#but have I had fun DUNKING on him and everything he stood for in the past? yea

[mycological-mariner]

As it turns out, after being really impassioned to learn about my Nana’s side of the family that I am a descendant of one of my ‘historical enemies’

Rest in fucking peace.

[tragedy-of-commons]

fuck it we ball. hsr prom date hcs because i am on something different tonight. based on my very limited experience.

dan heng

he's painfully awkward. like you expected it when you asked him to be your date but it's even worse than you predicted...

he DID pick you up and he WAS almost an hour early, causing you to rush down the stairs and almost trip (not very magical-teen-coming-of-age-moment-like of you). that kind of lightened the mood though.

also painfully sweet! upon your arrival he gives you a boutonniere/corsage that matches your outfit which he had managed to keep hidden. his sweaty palms were not just because he was nervous, then...

march helped him pick it out, he admits with red-tipped ears. that makes sense, because she was suspiciously interested in what you were wearing to the function.

but he did also forget to pick out one for him. oops.

during the slow dance bit, his hands are sweaty. you don't care because your eyes lock and there's the fuzziness curling in your gut that plagues you whenever you're with dan heng.

overall, a good experience! polite and always willing to humor your whims, even if he's a little stiff.

and if you peck him on the cheek after he walks you back to your doorstep, well, that's alright with him. more than alright.

black swan

life of the party. not in a screaming-getting-way-too-into-the-music kinda way, but in the way that everyone wants a sliver of her attention. she's always relaxed, interesting to talk to, and dreamy to boot! it wouldn't be any different at prom.

but black swan, above all else, wants to just... spend time with you. anyone that wants to chat can wait until later, when she's not watching you stuff snacks into your pockets with a fond look in her faraway eyes.

to commemorate the occasion, you're cajoled into the photobooth where you both hold up props and make funny faces for the camera. you know black swan doesn't cherish much above memories, even if they're immortalized in a gag reel where you're clad in silly-straw glasses and her in a purple mustache.

but in the last photo, right before the camera flashes, she sneaks a kiss on your cheek. your eyes are blown wide in surprise in the picture and that's her favorite part!

surprisingly adept at dancing. depending on your taste, she will either dip you dramatically and take the lead, or fall into your steps and try to make you feel more comfortable if you're nervous.

cherishes any memento from the event. she does the teasing, though, so don't get any ideas about poking fun at her for being sappy.

a great date, i dare say.

aventurine

it's a given that both of you look the best. dressed to the nines.

the whole thing is a bit sensationalized, though. mostly because he's used to everything being treated like a spectacle, aventurine tries his best (while looking like he isn't trying at all) to give you a good time.

his saving grace is that... he's here with you. everything is more enjoyable this way, even the distastefully loud music matches the pulse in his ears when he looks at y💥💥

his favorite part of the event, surprisingly, is when you ask him to ditch with you early. makes a little joke like "wow, are you having that bad of a time with me?" but there's a bit of weight behind it that you can sense. anyway, you answer by rolling your eyes and pulling him outside.

away from the noise, pretenses drop and You Hold His Hand, telling him that any time with him is a good time. but this is infinitely better, even if you're both just stood in the parking lot.

you both decide to stay a little longer. at the end of the night, the principal gets into one of those dunking booths for the children to throw balls at to get them dunked in water. aventurine bets you a date that he'll hit the target.

you know he'll win (his luck kind of scares you), so of course you take him up on that wager, very excited to lose. it's very sweet.

lol he does hit the target

you both are prom celebrities for the rest of the night with another date set in stone a week from now!

kafka

imo she would make the best date out of everyone on this list.

mostly because any outing with kafka is almost cataclysmic in its impact... starting when she pops over at your place to help you get ready! surprise!

zips you up/adjusts your lapels/make sure your makeup looks good/whatever is part of this whole routine for you. she does so while humming a dulcet tune. she wants to be involved with every aspect of your pivotal prom experience tbh. keen on making memories like black swan is, but the effort is unconscious.

also. since blade has his driver's license, she basically bribed him into being your chauffeur for the night. i think that'd be a fun detail.

if you suck at dancing, never fear, because she also isn't very good (or so she says, but she's kafka, so of course she makes it work).

is not opposed to silly photobooth pics but she'd rather have someone take a candid of you both together by persuading them nicely - more her speed.

her eyes are ENCHANTING in that dim lighting... i just know... you get so distracted that you trip over her feet. silver wolf, the resident DJ that the school hired, sees and laughs.

has that tattered jacket thrown over whatever she decides to wear. she drapes it over you if you get cold due to the weather or temperature inside of the building.

[wwooyology]

Sweet Summer Breeze | K.SN

「pairing」 : bf!sunoo x fem!reader 「word count」 : 2.9k

「synopsis」 : it was sunoo's birthday, and you wanted nothing more than for him to enjoy his day. so you take him to the beach with your friends to enjoy the warm summer sun and ocean waves. though after a long fun-filled day at the beach you make it back to your shared apartment and you give him one last birthday gift.

「genre」 : smut, fluff

「warnings」 : MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!!, cussing, kissing/making out, petnames (sweetheart, princess, love, sweets, pretty, good girl...), unprotected sex, dom!sunoo x sub!reader, biting/marking, creampie, breeding kink, praising, teasing, slight manhandling, semi rough sex, begging, lmk if I missed anything!!

「notes」 : starting off, everyone say 'happy sunoo day' because its our sunshine boy's birthday! here's to my favorite sunshine and my other happy pill!! I hope you guys enjoy the fic that I wrote for him!!

As the warm breeze washed over your body, you were filled with a sense of tranquility. You were thankful that it was sunny and warm for your boyfriend's special day. You laid out on a towel under the umbrella that Sunoo insisted he put up for you even if you told him that you would be fine. However, that fight ended like it does ninety-nine percent of the time: He did what he wanted regardless, and you had no choice but to let him.

“Hey, y/n, are you gonna join us in the water or just waste away under the sun?” Jake asked teasingly, causing you to prop yourself up on your elbows to glare at him.

“Fuck off, Jake; I know you’re just trying to find an excuse to dunk me in the water.” You rolled your eyes before fixing your sunglasses once more and laying back down, ignoring their laughter and chatter.

Then everything went silent, and any normal person would be happy to have it go quiet so they could relax. However, silence with your boyfriend and friends only meant one thing...

Chaos was about to ensue.

Before you could even open your eyes to check on what they were planning you were suddenly lifted off of the beach towel, a small scream of surprise falling from your lips as you were thrown over someone’s shoulder. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who it was; you’d recognize your boyfriend’s swim trunks anywhere with the bright colors and patterns.

“Sunoo, put me down!” You whined, planting your palms flat on the small of his back to push yourself up a bit. Sunoo’s grip on your body just got tighter as you started to wiggle, hoping to get him to drop you, which failed immensely.

A loud yelp then fell from your lips as you felt his teeth in the plush of your thigh, “What the hell, Nu?” You pouted as your hand moved to rub the spot that he had just bit, feeling the skin already rising due to irritation.

“Stop moving so much,” he grumbled, causing you to scoff. That’s when you noticed how close the two of you were to the ocean.

Your eyes then widened as you figured out what your boyfriend’s course of action was.

“Sunoo, I swear to god, if you throw me in that water.” Your voice shook already knowing that the water was going to be frigid and you weren’t prepared for it. However, Sunoo didn’t seem to care as he continued to walk towards the water, letting the waves wash over his feet. “Sunoo.” Your tone held a warning, but he didn’t seem to care.

Next thing you knew, your whole body was submerged in the salty water, the temperature sending goosebumps rising all over your skin. Emerging from the surface, you let out a gasp, hands held out to your sides like a penguin. Blinking a few times to clear the water droplets from your lashes, you looked at your boyfriend in astonishment. The boys around the two of you started laughing hysterically causing you to glare at the blonde male that stood in front of you.

“Oh, you’re dead.” You hissed before making a beeline for your boyfriend, who smirked before taking off; however, as it would seem, luck was on your side for once, and you managed to catch up to him. Your body collides with his, sending both of you into the water.

Coming back out of the water, you couldn’t help but laugh at how Sunoo’s hair was sticking to his forehead. He looked at you with a look that just asked ‘are you serious?’ and you couldn’t help but shrug.

“Do give what you can’t take.” You gave him a smile that was full of sas, and he rolled his eyes before trudging towards you.

You watched him warily, ready to take off if he showed any sign of trying to dunk you once more. However, once he got close enough, he grabbed your wrist and pulled your body close to his. The force of his pull caused you to fly into his chest with a yelp. 

His hands wrap around your waist, his finger digging into your skin slightly to keep you in place. Moving back just a bit, you moved to wrap your arms around his neck, looking up at him with a cocky smirk. Raising an eyebrow, he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss on your cheek before moving towards your ear.

“Watch the attitude, sweetheart,” His tone didn’t match the kiss he had just placed on your skin. It held a warning in it, and you had to resist the urge to press his buttons, knowing that he wouldn’t hesitate to drag you off to the nearest secluded area and fuck you stupid.

“Get a room!” Heeseung shouted at the two of you as he tossed the ball back to Jake, who caught it with ease before looking over at you and Sunoo.

Sunoo pulled away from you with a smirk, a daring gleam in his eyes, before turning his head to look over at his friends. He shouted something about them minding their own business before turning back towards you with a smile.

“Thank you for today, love,” He whispered before leaning down to connect his lips with yours in a sweet, gentle kiss. One of his hands moved from your waist to cup your face, tilting your jaw just enough for him to deepen the kiss.

You tightened your hold around his neck, closing the space between your bodies. His fingers that were holding your waist slipped under the hem of your bikini bottoms, squeezing your ass just enough to elicit a small gasp from your kiss-swollen lips.

Separating, you sent him a cheeky smile before standing on your tiptoes to kiss the corner of his lips. Then, whispering something, his hold on your body tightened even more.

“I still have one more gift for you, but you’ll have to wait until we get home.” You pressed another kiss to his cheek as you pulled away before slipping out of his hold.

He watched you with a heated gaze as you sauntered over to Heeseung and Jake, who were setting up the volleyball next. Jake threw the ball to you as Jay walked over to join in while Jungwon and Riki took shelter under the umbrella, watching.

Sunoo inhaled deeply before fixing his trunks to try and hide the hard-on he had gained before walking over to join the rest of you, counting down the seconds until it was time for the two of you to leave.

Then, when the two of you actually got home, Sunoo couldn’t keep his hands to himself. Grabbing and groping any skin that he could get his fingers on, turning you into a flustered mess.

Even now, as he pressed against the closed door of your shared apartment, lips latched onto the skin of your neck, nipping and sucking deep purple and red marks along your jugular. It took everything in you to not just give in to him and throw your plan out the window, but you weren’t about to let your gift go to waste.

“Sun-” You were cut off by a moan as his hand grabbed your boob, squeezing harshly. All of the air was stolen from your lungs when he pushed your legs apart with his foot before pressing his knee between your legs, right on your core.

“I want you so bad, princess,” He groaned against your skin as he pulled your hips flush against his thigh.

“Sunoo, wait.” You groaned as you felt yourself getting wetter and wetter the longer he rocked your hips against his thigh. Hand tugging at his shirt as your head fell back, a shiver running down your spine. “Please, Sun.” Whines continued to fall from your lips until you were finally able to pull him off.

Your breath hitched in your throat as you met his hooded gaze, his lips swollen and slick with a mixture of yours and his saliva. His breathing was ragged, and his grip on your hips tight, fighting the urge to dive right back into your sweet neck.

“I have…” You took a deep breath, trying to regulate your breathing. "I have something for you, so let’s go to the room.” Tugging on his shirt, you hoped that he would get the hint, and thankfully, he did.

Sunoo released his grip on your body with a huff, allowing you to grab his hand and drag him off to your shared bedroom. Walking into the room, Sunoo kicked the door close before making a grab for your hips once more, but you just knocked his hands away, resulting in a hard glare from the blonde male.

“Be patient, Sun. Now…” You pulled him towards the bed before pushing him to sit down. He complied, watching you as you stood in front of him. " Sit here and wait.”

Sunoo did not like those words one bit, but if his sweet girlfriend asked him to wait, then wait is what he would do. His eyes, however, never left your form as you walked into the closet before exiting a few moments later with a small bag in your hands. He had expected you to bring it to him to open, but instead, you walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

Furrowing his brows he started to wonder what the hell you were up to, wanting nothing more than to get up and go investigate. He fought the urge, though, his tongue poking the inside of his cheek.

Not too long after, the bathroom door opened, catching the blonde’s attention; however, his eyes damn near rolled back at the sight of you standing there in nothing but a white lace lingerie set. The color complimented your skin tone almost perfectly, and the lace left little to the imagination, only leaving Sunoo sitting there, growing harder and harder by the second.

“Fuck sweets,” He groaned as you made your way towards him, steps almost hesitant as you grew closer.

“You like it?” You asked timidly as you stood in front of his sitting form, fingers playing with the tied ribbon that was on the front of your bra.

“Like it?” He scoffed, hands reaching for you, and in the blink of an eye, he had your back pressed against the mattress, his body caging yours underneath him. “I fucking love it,” He growled as his eyes bore into you, his fingers skimming your side lightly, leaving goosebumps in his wake.

He didn’t waste another minute before capturing your lips in a heated, hungry kiss, stealing all of the air out of your lungs. His knee finds your thinly covered core once more, adding pressure and causing you to gasp. Sunoo took the chance to slip his tongue into your mouth, turning the kiss into a sloppy mess of spit and drool.

“Sun-” You choked out a moan as he bit down on your collarbone, one hand on your hip while the other was by your head, keeping himself up. Your fingers run through his hair as you shiver in his hold.

“If I wasn’t so desperate to get in this pretty pussy of yours, I would take my time devouring you whole.” He groaned against your skin as he moved his knee to press his erection against you, causing a whine to fall from your lips.

Your whole body felt like it was on fire as he continued to nip and lick at your skin, leaving behind marks of all shades. Fingers tugging and pulling at the fabric of your panties until they were completely off of your body.

“F-fuck,” A loud moan fell from your lips as he ran his fingers through your fold, your juices coating his digits.

“God, you’re already so wet,” He groaned, fighting the urge to shove his face behind your legs and eat you until you were screaming his name. There was no way he’d be able to last, not right now.

You let out a cry of protest when he moved away from your body, leaving the cool air to chill your skin. Sunoo, however, didn’t leave you for too long. He pulled his shirt off, followed by his trunks, tossing all of the garments to the side. His hands then found your body once more, grabbing the backs of your knees and pressing them down until they were almost touching your chest.

No words were spoken between the both of you as he positioned himself at your entrance before pushing in slowly, relishing in the feeling of your tight walls squeezing him. Your head fell back as he stretched you open; the burn made your brain fuzzy.

Once he was fully encased in your heat, he stopped all of his movements to give you some time to adjust, his eyes never leaving your face because no matter how much he wanted to completely ruin you, your comfort always came first.

“Eyes on me pretty.” He coaxed you to open your eyes that had closed, tears built up along your waterline as you looked up at him. Watching as he pressed light kisses along your calf and ankle until you gave him the go-ahead to move. 

“Shit!” You cursed, hands finding his forearm as he started to snap his hips into yours at a rough pace, nearly leaving you lying there completely breathless. Your eyes rolled when the head of his cock found your sweet spot.

“Such a good girl, taking me so well.” He cooed, grip tightening on your legs as his pace picked up. “You just wanted to make me feel good, isn’t that right, princess?” His voice was teasing as he continued to fuck into your wet heat, the wet sounds bouncing off of the walls.

You nodded your head like a broken bobblehead, words falling away from your tongue as he hit your cervix with each thrust. Choked moans and cries of Sunoo’s name fell from your lips with each thrust.

“Hmm, am I fucking my pretty girl too good that she can’t even talk?” He chuckled, pressing your legs further down, nearly folding your body in half. The tears that had been sitting on your waterline broke free, falling from the corner of your eyes as your nails dug into the skin of Sunoo’s forearm, but he didn’t care. He was far too focused on every twist of pleasure that formed on your face.

White spots started to cloud your vision as you felt that little knot in your gut tighten, your jaw falling slack. Sunoo didn’t need to hear you say it to know that you were close; your body did all of the talking for you. The way you were squeezing him like you wanted him to stay inside your velvet walls pulled a groan from his throat as he continued to fuck into you at a relentless pace, watching your eyes roll back and your body tense.

“Sunoo! Fuck!” You cried out as your orgasm washed over your body, your vision blacking out for a moment and your legs shaking in Sunoo’s hands. 

“Oh fuck pretty…” He groaned as he watched the white ring form around the base of his cock, the sight causing his dick to twitch. “Shit… I’m close, princess,”

You let out a gasp as he roughly fucked into your sensitive cunt; every brush of his dick along your walls sent shock waves throughout your body. Letting out a choked moan, you built up enough will to let the words you wanted to say fall from your lips.

“I-Inside, please.” You whined, and Sunoo felt like he would have cum right then and there if he hadn’t caught himself. Any other time the both of you fucked, he always pulled out and came on your tummy or back, depending on which position he had you at the time, but to hear to beg him to cum inside. He could have sworn he died and went to heaven.

“Stay that again,” He groaned, his thrust growing sloppy as his orgasm was on the tip of his tongue.

You choked out a moan of his name as he bent forward, pressing more into you. His lips find yours in a sloppy kiss, teeth clashing and drool coating both of your mouths.

“Cum in me, Sun… please.” You breathed out before your eyes rolled back when he hit your cervix once more.

“You want me to breed this pussy? Is that it, princess?” He chuckled but was cut off by a groan as you squeezed around him, “f-fuck.” Sunoo’s bottom lip got caught in between his teeth as he felt his orgasm hit, “your wish is my command.” His head fell in the crook of your neck as his hips rocked against yours, riding out his high and pushing his cum back into your dripping pussy.

Both of you lay there for a few moments, Sunoo releasing your legs before helping you wrap them around his waist in a more comfortable position. His lips pressed soft kisses on your neck and chest before he leaned up to look you in the eye.

“Thank you, baby. This is the best birthday present by far.” He smiled sweetly before leaning forward to kiss you sweetly, your shaky hand cupping his face. Detaching from your lips, he started peppering kisses all over your face, causing you to burst out in a fit of giggles.

Sunoo couldn’t have asked for a better birthday than the one he had gotten today, and he hoped that all his future birthdays would end the same way. You trapped underneath him, and him buried deep in your pussy walls.

@wwooyology | Do not steal, plagiarise, translate, or repost any of my work

𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖈𝖑𝖆𝖎𝖒𝖊𝖗 : ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ɴᴏ ᴡᴀʏ ᴀ ᴛʀᴜᴇ ʀᴇᴘʀᴇꜱᴇɴᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀꜱ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴘᴜʀᴇʟʏ ꜰɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴛᴀᴋᴇɴ ꜱᴇʀɪᴏᴜꜱʟʏ.

[steddie-island]

Nothin' but the kitchen sink

@steddielovemonth day 3: Love is wanting to do everything with someone, even if its nothing special Rating: G | WC: 621 | Tags: Established relationship, they're domestic, post upside-down, fluff Find the full list of tags on ao3.

Everything clicked into place while Eddie was halfway through drying one of Joyce’s plates. He stopped what he was doing, his fingers tightening around the ceramic. “Steve?” “Hmm?” Steve glanced over. He had bright pink dishwashing gloves pulled up to his elbows, and there was a sudsy cup held in one hand. At the look on Eddie’s face his brow furrowed. “Hey– are you okay?” “Yeah! Yeah.” Eddie put the plate down, then turned to face the man in the ridiculously adorable polo. “I’m great, actually. I just had a realization.” At the questioning look directed his way he reached out to touch Steve’s arm. “I love you.” “Eddie.” Steve grinned and dunked the cup back into the water. “Honey, you said that when we woke up this morning, when I brought you coffee, remember?” “No, I know–” He’d said it a hundred times after the last battle with Vecna, when everyone had come out alive but a lot worse for wear. He’d said it a hundred more times the first time they’d made love, when they’d held each other for hours, like their lives depended on it. He’d said it a thousand times since then, too. Every morning when they woke up together, every night when they crawled back into bed. Even if they were both too exhausted for sex, there were always a dozen ‘I love yous’ sprinkled between them beneath the sheets. “But… I really, really love you. It just hit me.” 

He could hear everyone laughing around the TV in the living room, knew that was the more fun place to be, but that wasn’t where he’d wanted to be. 

Steve had stood up after dinner and volunteered to do the dishes, and Eddie had immediately stood up and offered to help. “You don’t have to.” Steve knew that Eddie hated doing the dishes. If he touched something in the water, no matter how innocuous it was, he got squirmy and ended up gagging so hard that someone else usually had to take over. “I want to, though.” And he’d meant it. That was the thing that kept getting him, he really did want to help. Not because he’d suddenly learned to love doing the chores or anything. 

Their family was laughing and joking in the other room, and yet Eddie wanted to be here, right here, with Steve. Because he loved him. And because Steve loved him, too, he’d smiled, shot Eddie a wink, and said, “I’ll wash, you dry.”  Steve’s heart swelled as he listened to Eddie explain it all to him, too. There was such a serious look on his face, a look he didn’t get often. Steve wanted to kiss the corner of his mouth and make it curve into a smile instead of the frown he was already sporting. “You love me so much, you want to do dishes with me?” Eddie nodded, pulled Steve’s arm the rest of the way out of the water so he could tug that bright pink glove off. “I do. I love you so much…” His other hand came up to cup Steve’s cheek. “I love you so much that I want to do dishes with you for the rest of my life.” Steve’s face split into a grin, and he leaned in to press a tender kiss to Eddie’s lips. “I want to do dishes with you for the rest of my life, too, Eds.”  

Eddie beamed, leaned in to steal another kiss, and then went back to rinsing and drying the dishes. “Do you love me enough to always do the washing part?” he teased after a few moments of comfortable quiet. 

“Yeah, Eds. I love you enough to always do the washing part.” 

[tsarisfanfiction]

Eclipse: Chapter 24

Fandom: Trials of Apollo Rating: Teen Genre: Family/Adventure Characters: Apollo, Hades Another long chapter ahead! I had a lot of fun writing this chapter... hopefully it doesn't get too confusing in places. I have a discord server for all my fics, including this one!  If you wanna chat with me or with other readers about stuff I write (or just be social in general), hop on over and say hi! <<Chapter 23

APOLLO XXIV

The silver titan Trapped within his buried cell Trouble comes hunting

The titan didn’t move, but his eyes flickered from where they had been regarding – searching – Apollo to focus directly on Hades.

“I am both,” he said.  His voice was lower than Apollo expected – not the gravelly tones of Alcyoneus, but a voice that would no doubt join the bass section of a choir.  “Bob and Iapetus.”  He didn’t move from where he sat.  “They are different stages of my existence but I will not erase either from who I am, now that the choice is mine.”

That… Apollo could understand that, to some extent.  Zeus had not stripped his memories, the way Iapetus had been dunked in the Lethe, but he had taken away everything else, forced him to be Lester while he fought to still be Apollo.

He was both now, too.  Lester-Apollo, Screech-Bling had titled him, the same way mortals had once named him Phoebus Apollon, and many others beside.  Lester was another part of him, part of his history but part of his growth, of who he was now, for all that he still preferred and used Apollo as his name.

Even Hades inclined his head minutely in what Apollo assumed was a gesture of at the least comprehension, if not understanding, although he otherwise stood tall.  His uncle was wary, he realised – Apollo had no personal history with the titan, but his uncle had once fought against him, and no doubt knew him well from the battles.

There was a lot to learn about your opponent in a war.

“Which stage are you in now?” the older god asked, and the titan made a noise that could almost be resigned amusement.

“Nico taught me much about demigods, humanity, and kindness,” he said, “and it appears that once learnt, those things tend to stick.  I am Bob, now, Hades, and I do not think I will ever use the name Iapetus again, but do not mistake that for the amnesiac, bumbling janitor who swept your halls.  I have not discarded the title of Titan of the West, nor the Piercer.”

“Bob the Piercer, Titan of the West,” Apollo mused, sounding out the name.  “I understand.”

Those sharp silver eyes snapped back to him.  “Leto’s son, if I’m not mistaken.  Phoebus, as I recall.”

It was a light feeling, to be called his mother’s son, rather than his father’s.  Apollo nodded.  “Phoebus Apollo,” he clarified, and was surprised at a look of near-approval in Bob’s eyes.

“I can see Phoebe in you,” he said.  Apollo had barely heard his maternal grandmother’s name in millennia, outside of his own epithet.  It was rare enough that his titaness mother was mentioned in modern times.  The titan looked between the pair of them.  “What brings the two of you to visit me?  Missing your janitor, Hades?”

“Nico.”  The demigod’s name was heavy in the miasma of the prison, sitting between the three of them with no mere insignificance.  Bob’s eyes widened a fraction.  “My son.”

“You, a god, came down here on the request of a demigod?” Bob asked, clearly surprised.  Apollo understood that, too – gods did not do things because demigods asked them to.  It just didn’t happen.

“No,” Hades said.  “I came down here because my foolish son intended to come back himself.”

“What?” Bob demanded, half-rising from where he sat in the first open display of emotion beyond guarded curiosity.  “No.  Nico, Percy, Annabeth… none of them must come back!  The Pit… he would obliterate them from existence!”

“In that, at least, we are in agreement,” Hades told him, voice clipped short.  “I have explicitly forbidden my son from ever attempting to return here, but for you, it appears he had no qualms about attempting to disobey me.”

“Nico…” Bob sighed, shaking his head in something lightly despairing.  Apollo knew that feeling all too well.  “So you are here to, what, eliminate me so that Nico has no reason to try?”  Apollo found himself pinned by silver eyes again.  “And this does not explain Phoebus’ presence.  Phoebe bequeathed you Delphi, did she not?”

Bob was clearly not someone to be underestimated.  “One of my sons would not let Nico come alone,” Apollo told him, not responding to the veiled suspicion that there was a prophecy involved.  Sometimes, prophecies were best left unshared, although he was well aware that the clear omission no doubt told Bob that there was one.  From the look the titan gave him, he didn’t think that was a good enough reason by itself, but Apollo didn’t elaborate; for one thing, he didn’t know if Nico was out to the titan, and while Bob was of an era much like the gods where such things as same sex attraction and relationships were normal and nothing to get agitated about, that did not mean that coming out did not mean something far heavier in modern mortal’s eyes.

Hades, thankfully, showed a similar degree of tact by not elaborating on his behalf.  “We came here,” he began, starting to inspect the wall separating them from the titan, “because the demigods’ intention was to get you out, and if we do not, they will.”

“Out of this prison, or out?” Bob demanded.  Neither Hades nor Apollo answered, and he frowned.  “I won’t say no to leaving this place,” he said, “but I find it difficult to believe that two Olympian gods want me free.”

He had a point – Apollo was acutely aware that they couldn’t necessarily trust the titan to not attempt something similar to Kronos, but he was also aware that Nico, and Will by extension, would not be satisfied until they knew Bob was no longer in trouble in Tartarus.

“Consider this thanks for keeping Nico alive during his time down here,” Hades replied, rather dryly.

Bob assessed him with clear suspicion.  “You put a demigod’s life on par with a titan’s?”

Hades put a stubborn hand on the brass material separating the two of them.  “My sole and last living son’s life,” he corrected, an admittance Apollo had never expected to hear him say, especially to a titan.  “Although should you betray him, or me, I will not hesitate to send you straight back here.”

Finally, a slow grin spread across the titan’s face.  “That, I can believe,” Bob said, standing up straight at last.  “Very well, Hades, Phoebus.  Get me out of here and I will not betray Nico’s trust… nor either of you unless you betray me first.  Does that sound fair?”

Apollo glanced over at Hades, and was slightly surprised to see his uncle glance back at him; he had expected the exchange to be primarily led by the older god.  So far through what could only be called negotiations, he had not anticipated his opinion being sought, and yet Hades’ glance could only be described as in askance.

Usually, an agreement as potentially devastating if broken as the one Bob proposed was sworn on the Styx, but Styx had been specifically appointed the keeper of godly oaths, and while that trickled through to bind their children through their heritage, it did not backtrack through lineage to the titans – and even if it did, as far as Apollo knew, Iapetus had had no godly descendants himself.  Nymphs, yes, and even mortals if his lineage was traced far enough, but no gods.

It was an exercise in – and a test of – trust.  He and Hades could be bound to the Styx, if pressed, but Bob would not be, and binding themselves thus when the titan could break the agreement without consequence was in no way a good idea.

That being said, Apollo sensed no lie in the titan’s intentions.  There was no tang of deception hanging between them, nor had he seen any glimpses of potential futures where Bob turned on them.  That was not to say it would not happen – Apollo’s glimpses of futures were sporadic at best, and the Fates often withheld vital personal moments from him (such as his third time mortal, or before that the slaughter of his children on Williamsburg Bridge, for all that he’d seen other parts of the Battle of Manhattan long before it came to pass, and glimpses of New Rome burning as the undead spilled across its streets – something he wished he’d remembered seeing when mortal, facing down the possibility of Tarquin) – but one way or another, the lack was significant.

He nodded back at Hades.  The known risks of not helping Bob escape far outweighed the known risks of helping – only one decision did not invite their kind-hearted sons to seek Bob out themselves, something that neither he nor Hades wanted, and Bob seemed likewise dismayed at the prospect of.  They were odds he was willing to take.

“Very well,” Hades agreed, looking directly at the imprisoned titan.  “Those terms are acceptable.”  He placed a hand once again on the wall between them, and began to shimmer the purple darkness of his essence, now streaked through with a light Apollo had not seen until Alcyoneus.  “Apollo.”  The order was clear, and Apollo stepped forwards, pressing his own hand to the brass structure.  His own essence reached out cautiously, feeling the threatening tendrils of Tartarus rebelling against his existence.

The lighter streaks of Hades’ essence called to his, and Apollo carefully let his own answer, reaching out and intertwining gently with his uncle’s.  It wasn’t quite mindreading, but it immediately gave him the sense of what Hades was doing, the way his power wasn’t assaulting the blockage directly but instead seeking the seams surrounding it and prying them open with far more finesse than a brute force attack could ever achieve.

One god’s raw power wasn’t enough to get through the prison walls – of course it wasn’t, otherwise more powerful inmates including the titans would have been able to break out whenever they chose – but with two combined, the brass began to buckle under the combined assault.

Apollo pushed harder, prying at the stress fractures that were beginning to open under the onslaught of two Olympians at near full power and widening them, delving as far in as he dared with his uncle by his side as they found the weakest point and wrenched it apart.

With a spark that turned into a boom, exploding outwards and punching through Apollo’s exposed essence viciously enough to leave him winded, the brass gave way, a gaping yawn in the material wide enough for Bob to push his way out, which was exactly what the titan did.

“Thank you,” he said.  Apollo gave him a small grin as he pulled himself back together again, seeing Hades similarly regathering the tendrils of his essence and standing tall.

“No problem,” he replied.  “Now how about we leave?”

Beneath their feet, the prison moved, shaking like an earthquake.  The walls of the prison were sturdy, too sturdy to be brought down by simply moving earth, but there could be no way the timing was a coincidence.

“Come.”  Hades gripped his forearm tightly, and extended a hand towards Bob, fixing him with an expectant look.  The titan hesitated, clearly and admittedly understandably not fully trusting Hades’ motives, and the god clicked his tongue impatiently.  “Unless you want to sneak past the guard yourself-”

Apollo’s consciousness was suddenly yanked in half, sudden and harsh enough that the part of it that remained in Tartarus missed the rest of Hades’ argument why Bob should concede to shadow travel.  He knew the feeling of being in two places simultaneously instantly, and he also knew what seeing elsewhere and potentially elsewhen felt like, but he had hardly been prepared for it at that moment, when the rush of darkness and power and fear screamed that if they didn’t leave immediately something was about to go very wrong.

The sight of his two sons mollified him somewhat – how could it not, for all that the timing of this vision was absolutely terrible.  Will looked better; far more awake and aware, although he was still sitting shoulder to shoulder with Nico on the floor by the bed.  Nico, by contrast, looked more tired, as though he’d been using some of his powers since Apollo had last seen them.

Asclepius, much to his concerned surprise, was in conversation with none other than Thanatos, whose dark presence in Nico’s bedroom was wholly unexpected.  The demigods appeared to be more or less ignoring the gods, with Will’s periodic glances up – a little wary, but Apollo couldn’t blame him when part of being a healer was keeping Death at bay, for all that it was truly in the hands of the Fates – the only real acknowledgement of their presence.

It was a peaceful scene, a sharp contrast to the sharp disagreement his Tartarus-inhabiting consciousness was hearing between a god and a titan who seemed to prefer the idea of fighting his way out to letting Hades take him anywhere through the shadows, although Apollo could admit Bob had a point and that the possibility of Hades losing control of shadow travel if Tartarus decided to intervene wasn’t zero – not that Hades was willing to admit as such.  However, like his uncle, Apollo would also still rather take the shadow travel risk than fight Kampê.

Up in the Underworld, Thanatos tensed, his large wings flaring out and almost taking up the entire room.  Will ducked, startled, as the iridescent black feathers narrowly missed the top of his head, but Nico stayed stock still, eyes narrowed as though something was suddenly bothering him.  Asclepius was surveying the god of death with some degree of alarm – a feeling Apollo had to admit he was sharing.

“What’s wrong?” Will was the one to ask it, looking at his boyfriend with occasional concerned glances at the wings brushing the air above his head.  “Is something-?”

“Something’s… not right,” Nico murmured, his voice shaking slightly.  “I don’t-  This feels like-”

“Lord Thanatos?” Asclepius ventured, drawing Apollo’s attention back towards the gods in the room.  “What happened?”

The Chthonic god shook his head, hand twitching.  Immediately, the large scythe materialised, taller than Will, who understandably skittered a little further away from the god, although not so far he was out of contact with Nico, who seemed to be gaining more and more comprehension – and fear – by the moment.  It looked a wicked weapon, Stygian Iron for the reaping of reluctant souls, and in Thanatos’ grip it was clearly a familiar weapon, for all that Apollo had rarely seen it used for more than brushing souls.

“I…” he began, before his dark eyes fixed Asclepius firmly.  “Protect the demigods.”

“From what?” Will demanded, one arm winding tightly around Nico’s shoulders as the son of Hades trembled.  “What’s going on?”

For all his earlier unease around the god of death, Apollo’s demigod son didn’t falter as Thanatos turned to face him, his wings barely missing the demigods with the action.

“Nico,” the god said.  “He will not reach this far.”

“I know,” the quivering teen said.  “I know.  But…”

“What’s going on?” Will demanded.  Apollo dearly wanted to know that, too – the Underworld was supposed to be safe, what was scaring Thanatos?  The god of death was clearly frightened, but there was very little that death would fear.

In Tartarus, the ground quivered again, and Apollo ducked as a whip cracked, its tip smashing into the side of the corridor.  Hades let go of his forearm, growling curses in languages long forgotten by mortals as his sword leapt into his hand, and beside him, a long, silver spear materialised into Bob’s hand.

“She would never have let us escape, shadows or not,” the titan said, and Kampê cackled.

“Escape, Iapetus?  Godlings?  Escape doesn’t exist.”

“I have to go,” Thanatos said.  “He has stirred.  He is angry.”  There was a tightness to his face, fear so blatant Apollo could see that even Will could parse it as blue eyes widened.

“He..?  Is that..?”

Apollo raised his bow, a whole brace of arrows nocked, and let them fly.  Kampê was like Python, her body ever-changing, but the transformations appeared limited to her waist.  The rest of her body seemed to be more or less stable in appearance, although no less dangerous for it as she charged forwards, her whip slashing half of the arrows out of the air before they could make contact.

“Nice try, godling,” she rasped, snakes hissing derisively at him.  Apollo stamped down the queasiness that facing down aggressive snakes provoked and ducked down as the whip once again lashed past him.  Black armour over the robes of the damned stepped in front of him, as Hades gripped his sword with two hands and brought it down.

“Not the Lord above,” Thanatos told Will.  “You are safe, here.”  Will didn’t look convinced, not that Apollo could blame him.

“Then…  Who?”

“I must go,” the god said.  “Remain as you were.  Nico, if you could get word to the Lady Artemis-”

Apollo jolted in shock and failed to dodge the next lash of Kampê’s whip, which bit into his shoulder deeply, drawing a flood of ichor.

“Focus!” Hades snapped at him, which Apollo dearly wished he could do, but the Fates hadn’t freed him from the vision and he stumbled again.  Artemis had nothing to do with any of this – and how was Nico contacting her from the Underworld?

“I’ll try,” Nico replied, resting his head on Will’s shoulder, who was looking increasingly upset at being left out of the loop.  Asclepius didn’t look much more informed.

“Lord Thanatos, where are you going?  What is happening?”

“It would seem that I must go,” the Chthonic god said, before disappearing in a swirl of shadows and darkness.  “Tartarus rises.”

Will’s panicked yelp of “what?” was the last thing Apollo heard before the vision faded and his consciousness fully reconciled in Tartarus, and it resonated clearly through his essence.

What, indeed.

His back was to the remains of the wall that had shut Bob in.  In front of him, darkness and silver blazed as Hades and Bob pushed back at Kampê.  Ichor flowed down his arm, and Apollo covered it with a hand, willing his form back together again so he could once more use his bow.

The ground beneath them continued to quake, but it was a long, steady rumble rather than an unpredictable creation of Poseidon’s.  This shouldn’t be enough to be felt in the Underworld, surely?  Even if Thanatos was attuned enough to sense Tartarus’ shift in moods, Nico shouldn’t be able to sense a disruption like this.  That would be well beyond a demigod’s abilities, even one who had met Tartarus.

The – badly timed – vision left Apollo with more questions than answers, which wasn’t unusual but was thoroughly inconvenient when it had occurred simultaneously with the start of a battle in an enclosed space and a new ally that neither he nor Hades knew how to fight alongside.  Thanatos was right; the demigods should be safe inside the Underworld, but that didn’t stop the what if beginning to niggle in the back of Apollo’s mind – which certainly wasn’t useful when he was supposed to be fighting.

Shoulder re-sealed enough to use, Apollo willed more arrows into existence, ready nocked to fire, and at the moment his uncle disappeared from view, the Helm activating, he drew back and released.  Bob lunged forwards with his spear the moment the arrows passed him, and ichor splashed onto brass flooring and walls as the missiles this time found their marks.

Kampê laughed, seemingly unconcerned by her new status as a pincushion, and Apollo shrank rapidly as her scorpion tail arched over her back and dove down towards him, dodging to the side before the venomous stinger collided with the brass of the wall behind where he’d been stood.  It bubbled and hissed where it connected, large dollops of venom splashing down and forcing Apollo to dodge further away.

He had heard the stories of what that venom could do, and had no wish to be paralysed for any length of time.

A gash opened up in the tail, near the stinger, and Kampê flicked it around irritably as her whip wrapped around Bob’s spear and pulled.  The titan resisted for a moment, digging his heels in as best he could, before surrendering his weapon.  It thrust past the monster, Kampê far too intelligent to impale herself upon a captured weapon, but that didn’t stop Bob from charging forwards with his bare hands, grasping at one of the heads that had spouted from her waist and yanking it out from the roiling mess of transformations.

That earned him a furious yell, and suddenly there were two scimitars in her hands, glowing a sickly green and flashing out in slashes the mortal eye would never be able to follow.  Apollo fired an arrow at one of them, the momentum pushing it back a fraction, while the second stopped with the unmistakable clang of metal against metal, despite the fact that there was nothing to be seen.

Bob took the split second it afforded him to duck down and summon his spear back into his hand, spinning it like a staff and pushing Kampê back a step.  She was forced to step up, reminding Apollo that they were at the base of twelve steps.

Archers were not supposed to take the low ground.  They could, if they had to, but when the high ground was right there and being held by their opponent instead… it was inconvenient.

Apollo couldn’t see where Hades was, although the periodic opening of new ichor-dripping wounds in Kampê’s carapace and flesh with no visible cause was a sure indication that his uncle was in close combat with the monster.  Bob was a vibrant sight of flashing silver, tinted green by the glow of Kampê’s weapons but bright nonetheless.  Neither of them seemed to be making any significant progress against her, although they seemed to be holding their ground well enough – the Helm made Hades intangible, and what few specks of gold fell from the otherwise silver titan didn’t appear to bother Bob in the slightest – and Apollo knew he had to find a way to tip the balance.

He darted to one side as the stinger of her tail lashed down again, haphazard in a way that suggested her target was the invisible, mostly indetectable Hades rather than Apollo himself, then dodged back the other way, shrinking down enough to be hopefully negligible in Kampê’s attention compared to the two melee fighters facing her.  Then he ran.

Were he still Lester, he would still have done exactly the same thing, but with a mortal constitution and reflexes it inevitably would have gone far worse.  Apollo zig-zagged around her legs as they started to stamp, the monster realising where he’d gone but unable to pin him down at his current size, and was forced to leap over more than one sudden injection of venom as her stinger awkwardly caught the ground.

It was, he thought idly as he ducked and dodged, likely similar to the scene John had envisaged as he wrote Samwise attempting to evade Shelob’s own many legs and stinger.  If nothing else, it was highly reminiscent of Peter Jackson’s cinematic interpretation.

Apollo had never really wanted to play the role of Samwise – Legolas, on the other hand…

He threw himself into a forward roll, momentum and the godly ability to defy at least some logic allowing him to roll up the steps and past Kampê’s monstrous derriere, to say nothing of the vicious stinger which promptly tried to spear him, and came to a stop only once he was at the top of the steps, down on one knee with several arrows nocked as he returned to a more battle-worthy size.

Then, he let the arrows fly.

Kampê snarled, but while she no doubt could ordinarily turn in the corridor to pursue him, Hades and Bob kept her front end occupied with invisible slashes and vicious thrusts, leaving the monster now sandwiched between two fronts.  On the down side, that left Apollo with her tail to contend with as it lashed out behind her, and he was forced to back away further as she began to slowly retreat from the onslaught of Hades and Bob, clearly for reasons that had nothing to do with escape and everything to do with continually getting her tail in range of striking Apollo.

Apollo had no intentions of being struck by her tail.  Unfortunately, despite its various cuts from Hades’ attacks, it still appeared to be fully functional and showed no signs of weakening its attacks.  Perhaps Ares would be able to sever the limb in a single stroke, but Apollo was not Ares (nor did he have any desire to be), and no amount of arrows, even fired by a god of archery, were going to detach it from the rest of the body – and certainly not before Kampê managed to land a hit with it.

So he was going to have to get creative.

During her invasion to Camp Half Blood, she had been crushed to death, Apollo recalled hearing – he had not been there, had not seen it, had not been able to do anything to help the demigods in that battle, and more than one demigod had paid the price, Lee chief among them.  Given the strength it had taken for he and Hades to pry open enough of the prison that Bob could leave his cell, it seemed foolish to even try and collapse the brass ceiling.  Kampê would need to be fully distracted, and it would take likely all three of them to do the collapsing in the first place.  No, that wouldn’t work.

He dodged the stinger again, and caught sight of one of the scimitars nicking Bob, who let out a bark of pain, stumbling back a single step.  The invisible force that was Hades stopped the next swing of the sword, buying the titan time to re-seal his wound and stagger upright again, traces of agony showing in the twisted lines of his face.

Poison, Apollo realised, firing off another handful of arrows.  Most were deflected by either the stinger or a scimitar, but two got through to bury in her back, to her furious hiss.

Kampê took another step backwards, forcing Apollo to edge further away again.  She was almost to the top of the steps, now, and Apollo’s height advantage was lessening rapidly – although so, too, was Kampê’s higher ground advantage over Hades and Bob, so Apollo couldn’t be too upset about the overall effect.

Besides, the sight of her poison had given him an idea.

It was something that would have killed any mortal, even a demigod, if it had made contact, yet while it had clearly hurt Bob considerably, it hadn’t completely incapacitated him.  Perhaps it would’ve been a different story had he been facing the monster alone, but with numbers on their side, they could cover for the other as necessary, buying recovery time (they being mostly Hades and his intangibility; Apollo wasn’t certain why the Helm was finally working against Kampê when neither Orion or Alcyoneus had been unduly bothered by it, but he was certainly not complaining).

It was too much to hope for that Kampê would be vulnerable to her own venoms and poisons – anyone who used such weaponry had either an innate resistance to them, or one built up over time, and Kampê was old enough that even if the former didn’t hold true, the latter certainly would.  Apollo wasn’t going to waste his time trying to get her to nick herself with her own aggression.

That did not, however, mean he hadn’t had what he hoped was a stroke of genius.

He retreated further, buying himself some space away from the stinger, and willed an arrow into existence.  It appeared, identical to the rest of his quiver, but Apollo didn’t immediately nock it to the string.  Instead, he began to chant, keeping his voice low so that Kampê hopefully wouldn’t be able to hear over the sounds of her scimitars ringing against Hades’ sword and Bob’s spear, or her own clawed feet skittering across the smooth, loud brass surface beneath them.

The last time he had attempted this, he had been a desperate mortal with no way of knowing what he was summoning – if, indeed, he could summon anything at all – and a newly-discovered agitated talking arrow trying to pretend it knew more than it did about enchanting arrows.  He almost faltered at the thought of the Arrow of Dodona, and how it had gone from an irritating nuisance to a loyal friend and confidant, before sacrificing itself to help fell Kampê’s own brother, but pushed on.

If plaguey, plaguey, plaguey slipped into the closing stanza of the chant then, well, so be it.

Plagues and illnesses were devastating forces of nature.  Apollo’s duty was to keep them under control, by allocating when and where they occurred – much to the ongoing disgust of the nosoi, who wanted to rampage unchecked – and he knew all the strains of disease that could infect mortals intimately well.  How could he not?

He also knew how devastating the right one could be – or wrong, depending on perspective. Mama Kokohad been furious with him when the Conquistadores invaded South American in the fifteen hundreds, by the Gregorian reckoning and the strain of smallpox that Apollo had been tickling the Spanish with for centuries made the jump from a society that was used to it to one that had never been exposed to anything of the sort before.  Ares had been, too, although his reasoning had been less to do with the population decimation and more to do with how it had weakened the Andean peoples so far that they could hardly fight back.

Even Apollo had been horrified at how viciously it had decimated the various peoples of South America and wiped so much of their civilisation from existence in only a few short years, and he had inflicted many deadly plagues upon the European civilisations across the millennia.

Monsters did not get illnesses the same way mortals did.  Nor did gods, nor any immortals.  Their constitutions were too fundamentally different for that.

But if an animated colossus could catch a hay fever conjured by a pathetic mortal version of himself, then Apollo saw no reason why Kampê could not catch something rather more debilitating crafted by the god of plague at near full strength.

Unlike most of his domains, plague had not wavered at all in the depths of Tartarus.  It did not need the sunlight to grow, did not stem from lightness and love, but rather the darkness of the damp shadows where the light dared not touch.

The Pit fit the requirements perfectly, and where Apollo had noticed effort in maintaining his light, in healing, in music and even materialising his own arrows, it was a lack of effort he noticed as a sickly green haze began to envelop the golden arrow.  The very worst things mortals could imagine in a disease bloomed and entwined effortlessly around the arrowhead, sinking in until the metal itself took on a sickly sheen, no longer shining as brightly as its fellows.

Apollo did not know if it would affect Kampê, but he knew he had to try.

The miasma given off by the arrow did not quite rival the general miasma of Tartarus, but it was pungent in its own way, offensive to olfactory systems in a fashion that would have had Lester’s eyes streaming with tears and nose running with a disgusting flow of mucus.  It had no such effect on Apollo, but he was still conscious that this thing he had created from and with the dank, disease-provoking aura of Tartarus was not something he wanted to accidentally inflict upon himself, and kept it carefully pointed away from his form as he finally nocked it.

Kampê’s stinger smashed into the wall next to him, and Apollo leaped up, landing on her scorpion tail lightly before running down the segmented limb – now far more like Legolas than Samwise.  She thrashed and did her best to turn, but Hades and Bob continued to hamper her, keeping both her vicious scimitars away from Apollo’s advance along her scaled back.

The snakes hissed at him, lashing out from her scalp as her waist deformed, melting and bubbling together until a single, large serpent erupted from what would have been the small of her back if she had the anatomy of a human, heading straight for Apollo.

“Bob!” Hades’ disembodied voice barked, all the warning either Apollo or the titan got before the serpent head with long, no doubt paralytically venomous fangs separated from the rest of its hastily created body, rolling harmlessly down Kampê’s flank to land on the brass floor.  In his periphery, Apollo caught sight of silver flashing faster as Bob engaged both of Kampê’s scimitars at once, the reach of his spear enough to keep both her hands occupied.

Hades flickered into view beside Apollo, his deep black sword dripping with ichor and venom combined.

“Will that work?” he demanded.  He didn’t ask what it was, but given he had more than once amused himself by startling Apollo into inflicting a pandemic on the wrong city, there was no way he didn’t recognise a plague arrow.

Apollo shot him a grin.  “Only one way to find out.”

He leapt forwards, over the writhing mass that was Kampê’s waist, and found purchase on her powerful back muscles, feet morphing into satyr hooves to better find balance on the near-vertical surface.  Behind and below him, he heard the swing of a sword and the tell-tale sound of several unpleasant things being decapitated.

Kampê writhed, shaking her body from side to side as much as she could whilst still fending off Bob’s attacks – or more accurately, trying and failing to disengage with the titan so that she could turn all of her offensive strength onto Apollo.  Her serpentine hair lashed out at him, but Apollo forced himself to stay still, keeping his balance despite her best efforts through a combination of satyr hooves, the beautiful skill of a horseback archer to adapt to movements beneath their body, and pure godly intent.

He had done something similar four and a half millennia ago, perched on the back of a writhing, ever-transforming creature with a single arrow nocked and the knowledge that if this didn’t work, things were going to go very, very badly wrong.

It hadn’t worked back then, and Python had very, very nearly destroyed him before the resulting fight was finally over.  With that nugget of unwelcome memory in the back of his mind, Apollo set his sights on the nape of Kampê’s neck, and fired.

Chapter 25>>

[emeraldtied]

“You're late.”

Two words were all it took to make Sonic chuckle lightly, the volume namely due to the sleeping toddler on his brother’s guest bed. Curled up with Knuckles’ hat and Bolt, Lyra looked peaceful and no doubt worn out from her day spent with her uncle. Not that the hedgehog had expected much different, it was usually the case when he and Mina had to ask the other Guardian to babysit.

“Sorry Red, got caught up with the press and couldn't get away. ‘S been a long night, Mina’s already at home, probably asleep in the doorway.” Something in the hero’s tone said he wasn’t entirely joking as he and the echidna stood there in the entrance of the hut’s guest bedroom, neither in a rush to wake the toddler. Which was why the hedgehog looked at his brother with a quirked brow. “What are you still doing up anyway? ‘S pretty late. Even for you.”

“I was waiting for you, slowpoke,” Knuckles retorted, grinning as the hero snorted in mock disbelief. But even Sonic’s expression faltered as he saw the echidna’s do the same, powerful shoulders raising in a shrug. “Besides, just one of those nights...”

“Want t’ talk about it?” The hedgehog’s response came quickly, naturally, and he just smiled as his brother turned to him, clearly not expected it. Motioning to his daughter, Sonic mimicked the echidna’s shrug. “She's asleep and, much like her mom, isn't bound t’ wake up until the sun comes up. Though I'll take it she's not the reason you're in a state.”

Knuckles chortled. “Not even close, she's a sweetheart. Must get that from her mom too.”

Fair be it for the hero to argue with that one, but he still gave his brother a look. “What's up, Red?”

A silence followed, even as the echidna moved them both from the door to the main living area. Like the rest of the hut it was rustic, mostly wood and stone with Knuckles’ unique brand of decorating which included odd rocks, potted plants and other things the hedgehog could only assume were driftwood or like objects the other found interesting. But that was beside the point and the hero looked at the other Guardian expectantly, and soon Knuckles sighed. 

“Don’t you dare make fun of me.” The glare given suggested if the hero did just that they would find themselves dunked into the nearby hot springs. Yet the echidna knew better, and frowned as he continued. “But…do you ever wonder about the future?”

Sonic considered it for a moment before giving a nonchalant gesture, but an honest answer. “Used t’ but I try t’ live more in the moment now…why?”

“I mean, do you ever wonder what's going to happen to things, specifically. What's going to happen when…we're gone” The way Knuckles said it meant that he didn’t need to elaborate anymore than that. There were very few things the echidna got passionate about, even less so got caught up in existential thoughts with. 

“You mean what’s going t’ happen with the emeralds. Everything we’ve tried t’ protect?”

Knuckles didn’t need to answer, the hedgehog knew that’s what it was by the look on the other Guardian’s face, and he smiled reassuringly. 

“I do. More than I’d ever admit t’ anyone not on this island.” Again he was nothing but honest, pausing a moment to think about how to articulate his own thoughts on the matter. Without sounding utterly sanguine and clueless, that was. “I know ‘s not right t’, but I do trust that Tikal and Chaos will be able t’ keep anything too bad from happening when our time comes, but…”

Another paused, and this time he tapped his foot for a moment. Having to say these things out loud was a little more difficult than he expected. If only because he realized how they sounded to him, and how they would sound to his brother. But the look the other gave made him press on.

“Well, you thought Angel Island was the best kept secret this side of Mobius, an’ all it took for me and the kid t’ find it was a clear night an’ a high powered telescope. That, and the Death Egg never really falling.” Which was a dead giveaway of there ever was one, but he digressed. “And then for years the emeralds were hidden in an odd pocket dimension until we…well, I took them out.”

When the hero didn’t immediately continue and just looked at him, Knuckles narrowed his eyes. He didn’t get it. “And…?”

“I guess my point is, there’s no really knowing. For all we know, when we’re gone, maybe Tikal and Chaos go back int’ The Master Emerald, and the emeralds find somewhere else t’ hide if something happens t’ the base. Or maybe nothing changes.” He knew it wasn’t the answer the echidna was seeking, but it was the conclusion the hedgehog had come to himself. There were too many factors, all of this was still terribly new to them and their planet. “We can’t know, Red. We just have t’ trust that what we have done, all we’ve fought and bled for, will matter in the end. Nothing is the same as when we were caught in the beginning of all this, things have changed. Even the emeralds, their energy, aren’t the same an’ you know that.”

Knuckles frowned, but there was something more to it. Not sadness, not disappointment. Just an understanding of sorts, and he was quiet a moment. “...Do you think they’ll be able to protect themselves?”

Sonic smiled, this time in full confidence. “Now that they know there's an alternate t’ fear and destruction? I think they'll fight t’ stop anyone from using them for anything evil. I like t’ think we were a good influence on them.”

Contrary to popular belief, the gems weren’t evil. Hell, they hardly liked using their powers for such from what the hero had gathered. They were content to stay where they were, lending their strength to a worthy case and equally worthy persons. That was something he knew for a fact, and he knew his brother had come to the same conclusion at some point given their expression. 

They had all learned from the past, fixed mistakes and learned more than they ever anticipated. And the hedgehog thought that alone would ensure that things wouldn’t repeat themselves. That was something he put his trust in.

[jaggedwolf]

separate thoughts about a trio of characters in PLL S1 given what happens in later seasons. don't click if you haven't seen up to the end of S4, yes I'm talking to the two unfortunate souls I've dragged into this canon, this is not for you yet. go away, begone, shoo.

~s3 and s4 spoilers here blah blah blah you have been warned~

Obvious retcons are obvious, in that none of

Paige crushing on Emily in freshman year + getting tormented by Alison for it

Spencer being on amphetamines most of summer + her family thinking she killed Alison while high

Ezra already knowing who Aria was + surveilling the liars to write a book

were planned back when season 1 was being written, or were even potential story ideas. On this rewatch, I didn't mind viewing S1 from the perspective of the retcons.

Let's get Fitz out of the way first because he's boring and he sucks. This is the first time I've watched many of the S1 Ezria scenes because back when I first watched this show I fast-forwarded through all of their scenes. I find him much more tolerable with the idea that he's always been even creepier, having hung out with 14-year-old Alison as a college student, that he's using the Ezria relationship for dirt while also getting his rocks off on it, that his stupid little :o faces are an act, that all of it is defensible because it is For The Book. If only a certain hoodie had aimed their gun better 🙏 Perfect ending then

Paige, truly my poor little meow meow before that was even a phrase. It is delicious to spend time with S1!Paige knowing the full backstory - her dad alone could explain the vibrating-with-turmoil mess we see, but the retcon slots in neatly to what we already know. In S1, Spencer says Paige has fouls named after her in field hockey, and so Paige bruising Alison in soccer is what prompts Alison's ire and revenge. S1!Paige treats Emily's existence like it's the universe playing a joke on her, (incorrectly) attributing an ease to Emily's life, be it swimming, sexuality or parents. What an even bigger joke it must have felt like, that Emily turns out to be gay after all and was in love with Alison. Paige must really really like Emily to only go "She seemed like a very dynamic person." in response to that and not just cycle off.

Though it must be that by this point Paige has realized Emily does not exactly share moral philosophies with Alison. In her introductory episodes, Paige repeatedly assumes of Emily ulterior motives, or behind-the-scenes game-playing, with very little basis. All of the liars get this to some degree, the consequences of their public tight-knit friendship with Ali, but it also fun to consider whether Paige ever thought Emily in on the trick played on her. (Am I making up in my head someone in the show describing the quintet with "those girls tell each other everything"?)

I assume freshman year Paige was looking at Emily like this all the time given how easily Ali figured it out. Going to blame Ali for Paige's tragic style shift from polo shirt + khaki shorts to terrible haircut + terrible cardigans, rip the baby lesbian fit.

Emily is absolutely the first time Paige has ever tried being a verbal bully and not a physical one. She is not very good at it, like clearly Emily is out and nobody cares, this is ineffective leverage. She also does not have that dog in her when it comes to physical bullying either, given her reaction post-head dunk. Some of it is because it was Emily Fields, with all that represents and who remained unfailingly not-terrible to her even after said dunk, but it does seem to apply more generally - I think she can do heat of the moment sports roughness without feeling bad, given Spencer's and Ali's comments, but the targeting of someone did not feel great for her.

S1 parallels Paige and Ali a few times, the first when Spencer tells Emily that she talked to Fulton for her because Emily never stood up to Ali (and no, I don't think Spencer was aware of Ali playing hot-and-cold with Emily re:kisses, just that she had eyes and like everyone else could see that Emily was whipped), the second when Paige and Emily frame Emily's type as "ballsy women", the third when Emily puts away her Alison bracelet after the picnic where she tells Paige she can't secretly date, the fourth when Paige texts Emily post-Samara and A immediately follows up with the "love me, lie for me" text. I don't think Ali is ever as directly brought up in the context of Emily/Maya, though I could be mistaken. They feel more separated.

My only notes on this are (1) one of the fun things about Paily for me is the way they take turns being the brave one and admire the other one for it (2) I wonder if Paige has already been comparing herself to Alison by the time we see her in S1...maybe she has, given something she says in S5

okay okay okay Spencer Hastings!!! an excellent maniac <3

Spencer's family really is terrible to her about letting Ian continue to live on their property even after she's expressed terror at it and they know he was kissing her while she was 14 and he was her coach, but it is so so funny that every time she accuses Ian of murdering Ali her family must be thinking....fucking hell, you did it and we need you to not drag police attention onto our family! What the fuck Spence!

Especially funny from Melissa's PoV, who IIRC buried a girl and thought she was covering for Spencer, and now has Spencer repeatedly accusing her husband in public. From her perspective she is the most long-suffering oldest sister who has ever lived, okay.

Again, all of the Hastings deserve this problem because of how they are fine with even a non-murdering Ian and apparently got Spencer zero help after that cursed summer murder. Still very funny.

When Spencer asks Ian "Was that how it happened?" when he recites how her fake suicide letter will say she murdered Alison, I wonder if it's a genuine question her part :( Her memory of that night is very fucked up, she might in this moment wonder if he saw something and go wait no, Ali died of suffocation.

Spencer...also had multiple confrontations with Ali? From this season we know she had one inside her house (before or during?) the sleepover, and then in S4 we learned Spencer's A adderall pills overpowered Ali's sleeping pills and Spencer chased after her in the backyard. Were there more confrontations she had that day? I genuinely forget, and will now simply picture Spencer running back and forth and back and forth and back and forth across her own backyard.

[rwfanficrw]

Beginning

This is the "beginning" of the story that I've approved to date. I've considered re-writing it to include Sayako but for now, this is it.

Please read the pinned post on this blog. It's ...complicated. But you love h/c with Cye, you may enjoy it.

“Ah, Kento is fine. He’s gone to China to visit his family.” Cye explained as he sat back in his chair at the café. “Last I heard of Ryo, he was going to visit Mount Fuji for some “lava time” as he calls it..”

In front of him sat Sage and Rowen. He was updating them about the other three. Since the Dynasty had been destroyed they had all kind of gone their own ways. In reality, they all lived in the city and saw each other as much as possible. Sage and Rowen had both gotten into prestigious universities. Kento and Ryo were still deciding what they wanted to do.

“And what about you? Did Say finally decide to get married?” Sage asked as he drank some of his green tea. “Last I heard, you were going down there to meet her fiancé?”

The bearer of torrent laughed giving a smirk, “oh I met him alright. For a marine biologist, he’s a slow swimmer… he panicked when he saw Suki as well.”

“To be fair, Cye, I’d panic if I saw a killer whale..” Rowen grinned. “But do you approve of them getting married.”

“It’s not like I have much say in it.. she did tell me that she and he would help mother out with the pottery shop until I was finished with schooling.” His eyes darkened as he sighed. “And of course… she said if something bad happened again and we were needed that she would drop everything and come back.”

“I forget that your sister knows of Torrent and is ok with it.”

“Even if she hadn’t known about it, she would have figured it out.. she’s bloody annoying like that. Always several steps ahead of me.”

The other two just grin amused.

The youngest warrior had a sister who was 10 years older than him, and she was super protective. It always depended on her mood on if she was going to annoy her younger brother or help him. Either way it was always fun to watch it unfold.

“Yeah, keep smiling… until she makes you two her next target.” He grumbles looking down at his empty teacup. His vision blurred for a few seconds then went back to normal without warning… was it happening again? He closes his eyes shaking his head, his hands clenched the cup.

He wasn’t going to pass out again.

Not in public.

“Have you eaten anything today?” Sage asks as he lifts his head from looking at the menu watching Cye fidget. He quietly used the power from his armor to see if anything was wrong. He tilts his head noticing how fast the other’s heartbeat was going, “Cye? Are you –“

To his horror Cye fell back into his chair going limp. The tea cup fell out of his hand shattering as it hit the side of the table falling to the ground beside him.

“What the?!” Rowen stood up in his chair nearly knocking it over watching as Sage kneels beside the bearer of Torrent. “S-Sage?”

“He’s alive.” The blonde informed the other as he tries to figure out what happened. “His heartbeat is just racing… I don’t understand why. Nothing else is wrong except some minor dehydration and low sodium.”

“I forget you’re like a walking medical test kit.”

Sage rolled his eyes, “We need to get him out here and to a –“ He stops in mid-sentence as the youngest starts to come to. “C-Cye? Can you hear me?” He reaches up and gently turning his face towards him so he could see… the usual bright green eyes were unfocused and glazed over. “….h-he’s not entirely conscious.”

Rowen walks over with one of the clean napkins dunking it his ice water. “Here. See if this helps?” He watches worried as Torrent makes no move to wake up any more than he already had. He was already calculating the fastest route to the major hospital 15 minutes away.

Halo takes the cold cloth and presses it against the other’s neck hoping the shock will bring him back. To his relief, they hear a weak moan as the smaller warrior starts to move and wake up more. He made an effort to try and sit up but fell back. “D-Don’t move. You fainted on us. Do you know where you are?”

Groggily Torrent looks at his surroundings then back to the one speaking to him. “S-Sage? When did you get here?” He looks up seeing Rowen and has the same confused look. “R-Rowen?”

“Buddy, we met for lunch? You were updatin’ us on everyone. We were about to order food. Then you just went down.”

“I-I’m sorry…i-it happened again.” Cye’s voice started to sound more normal as his body came back a few minutes later. His memory came back as well as he sat up with Rowen’s help.

“Again? Cye, what do you mean again?” Sage asked standing up, he hovered over the younger warrior demanding an answer.

“I mean it happened again. It’s been happening every s-so often … but after I wake up, I’m fine.” The other shrugs trying to play it off. “I-it’s nothing to worry about.”

“Nothin’ to worry about?! Cye you scared us!” Rowen exclaimed wide eyed. “Do we need to take you to the doctor or back home?”

“No.” The bearer of Torrent looks up stubbornly. “I’d like to eat lunch with two of my friends and enjoy my afternoon.”

The other two just stared wide eyed at him. Rowen started to say something when Sage shook his head holding his hand out to stop him. “Fine. But if it happens again, we’re doing something about it. Understood?”

The other nods silently.

*~*

“Sage, I don’t feel right just leavin’ him like that.” Rowen sighs as he watches Cye cross the street towards the train station. “Somethin’ ain’t right. That fainting spell. Something’s off about it.”

The blonde starts to get in the driver’s seat of his car as he looks over as well, “He ate a full meal, acted normal the rest of the time and drank lots of fluids. I checked before we left, he was back to normal. Readings at least.”

He sits down expecting Rowen to join him in the passenger seat, but nothing happens. He looks over and sees the door is open, but Rowen isn’t there. “Rowen!?” He calls before groaning getting out to look around.

He spots the bearer of Strata darting across traffic towards the train station. Rowen had a habit of being over protective of them all but he was guilty of it with Cye the most. He wasn’t the only one though, the rest of them were protective as well.

Something about the bearer of Torrent made everyone want to protect him, to keep him safe and happy. This started during the battle with Talpa and hadn’t changed. Being treated like this however just made Cye even more stubborn and he would fight their help.

It’s why against his better judgement that Sage had stepped back and let it play out. Even now he was fighting his every instinct to force Cye to see  a doctor.

Sighing, he gets out of the car before locking it and running to join him.

*~*

He let out a sigh of relief as he made it down the stairs to the level he needed to be on. He had been worried that they would follow him home. They didn’t need to see what his life had turned into. He wanted them to stay on the other side of things and not be dragged into it.

He reaches up tugging on his scarf as he pants exhausted from the walk. He leans against one of the posts unbuttoning his jacket, he was really hot all of a sudden.

It was another one of those weird temperature fluctuations. Just this morning, he had the opposite hit and was so cold he couldn’t feel his fingers. He had dropped his teacup because of it and still needed to clean up that mess.

Cye wavered unsteadily clenching his bag closer to his side as he rested his head against the cool metal post. He closes his eyes trying his best to relax. He didn’t want to pass out again.

He groans frustrated, maybe he should have told them. It would have been nice to have more people in on it and maybe they would force him to go to the doctor and see what it was.

Currently he was too nervous and too chicken to go, afraid of the outcome.

What if he went and was told the worse news possible? How would he relay it to his mother or Sayako? Worse yet, the guys. How would he break it to them.

He hears the train come blaring down the tunnel, it overpowers the rushing heartbeat in his ears as he panicked. Could the armor not save him and make him feel better? Was the armor broken? Was he broken?

His vision started to blur as his legs went numb. He felt the darkness take over as he fainted unable to fight it. The last thought he had was crying for help hoping the other two heard it.

*~*

His heartbeat was pounding in his ears as he started to come to. He expected to be on the cold subway station tile, but he was on something soft and warm. He attempts to lift his head and see where he was but something pushes it back down against something else soft.. he relaxes as he hears another calmer heartbeat in his ears. He felt sleepy hearing that and fell back into the deep groggy sleep he’d been in before.

“Sage? He’s wakin’ up.” Rowen calls from the backseat. “Cye? Can you hear me buddy? Take it slow.”

Sage looked in the rearview mirror nervously, “Are you sure we shouldn’t be taking him to the doctor?” He looks back to the front and turns right at the next light. If he remembered right, it would be a left in two miles.

“My gut tells me to just take him home for now. Once he’s awake we can figure out what’s going on, then we can take him to the doctor.” Strata sits back trying to remain calm. His hand sits on Cye’s back rubbing it every few seconds as he looks down watching him go in and out of consciousness.

“Twice in less than 4 hours…. Something is really wrong.” The blonde comments as he sits back at the light waiting for it to turn green. “What I don’t understand is – his readings are normal besides a racing heartbeat.”

“You said he had a quick heartbeat at lunch as well.”

“Yeah.. I just… I don’t know. This is beyond my knowledge and it’s not ringing any alarms with Halo.”

“That means it’s not the Netherworld messin’ with him.” Rowen heaved a high laughing nervously. “I’d almost prefer that…”

“I know. That’s almost easier to handle. Is this it?”

“Yeah, that’s the place. He’s on the fifth floor.” The blue haired warrior shakes the youngest’s shoulders gently hoping to rouse him. “Buddy? Can you hear me? We’re going to walk you up to your apartment.”

He got no response and looks to Sage worried. The blonde holds his hand out closing his eyes. “…he’s too weak to wake up right now. His body won’t let him. We’ll have to carry him up ourselves.”

Rowen hands the sky-blue tote bag to Sage, “Here, his key has to be in there somewhere. If you can help me once we get out, I can carry him on my back.”

“Up five flights of stairs?”

“Hey, I’m not a Ronin Warrior for nothin’. He’s also not that heavy. I carried him to the car with ease earlier.”

“I know that should bring some comfort but..”

“I know. He’s a lot lighter than he was during the battle with Talpa. He’s lost a lot of weight.”

They both went silent before shaking their heads trying to push those thoughts out. They had more important things to do like get the other warrior up to his apartment in one piece.

*~*

Sage walks in front of Rowen pulling the door open only to be stopped by a keypad. “…What’s his birthday again?”

“March 14th?” Rowen answers shifting Cye on his back. “uh.. 1973?”

He reaches forward and presses the date in getting nothing. “Try again..”

“Wait. We do numbers differently than Japan overseas. Try the month, day then year.”

Another handful of high-pitched beeps were heard before the door unlocked itself. “Good thinking, Rowen.”

“I do it on mine as well… it throws a lot of would-be robbers off.” He grins following the blonde into the lobby. He sighed with relief at seeing the elevator. He follows him down towards the elevator and waits for it to come down. “…how is he?”

Sage turns his head and reaches out placing a hand on the auburn hair, “Still out. Though his heart rate has slowed a lot.. I think he’s sleeping.”

“He’s probably exhausted after fainting twice.”

“That we know of.”

“W-Wait what do you mean?” Rowen watches as the other walks into the elevator holding the door open for them to come in.

“Think about it, Rowen. If he’s passed out on us twice in less than four hours… it’s only 2pm. There is no telling what happened between the hours we weren’t together and what of his way over to the café?”

Blue eyes widened with fear as he realized what the other said was plausible and very well could have happened. “Try not to think about it until we ask him. No use in panicking over nothing.”

“Rowen, it’s not panicking. It’s thinking through a reasonable explanation.” Sage heaves a sigh rolling his eyes, “Fine. Let’s not think about until we interrogate him.”

The elevator dings as it gets to the fifth floor and they step out walking down the hallway with Sage leading. “…503…504… 505… here. 506.” He pulls the key out that he’d found in the tote bag and unlocks the door. He pulls it open and holds it so Rowen can carry the youngest in.

The lights are flicked on and Rowen stops in mid step, “Cye, buddy.. what is going on?”

“What is – woah. This is not what I remember him being like when living with together at Mia’s house.” The blonde walks past Rowen looking around the apartment. “This is what I expect Kento’s apartment to look like.” He turns back to Rowen sighing, “NOW can we think about that?”

*~*

“Here, I found a clean hoodie and some sweats. Let’s get him out of these clothes and into something comfortable. If you’ll stay with Cye, I’m going to clean up the apartment.” Sage pulls his jacket and scarf off laying them over the couch before he unbuttons his cuffs and rolls his sleeves up. “Whatever is going on, is probably being made worse by the state of this place and he’s obviously not a good physical state to take care of it.”

Rowen watches as the blonde starts to walk around taking note of what needed to be done. He smiles amused watching him go into the kitchen a few minutes later coming back out tying an apron around his waist. “I like it, Sage. Very stylish.”

“Just keep him comfortable. Let me know when he wakes up.”

“I can help you and he can sleep here on the couch. You don’t have to do this alone.” Rowen takes his ball cap off and unzips his blue and red jacket taking it off awkwardly trying not to knock Cye’s head off his lap.

“Cye trusts you more than me.”

“H-He does not.”

“Now isn’t the time to be shocked by this. Next to Kento, you’re the one he would prefer to see when he wakes up. Since Kento is in China currently, you’re “up to bat” as you’d say.”

The bearer of Strata scratches the back of his neck flattered to hear that before he laughs nervously sitting back against the couch looking down at the sleeping Ronin curled up against him.

Cye did look more comfortable than he did in the car now that he was curled up properly. He turns and looks around finding a blanket on the floor. He picks it up laying it over the other before he gets comfortable pulling his book out of his jacket.

*~*

“Hey, what are you up to?” Sage asks as he puts the phone between his ear and shoulder as he can work with both hands in the kitchen.

“I’m going over that new set of armor that was sent in last week. Are we still on for dinner tonight?” Mia’s voice comes from the other end of the phone. “Where are you calling from anyway?”

“I’m afraid dinner will be canceled tomorrow night and depending how things go for the foreseeable future.”

“Sage? What’s going on? You sound scared.”

“I am. Rowen and I met up with Cye today at lunch to catch up. He fainted on us twice.”

“H-He what? Is he ok?”

“He woke up from the first fainting spell almost instantly. The second one, well he’s still asleep with Rowen.” The blonde sighs as he washes the piled-up dishes on the counter. “Mia, if Rowen hadn’t had a gut feeling to follow Cye, we’d have heard he fainted on the platform in the train station.”

“Which hospital are you at? I’ll come meet you-“

“We’re not at the hospital- yet. We carried him back to his apartment to wait for him to come too. I-I just… Mia it’s not other worldly, so my armor is useless. I can only read some of his vitals.” He looks around the kitchen swallowing nervously. “I don’t think this is the first time it’s happened either… his apartment is a disaster.”

“That’s not like him at all.”

“No, its not. Kento called me before he left for China and mentioned that Cye had backed out at the very last minute and said he didn’t feel well…. He wanted me to check on him. I’m glad I did.”

“Let me grab Ryo and we’ll come over and help.”

“No. Stay there until we know more. I don’t want to overwhelm Cye. He probably already is and I don’t want to make it worse.”

“Sage, I’m not going to sit by and not do anything. Let me help.”

He smiles a bit in spite of everything, relaxing his shoulders. “Mia, you’re helping just by listening.”

*~*

 Cye groans as he starts to wake up. His body felt so heavy and numb, it ached and hurt… he must have fallen somewhere when he fainted last time.

Where was he again? What was he doing before it hit? His mind was so foggy, and it was hard to think. He reaches out groggily trying to find something to touch that would ground him so he could start waking up more.

Currently he was spinning in time and space and couldn’t get his bearings together. He felt someone grab his hand and hold it gently, then felt a hand on his head.

Who was with him?

He tried to open his eyes, but he was still too tired to do so. He must have made some sort of noise because he heard someone’s voice breaking through the foggy haze.

“Cye? Buddy? It’s ok, I’m here. You’re safe.”

He recognized the voice but couldn’t put a name to it. He needed to open his eyes. He groaned frustrated before forcing his eyes open. His vision was still blurry but he could make out who was hovering over him, “R-Rowen…?”

“Hey Cye, yeah it’s me. You’re safe.” Rowen sighed with relief still holding one of the cold hands in his own. 

“W-Where…what…”

“Take it easy. You’ve been unconscious for about 45 minutes almost an hour. I caught you as you fainted on the train platform. Sage drove us to your apartment.”

“Wait? WHAT?” Cye sat up quickly panicking as he realized what Rowen said was true. He gets to his feet staggering around groggily. “N-No.. No no … y-you weren’t supposed to come in…a-and….” He feels his legs give out bracing himself for the fall that never came.

“CYE. Calm down. We’re past the not coming in stage.” Rowen caught him as he sagged against him. “We know things aren’t going well. Sage is cleaning the apartment up, so you’ll have somewhere good to stay.”

“No.. it can’t be.. you weren’t supposed to…this wasn’t supposed to happen…”

“Here, sit down and take a few deep breaths.”

Cye sat down heavily on the couch hunching over burying his head into his hands. He takes a few deep breaths, his shoulders shaking.

“It’s ok, Cye. I’m not here to judge. I’m just worried about ya. Sage is beside himself with worry as well. I think you scared him; I know you scared me.” Rowen sits back on the couch beside him reaching out to rub his back reassuringly.

“I-I don’t want to tell Ryo or Kento.. or Mia. They will just worry. Ryo will think it’s the white armor.”

“Is it?”

“I-I don’t know.” The other admits sighing as he rubs his eyes.

Sage walks in at hearing the heavily accented voice, “Rowen? Is he awake? Oh, thank god.” He hurries over kneeling front of the youngest. “C-Cye? Are you ok?”

The youngest lifts his head looking nervously at the blonde. He didn’t expect to see Sage looking so scared. He felt a hand on his head and smiles weakly, “I-I’m alright…I think. I’m sorry for the mess and for inconveniencing - ”

To his surprise he was pulled into a hug and held there for a few seconds. “Stop apologizing. There is no need to say you’re sorry. I’m just thankful you’re awake.”

Halo pulls back checking Torrent’s vitals as gently as he can. “Everything feels back to normal… Cye, what is going on?”

Rowen sits closer wrapping an arm around the small shoulders, “It’s ok buddy, you can tell us. You can’t do this on your own. You need help and we want to.”

“I-I’m not quite sure what is going on… it started a few months ago. I stumbled after running across the street downtown and couldn’t stay awake. I passed out and woke up to a lot of people surrounding me.” His green eyes darken as he sighs heavily wringing his hands. “A-After that it’s just gotten worse. I have no energy anymore t-to do anything. Some days I’ll have a bit but then it only lasts so long… I’m always one extreme temperature or the other. Earlier I was so hot I couldn’t breathe before I fainted in the train station… now I’m so cold my hands hurt.”

Sage lifts his gaze and nods to Rowen who pulls the blanket up around the other warrior’s shoulders. “Go on, Cye.” He reaches up placing his hand over the trembling ones. He gently rubs them in between his own trying to warm them up. Cye was right, they were ice cold to the touch.

“Recently, I’ve been unable to keep food down and when I do eat something, I throw it back up shortly after. That leaves me so tired, I’ve started sleeping on the floor near the bathroom just so I don’t have far to go.”

“How often do these fainting spells hit, buddy?”

“Today, I only had four so far….yesterday I had one after taking a shower but I slept the rest of the day.. the day before that it was three… it just depends how I’m feeling.”

“Is there anything that’s the same each time you faint? A smell? An action? Something you see or hear?”

“….I-I don’t….” His eyes widen as he grabs Sage’s hand. “M-My heart beat. Its so loud, I can’t hear anything else. It drowns out the people and surroundings to where its all I can hear. Then I know I’ll lose my balance and the vertigo will hit… then my body just gives out and I black out.”

“Have you been to a doctor about this? What did they say?”

Cye sits back shaking his head embarrassed, “I-I’ve been too nervous and scared to go. I-I don’t want to hear the worst a-and have to live with it and have to tell everyone a-and…”

Rowen reaches out pulling the younger warrior into a hug, “We’ll do it with you, ok? I’ll be there every step of the way.”

“You don’t … I can’t ask that of you.”

“You’re not. We’re volunteering.” Sage joined in sitting up on the couch on the other side of Cye. He smiles warmly nodding, “I’ll be there as well. For right now, we’ll keep it a secret from Kento and Ryo. But once we know what’s going on, we’re going to tell them. We’re like Family Cye. You can’t hide things from your family.” He then sighs, “I also vote we tell Mia. She can be of great help to us to get connections if need be.”

“Connections? Why would we need connections?”

“You may need to see a few specialty doctors. My family is a lot of pull in Toyama and Mia’s Grandfather had a lot of higher up connections to other scientists and doctors alike.” 

Torrent’s face dropped as the weight of what “specialty” doctors meant and he bites his lip looking down, his hand gripping the edge of Rowen’s shirt so tightly his knuckles were white. Strata looks down confused before he realizes what’s going on, “Woah, buddy, don’t go down that route yet. It could be as simple as a vitamin deficiency.”

“Cye, I didn’t mean specialty as a cancer doctor or anything like that. Just someone who can do certain tests. That’s all.” Halo reassures him realizing what he’d done. “Like me. I’d be considered a specialty because I can read armor and that’s it.”

“Yeah, he’s kinda useless actually if you think about it.” Rowen jokes grinning.

“Next time you throw your shoulder out while practicing with the Strata Bow, I won’t help fix it. I’ll let you suffer.” Sage threatens glaring.

Cye looks between the two of them before a small smile appears on his features. They were trying to cheer him up and it was working.

*~*

“Mr. Hashiba? A Sage Date is here to see you and Mr. Mouri? He just arrived.” A nurse said on the phone from the front desk.

“Ah yeah, send him back.” Rowen hangs up the phone and turns to check on Cye.

They had been here all-day getting blood work done and running several other tests. He lays his jacket back over the smaller frame hoping to keep him warm. He had managed to get Cye to wear layers today so when he got too hot, they could be removed and when he got too cold, they could be put back on.

Currently the bearer of torrent was almost a normal tempreture coming off of an over heated spell. His head was cushioned by his hoodie that was folded up underneath it as he rested on the examination table.

Rowen sighs watching him sleep, resting his hand on the other’s thigh. He looked up as a knock on the door was heard, he felt Cye startle. “Easy, buddy… just rest. It’s Sage.”

The door opened and a nurse was there, Sage behind her. “Hey, you made it!”

“I did.” The blonde smiles out of breath. “Sorry, I took so long. My father decided it was necessary to lecture me on the importance of patience. Apparently, I was fidgeting too much during meditation this morning.”

“Gee, it’s almost like you get nervous when you miss an appointment.”

“Right?” Sage quickly removes his jacket and scarf laying it over on the table with Cye’s outerwear. He wasn’t dressed in his normal dressy attire. He had actually come in just khakis and a button down.

Rowen smiles realizing how fast Sage had left. He really was worried about the youngest. “Well, he’s been poked and prodded all morning. They took so much blood, he nearly fainted from blood loss.”

“Has he fainted any besides that?”

“Five times.”

“F-Five? Here at the hospital?”

“Three here and two on the way.”

“Rowen… has the doctor said anything?”

The blue haired warrior shook his head shrugging, “Nothing definite. We’ve been seen by four different doctors today, all having different ideas on what’s causing it. They are running several tests on the blood they took to see if he’s low or deficit on anything and any other problems that could be caused with that in mind.”

“I can feel how exhausted he is. Mentally and Physically.” The blonde commented as he walked over to the examination table. He tucks the blue and red jacket around the small frame before placing a hand on his back. “Did he do alright during the tests?”

“That depends on what you mean? He clung to me the entire time and fainted when they stuck the needle in him to take blood.” Rowen smiles inspite of it all. “For someone who has witnessed the end of the world, blood makes him very squeamish.” He then sighs, “The nurse is keeping an eye on his body tempreture. He keeps having those fluctuations and with it, an energy drop. He finally just fell asleep on the table an hour ago and they wanted to let him sleep.”

“Once he wakes up, one of the doctors wants to perform something called a tilt table test? Have you heard of it?”

“I-I haven’t. Is it painful?” Sage asks looking back to over to Cye nervously.

“I don’t think so. She would have told me if it was. She has been there most of the day and has seen him panic. She wouldn’t hide that from me.”

“Rowen? You’re thinking something… what is it?”

“Is there a way to “reset” his energy levels so whatever this tilt table test is, we get an accurate result?” Rowen asks crossing his arms as he leans against the wall. “I’m just worried that he’ll be so exhausted that we’ll get an extreme reading.”

“I can try.”

“Nothing extra. Just back to his “normal”.”

Sage walks over and holds his hand out closing his eyes. Cye glows a faint green before he starts to stir slightly. He startles pulling back as the door opens behind them.

“Mr. Hashiba, is Cye awake yet?”

“He just made a noise, so I think he’s moving.”

“Good. Once he’s coherent, we’ll start the test.”

*~*

“….w-what exactly is a tilt table test?” Cye asks nervously as he was asked to sit on an examination table in a different room. The other two weren’t allowed in in fear of contenmating the findings. He watches as a nurse hooks up sensors to his head and chest. “Why won’t you answer my questions? A-And why can’t Rowen be in here?”

“We need an accurate result. This test will show us how fast your body can react to certain stimuli.”

“What does that even mean?” He asks as he was laid back on the table.

“Whatever you feel, don’t fight it.”

His eyes dart around the room nervously, he turns his head so he can see Rowen and Sage standing outside the room. The lights above him dim slightly and the doctor’s voice came on the speaker.

“Just try your best to relax. This test won’t take long. As the nurse said, whatever happens don’t fight your body. There is no wrong answer to this test.”

He takes a shakey breath before giving a slight thumbs up.

*~* 

“Doc, how long will this take?” Rowen asks nervously, he can already tell Cye is scared.

“Less than 15 minutes. If he reacts the way I think he will, I know what is going on.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“Then we’re back to square one.” She says as she starts to push a button. “Alright, Cye. We’re going to start.”

*~*

The table jerked underneath him causing him to grip the edge of it. Then it calmed down. Another jerk and the table moved him to where he was up right. It was a good thing he was strapped down… he felt dizzy with the movement and started to feel a little faint.

*~*

“Hmm, he is responding properly. This is interesting. Alright, one more test. This one is the most common.” She turns to the to the other two. “Prepare yourselves. He most likely will faint from this one. But he will be alright.” She presses a few buttons and resets the table to it’s original position letting him lay there for a few seconds.

“What are you watching for?” Sage asks intridgued.

“For this last test, his blood pressure. It should start to climb very quickly.” She points to the monitor before leaning into the microphone, “Alright, Cye. You’re doing great. One last test.”

“W-Wait, you’re not going to warm him that he could faint from this?” Rowen asks frustrated. “He deserves to know!”

“He can’t know. It would mess up the test.” Sage comments finally realizing what was going on. He reaches out pulling Rowen back. “Let’s just watch. I think I know what’s happening.”

Rowen sighs pulling back before he walks to the window to watch nervously. He didn’t like not being able to help. Cye looked so scared strapped to the table.

The table started to move again, then time leaning back for several seconds letting Cye get used to leaning back. Then it jerked and forced him to sit up quickly without warning.

The heart monitor started to go off loudly. “Wow. You weren’t kidding… it just sky rocketed.” Sage commented.

“G-Guys.. Cye is … he’s .. he’s..”

“He’s fainting.” The doctor finishes for him.

Rowen watches horrified as Cye’s eyes grow heavy then roll back as he goes limp on the table. The restraints keeping him from falling off the up right table. His head fell limp to the side. He turns back to the doctor, “Now wake him up.”

“He should be coming too very shortly.”

The table levels itself out again and they wait for a few minutes watching the monitor as his heart rate drops. Rowen wrings his hands wanting to get into there and free Cye from that thing.

A heavy breath was heard on the microphone as Cye regained consciousness. He laid there groggy and confused making no move to get free. “….r-rowen…?”

At hearing the barely audible call for his name over the microphone, Rowen was sent off the edge. He paced nervously walking towards the door wanting to get in there. He kept pushing against the door hoping it was unlocked but each time it wasn’t. He didn’t know how much longer he could wait.

Sage watches him worried, “Can we see him?” He finally asks for the other.

“Just be gentle. He’s still coming back.” She nods unlocking the doors. She turns in her chair just in time to see Rowen bolt out the door into the other room.

*~*

Cye forces his eyes open and hearing someone enter the room. Whoever it was, jerked the retraints off his body, hands and feet and then his head. He felt almost drunk as he tried to ground himself and wake up properly.

“Buddy, it’s me. I’m here.” Rowen whispers as he helps Cye sit up hugging him. “You’re safe. It’s over. You did great.”

“..Ro? D-Did I pass…”

“Yeah, you passed with flying colors.” The blue haired warrior caught the youngest as his head dropped to the side. “You ok?”

“…f-feel almost …d-drunk? Everything is s-spinning r-really fast…I can’t find the ground.”

“Shh, use me. Use me to ground yourself, Cye. I’ve gotcha. I’ve got both feet planted on the ground. You’re currently sitting on a table.” He explains gently trying to help. He feels a hand weakly grasp at his shirt as the other tried to obey.

Rowen turns his head looking back to Sage and the doctor unable to hide how scared he was.

*~*

“Well, Mr. Mouri, we finally know what is going on.” The doctor smiles relieved as she sits down in her chair by her desk.

“And that is what exactly?”

“It’s a syndrome disease called Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome or POTS. In the most basic of terms, when a person stands their blood pressure rises to give your body the energy it needs to move. For people with POTS, their blood pools at their feet instead, making you feel light headed and cause fainting spells. This can also occur when you get excited and/or when your body naturally rises and drops your blood pressure.”

“So it will just happen randomly?”

“Yes, however, People who experience POTS come to recognize their symptoms and can plan accordingly. Some even have a therapy animal that can sense when to tell their owners to sit down.”

Cye sits back in the chair staring wide eyed. “…b-but if it can happen randomly, how do I live? How do I go outside?”

“Until you get the hang out it and can tell when your fainting spells occur, what they feel like, how your body feels.. I recommend living with a loved one who can help when you do faint.”

“If it’s just faintin’ we can work on that.”

The doctor sighs shaking her head, “I’m afraid it’s more than that.” She turns to look at Cye, “I can see you’re experiencing discomfort besides the anxiety. Vertigo and Nausea are both very common every day symptoms with POTS. I have lots of patients that will reguarlly take Dramamine to help with it.”

The bearer of Torrent hangs his head trying not to panic. He shakes his head and attempts to get to his feet, “You can’t expect me to just take it that easily!? What can I do to keep it at bay!? There h-has to be s-somethin-“ He staggers, his hand going to his head. “…oh dear…”

“Sit down, Mr. Mouri, before you faint.”

Rowen reaches out steadying the smaller warrior before helping him sit down just in time for him to go limp. He falls back into the chair being caught by Strata as he does. “H-how long does it take to come outta these?”

“Depends on how well his energy is at that time. He can come back in a few seconds, sometimes several minutes…the longer it takes the come out of, the more severe his brain fog will be.” She turns her head at hearing Cye moan. “He may have trouble remembering what happened.” 

Cye opened his eyes barely coherent as he looked around his surroundings, he looked confused.. then he looks to the doctor, his eyes widen as memory comes back. “…w-was that a fainting spell?”

“That was. You stood up too fast.” She sighs crossing her arms. “There is a way to keep the symptoms at bay but you can’t get rid of them completely. There are several other side affects of this syndrome, I don’t have time to go over it all. I will send some literature home with you so you can read.”

“Doctor, you said there was a way to keep the symptoms at bay?” Sage pressed trying to take of this in.

“Yes, balanced diet and rest. Cye, you need to learn the limits of your body and not push past it. I suggest you go home and get some rest. You will have a lot to figure out, I’m sure. Don’t be surprised if you get home and crash. You’ve been through a lot today.”

*~*

“Well at least we got sort of good news.” Rowen comments as he gets into the back of Sage’s car beside Cye. He smiles as best he can. “At least it’s nothing like cancer and you can still live with it.”

Cye doesn’t say anything as he sits in the other seat looking out the window. When Cye didn’t respond at all, Sage lifts his gaze from the windshield to look in the rear-view mirror. “Cye?”

The youngest heaves a sigh unsure if he could trust his voice or not. Getting diagnosed answered a lot of questions about his life until now but it was still over whelming. His mind was racing on how he was going to tell people and how he was going to live. He hears Sage’s voice and lifts his head, “Hm?” 

“Are you ok? I know that was a lot.”

“…I-I think so..? I’m honestly so turned around that I have no answer.” Cye comments shrugging helplessly.

Rowen looks down seeing the other wring his hands nervously. He sighs lifting his gaze and reaches out gently rubbing the other’s back. “We’ll take it one step at a time, buddy.”

*~*

He tossed and turned uncomfortably in his bed trying to find some position that the vertigo and nausea would leave him alone. Sitting up just made the bed feel like it was tipping forward and laying down made the bed feel like it was spinning.

He felt so over heated as well and tugs his t-shirt off throwing it onto the ground. He sat up unsteadily leaning back against his headboard bringing his knees up. He rests his cheek on them trying to not panic.

He was so scared. 

He finally had answer to why he was fainting. There was no relief in it as he had another giant list of things to change in his life to make sure they didn’t happen again. He clenches his eyes shut, his shoulders dropping as he started to cry.

He wasn’t going to live normally ever again. Even though Sage and Rowen kept reassuring him he would, he knew the truth. He knew he wouldn’t.

His life had changed so much just over the course of three months once the fainting started that he couldn’t see what would help him get back to normal. All he knew of were the lists of do and do nots from the nurse, the books that Rowen had checked out from the library, the grocery lists that Sage had put together, he didn’t even know where to begin.

The crying left him lightheaded and he knew he needed to calm down, he could feel his heart beat pounding in his ears, he was panicking. Each time he tried to relax he just saw it all swirl in his mind again.

He looks up and sees the phone on the table beside his bed. Did he dare? Would he be bothering him? He glances to the clock, 3am. He shouldn’t.. that wasn’t fair. He crawls over and curls up on his side feeling the foggy drunk feeling take over and realized he was passing out.

He tried to fight it reaching out for his phone. He knocks the base off the table in an effort to move it onto the bed. His hand was clinging to the receiver, the cord keeping the two attached. He groggily dials one of the numbers he knows by heart and falls backwards onto the bed, his eyes growing heavy and unfocused.

*~*

A hand reaches out attempting to pick up the phone that kept ringing. He had stayed up too late reading as it was and when he finally fell asleep this happened.

“…’lo.” He moves to the edge of the bed resting his chin on the mattress groggily waiting for a response.

At first, he hears nothing and thinks it’s a prank call, then he hears a sharp inhale and a slight moan. His eyes widen as he scrambles to sit up, “Cye? Cye is that you? Are you ok?”

Another groggy groan is heard, and he realizes the other had fainted. “Okay, buddy.. .I’m here. Just let it happen. I won’t hang up on you.” He turns to look at the clock, it was nearly 4 in the morning. “You’re okay.” He says softly.

A few minutes later he hears the breathing level out and he sighs, “Cye? Are you ok?”

“…I’m scared.” Came the breathless response. “I’m so bloody scared..” The accent was heavier than normal, his voice shook and Rowen swore he could hear Cye hold back a sob.

“S-Scared? Do you want me to come over?”

“I don’t want to bother you even though I’m fully aware that I’m bothering you right now,” Cye rambles groggily. “I can’t get comfortable. I can’t stand, can’t sit, can’t lay down… e-everything hurts. EVERYTHING. Why did I agree to see the doctor?”

“You know not seeing the doctor wouldn’t have prevented any of this right?”

“How do you know?”

“Buddy, you would still be having all of these symptoms. It would just be scarier as you wouldn’t know what it was.”

“So what, I should be relieved?”

“I didn’t say that. Look, let me get dressed and I’ll come over ok? It’ll be about 30 minutes but then you won’t be alone.”

“I’m already the weakest of us all and then I go and get this POTS thing….how many more hints do I need that I wasn’t the right bearer for Torrent.”

“Cye! You stop that talk right now! I don’t want to hear you say any of that, got it?” The blue haired warrior staggered to his feet wrapping the cord around his waist as he tries to find the clothes he had kicked off only a few hours prior. “Your symptoms are just flaring up and you’re by yourself.”

He hears sniffling on the other end, “Cye, really… it’s okay. You’re just overwhelmed.” He pulls his jeans up buttoning them then reaches for the nearest shirt. “Listen, can you go get something to drink for me? Maybe a salt packet?”

“What good will that do?”

“It will help level you out.”

“One of those salt packets and a weirdly colored sports drink isn’t going to fix this! I’m not a fish in a tank expecting food to be shaken into it’s home.”

He sighs realizing the other was panicking. “Ok, buddy, what do you want me to do?”

“….come over.”

“I’m working on it. Will you be ok if I hang up? Do you need to call Sage? He can stay on the phone with you.” Rowen grabs one of his baseball caps off the back of his door. “You have his number, right?”

“Won’t he be mad?”

“No. He’ll be worried and maybe frustrated at you for not taking care of yourself.” Strata turns around looking at his desk. “Do you need his new number? Here – can you write something down?”

He hears rustling on the other end and a crash. “C-Cye…?” He leans back against the door to his bedroom waiting nervously. “CYE?! Speak to me. Are you ok?”

He waits for a few long seconds before he gets a response. “I’m ‘ere..”

“Okay, listen. Here’s what we’re going to do. After I hang up, you hang up. I’m going to call Sage. He’s going to call you. When that phone rings, pick it up. Can you do that?”

“I think so…”

“Good. Hang in there, Cye. I’m on my way over. I’m going to call Sage first. Be ready to answer.” Rowen waits for a moan of confirmation then hangs up. He then starts to dial Sage’s number preparing for the not so silent judging of why he was calling so early in the AM.

“….Strata, do you have any idea what time it is?” Ah good. He was awake and sounded pissed.

“Uh… about 4:30am give or take?” The grunt he received told him that was rehetorical question. “Look, I don’t have time to explain all of it. I’m heading to Cye’s. He’s panicking and needs someone to stay with him.”

“How can I help?” The anger in the voice disappeared and was replaced with worry. “Do I need to come over as well?”

“Not right now. I need you to call him and keep him company on the phone. H-He went out on me twice, so I don’t think he’s feeling the best. But keep talking to him and just let him know he’s not alone. Once I get over and see what’s going on, I’ll let you know. Then you can decide what you want to do.”

“Sounds good. He knows to answer correct?”

“What? Yeah, I told him if the phone rang it would be you and to answer. He may not be fully coherent but he’ll groan or something…”

“Okay. Be careful Rowen.”

“Aren’t I always? I’m about 30 minutes out. I’ll see you when I get there.”

*~*

It was the longest 30 minutes he’d ever spent going anywhere. He had managed to catch a cab and the entire drive over he was restless and beside himself with worry.

He takes his baseball cap off squeezing the front bill of it a few times, his mind racing. He was kicking himself for not grilling the other before left that afternoon.

He had believed Cye when he said he would be ok by himself. Now he knows, he should have pushed harder and stayed anyway.

No, he couldn’t do that to Cye. The bearer of Torrent could have been fine all afternoon and then it got bad at bed time.

That’s probably what happened.

He looks up as the car pulls up beside Cye’s apartment building. Putting his baseball cap back on, he throws some cash the drivers way and hops out running to the door.

*~*

“Cye? Are you still there?”

The younger warrior let out a weak moan as if to respond. He was curled up on his side on the floor of his bedroom. “…’m here…” He tried to hold in a wretch as his body tried to get sick yet again. He had nothing to throw up. So it was just dry heaves. “….you’re not mad…?”

“What? No! I’m just worried.. Cye you have to tell us when you’re feeling like this. Rowen told me you were fine earlier.”

“I was…” His hands grip the carpet frustrated. “I was fine a-all bloody afternoon. I managed to make dinner, take a bath even did some clothes.. then it hit a-and hit hard.”

“CYE!? Buddy where are you?”

“…r-rowen…?” He attempts to sit up and call for him, but his voice was hoarse and weak. He was so tired that he was starting think irrationally and groaned frustrated. “…d-don’t leave..I’m back h-here..”

“Cye, calm down. Take deep breaths.” Sage’s voice tried to break through the haze. He could tell the bearer of torrent was starting to panic. “He’s not going to leave you.” He holds the receiver close waiting to hear that Rowen had made it.

It goes quiet and then rustling is heard. The phone is dropped. The blonde stands by listening. If Cye had fainted again, he would hear the unsteady breathing.

“Sage?  I’m here, I’ve got him.”

“Oh thank god. Do you need me?”

“Cye? Do you want Sage to- yes. Just come over. Come on in when you get here.”

“I’m leaving now.” Sage can hear the bearer of strata reassuring and comforting the youngest before he hangs up and gets ready as fast as he can.

*~*

“Hey, easy.. I’m here.. it’s okay now.” Rowen sits down on the ground hugging his friend close. It breaks his heart to feel the other clinging to him. As gently as he can, he pulls Cye back so he can look him over. “You ok, physically I mean?”

The smaller warrior looked like a mess. His face pale, dark circles under his eyes, watery green eyes that were red from crying. He looked very disoriented and Rowen could see a few bruises appearing on the side of his face probably from fainting so many times.

The bearer of Torrent shakes his head embarrassed over it all. “N-Nothing is going right… I-I can’t even go to bed normally… I can’t lay down, I can’t sit up… I-I’m so bloody dizzy and feel so sick to my stomach… I tried to pick up the notebook to write down Sage’s number a-and I was too weak to stand. I collapsed. My legs gave out. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!” His eyes widened as his hand goes to his chest, he felt weird.

“C-Cye?”

“My h-heart it feels..feels….Rowen am I having a heart attack?” He looks up terrified, unable to breathe properly.

The other reaches forward and presses his hand curiously against the others chest. “No. That’s the heart arthimya that can hit when you panic. Just deep breaths. We’ll figure this out. Ok? I’m not leaving you.”

“…u-until tomorrow.”

“Ever.” He states seriously. “If you want me to, even if you don’t, I’ll stay by your side. We’ll do this thing together.”

“R-Rowen..”

He picks up Cye’s hand and places it over his chest so he can feel what it feels like and rests his hand over it. He wanted him to know what it felt like so he wouldn’t think it was the other.

Then gently pulls him into his arms and hugs him. He holds him carefully breathing with the other until they were breathing in sync. With his other hand he reaches out picking up the brochure they had gotten from the hospital and shakes it out before setting it on the floor. “See? Right there… that’s what this is. It’s a form of a panic attack, common in patients with blood pressure disorders.”

Cye relaxed against him at hearing that. He rests his head against the warm chest, his breathing finally starting to level out. “I-I’m sorry… I’m s-so scared….” He could feel his heart beat starting to calm down as well.

“I know you are, that’s why I’m not leavin’ ya. It’s really scary having to get a diagnosis like this and I shouldn’t have left you by yourself, even if you were “okay” earlier.” He finally lets Cye’s hand drop from his chest and sighs relieved. “…you ok?”

“…f-feel f-faint.”

“Go on, it’s probably from the panic attack. The aderline is wearing off.” He sits back reaching up to catch the youngest warrior as he gives in and faints. He tried his best not to panic, remembering what the doctor said. The more they panicked and made a big deal out of it, the more Cye would panic.

His hand holds Cye’s head to his shoulder, keeping him up right. He goes quiet and listens for the gasping breath that told him, he was coming back. After a minute or so he hears it sighing relieved himself. Now he just had to wait for him to become coherent again.

Rowen sits quietly rubbing the shaking hands as the other warrior’s body came back completely. He hears another moan and then a weak, “I’m here.”

He smiles nuzzling the top of Cye’s head reassuringly, “Welcome back, buddy. You did great.”

*~*

The blonde twists the doorknob pulling the door open not sure what to expect. “Rowen? Cye?” He calls out. He trips over Rowen’s shoes and for once sighs with relief. He kicks his own off before walking as quickly as he could down the hallway where the light was.

“In here, Sage.”

He stands in the doorway surveying the situation. The other two were on the ground and thankfully the youngest was conscious. He walks over and kneels down pulling Cye into a hug. “Are you ok? Did you faint?”

“He had a nice panic attack,” Rowen explained gently trying not to make a big deal out of it. He smiles as Cye hugs the blonde back just as tight as he did earlier with him. “I told him that we’ll figure this out together.”

“Yes, we will. You’re not alone, Cye.”

“I told him that I’ll be with him through it all.”

“And you’ve got the best body guard.” Sage jokes as Cye pulls away. He pats the other’s head reassuringly. “I’ll be with you as well. It won’t always be this bad. We just have to figure out how to wade through all of the symptoms.”

Torrent nods sniffling, “I-I’m sorry a-about earlier.”

“Don’t be sorry. Don’t ever apologize for something like that. I’m glad you called Rowen. I would have hated to hear what happened the next day and know we could have done nothing.” Halo sighs relieved at seeing the situation was defused.

He lowers his gaze seeing Cye’s hands were shaking. He looks up meeting Rowen’s gaze, the blue haired warrior nods in confirmation. “Here, let Rowen help you get your bed back together. I’m going to go make you some tea and something small to eat. Ok?”

“He needs sodium and electrolytes I bet.”

“I’ll bring both. Tea and a sports drink. Then one of those salt packets.”

Cye watches as Sage stood up and sits back, his shoulders dropping. He was starting to think rationally again and the embarrassment was coming back. “R-Rowen.. I…”

“Don’t apologize. If I’m going to help you, I need to know what you’re feeling and thinking. I don’t want you hiding any of it to pretend to be ok and not as embarrassing.” Rowen holds both of Cye’s hands squeezing them. “I meant it earlier. I’m not leaving your side for anything. So do me the courtesy of not hiding things from me. I won’t make fun of you for anything you are feeling or thinking, I just want to help.”

The water bearer blinks shocked and stumbles over what to say. He had thought the other was just saying it to make him feel better during the panic attack. Why was this such a relief to hear? Before all of this happened, he would have loathed hearing he’d be forced to depend on someone.

He finally nods squeezing the hands holding his own. “…I am embarrassed by how I acted. But, none of it was a lie.” He says carefully unable to look the other in the eye. “I really was terrified about everything. I was okay earlier.. I told Sage, I had eaten dinner, read my favorite book and even took a low heat shower.. then I went t-to bed and it all hit at once.” He smiles weakly. “I tried to ignore it a-and go back to bed but it all got worse… I guess I did go to sleep at some point because I had the most suffocating dream that I was stuck here forever with way out and no way to save me.”

He hangs his head sadly, “…t-that’s when I called you. I knew you’d answer a-and somehow would help.”

“I’m glad you did, and I hope I was able to.”

“You did.. t-thank you.”

“So, do you want to go into the living room and drink your tea or would you rather have it in bed?” Rowen stands up looking around. “You sure did a number on your sheets. They are turned around every which way.”

“I think bed would probably be best.” The other admitted. He sighs nervously realizing he was going to have to stand. “O-Or I could just sit down here.”

“You can’t sleep on the floor, buddy.”

“What if I faint standing up?”

“Then I’ll catch you. Let’s just take it slow. Let me rearrange these sheets first, ok? Just stay right there.” Strata steps over Torrent carefully before approaching the bed. He starts to rearrange the blue sheets getting them back in order.

A stuffed killer whale rolls out from the comfortor. He smiles and picks it up, “Here, this little guy was trying to escape.” He turns and hands it down to him.

Torrent blushes at being caught with a stuffed animal but doesn’t push it away. He takes it and hugs it, holding it in his arms.

A few minutes later the bed looks back to normal and neatly made. “There we go. All nice and comfy.”  He turns back and reaches his hands down, “Alright, you ready?”

The other sighs, “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Ok, we’re going to take it slow. If you start to feel faint or dizzy let me know. You can grab on to if something happens that makes you feel scared or nervous.”

Cye nods reaching out grab the two offered hands. He clings to them as he pushes himself up moving as slowly as he thought he should. His eyes fluttered as he felt a dizzy disoriented rush, his vision blurring. He lets go frantically reaching out to clench the other’s shirt as he stumbles.

He expected to fall or knock the other over. Instead he felt warm arms hug him close and keep him safely up on his feet.

“Deep breaths. Let your body catch up.”

He never noticed before how comforting the bearer of Strata’s voice was. He loved all of the guys dearly and held a special place in his heart for each one of them. But right now, Rowen was who he wanted to hear, who he wanted to be there.

The dizziness started to fade away and his eyes widened as he realized he hadn’t fainted that time. He looks up nervously only to see Rowen smiling down at him. “See? We got this. We just have to learn how to work this POTS thing. Can I help you to the bed?”

He nods slowly watching as an arm is put out for him to lean on. He leans on it for support and moves a little unsteadily but manages to get there on his own. He sits down smiling relieved.

“High five, buddy.” Rowen held his hand out low enough for the other to give it back to him. “You did great, Cye. You were even able to get to bed mostly on your own.”

“Is everything ok in here? I brought tea and some biscuits…er.. cookies.. that I found in the cupboard.” Sage explains as he walks in. He’s holding a tray full of the requested items and walks over, “Salt packet is right here.” He waits for Rowen to pick it up before sitting the tray on the nightstand.

He turns around surprised to see two surprised looks. “What?”

Cye was the one who snickered first and looks away unable to say anything. It wasn’t proper.

Rowen however had no problems whatsoever, he snorts laughing. “Buddy, I’ve never seen you with bed head before and we shared a room when we lived with Mia. Your hair is going every which way.”

Halo glares at Strata then he chucks the electrolyte drink at him hard, “You slept too late every morning to see it. My hair doesn’t do this naturally you know. It takes effort to look this good.”

“It’s just… looks like a fan…?”

“A very beautiful fan.” Cye attempted to smooth over the insult. “Very impressive volume and-“

“Stuff it. Both of you.” He pulls away as Rowen attempts to smooth it down to it’s normal state. Then he smiles shaking his head relieved to hear Cye joking, “I was so worried that I didn’t bother getting ready. I’m still in my own pajamas.”

They both lower their gaze and Rowen tilts his head, “…I honestly thought it was some kind of fancy business suit.”

Cye looks down at his own pajamas comparing the two of them. “Yours are definitely uh nicer..” His had killer whales and dolphins on them.

“Ok, so I wear “fancy” pajamas.”

“I just have one question.”

“What, Rowen.”

“Do you shock yourself when you move at night? If so, do you wake up Halo in the process? I mean, you take electricity right? Are you powering your own armor orb and- oMMF”

Sage smiles sweetly to Cye as he smothers the other Ronin with a pillow. “Be careful the tea is hot. But I made it how you like it. Eat the salt packet first then wash it down with the tea.”

Cye smiles nodding giggling as the other two start to act normal again. He reaches out picking up the packet that Rowen had dropped in the process of being nearly killed by Halo with a Pillow and tore it open.

His hands shook as he looks down at it, the normalcy that had just come back disappeared. He feels a hand under his own and looked over to see Rowen beside him. “It’s okay. It’s not anything special, it’s just salt.”

For some reason hearing “it’s not anything special” relaxed him. He nods and throws his head back pouring it in his mouth.

The other two went silent watching to see how he reacted. Rowen started to reach out to steady him as a full body shiver went through him. “C-Cye?”

“Oh, it’s just AWFUL.” The other says shuddering. “And I swim with fish.” He makes a face before smiling up at them. “If that’s the worst this POTS has for me then I’ve got this.”

The other two sighed with relief. Rowen grins nodding as he ruffles the other’s hair. Sage sits back and watches as Strata picks up the teacup and helps the other hold it keeping it steady.

He smiles relieved to see Cye being himself again.

*~*

“Sage are you sure you’ll be alright in the den?” Cye asks nervously as the blonde tucks him in. He tries to sit up and is gently pushed back into the pillows again. “Did Rowen find the pillows and blankets? There are plenty. Kento used to sleep here before he got his own apartment.”

“Shh, I’ll find them. You need to relax so you can go to sleep. Rowen is in the bathroom then he’ll be joining you if you’re okay with that.”

“W-What?”

“If you’re not, I can tell him to join me on the sofa.” The blonde sits back running his hand down the auburn hair as the other’s eyes start to grow heavy. He strokes it gently pushing some of it behind the other’s ears smiling.

He remembered what Kento had told them as joke when they lived with Mia years ago “He’s got this weird thing, if you stroke his hair you’ll put him to sleep.. it drives him crazy but he can’t fight it.” He later found out that it wasn’t a joke and in fact a very real thing.

“No…I-I think I’m ok with him staying.” Cye relaxes back into his pillows fighting to stay awake. If he weren’t so exhausted, he’d be questioning why Sage seemed to know about this.. after all only Kento knew, right? The blonde’s fingers were warm and comforting, it was hard to keep his eyes open.

“Hey Cye you …ok?” Rowen blinks before looking over at Sage. His raises his eyebrows silently “no way that actually worked”, getting a nod from the blonde in response. He laughs as he slides into the bed and curls up on his side facing the other warrior. “Just rest, buddy. We’ll be here in the morning. I’m here if you need me, so is Sage.”

Cye finally lets his eyes close, one of his hands holding one of Rowen’s as he drifts off. This time in more of a relaxing sleep, he was safe.

[clone-whore-99]

Troublemaker

Chapter 5: Talk about it

The Bad Batch x f!Reader

Warnings: a lot of angst, again. Other than that, pretty chill chapter. Everybody seems to be worried about Reader. LMK if I missed anything

Authors note: The reason for this chapter taking so long, is definitely not because I've spent hours upon hours reading wookepedia pages, studying screenshots and rewatching clips to make sure everything is as canon as possible. Definitely.

If you like it, please do let me know by liking and commenting and maybe even reblogging, it would mean a lot to me 🥺👉👈

Chapter 1: Arriving at Kamino

Chapter 2: Work, Armor and... Clones?

Chapter 3: Let it out

Chapter 4: You shouldn't have done that

-

Chapter 6: The 20 Questions Game

Chapter 7: Crosshair

Chapter 8: Echoes of the Past

Chapter 9: The Fight

Chapter 10: A Nice Change of Air

Chapter 11: Sore Muscles

Chapter 12: Heavy Rain Weights the Mind

Chapter 13: Waste of Time

The good news was, that the couch in your dads living room was finally being used, for something other than you watching trashy holo dramas. The bad news was, that it was being used to scold you and Crosshair.

Crosshair had been correct in the assumption that the two of you would make it back to the apartment, before your father would get off work. However, he hadn't accounted for Lazie - your dads service droid - being sent back to check up on you and make sure you got something to eat. Only for it to see that you were nowhere to be found and obviously it told your dad.

Hunter was standing behind your dad, waiting for him to finish so he could take over the scolding. The rest of the team was in their barracks. Your dad was pacing back and forth, yelling about how worried he was and when he asks you to go to your room he expects you to stay in the room and blah blah blah.

You weren't really listening. If Crosshair was, he wasn't showing it. He was sitting to your left, leaning back with his arms crossed over his chest and his right leg resting over the left one. You, on the other hand, was sitting with your elbows on your knees and with your head resting in your hands.

"Can we pleeease do this later?" you nearly yelled, while rubbing circles into your temples. It felt like your eyes would pop out of your head, if you as much as dared to open them.

Your dad scoffed. "You're the one always complaining that I -"

"It was my fault." Crosshair interrupted your dad. You felt the couch shifting, as he stood up.

"Don't think I'm not blaming you, Cross. You're lucky I like you guys, or I would've gone straight to your lead supervisor and have you decommissioned for kidnapping my daughter."

"I told you I was just going to have an honest heart to heart talk with her." Crosshair hissed.

"And I told you to leave her alone." Your dad poked Crosshair in the chest.

"If I hadn't interfered, Y/N would've gotten herself hurt."

"She's a grown woman, if she hurts herself in one of her little tantrums, then so be it! It's not your job to take care of her."

"No, it's supposed to be yours..."

Your dad looked like he was about to hit Crosshair, when Hunter finally jumped between the two men.

"Guys," his voice was low, but stern. "Let's have this discussion elsewhere, shall we?"

Hunter looked in your direction, causing the other two to follow suit.

After Crosshair got off the couch, you had let yourself slump down to lie in a fetal position, with your hands covering your ears to keep the noise out. Your eyes were still closed, and you trying so hard to think about anything, but the dunking pain in your head.

You thought back to the shooting range and how much fun it had been. How, when you first hit the center of the target, Crosshair had been forced to step back, so you could jump up and down in excitement. How proud he had looked, when you had managed to hit the center several times on your own. And how you had looked like a complete fool, jumping around and doing little celebratory dances every time.

It was such a shame that you had to stop, but you felt like you were going blind on your dominent eye. You had overstrained it and by the time your vision came back, your head felt like it was going to explode.

When you opened your eyes again, there was no sign of the three men, who had just been standing in front of you. Nor was there any sign of your headache.

It took you a minute to realise that you must've fallen asleep. At some point during the night, either your dad or one of the clones must've put a medpatch on you to help with the pain and a blanket to keep you warm. You couldn't help the little smile that appeared at the thought.

You decided to spend your surprise day off in a very productive manner. By lying on the couch, catching up on your favorite trash holo dramas.

It was rare for your dad to give you time off, unless it was in order to punish you. And when that happened, you were always just confined to your room. Though you had no proof, you were certain it was one of the members from Clone Force 99 that was the reason for your time off.

After having spent the majority of the day consuming trash, you felt like you needed a shower. Badly. You probably smelt like it too.

"Y/N, sweety?" Your dad called out from the entrance.

"In a minute, I'm in the 'fresher!" You yelled over the sound of the shower.

"Take your time, fruitcakes."

Oh no, he called you fruitcakes. He only called you that when something was wrong. Was that why he was back so soon? It was only dinner time, dad was never back by dinner time. What could possibly be so important, that he got back early from work and called you fruitcakes? Did something happen? Was he going to ship you away again?

You shook your head, trying to push away the millions of thought racing through your mind. So what if he wanted to get rid of you? You had wanted to get away from that force forsaken planet anyways!

Barely having gotten the soap washed off your body, you stepped out of the shower and quickly got dressed again. You took a couple of deep breathes, trying to calm your nerves before heading out to face the inevitable.

"What's up, dad?" your voice was way calmer than you.

"Have a seat sweetheart, I've managed to get us some Glowblue Noodles and Chav for dinner." Okay, this was freaky.

You hesitantly sat by the barely used dinner table. "Is something wrong?" No need to beat around the bush, might as well bite the sour fruit before it'll hurt too much.

"Not... Really, why?"

You shrugged. "You're home early from work. You're eating dinner with me. You called me Fruitcakes. You only call me Fruitcakes when you have bad news."

"I just managed to get a break from work and figured that we haven't really sat down and eaten dinner together in years, so..."

And whose fault is that?

For a moment, the only sound filling the room was that of cutlery hitting the plate. If it weren't for the anticipation of whatever your dad was trying to avoid telling you, it might even have been nice to sit like that.

"You're awfully quiet. Are, ehm, do you not like the food?" your dad finally broke the silence.

"No, it's fine." you were resting your head on your knuckles, while pushing the noodles around with your fork.

Your dad shifted nervously in his chair. "Y/N, sweetheart, fruitcakes... Did something happen?"

This caused you to finally straighten up in your seat and look at him. His eyes were filled with worry. "What do you mean?" You asked.

"Well, did something happen to you over the last couple of years?"

"You mean, besides the galactic wide war that's been happening?" you scoffed.

Your dad looked around the room nervously. "Both Tech and Crosshair says they've caught you having panic attacks... And with how hostile and - let's be honest - kinda promiscuous you've been acting lately, well Tech thought -"

"Panic attacks? I don't, panic.. and PROMISCUOUS!? I - I don't even know what to say, dad! What I do, when I'm... I can't believe you talked to the guys about this! I thought Crosshair was lying when he said you had told him I was sleeping around, but apparently not!" You were so mad you could barely think straight.

"That's not what I meant, Fruitcakes." He replied low, looking like someone who had just been caught red handed.

"So what? Have you been walking around, advertising to all the men here about how much of a whore your kid is?"

"NO! I WOULD NEVER -" your dad cut himself off right as he had slammed his hand on the table.

You stood up and started heading for the door, not wanting to be in the same room as your dad any longer. In fact, you weren't entirely sure you wanted to be on the same planet as him.

"Maybe," he whispered low, pinching the bridge of his nose with the thumb and index finger. "Maybe bringing you here was a mistake afterall..."

Your heart sank. There it was. The thing you had dreaded all night for him to say. "Of course it was." Your voice was shaky. "You hate having to spend too much time around me afterall, right?"

"That's not -" You were gone.

You didn't have any specific goal in mind, about where you were headed. You just knew you had to get away and preferably without meeting anybody on the way. Which was near impossible in a place such as Tipoca City.

After having walked in what felt like forever, you sat down for a quick rest. The last couple of corridors you had gone down had barely been populated and the few that did walk by, didn't even acknowledge your existence.

Untill a pair of boots came at a halt right next to you. The boots turned from facing you to face the opposite wall and you heard a quiet 'clank' from the armor colliding with the steel wall.

Silence.

You were waiting for the person next to you to speak, to tell you off, tell you how you couldn't just run off when you got mad or you couldn't just sit in the middle of the hallway, but he didn't.

He just stood there. Waiting for you to make the first move.

With a soft sigh, you finally gave in and broke the silence, "Do you always play with your knife around women, or am I just that special?"

That earned you a soft, but honest chuckle. "I almost thought you hadn't noticed me. Too busy staring at that wall,- not that I blame you. It is a pretty interesting wall." It was a blinding white, bare wall.

Hunter sat down next to you, accompanying you in your staring contest with the wall.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," You hugged your knees to your chest.

"Alright."

Silence. Again.

The only noise was the low swish sounds the vibroblade made, whenever it twirled around between Hunters fingers.

"Are you going to bring me back?" You didn't have to ask why he had come. You knew why.

"Do you want to go back?"

"No.."

"Then no."

This caused you to turn to face him in shock, though Hunter was still maintaining the stare-off with the wall.

"Then why are you here?" You asked in disbelief. The only reason he had to have come, was because your dad asked him to find you, right?

"You seem like you needed company." He tilted his head in your direction.

"I don't want your company." You muttered, going back to stare at the wall again.

Now it was Hunter's turn to look away from the wall and towards you. "What you need and what you want are two different things."

You just huffed in response.

Not letting silence fall over the two of you again, Hunter put his knife back in it's holster and then gently nudged you with his elbow. "I don't think the wall is going to get anymore interesting than this. What do you say, we go somewhere else?"

You shrugged. "Fine, I guess..."

That was all he needed, before Hunter was back on his feet and holding a helping hand out to you.

"So, what weird adventure are you going to take me on?" You asked, while grabbing his hand and letting him pull you up on your feet.

"Adventure?" Hunter raised his eyebrow quizzically.

You smirked at him, then held your hand up to count on your fingers, as you walked side by side. "So far, Wrecker has brought me to the cantina, Tech brought me... Well, I don't know where he brought me, but it was dirty and smelled weird, and Crosshair brought me to a shooting range. So, where are you bringing me?"

Hunter nodded along with your listing. "Well, since you don't want to go home, I was thinking about bringing you to our barracks. If that's okay?"

You felt the blood rush to your cheeks at the thought of being in their barracks, though you still nodded. "Okay."

"-You see the problem?" You asked Hunter, when the door to their barracks opened up and you were hit by the odd smell, you had only experienced once before.

"I'll have Tech make you a map." Hunter assured you, as he led you inside the room.

"A map over what?" Tech asked, but before you could answer, Wrecker jumped up from the couch.

"Y/N! Ad'ika!" If Wreckers loud voice hadn't woken up the men sleeping, your shrieks from being picked up by the waist like you weighted nothing would.

You were spun around in the air before Wrecker pulled you in for a big hug. "I've missed you!"

"You've only known me for one day!" You giggled as you wrapped your arms around his neck. "But I guess I've missed you too."

"A map over what?" Tech asked again, this time more annoyed that he had to repeat himself.

Wrecker put you back down again and Hunter placed a hand on your back to steady you, as he finally answered Tech: "Tipoca City. Y/N says she's still struggling to find her way around here."

"You still haven't figured that out?" Crosshair sneered. He was sitting in his bunk, wearing nothing but his body glove and was clearly irked that he had been woken up for no reason.

"Y/N didn't grow up here like we did, so it's to be expected that she's going to struggle figuring out her way around the structure of the city, especially when it all looks so similar to the untrained eye." Tech defended you, with a raised finger to bring home his point. Or, at least you think he was defending you.

"So, can you make me a map?"

Tech looked almost offended that you would even dare to ask such a thing. "Obviously. I'll get to it, once I'm done with this," and just like that, his attention went from you, back to whatever weird thing he was tinkering with.

"What are you working on?" You maneuvered to your best extent through the mess of the room, towards what looked like a make-shift worktable that was placed in front of what you could only assume was Tech's bunk.

Tech looked at you searchingly, as if he was doubting whether or not you actually wanted to know. However, once you tilted your head in curiousity, he went back to focus on his task.

"The medics on Anaxes removed all of the nonessential moderations that the Techno Union had added to Echo, but ever since then, he's been complaining about pains and hearing problems on his left ear. I am looking at the device, which was attached to his ear when we found him, in an attempt to figure out if it had anything to do with these complains, and if so, how to replicate and improve it's uses."

Tech was explaining it, as if you had been along with them on their mission and therefore all of this should just be obvious. You just nodded slowly, as if you understood.

"Echo is the reason we're back already." Hunter explained with the same assumption that you just automatically knew who - or what - Echo was.

"Yea, and then it's back in action!" Wrecker added, hitting his fist into the palm of his hand as a display of strength.

You instantly noticed the absense of Crosshair, who had previously been sitting on the bunk not far from the couch Wrecker was resting in. You quickly turned around, to find him leaning against the wall right behind you, giving you his usual devious smirk. You knew he had planned on startling you again.

Even though you had caught him, Crosshair still leaned dangerously close to your in order to tease you, "Echo's the reg sleeping in the hammock."

"Or at least trying to," A voice errupted from the red hammock behind Techs workspace, before a very frail looking man sat up. "If you guys weren't so noisy."

You couldn't help but to feel bad. The poor guy looked like he hadn't eaten, slept or seen the sun in a long time. His appearance could best be described as that of a love child between a human and a droid. You wanted nothing more but to hug him.

"Sorry... I-I shouldn't have come." You quickly stepped backwards, away from the three men.

You let out a small yelp, when you accidentally bumped into Hunter. He didn't seem to mind though, as he placed a supporting hand on your shoulder and turned you to face him.

"I invited you here, Y/N, so you don't have to leave, unless that is what you want to." Hunter tried to assure you, while bending down in an attempt to gain eyecontact.

Echo let out a tired sigh. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, mesh'la, I'm just not really used to this new look, I guess."

Your heart sank at Echo's apology. The last thing you wanted was to make him feel bad about himself. "You didn't scare me, it's just.." You shook your head. "It's been a long, dumb evening, that's all."

"Do you not have anywhere to stay?" Echo asked. This caused the rest of the squad to exchange glances, while your face turned red with embarrassment.

"N-no, I do, it's just -"

"Y/N is Laquans kid." Tech interrupted you.

Echos eyes went wide with the realization, before he awkwardly looked away.

Almost as if Hunter could sense your blood starting to boil with anger before you could, he quickly placed an assuring hand on your shoulder again. "We don't have to take this talk right now."

The muscles in your body started tensing up again and Hunter tightened his grib on your shoulder in an attempt to keep you grounded.

You glanced up at the long haired soldier, who in return gave you a look of worry and care. You then let your gaze discretely wander from man to man, before closing them and letting out an annoyed sigh.

"Can you guys please stop looking at me, like I'm about to explode any second now? It's not really helping.." You say with a humorless laugh.

They all apologized in their own weird way, before going back to whatever they were doing before you walked in. All except Hunter, who was still holding tightly onto your shoulder and seemingly trying to figure out what to do with you.

You looked back up at him again, with heavy, tired and pleading eyes. "Is there any where I can sleep for the night, that won't require me going back?"

"You can have my bunk, I'll sleep on the couch."

You shook your head. "I'm not gonna steal your bed, Hunter. I'm a guest here, so if anything, I should be the one sleeping on the couch."

"Or you could stay in my bunk," Crosshair added, already sitting on the edge his bunk again. "I won't mind sharing."

You turned your head to give the marksman a tired glance. After thinking about it for a second, you let out a deep sigh and asked: "Do you promise not to have any wandering hands?"

"I'm not gonna do anything you wouldn't want, dollface."

You looked back at Hunter, who gave you a weak nod. "He's not going to try anything. And if he does, I'll know it right away and put an end to it."

With a weak nod, you made your way over to where Crosshair was sitting. The look in his eyes told you, that he wasn't actually expecting you to take him up on the offer.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Dividers by: @djarrex and @firefly-graphics

Taglist: @zoeykallus @rain-on-kamino @thebadbatchscyare @thebahdbitch @salaminus @mybigfatspoonielife @tararosebloodthorn

Please do not hesitate to ask, if you want to be added to the taglist of the series ❤

[danses-with-dogmeat]

Howdy! I got an ask/react for the Fo4 companions! How would a romanced companion react to Sole (preferably female) doing things to make them feel 'stronger' or 'protective' over her? Some random examples: Sole "can't" open something and has to ask for help/Sole conveniently forgets her overcoat when she knows it's going to be cold out, etc. the little things :) (Extra thing: you don't have to but if you could go into a bit more depth for Deacon and Hancock's response that'd be great :D )

Okay, this was so. much. fun. I took a few... creative liberties with the prompt, but I hope it’s still in the realm of what you were looking for! And, of course, thank you so much for the ask! I hope you like it!

Cait: 

     Sole pressed a cold cloth to Cait's cheekbone, and she hissed at the pressure of the contact on her swollen cheek. 

"Shit, sorry, Cait." 

"Eh, I've had worse licks than this."

"I know, but still… this one is definitely my fault." 

"It's hardly yer fault, luv, I'm the one who got meself inte this."

"How? I'm the one who started the fight." Sole protested, pulling her hand back so she could look her companion in the eye. 

"Maybe, but I'm the one who gave you yer drinkin’ problem, and that's what got us inte the fight in the first place." Sole chuckled at that, shaking her head. The two had had this discussion what seemed like a hundred times, both trying to take the blame for the constant slew of bar fights that they found themselves getting into. 

Tonight, it had been four intoxicated men who had decided it was a neat idea to discuss the details of what they’d do to Cait if they could get her drunk enough. While the redhead hadn’t seemed to hear, Sole had briskly made her way over to the group to give her two cents on these ideas of theirs. So, Cait had a point, maybe if Sole hadn’t had quite so much whiskey, she could’ve tried to solve the problem more... verbally. But alas, her confrontation had officially started with her fist landing at the temple of the man nearest to her, effectively knocking him out. And it had ended with Cait hauling Sole to her feet after disposing of the man’s companions. 

Cait picked absent-mindedly at the scabs forming on her knuckles as Sole brought the wet rag up to her face once more, dabbing at the blood next to Cait's lip. 

"God, how is it that you always end up with the injuries? All I got was a bruise to the cheek, and yet, here you are, looking like a human punching bag."

"I can tell ya that. It's cus it's always me rushin' in te save your arse. Why do you always take on more than ye can handle?" Sole snickered, not knowing if Cait found her own words as amusing as she had. 

"Because, I know no matter how many assholes I take on, you'll always be there to save me." Cait made a disgusted sound, rolling her eyes at that, much like Sole thought she would, before letting her emerald gaze meet Sole's eyes. 

"I wish you weren't, but yer damn right." Cait said, and Sole felt a little jump in her chest at the sentiment. Cait wasn’t the most tender person in the wasteland, but somehow, she always seemed to know what to say; to Sole, anyway.

The pair sat silently for a bit as Sole finished cleaning up her defender. Wiping down her bloodied hands, and the remainder of the crusted crimson on her face.

"Are ya done fussin yet? I'm tellin’ you, I'm fine. Can we just go te sleep already?"

"One more spot left." She told her, bringing the rag up to her bruised face once more. Sole's eyes fell to Cait's swollen lips as she drew the cool fabric over them, before leaning in to press her mouth softly to Cait's. Sole pulled away, but stayed close enough for Cait to feel her warm, whiskey-tinged breath fan over her as she whispered, 

"Thank you for saving me tonight. I really was way in over my head." Sole looked down, embarrassed at her admission, as Cait smiled at her. 

"It was my pleasure, luv. As you said, I'll always be there te save yer arse." 

Curie: 

     "You know, you don't have to come to me for something as small as zhis." Curie said as she examined the minor cut on Sole’s arm. “You could patch zhis up yourself easily!” 

“Well…” Sole felt heat rise to her cheeks as she searched for an explanation. She knew that every time she came to Curie for something like this, she was taking up the doctor’s precious time, but she couldn’t help herself. What was she supposed to do when Curie insisted on working all day when they were at a settlement? They usually came to settlements to relax, to help make repairs and look into any problems the settlers might be having, but Curie always insisted on doing check-ups for everyone in their vicinity. Sole loved her selflessness and dedication to her work, but… When were they supposed to spend time together? This is what I get for having a workaholic for a girlfriend.

“You know, infection is a big problem out here. I just thought it would be best to seek the help of a professional.” 

“Oh, of course, of course. How responsible of you.” Sole bit at her lip as Curie laughed at her. Well, she really has caught onto the whole ‘sarcasm’ thing.

 “Fortunately, you do not need to worry about infection in zhis, it iz not deep. But come here, with me.” Curie urged Sole off of the cot she was seated on and brought her to a table at the back of the clinic. 

“Wait here, se vous plait.” With that, Curie disappeared around the corner, and Sole stood around, twiddling her thumbs, as she tried to think of an excuse to get Curie off of work early. 

“I was going to clean my supplies with zhis, but we can do your arm first.” Curie said as she came around the corner, a bucket of soapy water in-hand. 

“Here.” Curie set the bucket onto the table and had Sole hold out her arm as she produced a clean rag from the pocket of her lab coat, and dunked it into the warm water. Sole watched as Curie wrung out the cloth, and brought it to the miniscule wound on her arm. 

It was comical, really, the care that Curie took in cleaning the cut that couldn’t have been more than an inch long, and was almost too thin to see. Another rush of heat made its way to Sole’s cheeks as she realized how ridiculous she must seem to the doctor, but Curie made no complaints as she used the other side of the rag to dry off her arm. 

“Zhere! It should be all better. I can wrap it for you too, if you’d like.” 

“Thanks Curie, you’re a lifesaver. But I don’t think you really need to wrap it.” The synth laughed at her as she threw the rag into a basket and picked up the bucket again. 

“Oh, mon dieu, I don’t know about zhat.” She shook her head, a pink tint coming to her pale cheeks at Sole’s flattery as she turned to go into the back of the clinic again. 

“Wait!” Sole said, reaching out her “good” arm to stop Curie before she could vanish around the corner once more. Curie looked at her, a questioning expression on her face. Sole stood, her hand still wrapped around Curie’s forearm, utterly at a loss of what to say. I just don’t want you to go. It’ll be another four hours until you get off. 

I think you should take a break?

Maybe you should have a half day?

Do you need some help here at the clinic? God, when did I become so damn clingy?

“Hmm.” Curie’s eyes pierced into Sole’s as a knowing look washed over her face. “I zhink I know what it is you want.” Sole just stared ahead, wondering silently if that were true. The doctor set down the bucket yet again, delicately taking a hold of Sole’s “injured” arm once more. Slowly, she brought it upwards, then lowered her head to place her lips gently over the cut. “Iz zhat better?” 

Sole giggled, still embarrassed, but definitely glad she had come to interrupt Curie’s work. I guess I can wait a little longer. Maybe make us a nice dinner for tonight...

“Much. Thanks again, Curie.” 

“Of course! Anytime, mon amour.”

Danse: 

     Sole sat at the kitchen table, draining the last of her coffee as her gaze fell to Danse, where he was seated on the steps outside the front door of her Sanctuary home. He stared ahead blankly, brows knitted together above his lusterless eyes as his hands worked to remove a spot of rust from a piece of power armor he had taken off his suit temporarily. Lately, the ex-paladin had been adept in putting on a show for Sole, making her think that he was okay, even after everything that had changed in his life over the course of a few hours. It had been over a week since he had found out about his true identity, and in that time,  Sole could tell that he had tried to remain strong. For whom, she wasn’t sure. She thought she had made it clear to him that she didn’t care about his “strength” in these times, she just wanted him to get through them, whatever the means. Yet, he only seemed to don this look of despair and hopelessness whenever he thought she wasn’t looking, and if she tried to bring it up, he would always attempt to change the subject, or he would tell her not to worry and simply say that he was still working on “adjusting.” 

She hated when he didn’t talk to her. The seemingly insensitive man was always happy to listen to Sole’s problems and offer what advice he could, often suggesting that she discuss her own issues as a form of therapy. But God forbid she tries to get him to do the same. Sole sighed as she mulled over what to do, and noticed Danse’s head twitch to the side, listening, before his gaze dropped down to focus on his task.

He’s been working on that same spot for almost an hour. If it’s not out yet, I don’t think it ever will be. Sole looked around the room, trying to find something that could possibly serve as a proper distraction for Danse, and her eyes fell to the wooden stereo below the window in the living room. She had left it there because she simply didn’t have the heart to scrap the old thing. Too many good memories surrounded it. Memories of her and Nate, dancing the night away as the records spun on and on playing soft love songs until the sun rose; of her rocking Shaun in her arms as she mosied around the living room, listening to the nursery rhyme vinyls that she had received as gifts at her baby shower... But those memories, they were from another life.

Sole shook her head. This is about him, she thought, not me. I can deal with my shit later. Right now, I need to focus on Danse.

She huffed another sigh, this time a bit louder, and watched as Danse ceased his hand movements and tilted his ear towards her again.

“Is everything alright?” He turned to look at where she sat, and Sole tried to look melancholic.

“It’s just… You know… nevermind, it’s not important.” Just as she assumed he would, Danse stood up and walked inside the house, setting the piece of armor and the rag on the table, and pulled out a chair so he could sit beside her. He looked down at her hands, which rested on top of the table near her empty coffee mug. She could practically see the sweat beading on his forehead as he hesitantly brought one of his large hands to rest over the top of her own. Ever since he found out what he was, he’s been afraid to touch me. So... this is a good sign, at least.

“If something’s wrong, I want to know.” He said as he looked up to meet her gaze, his worried expression matching the concern she was feeling towards him. Sole took a breath to appear as though she was steadying herself.

“It’s just… being in this house. It’s great, I mean, it’s still my home and everything, and I don’t want to go anywhere else, but…” she trailed off, her troubled expression only half-feigned at this point, given the truth behind her words. His eyes never wavered, silently encouraging her to continue.

“Some things are harder to look at than others. And that damn stereo over there just has to be staring straight at me every time I sit down at the table, it’s the hardest one for me to see. It's just, it was a house-warming present from my parents. They gave it to me and Nate after the wedding, and now… well, there are no more records to play on it. They were all ruined, and even if they weren't, I don’t think the thing would work anyway. But every time I see it, it reminds me of the people I’ve lost. My parents… Nate… even Shaun.” Sole didn’t have to fake the tears that came unbidden to her eyes as she recalled the memories of her loved ones, and she knew Danse hadn’t missed a thing when he started rubbing her hand softly with his. They sat there in silence for a moment, as Danse tried to reassure her with his gentle touch.

Then, still remaining silent, Danse stood, reaching his hand forward to brush his thumb over Sole’s cheek, wiping away the tear that had fallen. He then turned towards the living room, but instead of going straight to the stereo, as Sole thought he might, Danse opened the side door that led to the covered driveway. She watched as he doubled back, now approaching the stereo. Sole wasn’t sure what she had expected him to do when she mentioned her problem to him; maybe offer to help her take the thing apart, or try and see if it still worked, or simply give her another perspective on how she should view the piece of 200-year-old furniture. Whatever she expected, it certainly hadn’t been this. 

Danse squatted down in front of the large wooden beast of a stereo, wrapped his broad arms almost all the way around it, and stood, lifting the whole damn thing up until he was standing completely upright with the stereo held firmly to his chest. Sole’s mouth hung open as she remained seated at the table, seemingly paralyzed by the shock of what she was witnessing, as Danse sauntered awkwardly towards the exit. A thick vein protruded from his neck as he twisted the piece of furniture to fit through the door, and made his way out into the driveway.

Sole heard a groan from outside, accompanied by the sound of something hard hitting concrete. She stood up, prepared to head outside and see what exactly he’d done with her “problem,” but before she reached the doorway, she heard him call from outside,

“You can’t still see it, can you?”

“Um… no. But Danse, is it-- I mean, are you okay? It took like, four people to bring that thing in when we first moved it to the house.” The brawny ex-soldier appeared in the doorway, his chest still heaving from the effort of wrestling the wooden monster outside. He nodded to her,

“I'm fine." He huffed, "You don’t need to go out there. I’ll take it apart later, if you’d like. Or we can store it somewhere for the time being.” She shook her head at him, a little smile touching her lips. Even after everything he’s been through, he's still always looking out for me. Even with something as small and insignificant as this.

“You know,” she said quietly, “you didn’t have to do that.” Danse looked down at his feet, seemingly searching for something to say in response.

“But thank you.” Sole finished, and his eyes came back up to meet hers. For a moment, she saw a spark return to Danse’s amber eyes as the smallest hint of a smile softened his expression, and Sole felt hope. Hope for him overcoming his grief in this time of crisis, and hope for herself in being able to move on from the memories that had kept her chained to her past for so long. Together, she felt like the two of them could overcome anything.

Deacon:

     “Yes. Two please.” Sole said as Takahashi voiced the only question he ever seemed to ask. The robot placed two bowls of scrumptious smelling power noodles in front of her, and she reached for the bag of caps hanging from her belt. As she looked down to count her money, she heard a clatter of bottlecaps hitting the counter beside her.

“Got it covered. Come on, let’s dig in.” Deacon grabbed a bowl in each hand and headed over to a couple of empty seats at the bar.

“I thought you were still trying to stay undercover?" Sole gestured to the Diamond City guard outfit that the spy donned. "Doesn’t it kinda ruin the illusion if you’re seen in public with me?” She said as she followed him over, sealing up her cap purse once again.

“What? You’ve never seen one of these guys at the noodle stand? Cuz I sure have. Just don’t talk to me, and I’ll be good.” Sole shook her head as she took a seat beside him, instantly deciding to ignore his request.

“Hey officer, I’ve got a question.” Sole swirled her chopsticks around the steaming bowl in front of her, before taking a bite.

“Yes, citizen?”

“Hold on--” she said through a mouthful of noodles.

Deacon laughed as he looked at her full mouth,

“Why--” He tried to talk through his bout of chuckling, “Why would you say you’re going to ask me a question and then take a big bite of food? What did you think would happen?”

Deacon thought he heard her tell him to ‘shut up,’ but it was hard to tell, given the noodles that filled her mouth, and the fact that she was nearly choking in her own fit of laughter.

Eventually, she managed to swallow her food successfully, and was finally able to get some words out.

"No, okay, serious question--" Deacon interrupted her with a snap of his fingers,

"Serious answer." Her genuine curiosity forced Sole to ignore him, and continue with her question.

"Tell me, why do you always pay for everything?" She asked.

"Ma'am, I am a law-abiding security officer. I always pay for the products that I intend to consume."

"I said serious, Deacon."

"Hey, shush!" He brought a hand up to Sole's mouth at the mention of his name, "What part of undercover did you not get?" She cocked a brow at his faked panic expression, noting the grin that he was trying to hide, as he lowered his head and turned back to his noodles.

"Like, okay," she continued, expanding on her inquiry, "whenever we go anywhere, you always pay for everything, and it's really odd. I've never met anyone in the wasteland who's done that, everyone's too busy trying to keep themselves alive to worry about paying for others. So, what? Are you, like, rich or something? I mean, c'mon, what's the deal? I have caps on me all the time, you know that, right?"

"Oh?" Sole saw his eyebrows rise above the tops of his sunglasses as he turned to look at her, "you don't think I'm doing this out of the goodness of my cold, black, heart, do you? No, I'm running a tab over here, honey. You owe me, big time." Sole narrowed her eyes at him, her uncertainty keeping her lips sealed.

"You mean, you didn’t know? Look, I don't know what to tell you," Deacon continued, "I thought you knew! Man, I'm glad you found out this way. Now it won't be such a rude awakening when the invoice comes."

Deacon turned back to his noodles, shaking his head at the thought. Sole's gaze bore into him, trying to figure out his level of seriousness. I really wish I was better at this. This is why I believed he was a synth for a month and a half.

"And if I don't have the money… you're not gonna call out a hit on me or anything, are you?"

“Hmm," he brought a hand to his chin, stroking his finger over it animatedly, "surely there must be some way you could pay me back…” He turned to look at her, wiggling his eyebrows as he did so, and she rolled her eyes, looking back to her noodles as she scoffed.

"Hey! What's with the face! I was talking about community service. Y'know, helping the children, and the elderly, all that good stuff. Get your mind out of the gutter, perv. And to think, I was going to have you volunteering at the children's hospital next week."

Sole instantly regretted taking another bite, as she tried desperately to fend off a fit of giggling in an effort to keep from choking again.

"I can't keep up with you Deacon," she said as she swallowed her food. "You're gonna kill me one of these days."

"Eh, don't worry, I can pay for the funeral." Sole raised a hand and shoved him in the shoulder playfully as he grinned at her.

"Okay, really, though. You do know I can pay occasionally, right?"

"Yeah, I know, I'm your partner, remember? I'm pretty much right next to you whenever you get paid.”

"So… then, why do you do it?"

"Do what?" Sole's nostrils flared at his obnoxious question.

"No? Joke didn’t land? Okay. Serious time," he flung his hands in the air as if surrendering, "I read about something… wasn't it, like, customary before the war to pay for stuff for your… friends?" Sole scrunched her eyebrows in thought,

"Friends? Not really. Significant other? Yeah, a little more common." She looked to where Deacon stared down at his noodles.

Is that, is he... blushing?

"But hey, I don't mind if you don't." She finished, tilting her head forward, in an attempt to catch Deacon's eye. She spotted a flushed little grin spread on his face, before he leaned his head back, restoring his cool composure.

"Oopsies, sorry about that, then. But I did warn you, I'm pretty new to this whole friend thing. So… you know, that's on you."

Hancock: 

     The ghoul lounged comfortably on the couch in the Old State House, idly playing with his combat knife as he waited for Sole to finish readying herself for their outing.

“Ahhh!” 

Hancock leapt from his place on the couch at the sound of Sole’s shriek, his combat knife instinctively falling into a position poised for violence.

He ran across the hall, crashing through the door and into the bedroom. Teeth bared and eyes wide, his head lashed from side to side in search of Sole’s assailant. He spotted her, cowering in the corner as she raised a shaky hand to point at the opposite side of the room.

Hancock’s glare followed Sole’s fear-stricken gaze, and he started towards the desk in the corner she had pointed to, but ultimately failed to see what it was causing her distress.

He turned back to her, an eyebrow cocked, as he raised the silent question of what had been the cause of her terror.

“On the desk!” She said, pointing towards it again, this time with greater intensity. Hancock slowly approached the corner of the room, knife still at the ready, as his eyes continued to search for any sign of… well, anything, really. An exasperated smile spread across his lips as his eyes fell to your attacker. A small, brown, spider picked its way through the objects littering the top of the desk, and Hancock had to hold back a laugh. 

“This is what had you all riled up? Oh, sweetheart, he’s just a little spider. C’mon now, he won’t hurt ya.”

“You don't know that.” She said firmly, her round eyes still trained on the desk. It had sounded like a joke, but her expression remained serious.

“Alright, you want me to get rid of him for you?” She nodded her head vigorously, and he chuckled as he turned his attention to the unsuspecting arachnid. He watched as it delicately stepped over a series of writing utensils, and Hancock frowned. Bringing his knife up to the top of the desk, he rested the flat of his blade directly in the spider’s path,

“That’s it, up you go, little guy.” He said quietly, as it stepped onto his steel vessel. Hancock twisted the knife around in his grip as the spider crawled around it, and made his way to the balcony. Once outside, he tipped his knife to the railing, encouraging the spider to crawl off the tip of the blade. Once the spider was safely making its way along the top of the railing, Hancock turned back towards the doorway.

“There,” he said, stepping back inside, “Now he can’t hurt ya, he’s all the way out there.”

“You… you didn’t kill it?” She asked, tentatively standing up.

“Nah, we only hurt the ones who hurt somebody else first, remember?”

“You don’t know that he didn’t hurt anybody.” She mumbled as Hancock sauntered over to her.

“Aw, give him a chance, maybe he can change, y’know? He doesn't really seem like the troublemaking type to me, anyhow.” He brought his hands to your waist, a smug expression playing on his face.

“Oh yeah, just like the way you always tell people you’ve changed?” She said, sliding her hands up his chest to rest them on his shoulders. “Way I see it, you’re still just as bad an influence on me as when I met you.” She said, a playful glint dancing in her eyes.

“Hmm, maybe you’re right, sunshine. Maybe I can't change any more. Maybe it's just my nature to be a bad influence on you.” He said quietly, a wolfish grin spreading across his face as he leaned into her. 

“Huh, maybe so. But bad influence or not," she pulled away from him slightly, to look up into his smoky eyes, "you really did save me back there. And, I know it seems silly... but I am grateful." His eyes softened at her little confession and, though he knew this too was silly, he couldn’t help but feel a swell in his chest at the thought of "saving" her. 

“And I’ll always be here to save you... from any spiders we happen to come across.” He pecked her lips tenderly, their close proximity practically forcing his mouth to hers. He should’ve known better, once he had a taste, he couldn’t get enough of her. 

“Even though,” He continued, as he pressed a kiss to her nose, “I’ve seen you,” then to her right cheek, “take down,” now her left, “deathclaws,” another to her jaw, “single handedly,” and now down to her neck, “I’ll be sure to handle all the unruly arachnids.” He whispered into the crook of her neck, before moving upwards again and pressing one more kiss to her forehead. He watched, grinning like an idiot in love, as a crimson flush crept up her cheeks. He wasn’t sure if it was from the embarrassment she felt regarding her phobia, or from the heat of his lips on her skin, but he decided it didn’t matter. Either way, he found it irresistibly adorable, and with that, he set his sights on her lips once more. 

MacCready: 

     MacCready sat on the floor, legs crossed, as he counted his ammunition cartridges. There were four of the .308, six of the .50, ten of the 10mm, and a few of the .38. There certainly wasn’t as much as he’d hoped there’d be, but he wasn't worried. Sole always seemed to have ammo to spare, and she wasn't stingy with it like he was. It was yet another perk to being with her.

He gathered his full magazines together near the ammo bag resting beside him, so he could begin placing them inside in preparation for their next outing.

"How are you doing over there, babe?" He asked as he stored the outlying bullets in little bags.

"I think... you know what, nevermind. I'm good." MacCready ceased his action, turning to look at where Sole knelt on the carpet of her Diamond City home. A pile of bullets and empty magazines surrounded her, the stack of seemingly full cartridges was pitifully small compared to his own.

"You, ah, need some help?"

"... No.” 

"Mmhm, okay.” he narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously, but she wouldn’t look up at him.

“Well,” he continued, “I'm going to put my full mags in the ammo bag, why don't I grab yours too." The sniper stood up, and made his way over to her, bending down to grab the cartridges that looked full.

"Wait! No, these, um, these ones aren't done yet." MacCready's eyebrows furrowed, but the shadow of a smile began to spread to his lips as he realized what was going on.

"So," he said, kneeling down so he could see her pretty little embarrassed face. "You haven't finished loading any of them?"

“No." She said quietly, refusing to meet his gaze. MacCready lowered his head so that he was looking up at her as her eyes stayed fixed on the floor. A lock of hair was draped over her forehead, obstructing his view. He reached a hand up and gently pushed it behind her ear, leaning in to give her nose a small peck with his lips.

"You want some help?" He said as Sole raised her gaze to meet his, a small blush forming on her cheeks. She didn't say anything, only nodded yes.

"Alright, you know, you could’ve just asked. I might have said ‘no’ the first time, but you know me, I eventually would’ve come around." MacCready said as he set to work with the magazines that had appeared full, but in reality, only housed half of the amount of ammunition that they could fit within them. He snickered in understanding, it really was the second half of bullets that was hard to load.

"Thank you, sweetie. You’re just so much better at it than I am." She said as she watched his practiced fingers make quick work of what probably would've taken her another hour.

"Of course... but, you are paying me for this, right?"

"Ohh, I think we might be able to work something out." She said, a sly grin playing at her lips.

He just chuckled at her words, but she could've sworn his fingers starting moving a whole lot faster at her suggestive phrasing.

Nick: 

“Tell me, why is this now a regular part of my job duties?" Ellie asked as she finished sewing up yet another tear in Nick's trench coat. "You know you're just going to end up with more holes in this coat every time you leave the office, and I don't seem to recall you ever caring about this old thing's appearance before…" she trailed off.

Nick knew that Ellie was fishing for answers. One specific one in particular, but he liked the ambiguity of the situation. It was this little game he and his secretary would play. He would leave clues here and there that pointed to the nature of his and Sole's relationship and wait to see if Ellie would say anything. All while she continued to try and force the truth from him verbally. He wasn't going to lose this round.

"What? A private detective can't keep up appearances for his clients? I think it's just good for business."

"I think it's a load of bologna. You know we gave Sole her own trench coat after she saved you, right? She could just wear her own, rather than steal yours every time you two go out on a case."

"What kinda fun would that be? I don't mind it, it's not like I get cold anyway. And the poor little lady never knows how long we're going to be gone, so I don't think it's her fault when we're out after dark and she wants to wear it."

Ellie rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh as she poked the needle back through the worn, beige fabric once again.

"She's got you so tightly wound around her finger, it's a wonder she doesn't call you 'Jared'."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know, it’s something I’ve read about, I guess it was a ring shop, or a jewelry company, or something before the war. I thought it sounded clever. Just humor me, won't you?"

The synth just shook his head, uttering a low chuckle as he watched Ellie tighten the thread, forcing the last hole closed.

"There." She said, tying up the last bit of string left over, before cutting off the excess. "It's done." 

"Perfect, thanks a million, doll. I'll see you soon, I've just gotta head out for a--"

"Date?" She finished the sentence for him suggestively, raising her eyebrows in question.

"A case. We're going to head out on a case, Ellie."

"Uh huh, sure. Well, here," she handed him back the coat, "now she doesn't need to worry about the cold air seeping in through all those holes. Let me know if you want me to insulate the damn thing when winter rolls around."

Valentine smiled, an uncharacteristically goofy smile, at Ellie's words. He was so obvious, why didn't he just come clean already? 

"Will do, I’m sure she’ll enjoy that. Thanks again, Ellie. You're the best."

"And don't you forget it." She said, turning back to the mound of paperwork still on her desk beside her sewing supplies.

“Ah well, I’ll get him to admit to it one of these days.” Ellie mumbled as she began sorting through the files in front of her.

Piper:

     Piper looked up at Scarlet from the table in the corner of the Dugout Inn, 

"Yes, so I think we'll both have a nuka cola to start off. Then I'll do the crispy squirrel bits, and she'll have the Salisbury steak." Piper pointed her finger to Sole, who was busy looking down at the table, before making a last-minute decision, "Aaand you'd better bring some of those snack cakes at the end, too." 

"Hm, as usual." Scarlet chuckled at that as her pen scribbled across the notepad in her hand. 

"But that sounds good, you two. I'll have that out in just a minute." The waitress grabbed their menus, Sole reaching up to hand it to her with a smile on her face before turning to peer at her partner from across the table. She waited for Scarlet to disappear around the corner to the kitchen before speaking.

"You really don't find it annoying?" She asked. 

"What?" Piper loosened the scarf around her neck as she looked questioningly at Sole. 

"I know that I ask you to order for me whenever we go out to eat, or drink, and it's gotta be getting a little old at this point, right?" 

"No, not at all, Blue!" Piper said as she took her hat off and placed it on the table, mussing her hair a bit with one hand. "This reporter actually finds it to be pret-ty endearing. It's like, the one thing you can't do. You’re good at, like, everything else, but this I get to help you with. It's a welcome change." Piper's hands dropped to the top of the table as she began absent-mindedly fiddling with her silverware. But her eyes stayed on the woman across the table as Sole smiled at her, still appearing a little embarrassed. 

"I don't know why I can't do it," Sole tried to explain, "I've just never been able to order for myself, even before the war. Just one of those bizarre anxiety things, I guess."

"Well, like I said, I don’t mind at all. In fact, I think it's cute." 

 Preston:

     Sole approached her Lieutenant, shaking her head at him, and she saw him sigh.

“No, the river just keeps going until it reaches a ravine." She told him, "And it’s too steep to climb down. Any luck on your end?”

“Hmm, not really. It's a little more shallow upstream, but it’s still about ten feet wide.”

“Damn.” She said, “We need to get across.” A settlement had sent a distress call across radio freedom almost an hour ago, if Sole and Preston took any longer, they might be too late.

“I guess we’ll just have to go for it.” She said, her face painting a picture of clear disgust at the thought of wading through the murky water.

“Well, let’s at least head upstream a bit. To the shallow part.”

“Okay.” Sole said begrudgingly, her footsteps unconsciously heavy as she followed her companion to the shallow part. Not shallow enough, I bet.

And she was right. As the pair arrived, Preston turned to Sole to gauge her reaction, noticing the way her nose wrinkled at the sight of the brown, swirling water.

Preston heaved a sigh, and started forward. Before he reached the waterline, he turned to see Sole still standing back, feet seemingly glued to the muddy ground. He couldn’t help but smile sympathetically at her, eyebrows creasing upwards as he watched her eyes look longingly at the far shore.

“Come here.” He said.

“I know, I know. Just start going, I’ll follow.” Preston chuckled at the exasperation in her voice. Instead of repeating his command, he simply walked over to her as her eyes remained locked on the other side of the river, when he reached her, he slowly pressed his hand to the small of her back.

“Hey, what are you--?” Before Sole could finish her question, Preston had scooped her up into his arms, bridal style. She let out a squeak of surprise, and he couldn’t keep himself from grinning.

“Is this okay? He asked, the brim of his hat pressing against Sole’s forehead as he looked at her.

“A warning would’ve been nice.” Preston laughed, shaking his head as he adjusted his grip on her, ensuring she was secure before making his way towards the river.

“Hold onto me.” He said, and Sole wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders.

“Ready?” Sole nodded to him, and Preston took a step forward, frigid water seeping in through his boots as he waded in.

“Wait, are you sure you want to do this?” She said, her eyes trained on the river as it raised up to Preston’s knees.

“I might be wrong, General, but I think I already am.” He said, the amusement in his voice faint as he gritted his teeth against the cold.

She felt his body shutter as he continued forward, the water reaching up almost to his waist, as he held Sole up higher to ensure it wouldn’t reach her. She let out a small sigh of relief as they reached the end of the channel. The water became more shallow, and Preston quickened his pace with each step that brought him closer to their destination.

Once completely out of the water, and past the muddy shoreline, Preston finally set Sole down gently. As her feet touched the ground, Sole kept her arms wound about Preston’s neck.

“Thank you, love.” She said, her voice soft as she addressed him as her partner rather than her Lieutenant.

“It was my pleasure, m’lady.” He said, briefly removing his hat from his head as he did so. Sole smiled at him warmly, but detected the faint chattering of his teeth, and when she looked down, she couldn’t help but notice the goosebumps littering his skin. 

“Oh, Preston…” Sole said as she pressed herself to him, rubbing her hands against his back and arms quickly, in an attempt to warm him with her friction. She felt hot air wash over her neck as he released a shaky breath of relief, leaning into her touch. The pair stood there for a moment, Preston syphoning off Sole’s warmth as she tried to repay him for his earlier act of kindness. Her hands slowed from her vigorous rubbing to a more tender sort of touch, before Preston’s head shot up.

“Shit, Sole, the settlement! We’ve got to move!”

X6-88: 

     This had become a common routine of theirs, and X6 wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about it. Every time they were in Sole’s Diamond City home, she would insist on making dinner for the two of them. That, X6 didn’t mind too much; although, after consuming nothing but food supplements in the Institute for so long, it did take some getting used to. But eating the food wasn’t the issue, it was the making of it that had him perplexed. 

As far as he knew, Sole had been the one to install the shelves in her kitchen; and yet, every time she was in need of a spice of some sort, or a condiment, or one of her dishes, she would ask X6 for assistance, given that the shelves were apparently too high for her to reach. Why Sole continued to store her items on the too-tall shelves, he couldn’t begin to guess. But here she went again, asking him to reach for the box of blamco mac n’ cheese on the top shelf, the highest one, one that he could barely even reach. X6 decided it was time to voice his confusion.

“Ma’am?”

“Yes?” She asked distractedly as she focused on the strength of the flame burning on her stove.

“Why do you use these shelves?”

“What else would I use, silly?” X6 scrunched up his face at that, trying to hold back a verbal scoff at her wording.

“Would you rather I just store everything on the floor?”

“Well, no. That would… hardly be sanitary.” He wasn’t sure if she was joking with him or not. Did she think he was joking with her?

“Why do you ask, X?” She grabbed the box from his hand as he extended it towards her, and began tearing at the top of it with her finger.

“Well, it seems nonsensical to me, for you to continue placing all of your items out of your reach. What happens if I’m not here?” Sole placed a saucepan filled with water over the stove and turned to look at him.

“But you are here.” she said, shrugging, “What? Don’t you like helping me out in the kitchen?”

X6 blinked. What the hell did this have to do with what he liked?

“Well… I don’t dislike it. I’m just having trouble with-- I don’t-- I just... do you want me to fix the shelves so they are the right height for you?”

“No, I like them the way they are.”

X6 felt his eye twitch from beneath his shades. Confusion built up inside him, making the courser feel as though he might explode.

“Ma’am--” His voice faltered as he realized he didn’t know what else to say.

“I know they’re not practical, X. But you can reach them, and I like that about them. Even when I’m here alone, the fact that I can’t make dinner without you makes me smile.” X6 furrowed his eyebrows. That explanation didn’t help at all.

“Don’t you get hungry?”

“I'm not completely helpless, you know, I can usually figure something out.” She attempted to look annoyed at his question, but her grin gave her away. X6 narrowed his eyes at her, still not completely satisfied with the way the conversation had gone. He was still just as confused as he was before.

“Huh.” He said, mulling over all she had said on the subject. “Perhaps... in that case, we should ensure that I am by your side for any missions near Diamond City. That way, I can be sure the future director of the Institute doesn’t go hungry.”

“Well, if you think that’s necessary, who am I to argue?” The left side of X6’s lip tilted upwards in an expression of amusement, and Sole openly smiled at him, laughing a little to herself as she turned her attention back to the boiling water on the stove.

“Can you hand me the pepper mill? Second shelf.”

“I know which shelf. But yes, I can.” He said, turning around to grab it, as Sole continued grinning to herself.

Now I just have to make sure he never looks under my bed. Sole thought. If X6 ever found the step stool she had hidden there, what would happen to her kitchen helper?

[simeons-sinful-saint]

Summertime Happiness

(OM) Boys (excluding Simeon, Solomon) x GN!Reader

Synopsis: the beach episode

WC: 3.2k

Note: it’s summer, and I miss the beach. I really want to go so I projected it here. I will say this is a part one bc I plan on writing smut for part two and you get to pick which ending you want. For example, you could pick to spend the night with Diavolo or you could choose Mammon. I’m challenging myself to write for each character so we’ll see how that goes.

“Beach! beach! Beach!” Mammon, Asmo, and Levi were chanting in the back of the car.

“Guys, we’re not even halfway there.” You groaned. They had been like that ever since you got to the human world. They then started squabbling about what to do. Mammon then tried to steal Levi’s tablet. Asmo seemed to ignore them completely.

“This would be our first human world beach! Of course, we’re excited. Just think of all the photos I could post.” Asmo was gleeful, the main person who suggested this trip.

“Well can you guys keep it down. I’ll turn this car around if you don’t!” They shut up, leaving you able to concentrate on the road, “You guys are lucky that Lucifer is in the other car.”

“I didn’t know you could drive MC.” Satan was in the front seat next to you.

“Of course! I’ve been driving since I was 16.”

“I’m sure you could teach Mammon how to drive safer.”

“Oi! Quit insulting me!”

“Honestly, why couldn’t Belphie be in my car. He’d just sleep.” You grumbled under your breath.

“I still don’t understand why Diavolo would want to come here when he has a beach of his own. Besides the beach is stupid.” Satan was now complaining. The choir in the back started up again, and you could feel the headache develop.

Instead of listening to them, you turned the music up to drown out the noise they were making.

That’s when Barbatos gave you a call. You answered it hands free, “hello?”

“MC, it seems the young lord would like to visit the nearest rest stop. He wants to see a human world gift shop.”

“There will be gift shops at the beach!”

“You don’t understand MC! I heard rest stop gift shops offer a wide variety of trinkets that the state offers.” Diavolo sounded too excited for you to say no.

“Also, Beel ran out of food, and we don’t want him to rampage in the car.” Lucifer sounded annoyed, probably because he got put in the back seat since Barbatos was driving.

“I’m hungry…” you could practically hear Beel’s stomach growl from the backseat as well.

“I suppose we need to fill the cars up with gas as well. There should be a rest stop at the next exit.”

“Understood. We’ll follow you to the rest stop of your choice.” Barbatos hung up. The music resumed. Hopefully, they didn’t hear the commotion from the back of your car.

You pulled off the next exit to arrive at a big gas station/truck stop. Parking your car at a pump, the others got out of the car to stretch their legs.

“You guys go ahead and get some snacks or drinks. Make sure to get me one too. The others should show up shortly.”

They walked into the shop thankfully not arguing. Barbatos shortly pulled in at the pump opposite of your car.

They also got out, and Diavolo practically ran to the shop with Beel following behind him.

“Lucifer, please don’t let them get into any trouble. That’s the last thing we need.” He nodded already looking annoyed. Upon inspecting their car, you could see Belphie peacefully sleeping in the back seat.

Barbatos walked over with a map consulting you on the best route to the beach. Their D.D.Ds didn’t have human world GPS, and of course, they didn’t have any human world phones to access it (and you weren’t planning on buying a new phone.) With a pen, you highlighted the route after consulting your GPS. You knew that Barbatos wouldn’t get lost behind you, but it was nice having this assurance.

Barbatos then turned around and excused himself from your discussion, heading towards the gas station shop. You tended to both of the cars, making sure that they were filled up and ready to go.

When you saw all of them come back to the car, Mammon was thrown over Barbatos’s shoulder.

“Put me down!”

“I’m sorry MC, but Mammon will be riding with us now.” You didn’t even want to know. Beel now was in your car, which solved part of the headache that was going on.

Lucifer simply texted you:

Mammon tried to steal

You knew that Mammon was going to be harshly punished in Barbatos’s car which he deserved. The last thing y’all needed was for the cops to come and arrest Mammon.

You noticed how many bags of souvenirs Diavolo was putting in the back of the car. It looked like he swept the store clean of everything. Same with Beel but with food.

“Beel, please make sure to not get food everywhere in my car. My parents would kill me if I ruined their seats.” He nodded and kept chowing down on the bag of chips he got.

Satan just shook his head and handed you a granola bar and a soda. Thankfully someone remembered to get what you asked for.

You all loaded the cars back up and set off once more. This time your car was quieter, and you were so thankful for that on the rest of the way to the beach.

—

“Finally! We’re here!” Asmo exclaimed when you parked the car at the condo y’all would be spending time at. Barbatos shortly pulled in next to you.

They got out of the car and met up with you, “We’ll need rolling carts for all of our luggage and supplies. They should be in the lobby’s office.”

Lucifer and Barbatos left to go fetch them and check in to the condo for you.

It was surprisingly easy to get all of the suitcases, beach supplies, and coolers up to the room. You made sure to get a big condo so everyone could get their own room (saved yourself the headache of who will be rooming with who.)

“Alright everyone, time to set up the ground rules!” You gathered everyone to the common room, “Make sure you all remember your human world names. Please do not stray too far from the others. We do have the beach for ourselves here, but the public beach isn’t too far from here. Please be careful to not wander that way. We have an itinerary for dinner and free times. Please do try to behave yourselves over the week we are here. Other than that, we’ll have fun!”

They all agreed and left to go unpack their stuff.

“I really hope we can get through this without any trouble. We’re spending too much money being here instead of being in Devildom.”

—

The sand was nice and warm. The sunlight danced over the waves, making the ocean sparkle. Lucifer and Barbatos already got the umbrellas and beach chairs prepared, so all the rest had to do was get into swimsuits.

Running out to settle down on a chair basking in the sunlight was your first objective.

“MC, you need to apply sunscreen before you sit out in the sun.” Barbatos walked over with the spray on sunscreen.

“Right. I forgot.”

“MC, I can help you put on your sunscreen!” Asmo ran over to you, “Then you can rub it all over my body.”

“Oi! If anyone is going to rub sunscreen on them, it’s going to be me. I’m their first so I have that right!” Mammon was quick to swoop in and grab the bottle out of Asmo’s hand.

“You can’t use that excuse every time. Especially since you’ll never admit how you feel.” Satan was the next one to take the bottle.

“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, you know you’re a simp.” Levi came up to y’all, “O-Of course I will apply sunscreen on you MC. Who am I kidding you’ll never pick me.” You could hear every mumble under Levi’s breath.

“What on earth are you all doing?” It was Lucifer, “they are perfectly capable of putting sunscreen on themselves.”

“But their back! They couldn’t possible read that part,” Asmo flirted, “and I’m the perfect person.”

Lucifer rolled his eyes and took the bottle out of Satan’s hands, “I’ll put on your sunscreen MC”

“No fair! How come you get to do it?” They started to whine. Honestly at this point you didn’t care who put it on you.

“Thank you, Lucifer,” you turned your back towards him so he could apply the lotion on you. Feeling his hand run up and down your skin did feel nice.

The others continued to bitch at Lucifer about it.

“Haha! Your brothers are lively as always.” Diavolo stood next to Lucifer, who only sighed at his comment.

“I’m afraid so.”

Now that everyone was prepared, Mammon, Asmo, Levi, and Beel ran towards the water. Belphie was already asleep on a beach chair. Satan sat next to him with a book in hand. Diavolo was forcing Lucifer to build a sandcastle with him, while Barbatos helped by carrying buckets of ocean water.

A smile grew on your face as you ran towards the ocean yourself with a floaty, finally able to relax and play with everyone there.

When entering the nice warm water, you’re immediately dunked in. Rising back up,

“Mammon! You ass!” You move your hair out of your face.

“It’s ok MC, he did the same to me. He has a death wish,” Asmo looked furious. Every time he’s swim close to Mammon, he would simply swim away.

“Didn’t peg you as a good swimmer.”

“The great Mammon can do many things!” His laughter was infectious, and your anger fizzled out as you see the brothers chasing each other.

“Ugh, what normies.”

“What did you expect to do out here Levi?”

“Well you see I saw in this anime called A Trip to the Beach turns into a romance story and-“

“Forget I asked. I’m surprised that Mammon didn’t dunk you.”

“The water doesn’t scare me.”

“Makes sense. You do kind of control water. I guess this would be the best place to summon Lotan, besides the fact this is a human world beach.”

“Hahaha. I have no plans of doing that. My Ruri-Chan towel and bag would get soaked, and I don’t want that.”

“Right…”

You then heard eating sounds in your ear. Turning around, you see Beel mouth full of fish, “You can’t just eat the marine life here!”

“But I was hungry…”

“Then go to shore and grab some of the food we brought down here!”

Beel took you up on that offer as soon as he finished devouring the fish he caught with his bare hands. You just prayed he left something for the rest of you, lest you have to go back to the condo and get more.

Mammon quickly swam back and hid behind your back, practically using you as a shield.

“Don’t use MC to protect you!” Asmo was coming in hot. You dunked yourself under the water for Asmo to finally catch Mammon and push his head in the water.

Upon both of you returning to the surface, you shook your head to get the salt water out of your ears.

“You pushed too hard Asmo!” Mammon bitched.

“You brought this upon yourself!”

“Can you both shut up? I’m trying to fantasize about Ruri-Chan.”

“Stay out of this otaku!” They both shouted at the same time. Levi clammed up.

“Of course, they think I’m some weird gross shut in…”

“Oh Levi, that’s not true. Just let those two idiots fight and dunk each other under water. Let’s go back to shore and hunt for seashells!” He felt better from your words. Grabbing the floatie that seemed to be abandoned (you’re glad it didn’t float away into the sea), you both swam back and went to dry yourselves off.

Beel was devouring all of the food in the coolers you brought.

“Satan! Why didn’t you restrain him?”

“Huh, it’s not my job to keep Beel from eating everything. That’s Belphie’s.” You glanced to see that he was asleep basking in the summer sun.

“Of course.” You turned your attention back to Satan, “why don’t you come with Levi and I to hunt for seashells?”

“No.” It was immediate and caught you off guard, “I’m at the climax of this book, and I’ll do beach stuff when I’m done. Except go into the water.”

“Still don’t get it, but whatever.”

You grabbed the necessary supplies to gather seashells, and you made your way back to the shoreline with Levi by your side.

“Let’s see if we can find one that’s not broken! I’d love to get to a nice cone shaped one” Levi cheered up.

So far, you’ve only found broken sand dollars and pieces of broken corral, “well this isn’t great.”

“Oi! Why you hogging MC all to yourself?” Mammon always knew how to ruin a moment.

“Hey, Mammon~”

“Y-yeah?”

“You want a dollar?”

“Yes! Giving money to me is an investment-“

You simply placed a sand dollar in his hand causing Levi to practically die, howling about how you got him good.

Mammon just stood there looking like he could turn to dust at any moment. You couldn’t help but laugh.

Satisfied with your haul, you and Levi placed the bucket of shells back at the beach chairs.

“Still reading Satan?”

“Yes, and it’s getting good so leave me alone.” You roll your eyes in response. Levi said he would chill with Satan in the shade, something about getting his daily log on bonuses.

Shrugging, you turn on the group you hadn’t visited yet.

“Lucifer! Diavolo! How’s the sandcastle coming?”

“Well…I tried making a sand sculpture of Lucifer, but it doesn’t look anything like him.” Diavolo pouted. Upon looking at the pile of sand, you tried to hold back your laughter. If this was supposed to be Lucifer, then Asmo should really give him a makeover.

“The important thing is you tried Diavolo,” Lucifer tried to hide his annoyance, but of course he was bad at that (he would never admit it though.)

“Maybe we should take a break, my lord.”

“I guess so.” You felt bad and patted Diavolo on the back.

“You’ll get it right the next time you do it. Here why don’t I show you something humans do on the beach!”

Diavolo perked up, and the three of them followed you back to the shaded umbrella where their beach chairs were. You sauntered off and grabbed four bottles of beer and a bag of limes you cut up earlier (thankful that Beel didn’t eat them.)

You handed them the beer as well as a bottle opener, “Ok, so typically on the beach with this brand of beer, you push a lime into the neck of the bottle. It helps add flavor to the drink of the summer here.”

You demonstrated for them, even though Barbatos was a step ahead of you anyway. Diavolo looked at it all with wonder, taking a sip after preparing it, “Fascinating! Is this really what humans do?”

“Some. I like to do it when I go to the beach. It’s nice and relaxing. Plus, the advertising says to do this.”

“I do have to say, it does add a little aromatic flavor. However, I’ll have to decline drinking more than I already have.” Barbatos handed the bottle back to you. Even though you knew he had his reasons, it bummed you out a little.

“Well Lucifer! What do you think?” Diavolo turned towards his friend who was happily drinking his.

“Honestly, I needed some sort of break after being in the sun for so long.”

“Well, I’m glad I was able to help.” Lucifer smiled at your response, praising you about how you’re always a help to everyone.

You sat down next to them on the sand and just took in the calmness of the beach air, the smell of salty sea water filling your nose. It was enjoyable to have one moment of relaxation.

“Hey MC! Belphie’s awake! Help us throw him into the ocean!” You could hear Mammon from the other side of the beach.

“Your brothers are always so exciting, Lucifer,” Diavolo was laughing and was waiting for Lucifer to laugh along with him.

“More like a headache…”

“I’ll go over there so they don’t bother you three. Remember to get the relaxation you need. The three of you work way too hard, you deserve a break. That goes for you to Barbatos! You don’t have to be a butler here.”

He laughed at your comment, “So noted.”

Satisfied, you ran back over to the others.

“If you like to live, you’ll let go of me” Belphie was trying to fight, but with Mammon, Asmo, and Levi together, he didn’t stand a chance.

“Same for you Beel! Put me down so I can finish my book!”

“Nah, you can finish your book later. We’re at the beach. You should have fun with us!” Mammon had a death wish. They managed to pull Belphie and Satan into the water. Belphie at this point had already given up.

Satan, however, was like trying to bathe a cat. Extremely unhappy about it. He screamed profanities and was about to go apeshit, until you were by his side and holding his hand.

“It’s ok Satan. They just want you to have fun.” He huffed in response with a hint of blush developing on his face.

Finally, all of you were in the ocean, splashing water at each other, seeing who could hold their breath the longest, and float around letting the water massage your worries away.

The fun eventually was coming to a close. The sun started to set, and everyone went to pack everything up.

“Hold on!”

They turned to look at you who has a mischievous look on your face, holding up sparklers in their face, “They’re a lot of fun to have on the beach too.”

Everyone was about to decline until, “Ohhhh, that sounds like fun. I’ll do it with you MC.”

Diavolo started to take sparklers from your hand and went to get a lighter.

“Well, I guess I can do it too.” Mammon said.

“It does sound like fun. Plus, I can take all sorts of photos to post when we get back to Devildom.” Asmo ran to be by your side.

“Don’t eat the sparklers Beel,” Belphie said walking over with his twin.

“W-well it’s a normie thing to do, but if MC wants to do it then I will too.” Levi took a sparkler from the packet.

“As long as Lucifer isn’t going to participate then I will too.” Satan said.

“Too bad because Lucifer has to do this too!” Your words sounded very adamant, leaving Satan with no other choice.

Lucifer sighed but then smiled, “As long as your happy MC and Diavolo.”

You squealed in happiness. As you lit the sparklers, everyone waved them around. Asmo took photos of everyone with theirs. Mammon tried writing words (they didn’t look good.) The rest were happy to chase each other with Diavolo and Lucifer standing on the side. Diavolo was mesmerized by the sparks shooting out, and Lucifer couldn’t help but laugh with him.

Barbatos filmed the entire thing for everyone to remember later. One of the best days ever.

—

After showering, you noticed the night was still young. Everyone was kind of doing their own thing now.

You didn’t want the night to end too soon. Hitting up the town seemed like a good idea.

You sat thinking of who you should bring with you.

[wrenhyperfixates]

Not as Bad as You Think

Pairing: Loki x reader Summary: After a bad grade on a test, Peter is being very hard on himself. Loki helps you cheer him up. Warnings: none A/N: Enjoy :)

Permanent Tag List: @lucywrites02 @frostedgiant @lunarmoon8 @twhiddlestonsstuff @lokistan @lowkeyorlokificrecs @gaitwae @whatafuckingdumbass @castiels-majestic-wings @kozkaboi @cozy-the-overlord @birdgirl90 @myraiswack @mythicalgarlicknot @what-a-flammable-heart @marvelouslovely​

Disclaimer: Gif not mine

“I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think,” you comforted Peter, patting his back.

“You’re right,” he replied, voice muffled by the pillow he was hiding his face in. “It’s probably worse.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

The disgruntled teenager rolled over onto his back and gave you a look somewhere between annoyed and upset. He’d come home to the Tower saying he failed a big History test he’d had. Despite him saying he failed, you were pretty sure he was just over-exaggerating. The boy kept up a nearly perfect gpa and was an Avenger. It was no easy feat, and you knew how much pressure he put on himself to keep up his good grades. You wished he’d go a little easier on himself.

“Besides,” you continued when he said nothing, “even if it is bad, everyone’s allowed one not so great grade every once in a while. You’re still doing great, kid.”

“I guess,” he mumbled halfheartedly, smooshing his face against the pillow again.

You frowned. During the time Peter had been on the team, he’d become something of a little brother to you. You hated to see him down like this. It was easy to remember all the normal pressures of being a teen, and he had the pressures of being a superhero on top of that. Sometimes you wished he took a day just to be a kid. Though, when you said that, you meant more of him taking some time off to have fun, not stress about his grades.

“I know what will fix this,” you said with a smile.

“Cookies?” he said, peeking up at you again.

“Yup. And hot chocolate. How does that sound, Petey?”

“Well, I don’t know I deserve it,” he started before seeing the stern look on your face, telling him to ease up himself. “But yeah, I want some.”

You stood and ruffled his hair. “Coming right up.”

Taking your frustrations out on the cookie dough you were mixing and cocoa you were whisking, you tried to figure out a way to get Peter to enjoy his youth. You were so focused, you didn’t notice when Loki came in, and he was able to snag one of the freshly baked treats before you could smack his hand away.

“Naughty Loki. Those are for Peter,” you giggled, poking him in the side.

“And you can’t spare just this one for me, darling?”

“I suppose you can be my taste-tester,” you grinned, giving him a kiss before he could take another bite.

“Thank you, my love.” You smiled at your boyfriend as he polished off his treat and licked his lips in delight. He pulled you into a hug and rested his head on yours. “Delicious as always, darling.”

“Thank you, Loki, but I have to keep my eye on the hot chocolate.”

“Allow me to guess, that is for the spiderling, too?” he inquired, grabbing a mug out of the cabinet for you to pour the warm liquid into.

“Mhm,” you replied. “He had a bad day, and I was trying to cheer him up. Nothing was working, though, so I’m hoping these treats will.”

Loki knew how close you were with Peter, and he loved seeing your older sibling instincts take over, despite not actually being related to the boy. Admittedly, he was glad Thor didn’t act the way you did. If that was in his nature, Loki was sure the God of Thunder would be entirely overbearing. He had started acting a bit more brotherly recently, however, which was nice. Of course, all that just meant Loki wasn’t exactly the best equipped to help sibling problems.

Loki frowned as he wiped a few spilt drops of hot chocolate from the counter. Your brow was furrowed in concentration and thought, and he pulled you back to kiss the lines of worry away. He hated seeing you upset or distraught in any way. After all you’d done for him in showing him he was worthy for love, he never wanted you to experience a single bad emotion. He knew it was part of being human, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. And he could do everything in his power to keep those negative feelings at a minimum.

“Darling, why don’t you just take it easy. I will go take these things to the spiderling and have a chat to cheer him up,” he told you, rubbing up and down your arms. “I will take care of it.”

“I don’t know, Loki. Nothing I was saying was working. And I feel kinda bad to let you take care of this while I put my feet up.”

“Well then, allow me to handle this, and you can make me some of that delicious hot chocolate.”

“Fine.” You smiled at the way he was so concerned, not just for you, but for Peter, too. And of course you’d be more than happy to make him some cocoa, even if he was just suggesting that so you would take it a bit easier. “Just tell me if he’s still feeling down, alright?”

“We have a deal, darling. Leave it to me.”

And so, the trickster god found himself outside Peter’s door, trying to figure out what exactly to say to him. Before the drink could get cold, he just knocked and hoped the right words would come to him. Peter beckoned him in, and Loki walked inside, cookies and cocoa in hand.

“Oh, hey Loki,” Peter said, sounding sad. Though, he did perk up when he saw the snacks.

“Greetings, spiderling. I hear you are having some troubles. Perhaps I could help?”

“I dunno.” He took a cookie off the plate and dunked it into his drink. Then he offered Loki one, which he gladly accepted. “There’s not much that can be done. Unless...”

“Unless?”

“Can your magic turn back time?”

“Sadly, no,” he laughed. “But maybe you’d just like to talk about what it is that is plaguing you?”

“I guess,” he sighed. “I got a bad grade on a test. And I studied so, so hard. I thought I did way better, but I just didn’t. I’m supposed to be able to handle all the pressure and stress, but I just don’t think I can. I need to try harder, do better.”

“Come now, spiderling. From what I hear, you are doing wonderful in your classes.” Loki hesitantly pat the boy on his back. “There is only one life to live, and it is not very long. You should be enjoying each minute to its fullest.”

“Haven’t you resurrected like three times, though? And aren’t you thousands of years old?”

“Regardless,” Loki waved the comment off, “none of it is worth it if you are not enjoying life. You are doing wonderful, we could not be more proud of you. Just be proud of yourself and a little kinder to yourself, too.”

“You really think so?”

“I may be the God of Lies,” Loki chuckled, “but I assure you, I could not be more honest in this moment.”

“Well then, if I’m supposed to be doing stuff I enjoy, do you maybe want to do a movie marathon?”

“That sounds absolutely perfect. You may pick what we watch, too.”

“Yes!” he cheered. “I hardly ever get to pick!”

As Peter set off to grab pillows and blankets and set up the movie, after finishing his treats of course, Loki waltzed into the kitchen with a sly grin on his face. He walked up behind you and hugged you. You jumped a little at first, but quickly recognized the arms encircling your waist. You leaned back into his chest and smiled up at him.

“It went well, I take it,” you said.

“Indeed it did. In fact, we are having a movie marathon. You are, of course, welcome to join.”

You decided to take him up on that offer and handed him his hot chocolate. You made some popcorn, too, and put it into two bowls; one for Peter, and one for you and Loki to share. Peter sat on the floor by the TV where he’d set up the original Star Wars trilogy to play, and you and your boyfriend snuggled together on the couch. About halfway through the second movie, a thought occurred to you.

“Hey, Petey,” you said. “What grade exactly did you get on that test.”

“Oh, uh, that? Who cares,” he scoffed, though he’d gone bright red and wouldn’t meet your eye. “You wouldn’t want to hear about that.”

“Peter.”

“Fine,” he sighed. He ducked his head and mumbled his grade. “I got an 85.”

“Peter! That’s amazing!” You didn’t know whether to cheer for him or strangle him. You decided playfully hitting him with a pillow was the way to go.

“Loki! Help!” he laughed as he tried to block your attacks.

“Coming to your rescue, spiderling!”

The three of you ended up in a pillow fight, and eventually collapsed in a pile on the floor, out of breath from laughing. You smiled at your boys and realized that even if things were difficult sometimes, you always had each other’s backs. It was more than just Peter being like your little brother, or Loki being your boyfriend. You were a whole little family, and really, who could ask for more than that?

[theyscreamjade]

Who’s Your Captain?

So! YALL know how much of a hoe I am. I couldn’t just aim for Hange and not give Levi some love. I’m short as fuck too..so, let’s not act as if I’m tall or anything...So! I had to do some hoe things and just..have some fun. Also, My guy @husband-to-tomura-shigaraki is in here~

Disclaimer: Smut! 18+

Kinks: Exhibition, Public Play, Over Stimulation, Jealous Sex.

It was a sticky, hot summer night when we decided to make camp from our escapade. With the Titans nearly obsolete, We finally had a chance to explore the outside world. The fireflies glowed while I changed into a pair of black shorts and a tank top, having my hair in a high sun while the long sunset still glowed in the sky.

“Hey Jade! Dinner’s ready!” Hayden said as I walked out from my tent. “Good, I’m starving.” I said, stretching a bit. I walked over to the bonfire, putting my cape back on as I could feel eyes on me. My suspicions were confirmed when I saw Jean’s eyes quickly snap from my view. I raised my eyebrow in curiosity before shrugging it off.

“Here you go, I made my famous stew!” Hanji said as I cheered softly. “Good, I’m starving!” Sasha said, sitting beside me on the large log. Once all the bowls were individually handed out and our feasting began, the excited Sasha and of course the first to ask for seconds declared something.

“We should play a game!” She said, holding her second bowl. “We can play a game when you’re done eating, you’ll spit all over us.” Connie commented as she rolled her eyes.

“We always had to be quiet while we’re out here but now! We can be as loud as we want and not have to worry about a single thing.” She said happily as Hanji stood up.

“She’s right! Oh, I have a game.” They said before walking to their tent. After a few minutes, I sat my bowl aside as Hanji walked back, holding a cup with a cup full of bottle caps. “Everyone dunk their hand in and pick out a bottle cap, whoever picks out the one with a crown on it. They’re the winner and control anyone they please with a limit of three.” She said as Sasha’s eyes sparkled.

“I have a bad idea about this..” Armin commented softly before following suit with everyone else. I looked at Coca-Cola lid and held it up, showing everyone as Jean held up the crown.

“Well, Your royal highness. You have three people to command to do as you please.” Hanji reminded before sitting on the log again. A small smirk formed on his lips as he turned to Eren. “I command you go swim in the lake.” He said as Eren looked at him with the best shocked face. “What?! No! I’m not going to do that! That’s stupid!” He screamed.

“It’s the rule Eren, you must follow them.” Mikasa said as she downed her water. “Just be a good sport and follow what the king says.” Connie said softly as Eren growled in anger. “Fine!” He snapped as he stood up.

He stormed off, walking toward the lake as we followed like a duck and a bunch of baby ducklings. Once he arrived, he snatched his shirt off as he looked at the cool lake water. “I fucking hate this..” he said to himself before jumping in with a large splash.

He soon jumped back out, splashing a bit at how cold it was. Hayden giggled softly, holding a towel for him while I laughed watching them. “What the you brats doing?” A voice asked, sending chills down my spine while making my heart flutter.

I turned around, seeing Levi stand a few inches away from us. He soon walked over to the group as they salute to him. “You know I could hear you guys from my tent.”

“Sorry sir, We’re just playing a game! Wanna join us?” Sasha asked eagerly as Levi looked at her. “I don’t play games.”

“Oh, don’t be such a sour puss! Here, take a bottle cap and join us!” Hanji said holding the cup to him while shaking it. Levi gave me a small glance before taking a cap out as well, earning a squeal from Hanji. “Well, looks like your king still Jean. Who’s next?” Hanji asked.

Jean looked as Sasha as she quickly threw a potato from her hands as it landed in the lake with a loud plop.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as Sasha huffed in annoyance. “I swear Jean, I’m going to destroy you when I’m king.” She said, lifting her leg up as she gained her balance. “My name is Sasha and I’m the meat and potato queen.” She said before putting her makeshift leaf crown on as we laughed. “N-Now that’s funny!” Connie said as Eren laughed with him.

Sasha snatched the ridiculous outfit off along with the crown, sitting beside me. “Jade?” Jeans said, catching me off guard. “Yes, your majesty?” I asked, standing while doing a bow to him.

“I believe I deserve a smooch from you, don’t you think?” He said as my eyes widened. “A smooch? i-I don’t know about that.” I said, trying to hide my nervousness before looking at Hange as if I’m saying ‘Help me.’

Only a few people knew about Levi and I’s secret relationship which was honestly preferred from both of us. I never liked labels and Levi liked privacy, it was a win-win. Eren, Hayden, Hange, Erwin and lastly Mikasa knew but only because she accidentally barged in while we did the dirty on his desk one night.

“Come on, Just one. That’s all I ask from my gorgeous queen.” Jean said, standing over me as he leaned down. “Come on, Jade! Just give him one!” Connie said as Sasha nodded. “I had to do that stupid dare! You can do this!” She said as Jean moved closer.

I sighed, placing my hands on his cheeks and pulled him close. I placed my thumbs over his lips quickly before kissing him. After a minute, I pulled away as Eren’s completely shocked face read my fate tonight. While everyone replaced the lids back in the cup, I glanced at Levi who stared at me with absolute glare in his eyes.

His silence sent chills down my spine as the game continued until the third person declared that they’re going to bed, before I knew it. Levi and I were alone.

The intense silence and tension so thick that you could cut it as I stared at the slowly dying flame before standing. “I’m gonna get some rest, you should too.” I said, walking toward my tent. A calloused hand grabbed my wrist, catching me off guard as Levi stood up slowly. “Let’s go talk.” He said, pointing towards a nearby cliff.

Damn my submissive ass.

I opened my mouth to make a excuse before he gave me a tug, leading us away from the campsite. I silently prayed that no one would see us or a Titan randomly appear as he lead us away. We stepped down off the cliff, we were away from everyone else and the only thing behind him was open plains of thick grass.

“Okay, what did you want to talk a-“

I gasped, my body colliding with thick rocky under the cliff as his face was inches from mine. “You think you’re just going to get away with kissing my cadet?” He asked a growl in his voice as my eyes widened.

“I-I-“

“I didn’t say speak now, did I?” Levi asked, his hand pinned my wrists over my head as his other touched my hip, fiddling with my tank top while his dark orbs stared deeply into mine. “You’re were such a fucking tease, huh brat? Wearing this and then kissed Jean, no wonder he couldn’t keep his eyes off you.” He said before spanking my ass before gripping it.

“What do you have say?” He asked, while I struggled to keep a moan in. “I-I did...I-didn’t mean to wear this, I-it’s hot and I-I-“ I tried to say as he chuckled.

“It’s funny how you’re usually able to speak your mind but when I have you like this, you’re a stuttering.” He retorted, stopping my excuse. His hand released my wrists, snatching my cape off as his lips slammed against mine.

I moaned softly against his passion, tugging his black silky locs as he scooped me up as if I was weightless. Our bodies moved closer as if he wanted to fuse us into one as the kiss was broken and he latched into my neck, biting and sucking around my collar.

I bite my finger while trying to hide my excitedly, hell I started getting wet when I heard his voice. He had that power over my body. I knew I had to keep it down and hoped no one would even step this way but it was hard with Levi, especially when he knew your body like the back of his hand.

I flinched, feeling two fingers push inside my wet core as I stifled out a moan. “You’re so fucking wet...I wonder who has you like this, nearly drenched for them..” he growled in my ear while pumping his fingers roughly. My right hand gripped his wrist to try and slow him down while my mouth was agape, gasps seeping in while I tried my hardest to keep my moans in but damn it was hard with Levi motherfucking Ackerman.

“What’s wrong? You’re close? You’re close to cumming for me?” He teased while smirking at me. My knees buckled a bit as his left hand lifted my tank top up, pinching my nipple as my moan finally slipped out. The moment his fingers curled, that’s what did it. I couldn’t keep them in, my moans slipped out like small gasps and were only low enough for him to hear before he pulled his hand out of me right as soon as I was about to climax.

My legs were like jelly, nearly losing my balance as I looked at him shocked. “What’s wrong? You wanted me to keep going?” He asked as I nodded quickly. “Why should I let you cum? Especially how you acted today?” He asked while picking my cape off the ground.

“I-I’m sorry, but Levi please. I’m begging you, l-let me cum!” I gasped out, my clit stinging in disarray while I whined softly.

“You said I-“

“Daddy, Please make me cum!” I cried out loud enough for him to hear, closing my eyes while panting softly. “Please make me cum and I won’t do it ever again!” I added as everything moved in a swift movement. My shorts dangled off my ankle that held high in the sky while my other leg barely held up on the ground. I wasn’t even able to adjust to his thick size as he slammed deep inside me.

My wetness drizzled down my legs while my hand touched his hips to slow him down while he hovered over me. “F-Fuck..T-T-Too deep! Fuck me!” I whined, my nails gripping his abs as he ignored my pleas. God someone’s going to hear us, someone’s gonna find out. Someone’s gonna know.

My first climax rushed past as the second was approaching full swing. My legs wobbled before he snatched my other up, letting the other down as I instinctively wrapped them around his waist as I pulled him close. “Look at you, in absolute bliss all because of me..” he growled while smirking, I knew he was. Levi could get cocky at times and fuck was he good at it.

“Who can get you like this, Brat? Who’s Captain of this pussy? Who does it belong to?” He asked, while my nails gripped his shoulders. “Y-you! It belongs to you! It’s Levi Ackerman’s! I-It’s yours!” I screamed, unknowingly while my eyes rolled back. My tongue slipped out, I sucked in deep and quick gasps as my climax slammed into me like a crashing wave.

My toes curled as I squeezed him, squirting all over him. His moan echoed in my head while he gripped my hips, slamming himself inside me at a rough pace until he climax, his tip filling me up while we pant in unison.

Once we calmed down, I moved my hands off his shoulders and kissed his nose. “Were you jealous?” I asked suddenly as he scoffed. “I don’t get jealous over stupid things like that, I knew that kiss wasn’t anything.” He responded while I gave him my best ‘really’ face.

“I just didn’t like the fact he was all over you, if our relationship is public or not. He should understand boundaries.” He finished, setting me back on my feet, grabbing my shorts. “And you are jealous because someone kissed your secret girlfriend, don’t worry Levi. I understand.” I said slipping them on as I fixed my shirt.

“I’ll talk to him in the morning and settle t-“

“Oh Daddy!” Someone moaned in a mocking tone as we paused. My eyes grew as big as saucers as I looked up from the cliff as Eren, Jean and Connie all poked their heads out. “Go captain! Get some!” Eren commented as embarrassment flooded through my body. I looked at Levi as he looked at them with a look he usually gave to Titans, the silent rage in his eyes as he spoke.

“You’re all dead.”

[tomtenadia]

In your arms

Rowaelin moth - Day 15 - Bad day

This is set in the Island Dreams AU.

This fic is basically three years after the wedding scene and somewhere before the epilogue which is 5 years later.

Aelin had a bad day at the hospital and Rowan looks after her.

Aelin loved her job. A lot. When she got offered the job of senior emergency surgeon she had been ecstatic, especially after the London drama. She had many years of experience in a big trauma centre in London and a hospital on the islands would never be any close to the madness of the capital. There were days though, when a smaller sized hospital showed just how difficult it could get.

That was one of those days. She and Malcolm had been running around the A&E non stop directing the show and supervising the treatments. They had victims of a car crash happened just outside Stornoway, two different patients airlifted from two different locations with sever injuries, and on top of that the usual influx of people. Her day had got even worse when a 3 years old girl was brought in after an extreme allergic reaction to something she ate. According to the mother’s tale she had started having trouble breathing very quickly after the ingestion of the food. By the time the girl was brought in she had already been without oxygen for too long. Her heart had stopped beating soon after. Aelin had stood near the mother and tried to comfort the woman who had gone in shock herself at the sudden loss of her daughter.

Once free again she had rushed to the toilet and emptied the contents of her stomach. Then sat on the bathroom floor and cried. It did not help that she was pregnant and hormonal. The girl’s death had hit her badly.

Her two girls, Freyja and Morrigan were the same age as the girl she had lost. The idea of losing them was so painful that would just send her into a full panic attack.

And now she and Rowan had decided to give it a go and add another member to their family. After months of trying they were finally successful and they now had a boy on his way.

Slowly she made her way back into her office and plopped heavily in her chair, her head in her hands while tears still run down her cheeks.

She picked up her mobile and phoned the one person who could help her.

Rowan picked up immediately.

“Missing your husband this much?” His voice cheery, but her chest tightened and more sobs broke through.

“Aelin, are you okay?” He asked her when he heard her sobbing over the phone.

“I just…” her voice broken “I just lost a three year old girl.”

Rowan was silent for a moment probably looking at the twins who she knew were at the bookshop with him.

“How?”

Aelin sobbed once more “anaphylactic shock.”

“What can I do?”

“Nothing. I just needed to hear your voice.”

A moment later she heard a girl’s voice and realised that Freyja had rushed to Rowan and now wanted to talk to her mum.

Aelin spoke to her daughter for a bit until she stated that she had to go back slaying the dragon.

“How have they been?”

Rowan chuckled “Morrigan has been playing quietly on the mat and coloured a couple of pages of her book.” He sighed “Freyja in the meantime has slain three dragons, saved a prince in distress, went on a quest to find the perfect marker and now is helping me tidy the books in the history section. If she sits down for five minutes I call it a success.” 

A small chuckle left Aelin. Their daughters were identical physically, but they were complete opposite when it came to behaviour. Morrigan was like Rowan, calm and quiet. Freyja was a hurricane. Constantly moving and full of energy.

“You could have left them with my mum.”

“Ach, mo chridhe, you know I love having them in the shop. I had a busy day and Freyja just loves to charm the customer with her babbling.”

After a moment of silence Rowan spoke again “how are you two?”

Aelin’s hand went to her stomach “baby and I are fine. The nausea today is not too bad.”

“You need to take it easy.”

Aelin huffed “I worked when I was pregnant with the twins, surely I can manage with just one tenant.”

“I know, but remember what Yrene said.”

“Tha.” She replied. She had been taking Gaelic lessons for a while now, especially because they had decided to raise their daughters to be bilingual, so Aelin had been putting effort in it. But her progress had been slower than she expected and she was still very shy in showing off her language skills.

In that moment her pager went off and she groaned. It was definitely one of those days “Ro, I need to go. Give a kiss to the girls.”

“Will do.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too, fireheart.”

She hung up and ran outside, ready for more drama and a shift that didn’t seem to end. Malcolm met her halfway “Accident in a farm. Crush injuries and chemical burns.”

“This day just gets better and better,” she grabbed the protective gown he passed and while walking to the the A&E she donned the gear.

***

It was later than expected when she did manage to leave the hospital. It really had been the day from hell and all she wanted to do was curl on the sofa in Rowan’s arms while watching the twins play.

She stepped in the house and was quite taken aback by the silence. Their house was never quiet.

“Rowan?” She called, while dumping her messenger bag at the entrance and shedding shoes and jacket “Ro?”

He appeared a moment later with a towel around his waist and Aelin blamed the hormones because in that moment all she wanted to do was to jump him, but with the girls around that was a treat that would have to wait.

“Taking showers without me?” Seeing him in front of her, washed away the tension and the stress of a horrible day.

Rowan opened his arms for her and Aelin crashed in his embrace, his lips kissing the crown of her head.

“Where are the girls?”

“With your mum.” He explained “I thought that after the bad day you had, you could do with some peace and quiet and some care from your husband.” He took her hand and walked upstairs to their bathroom. He opened the door and Aelin gasped. The lights were off but there were candles all around the tub, which in turn was filled with bubbles and foam and Aelin could smell her favourite bath salts.

“I just thought you and I could relax…”

Aelin threw her arms around his neck and kissed him “you really are the man of my dreams.”

He kissed her back and then his hands started to rover along her body “but first… we need to get you out of these clothes…” he whispered and turned her so that her back was against his chest. Slowly he removed her shirt and then the trousers, his hand caressing her bump that had started to show. He then unclasped her bra and soon after her knickers were gone too. Aelin turned in his arms and begged for a kiss he did not deny her.

“You are stunning.” He said softly while his lips teased her neck.

Aelin in response snorted “I will be a stranded whale again, some of the weight I gained from the twins never left me and I have horrible stretch marks. Seriously, you need glasses.”

Rowan’s kiss deepened and her legs went weak. After three years of marriage he still had that power over her.

“You are gorgeous. And those marks are proof of the amazing job you did to bring our girls into the world. They don’t bother me.” 

She seemed to believe him and hugged against his chest “sorry,” a small sob broke from her lips “It was such a horrible shift today.”

“Shhh…” Rowan took her hand “nothing a bath with your husband won’t solve.”

Rowan slowly climbed in the big tub and then took her hand for her to follow him.

She sat against his chest, water lapping against her skin. She dunked her head under the water and then leaned it against his shoulder. Rowan grabbed some shampoo and slowly started massaging her scalp.

“This is perfect,” she moaned and Rowan kissed her neck, while his hand trailed down her arms in gentle caresses “just relax in my arms, I am here for you. Let me take care of you.”

Aelin closed her eyes and let the feel of him wash away the dreadful day she had. The pain, the anguish and the fears.

“Thank you for always being at my side. For being my rock.”

Rowan gently kissed her head “when I married you I promised I would be at your side in difficult times…” his hands covered her bump “You are my everything and making sure that you are fine after a dreadful shift goes under my job of husband.”

Her head turned slightly and kissed the length of his neck.

“At our wedding I also promised chocolate cake and, after we finish our bath, I have it ready for you.”

“Good,” she whispered while turning and straddling him. When they fixed up the house they got a bathtub large enough that would allow them to have some fun in it.

“Aelin…” his warning tone. She knew he was not keen on them having sex while she was pregnant, no matter how many times Yrene had told them it was okay.

“I thought you said you’d do anything to make me happy…” her hands slipped under the water and gripped him “your wife is asking you to help her forget.”

At those words he caved because knowing she was okay and happy was all he cared about.

And slowly, in her husband’s arms Aelin forgot about death and pain and only felt his love… healing.

In his arms, love pushed away all the pain.

[justkending]

The Number One Rule. Chapter 16.

Series Summary: Y/N has always been seen as “Steve’s rambunctious sister.” However, she grew up, graduated, and moved to London to study abroad for 4 years and get her bachelor's degree. The girl that returns looks nothing like the teenager that left, but don’t worry the attitude is still there and stronger than ever. What’s to come of the two grown adults that used to push each other's buttons, but now have a lot more in common than they’ve ever realized.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Y/N Rogers (Steve’s little sister)

Word Count: 5700+

A/N: This chapter is going to give us quite a bit of background information and some throwback memories. I really enjoyed writing this one and creating a past for these characters. All of them. Let me know what you think! I’m so excited to share this one with you all:)

Chapter Sixteen:

“You know, I thought that we were close enough that you could come to me with this kind of thing. That you wouldn’t feel like you had to hide it from me. Y/N and you both,” he said with pursed lips. “Guess I was wrong.” 

With that he turned back and walked to his car. Bucky watched as he started the engine, pulled out, and disappeared. 

What the hell kind of mess just happened?

Bucky stood there for a second. He couldn’t wrap his head around what just went down in the slightest. Steve was no longer angry at him, he caught onto that. Or at least he thought that was the case. 

No, Steve was disappointed. That was far worse than hatred coming from your best friend. Coming from anyone really, but the person you’ve been joined at the hip to, for 26 years? Yeah. That punches you in the gut and knocks all the wind out of you.

Eventually, remembering Y/N was upstairs probably pacing the ground and biting her nails not knowing what was happening, he started moving to the back porch steps. 

He wasn’t even three steps into the kitchen before Y/N was around the corner rushing to him.

“What happened?” she said looking up at him and instantly putting her hands around his upper arm. “Is that blood? Did he hit you?” she said gently, but urgently as she grazed over the split lip. “Oh, I’m going to murder him,” she said through her teeth, immediately moving to the back door. 

Bucky caught her by the waist and pulled her back into him. 

“Don’t. Don’t. He’s not out there. He left,” he explained as he tugged her back into the kitchen.

“He left? He just punched you and left?” she questioned. A fire in her eyes swirling just as much as the storm Steve had in his earlier. The types of rage are completely opposite, but at the same time just as furious.

“We talked after he punched me, but can’t say I didn’t deserve it.” Disappointment dripped from his own words.

“You didn’t deserve it, B. No one deserves getting punched about something like this.” The fire started to dim as she focused her energy back on the brunette that still had her wrapped in his arms by her waist. His eyes downcast, looking as if in another world. “Hey, talk to me. What happened?” Gently she brought her hand to his cheek and convinced him to look at her. “Talk to me, please.”

They moved to the living room and sat on the couch facing each other. Bucky had almost seemed distant, as though touching or being close to her now was a crime. No doubt Steve’s words had an effect on him in the moment.

He explained pieces of what happened. Mainly just how Steve was upset thinking they were sleeping together, and when he cleared that up, he had just expressed his disappointment of the two. He was upset and deeply hurt that they felt like they had to hide this from him.

“Could he blame us though? He literally split your lip after finding out,” she motioned to him, scooting closer to place the ice covered by a washcloth they got earlier, to his lip. 

“I’ve taken harder hits, doll. And even if he got me pretty good, I could tell he was holding back at least some.” He placed his hand over hers and sent a sad smile before taking the homemade ice pack for himself. 

“This is going to be hard to come back from with him, isn’t it?” she asked, saddened by the pain she caused her brother. Bucky could see multiple thoughts running through her head as her eyes moved back and forth while looking down. “We aren’t going to end this though, are we?” 

Her tone broke Bucky’s heart hearing her say that. The pain, worry, and complete devastation of the idea was playing like a movie in her eyes. 

“What? No!” he said, quickly shutting that idea down as he dropped the rag and grabbed both her hands. “I love Steve and I would do anything for him, but I have to draw a line- Well, I have to draw a line when it affects my happiness.” She looked at him hopeful. “In the end, I know he’ll come around. I’m not going to lose you just because of this hiccup. Sure, I don’t really know how long Steve’s going to hate me, but we’ll work it through. Nothing can hurt us that bad. You know that.”

“I do, but it still worries me.”

“Don’t worry, Y/N/N. Really, he’ll come around. It’ll just take time.”

___________________

And boy was it taking its sweet ass time…

Two weeks had passed. Bucky and Y/N still went about their love life the same way. Not wanting to rub it in Steve’s face, they steered clear of Bucky’s shared home with him. Bekah had been talking to a guy herself, and spent a lot of nights over there, so they took advantage of her empty apartment when they could. 

Luckily they wouldn’t have to worry about that too long as Y/N was looking into renting a flat herself to get some of her independence back from coming home. Of course, she worried about her mom, but Sarah was sweet and said she understood and was excited for her. She was taking more shifts at the hospital anyway, so they rarely saw each other with their opposite schedules. Sarah did make her promise Sunday dinners to continue, as it was tradition. 

Speaking of, Steve had conveniently had a work thing come up each time, so he had missed the past two weeks. 

“This is so unlike him. He usually moves his work schedule around Sunday dinners, not the other way around,” Sarah sighed as she handed a bowl of a roast over to her daughter. 

“He’s not too happy with me, Ma. I think he’s avoiding me,” she mumbled. She was all happy to be over before her mom mentioned him.  

“Why would he do that? You just got home a little over 2 months ago. That’s barely anytime I would hope for you two to start a fight up. Let alone one that I’m realizing is going on two weeks,” she said with a knowing look as she sat across from Y/N.

“It’s hard to explain. He has a good reason, but he’s also being childish about it,” she said poking at the potatoes and beef on her plate. An old irish recipe. 

“Hmmm, I see.” Causally, Sarah went back to eating as if her understanding wasn’t questionable. 

“You see? What exactly do you see?” she asked tilting her head and raising an eyebrow at her mom. She knew that look. It was the, ‘mom knows everything, even if you think she doesn’t,’ look.

“It’s quite obvious to anyone who has eyes, but I’m not going to put my comments where they don’t belong.” Again, so casual as she took a drink of water and went back to eating. 

“Sarah Rogers, you little spy. What do you know?” Y/N chuckled. Her tone was joking, but deep down intrigued. 

“Why don’t you say it dear? I don’t want to have my foot in my mouth if I’m wrong,” she gestured. “Not that I’ll be wrong, but I’ll give you a chance,” she winked. 

She eyed her mom for a second. The two sending the same stares and telepathically talking.

Then it hit her. 

“Oh my GOD! You know?!” Y/N jumped almost out of her seat, but considering the table was in the way, she sat up straight and hit her knee. “Ow, shit.”

“Language,” her mom chided. 

“Sorry,” she mumbled. “But you knew?” her disbelief coming back. “How long have you-?”

“Lord, as soon as Bucky set his eyes on you coming home. I mean of course I wasn’t there when you saw each other for the first time after all these years, but when we had dinner that night? He was practically fawning over you,” Sarah shrugged, going back to her meal.

“He was?”

“Plain as day, Mini. Though, I wouldn’t put it past you to not notice, considering he acted almost the same when you two were in highschool.”

“What?!” Y/N jumped again. Her food was long forgotten. 

“Actually at that point, I think you both were blind to it. Bucky may not even known back then,” she tilted her head.

“Okay mom, you’re throwing a lot of things at me at once. I can’t keep up, can you elaborate some?” Y/N threw her hands up as if to stop her from moving forward anymore.

“Where to start?” Sarah put her silverware down and brought her elbows up on the table before interlocking her fingers and looking off as if watching the scenes replay in front of her. 

“Freshman year, you were part of the crew that was in charge of the cancer carnival to raise all the money for that charity. You had come home and were going on and on and on about all the different ways you had come up to raise that money. Photobooths, dunk tanks, crazy games, snowcones, and all that fun stuff. Bucky and Steve had just come in from playing basketball in the driveway and were getting something to drink. Steve laughed as you went on and teased you about how you should be put in the dunk tank, and Bucky just had this look in his eye. Pure admiration for your excitement for that specific cause. That and you told your brother off showing even more how dedicated you were.”

“That was oddly specific…” 

“Oh, I’m just getting started…” Sarah had a devilish amused look on her face. “But I guess I’ll just stick with one for each year.” She waved off. “Sophomore year, you were invited to prom from an upperclassman. Who was it?”

“Peter Quill. Ugh, I remember that. He ended up ditching me that night halfway through the prom.”

“Hmm mm, Steve had called saying they were leaving early to bring you home. You were upset and bored not knowing really anyone else there.”

“I honestly had only said yes because I wanted to go to the dance with another upperclassman and rub it in Brock’s face at the time. Bucky and Steve were seniors, so they were there too…” She thought back. Her chin in her hand as she listened to the stories. 

“Well, Steve brought you home and Bucky was with him. I guess Bucky’s girlfriend at the time had the flu or something and couldn’t go, so they went with a group of guys.” Sarah got a little sidetracked, but quickly reeled in it. “Anyway, when the night was over, they had already planned on going to Bucky’s for the night. However, I came around the corner after they dropped you off and were about to head back out, and I saw Bucky was convincing Stevie to stay here that night.”

“What? That’s why they were here? I remember that actually... There was an after party at another seniors house.” Sarah raised an eyebrow knowing what happened after parties, but not knowing that was where her son had originally planned to go. “Sorry, but you know how high schoolers are. Don’t act shocked,” she chuckled. “I remember them going, but they came home pretty early.”

“Wonder why…” Sarah sighed to herself taking another bite of food before it got cold. 

Not hearing her, Y/N went on. 

“Bucky and I talked that night at like 1 in the morning to like 4. We ran into each other in the kitchen getting a late night snack, and it turned into a whole deep talk,” she thought back. “One of the few times we had a conversation like adults instead of pushing each other's buttons.”

“Yes, and you were so stunned and surprised by it, you gushed about it to me later,” Sarah nodded. “Little did you know, you had woken me up at the time and when I came to see what all the noise was in the kitchen, you and Bucky were laughing about something on the kitchen floor with your backs propped up on the cabinets. A stash of junk food sitting between you two as you talked.”

“But what does that have to do with-?”

“I came in when you were going on and on about a new history topic that you had dived into that month. You didn’t even notice him with wide eyes and absolute fondness for how smart and passionate you were on the subject. You were too busy talking to notice, I’m sure,” she laughed. 

Y/N had to think back a little further for that memory, but it popped up. “Oh God, I was going on about the progression of execution styles in the Roman times,” she threw her head in her hands of embarrassment. 

“Yeah, crazy thing to be looking at a girl like that in that kind of conversation. Talking about chopping people’s heads off wouldn’t be something I see a boy fawning over, and he looked at you like it was the most amazing story to be told. But then again, there he was. Completely blind himself.”

“Wow… I forgot about that moment. I remember the night, but some details are a little fuzzy. Not that one…” she whispered. 

“And the way you talked about it the next day? You had the same look. Subtle and hidden, but deep down I could see the wonder in your eyes.”

Y/N smiled as she leaned forward like a child at story time. “What about Junior year?”

“Let’s see. By then Bucky and Steve had gone overseas. We didn’t see much of them…”  Sarah was slightly saddened. She was proud of her son in those moments, but the fear and worry that comes with sending a child into war isn’t that fond of a feeling. 

Y/N reached across grabbing her moms hand and giving her an encouraging soft smile. Clearing her throat she started again.

 “In saying that, there may have been a moment in person, but they only came back for a month that whole year. I didn’t like that year,” she shook her head. “Who sent you all those letters though?” She asked looking back with that same knowing look. 

“Steve… and Bucky. I wrote to them both, and I was surprised when Bucky asked me to write to him as well.”

“Didn’t expect that one, hmm?” Sarah smiled. “I don’t know what was written in them, for all I know he was just sending you jokes and teasing you from over the sea like your brother did here and there... But I have a feeling there were some personal things said too.” 

“I actually kept all of those. They are in a box in my room. I have Steves in there too,” she smiled fondly as if she had completely forgotten them. Though she could never actually do that. She remembers very well all the excitement of running and checking the mail in hopes of another one being delivered. From both of them. 

Her mom was right, there were a few teasing and goofy ones, but the longer he was over there, the more serious they got. There were some crazy terrifying stories and confessions to fear in those. He had mentioned he was only writing to his family and her, but she always wondered why he sent her things like that and not his family. 

She had asked Becca once about a letter they had received, and they were sweet, but they disguised the sense of fear and longing to be home. He didn’t want his family to worry. 

That’s when Y/N started taking their writing more seriously. She would practically let him vent and write out all his struggles and frustrations while over there, and Y/N would send back distractions of random history facts (which by the way, he asked for personally even if he jested her at home for them). Then she would tell him about her week, something else he asked for, and try to send words of wisdom and reassurance for his time. 

He appreciated those and Y/N appreciated him trusting her with those thoughts. It’s not like he could send them to Steve when Steve was going through his own war over there with him.

How did she not pick up on the rise of finding respect for the other during then? The start of full-on admiration. 

“Those letters stopped coming in the next year,” Y/N deflated in her spot. The next wave of memories contained her senior year. “Well, they came, but I never could get around to writing back with everything happening.”

“You’re graduate year… Steve came back home after we got the news. It took him a while to get approved, but they dismissed him from duty out of how much he had already served in his short time there. Brave man, your brother,” she says chuckling to cover the tears that were already forming in her eyes. Her daughter's eyes matched. She grabbed her hand again, this time giving it a loving squeeze. “That was a very hard year for all of us.”

“Steve came back, but Bucky had to stay. But he somehow got time off for a few weeks to come visit…”

“Remember his first visit?” Sarah said with a sad smile.

Thinking back to that time of grief and sadness, she really had to dig. She didn’t really dust off those memories often. It wasn’t really a time you would want to look back on.

“The hospital,” Y/N eventually said in a hushed airless whisper. “How did I forget that?”

“Those were moments one doesn’t really want to recall often,” Sarah said with a new tear falling. She had a smile on her face, but it was sad and soft. Nothing stemming from joy. 

“We had just got the word,” she gasped faintly, trying to suck back the air that had left her body thinking of the horrible night. “After the surgery, one of too many, the doctors told us…” Taking a second, she hadn’t said this in a while as the family was hush hush when talking about the last days. “We only had a few months with him.”

________________________

5 years ago: 

“He… He wha-?” Steve stammered out. “But he was in remission, not too long ago. He was fine!”

He was furious with the new information. He knew there was a chance of these specific results as his father had a new surgery every month for the cancer. Trying to locate it, trying to cut it out, trying to shrink it, trying to get rid of it with all their might. Every surgery you go in, you’re about to learn if it’s worse or better. And this? This was the worse they had gotten yet. 

“I’m sorry, Steve. You know I don’t want to tell you this news, but cancer is a horrible horrible demon we have to face in this world unfortunately,” the doctor said. He had been with them the whole journey so the family had grown rather close with Bruce Banner. Someone their father actually worked alongside with. “Just when you’re doing better, it changes things up. I will say with all the past surgeries, we probably got you a few more months then expected. We believe a few months ago, without the treatment he's undergone so far, he would no longer be here with us today.”

“So we bought him a few months. What does that matter for, if it didn’t fix it all?” Steve shouted. The anger wasn’t toward the doctor. He knew that and they knew that. But he needed someone to blame for the shit he was being handed. He couldn’t just yell at the universe. 

“Steven,” Sarah had said softly. Speaking for the first time since Steve had started his rant. “Calm down honey. Shouting and screaming isn’t going to get us anywhere.”

“Nothing’s going to get us anywhere apparently,” he hissed. His hand coming up on his head as he looked up. After a second, he harshly ran his hand down his face and looked at his mom again. He could see her guard start to fall and Steve couldn’t handle having to be strong for them right now. He was too hurt. It was too painful. He was going to break and he couldn’t let them see him do that. “Ugh, I need air. I need to get some air. I-I can’t-.” With that, he walked in long strides to the elevator and the exit. 

Sarah shook her head at the tears escaping without her consent. Turning to Y/N, she saw her youngest looking slightly downwards, frozen. Her nails were already being bitten from her nervous tick, and her eyes showing she was no longer on this earth mentally.

“Y/N,” Sarah said, taking a deep breath and standing taller. “Why don’t you go wait in the waiting room? Sit down, ok. I’m just going to talk to Dr. Banner real fast, hmm?” 

No answer. She patted her shoulder making him jump slightly as if she had never consciously been there to start. She gave her a nod and Y/N nodded back and started mindlessly heading to the waiting room with her arms folded tight across her body for comfort. Any comfort…

“Y/N?” 

She had been mindlessly looking at the ground in the chair she sat in. She couldn’t tell if it had been 5 minutes or an hour later from leaving the room with her mom.

“Y/N/N?”

That finally got her attention and she turned to see Bucky standing with his helmet in hand and jean jacket half-hazardly shifting off his shoulder from racing in from his bike. 

“B-Buck?” she said softly sitting straighter. 

Bucky sent her a sad smile as he walked to her, but he made it about 4 steps before she was running into his arms and clinging to him like he was air itself. 

“They can’t help him, Buck,” she finally said after crying for a few minutes while he ran a hand down her back softly and let her get it all out. “They said they can’t do anything further,” she pulled back enough to look up. Her arms around his middle and his around her shoulders. “We have a few months…”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Bucky sighed, finally getting the news he was waiting to hear, but this wasn’t what he was ready for. He could feel her heartbeat get faster, and at first, he just thought it was the hint to another crying session about to erupt. 

In which case, bring it on. He wanted to help her like she had helped him with all those letters of support. But then he noticed her start to slightly hyperventilate. He knew what those two combos usually come out to and he wished he didn’t.  

He brought her to a chair he was planning on sitting her in, but instead she plopped herself on the ground. Bucky instantly moved down there with her and looked her over. 

“Hey, hey, sweetheart. You’re ok. I got you. Take a deep breath,” he said, bringing her to sit in his lap and hugged her as tight as he could. The feeling of pressure was a calming mechanism for anxiety attacks. 

“I-I c-c-an’t,” she stuttered out with hiccups that were forming from her lungs needing air. 

“Yes, you can. Focus, doll.” He started doing the breathing exercises himself as a way to guide her since their bodies were intertwined. She needs to sync to his breathing. 

She stuttered a little, but her breathing was slowly calming down. 

“That’s it… You’ve got it. In and out,” he coached, feeling with each sentence she relaxed more and more. “You’re ok. I got ya. You’re doing great Y/N.”

Eventually she was back to normal. Well, not really. An anxiety attack like that is the kind that leaves you winded afterwards. Completely draining you from energy. 

He sat there and rocked her gently in their spot. Her back backed up to his chest and Bucky’s legs spread out with hers inside them as he kept his arms wrapped around her torso. The pressure helps, it really does. 

He whispered reassuring words while he played with her hair and then she leaned back and was reaching peak calmness. She turned her head on his shoulder and he looked down at her with his crystal eyes. Their faces inches apart, but nothing other than sorrow in their body.

“They said to be glad we had that long with him as every minute counts. Make all the memories you can in that time...” She closed her eyes for a second taking another deep breath before looking back at him. “How can you make memories you would want to have not so sad knowing the exact day your father could die? What good memories come from that?”

Bucky physically felt her heart in her chest break as if they shared the same one. The emotion he was reading in her eyes this time was one of the few that Bucky could never pinpoint. It was fear, sadness, depression, and longing all rolled into a scared Y/E/C eye colored girl’s orbs.

“You’re allowed to be upset Y/N. You don’t have to fake happiness during this time. Your emotions are there to be felt... But at the end of the day, would you want to look back at more fake happy memories or true and real happiness?” Bucky said. 

She wanted to make the next days her unhappy ones and leave it at that. He was right, she should and could feel sad and mad now. This situation called for it. But she didn’t want them to take up the majority of her last memories with her dad.

“Hey, you got Stevie and I,” he whispered in her ear as she turned forward again. 

“Steve just yelled at our doctors for almost 15 minutes straight from deniel and then ran out the door like a sissy,” her voice monotone, but he could hear the upset nature behind her words. “Steve’s just as messed up as me.”

“One, you’re not messed up in the least. Two, you are human. Shitty things happen and we have to go through it in each our own way. Three, no grieving process is the same. You’re allowed to scream in your pillow cause you're mad. Or cry for hours on end because you can’t comprehend it. You’re allowed to go eat a whole pint of ice cream by yourself because you're sad. Hell, I’ll join ya,” he squeezed her hand that he had interlocked together on their right side. A light start of a chuckle came out and she squeezed it back. 

“As long as you don’t insist on Rocky Road.”

“Really? I’m coming to your cry session and you’re banning me from my favorite ice cream? Some cry party,” he faked hurt. 

She let out an actual laugh and turned back to him. “I may have a cry party or two…” He nodded, showing he was proud of her for feeling that was ok and agreed with it. Her eyes showed the actual sadness behind the temporary humor, it was still there swimming around. Her smile wasn’t masking anything. “I guess you can pick your flavor you want to binge on. I get to judge you though if it sucks,” she joked.

She was distracting herself and he was ok with that. He would keep in that direction as long as she needed. And right now, she didn’t want to think about the inevitable. Remember, more happy than sad at the end. 

“What brand are we going for?” she asked. He wrapped his arms over her shoulders as she laid back on his chest in their sitting position. Her arms holding onto them in the front like the anchor that he was acting like. 

“Um, is that even a question?” he gasped. “I have good taste, Miss. Rogers. What brand do you think I go for?” 

“I’m going to say with that pretentiousness, that it’s Ben and Jerry’s,” she grinned, raising an eyebrow. 

“Nothing beats Ben and Jerry’s,” he nodded proud in his choice.

“Ok, but hear me out… Halo.” He looked at her like she was crazy. “It's like low calorie ones that are really good and kinda healthier than regular ice cream.”

“Darling, if I’m bingeing on some ice cream, you bet your ass I’m going to go all out. No low cal, shit. I want all the brownie batter.”

“Geez, you really are an ice cream snob,” she laughed more. “Guess you’ll have to try mine though because I promise you’ll join the dark side.”

“Dark side?” he asked. 

“Yeah, cause you’re eating healthy while eating ice cream, one of the most sugared things to exist. Actually, get this, In the 1880’s they invented the sundae, and after that, the amount of sugar we started adding to our toppings every decade, just kept going up in sugar.” When she finished her little fact splurge, Bucky was looking down at like she was crazy, but still smiling. 

“You’re strange, you know that? What normal person memorizes random facts like the year the ice cream sundae was invented? Or, what was it the other day?” he thought back.

“Oh, how the entire earth’s population can fit inside Los Angeles,” she remembered. “Then that led to talking about global warming, and then-…”She began listing off all the random things that followed after another. 

Her mom had peaked out the curtain 5 minutes ago to check on Y/N, and found her wrapped up in his arms comforted and then eventually laughing. They needed a little joy that night. So she took in every laugh Y/n let out followed by Bucky laughing or joking. Every single one is what got her through that night…

________________

“That’s when you saw it?” Y/N asked awestruck. She did remember that. That was one of her core memories with Bucky. She always glimpsed back to it when she was sad. It was advice she took seriously. You choose how many bad days you have. Choose wisely. 

“That’s when I knew it,” Sarah corrected. 

“Knew it? I thought you were talking about how he looked at me differently. What do you mean, knew it?” she asked, confused. 

“I had seen it all the time, but that’s when I knew he was head over heels for you. Seeing these things warmed my heart, but knowing it, gave me a whole new hope. As long as Bucky was there, you would be ok. He would make sure of that.”

“I thought that was so much longer ago…” Y/N said. “I guess I repressed it.”

“Bucky was your rock from day one, sweetheart. As soon as the world got dangerous for you, he became a huge protector over you. He checked in on you when he came over, he made you laugh, he knows how to push your buttons, but you love it. He’s a good kid Y/N.”

“I know. Which brings me to Steve being an ass and throwing a hissy fit about it.”

“Your brother is in shock right now. It was something he clearly did not see a mile away. Learning about it made him a little upset. I’ll talk to him.”

“Ma, I don’t need you to talk to him. You do that and he’ll be even more mad and think I tattle taled on him. Child,” she huffed. 

“Fine, then you better tell him. Because like it or not, I’m going to have my family dinners on Sunday, and I want BOTH of my children there. Not just one every once and awhile. Plus, you’re moving out in just a few weeks so I need you to get this done cause I’ll miss you,” she smirked. 

“Ok…” Y/N groaned basically being told to apologize and make amends to her big brother by her mom. She wouldn’t put it past her mom to ban Y/n from late night reading for punishment of not fixing it. She’d done it in highschool. She’ll do it again. “I’ll talk to him as soon as I can corner him. He’s been avoiding Bucky and I like the plague.”

“Well, then let’s set a trap.”

“Mom!”

“What? You need to fix it sooner rather than later and I want my kids to not hate each other. So, I’ll invite him over tomorrow for a makeup dinner and say you’re going out and won’t be here,” she started planning. “He won’t say no because I won’t let him. So he’ll come and you stay in your room until we’re settled, and then ta-da! He’s trapped.”

“Did you have this already typed up or something?” Y/N pulled back curiously shocked. Shaking her head out at her crazy organized mom. “Who’s to say he doesn’t stand up and walk out? I could about 99% see it going that way,” she nodded. 

“Honey, I’ll be home. He’s not leaving. Not while I’m here at least,” she winked. 

“You should become a serial killer as a side hobby. They would never catch you with how well planned out you are,” she teased her mom. 

“I thought about it once, but didn’t go my way,” Sarah stood up walking to the sink, winking.

“Mom! You’re on a roll tonight,” Y/N laughed loudly, throwing a little pea at her. 

“Hey, you make my kitchen floor a mess, and I may reconsider that side hobby,” she said pointing to the pea rolling away. 

“Ma’am, yes ma’am,” Y/N chuckled.

(Tags for this series will be closing soon as it is getting pretty full, please send an ask if you want to be added:)

I’ll post on whatever chapter I decided to close it down here.

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[1994sunflower]

Now that it’s summer does Mikey and y/n ever have a pool day where they go to a waterpark and just swim for the day?? I have a hard time seeing someone like M like swimming but he would take his girl if she loved swimming as much as I do.

yeah michael isnt a huge fan of swimming and less of waterparks

too many people

his tastes are more…..indoors

but you liked swimming and everything summer had to offer, the sun, the fun, the relaxation and the feeling of the cool water

it wasnt hard to convince him when you were practically vibrating from excitement and you werent above putting on the big, innocent eyes you knew he could never say no to

plus, the idea of seeing you in a bikini….well, it made it quite easy for michael to put aside his aversion to agree

prepare for a lot of stares

which werent for the reasons you usually got stares at school where michael’s reputation was well known

having michael shirtless with only swim trunks on?

meant every single inch of skin covered by tattoos was also visible to everyone

and that was sure to capture attention (some judgemental ones too)

maybe thats another reason michael hated waterparks

but you didnt care because you could literally drool with how good he looked in your eyes

there was pride to be able to be holding his hand as you two made your way around

though your stark differences also made the attention that much bigger

you were just so petite, which seemed so much more obvious when you were wearing nothing but a two piece

whenever michael wrapped his arms around you, his big hands covered a lot of your exposed abdomen and you loved seeing that evidence of how much bigger he was, how much he stood out from behind you even when you stood in front of him

his hands would always be splaying somewhat on your body

partly because he could see a different type of stare

the stares of many boys - particularly hormonal teenage boys - on you

not that he could blame them

but he was annoyed nonetheless

he’d follow you everywhere even if you were just getting ice cream or something, glaring like an angry dog behind you to everyone who dared look at his girl

you were the same

you noticed the way girls were looking at your boyfriend, up and down and the giggling/whispers that followed

he looked hot after all

whenever you went into the water without him because he always perferred to just watch you from the sidelines having fun than going into the water surrounded by so many people

or maybe if he was feeling up to it, at the edge of the water with only his feet in the water

sometimes girls would come up to him

you were never sure if he realized they were flirting with him or not

because he never really took the time to listen to them

just looked annoyed at the disruption from watching you and as deadpanned and cold as always as he looked at them, disinterested

whatever he said to them, theyd always have a hurt or angry look on before they stormed off

but you hated to even let it get to that

whenever you saw a girl approaching him, you’d go to him almost immediately, beating her there

beggining and whining for him to join you

and always smiling triumphantly whenever he agreed to whatever you wanted, weak for you like always even when it wasnt something he’d usually want to do

then he’d be in the water, chest to your back and hands on your hips as he followed your lead in whatever fun you wanted to have in the giant pool

the jerk might even pick you up with how easily he could and dunk you in the water as you squealed at him to put you down

he’d do this sometimes of his own accord too because he didnt want anyone seeing you alone and getting the wrong impression that you didnt have a boyfriend

you never knew that though, always looking so surprised that hed want to join you or thinking he changed his opinion

sometimes his hands would wander, especially under the straps of your bikini bra or the band of your bottoms at your hips and you’d have to smack his hand away but you’d never seen him look so playful whenever you looked up and saw his grin

he didnt admit it but he was enjoying himself and the easy going aura of the day

he surprisingly never forgets sunscreen but its because 1. he doesnt want you getting sunburned and 2. he uses it as an escuse to feel you up

but youre also guilty of this too

you love being able to touch him, especially rubbing over his tattoos that you love so much that you never get to see in their entirety in public

you always steal a lot of kisses

especially with his wet hair, curling into his face and dripping at the tips

you couldnt help it

but he didnt mind, he always pushing you into him further and his hands squeezing some parts of your body that might not be so appropriate in a place bustling with families

but oh well

he’d do all the rides with you though 100%

you wouldnt even have to ask

he’d just do it because he wanted you to have the best time and he wanted to have a good time with you as well

especially on the rides that you were scared to try out like some speed slides

he’d tease you about it but be your support whenever you actually tried

and low and behold, you’d see some big smiles out of him throughout the day

even your grumpy boyfriend couldnt hold back having fun when it was a day out with you, especially when next to your giggling and screaming self as you excitedly experienced the park

even in such a crowded place, you two somehow still feel like youre in your own little world and that no one matters except for you

its just great, a great escape from your normal stress

especially seeing michael so happy and laid back for once when hes usually so tense and angry

because its just you two and the comfort, love and trust you always have with one another