#but maybe yeah it a) wasn't all my fault b) wasn't a comment on my personality (which i tend to interpret these things as)

[rowenabean]

not a fan of people who say "everything happens for a reason" because actually sometimes things happen because a person makes a bad decision - from fear, or hurt, or thoughtlessness - and the things that happen because of it can still be bad even if God is still there in whatever happens next

[toon-tales]

Hiya! Have a Branch sick fic featuring Brozone AND Kismet cause I'm bored

Enjoy!

Btw, tell me if you have any comments, I gladly accept and welcome criticism

The battling brothers

Branch may be sick, but he knew darn well the competition going on between his eight, biological and adoptive, older brothers.

He knew both groups loved him, he loved them too. Both of them. But now, as he lay sick and weak in his bed, he was starting to question whether it was a good idea to let Kismet know he was sick. It was Poppy's idea in the first place, something about all of them bonding or whatever.

"Can I have some water, please?"

"Sure, baby brother." John and Ablaze glared at each other.

"He was talking to me," the cyan troll hissed.

"As if," the other muttered. "He was clearly asking me."

Branch groaned, bracing himself for another round of bickering. "Not again…"

But his voice was drowned out by his brothers' as an argument broke out between them, again, each taking a side and spitting at the other. This wasn't the first time this has happened, and Branch was used to it by now, though it still triggered a minor panic attack whenever it did. He just wanted everyone to get along, was that too much to ask? Maybe. He was getting tired of having to cancel a hangout with a band just to make it up to the other, he was tired of the constant fighting, which often ended with them forgetting his needs.

He. Was. Sick.

"He's my baby brother!"

"He's our baby brother, actually!"

He tried to diffuse the tension. "I love both of you-"

"Stay out of this, Branch," Hype shot, willingly ignoring how stern it came out.

Floyd eyed him. "Hey! Don't talk to my brother like that!"

"Yeah, dude, he's sick," Clay stood by his brother.

"And now you suddenly care?!" Branch winced. This wasn't going to end well.

"Of course we care!"

"Twenty years too late!"

Twenty years too late. Branch had been trying to forget about that. Why did they have to reopen his wounds when he had finally almost stitched them. Don't talk like that, he forced himself. They didn't mean it, they would never hurt him. In and out through your nose, he thought, just like we practiced. But he could feel the harsh words spreading through the room, words of accusations going back and forth between the two groups, Kismet usually throwing them first.

"We were young and foolish, alright? Is that what you want to hear?"

"We want you out of-"

"Enough!"

Silence arrived just in time. No one should know what the next words were.

The purple troll glared at Hype, giving him a warning glare before turning to the youngest. "Branch, you have to choose."

Branch's eyes widened. "What do you mean-?"

"You know what I mean, Branch."

"None of us can keep going on like this," the leader of the blood brothers chimed. "It's either us, or them."

Trickee smirked. "That won't be so hard, right, baby bro?"

But his adopted brother stayed silent, eyes darting between his and the others' set.

"Branch?" He smiled nervously, reaching out to hold Branch's hand. But Hype put a hand in front of him.

"I see how it is."

The sick troll pushed himself up, blinking as the room spun around him for a second. "Wait, no-"

"You really choose them over us?"

"That's not– please-"

"Come on, guys. Let's get outta here." A beat. "But don't come crying to us if they leave you again." And with that, the room was filled with heavy silence as Hype and his group walked out, leaving Brozone to try and keep Branch in bed.

"B, they'll be back in five minutes." Bruce scoffed. "They're just making a scene."

Branch wasn't even listening, not making a single attempt in resistance as his brothers finally tucked him in his bed.

"Now, we'll stay with you tonight-"

"I wanna be alone…" It was his turn to interrupt.

"What? We're not leaving you-"

"Please…" he begged, swallowing hard as he tried to think of what to do next, and a thought, one he had been trying to bury, was telling him he shouldn't have gotten so attached. It was his fault.

He knew this was going to happen sooner or later, the way the two groups never stayed near each other, with John, Bruce, Clay, and Floyd sleeping in Rhonda, and Hype, Ablaze, Boom, and Trickee sleeping in his room, each wrapped in his sleeping bag till the next morning. And the cycle had been repeating itself - he would ask for something, a member of each group would fight over who would get it for him, and by the time they were done, he would already be fast asleep. But this time, it had taken an unexpected turn, one he wasn't prepared for.

Which was the main reason he was now making his way to the kitchen in the middle of the night. He needed to get his mind off things, and maybe he was a bit hungry. His brothers? Absolutely not. They'll rub it in the other group's faces in the morning, and Branch wasn't in the best state to intervene this time.

He stumbled out of bed, almost falling face first onto Boom– Boom wasn't there. Hallucinating as well, add that to the list. Deep breaths. One foot in front of the other. How hard can this be? The sick troll mumbled under his breath, not sure whether he was assuring himself or trying to follow the rules to keep his balance, but either way, he was in the kitchen– he was in the kitchen? He must be more tired than he thought, but definitely not more than how hungry he felt.

But he did it. He was in the kitchen, and he didn't even know when he had put the water to boil, nor when he had prepared it in the first place, but he did it.

He did it.

That was a bad idea.

Very bad idea.

Branch was now clutching the kitchen counter, feeling as if he might collapse if he let go for a single second. He tried to look for something, anything, to lie down on, but much to his liking, there wasn't. Or maybe he was too disoriented to notice any.

Think. But he couldn't. He felt as if Branch.exe had stopped working, and he desperately tried to make sense of what was happening. Wasn't this a simple fever? He's dealt with those before, when he was alone, and this has never– okay, maybe it did happen a few times, but he had always pulled through.

Which was what he was going to do now.

Think. What do you do when you feel on the verge of passing out? Lie down. He just had to lie down till this spell passed. Lie down, slow and steady to the floor– a thud. At least he was now in a safe position, yeah. He'll just lean his head against the wall and wait.

His eyes snapped open briefly as pain shot through his skull. It wasn't supposed to hit it that hard, but it'll pass. The pain will pass.

He just had to breathe. In and out. Nice and slow through his nose. Why wasn't his body working properly? Why today, when he was by himself?

But it's okay. He'll keep his eyes open. He had to keep his eyes open. No one, and he means no one, is allowed to see him like this, not Poppy, not anyone, and definitely not his brothers - adoptive or blood.

He'll tough it out, just like he always does.

Safe position? Check. Breathing steady? He'll come to this one later. Eyes open? Definitely not check.

But he'll be okay. He'll be okay. He just had to hold on, hold on till whatever was happening passed. He'll just open his eyes– okay, that was a bad idea. The room was spinning harder, but he'll manage on his own. He's done it before, and he could do it again. Close your eyes. Open your eyes. He didn't know what to do, didn't know which rule to follow this time.

He can't do this on his own. He needed his brothers. All of them.

"Guys…" Was the last thing that left his lips before his consciousness slipped away, leaving his limp body lying slumped on the kitchen floor.

—------------

"Branch? Wake up."

"Wake up, baby brother."

"Call the others, quick."

Was all he managed to hear before he let go again.

Then someone was slapping his face.

"Branch! Branch, wake up!" A somewhat urgent voice reached his ears, a voice that, for whatever reason, made him open his eyes, albeit groggily. And sure enough, eight figures were hovering above him.

"You with me?" It was John, his hands cupping his youngest brother's face and searching for any signs of distress.

Branch nodded.

"You okay?"

He didn't know. Darkness was clouding his vision.

"Branch, focus!" He felt a sting against his cheeks from where John was trying to fully awaken him.

He let out a faint groan, sluggishly swatting at the eldest's hand.

"What happened? Can you tell us?" This was Floyd, his voice filled with concern and forced calmness.

"I was… making some soup… then everything started spinning…" he stammered, "I-I don't want to choose, Hype…"

Said troll shook his head. "It's okay, it's okay, you don't have to–"

"I love everyone–"

Boom bit his lip. "Branch, please calm down, you're stressing yourself out."

But the tears were already welling up. He wasn't in the right state of mind, they figured.

Kismet members exchanged uneasy glances. "It's our fault, just please, calm down."

"I don't want anyone to leave… not again…"

Ablaze placed a hand on Branch's forehead, feeling the heat radiating off of his brother. He looked at the others and silently shook his head.

"Branch, no one is leaving, alright?" Hype tried. "But you're making yourself sick, you have to calm down, yeah?"

Branch nodded.

"Can you stand?" Clay was already helping the glittery troll lift Branch to his feet.

Branch struggled along, even as his legs wobbled beneath him and he had to rely on his brothers to get him back to his bed. Great, they thought sarcastically. They were doing more harm than good.

"I-I–"

"Shhh, shhh, it's okay," Floyd cooed. "Just calm down."

"Nice and slow, through your nose," the blue troll instructed, noticing how Branch's breathing became shallower with each step.

Trickee sighed. "You shouldn't have overdone it like this."

The heartthrob nodded. "Yeah, Branch."

However, Boom was more concerned about the almost-full medication on the bedside table. "Have you been taking your medicine?"

"No one gave me water…" It came out more vulnerable than he had anticipated.

"No one did…?"

The sick troll looked up, tear-filled eyes scanning his brothers before pulling the covers over his face. "No." That said, he turned around and closed his eyes, already drifting off to a restless sleep.

—-----------

When Branch woke up the next morning, he was met with the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Coffee. He smiled slightly, he missed that. He let out a content sigh as he made his way to the kitchen, ready to be met with scolding from Kismet, and another later from Brozone.

But the scene in front of him? That was something even him was not expecting.

They were here. All of them. Well, of course they were, after what happened yesterday, but that wasn't the case, they were together, in one room. He rubbed his eyes then looked again. This was real.

"Morning, B," Floyd greeted softly, handing Hype a cup of coffee and sitting beside him, mindful of his own.

"Morning…"

"What are you doing out of bed, young man?" Branch really had to remember this was his brother talking to him and not his grandma.

"I-I was-"

"Back to bed." the purple-haired troll interrupted, "We'll bring you your breakfast."

Branch just nodded silently, slowly making his way back to his bed the kitchen. We?

They were talking. They were chatting, even, all together. They didn't fight over who would bring him breakfast, which was highly noticeable given the events of the last few days. But the dull troll didn't care about that now, and his lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. They were together.

And for once, reality seemed to be better than his imagination.

[unproduciblesmackdown]

I am going to be seeing one of the us tour stops!!!!! my sister is seeing a different one as well :) we are both going to attempt to audio 🥾, as well as keep an eye out for anything particularly kleinsen or of note with jared. i will sadly be in the far back of the balcony so my audio quality may end up quite poor, but she will be close up. its very exciting! imo i find it kinda depressing that the public opinion of deh has changed to be kind of negative bc i feel like it still has so much to offer, and for all its faults, the usual criticisms are not really what it does wrong (i still cant believe people want to apply punitive justice to the plot of deh????) anyway im hoping this tour goes well so we get more deh :)

oh hell yeah, that's fun to also be hitting Different Stops & the power of multiple people's observations (& perhaps recordings) of different performances, plus focusing in on Jared Observing specifically

i'm not in any kinds of loops but does feel like the trend of Twitter Dunks On DEH Movie Trailer (wherein it wasn't really relevant to actually talk about stage show deh unless you were saying "i didn't know anything about it" or "well i always hated it") &/or then the following whole movie was pretty Momentary & idk how any of it was received offlinely even if it wasn't a Phenomenon like the stage show being something that gets these whole other adaptations & possible "oh yeah i've heard of that i think" status more broadly lol. i suppose it's also possible that maybe Now the status of [what's deh?] to anyone who doesn't have a lot of info on that already could involve like, the vague awareness of the movie in whatever ways, but i sure was thinking the other day that that initial like critical darling commercial hit bway deh context might now be the more relevant one again just b/c the movie was never so big a deal & like, who's still posting about that, plausibly Overtaken, & what a tragedy when like truly the Let's Get Critical (as a theoretically neutral term) points made were all like Not actually engaging with the material, often not accurate, often superficial. & really even prior to the movie being on anyone's radar the "evan should be arrested as the ending of deh" like yeah that'll show him & us & like what are you even talking about lol. presumably just talking about the "rip to your protagonist but i'm different. i would of stopped it. can you believe someone might have broken a law (US territory's, God's)" no i just can't believe it....

anyway idk the summation of that is that every twitter media analysis moment that i've ever had to see, incl in its spread to other sites, has been a curse; but also that as a rando tuned in to no circles anywhere ever, i'm like yeah i dunno by now the "deh movie doesn't make much of an impact except in a Posts Trend talking about the least relevant aspects of a trailer or making things up about deh stage musical to have the ostensible Hot Take while it's now simply the Trend-Supported Take actually" like wow the vision....but seems feasible that's now relatively a blip in the like factors going into a Random Person's Familiarity / Context For DEH & "wasn't that a movie i didn't see" might still be a motivation to check it out. like naturally don't need [deh stage productions: continued] to like be a phenomenon like bway deh was or expect that, but it's always Interesting to have Whole Other Productions to be seen & discussed, as well as tie into discussion of that initial broadway run (& its prior stages) which is actually more substantial & interesting than "it was terrible all along & i knew it all along too" takes just yknow breaking out the classics like that deh is about how [choose something to frame as always bad] is always good. or complaining about actor's physical traits

(bonus comment: don't know much of anything about much of anything, including the deh uk tour, but interesting that i think at least in advertisement seems like they're leaning into the Teen Story focus? & not like having an Ensemble that ramps up the [Kids At School(tm) dancing in the hallways with their backpacks] element might not emphasize that as well. though yknow it doesn't change the script & story lol but like, that in speaking of actually relevant deh analysis / criticism, always seems like part of the reception to bway deh is like, being right Before an uptick in bway shows ft. teen protagonists (if not influencing that at all) & having the focus on Adults / Parents to "offset" the teenage plotlines (in that i don't think that needs offsetting, but that the influential Reviews do) like no yeah but it is a story about teens. and the adults / parents but their stories are still Part Of the story of evan the teen protagonist)

[sizzlingpatrolfox]

I agree with your anon, yeah I'm sorry jk's stalked (I'd still like to remind everyone how fans were applauding him for being a rebel for doing lives however and whenever he wanted but now no one likes to mention that) but look how he speaks out once it bothers HIM. It's so funny how similar his tone was to when th b*tched on weverse when it was smth he wanted to speak out on yet both never cared for the harm their shippers cause and lets not fool ourselves they're well aware of it all. I also agree to an extend when pjms say jm had serious criminal violation of privacy involving his documents and active death threats and he never made a victim of himself and none of those things can be said to have been fueled by his own actions either.

I personally think lives from his house are okay and shouldn't pose any danger. It all started when BTS went into hiatus and I'm sure all angles were considered, both from the company and the members themselves (about doing lives from their homes).

However, I've always said that his words and behavior was dangerous. Falling asleep on camera, the continuous and excessive flirting, help me wash up, do you want me to pick you up from work, yes this is a date, we're on a date. It's all stuff he says to the fans from inside of his house. It gives people the wrong idea. He's made himself seem available to the fans. I've always said that I don't think it's appropriate of him to make such comments.

I'm not justifying stalkers, and I've said that BTS members do put boundaries but fans usually don't care anyways and they cross those lines. People will always cross the line somehow. But I do believe Jungkook could've avoided this. Of course, he probably didn't think it was possible for something like this to happen.

Everyone knows where all the members live, yet Jungkook seems to be the only one who goes through stalking and/or invasion of privacy like this. It has happened twice already in two months? I'm sure the other members also get followed around and stalked, maybe to a lesser degree, but only going from what we know, there's a pattern.

I couldn't help thinking too that there's an element of image in rejecting the fans food. Aside from the obvious danger in eating something a stranger left at your door, it would reflect really bad on him to accept people buying food for him. Fansites used to send expensive and copious amounts of gifts to BTS until 2017. After DNA, BTS said they would no longer accept material presents from fans, only letters were allowed. I couldn't help but to think about that, too. A multimillionaire accepting food from fans. He just can't, from several moral standpoints.

There is no excuse for what happened to Jimin with his insurance issue. And yes, it was criminal. As weird as sending food or gifts to someone who didn't ask for them can be, it's not a criminal act. But having your house documents and personal ID numbers stolen and leaked, it is a criminal act. Not to mention it was apparently Jungkook stans / taekookers who leaked it. Any other company would've already had something resolved on the case but instead hybe just said "oops, my bad" and moved on. I don't think there's anything Jimin could've said anyways because the damage was already done, the information was out there already, and he isn't really one to go out and talk about his personal life like that. Even more considering that it wasn't even his fault, since the company was in charge of his medical insurance.

[aita20bucks]

@am-i-the-asshole-official

Thank y'all for helping me get a little closure on this. It really did feel absolutely bonkers at the time and for a while after, and I'm autistic so I always wondered if I really did fuck up, like, if there was some huge social faux pas involved that I didn't know about, or if it really was as extreme as I thought it was.

Here's some additional context for some comments and any future voters that I thought was too long for the original ask, or that might have biased things in my favor/against C.

(tw: drugs)

- A comment mentioned maybe C was dating B or getting territorial; C was gay, I'm a lesbian, and B was straight. They didn't have anything going on but they were extremely close, B called him her brother and me her sister, but yeah it could still have been a jealousy thing. I don't think he liked sharing B.

- A comment pointed out this is one of those that sounds so crazy op has to be lying, and I can see that now with this input, but this is everything I remember about the situation and I did spend a long time assuming I was at least partially at fault.

- B and C were really into ecstasy when they could afford it, and that was what C wanted to do that day. B and I smoked weed together and I trusted her, so I figured I'd try it once. Idk if I just got a dud or what, but it just didn't do much for me. C said I 'killed the vibe' by asking questions like 'when's it supposed to do something' after they'd already been rolling a while

- C eventually pressured B into trying meth with him a couple weeks before all this went down (I didn't know this until the end)

- a comment did note it seemed a bit extreme to cut off B for this, and they're right there was a little more to it. I absolutely Do Not Fuck With Meth as a rule, and when she came to my house and we had that last argument that's when she told me about what they'd been doing. She said she really liked it and didn't see the harm in messing with it "a little," and swore she'd stop before any side effects/addiction. She didn't know if the harassment had happened while they were/he was high, but that it had "changed him" a little so I couldn't confirm it had anything to do with this directly but now that I know I wasn't the weird one here, yeah it was probably just the meth lol

- I didn't care if she wanted to do that on her own/with C, but she couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't be on it around me/wouldn't want to "share" it with me like the molly/wouldn't dabble in other shit like heroin. She was really upset about being "forced to choose" but didn't want to quit, so she did have some agency in ending things.

- A happy ending for B though: this whole thing was nearly two decades ago now so long since over, but I did look her up on FB once several years after, and she looked happy and healthy and had started a family. I like to think she did eventually move past the chaos at some point and I genuinely hope she does have a great life, she deserves it.

AITA for trying to repay a small debt through a mutual third party?

This happened a long time ago, but I sometimes remember it and still think 'wtf' so I wanted to see if I was actually TA here.

At the time, my friend "B" was good friends with both myself and "C." B really wanted us to all hang out together, I'd never met C. After a while we finally did hang out once, and C insisted on doing something out of my budget. He also insisted that he would loan me the $20 and I could just pay him back later. I didn't want to accept at first because I wasn't sure when I would see him again to repay him, but he told me I was being a buzzkill and to just accept, so I did.

Several months went by and I indeed never saw C again, but a situation arose where I helped B out by giving her a place to crash for a while, and when she left she really wanted to repay me somehow but said she could only afford $20 at that time. I told her not to worry about it but she wouldn't let it go, so I said that if it was that important to her to pay me back, she could just forward that $20 on to C since she saw him frequently and we'd all be even.

A few days later C used her phone to start blowing me up with texts about how I was the absolute biggest asshole for trying to "force B to pay my debts" and "taking advantage of her," that I was a "coward" for not doing it in person, that I was "irresponsible" and a "loser" and a "leech," told me B actually hated my guts and how they both loved to make fun of me together, etc etc. I tried to explain but he wouldn't stop, so I just blocked her number.

A few more days later, B showed up at my house crying, saying she didn't agree with anything he said and that she didn't want to lose me, that she and C had gotten into some harder stuff that "changed him into an asshole" and to "not take it personally, he's really a nice guy," etc, but avoided directly answering when I asked why she let him use her phone to harass me about it, or if she agreed that I should have just taken her money and then tried to meet him somewhere to pass it on to him myself even though she saw him almost every day. I told her I was done with the drama and didn't want to be involved with whatever they had going on. Never saw her again.

Was I the asshole to try to repay $20 through a mutual friend?

What are these acronyms?

[wonderlandleighleigh]

Could you write some more Schneiders in Stars Hollow?

(It isn't my fault that the line "Lenny was supposed to bring the matches" appears in Star Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers in season 1)

"Why did we never stay for the Firelight Festival before?"

"Because we always left right before Thanksgiving," Lenny responds. "We never stayed the whole year before."

"I had no idea it was so beautiful," Midge says, marveling at the decorations in the town square.

"You've had to much punch," Lenny chuckles, wrapping an arm around her.

"That punch is no joke," Midge warns him. "I thought the stuff at the B. Altman Christmas party was strong, but they don't fuck around here."

"Apparently."

She cuddles in against him. "Let's give up our very lucrative careers and retire and stay here all the time. We can torment Taylor until we die, and then haunt him after."

"God that sounds romantic," Lenny teases.

"Ooh, someone's had too much punch," Lorelai giggles as she steps up to them.

"We don't normally stay for the Firelight Festival," Lenny explains. "But since we're here the whole year this year..."

"Midge got into the founders day punch."

"And how," Lenny chuckles.

Midge gasps. "We were here one year! The- Two years ago, remember? We came back for this! for the night! We had a night free and we came back, and then- they asked you to bring the matches and you forgot."

"On purpose," Lenny adds, chuckling.

"Lenny," Lorelai admonishes playfully.

"It was a good gag," Lenny defends. "Watching all the chuckleheads who've never smoked a cigarette or a joint before scramble for some kind of match or lighter. Harry and Taylor punched each other over it! I did that."

"I married a funny man," Midge grins proudly.

"Yes, you did," Lorelai giggles.

"Luke gave me free coffee the whole night that night," Lenny boasts.

"Yes, he did," Midge confirms.

Lorelai giggles. "They didn't ask you to bring the matches this year, did they?" Lorelai asks.

"Never again," Lenny confirms.

Lorelai laughs more and smiles at them. "It's been really great, having you guys here the whole year."

"Yeah, I didn't know if we'd like it," Midge admits. "We're such city people, but it's been fun."

"Our kids are furious," Lenny chuckles. "Really mad that we missed Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, but they all survived without us."

"Having everyone over for Latkes was fun," Midge beams.

"You almost burned down the house, and melted your pretty fingers off in hot oil," Lenny points out.

"In a fun way," Lorelai interjects. "That was fun."

"Yeah," Lenny agrees. "Who knows. Maybe we'll get old enough to slow down completely and just stay here one day."

"The kids would kill us," Midge comments. "But it'd be nice....I want more punch."

"No you don't."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not carrying you home."

Midge pouts and looks to Lorelai. "He never carries me."

"You're a strong young woman, you've got legs," Lenny reminds her.

"He's been saying that for decades."

They stand in silence for a long moment, watching the fire and Lorelai takes a breath, looking to the couple.

"You know, this festival makes everyone super sappy and romantic," she comments. "And every year, I find myself alone when it happens."

Midge smiles at her and takes her hand, patting it gently. "I know it's hard to be patient. Especially when things like this pop up and it's just...everywhere. I've been there."

Lorelai looks confused. "When?"

"On an impromptu trip to Paris in 1959," she explains. "There was this bridge...the uh...the Pont des Arts! And I'm walking at night, and I'm just...surrounded by all of these couples, holding each other and kissing...and I was alone. Joel had broken my heart - again - Lenny wasn't an option yet, and I was miserable."

"So what did you do?" Lorelai asks.

Midge shrugs. "I kept moving forward. Things always turn around, Lorelai. Keep trying, and keep moving forward."

"What're we talkin' about?" Luke asks, stepping up to them.

"Sappy romance stuff," Lenny tells him. "And that one time Midge's mother ran away to Paris and no one noticed for two weeks and they found her living in a one room apartment with a broken chair, no toilet and a tiny dog."

"Luke will you get me more punch?" Midge asks.

"That stuff will kill you," Luke says automatically.

Midge snorts. "Oh please, Sophie Lennon once tried to brain me with a Grammy award, I'm invincible."

"If I get you more founder's day party punch will you tell that story?" Lorelai asks, looking mystified.

"Yes I will."

Lorelai dashes off.

"Dammit," Lenny grumbles. "Now I really am gonna have to carry her home."

[tuiccim]

The Partner Trap

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader     Word Count: 1438

Warnings: Enemies to lovers, sass

Prompt 31. Pranksters trap Person A and Person B together.

Summary: You and Bucky have an abrasive relationship at best until your teammates decide to trap you together.

A/N: This is for @adorkably​ 100 followers writing challenge! Congratulations, Angelcake! ILYSM!

Tony had bought out the entire fair for Stark Industries and the Avengers. The fairgrounds was alight with music, laughter, and squeals of delight. The Avengers team laughed as Bucky and Clint competed at water guns. Clint proudly carried his prize around and needled Bucky as much as possible. You and Natasha danced around to the band playing. Steve told stories about Coney Island. Sam dragged everyone to the wildest rides. The entire team had a blast as you went from ride to ride together. 

The only sour note was the bickering between you and Bucky. Today, it had started when the two of you were forced to sit together on one of the rides and Bucky purposefully took the seat you wanted. It got to the point that Tony threatened to duct tape both your mouth's shut. Natasha and Clint were sent in to separate the two of you. 

As the day was coming to a close Nat dragged you to the Mirror Maze. The two of you giggle as you got lost and confused by the maze. You hear someone coming around the corner and turn with a grin expecting Natasha. However, you run into Bucky.

"Ow." You say as you slam into his broad chest. 

"Such a whiner." Bucky grouses.

"Such a jerk." You brush past him.

Suddenly, the lights in the maze turn out and you hear doors slamming. 

"What the fuck?" You say.

"Hey, you two still in the Mirror Maze." Tony's voice comes over the loud speaker. "You didn't make it out in time, so now you get to stay here until tomorrow morning. Why don't you figure out why the hell you have such a problem with each other. Good night, losers." Half the lights come back on as Tony finishes.

"Tony!" You yell. 

"I'm gonna kill you, Tony. Clint, too!" Bucky yells. 

"Why Clint?" You ask.

"He's the one that drug me in here." Bucky says.

"Nat made me come in. Those three assholes planned this." You look around at the predicament you find yourself in. Stuck in a disorienting maze with the biggest jerk on the team. "Payback's a bitch!" You yell.

"They're gone. Why are you still yelling?" Bucky snarks. 

"Because I fucking want to!" You shout.

"Why are you so annoying?" Bucky yells.

"Why are you such a jerk?" You holler back. 

"Whatever." Bucky walks away from you. 

"Yeah, go! Go find a way out." You say.

"If I do, I'm not bringing you." Bucky throws over his shoulder.

"Ditto, asshat." You wander through the maze and make your way back to the beginning. There's no way out you can find and the doors are padlocked from the outside. Turning back, you wander until you get to the end where you find Bucky. 

"It's padlocked from the outside." He says.

"Same at the front." You say, deciding to try to be civil. 

"I could try to punch through it. Metal doesn't seem too thick."

"Oh, yeah, that'll work. I mean we'll be cut to ribbons as the mirrors around us shatter, but go for it." You snark.

"Well, what do you suggest, princess?"

"Don't call me princess, geezer." You lean on one of the mirrors and cross your arms.

"You're the one that started the name calling."

"I believe you called me whiner first." You shoot back.

"Not what I meant, genius." Bucky throws out. 

"Oh my God! When are you going to get over that! I called you Mister instead of Sargeant when I met you. It was a slip of the tongue! I wasn't calling you a name." You exclaim.

"It was disrespectful." Bucky growls as he stares into you. 

"So was refusing to shake my hand." You spit.

"Well, after the looney bin comment you really expected me to?" Bucky comes toe to toe with you. 

"Is that what made you so mad?" You say in disbelief. "I didn't know you had such great love for Senator Nichols. I'm so sorry I offended you." You roll your eyes. Being a supporter of the senator gave you another reason to dislike Barnes. Senator Nichols was an egomaniac with delusions of grandeur. 

"What are you talking about?" Bucky looks at you and you see some of his snark melt into real confusion.

"Senator Nichols. I said he needed to be in the looney bin, not joining us for a party. That's why you hate me so much? Because I made a stupid comment about a senator I don't like?" You look at Bucky and watch his face move through an array of emotions. "Barnes?" You try to snap him out of his thoughts when the realization hits you and your mouth drops open. "You thought I was talking about you. You thought I meant you?"

"I, uh, yeah." Bucky says contritely.

"No wonder you hated me. I wouldn't be too keen on me either." You say, reining in a smile. 

“So, that comment really wasn’t about me?” Bucky asks. 

“I’d never met you. Why would I say something like that about you?” You ask incredulously. 

“Because I was a brainwashed Hydra assassin?” Bucky says.

“Well, I guess that’s true. Some asshat might make that comment because of that.”

“Why did you hate me so much then?” Bucky asks.

“Uh, let’s see. You refused to shake my hand, reprimanded me for calling you mister instead of sergeant, and proceeded to treat me with disdain every time I was anywhere near you. Didn't make you very likeable."

"Guilty. I, uh, I'm sorry." Bucky says while rubbing the back of his neck. 

"Thanks." You look at him for a second. "Want to start over?" He asks. 

"I don't know. I'm pretty good at hating you now. I mean I could do a dissertation on your faults." You grin at him. 

"Come on, Doll, give me a chance to prove I'm not a total jerk." Bucky holds out his hand.

You stare at it for a second before putting your hand in his and shaking. "Okay." You smile. 

Eventually, the two of you end up sitting across from each other and talking. A few hours go by as you talk, laugh, and learn about each other. You find Bucky sweet and funny. You can tell Bucky's opinion of you shifts as well. 

"You're shivering, Doll." Bucky notices.

"It's a little cold." You flash a smile.

"Come sit with me. I'll keep you warm." Bucky grins. You move next to him and cuddle into his side as he wraps an arm around you. "That's better, right?"

"Yeah, thanks." You look into Bucky's eyes. He stares at you and then his gaze drops down to your lips for just a second. You lift your chin and his lips brush against yours lightly. 

"Is this okay?" Bucky asks after he pulls back.

"No." You say and reach up to cup his jaw. "I want more." You smile as his lips descend on yours more firmly and his tongue finds its way into your mouth. 

Abruptly, the rest of the lights come up and Tony's voice comes over the speaker again. "Okay, you two, that's enough. Break it up. Time to go. You didn't really think I was going to keep you here all night?"

"Still gonna kill you, Tony!" You say as the exit door opens revealing a grinning Natasha and Clint.

"Hey guys. Have fun?" Clint laughs.

Bucky smiles at Clint and then takes off in a chase.

"Won't take Bucky long to catch Clint. Hopefully, he doesn't actually kill-OW!" Nat cuts off when you punch her in the arm. 

"Really? You lock us in together?" You seeth.

"Yeah. Did you finally figure out why he hates you?" Nat asks.

"Yeah. He overheard the looney bin comment I made at the party." 

"Oh, crap. Did you apologize?"

"For what? I was referring to Senator Nichols with that comment." You smirk.

"No, you weren't. You… you lied to Bucky?" Nat furrows her brow. 

"Better than grovelling." You shrug.

"You have to tell him the truth. Apologize." Nat says.

"No. We're in a good place now. He and I can finally be friends. And more." You grin devilishly. "And you won't tell him either."

"What's to stop me?" Nat says.

You simply raise an eyebrow at her. 

Nat's eyes widen, "Fine." She says as she stalks away. 

A few minutes later, Bucky reappears, "Clint will think twice before pulling a stunt like that again."

"So will Nat." You laugh. "Ready to head home and maybe we can continue our discussion there?"

Masterlist

"Sounds good, Doll." Bucky says as he wraps an arm around your waist.

Part 2?

Permanent: @bubbabarnes @badassbaker @thefridgeismybestie @strangersstranger @cherthegoddess @buckyluvrs @sherlocksmanwatson @cap-n-stuff @finleyjayne @caplanreads @connie326 @daydreamerinadazedworld

Divider by @whimsicalrogers

[steelthroat]

Thanks for the tag- sbbfgggjjg

1: how many works do you have on ao3: only 5 of them...

2 ao3 total wordcount? 24,538

3 what fandoms do you write for: transformers and "original work" (in my drafts at least)

4 top five fics by kudos: huh- well- idk let's see:

Sore Wings (valveplug)

Snowball fight (HOW IT'S UNREADABLE????)

The spark that started the fire[...] (everyday I regret making a title so uselessly long)

Missing home

Glitch, glitch, glitch

5 do you respond to comments: EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. Like aaaaaah thank you I will lay down my life for you if you comment 🥺

6 fic you wrote with the angstiest ending: idk I haven't published that one- I can't even say the title bc that's a heavy spoiler but it's going to be megop ofc

7 happiest ending: snowball fight? It's very silly and childish (not in a derogatory way but in an objective way) and I wrote it before Christmas so yeah feel good story and stuff ahahahaha

8 do you get hate on your fics: one fic kind of got me in a risky spot, but I'm not going to elaborate. It was fucking dumb. And I'm kind of bitter about it because it wasn't even my fault.

9 do you write smut: yeah.

10 do you write crossovers? The craziest one? No, maybe one day but definitely not now.

11 have you ever had your fics stolen? Highly doubt it lol

12 have you ever had your fic translated? Nope, but I was thinking about translating one myself

13 have you co-written a fic before? No but I'd love to (but I'd also say that for the level of insight and help my beta reader gives me I'd say they deserve the title of co-writer so also yes kind of)

14 all time favorite ship: megop but it it changes every day other than that. Atm I'm trying to promote Blaster/Impactor toxicity around for example

15 a wip you wanna finish but you doubt you ever will? I hope none of them??? I wanna finish everything... but hm the spark that started the fire [etc] is well- uh- before even looking in that fic's direction I'm gonna have to HEAVILY edit and change things because I hate what I did. So yeah kind of abandoned but not really.

16 writing strengths: idk about my english writing I'm figuring out. But I have many ideas so I think that's cool. In italian my writing has made some people cry so that :)

17 writing weaknesses: lack of motivation (but I have good excuses... decent at least)

18 thoughs on writing dialogues in another language in your fics: yes? And with the translation I know that you can do a little trick with html and stuff but I haven't looked too much into it. When it comes the time I'll see.

19 first fandom you wrote for: transformers... no wait it was Amon apocalypse of devilman OVA. It was on a notebook when I was 12 and god I'm so glad it doesn't exist anymore- please omg just remembering that thing existed gives me war flashbacks aaaaaadhfhfhfhfh

20 favorite fic you've written: published? Huh- idk they need to be edited. My wips: ATWOO♡B is coming out nicely :3

I am afraid of tagging for this one but please people, if you feel like it you're more than welcome

Ty @skeletonsgeorg for tagging me yayyyy

1.How many works do you have on ao3? 35

2.Whats your total ao3 word count? 82,086

3.What fandoms do you write for? Transformers but mostly about Megatron and stuff :3

4.what are your top five fics by kudos?

The faded mourner named Megatron

Isaac’s latest assistant

I trust you(valveplug)

Permission to touch(valveplug)

Well, Well, what do you have here?(valveplug request)

Sorry for the nsfw ones I’m just warning lol👉👈

5.do you respond to comments? Yessums I love responding!

6.what is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? Ooh- um my Jetfire angst fic : Just your toy // I’ll never be clean again. No comfort only ptsd :C

7.the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Idk I have fics that aren’t finished yet I’m not really sure! Maybe my Megasound fics :3

8.do you get hate on fics? Not yet!

9.do you write smut? Yes. A lot. Like a degenerate🌸

10.do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve ever done? I do but only two, a dbd x transformers au for two fics or my shade lord from hollow knight x d-16 fic

11.have you ever had a fic stolen? I doubt it my fics are dumb and not worth stealing so

12.have you ever had a fic translated? Naur

13.have you ever co-written a fic before? Yeah I’m currently doing one with mainenorth but he hasn’t continued his part yet I gotta remind him 😅

14.whats your all time favourite ship? Kilomegs, megamax and megafire :3 but I have so many ships with Megatron I love I could go on forever and ever. I just gave my top three to save time

15.whats a wip you wanna finish but doubt you ever will? Ough idk I have a lot but I wanna finish :((((

16.what are your writing strengths? Uhhhh megatron stories. Being so real. I can do well when Megatron’s in my works which is most of them

17.writing weaknesses? I start a fic and don’t finish it :(

18.thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? I haven’t written in my second language yet but I think it’s cool when people do that! I read a dbd fic where the huntress spoke in Russian! Yummy stuff

19.first fandom you wrote for? Transformers again

20.favourite fic you’ve written? Um- idk I’m too critical on myself-

Tagging uhhhh : @withoutalice @mainenorth @steelthroat uhhhh

And anyone else who wants to join🌸

[outerbankslut]

Confessions... JJ Maybank (ptersparkers’ Writing Challenge)

Summary • You had been dating JJ for the for a few months after meeting him a year before and during a Kegger one night he gains the courage to confess something.

Warnings • Underage Drinking. Swearing. Mentions of smoking weed. JJ being hella cheesy and cute. Minimal violence (punching). Makeout scene at the end and insinuated smut after.

Word Count • 3.2k (Imagine)

Masterlist

(GIF isn’t mine, let me know if it’s yours)

    BEER ROCKED DANGEROUSLY over the side of the red solo cup held in JJ Maybank's hand as he bobbed from side to side within the crowd of sweaty, buzzed teenagers. He was 7 beers and one joint deep and it had barely been 2 hours. But that was JJ for you. Getting hammered at parties and hooking up with random tourons would normally be his plan for the night. Until he met you. His life drastically changed with you around. He stayed round your house, you hung out on the boat together, you surfed with each other, comforted each other. You both enjoyed each other's presence. You felt safe in each other's arms.

Eventually JJ asked the million dollar question, not marriage though. Yet. He asked you to be his girlfriend on a boat ride, just the two of you as the sun set behind you. It was surprisingly romantic for the Maybank boy which you had told him. He simply kissed you on the lips and said when there was the right motivation for him to, which was wanting to spend every moment with you, he could be as romantic as he wanted.

JJ took the rim of the cup to his lips and let the beer wash down his throat as he turned, looking around him, searching for one person. Until he found you. His eyes landed on your head of hair standing by the keg chatting with John B gripping a similar red solo cup to JJs own. Except you weren't stumbling from side to side like him.

"Ellie!" He called out as he pushed his way through the herd of people and beamed as he saw you turn around.

"Took you long enough to get here."

As soon as he reached you he wrapped his arms around you tightly like a koala bear and nestled his head on your chest. You laughed at your boyfriend wrapping your arms around him, the vibrations coursing through your body to his as he inhaled your soothing scent. He felt so lucky to hear your laugh all the time. That melodic, enchanting laugh.

"How much have you had drink JJ?"

You asked. He pulled away counting on his fingers and held up three with a goofy grin before saying, "Five beers."

You chose not to comment on his maths considering he was already hammered so it wasn't his fault.

John B piped up from behind you, "I think he's had six or seven. And I saw him smoking a joint early on."

"Thanks, John B." You smiled, before you took JJs hand leading him over to a log that didn't have any people sitting on it. "How about we sit down, J?"

Then you felt a gentle tug on your hand as JJ stood still in the sand begrudgingly. "No, I wanna go dance."

"You look like you're about to fall flat on your face, J. Are you sure?"

"Yeah. But can you come with me? Please Ellie belly." He begged, pouting and you got so caught up in his wide innocent stare that you found yourself nodding. If JJ was there you would happily do anything with him.

He pulled you into the crowd as you made sure he wouldn't fall over from his inebriated state.

His blond hair was held back by a navy blue bandana but strays still brushed against the soft skin of his face in the wind. He quickly put his arms around your waist quickly as if to say you were taken. Both of you completely content as you put your own wound round his shoulders. It wasn't even a slow song playing as you both swayed in the moonlight but you acted like it was anyway.

After a while it got too much within the masses of people surrounding you so you left it with JJ following after you.

"Hey, where you going?" He asked his eyes widening at the thought of you leaving him. He didn't want you to ever leave him. The sight melted your heart. If this was your ex he wouldn't even have asked. And would've just stayed dancing, probably with other girls as though he didn't have a girlfriend at all.

"I'm just going to go further up the beach. Where it's quieter. You coming?"

"Yeah." He'd go with you anywhere. "Of course, I'll go with you."

You smiled and walked down the beach, your feet sinking into the sand with each step you took.

The waves were louder where you were. Mainly because there wasn't music blasting right in your ear or the loud chatter and yells of Pogues partying.

You both laid next to each other in a small area on the sand listening the water crashing against the shore not caring about the sand that most likely covered you head to toe.

"Hey look, El." He pointed his finger into the sky towards a cluster of stars. "That one looks like a dick." He smirked. "That's probably like the size of mine as well. You think?"

"Mmm, I think maybe a grain of sand is more comparable." You looked at him with with a teasing smirk and he sent you a glare. "Anyway, I don't even see—wait nevermind I see it now." You paused for a second laughing.

"What?" He asked poking your shoulder.

"Its—It's the big dicker."

JJ snickered at the pun and you fist bumped before taking his hand in yours. Eventually the laughter faded to a comfortable silence with JJ rubbing circles on the back of your hand and you holding onto his like your life depended on it. JJs touch was soft and kind and yours was reassuring and gentle.

All of the sudden JJ turned over in the sand facing you as you turned to face him too.

He cleared his throat before speaking, your faces only millimetres apart. "El, there's—there's something I've wanted to say to you about... for a while now."

He was slightly sobered up now at the thought of what he was about to say. It was big for JJ. Never once had he felt love towards someone other than his four friends. His hookups meant nothing and his family—well that wasn't love in the slightest. So for him to feel safe and comfortable with someone was rare and it was a big deal.

You laid in anticipation thinking about what he could be saying. There could've been a hundred things. But one thing popped up that made you feel giddy inside. Your mind was saying no. There was no way he was about to say that. If anything he was probably about to break up with you. But you swiftly made sure to push that to the back of your mind. Though you didn't know what to think at his long pause as he tried to find the words.

"Is it—is it something bad or—"

"No, no. Just don't freak out or anything cause I don't think I could handle that."

You pinched your eyebrows in confusion but nodded nonetheless with an encouraging smile.

"I don't know whether you feel the same way or anything, but I think—"

And just like that JJ was interrupted as John B ran over laughing. "Guys Popes about to do a Keg stand."

You looked bewildered to say the least. From your short time knowing the Pogues you knew pope rarely drank. JJ huffed quietly under his breath sending a scowl into the back of John B who was going back to the epicentre of the beach party. You pulled JJ up his hand which you hadn't let go of yet and paused holding him back for a second.

"Hey? Um, what was it you wanted to say?"

"Nothing it doesn't matter." JJ sighed and gave a thin lipped smile. The atmosphere was ruined now. He wanted it to be perfect. He wanted it to mean something. But it didn't feel right to say in that moment.

You nodded not convinced but let it go. If it was that important he would have said wouldn't he?

    AT TWO AM the party was still going and JJ had sobered up more, not wanting to be drunk if he was to try and tell you by the end of the night. He just needed to build up the courage again to say those words he'd been so starved of most of his life.

A lot of the Tourons and Kooks had cleared off going back to their holiday homes or mansions while the Pogues partied till dawn. Since they had no obligations, no one to answer to, nothing to lose.

Pope was completely drunk from the keg stand and Kiara was babysitting him for the rest of the night while trying to stop him from drinking even more.

JJ had strayed from you a few minutes before going over to talk to John B next to the campfire that was roaring while you manned the practically empty keg. You were sitting sipping on your own beer when you felt someone sit next to you and turned to see a boy who looked a little older than you.

"Hey baby." He put his arm around you as you grimaced attempting to push it off. "What do you say we get out of here  and go back to my place?"

JJ was facing away from you for a second before John Bs face contorts to confusion and the blond turns to see the boy with his arm around you, not him. Just some random guy.

"Um, no thanks. I have a boyfriend." You push's his arm off standing up and walking away until he grabs your arm tightly.

JJs grip on the plastic cup crumpled it and he dropped it to the floor as he stormed towards the scene quickly with a furious stride in his step.

"That was a little rude." His breath hit your ear and the intoxication obvious as you winced at the pressure on your arm. You looked from him to his calloused hand placing extra pressure on your arm probably leaving bruises. And then gritted your teeth in annoyance as you hissed, "Let go, asshole."

"You heard what she said asshole let go of her." The voice of your boyfriend rung out when the guy didn't relent and even having the audacity to let out a low chuckle.

"What are you her boyfriend?"

You saw the blaze in his eyes and shook your head. "JJ it's fi—"

"Yeah, actually I am. So I suggest if you've got any sense left in that pea sized brain of yours, you let go of her." JJs fists tightened slightly and his jaw clenched.

The guy let go of your arm with a scoff before pushing you forward roughly towards JJ.

"Fucking slut." He spat in your direction and turned to leave but the fire in JJs eyes only grew.

His arms caught you as quickly as they abandoned you when he gently pushed you away from him and ran at the guy tackling him into the sand. People who had gathered around gasped in shock. Though, what was shocking about JJ Maybank getting into a fight at a party?

You went to go forward but John B pulled you back shaking his head as he moved forward to pull JJ away from the boy who he had punched twice.

John B pulled his friend off putting a hand on his chest to stop him running towards the guy groaning on the floor. Luckily the guy ran off quickly not causing anymore trouble as you hurriedly stepped towards the boy grabbing his shoulders and looking over his face and body.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine. Are you okay?" He said as he looked at the red print left on your arm his hands grazing over it.

"I'm fine, J. You didn't have to do that."

"I didn't have to—Are you serious? Of course I did. He wasn't letting go of you. I wasn't just gonna stand there and watch."

"I—I could've handled it. I don't want you getting hurt just because you think I'm a damsel in distress who can't help herself."

"You're not just a damsel in distress you're my girlfriend. I did it because you shouldn't have to go through that, we're a package deal. I protect you and you protect me."

Your face softened. "J, I understand and thankyou, I just hate the thought of you getting hurt because of me."

"Well deal with it cause as long as we're together I'll take any punches thrown your way because I love you so fucking much!"

JJ let out a breath as he realised what he'd just said and his eyes widened. You stood frozen as the words spilled out, your feet stuck to the ground, your hands trapped at your side.

"You—you love me?"

JJ got over the initial shock of what he said and nodded furiously. "Of course, you're the most amazing girl I've ever met. And the fact that you care too just makes me love you more. I'll scream I love you from the rooftops if I have to. So that guys like that know that you're my girlfriend."

The boy suddenly got an idea as he spotteda red metal stand stuck in in the sand behind you. He sent you a grin before rushing over to the object climbing up holding his hands in the air and wobbling slightly before yelling to the crowd of Pogues. "Can I have your attention please, everyone?"

Your eyes widened at the realisation of what he was about to do and you held in a breath.

"In case you didn't already know I'm in love with Ellie Reed that girl right there. And she's my girlfriend so if anyone here was thinking about going near her. Think again, she's off limits!"

Your cheeks flushed red and your lip was quivering now while a tear trickled down your cheek slowly.

The boy you loved with your whole heart, loved you back. He jumped down from the stand and before he got a chance to walk any further you ran up to him jumping into his arms that he quickly outstretched. He twirled you around once you were safely in his embrace and you felt like you were on top of the world.

"You don't have to feel the same way. I just needed you to know." He whispered in your ear, he was honest and he was scared. Scared that once he said that you'd run away cause you wouldn't feel the same way. He was reluctant to even admitting this in fear of rejection. But sometimes you just need to say fuck you to your fears and go for it.

You shook your head pulling back and wiping a small tear that was in a puddle on your cheek. As he set you back on the sand you lightly hit his chest.

"You going soft on me Maybank? Oh wait no you already were before." You teased him but he didn't care. You wanted to make sure he knew exactly how you felt back. So you did.

"I love you too, JJ. Dating you has made me feel like I actually have someone who I could go to for anything. You're so supportive. And the way I've seen you with your friends, you'd do anything for them. And I admire that so much."

You took his bandana in your hand and said, "And I especially love this cute ass bandana on you." You grinned winking at him. JJ made a mental note to wear it more often. "You're an amazing person and boyfriend and I don't think words even express my love for you."

He beamed at you and he wrapped his arms around you, his own eyes watering slightly and he pressed a chaste kiss to your forehead. It felt like he was high. But he didn't need weed for the type of high he was on right then.

    THE DOOR WAS pushed open as you and JJ made your way through the entryway to JJs room lips locked. His hands slipped down to your waist grazing over the end seams of your top attempting to pull it up though it was tightly held on your body.

"Why is your top so hard to get off?" He grunted in frustration.

"I don't know. I'll just take it off." You pulled it over your head, throwing it to the side it hitting the floor and he stood still for a second.

"God, you're so fucking hot."  He breathed out before stripping himself of his baggy tank top and pressed you up against the door, it slamming shut in the process. You smiled against his lips suddenly feeling dizzy and euphoric as his hands roamed your body. You gripped his hair tightly, your hands placed on the back of his neck as he deepened the kiss.

You felt his hands tighten around your bare waist when you moved your hands from his neck down the sides of his stomach lightly brushing over his abs before you reached the button of his board shorts. You unbuttoned them hastily and he kicked them off not wanting to take his attention from you.

Then his hands went down to the skirt you wore. Pulling at the waist band before he pulled it down, his hands brushing over the red lace situated beneath.

He broke the kiss and began trailing them along your jaw before whispering in your ear. "Jump."

You did exactly that feeling a tingling sensation at his hold on your thighs pinning you against the wooden door as you wrapped your arms around his broad shoulders.

He trailed kisses further down your jaw before he carried you towards the bed and threw you down on the covers. You stared up at him his heavy breath hitting your face as he leaned down trailing the soft down your neck first and then down your chest. You were letting out soft moans and calling out his name as he sucked on your skin nicking it with his teeth leaving reddish marks left and right around your chest.

When he moved down to the lining of your laced underwear the creak of a door sounded through the room.

"JJ I—" Pope froze his eyes wide as he saw his friend on top of you only in your underwear. JJ quickly moved his body over yours.

"Jesus Christ, Pope."

"I'll—I'll leave you guys to it. Uh, have fun? And sorry."

Pope quickly exited the room looking mortified at the image of his friend having sex while Kiara and John B standing outside realised what had happened and laughed to themselves.

JJ let out a chuckle while you huffed. The thought of his friends being just outside the room was slightly unnerving as you realised the amount of times you had moaned JJs name. But just JJs touch took that feeling away. His head has rested on your chest before he sat up looking to you full of lust.

"Why don't we just finish what we started then."

Note • So I was on the fence about posting this for a while cause I just wasn’t that happy with how it ended up but I went back and edited it today and I’m much happier with how it turned out. Like it was 1.4k words before I edited it and then bam like 3k words. Oops. But the main part I was worried about was the last part cause I’ve literally just written the like 2 kisses in my other imagines. Hopefully it doesn’t cringe anyone to death. Also thankyou @ptersparkers for making the writing comp cause I kinda got out of my comfort zone writing the last part. (Also your study sessions series helped me kinda). Also this is the post that says about it if you wanted to participate :) 

[xeo-kunsatan]

Beast Choices Chapter 1. Diagnosis

Long time ago in Pacopolis... A Russian/Korean Woman have opened her consultory for the first time, ready to receive her first patient.

Muriel Plizetxki.

Age: 21 years

Gender: Female

Birthday: April 4th

Sign: Aries ♈

Race: Purple Sphere-Russian/Korean

Blood type: B+

From her office's door, her First patient have arrived.. It was a insecure and tired white orb next to his mother wich was speaking with Muriel about her son's bad behavior, wishing Muriel would make him change into a perfect boy, to then left him in the office.

Betrayus Spheros

Age: 18 Years

Gender: Male

Birthday: October 28th

Sign: Scorpio ♏

Race: White Sphere-American

Blood type: A-.

–Remember Miss in 2 months of therapy i will give you his Diagnosis–

Muriel said trying to be professional.

–I hope you can handle him, he is sooo complicated... Well see ya Tray Tray, be good– Said the old woman before leaving the office.

–Wow.. what a nice woman..– Muriel said sarcastically.. –Y-Yeah... I guess..– he said with a notable uncomfortably.

The ambient was quiet for a moment, but Muriel started speaking.

–Welcome to this office Mr Spheros, or how can I refer myself to you?– –B-Betrayus.. just Betrayus

--Said bashful the white guy..

--Alright Betrayus, so.. Tell me... What are your problems?

Betrayus was quiet and nervous but he took a break and started narrating..

–Well.. Doctor.. My problems started literally since I born,.. my Dad died when i born... So my mother andmy brother.. they saw me as the guilty of his death and a black sheep...i Dunno if my older sister thinks the same of me....

He was narrating while Muriel was taking notes of his testimony.–

–I didn't knew how my father was, when i tried to ask my mom about him...she just avoid that topic and told me a "shut up" instead, My sister isn't in home for almost all the day because of her work, when i saw her, we just have a short conversations about future stuff and what places we want to visit so i forgot to ask that to her.. and my brother.. he just avoids me with Mom's same behavior.. i think i partly know why he is Mom's favorite..

–Because he is the same shit as her?–

Muriel commented in a jocking way.

–Heheh.. Exactly– He Chuckled

–Is that all, or there's is more you want to share?.. Like.. your childhood?– she said interested while she was still taking notes.

–Well.. about my childhood..it was hard too, i went to the same school as my brother, he was the brilliant Student of the class, he was the best in Chess, math, history, lenguage, football, swimming, golf and hockey. How I'm not like him, for a weird reason classmates sees me as a

Mr no One or a freak, some of them used to bully me....– He added

–Uhuh..– Muriel Answered while she was writting in a new paper

Betrayus seemed a little mad at Muriel's dry attitude, like thinking she wasn't giving a care about his feelings.

– Agh... you know, whatever, that's not important.. you're were just paid to control me

Betrayus's mad expression changed in a melancholic one, something Muriel noticed quickly, then she said him with a warm voice tone and a clumsy smile.

–Don't worry, i will not judge you, even when my work is hear your problems and understand you to then give you dry advices, i really want to help you, i know so well how do you feel, I'm sorry if I sounded like i didn't care, Heh.. This is my first work day and you my first patient, hehe–

Betrayus was embarrassed but relieved at the same time –R-Really?, Oh dang I'm really sorry, i didn't know..–

–No no no, it's okay, it was my fault– Muriel was still with a dummy smile, something that Betrayus saw with tenderness

–Heh at least that confirms me that you're really interested in help me–

She chuckled –Yeah i guess, hehehe

And we'll continuing this, tell me what are the things wich makes you shine?–

–Things wich makes me shine?– he asked confused

–You know, your skills, in what things you are good for– she answered chuckling

–Ooh!, I get it, heh.. well I'm good in lenguage, History, Gambling, Pac pong...well.. uhm.. I don't like it anymore... Also literature and writing, I'm kinda freaky with that..–

Suddenly Betrayus noticed a familiar book from the mini library behind Muriel's.

–Is that?.. No way! Is that the Divine Comedy book!?– He said on a impressed and kinda freaky tone.

–Y-yeah wow I thought I was the only weirdo by reading that book– she was impressed as well.

–Same old, Girl!

Both started sharing their tastes having the surprise that their tastes were the same as each other while they were yelling as bakudeku fangirls.

The hours have passed and Rotunda went to take Betrayus to home.

–Im back, Im sorry if he caused you problems– Rotunda said trying to be nice.

–Ohh Miss he wasn't giving me problems, he behaved really good– She answered keeping herself as professional

Rotunda just paid the date to Muriel and left with Betrayus.

Muriel just sighs of satisfaction at watching his first patient smiling before Left.

"He has a really precious smile".

Muriel have attended another 3 patients more until the day ended, she just left the building of her office to then left to a Cabaret club where she worked to pay her career and getting psychiatrist title, work wich still he is having for actually any Monday night. Sometimes to strip or filming adult movies, Always wearing a wolf mask to hide her identity as well keeping her work as psychiatrist. It's almost hard to say if she hated her job in that Cabaret.

She ended and Left safety to her department to just feed her wolfdog Yūu, take a bath and fall sleep cuddling with Yūu waiting for the next day.

In the timelapse of the days Muriel and Betrayus continued their meetings, sometimes with Muriel taking Yūu to the meetings to give a fluffy support to Betrayus, Muriel became into a big emotional support to Betrayus as well her best friend. Something big was growing up between them.

The 2 months have passed so Muriel will give Rotunda the Diagnosis of Betrayus.

Betrayus: hehe then i told her.. Don't move, and she moved and fell from the stairs.

Muriel: Unholy Satan hahahaha... Heheh.. Hey, did anyone told you that you have a beautiful smile?

Betrayus: R-really?.. thank you..*Blushes* no one told me that before...

Muriel: they lost it. *Smiles too*

Betrayus: you know.. you have a beautiful smile too Muriel.

She blushes as well.

Muriel: i want to see you smile Betrayus..

Betrayus: me too

The door was knocked, It was Rotunda and Stratos to take Betrayus to home as well to know the final diagnosis of Betrayus.

Muriel:*opens the door* come in.

Rotunda: thanks to take me Stratos sweetie.

Stratos: always for you Mom.

Rotunda: Tray Tray, wait outside, we have something important to tell with the doctor.

Betrayus: I'm not a child mom...

Betrayus goes outside and sits in the waiting room, near to the door to hear the conversation, suddenly Yūu appears in front him and gives him warm company.

Meanwhile Rotunda and Stratos were waiting for Betrayus's Diagnosis.

Rotunda: Tell me Doctor, what's the problem with my son, did he behaved bad?

Muriel: Oh no, he is a really nice guy but there's the problem.. he has light Depression attacks but it's not too serious in his case, he doesn't need medicine or something... But the only thing he needs is real attention and affection, something wich you clearly don't give him.

Rotunda: Aghh that's fake!

Stratos: but that's not right, it's just a bratty of him.

Muriel: and... Have you asked it what's the origin of his "Bratty"?.

Stratos: well uhh...

Rotunda: uhmm... Because yes?..

Muriel: *she is mad but keeping herself professional* that doesn't have a sense, no one can have a problem or issue because yes, there always a why, the reason of your son's "Bratty" it's because of the rejection and contempt you give him because of something is not his fault, like the death of your husband, being born after the death of your husband doesn't make him a curse, he is a gift your husband left you before his death, but you prefer to see him in that way, as your husband would liked you to do that to his son.

Rotunda was completely mad so she answered that by slapping Muriel, Stratos was shocked as well Betrayus wich was hugging Yūu stoping her to attack Rotunda.

Stratos: M-Mom..

Rotunda: don't talk about my husband!! you can't tell me how to rise my children, you're not a mother to know that!!.

Muriel:... Maybe I'm not a mother, if i were one i will not treat my children as a bullshit, i would treat them with love.. as my mother used to do

Rotunda: Arrgghh... This is a Nonesense... Stratos take me home..

Stratos: y-yes Mom..

Rotunda have left the office just to meet up with a angry Yūu, Muriel noticed that and ran off the office to calm down Yūu.

Muriel: Yūu-Min No! Calm down Girl, calm down...

Yūu calms down and looks at Betrayus worried.

Stratos;*sneezes* Wolf!!...

Rotunda: Ahh! Beast!!

Muriel;*lies* its actually, an Malamute Alaskan.

Betrayus: i heard everything... Mom.. it's not my fault my dad died, and you know what? I'm tired of you and your bullshit about me!!

Stratos: Betrayus don't speak in that tone to our mother!!!.

Betrayus: *mocks* don't speak in that tone to our mother.. you are just defending her because "you are his favorite child"...

Rotunda: that's it! Betrayus you better take your stuff and leave the house!

Betrayus: in that it's the only thing I can agree with you, mother.

Rotunda: hah, i doubt you can live without me.

Muriel: well, he can live in my department, i have a extra room there.

Betrayus: R-really Muriel? Can I?.

Muriel: Sure.

Rotunda: Fine! Go with your Slut, if she can bear with you.

Muriel: at least bear with me "a slut" it's better to bear with a witch like you.

Stratos: that's enough! Mom... Let's go..

Stratos have left with Rotunda.

Muriel: uff finally...

Betrayus:*hugs her tightly* .. thank you.. Thank you so much Muriel.

Muriel: *hugs back* your welcome...

After that Betrayus started living with Muriel in her apartment as her Roommate, Betrayus find a work as pizza Delivery guy.

Where their story started and their relationship evolved into real love.

To be continued...

Extra:

Muriel and Betrayus have left a bakery with a box of chocolate donuts.

Bully1: hey Babe, what if you leave this white loser and come with a real man~?.

Betrayus; Aghh.. not him..

Muriel: Tray Tray.. hold my donuts *give him the box of donuts*

Betrayus: Muriel?...

Muriel starts beating up the guy to make him Run.

Betrayus:... She is a real lady~♥

[itsclydebitches]

I feel like you and I had very different reactions to Jaune during The Argument. To me, it wasn't him storming off because he was mad/disagreed with what Ren was saying, but rather putting it on hold because they had more pressing issues to deal with (getting out of the cold). If anything I would say he does agree with Ren, considering he admits to cheating his way into Beacon, but also realizes that 1. Ren isnt able to properly convey his thoughts because of stress and 2. They have a responsibility to fight, whether they want to or not. Regardless, it's clear thag this conversation is going to come back up, so we have to see how that plays out.

We definitely have to see how things play out and it’s admittedly always hard to discuss something partway through a volume. Next week - next month - this scene might read very differently. 

It’s also worth acknowledging that people usually have more than one motivation for an action. Meaning, Jaune might walk off because he recognizes they need to get out of the cold and because he’s mad about the cheating comment. They’re not mutually exclusive and, unless Jaune is prepared to start his own argument with Ren, there’s nothing else to do but trudge forward. What I dislike about Jaune’s reaction though is two-fold. 

1. He turns this into, as you say, about the “responsibility to fight.” Something something if you don’t want to be a huntsmen that’s fine, but we’re going to keep going (I don’t have the actual dialogue in front of me). Jaune essentially reduces everything Ren has said down to a, ‘Well if YOU can’t handle it’ response, which would be entirely justified if Ren had allowed these fears to paralyze him. But he hasn’t. Ren fought against Neo even while crying. He stood with Yang to say they needed to help the people of Mantle. He then helped lead that evacuation with the group relying on his semblance, telling Jaune not to distract him with pep talks if he didn’t want his focus to falter. He immediately agrees to go after the grimm, does everything he can to save Oscar, is the one who attaches himself to the Hound, and is now leading them back to the outpost. Ren is fighting the good fight, 100%. He only stopped to express his views because Yang pushed him to - he didn’t want to stop at first - but he hasn’t allowed those views to keep him from moving forward. At this point I think Ren is the most mature member of the group because he’s continuing to fight while considering how he might do better in the future. Ren wants to train rather than go to Robyn’s party. Ren wants to help Mantle since they don’t know how to stop the immortal witch, but they do know how to protect people from grimm. Ren wants to think about their choices regarding Ironwood and whether they should be changing anything. Jaune’s initial response would be justified if Ren had collapsed in the snow, refusing to go on because they messed it all up and it’s pointless now... but he’s not. The ‘You have a responsibility to fight whether you like it or not’ does not apply to the guy who is currently fighting. It’s like, 

Person A: Hey, maybe we should try to put out this fire with someone other than buckets? I feel like, in hindsight, pissing off the firemen was a really stupid idea. We’re not equipped to put this out. Maybe we should think about doing something else??

Person B: Sorry this situation isn’t to your liking, but the fire is here. We have a responsibility to put it out and I’ll do that, even if you won’t.

Person A: I AM putting it out. I’ve BEEN putting it out. I’ve arguably put out MORE of the fire than you have. I’m just acknowledging that we shouldn’t have done stuff that led to this fire getting out of control in the first place and wondering if we can be doing something better!

And then they’re accused of pushing people away instead of acknowledging the actual topic here: the fire burning everything down. 

2. Then we get Jaune’s second response. He’s had time to calm down and that time has allowed him to admit that he did cheat and he’s not proud of it... but that’s all he says. Jaune doesn’t engage with anything else Ren said: about how prepared they are, following Ruby, trusting Ironwood, etc. Or, to put it another way, anything that matters. To my mind we’re not given any indication that Jaune agrees with Ren about anything of this: he looks mad after the cheating comment and then ignores every other point at the outpost, which is more likely to imply that he doesn’t agree. Might this come back up later on? Sure and yeah, perhaps Jaune will have a better response then, but as it stands he just tells Ren not to hide his emotions which, as I said in my recap, he didn’t. He said everything he was feeling and it was all dismissed. “Ren isn’t able to properly convey his thoughts because of stress” only applies to pre-”Fault” Ren. We just saw him express himself in a crystal clear manner. The problem is no longer Ren bottling things up because that bottle’s cork flew out last episode. The problem is now that Yang and Jaune didn’t like what he had to say. 

[yurtletheturtlehenderson]

S.T. REWRITE - S2:E2; Chapter Two, Trick or Treat, Freak - [Pt. 2]

A Will Byers x Reader Series

After Will sees something terrible on trick-or-treat night, Mike wonders whether Eleven’s still out there. Tensions grow between Y/n and Mike as does their concern for Will.

A//N: This chapter is slightly different cause I realized I'm a complete Doof™, and I had Max and reader meet twice. It had been so long since I wrote MADMAX, that I forgot they met in the arcade lol. So if you've read this before, the scene in the hallway is different.

||Reader's POV||

"Well, good new is, this is only slightly humiliating," I mumble.

I was doing the best I could to shrink back and be as hard to notice as possible, even though I know it's a lost cause.

Unfortunately, the boys all had the same thought and I had been slowly pushed front in center.

"Oh, my God," Someone laughed.

I did my best to let the side comments and laughter slide off my back.

"Maybe its's not so bad," I tried.

"That's easy for you to say [Y/N], you're not in a proton pack and jumpsuit." Lucas said.

I winced. He did have a point, their costumes are a bit more obvious than mine.

"When do people make these decisions?" Dustin said.

I heard Will speak up behind me. "Everyone dressed up last year."

"Yeah! I mean, who are they to judge, he went as Frankenstein's monster last year, and no one laughed despite that being super played out." My anger was getting the best of me, and I made direct eye contact and let my voice rise as I uttered those last words.

The boy I had targeted, covered his laughs with a cough and grew silent fairly quickly. At least I shut someone up.

"It's a conspiracy, I'm telling you."

"Just be cool" Mike encouraged.

I took a deep breath in, and that's when we all heard some prick speak out. "Who you gonna call? The nerds!"

I had a million things I wanted to say to that kid but nevertheless I took another deep breath in. That's wen I felt a hand grab my own, and I knew it was Will. I gave his hand a light squeeze as a silent thank you and kept walking.

+++

...three to the right, four to the left.

I mindlessly repeat the combination in my head as I've done a thousand times before at this school and my locker opens once again. I let it swing open and I sigh. I pull the fake glasses off my head and fold them, putting them on the small shelf in the locker space. I reach forward and grab my textbook and notebook after scanning for them. It's then that I barely make out my brother's voice.

"...so you probably don't have any friends to take you trick-or-treating,"

I frown and look over to find them just down the hall. Talking to Max. Or, attempting to at least. I continue to exchange my things and get ready for the next class. Although, I can't help but wince when I hear him continue.

"and you're scared of bullies, so we were thinking that it would be okay if you come with us."

My eyes widened slightly, and I took that as my cue.

"'It'd be okay'?"

My eyes widened slightly and I took that as my cue to jump in. I closed my locker and quickly reset the dial.

"Yeah. Our party's a democracy, and the majority voted that you could come."

I quickly made my way over, my things held tightly against my chest. I smiled and spoke up.

"Hey guys," I chirped. I made eye contact with Max and I chose my words carefully. "How are you guys?"

I ignored the frantic and slightly confused looks Dustin and Lucas were desperately trying to send my way.

Max smiled knowingly at me.

"I'm good." And I knew, just like me, she had a double meaning to that.

She turned back to the guys and plastered on a fake smile.

"I didn't realize it was such an honor to go trick-or-treating with you." I couldn't help but smirk at that.

"Yeah, I mean, we know where to get the full-sized candy bars. We figured you'd want in."

Her eyes squinted ever so slightly. "That's presumptuous of you."

I stood there awkwardly before I recalled that Max and I had our next class together.

Desperately wanting to change the subject, I smiled and turned to her. She was already closing her locker.

"Wanna head to class?"

"Sure thing." She smiled, and the two of us walked away, leaving the boys a gaping mess.

I felt kinda bad for the guys, but at the same time, I hadn't realized how nice, and refreshing it was to have another female friend for once.

||3rd person POV||

Max felt a looming sense of dread knowing it was time to go home. Which meant another painful care ride with him. She hated even being around him, he made her life a living hell. As she skated across the parking lot, she knew he was gonna threaten her in some way for being late. She didn't feel bad though, of course.

"You're late again."

"Yeah, I had to get catch-up homework." She mumbled, opening the passenger door and climbing in.

"Jesus. I don't care. You're late again, and you're skating home. Do you hear me?"

+++

Max sits quietly, wishing with all of her might that the car ride could just be over. 

Billy, her older step-brother blasts the song Wango Tango as he drives, wrecklously down the road. He scoffs.

"God, this place is such a shithole."

Max thinks of the [Y/N], the only girl who had actually been nice to her, despite her own short temper. Her only real friend since moving here.

"It's not that bad,"

He looks at her, and she knows - she knew as soon as she said something, anything, Billy would find away to use that against her. And sure enough.

"No?" He said, angrily.

She watched as he reached for the window mechanism and rolled down her window. He watched smugly as she winced at the smell and harsh wave of cold crisp air. He took a deep breath, and pulled his nose.

"You smell that, Max? That's actually shit. Cow shit."

"I don't see any cows." She said, matter-of-factly, reaching over and rolling up the windows.

"Clearly, you haven't met the high-school girls."

Max's head threw itself back at the headrest at the comment. She felt her anger boiling up, but she tried to keep it down.

"So what, you like it here now?" He snapped.

"No," she said defensively.

"Then why are you defending it?"

"I'm not."

Max knew he was getting angry again. He knew his pattern by now and she knew he was already up to no good. He loved to corner her.

"Sure sounds like it," He said calmly.

Max hated it when he got calm like this. It always meant he was going to snap. Go too far. Her heart began to pound. She shook her head, tying to regain her composure.

"It's just we're stuck here, so..."

"Hmm. You're right. We're stuck here," She felt his head turn and his eyes zero in on her. "and whose fault is that?"

"yours."

His attention when back to the road. She couldn't help it, her anger was getting the best of her, and the answer came out in a weak whisper she prayed he didn't hear. But he did, and she knew 

he was going to do anything to make her pay.

He looked at her, then back at the road but then back at her. "What'd you say?"

Max felt like she was shrinking. "Nothing," She mumbled, quickly.

Billy got calm again. Her heart began to beat faster once more. "Did you say it's my fault?"

"No," she said quickly.

"You know whose fault it is."

She stayed quiet. Max knew anything she said would it would piss him off. Her words failed her.

"Say it,"

Her eyes began to burn, but she refused to cry. He always made her feel weak and powerless and she knew she might not be able to do anything now, but she sure as hell wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

"Max..." He said lowly, drawing out her name. "Say it." He growled.

He whirled towards her in his seat, his face inches away from hers. His face was completely red as he screamed his throat raw. "Say it!"

She closed her eyes tried to ignore him. Even though she could feel his spit on her face, and his screams were loud enough to vibrate the car. She couldn't let him see how he got to her.

He returned to road, and reached for the volume dial, cranking it all the way up. His foot stomped on the gas and the car was suddenly going unnaturally fast. Billy threw his hands on wheel to every beat of the song.

She let him take it out on the car, grateful it wasn't her. But she knew there was nothing she could do to stop him anyway, right?

She was prepared to make it through the rest of the car ride, but her pounding heart stopped, her breath hitched and her eyes went wide when she saw four figures on their bikes in the middle of the road, not far up ahead.

"Billy, slow down." She said, quickly.

"Oh, these your new hick friends?" he asked, a scary gleam in his eye.

She quickly shook her head. "No! I don't know them."

"I guess you won't care if I hit 'em, then?"

Max knew Billy was crazy. He was out of his damn mind, but what terrified her most, was that she truly and honestly did not know if he was crazy enough to hit some kids with his car. She felt sick to her stomach, everything was going too fast and her heart began pounding faster and faster. 

"I get bonus points, I get 'em all in one go?" he asked excitedly.

The car was getting close and just like that, her fear was quickly replaced by anger and her adrenaline was pumping. She whirled herself around all the way to face her nasty scum of a step-brother and her voice was rising. "No, Billy, stop. It's not funny."

His body kept dancing, his head bobbing and hands drumming themselves against the steering wheel, but his head turned to her and his eyes were stone cold. He had no emotion in his face and it was enough to send a chill down her spine, but she knew now wasn't the time. He stomped on the gas pedal and the car roared.

Max wondered to herself why and how in the hell do these idiots not here this car and why the hell aren't they moving?!

She kept an eye on the road, the kids, the girl - [Y/N] - noticed the car coming first.

'Why the hell, aren't they moving?' she thought.

Max found her voice one more and screamed at the top her lungs. "Billy, come on, stop it. It's not funny. Stop!" The car got faster.

What she feared most was coming true. He snapped, and he might as well have been in trance cause he was laser focused, she was positive he hadn't even blinked, and she knew it didn't matter whether or not he had any intention of stopping. She couldn't afford to sit around and wait, they were only a few feet in front of them.

"Billy, stop it!"

With a racing heart, Max lunged forward, gripping the steering wheel and the car swerved to the left, just in the nick of time. 

Billy came to life and started shouting again. "Yeah! That was a close one, huh?"

He let out a wild and crazed laugh, and Max whipped around in her seat, peering out the back to see her classmates emerging form the leaves on the side of the road. She was unable to get a good look, the car was over the hill within seconds and they were out of sight. But she breathed a sigh of relief knowing they were alive.

+++

Tag List: @dickkwad @aimee-lucass @iblesstherainsdown-in-africa @miscellaneoustoasts @acexattorney

DM me if you want to be added!

[sylvermyth]

Prompto’s Home for Zombie Pets

HEY LOOK I WROTE A THING.  Inspired by this post, this was incredibly self-indulgent and kind of a blast to write (and probably a bit ridiculous), and I really just love Prompto, so there's also that.  If you enjoy the fic (or love Prompto, or just wanna chat) please comment/reblog to let me know!  Cheers!  <3

Prompto’s Home for Zombie Pets

It wasn't—he hadn't done it on purpose, the first time. The spell had been scrawled on a scrap of parchment he'd found tucked into a dog-eared tome that he'd unearthed at one of the used bookstores (he'd already forgotten which because Iggy always insisted on visiting ALL of the bookstores) without any title or description of what the spell did. And really, he should've been tipped off when it called for a blood sacrifice, but magic was fickle and unspecific and "blood sacrifice" didn't always mean something had to die, so he'd tried it, anyway, nicking his finger just enough for a couple drops.

The rush of magic was unmistakable when Prompto finished the incantation—and really, his grasp of Latin wasn't that bad, and that should've been an indication, too—so he knew it had worked. He just didn't know what exactly "it" was until the chocobo chick dragged itself into the little lean-to he'd been using as his base. It was covered in dirt and only slightly more gruesome than it had been when they'd found the poor thing, mauled and gurgling blood in its final breaths, one wing dangling by a strip of cartilage. The rest of the guys had humored him when Prompto wanted to give it a funeral and proper burial in the yard. At least it hadn't had far to go.

Well, okay. Maybe he'd known a little what the spell could entail, but he hadn't been sure it'd work. Really.

And, okay, necromancy was definitely not something he'd ever considered taking up, considering the reputation, and it was probably a little unnatural, and gross (rotted corpses, ew), but Prompto wouldn't abuse his knowledge. He definitely didn't want an undead army, and didn't have any evil ambitions. He just wanted to be with his friends and have fun, and he didn't need a zombie horde to do that—they'd probably just get in the way, anyway.

And smell. Ignis would surely complain about the mess, and the smell. Noct and Gladio probably would, too, but Ignis would have a fit.

But the baby chocobo was just…it wasn't right for its life to end like that! Without having known the wonder of the world, or the joy of friendship. It totally deserved a second chance, and Prompto was happy that he could give it one.

Except, reanimating the corpse was the extent of the spell. Of that much he was certain. No idea how to fix the physical damage—but that didn't seem to be bothering the chick, in any case—and no way to put it back, if he had even wanted to. It stared at him with eyes that were brighter than he would've expected from something that had spent time being dead, expectant, somehow, and unfazed by Prompto's typical restless motion.

Of course, since Prompto had brought it back, he couldn't do anything but take responsibility. So maybe he couldn't exactly fix the injuries, but he could bandage them so they wouldn't offend the eye (and the precariously dangling wing wouldn't fall off) and by then, well. Since there was no turning back, he had to name it.

"Necrobo." Noctis lifted an eyebrow when Prompto introduced his new companion to the group (he'd had to—Necrobo followed him everywhere; it would've been impossible to hide her), but it was followed by a small smile. Noct was like that, sometimes: quiet, accepting. Letting Prompto's chatter speak for the both of them.

"You named it Necrobo, what the hell kind of name is that?" This from Gladio, but with a name like Gladiolus, he really didn't have room to talk. Even if it was a friendly rib. Prompto scowled (though really it was more of a frown, because Prompto could never get angry enough to scowl at his friends).

"Prompto." Ah, Iggy. Prompto's scowl (frown) deepened, recognizing the careful tone, the sharp eyes flicking over his chick, calculating. "Prompto," Ignis began again, adjusting his glasses, "you have a…chocobo."

Prompto rolled his eyes. "Yeah, duh, it's a chocobo. My chocobo." He crouched down next to Necrobo, beaming up at Ignis. "Isn't she awesome?"

Another of those looks. "Is it…sanitary?" Prompto huffed, but Ignis barreled on. "I mean, if you're going to keep her, you know you have to take care of her properly. I won't be cleaning a litter box or anything, either." Ignis's expression turned skeptical. "Will she need…a litter box? Food?" Ignis cleared his throat.

Prompto gathered Necrobo in his arms and stood, so he could stare Ignis down—or at least attempt to. "You mean, because she's undead."

Ignis frowned. "I realize she looks unhealthy, but I didn't mean to imply…" Noctis's snort was unmistakable, and Gladio looked stricken.

"There's no implying anything, Ignis; I brought her back to life myself! Somehow."

"As a zombie chocobo." Noctis's voice held a hint of amusement. "That's not exactly alive, Prom."

"Necrobo," Prompto corrected. "And she doesn't seem to mind! Do you, girl?" He was rewarded with a small trill.

"I'm not even going to ask," Gladio grumbled, raising his hands in defeat. "I'll be training in the yard. Noct! Let's go!" Gladio half-dragged a protesting Noctis in the direction of the training yard, and Prompto was left to continue his Ignis stare-down.

"I won't ask, either," Ignis said finally. "But necromancy is not something to be played with, Prompto."

Prompto pouted. "It's just a baby chocobo."

It was not, in fact, just a baby chocobo.

Necrobo didn't smell, as it turned out, at least, nothing worse than the smell of damp earth, and neither did she decompose any further than when she'd emerged from her grave—for which Prompto was eternally grateful, because he imagined that would be rather terrifying, and he still didn't know how to un-undead her (not that he had any reason to find a way, once the decomposition was out of the equation). She followed him around like a familiar, and even if she did act strange at times, he liked the company. Anyway, who was he to turn someone away just because they were different? That was just rude, and he was, after all, still responsible for her.

He still didn't want a horde of undead.

Just, Prompto felt incredibly bad for the baby tonberry that Noctis hit with his car, and it was too late for a phoenix down. Noctis felt bad, too, probably even worse than Prompto, but Prompto had been distracting him from the road, so it was really more his fault than Noct's.

And, okay, Prompto had paid some attention to his lessons, and he couldn't be sure that the spell was legit unless it was repeatable. Because he really wasn't, but it really was. Repeatable.

He tried to explain that to Ignis, who stared at him with narrowed eyes when Noctis extracted the undead tonberry from Prompto's side of the car. Necrobo poked her head from behind Prompto's legs, and maybe that didn't help his case much.

"You of all people should understand, Ignis!" Prompto knew his eyes were wide as he tried to make his case. "You're the most logical person I know."

"I named him Roadkill," Noctis said, deadpan.

"Right, he's got a name! We can't give him back now, Ignis. It'd just be mean. Heartless, really."

Ignis gave him one of his measured looks. "Just be careful. However you're doing it, there's not a lot known about necromancy, and there are reasons for that. Don't do anything stupid."

Prompto waved him off. "It's fine, Iggy, it's not like I'm trying to take over the world or anything."

"This is exactly how the end of the world starts," was all Gladio had to say, although he didn't otherwise protest the addition of another undead pet in their midst.

The next time—the next few times—were truly accidents. Prompto didn't even say the incantation, just, thought it in his head. Maybe he was also picking at a scab at the same time, and bled a little, but that was totally unintentional.

It became a bit of a collection, after that: all small or baby animals, cute, if a bit gruesome, hobbling or crawling around his apartment, and at least they don't require much care, aside from Prompto's attention, which he gladly gives. Nor do they make much noise (aside from the occasional breakable, but he didn't have many of those to begin with), so the neighbors don't complain, but his apartment has begun to smell a bit like a crypt, somewhere between earthy and musty.

Noctis remained amused by the whole situation, but Prompto started hiding his new pets from Gladio after the tonberry, and from Ignis after the unmentionable incident, so Prompto's apartment became welcome to Noctis only. Which wasn't really any different from before, since they tended to congregate at Noct's or in the palace grounds, anyway.

But that didn't stop Noctis from grinning at Prompto and pointing at the dinosaur skeleton in the Lucis Museum of Natural History. "Dude!" he hissed, "Can you imagine that fitting in your apartment, Prom?"

It was a little mortifying…but also possibly the coolest thing he could imagine using his necromancy for. But, "I'm really not sure it would work for something that big, Noct." He might've once thought that a corpse would need flesh to hold it together and move it, but nope, he'd tested that, too, and had a skeletal mouse he called Bones that liked to nest in Necrobo's feathers. "Or that old," he added as an afterthought. But Noct was making faces or eyes or something at him, and he was admittedly weak in the face of that. And curious. He was also very curious.

So he tried.

And failed.

Actually, it was the first time he'd failed, and that was…disappointing. So he tried again, and then frowned at Noctis, and that turned into a whole week of museum visits, all of the ones that had dinosaur skeletons rigged up.

He was more than a little bummed that it hadn't worked, because his cheerful mask slipped, and maybe Noctis didn't notice, but he caught Gladio frowning at him, eyebrows high and concerned, and Ignis gave him one of those shoulder clasps that meant he was there if Prompto needed him without the mess of words.

But even if Noct didn't notice (which was great, really; he was supposed to be the one normal thing in the prince's life), he still had the right idea for cheering him up.

"Maybe it's because they're old," Noct muttered. "But I bet you can handle something big." He wouldn't say where they were going when Prompto got in the car, or even after his incessant babbling, but Prompto grinned when Noctis parked a short way away from the catoblepas carcass.

"Dude, no way! That thing's huge!" Prompto gaped; it was possibly even bigger than some of the dinosaurs skeletons they'd seen.

"Right? So you gonna do it or what? C'mon, Prom, wow me."

Prompto made a strangled noise, half glee and half nerves, but he was totally going to do it. He was totally going to have a pet catoblepas, and it was going to be the best. "I'm going to name you," Prompto called to the still corpse, "I'm going to name you, uhm." He stopped his brainstorm for the perfect name to concentrate on the spell and pricked his thumb, and then he couldn't think at all as it actually lurched to its feet and "HOLY SHIT NOCT IT ACTUALLY WORKED!"

"Yeah. Good job, Prom. Never doubted you." Noct patted at him absently, his eyes fixed on the thing towering over them. Not that it was threatening, just huge, and Prompto had to admit he couldn't stop staring, either.

"Uhm, Noct?" Noctis hummed a response. "That's definitely not going to fit in my apartment. Just saying."

"Nope."

"Sooooo. What am I supposed to do with it?"

Noctis shrugged. "Put it back?"

Prompto's hands flew of their own accord, gesturing wildly as he rounded on Noctis. "Just, put it back? Really? Rude! I brought it back, I can't just go and kill it again. That's just mean."

"I mean, it was already dead, right? Just undo it."

"Just undo it," Prompto muttered, "like it's really that simple."

"You can undo it, right?"

"No!"

Noctis glanced over at Prompto. "What do you mean, 'No.'"

"I mean," Prompto's voice shrank, "I don't know how."

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh."

"We should…go get Ignis." Noctis started backing towards the car.

"It'll probably follow me if I leave," Prompto sighed.

"Oh."

Prompto rolled his eyes and dug his phone out of his pocket, his stomach sinking as he tapped the screen to call Ignis. There was surely a lecture forthcoming, but maybe if he didn't tell Ignis that what he wanted to put back was a freaking catoblepas, it wouldn't be so bad.

Of course, it was Ignis, and Prompto wasn't as clever as he'd thought, because Ignis's sigh sounded put-upon even through speakerphone.

"What could be worse than the coeurl cub?" And Prompto definitely hadn't told him about that one, so he probably also knew about the others that Prompto hadn't told him about, which explained the long-suffering sigh. Well, that was a conversation for later, he decided. Immediate problems first.

But leading with 'catoblepas' sounded like an awful idea, so Prompto launched into the explanation about the dinosaurs first, to which Ignis listened with…well, not undying patience. And by the end of the explanation, even Prompto wasn't convinced whether a catoblepas was better or worse than dinosaurs, but Ignis was on his way to their location, so that was…something.

The catoblepas was lumbering around at the edge of the water when Ignis arrived, with Gladio in tow. For back-up, probably.

"So, uh, guys…we aren't just going to fight it like a daemon, are we? Cause it's not…it's not mean or evil or anything. Just undead." Prompto offered a lopsided grin, eying Gladio's bulging muscles, the displeased tilt of his mouth. Ignis just looked mildly annoyed, which on him meant he was more likely pissed.

"No." Ignis's voice was clipped, and, yeah, he was definitely angry, but he was also holding out a piece of paper to Prompto, which, what was a piece of paper going to do about an undead catoblepas?

Prompto said as much. "How's a piece of paper going to help with an undead catoblepas?"

Ignis leveled a glare at him, but it was Gladio who grit out, "Maybe you should read it and find out."

And, "Oh," it was another spell. Except this one was clearly labeled with description and everything, and it didn't so much kill the undead as release them from the magic animating them, so it sounded…pretty clean and painless. "Okay. Yeah."

Ignis's voice softened. "Anyone with magic can do it, but I thought it better if you did it yourself."

"I—yeah. It's my responsibility." Prompto looked up at the catoplebas. "Sorry, big guy." The spell was simple enough, compared to the reanimation spell, and it certainly seemed like the catoplebas didn't even notice the magic leaving it. Like hitting the undo button, and Prompto turned back to his friends, eyes downcast. "I'm sorry, guys. I guess I got a little carried away."

Noctis had a crooked, guilty smirk on his lips. "I wasn't exactly helping you there."

Prompto smiled a little and pushed his shoulder. "Not you."

Ignis offered a gentle smile. "We know you Prompto. If you got any more carried away, we would've steered you right again."

Gladio clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I trust you. It's the undead I don't trust. If they ever get out of hand, I'm prepared to fight for the fate of the world."

Ignis snorted. "A chocobo and a tonberry are not going to destroy the world."

Gladio gave Ignis a scandalized look. "You say that now, but—"

Prompto's laughter cut him off. "Thanks. You guys are really the best."

"I thought I was number one," Noct protested, and Prompto swung around and pulled him into a hug.

"Yep. Number one pain in the ass."

"Hey!"

"Still," Prompto mused as they meandered towards the cars, "Is it because the dinosaurs are too old, or what? Cause it's definitely not a size thing. Inquiring minds want to know. Hypothetically. Although," he rambled, "now that I know it can be easily undone…"

Gladio looked alarmed at this. "No. Not even for a moment. No dinosaurs. No behemoths. No, nope, nada."

Ignis laughed. "I'm not surprised you couldn't get it to work on the skeletons we saw in the museum, Prompto, considering they were never alive to begin with."

Prompto and Noctis yelped in unison. "What!"

"Are you telling us dinosaurs aren't real? I don't believe you."

"They're real enough, but fossils are usually too delicate to be strung up as a skeleton like that. Usually they're kept in a vault instead. Not to mention the fact that many recovered skeletons are incomplete, so they must be reconstructed. Not that an incomplete corpse has stopped you," he added wryly.

"That's…still kind of disappointing," Prompto muttered.

"You know," Noctis confided, "there's some historical vaults in the citadel. We could look for a real skeleton."

Prompto grinned and threw his arm around Noct. "That's what I'm talking about!"

[outerbankslut]

Sorry... Pope Heyward

Summary • After a fight between the Kooks and the Pogues you go to your friends to apologise but Pope’s not having it.

Warnings • Swearing? Maybe but I can’t remember and I cba to go back through. Mentions of violence (in the fight). If there’s anything else let me know :) JJ smoking as usual.

Word Count • 1.7k (Imagine)

Masterlist

(GIF isn’t mine, let me know if it’s yours)

    THE NOISES OF the cars engine knocked you out of your daze as you drove down the paved, sweltering streets of outer banks. The houses you passed a second ago were filled with perfectly trimmed bushes, the building decked in marble and stone with backyards for miles and a pool to finish it off. Whereas the houses you passed now were smaller and wooden, looking fragile almost. Lots of the yards were messier and lazier but they didn't have personal gardeners or the time nor money to do it themselves generally. It made your heart clench as you thought about how just a mile back you were living luxuriously while people over here slaved away to earn everything they owned. They weren't handed it like you were.

You were on your way to the cut to see your friends. But not for a casual hangout. You needed to see if they were okay. After the events of the night before you couldn't be sure what happened after you left.

Rafe has been involved in a fight between all the Pogues including you. No surprise there. He’d been the instigator of it all. It had broken out just you were all planning to leave and then the Cameron boy and the rest of his country club friends came over and joined in somehow finding fun in hitting and punching people due to the entitlement blinding their eyes from the truth that they were the same. Well maybe not personality wise in any way at all. But you were all human beings and yet you were pitted against each other from the day you were born. Only some succumbed to the amounting pressure of their kook or pogue parents to stay away from the other side others realised how petty and stupid it was.

It was always like a scene from west side story when the two groups were mixed and it never ended well. It usually left you to pick up the pieces of their messes. Or any mess of your brothers really. It had always been you. You taking responsibility for anything he did. Whilst he would go disappear and sniff a few lines before making his triumphant return you would be mending what he broke or taking the blame. Being younger than him didn't help with him manipulating you as a child. Rafe broke a vase and suddenly you broke the vase. Rafe stole money from dad since he blew his allowance on coke and alcohol and instead you stole the money. It had always been that way and by now you were used to being left in the wake of your brothers tyranny.

You always felt responsible no matter what happened. The events of last night where stuck in your mind like super glue and the guilt was filling up your lungs. It wasn't your fault. But at the same time it was. You didn't stop your brother, you let your friends get hurt by him. And they must hate you. Probably wish you'd never been let into their group.

The tires of your car screeched to a halt beside the Twinkie which occupied the space outside of the chateau. It was eerily quiet until you stepped out onto the grassy and muddy ground and heard muffled laughter from inside the wooden walls of the small fish shack. You could smell the after effects of a joint wafting through the air. No doubt it was JJ.

Once you entered the chateau the small creak of the screen door was enough to gain the attention of all the Pogues who glanced up at your presence. Only then did you see what was leftover from the fight last night. Kie looked at you with a small smile but you could see the light grazing on her cheeks and her hands that held the wooden neck of a ukulele. But yet she still seemed happy to see you. And then JJ who sent you a lazy smile as he inhaled more of the joint between his bruised knuckled fingers and the smoke covered his purple and yellow and green painted face but only for a second. Then John B who held a beer in his hands but you could see the blood surrounding his split lip and small cut above his black eye.

None noticed your small frown or look of quilt swarming you except from Pope who stared intensely and lingered on the downturning of your lips as you turned and caught his gaze. You could see the small cut beneath his chin and no doubt just like the John B and JJ he accumulated bruises on his stomach or arms. But he was wearing his shirt buttoned up whereas JJ laid shirtless and John B stood with his shirt open.

It hurt you the most seeing Pope. The multiple bruises and cuts adorning his normally smooth and unharmed skin. They were because of you. When Pope moved in front of you stopping you from receiving the backhand Rafe sent your way as you berated him to stop. He was the reason you weren't hurt. And you were the reason he was hurt.

Pope looked at you oddly as you just stood there letting out a sigh.

"Y/N?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowing in question. When you didn't answer again he stood up and walked over to you where you stood with your hands threaded together and rubbing in anticipation. "What's wrong?"

"I-I wanted to apologise to you last night."

The rest of the Pogues had turned their attention to you, JJ even stopped smoking for a second to listen. Your eyes were down trained on the wooden flooring as you spoke. Popes furrowed brows deepened as he looked at you slightly bewildered that you thought you needed to apologise.

"I'm sorry he hurt you guys. It was all my fault and I should have stopped him but I didn't." You let out a dry chuckle. "All of you got hurt and yet I'm perfectly fine." You shook you head and sighed. "But I'm really sorry."

Despite the nice welcoming from your friends you still had the deep rooted fear they would hate you after last night but the looks on their faces held sadness or confusion rather than anger or disdain.

Pope had seen you do this before with the group. Whether it be a Pogue and Kook fight or just a small thing when he'd been around your house, like accepting responsibility when Rafe forgot to pick Wheezie up from her ballet class or the time when you'd apologised profusely for Rafes mistreatment of JJ at his job at the country club. But most of those times he'd believed it to be a small courtesy of just being related to the problem or saying it like when you say you're sorry for someone's loss but it wasn’t like that with you. At least not this time.

You were apprehensive to look up to meet his but when you did you saw the boy let out a small scoff and you were ready for him to yell at you to leave and never come back.

"God! Stop apologising for other people! You're not the shitty one!" The Heyward boy exclaimed blowing a fuse which surprised everyone when Pope was normally the calm and collected one. Not all the time. But most.

And he wasn’t angry towards you but toward Rafe and even the smallest notion that what he did laid on your shoulders. You simply blinked in his direction not sure what to say at his outburst.

"Pope—" You started saying before you were cut off by the boy throwing his hands in the air.

"No I can't take it any longer. I can't watch you blame yourself and apologise for the punches Rafe throws or the shitty things he does. He's a bad person and you are not him. I don't give a damn if he's your brother, okay? Y/N you've never done anything wrong in your life and yet you keep apologising for everything he does. It's not your fault. I'll tell you a million—scratch that a billion times if I have to."

And once again you blinked but this time blinking away the glossy liquid in your eyes hoping to clear your vision. It was a different feeling having someone tell you it wasn't your fault for once. Popes eyes stared passionately towards you as you held his stare. You felt comforted just the the deep ebony colours of his eyes that focused on you.

"I still left you guys though after. I didn't stay and help." You told them and Kiara stood quickly, abandoning the instrument on the couch and placing a hand on your arm. You felt yourself sniffling. Pope moved his hand as well but lightly placed it in your own moving his fingers over your palm in circles soothingly. Letting you know he was there. Pope and you had definitely always been the closest in the group. If you ever needed someone Pope was always there. Whether it was someone to cry on or rant to, he was always there. And he definitely cared a lot about you as you did him.

"Hey, Y/N. You still tried to help us. That’s what counts. And we get it was overwhelming. We don't have to deal with psycho brothers. No offence." Kie spoke softly and you chuckled lightly at her comment through small tears that you were quick to wipe away.

"Yeah, Rafe is his own person and technically an adult he can take responsibility for his own shit." JJ spoke as he stood from his space on the couch joined by John B behind him.

"I still don't understand how the two of you are even related."

You shrugged a small smile growing on your lips that Pope noticed. "Me and Sarah both wonder that. A lot."

They all let out small laughs before Pope pulled you in for a hug and you nestled your head into his shoulder at his warm and enticing hold. He smelt of musk with small hints of aftershave and salt water. But most of all he smelt of home. Somewhere that would always be inviting and your one true solace from the world.

Note • Got my writing mojo back, kinda. And I used a prompt for this which helped a lot as well maybe too much. But uh so funny story I said it could make a cute blurb and one thing leads to another and I’ve written 1.7k words oopsies. I rambled too much and it’s trash and it’s also 2am so forgive me. But I need help I write too much unnecessary details in my fics and it makes it so long and probably boring. Anyway it’s✨trash✨but I hope maybe you enjoyed.

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