool over by the property line,” he said quietly and barely making eye contact with her.

She sighed heavily. Sadly, it’s true and it’s a fucking cliché; if ain’t one thing, it’s another. Almost as horrible as starting a sentence with “It was a dark and stormy night.” Gerta paused for a moment before responding to Derrick. A memory popped up. Years ago her mother would take her and her sister to the really wild ice cream parlor. The most popular and expensive item on the menu, which she later learned was for potheads with the mad raging munchies, “The Kitchen Sink Sundae.”

Pints of ice cream, lots of fresh fruit and sauces, sprinkles and even something flambéd all served in a styrofoam container that looked like a kitchen sink. If you were that high, you’d probably have your picture taken and placed on the wall celebrating the fact you were that high. Bottom line: keep piling it on with apparently no sight in end.

“That sucks, Derrick. I’ll get Tarik out there in a day or so to figure this shit out. When you have a chance, can you please put it on paper and let me know. Then I’ll text Gallegos and let him know and thank you, Derrick,” with one hand she reached for the mouse and with the other she picked up her mobile.

“Y’all need anything else,” Derrick asked her.

“I don’t think so,” Gerta replied.

Derrick slowly turned to take his leave and Gerta glanced up and watched him walk across the room and exit the lodge. “God Damn. Cassavas. Ripe and in need of a good squeeze just to make sure they’re ripe,” she thought to herself. That ass. Not one seam from his underwear. “Commando,” she pondered as she diverted her attention to her mobile as scrolled with her thumb to find Tarik’s name in her contacts. The door opened and closed with such ease she didn’t notice. Again, Derrick’s backside.

Her forefinger tapped on Tarik’s name and with a few more tap taps, that first, piercing ring.

“Howdy, Gerta. Where you at,” Tarik asked as she heard the ambient traffic sounds disappear.

“Hey, Tarik I’m good,” she replied. “By some chance you wouldn’t be heading out this way? Apparently the irrigation system over here at the property line needs to be repaired.” Gerta went on to explain to Tarik why she needed him to come out to the barn.

“I get it. Text me some pictures and I’ll get the supplies,” Tarik said. “I’ll be there in the morning and I’ll get started. I’ll see you in the morning.” They said, “Ciao for now,” and hung up their phones. The sound of crickets chirping and the phone buzzing startled her as she saw Melouk’s name appearing on the screen.

Once she accepted the call, she was not ready for Melouk diatribe and pleading.

“Ugh!! The King and Queen are telling me to meet them in New Jersey. Apparently my brother has lost his fucking mind, again. New Jersey? Seriously, what the fuck?? The closest I’d ever come to being there was a connecting flight at JFK. It’s heinous enough to have to go through LaGuardia, but Jersey??!! When can you meet at Shoal Creek? Darling, please. London. Paris. Boston. I can’t. New Jersey. The very idea,” he moaned. “I don’t do the ‘Bridge and Tunnel Set,’ Gerta. Help,” he added.

“What about your brothers and sisters? Why don’t they just step in and leave you out of it,” Gerta inquired.

“Scheherazade, her five little fuckers have chicken pox. Five little shits all sick at the same time. Shoot me now. Elvairiz and Mahmoud are both in Vegas right now for their respective need to geek out over the newest tech. Nouri, is in D.C. testifying and of course, Waleed said he couldn’t be bothered me or Reza. AND since Reza is the baby of the bunch AND I’m the only one who has no life apparently, I’ve got to do something,” Melouk’s voice was beginning to crack and I was expecting him to have a fit of hysterical laryngitis.

“Gerta, I’m sorry but Waleed is beeping through on the other line. Let me get back to you later,” now with a pronounced irritation in his voice. I hung up.

“Wally Gator, what’s good,” Melouk asked his brother.

“Melly Mell, where you at,” Waleed replied.

“Dude, why on earth are they trying to rope me in,” Melouk questioned. “I don’t understand why. We barely talk or text. I mean once or twice a year and they still have to let me know that they’re not going to give me one fucking Dinar. Like that’s my opening salvo,” he said with such exasperation.

“Apparently we are all just so busy with our lives and we just can’t stop what we’re doing to help them out with Reza except for you. I mean what do you do other than ride horses,” Waleed stated with a questioning tone of voice.

The next few minutes was spent on making cheap shots at their siblings. Scheherazade apparently was making every effort to keep the ancestral name alive, but it had to be her maiden name and the husband’s name deliberately hyphenated. Elvairiz and Mahmoud, the twins, twining over gadgets and new tech in Lost Wages. Their pros and cons reviews on various websites were legendary. She’d tell how too much it was and why you couldn’t live without it. He’d say it wasn’t worth it but he was done. Nouri never to be not fighting for human rights and constantly making digs in the general direction of Amal Clooney just because she could. Reza is the baby of the bunch and he didn’t know what he wanted. He could be the wunderkind for the burgeoning entrepreneur yet if he imagined he was being slighted, Reza would go downhill from there. He’s a great guy and he’d share the spotlight, but if you didn’t mention him in a paragraph about how he helped the next thing you knew was Reza was a homeless junkie. Waleed and Melouk’s parents, The King and Queen, would swoop in and get Reza back on his feet. They’d done this more times than a carousel could go up and down.

“I’m in Atlanta for the next few months, Mel. I’ve found another near empty strip mall to revitalize,” Waleed told him. “Though without a word from you, I’d never have known about this place.”

“I know, right? I mean just steps away from Swinging Richards and then pulling in that that exotic dancer store was a brilliant idea,” Melouk replied.

“Miss Earline and Korneesha are really just two people who knew what Atlanta needed. Strippers and Drag Queens are keeping them and me flush with the ready,” Waleed confidently said.

“I’m flush also and I’ve got a great consortium here in Austin and it’s growing,” Melouk told his brother.

“We need to talk about this bullshit with Reza, then we need to figure out exactly why mom and dad came looking for you to help with his fucking crisis,” Waleed said steering Melouk back to the reason for the phone call.

“Yeah, I know that,” the resignation in his voice was obvious.

The two men went on to discuss how their parents had lauded their children’s achievements and in the same breath maligned them for not being mobbed by the paparazzi. They wanted their children to be fawned over and they kept a close eye on each of them, under a microscope was more like it. The King and Queen had a strict policy not to talk about or get involved with Melouk.

Boston and Northeastern University were both good for Melouk, but when Aziz spilled the beans on him and Amalfitano, they immediately took steps to stop financial support and told him flatly he would now live in exile and they’d be in touch. That was when the twins were barely 18 months old when they found out Reza was incubating. The brothers rarely talked about the 1980’s. They begrudgingly went on with their lives and careers.

“Wally Gator, when they called you, did they say where they were,” inquired Melouk.

“Yeah they said that they were in Ljubljana,” Waleed told him.

“That’s so random,” he said.

“Melly Mel, you’re telling me? This time of year it’s the Balkan’s. Dubrovnik and the toni cognoscenti,” they both burst out laughing and tears were flowing down their faces. Howling with laughter.

[ijustdontlikepeople]

Luke as Apollo

Michael as Hades

Calum as Dionysus

Ashton as Hermes