#but uh have fun flying blind for the next 2 weeks

[lunapwrites]

...

[blueink01]

Ch. 2: Immediate Murder Professionals

The Next Day at the Imp City-

The Chapter starts at the I.M.P building that recides in the Imp city in Pride ring. The sound of the busy streets can be heard in the background.

The scene transitions to a closed door labeled "IMP Headquarters", with a crude sign made from a sheet of notebook paper that reads, "Meeting in progress" with a smiley face drawn next to it. Inside, Blitzo is walking in front a whiteboard on the wall as he lectures his employees

"Alright. Now, I know business has been... a bit slow lately, yes. It's no one's fault, okay? I'm not naming any names here.." He looks at Moxxie.

"Moxxie." Moxxie gives him an incredulous look in response.

"Now, does anyone have... any bright ideas on how we can get business drummin' up again?" Millie leans over the table with her eyes sparkling. "What about a car wash?"

"We're in hell, Mills, no one gives a fuck about clean cars." Yn replies to her idea. Blitzo thinks for a second.

"Wh- Ooh! What about a billboard?" Blitzo waves his hands with an enthusiastic flair as sparkles fly out. Moxxie rolls his eyes.

"We can't afford a billboard, sir." Blitzo wraps his arm over Moxxie's shoulder.

"Helpful, Moxxie. Really glad you're in the room right now." He pushes Moxxie away.

"Have you guys forgotten what service we provide?" Blitzo turns on a TV that shows the I.M.P. crew brutally murdering people from the overworld as they are paid to do. Blitzo whacks a man in the face with a mallet, Moxxie is blown away firing a shotgun through the mouth of a man tied to a chair, Loona swings a man back and forth in her mouth, Yn snaps a persons neck so that is spins around a few times before falling off, and Millie decapitates someone with a harpoon and laughs. Everyone is watching the TV, with Loona, Yn, Millie, and Blitzo eating popcorn.

"Ahh, those were the good times." Blitzo smiled.

"I don't need any reminding, sir. Considering you blew most of our salaries on an obnoxious TV ad last week. One that you then additionally paid to have run for a full three hours on a channel... nobody watches." Moxxie said.

"Uh, hey. Excuse me? What's "obnoxious" about a super-fun jingle, alright? It's a fun distraction when an advertisement's spittin' bullshit!" Blitzo explained.

"People love musicals, sir." Millie added.

"That's true." Yn agreed.

"Exactly, Millie! And we're basically doin' a musical." He does jazz hands.

"Are you gonna crush my musical theatre dreams like my dad did?"

"Sir--"

"Cause, right now? All I see is just my dad's asshole talking to me! Crushing my dreams of being who I truly am inside."

"Are you tryin' to crush his dreams, Moxxie?"

"Wow, Mox. That's fucked up, I thought you were a classy man." Yn said in a flirty tone.

"I-- What?" Mille leans closer to Moxxie in a flity way.

"I thought I knew you." She playfully sticks her tongue out at Moxxie as she blushes and rolls her eyes affectionately.

"I can't believe you, Moxxie!," She tearfully holds up an employee of the month plaque with Moxxie's picture on it. "After I made you employee of the month!" Yn chuckles while looking at the photo of Moxxie.

"Okay, sir! I'm sorry; a commercial jingle is not comparable to musical theatre. Nobody actually likes the jingles!" Moxxie said.

"I liked it." Millie supporting Blitzo.

"Me too. It was good." Yn added.

"Do not--" He points at Yn and Millie. "Do not agree with him in front of me!"

In the I.M.P. commercial-

"Hi, there! I'm Blitz! The "o" is silent, and I'm the founder of I.M.P.!" He gestures to the logo as it appears on screen, then disappears. Two pictures of Blitzo in different scenarios show while he speaks. The first shows he wearing two top hats through her horns, a monocle, and twiddling a fake mustache, while standing outside of a burning building with a sign that reads "Orphanage for Elderly Blind Newborn Dogs" appears. The second shows Blitzo wearing an angel costume at a coffeehouse happily throwing an empty coffee cup in a trash can, instead of the recycling bin right next to it.

"Are you a piece of shit that got yourself sent to Hell, or are you an innocent soul who got F**KED over by someone else?!" The commercial cuts to a demon guy wearing an Ohio sports jersey, giving a testimonial, while Blitzo holds a cardboard sign in frame that reads "Some guy who hired us!!".

"After lovingly killing my wife for f**king the delivery man, you can imagine my surprise when I wound up here, after the state of Ohio killed me! I really wish I could stick it to that yappy jogger who saw me hiding the body!" The Demon Guy Shares.

Blitzo is speaking to the camera and holding a grimoire, while Moxxie and Millie are arranging lit candles on the floor in a pentagram while Yn is putting guns and drugs into bags. While Blitzo speaks, his eyes narrow as he does a magical gesture with his hand and a flaming portal appears on the floor. Moxxie and Millie run off in surprise. She tosses the grimoire aways as she walks up to the portal.

"Well, luckily for you. Thanks to our company's special access to the living world, we can help you take care of your unfinished business by taking out anyone who screwed you over when you were alive!" He falls backwards into the portal. The scene transitions to a person with their arms crossed and a thought bubble appears depicting another person being crossed out as the commercial jingle vlavs in the background.

"~When you want somebody gone,~" A dead body falls near the person as they notice and look up.

"~and you don't want to wait too long~" Yn, Moxxie, Blitzo, and Millie are shown in a circle logo. Blitzo holds her arms out as Moxxie holds up her rifle, Yn holds a cane sword in a slashing motion while smiling and Millie holds up her spear. A letter "I" appears to the left of them, while a letter "P" appears on the right of them. The four together form a letter "M", thus spelling the initials I.M.P.

"~call the Immediate Murder Professionals!~" Yn, Blitzo, Moxxie, and Millie are inside of their building and Moxxie throws a grenade out the window. The four cover where their ears would be as an explosion goes off. A severed arm goes flying.

"~Hand grenade or cyanide,~" Blitzo is shown hanging someone with a rope as Millie finishes writing a suicide note and Yn is throwing bags of drugs around the room.

"~We'll make it look like suicide~" Blitzo is shown electrocuting someone, Millie is shown hitting someone on the head with a mace, Yn is cutting someone's limbs off and Moxxie is shown strangling someone.

"~The Immediate Murder Professionals!~" The I.M.P. logo spins around quickly as the scene transitions to Blitzo creating a portal to the living world in a wall, then jumping through it. He is followed by Yn, Millie and then Moxxie, who trips over the grimoire and falls into the portal.

"~We do our job so well,~" The four come up through the other end of the portal and adjust themselves.

"~Because, we come straight out from Hell!~" The I.M.P. trio suddenly look shocked as it appears they have accidentally teleported to a church in the middle of a service. A female preacher and the congregation look back at the demons in confusion/fear.

One bearded man, however, has his head laid back as he sleeps with earbuds in. Millie is shown struggling to remove a knife from a naked couple who are in 69 position, while Yn is covering Moxxie's eyes, and Blitzo examines a pair of panties.

"~We'll kill your husband or your wife~" Blitzo stabs someone tied to a chair repeatedly in the head while sporting a goofy expression.

"~We'll even let you keep the knife~" A quick sequence then shows the four assassinating their targets in numerous horrific ways, such as with a medieval torture chamber, riding a shark, burning someone alive, suffocating someone with a pillow, playing on a grand piano after it crushed someone, and using an electric chair. In the final scene, the four are hiding in a bush in a park and Moxxie is about to shoot a blonde woman looking at her phone from behind.

"~We're the Immediaaaaate... Murderrrrrr... Profession--~" Moxxie accidentally shoots a boy passing by, eating an ice cream cone.

"AUUUGH!" The boy collapses as Moxie looks on in shock. Yn, Blitzo and Millie turn their eyes to Moxxie in surprise.

"Wow, Mox."

-Time Skip in Hospital-

The boy is wheeled into a hospital operating room on a hospital bed by a doctor, a pink-haired nurse, and a blue-haired nurse

Pink-haired Nurse: "Doctor, he's not responding!"

Blue-haired Nurse: "Cool water, stat!" The pink-haired nurse whacks the boy in the face with a bucket of water, doing nothing but leave a large welt on his face.

Blue-haired Nurse: "It didn't do anything!" The boys tongue flops down from his mouth.

Doctor: "Dammit! I'm not losing another one." Everyone has their defibrillator paddles over the boy.

Doctor: "CLEAR!" They all zap the boy and he wakes up with a gasp.

Doctor: "Holy shit! It actually worked." Yn, Blitzo, Millie, and Moxxie are waiting outside the boy's hospital room. Blitzo is reading a magazine, while Yn and Millie comfort Moxxie, who looks devastated. The doctor comes out of the room with a clipboard.

Doctor: "He appears to be in stable condition, but he'll need surgery." He looks up from clipboard.

Doctor: "Now, what insurance provider do you freaks have?"

"The fuck is insurance?" Yn quickly stands up and punches the doctor through a wall. Outside of the hospital a window breaks and the boy's hospital bed flies out. The boy is unconscious in the bed, while Millie, Moxxie, Yn, and Blitzo are holding on for dear life as they plummet screaming to the ground. The bed is stopped by a rope that has become tangled around Blitzo's foot. Blitzo slams his face into the bed, the rope snaps, and they all continue to fall.

"~Kids die for freeeeeee!~"

Back at I.M.P.-

The scene cuts back to the boardroom. Yn, Millie and Moxxie are sitting across from Loona, who has her feet up and is watching a video on her phone of Moxie getting hurt

"I'd like to go on record and say that incident was Loona's fault. Dispatch is supposed to give us the right info on the target. It's very simple." Moxxie jesters to Loona.

"Oh, sit on a d*ck, Moxxie." Loona replied still on her phone.

"YOU sit! Sit on... a... and the... d-- DO YOUR JOB!!" Moxxie yells.

"Hey, now. We don't blame our screwups on Loona, okay?! She didn't do anything wrooooong~" Blitzo hugs and nuzzles Loona, who snarls at him in response.

"...Are you kidding me, sir? She's awful!" Moxxie insulted.

"She's not that bad." Yn said defending Loona.

"What?!" Moxxie yells, looking at Yn shocked while Loona smiles.

Flashback with Loona-

Loona sits at her desk, reading a magazine called "Monthly", Her desk phone rings with the sound of a cute puppy barking as the ringtone.

"Hello, I.M.P." Loona answers without even looking up from her magazine.

<Loona, I got stabbed! Call Yn or Mox-> Loona suddenly hangs up, disinterested in the conversation. Next, she is in Blitzo's office.

"Happy Adoption Anniversary, Loonie! I got you a little somethin'." he presents her with a gift.

"Is it a cure for syphilis?" Loona interrupted Blitzo figuring out what was in the present.

"I... Oh..."

"THEN, I DON'T WANT IT!" Loona snatches the present and angrily slams it on the floor.

"UGHHH!" A large swarm of spiders suddenly emerge from the present box and swarm Loona up to her neck.

"I'm sorry! It was spiders!" Blitzo is suddenly hiding outside of the office window.

"Goddammit." Yn walks over to Loona with a small box.

"If it's not the cure for syphilis, then don't bother."

"It is the cure." Yn said. She looks at the spiders, her eyes glowed yellow than red scaring the spiders away.

"It is?"

"Yeah." Yn hands her the box and she opens it seeing the cure. She hugs Yn while her tails is waving around.

"Now we can have some fun later~" Yn blushed heavy red at the thought.

Loona is then shown at her desk, watching an online video of Charlie performing "Inside of Every Demon is a Rainbow".

"Um, c- excuse me. Did you just fax me an ad for weight loss.?" Moxxie approaches her with a flyer for "Chub B Gone".

"No."

"Wha-- Why- Why would anyone send me this?"

"C'mon.." She looks up at Moxxie. "You know why."

The next scene shows Loona rummaging through the break room fridge.

"Whoever left the fucking... avocado salad in the fridge, I'm taking it, because I have the worst hangover right now!" Loona turns around to face Millie with a red box in hand as she shuts the fridge door with her foot. She rips off the lid and drinks the salad.

"Why would you drink on a work night?" Millie questioned.

"I'm hungover from this morning, dumbass!" Loona angrily responded back finishing up the salad. Yn and Moxxie enter the room and notices Loona with her box.

"Isn't that my lunch?" Loona drops the box on the floor.

"Y'know what?! I can't take this assault right now! I need to blow off some-" She kicks the box at Moxxie, knocking her out of the room and surprising Yn and Millie.

"-f**king steam!" She picks up Yn and moves her to the side. Loona runs out of the break room and out into the street.

"AAAAAAAAAAH!" Loona runs up to a succubus lady passing by on the other side of the street, pushing her baby in a stroller.

Loona kicks the stroller high into the air and storms off, while the demon lady stands there in disbelief. The scene transitions to Loona at her desk, telling Yn and Blitza about a caller.

"Blitz! Yn! That clingy, rich asshole is on the phone! Says it's urgent and wants to talk to you! He sounds a little DTF-y." Yn, Blitzo and Moxxie are standing by a water cooler. Blitzo throws his cup of water on the floor.

"Oh, GOD, it was one time! If we hadn't slept with that privileged asshole, none of us would have access to the living world." Moxxie stares in stunned silence.

"..You what?"

Flashback in a Bedroom-

Stolas is sleeping naked in bed. He is hooting like an owl and there are feathers everywhere. Blitzo, who is partially nude, walks away quietly with the grimoire in hand. Yn puts on her clothes and she cracks her back.

"How can a bird be that thirsty and kinky?" Yn question, she can feel her lower half of the body is sore.

"Got the booook, got the booook! Got this fuckin' heavy book!" Blitzo keep repeating himself.

Blitzo reaches Stolas's balcony and lays the grimoire on the ledge. Grunting, he attempts to step up on the ledge using the grimoire. Instead, the combined weight sends both his and the grimoire falling forward off of the balcony. Yn runs towards him and grabs his tail but she too falls off the balcony.

"Fuck!" "Oh- Oh, SHIT!!" Yn and Blitzo lans on the cake that Stolas's wife and her friends are having, splattering pieces of it all over them.

"Oof! Sorry, we fucked your husband."

"Sorry for the cake." Blitzo picks up Yn and runs off.

End of Flashback-

"BLIIIITZ! NN!"

"Yeah! Yeah!" Yn yelled back as she pinches the bridge of her nose and a hand on her hip.

"WE HEARD YOU ALREA-!" Yn and Blitzo are in his office, talking with Stolas, and playing with a bobblehead of Moxxie while Yn is sitting as far away from Blitzo as possible knowing that she's gonna hear some fucked up stuff.

"Sooooo, what can we do you for this time, Stolas?" Stolas is shown talking on his phone from a fancy mansion.

"There's a political candidate causing trouble up on Earth for a few of my associates. He's trying to convince people global warming exists."

"Doesn't it?!" Yn asked.

"Well... yes. But, more people die if nothing is done about it. And it gets lonely here~"

"Okay, well. Yeah, that makes sense." Blitzo replied.

"You know what happens when I'm lonely, Nn and Blitzy?"

"Oh boy... Here it comes..." Yn said as she is leaning back.

"God-f**kin'-dammit." Blitzo pulls his phone away and talks to himself.

"When I'm lonely, I become hungry. And when I become hungry, I want to choke on that huge **** of yours, ****** Nn's ****** and lick all of your ****, before taking out You're ******, and ***** with more teeth until we're screaming ****** like two FUCKING babies--!" Yn is looking blankly at a wall while clawing her ears out. Blitzo, who's visibly disturbed, on his phone Stolas name is listed as "creepy mouth (aka one night stand bird d*ck)" with a call total of 48 seconds. as he hangs up, a knock out noise plays.

He snaps his cellphone in half, smashes it with his desk phone, tosses said desk phone away, pulls out a blender, puts the cellphone pieces in it, and blends them. Blitzo turns and hands the blender to Loona, who was standing nearby.

"Eat this!" Loona drinks the blended cellphone mixture.

"And then y'know that bridge over the freeway?"

"Yeah?" Loona raises her eyebrow as she says.

"Take my car and sh*t off it.." Yn said intensely.

In the Meeting Room-

"Look, the point is, Loona is a valued member of our family, and we don't get rid of family." Loona looks up from her phone and briefly smiles, touched by Blitzo's words.

"We aren't a family, sir! You are the boss! We are the employees! You treat her like she's some troubled teenager! She's more like a meth-addicted homeless woman you let man the phones!" As Moxxie rants, Loona continues looking at her phone, slowly flipping Moxxie off.

"That is offensive! Without homeless people.." He walks over to window and raises blinds, "I wouldn't have HALF the joy and laughter I do in this life!" Blitzo puts his face up against the window, cracking the glass, and sees a homeless demon, looking sad and holding up a sign that reads "Money helps. Satan bless." A succubus is on her cellphone and turns away from the hobo. Blitzo smugly waves at him, before lowering the window blinds.

"While we're on the subject of "family", can you stop finding me and Millie outside of work?" Moxxie looks at Blitza annoyed.

"Come on, sweetie! It's not that big a deal!" Millie said with hand jesters.

"Overreacting much." Glass shattering noise plays as Moxxie makes a stocked face.

"Excuse me... WHAT?!" He looks at them both.

Flashback-

Moxxie and Millie are preparing dinner in their kitchen

"Honey, can you get me the butter?"

"Sure, sweetie." Millie opens the fridge door and finds Blitzo inside as he hands her the gross, viscous butter.

"Spoiler alert: the butter's spoiled!" Millie giggles. Moxxie throws the diced carrots into the soup.

"What's funny, honey?"

"Really impressive wordplay."

"WHAT THE--?! WHY ARE YOU IN OUR FRIDGE?"

Later that evening, shows a building, Inside their Moxxie and Millie are asleep in bed. The former is tossing and turning as the sound of a cat purring can be heard. Moxxie opens his eyes and sees Blitzo standing on him, looking him right in the eyes.

"Whatcha dreamin' about?"

"I was dreaming my parents were being murdered while Yn is destroying my and Millie's a**es, but now... I'd like to go back to that."

In the next scene, Moxxie is singing the end of "Oh, Millie", as Millie joins in on some parts. "~Of all the imps in Hell,~"

"~it's for her that I fell~"

"~It's for him that I fell~"

"~Oh, Millie~" They close their eyes to kiss, but Moxxie notices Blitza outside the window holding a camcorder.

"Are you fucking filming us right now?!"

Flashback Ended-

"Just... stop... doing that!" Moxxie scratch the table.

"I don't see what the issue is! There somethin' you don't want me seein'?" Blitzo shrugs.

"No!" Moxxie's eye twitches in anger.

"You a baby-wenner-hammer?" Yn and Loona snicker at the same time as Blitzo talks.

"Sir, what you say and how you act is totally INAPPROPRIATE!" Millie lays her hand on Moxxie's shoulder.

"Calm down, Mox! You're gonna have another panic attack!"

"I AM CALM!" Moxxie starts whimpering in anger while looking back at Blitzo.

"Shh-shh-shh. There, there." Millie pats his head.

"Look, I don't judge the boring couple stuff.." He motions his hands to imply sexual activity, "...you do outside work hours. So, don't... judge me!"

"Oh, I do judge you, ma'am! Quite a lot, actually!"

"Mox, he's our boss!"

"No-no-no, it's fine Mills, your husband is just... how do I say this without being offensive? retarded" Blitzo smudged.

"Does immaturely insulting me make you feel better about your sad, single life?" Blitzo leans towards Moxxie.

"It actually does." Loona then jumps in on the confrontation.

"The only reason you have a wife is because you're easy to manage!" She looks away from her phone to glare at Moxxie. Millie slams her hands against the table, looking at Loona with anger.

"No, he's not, you BITCH!" She flips Loona off. Loona growls at Millie.

"This is priceless." Yn leans back in her chair while eating popcorn, enjoying the show.

"Do not talk to my receptionist that way! She's sensitive!"

"Yes, I am!"

"You guys are all f**king a**holes." Yn, Blitzo, Moxxie, Millie, and Loona's eyes all widen in surprise. They look at Eddie, the boy Moxxie accidentally shot earlier. Eddie is lying on a table with three wires from a heart monitor attached to his stomach.

"Oh, shut up, kid! You're lucky to witness this!"

"Ugh, this company is such a mess!" Moxxie pinches bridge of his nose.

"Alright, let's get back to talking about my outfit."

"Nobody was talking about that, Blitz."

"Which is why I'm tryin' to get that ball rolling. So, how does it look? It's good, right?"

"Sure... Let's go with that.." Yn said.

"It's been a literal hell.." He detaches the tubes of the heart monitor, "having to pretend to be paralyzed so you f**ksh*ts wouldn't kill me! But, now I want that. I want death!" He points at Blitzo.

"You are a selfish, greedy clown. And I'm a kid! We're supposed to like clowns! Even the creepy ones!"

"Hey, now! That's not very-" Eddie interrupts Moxxie, intimidating him, "If I wanted to hear from a spineless jacka**, I'd rip out your spine and ask you some sh*t." Millie slams her hand on the table, the other gesturing at Moxxie.

"That's my husband you're talkin' to!"

"That's your husband?!" Moxxie and Millie snarl at Eddie, "I figured you for a sl*t. But, I didn't know you needed d*ck that bad!"

"And You!" He points at Loona.

"What? What about me?"

"Nothing. I don't talk to dogs. I'm a cat person." Loona gives a wide-eyed glare, whines at Eddie with anger, and goes back to looking at her phone.

"Wow. Y'know, kid, you are a huge piece of sh*t." Yn said.

"Yeah. He's kind of a piece of sh*t." Everyone in Union agreed.

Eddie looks at Yn, "Don't do it..." he points at him.

"You-" Loona's eyes widen as she receives a text message.

"Oh, f**k! Guys, I just got a text from our client! Guess he was the right target after all."

"Who?"

Him." Loona points at Eddie.

"Him?" Yn looks At Eddie.

"Me?"

"Yup." Loona responds smugly, without looking up.

"They wanted us to kill an actual child?"

"That's what they're sayin'."

"Well, Christ on a stick. I guess there is a God."

"АHHАННННН!" Before he can shoot Eddie, Yn makes fire slowly climb up Eddie's body, he screams as he's skin is slowly being turned into ash.

Yn lifts her hand making Eddie crashe into the wall, all of his skin gone from his body, he lands on the table while his eyes turn to Xs.

"Damn it, Lovely! I wanted to do that!" He throws his pistol onto the floor.

-Time Skip-

Then blood covers the screen, then reveals Yn, Blitza and Moxxie kicking Eddie's corpse, Millie stabbing him, and Loona recording everything on her phone.

"Y'know, folks? With this company, I really wanted to prove that we're capable of doing the same things anyone else can. Like killing people!" Blitzo and Moxxie are shown wearing full hazard gear, dismembering Eddie's body with a hacksaw and chainsaw respectively. Blood splats on the screen again, then shows the group by a dumpster putting Eddie's body parts in a garbage bag.

"So, from us here at the Immediate Murder Professionals group, we promise to settle your unfinished business or your money... is gone and you're never getting it back, and you can write us a bad review but we'll play dumb to it, because it's Hell and no one f**kin' cares." Blitzo hugs Yn, Moxxie, Millie, and Loona, the latter's phone flying out of his hands.

"Y'know, even though this kid was a target... he's still a child. And it's important that we handle this going forward respectfully." He wraps his tail lovingly around the group. The group all smile as the scene cuts to a newscast, showing Eddie's mother tearfully holding up a bad drawing of her son. A male news reporter holds a microphone up to her, looking disinterested. The headline on screen says, "Mom sucks at drawing own kid", while the ticker bar constantly reads "There is a missing boy! Yet another missing kid!"

"Please! If anyone has seen my little Eddie, please contact us at-" Eddie mother is interested by a bag full of Eddie's bloody body bag suddenly falls into her arms.

"OHHH!" Eddie's mother and the news reporter look up in shock as the camera follows their gaze. Yn, Blitzo, Moxxie, and Millie are shown looking down on them through a portal. Blitzo smiles and waves.

"You're welcome!"

"You're a sh*t mom, ya wh*re!" The four disappear in the portal as it closes.

~Ending with a Cut To Moxxie singing to Millie~

Previous Page: Ch. 1: The Hazbin Hotel

Next Page: Ch. 3: The Murder Family

Beginning: Front Cover

[itwoodbeprefect]

911 season 7 episode 4!! we've arrived!!

the only reason that i understand this long opening section is playing on the bachelor is that i've watched jarvis johnson talk about it before. thank you jarvis johnson.

the i'm taken but he's not scene. buck has a rule. eddie looks confused. hmmm.

fjdkf "hey joey." while watching the previous episode i said buck was bisexual character number 2 this season (after norman) but i may have been wrong. he's number 3, after norman and chimney.

i mean, admittedly i've never seen a single episode of the bachelor firsthand, but it seems to me like they'd LOVE for something like this to happen. nobody got seriously hurt, it's extremely dramatic and big, lots and lots and lots of free press - what could be better for reality tv?

buck is so pumped to be getting the tour!!

"i guess that night was the most fun i'd had since getting struck by lightning." "you need to raise your bar, kid." fjdkfd. lines that could have worked word for word in a katherine hepburn/cary grant screwball comedy.

fjdkfjdkfj he's just using getting struck by lightning as a point of reference! "ah." is the right response, i think, tommy.

he could give buck lessons if he wants!! honestly i could quote every line of this conversation as notable and fun. i'm having a ball watching this actually happen with audio, instead of looping chunks of a few seconds. (not that there's anything wrong with looping chunks of a few seconds. i love looping chunks of a few seconds, looping chunks of a few seconds are tumblr's liveblood.)

tommy has "something" (a person) "that" (who) should be arriving right now, actually. fjdkf. early practice for when eddie ends up crashing their date next episode

also, dear god, eddie's giant truck. forgot about that thing.

fjkdf. this poor man, watching his best friend and unknown crush fly off together. admittedly not into the sunset, but to vegas nonetheless

waffles!!! bobby and athena made it through a cruise on a sinking ship and now there's someone breaking into their home making waffles

harryyy. i was just thinking about him during the last episode!

ohhhh. he didn't just shoot up into the sky, that actually is a harry recast. interesting

okay, so apparently (x) marcanthonee reis was "sort of ready to move on". assuming that's true, fair enough - for anyone, but especially for a kid playing a role on tv.

ravi's "who's tommy?" is totally fair, and then he gets rewarded for his patience in being totally excluded from buck and eddie's weird jealous bff conversation by getting sent down a sewer. rough day, man

"both like watching half-naked men pummel each other" is certainly a set of words. it certainly is.

not for nothing, but is eddie blind, or is he just enjoying winding buck up a little, being at the center of some (as he would probably assume) friendship jealousy? because buck is. not being normal about this. at all.

buck thinking he's getting invited to the bar trivia thing and being asked to babysit.... i fully knew that was coming, but it's painfully awkward either way. also, dear god, eddie has already asked his girlfriend to babysit his kid twice this week. hmmmmm.

the AIR QUOTES. had to replay that three times, it's excellent, i adore this. the way he says it is SO good

the little WIGGLE at the second set of air quotes. GOLD

"get this! [star wars opinion]" jfkdfjk. possibly the funniest 911 has ever been

on his fridge! eddie has a day calendar! underatakeoutmenu

IT'S CIRCLED. WHAT DON'T YOU GET, MADDIE.

maddie's "with a little heart around it?" line is exactly as good as it seemed in all the gifs. wonderful, amazing, life-changing stuff

uh oh, harry in trouble!

yeah. so. the woman on this home break-in call absolutely shot her son, didn't she?

she did. we needed a nod to athena's recast son subplot.

that's athena's cop side coming out when she tells her son in a weird roundabout way that people are going to pee on him in jail. if buck and eddie sounded like a classic screwball, this is more tango & cash.

OH. we ARE getting into the athena-is-a-cop part of it.

oh my darling. you are being SO weird about this (affectionate).

insane amazon prime sponsorship just right in the middle of jealous bisexual weight lifting. what is happening

oh my god. oh boy. oh no

i mean, oh YES, but there's just oodles of secondhand embarassment to go around here. love you though buck, go for it, don't let me stop you

chimney innocently asking what that is buck is heartbrokenly cuddling..... and getting roped into this insane musclebound love triangle. poor chimney, you did nothing wrong.

also though. eddie giggling on the phone and fully and blatantly ignoring buck for that entire scene? there's just so much going on here. everyone's in love with tommy and his cool helicopters.

i was genuinely sort of hoping the athena-breaking-the-news part of this woman-shot-her-son case would remain implied. very sad. only misery here.

buck bullshitting his way into pretending this is totally just his attempt to bond with his future brother-in-law is very funny. nice try, my boy

the face of a chimney realizing he's been tricked :(

chimney calling himself a basketball beard...... chimney is cleverer than he even knows, i think.

i saw the post @redgoldblue reblogged pointing this out, but. yeah. that IS a whole montage that's just a very long top gun reference. playing with the boys!!!

also, in light of that...... buck & eddie's infamous "you can have my back any time" was also a top gun reference. (specifically, a reference to "you can be my wingman any time."/"bullshit. you can be mine.", as in, this right here.) we all agree on that, right? i've never seen anyone mention it, but that might just be because i only really see 911 content when it happens across my dash, so. we do agree? because. buck&eddie first bonding moments related to top gun.... buck&tommy arc starting with top gun basketball..... i'm just saying. i am. just saying.

sitting here open-mouthedly indignant that buck dragged chim along and then doesn't even let him play. chimney deserves better even in the middle of a dramatic understandably self-centered sexuality crisis

he bucked that up!! oh my god

big sister maddie is Good. i like that

a few minutes to go in the episode and there's a knock at buck's door! who might that be? maybe he ordered something else off of amazon prime (which is canonically really quick and convenient and you don't even need to sign anything).

the way tommy says "evannn." is so good

the fact that it's the terrible fake mouth static over the radio that got buck's attention is amazing. meet cute: we fly into a hurricane and you badly pretend your radio isn't working when someone tries to talk sense into us

🌈🎉🌈🎉💖

yes 🥺 he is free 🥺

gifs are good and wonderful but there are some things they just can't possibly do justice due to the limitations of the medium and just. seeing buck's quiet wide-eyed response to tommy kissing him and this Big Revelation he's having is definitely one of those things that need to be watched as a full scene with audio. oh gosh

saturday!

just lovely lovely good very sweet stuff! it's nice. but, like, nice - in a wonderful, good, heartwarming sort of way. god. the distance we've come - incredible.

[polar534]

Hockey AU: Parenting Pt. 1

Well after a week of posting I finally finished the first part in the next arc that we'll see of Hockey AU. This one is big. I don't think I'll need to explain much further so instead enjoy. (Just a reminder that not all of the parts for this arc are done so it may be a week or two between updates or longer).

***

Amity was breathing heavily as she collided into the group pile with her teammates. Another game won. Cheers rang out through the stadium, almost deafening the thundering of her heartbeat in her chest.

"FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 9 YEARS, THE OTTERS ARE IN THE SEMI-FINALS!"

Another cheer erupted from inside the pile. They had worked so hard for this. Emotions were high and Amity let the energy buzz through her. This was it! Just 2 more games and they could be in the finals. They could be champs!

Someone collided into her going top speed and soon the entire team had her swept up in a group hug. Lotke was behind her in an instant, hoisting their star player on their towering shoulders as the team skated around their victory lap. From the vantage, Amity had only eyes for one person. Talking with the coach in the players box, their eyes met across the rink and the roar of the crowd and her teammates quieted instantly.

Luz smiled back at her, a huge grin that threatened to split her face in two. Her eyes were sparkling with pride and love.

She slipped away from the small huddle of officials. Her eyes widening, Amity tugged on Lokte's jersey, pointing frantically at Luz and unable to speak over the roar of the stadium. Thankfully, they understood immediately. Gathering the team together, the Otter's skated towards the players box as one. Lokte let Amity slip off of their shoulder and the witch caught her girlfriend just as Luz hit the ice. Within the huddle of their teammates they were in a bubble. No noise, no judgement, just them. Luz flung her arms over Amity's shoulders and kissed her roughly on her cheek, eliciting a giggle out of the both of them. A call rang out for the teams to line up and shake hands and the world tunred into a blur of events and emotions, the high of their victory only wearing off in the locker rooms after.

***

"Don't forget everyone pizza after the game at Mangia's tonight! Oh, and don't forget to let your parents know about Celebration Night."

Amity looked up from taking her skates off. Lokte was waving at a couple of their teammates as they made their way out of the locker room, gear in hand.

"What's Celebration Night?" Luz asked the question that was at the forefront of Amity's mind.

Lokte's eyes widened as they turned towards the only other two people in the little locker alcove they had positioned in to change.

"Oh, it's a big event night for all the teams that made it to the Semi-Finals. There's one for each of the first games, kinda like a way to recognize the team members and their accomplishments. I just wanted to remind everyone so they don't forget to tell their parents or anyone else they want to stand up with them." Lokte explained as they bent down to take off their skates.

"Oh..." Luz said quietly.

Snap

The string of her skate ripped as Amity went to yank it undone. Her hands were shaking.

A pair of footsteps walked by her as she slowly unraveled the broken string. Amity looked up as they seemed to stop in front of her. Mae, the normally timid and shy goalie smiled down at her.

"Hey… Amity. I just wanted to thank you. You've done so much for this team. I think you've pretty much helped every single person be better. You and Luz of course."

Amity glanced back up to where Luz was and saw her straighten with pride. Smiling, Amity turned back to Mae.

"Oh… it's nothing, really. I'm just really glad to be a part of a team. You all mean a lot to the both of us." Amity admitted shyly, unable to meet the goalie's eyes. She picked up her stick and stood up, ready to start packing her bag.

Mae stepped back to allow her some space and her smile grew.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting your parents on Celebration Night. They really must be something to raise someone as incredible as you." Mae said kindly before turning to rush out of the locker room after her friends.

Amity's stick fell to the ground as she stood there frozen. The sound of it clattering echoed in the now nearly empty locker room. The words the goalie spoke bounced around in her head in a haunting echo.

'They really must be something.'

There was a beat of silence before Amity winced with the sharp sound of a fist banging against a locker.

"Luz? Is everything ok?!" She heard Lokte exclaim behind her.

Slowly, Amity leaned down and picked up the stick she had dropped. Her hands found the smooth grooves her gloves had worn into it and her fingers trailed the chipped parts where the puck had bounced off it at just the right angle. She kept herself steady with the familiarity of it, taking a deep breath before turning around to face her girlfriend and teammate.

Luz had her fist pressed firmly into a locker and Lokte was caught between them both, looking worriedly from one girl to the next. As soon as Amity turned around, Luz's fist dropped and her anger melted into worry.

"Amity?"

"I uh… I don't think I'm going to be able to go to pizza with the team tonight Lokte… I'm sorry." Amity spoke after a pause, struggling to keep her voice steady.

"Luz?" She asked quietly, the walls she had been trying to keep up rapidly failing.

Luz immediately darted to the witch's side, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder. The warmth was just enough to steady her.

"Right here." Luz said softly, her head leaning into Amity's. The witch closed her eyes and leaned right back into Luz, the girl being the one thing managing to keep her standing. To keep her together.

"Let's go home…"

***

"Are you sure your up for this?" Luz asked Amity gently as they hung back outside of the cabin.

Amity shot her a weak smile, one that only barely made it to her eyes.

"It's fine. Everyone is looking forward to it. Plus we can't just tell everyone to go home, it's a long walk out of the castle after all."

"Of course you did. Come on, or your mom's going to get worried."

"Not anymore it's not! I convinced Eda to add slides from some of the upper floors." Luz grinned mischievously. "Me and King have had the honor of being their test-runners."

Amity laughed, rolling her eyes she grabbed ahold of Luz's arm and hooked it through her own.

Walking through the doorway they had yet to fix up, Camila turned and relief showed in her eyes. In front of her was the patched portal door, held open by the one and only Edalyn Clawthorne, Co-Empress of the Isles.

"There you two slackers are, will you please help me convince Camila, again, that it's ok to have a little fun for once in her life?!" The wild witch groaned as she hung halfway between worlds.

Camila rolled her eyes.

"That's not what I said and you know it. Girls are you sure everything is alright? You were both awfully quiet after your game, if you need to me to stay-"

"Go." Amity said simply, cutting her off with a warm laugh. "We'll be fine. And we both know Eda won't be if she gets too many rounds deep with Perry and you aren't there to keep the peace."

Luz snickered as Eda's eyes widened. The older witch gasped in insult and the hand holding the door retracted to her chest. The portal closed as she stood there looking wounded. In a blinding flash of light and magic the door disappeared into nothingness.

Left in the dark, unlit, cabin the small family all looked at each other. Luz was the first to laugh, followed by her mother and her girlfriend. Reaching into her shirt she pulled out the key that she kept around her neck and clicked the eye-shaped button twice. In an instant the door was back. Standing solely on it's own, the yellow eye in the center glowing softly. Camila firmly grasped the handle and flung it open only to be greeted with a rush of kids flying through it.

"Friends!" Luz cheered as Willow and Gus tackled both her and Amity in a tight hug.

"We heard about the win tonight, congrats! That's incredible!" Willow beamed at Amity who merely nodded in return, a small smile showing on her face.

Gus pulled Luz aside and stepped away from their friends for a moment.

"We need to start planning signs and banners stat. We are cheer con 4 and this is no longer a drill. We are in the red zone Luz. The red zone." He uttered quietly to the human who grew immediately serious.

"Wow. I never thought we'd reach that stage. What do we do? What can we do?!" She whispered back, completely panicked as she realized they were not prepared in the slightest to bring their A game of support.

"I suggest perhaps taking one of those human spell casters on the wall of rink to aid in our presentation."

Luz straightened immediately, a mischievous and wonderful twinkle in her eye.

The flamethrowers sounded like an excellent idea. She went to say as much to Gus before she felt her hoodie being pulled back. She lost her balance and fell, right into Amity's waiting arms. The witch was looking down at her disapprovingly.

"Not so fast Chaos. We won't need any big banners or flags and we most certainly aren't going to steal any flamethrowers."

"We weren't going to steal them... just...borrow them." Gus grumbled unhappily as he crossed his arms and joined Luz in pouting.

Camila sighed, crossing her arms in front of the doorway.

"I heard the words stealing and flamethrower. Am I going to have stay here tonight to watch you kids?" Camila asked plainly, looking more and more tired by the second.

Before anyone could respond, a pale hand flew through the portal attached at the bone by a string of rope.

"Oh no, you're not getting out of parents night that easily Cam." Eda's voice chuckled as the line pulled tight and Camila was dragged through too suddenly to protest.

The door closed seconds after Luz's mother disappeared and all 4 kids were left in the silence and dark.

Luz clapped her hands together, jolting everyone to attention. A smile spread across her face.

"So... I'm thinking maybe a heist movie tonight. Anyone else?"

***

"What happened at the rink today Luz?"

Luz melted onto the counter as she deflated. There was a part of her body that still tensed in anger but as the night went on, all she found she could do was worry. By the time Willow dragged her into the kitchen to 'restock' Luz had been wound so tightly in concern that her body now physically ached.

Amity was an expert at hiding her emotions, but not from her friends. Not from her girlfriend. The tight grip Amity kept on the pillow she clutched in her arms. The way Luz could feel the witch's body winding up and tensing as each new thought entered her mind, even during times of lull in the movie. Amity was even quieter then normal, unable to find the heart to point out the obvious plot holes in the various cheesy movies they watched.

Luz knew her girlfriend was not normally one to remain silent when she could see right through the twist of the movie.

Luz lifted her head and blinked. The light in the kitchen was bright and warm compared to the dark nest of blankets and pillows the kids had set up. Although dim, it helped Luz relax a little more. In the silence left behind by the question, Willow unwrapped the package for the next round of popcorn before she set the timer. The human knew Willow would wait all night if she had too.

"There's apparently this thing called Celebration Night. It's a way for the team and their family to celebrate their accomplishments before the finals." Luz sighed as she finally explained.

Willow's mouth thinned into a straight line.

It wasn't a question.

"I… I already was pretty tense and I know Amity was too. It came out of nowhere but how were we supposed to know, you know?! Lokte already kinda knows our weird little family situation as it is so they didn't think to mention it."

"They don't know is what you're saying." Willow explained curtly, her mouth twisting into a frown. "Why Amity is living with you."

"Which is fine. That's something only Amity can share and only when she wants to, IF she wants to. But that also means that nobody else on the team knows either."

Willow stared at her friend as Luz propped herself up onto her elbows, her hands clenching into tight fists.

They must really be something to raise someone like you.

Luz felt sick. Odalia and Alador Blight had never done anything for Amity. They weren't the reason she became so incredible. That was the furthest thing from the truth. They were despicable. Awful. Manipulative, selfish…

Abusive.

Luz slammed her fist onto the counter.

"It's just that… ugh!" Luz groaned as her fist hit the counter once again. "Why can't they just leave her alone?! Why do they have to exist, out there… still making her suffer?" The defeat in Luz's voice choked her anger into what was merely a whisper.

"Hey. Here I thought parental angst was supposed to be my thing." Amity's voice drifted softly through the room following Luz's outburst.

Immediately both girls turned to greet Amity, lounging in the door way. Her amber eyes were tired and there was a small smile showing on her face. Luz straightened.

"Amity-" Luz started before her girlfriend gently waved her hand to interrupt her.

"It's ok Luz. I think…"

Taking a deep breath, Amity bit her lip. Her breath rattled in her chest as she went to speak next, her eyes locking onto a specific spot on the ground in front of her.

"I think I want to reach out to them."

***

Pssssst. Like this? Actually gave it one of those read-a-roos? Maybe you have questions like, Polar, my friend, my amigo, my internet stranger, the fuck is a Hockey AU? Well dear reader I don't know either! But here is a Master Post of all things I've figured out so far.

[alice-angel12x]

💗Fairy!Deku x wingless!Reader x Fairy!Prince!Shouto

In a faraway long in a world we know lies Aquafidia. Each of the six kingdoms is watched over by a guardian, but the king himself watches overall. King All Might, was a powerful fairy king who watched over the land.

But our story takes place in a faraway land not too far from the rest of Aquafidia, this land was known as Seris.

The king known as Endeavor ruled over the land. He too was a powerful fairy, for when night came evil twisted creatures would come. Creatures called Umbra would come into the night and eat the fairies of Seris. So Endeavor created the Royal guard, made up of fairies with special powers and magic.

At the edge of Seris sat a wingless fairy with her lonesome. Gazing at the beautiful fields of flowers. Till a special flower caught her eye.

"Yes, a flutter flower!" Y/n cheered as she plucked the flower.

"Y/n!" called a familiar voice.

Y/n turned to see her long time friend Izuku calling out to her. She smiled and waved at her friend as he quickly flew over to her.

"What are you doing out here?! how many times do I have to tell you not to go so close to the edge of Seris? Again!" He said in a panicked tone. " What are you even doing out here?"

"I'm looking for flutter flowers," Y/n answered shyly. As she created a crystal sphere around the flower.

       " At this time?! it's almost dark. The Umbra could come out at any moment!" Izuku said in a worried tone.

Suddenly the ground erupted and a long black snake-like creature with a wide mouth of spinning teeth emerged. Izuku quickly activated his magic and fight the Umbra with incredible speed and power. Y/n focused her magic on the crystallized flowers, causing them to give off a blinding glow.

       The Umbra screeched in pain as it sunk back down into the ground.

"W-we need to go now," Izuku said as he quickly picked Y/n up bridal style.

He quickly flew her back into the kingdom, the guards were evacuating everyone into their homes. Or somewhere deeper into the kingdom. Izuku quickly got Y/n home and quickly entered as she pulled Izuku inside. Outside was empty and lifeless as the Umbra slithered about the kingdom.

"We're safe now," Y/n sighed as she sat next to Izuku on the floor.

"Hey Y/n, how did you do that?" Izuku asked as he pointed to the glowing orb.

"I might be flightless, but I still have magic Izuku," Y/n giggled as she handed Izuku the orb.

"Amazing," Izuku said in awe as his eyelids started to get heavy. As his head leaned onto Y/n's shoulder.

"Goodnight Izuku," Y/n yawned as she kissed Izuku's cheek.

___________________

"Izuku It's time to wake up!" A voice shouted.

Izuku shot awake as he quickly realized how close Y/n's face was to his.

"Y-Y/n! I'm awake!" Izuku squeaked with a cherry-red face.

"Were Going to be late, could you give me a lift to the Castle?!" Y/n asked in a panicked voice.

"O-of course," Izuku stuttered as he picked her up bridal style.

Using his magic the two zipped through the air and straight for the palace. Izuku is part of the Royal Guard, while Y/n was a simple maid in the castle.

"Thank you for the Lift Izuku," Y/n thanked as she waved him goodbye.

"I'll pick you up later!" Izuku called out as he flew off.

With haste, Y/n quickly ran through the Palace to the kitchen and servant's common room. The head Mistress was already going over today's schedule. With all the servent and maids hovering over her. Y/n silently entered the room and pretended she was present the entire time. As she listened She could hear whispering and giggles she knew all too well. Fairies and the smaller pixies would always pick on her for being a wingless fairy. It was just all too easy to poke fun of her try and sometimes fail to get around the palace. Since it was built with only winged beings in mind.

"And Y/n sadly we can't spare anyone, a ball is being prepared for. And we need all of our umm, Winged servents, but Corte is sick and can't watch over the prince. Yet our King demands someone watch him, so sadly we have to send you," The head Mistress said with disappointment in her voice.

The others couldn't hold back their laughter as everyone was dismissed. With a sigh she climbed and parkoured her way through the castle, all the while the others just laughed. Eventually, she made it to the Prince's chambers, she only fell once this time.

She quickly dusted herself and knocked on the door. Soon another fairy answered.

"Good you're here, the prince got himself injured again. He went out against the king's order, I sure hope this rebellious phase passes soon," the elder servant sighed.

"Because Corte is out we can't rely on her healing magic. So we have to make do with herbal remedies. The Prince sneaked out again and got himself hurt again, go see to him," the elder ordered.

"Oh just a heads up, you must be by the prince's side always. and he tends to run off. So good luck,"

With a sad sigh, she entered the room. In the room was a large bed, on it lay the prince faced down on his pillow. On his back was many large slash wounds, on the nightstand next to him was a bowl of healing goo. As Y/n approached her eyes landed on the prince's beautiful red and Bluewings.

"Who are you? Where is Corte?" The prince asked with a groan.

"Uh um. She is sick, so I will take her place for the time being. My name is Y/n," Y/n answered as she applied the goo to the wounds.

Prince Shouto simply groaned as Y/n wrapped him in bandages. Shouto slowly pushed himself up and took in his new handmaiden. He got up from his bed and inspected the maid shocked to see that she had no wings.

"You don't have wings," he said as he inspected Y/n's back.

"No, your highness,"

-------

So my first day with the prince wasn't the best. It was pretty difficult to keep up with him since he could fly and I couldn't. There would be times I tried to ask him to slow down, only for him to speed away from me. Anytime he was still he didn't really like to talk, and he would completely ignore my existence. Other times he would talk down to me or insult me for many things, but mostly not being able to keep up with him. This went on for weeks. When one night.

"Your highness what are you doing? It's dangerous to go out at night," I warned him as I watched him stand on the balcony railing.

" And what's a burden like you going to do to stop me?" He teased coldly as the temperature in the room dropped.

"I.. Just at least take this with you," I suggested as I handed him a glowing crystal.

He simply scoffed and tossed it aside, quickly flying off. With a sigh, I quickly left the castle, and waiting for me was Izuku.

"Ready to head home?" he asked with his hand extended to me, like a gentleman.

As he flew me home I told him about everything. Yet when I'm with Izuku I could feel all my frustration and worries fade away. He is the best roommate, yet one thing stayed on my mind.

"Hey, Izuku... Am I a burden to you?" I asked him.

"WHAT! No! Y/n you are the best thing that happened to me. Y/n you were the only one who believed in me when I didn't have control over my magic yet. When my magic would break my bones, you stayed and cheered me on. If it weren't for you I would have given up," Izuku said as he held her bridal style.

"Izuku,"

"I care about you Y/n," He stuttered. " who called you a burden?"

"Prince Shouto,"

"Oh don't worry about him too much, everyone is a burden to him," Izuku sighed as he entered our house.

"Thanks, Izuku,"

___________________________

Let me know if you want part 2 of this story. If you do please tell me what you liked about this story?

[fanartfunart]

Fly Away: Episode 7, Theatrix

Ao3 - First - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

(Féline Sombre & Paon Lilas designs)

Summery: An AU where Adrien never went to in-person school, not getting the cat miraculous, and found the peacock miraculous. - The school holds an audition for a play and Chloé is determined to sabotage Lila's audition. It goes about as expected in terms of akuma-creation.

-

The black box theater was small. Assorted students unfolded the bleachers of the theater seats. Chloé watched Marinette and her gaggle of friends in the theater crew chatter while they set up the theater room. She hummed as she stood on the edge of the stage.

“Quaint,” Chloé rolled her eyes, “This better not be where we’re actually holding the play, or I’ll have to talk to the manager of this whole mess. Sabrina, did you remember my costume?” She asked, looking at her nails.

“Oh… no… It’s only a school audition. Do you need it?” they said. She held the script and a makeup bag against her chest.

“I need it to get into the role! The mind of the character! You know that!” Chloé huffed, turning to look at them with crossed arms.

“Oh-oh sorry! I’ll go get it!” 

“Go! Go! Hurry, we only have half an hour before I’ll be on stage!”

Sabrina squeaked and scrambled out of the room. They narrowly avoided crashing into Lila. “Sorry!”

Lila smiled, “Don’t worry about it,” she waved as Sabrina raced out of the room. She walked up to Chloé. “Fancy meeting you here. Auditioning for the role of an extra?”

Chloé huffed, “Of course not, I will only take a starring role, of course.”

“Oh really? I mean, keep your hopes up high, right? I’m sure the teacher would want the most experienced actor, unfortunately for you.”

“Ha! I’m sure he’ll know talent when he sees it. Besides, I know about professional acting from my best friend, Adrien~ I’ve even helped him in some of his photo shoots.”

“Of course, of course…” Lila rolled her eyes then tilted her head, “Oh, speaking of Adrien, what are you going to do about that book Marinette stole?”

“Yeah yeah, you told me about that weeks ago. Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous. Fun fact, I don’t care about what you say!” Chloé smiled sharply, “You’re just jealous that we’re friends with Adrien and you’re just another one of his little fans. Alya told me Marinette lost it and was intending to give it back. They even went back to look for it. Alya isn’t my favorite journalist but she knows how to get the truth.”

Lila hummed, “Of course. It’s not like Alya couldn’t be lying to protect her best friend,” she sighed, “I’m just looking out for him.”

Chloé frowned and folded her arms, “Right, because you’re sooooo sweet.”

“Aw, I’m glad you think so,” Lila smiled. Chloé glared at her.

“I have your costume!” Sabrina cheered, holding the outfit against her chest. “Er…” They glanced between Chloé and Lila. She grabbed Chloé’s arm, pulling her away, “Let’s go get you ready!”

Chloé maintained a glare as she was dragged away. They walked into a back room, and Chloé huffed. She took the outfit from Sabrina. “I’m going to destroy her chances at getting any role in this play.”

Sabrina grimaced, “Chloé… you can’t solve everything like this-”

“I can too!” Chloé scoffed, “Eliminating her will even give me an upper hand in the audition. If Lila wants to be the center of attention she’ll be the center of attention,” Chloé walked out from behind the dressing screen and spun in the dress, “Come Sabrina, I have a plan.”

They frowned, “I’m not going to help you.”

“Huh? Why not?"

"It's going to hurt her feelings. There's plenty of spots in the play, you can get the lead even with Lila in the running. You need to be the better person."

"...I’ll let you borrow my new scarf?”

Sabrina shook her head, “Sorry Chloé, but I can’t help you.”

Chloé blinked. She huffed, “Fine, I don’t need your help.” She turned on her heel with a flick of her hair.

They watched Chloé storm off and glanced at the floor. Something sharp threatened their heart. She shoved it down, racing to follow her best friend.

Something moved behind the curtains when Lila got onto the stage. ...And no trace of Chloé. Sabrina frowned. She wasn't seriously going to sabotage Lila still... was she? They slipped away from their seat and up to the backstage.

Chloé glared at Sabrina from her hiding spot. As if to spite her, she maintained eye contact as she slid a banana peel under the curtain onto the stage. Sabrina frowned and glanced towards Lila. Gasping, they lunged forward and grabbed the banana peel before Lila could step back into it. 

She giggled awkwardly as Lila turned, looking at her. She glared, clearly assuming she was the one planting the tripping hazard. Sabrina inched backwards, back behind the curtain. Chloé frowned. She glanced at the lights and raced for them as quietly as possible. Sabrina gasped and raced after her. 

Getting into the light booth, Chloé glanced at the buttons to see which one would help her ruin Lila's audition. The booth door slammed open.

"Chloé, don't," Sabrina whispered urgently.

"I'm not listening to you ex-best-friend. Just don't get in my way and I'll think about taking you back as my best friend."

Sabrina gasped, taking a step back. The sharp thing came back, digging into her heart. "Chloé, please."

"Hm? Who said that?" Chloé taunted. She pressed a button to turn off the lights. The crowd in the theater murmured to each other.

Sabrina surged forward and flipped the light back on. Instead of returning to normal, the lights grew intensely bright. The theater teacher was glaring at her, and Chloé was already making her way down the steps casually. As if she had nothing to do with it.

"The lights are prohibited to students right now! Get down here!" The instructor called. Sabrina squeaked, scrambling out of the booth.

Blinded by the sudden light, Lila stumbled, hair flopping into her face as she caught herself. Her shoe slipped off and was flung into the rafters, stuck. A ruckus of giggles echoed from the students watching the performance. 

Lila stood up, flushing in mortification.

The teacher wasn't even watching her. Too busy telling Sabrina why she wasn't allowed in the light booth. She glared at the redhead, then to the giggling students. Well. She wouldn't give them the time of day. Let alone the satisfaction of seeing her embarrassment. She marched out the door. Fists clenched and face burning. 

Lila fumed all the way to the courtyard. A purple butterfly fluttered down from the sky. Lila turned, face to face with the purple butterfly. She stared at it. She'd never been akumatized before, but she'd seen plenty. The chance to gain power was far too enchanting. She raised the crumpled script in her hand, and it disappeared into the paper. 

“Theatrix, I am Hawkmoth.”

Paon Lilas kicked his legs against the edge of a roof, humming to himself. Yet again, his father was gone all day. Marinette, Chloé and Sabrina were at school for their play and Kagami was busy at a dinner party with her mother, so he couldn't hang out with any of them to fill the empty space in his heart. There was no trace of the book to occupy his time chasing. So instead he was on a roof, taking in the feeling of being someone not Adrien. A pair transformed into someone a little more whole than either half alone. 

He glanced in the direction of the school with a wistful sigh. He tilted his head. A red curtain covering the building. Fluttering over the building. Whatever was that? He stood, eyes wide. Leaping to the building, he circled the curtain. He reached out to touch it, and a small red blur flew out of the curtain. He stumbled backwards. 

The kwami looked up at him, gasping. “Paon Lilas.”

“Sugercube, did you find the exi- oof!” A black kwami bumped into the red one, shaking his head and frowning, “Well if it isn’t Big Bird.”

“Wait… You’re not Ladybug and Féline Sombre’s-”

“We are. I’m Tiki and this is Plagg,” the red kwami introduced, gesturing. She zipped up towards Paon Lilas’s face. Her eyes narrowed at him for a moment. Seeming to weigh her options, the kwami very seriously pointed back inside. “Our holders are trapped inside. You must stop the akuma yourself so that Ladybug can cleanse it.”

“Ladybug and Féline? How?” 

“They fell for some cheap theatrics and illusions,” Plagg sighed, waving a paw, “Look kid, we couldn’t get to them without being caught. So I guess it’s up to you, Feather Fluff… Oh well! Got any Camembert by chance?”

“We will attempt to assist however, right Plagg?” Tiki huffed, paws on her hips.

"Yeah yeah, but some cheese before we go would be nice," Plagg said with a sigh.

“I don’t have any cheese…” Paon Lilas shook his head and geared up to run inside, “Alright, let’s go then-”

“You can’t dive in head first!” Tiki exclaimed, pushing back on his chest. 

“Why not?” Paon Lilas and Plagg asked at the same time. Paon tilted his head at the black kwami, confused. One minute he’s trying to get out of coming with, the next he’s anxious to get going?

Tiki sighed, “You need a plan. The entire school is shrouded in an illusionary world. We need to be cautious.”

Paon Lilas huffed, “Okay, uh, I’ll figure it out when I get in there.” Paon ran into the curtain, Plagg close behind. Tiki sighed as she followed them. 

The lights were blinding, as if a spotlight was pointed at him. He looked around past the light, as he was far too used to doing. The room was a grand stage, with a graded wooden floor and endless rows of empty seats beyond the stage.

He could feel himself automatically changing how he walked. Less of a heroic stride and more of a model’s purposefully casual sashe. The one that he’d practiced so often it became second nature. Far too Adrien Agreste while he was Paon Lilas. An intense feeling surrounded the realization, shaking him to his core. Yet, even with his powers to help, he couldn’t quite place what that feeling was. His heart squeezed, like a spasm in his chest. Like he’d been dunked in ice-cold waters. 

He grit his teeth in determination and focused on the emotions around him. He couldn't sense the emotions of the kwami to his surprise. Maybe that was to hide their holders from anyone with this power. He glanced around. Hints of people's emotions were everywhere. But he didn't see anyone. "Weird," he muttered. "Ok I can… tell people are here but, I don't see anyone..." He doubled over with a hacking cough.

“Woah kid, are you okay?” Plagg said, zipping in front of his face.

He nodded, "Fine. Just… I've been ill, don't worry about it."

Tiki hovered over his shoulder, "Try to pinpoint the Akuma if you can."

Eerily cheerful music twinkled around them, coming from nowhere in particular. 

"Well hello," a familiar voice sang, "Well, where were you now?" Sabrina was suddenly across from him, spotlighted. They wore a historical suit, accented in purple and blue flourishes, and a masquerade mask that looked like it had been paper crafted. They walked towards him with a light bounce, as if she was about to break into dance. “We’ve been waiting for you~ Welcome to the show!” She spun, grabbing his arms. They continued with a cheerful sounding song, dragging him along into a dance;

“We’ll have singing and dancing for you, /Oh yes, ever the hero, /Come with us, birdy, fly the coop! /You don’t need to worry, no”

Tiki hovered over his shoulder, “Don’t listen to them! The singing is what created the illusion!”

“Here in this land of dreams come true! /You’ll be happy here, you know. /We hope you can join us too, /Welcome to the show!”

Paon Lilas tugged away from their grip, shifting into a fighting stance, glaring as they continued to twirl around him. “But... Sabrina’s not the akuma, is she?”

“No, of course not!” Plagg called out, looking at the teen with more concern than Paon expected.

Sabrina bowed with a welcoming gesture and was joined by several other students in masquerade style outfits, in a grand finale of their opening song.

“You’ll be happy, yes /Unless you try to escape /Our leader demands success! /We wouldn’t want to cause a mess, /You see, this is no rescue, /It’s just the beginning though, /We’ve been waiting for you, /Welcome to the show! /We’re pleased to introduce our noblesse, /We’re sure she will impress, /The grand stage’s greatest actress, /Please welcome Theatrix!”

A light burst onto the stage in front of him. Paon Lilas shielded himself and the kwamis with his fan from the brightness. He slowly lowered the fan as a hypnotic voice vocalized to the growing music.

“Well, well, well,” Theatrix sung. She had bright red hair, pinned back loosely with a white rose clip. She wore a white suit with long floor-length coat tails, which rolled up like a scroll. Her suit collar had a large black bow. She wore a white masquerade mask accented with lines of writing. She practically shimmered in the light as she smiled at him. “Welcome to my show.”

The lights immediately went out. Paon Lilas strained to make out where everyone was in the sudden dark. He knew how to walk on a dark stage well enough. Familiarizing himself with the incline (there was surprisingly none), he kept a cautious distance from the edge.

The light faded in again and Theatrix was next to him. She propped an arm on his shoulder. Everyone else was busying themselves with various tasks, around what now appeared to be a dinner hall. She was mostly calm, but anger and embarrassment boiled under the surface. She must’ve been the second calmest akuma he’d met…. After his own father.

“So,” she said, uncomfortably close, “Here to nicely hand over your miraculous? Where’s your friends?”

Paon Lilas threw her off, shifting into a fighting stance, “...They’re not… they’re not my friends. I’m by myself.” 

“Oh?” Theatrix tilted her head, “So you’re all alone~” she sung, “All by your lonesome.” Music trickled back in, gentle and quiet… dark.

“Oh don’t start-” Paon huffed. He raced forward with a swing. She jumped out of the way, and beckoned Sabrina and Chloé forward as the pair began to harmonize with her.

“So you’ve come to save the day, /Without a friend to aid you~ /Your heart calls out to me, /Lonely darling, come with me,”

“I’m not lonely,” he interrupted with a glare. 

Plagg zipped around from one hiding place to the next, looking up at Sabrina. Trying to figure out how to release them from the akuma’s hold. 

“You’ve been wishing, /Wishing for a friend, oooh, /Darling let me guide you-”

Paon Lilas shook his head, “Get out of my head!” His voice came out sing-song, matching Theatrix’s haunting voice. She smiled. He looked around frantically. He needed to find a way to ignore her song properly. He spotted a boy with headphones loosely hanging around his neck.

“I can heal the hurt, /Just come and stay with me, /Forever~”

He ran up to the boy and snatched his headphones. Nino turned on him, grabbing his wrist.

“Stay,” he sang in tune with Theatrix.

“Don’t fool yourself, /We can be your friends /Forever~”

Paon Lilas twisted himself with a grunt, escaping Nino’s grip, “Not like this, not ever,” he sang, and pulled the headphones over his ears. It muffled the music, and the scene faded, revealing the school courtyard. Theatrix glared at him and pointed. "Get him."

The idle students turned towards him. Paon's eyes widened as he was tackled. He yelped and struggled to keep them off.

"I've got to find out how to release everyone from her hold! Any ideas would be great," Paon harshly whispered, trying to spot the kwamis in the fray. 

Tiki zipped up to him "Everyone's lure song was different. If you can figure out why, maybe you can release them!"

Paon Lilas huffed, barely blocking a tackle from Marinette, stumbling backwards. "Okay, okay."

"You can dive deeper into people's emotions and get some surface reasoning!" Plagg said, "Just focus."

"I can?" Paon Lilas kicked his attacker's legs from under them, coughing.

"You can. Your powers work similarly to Hawkmoth. You can do this, I believe in you!" Tiki cheered.

He leaped up to the second floor of the building now that he could actually see it. With a frown he paused and focused on the dulled emotions of the first person he saw, Sabrina. 

The emotions felt slippery, as if he was trying to catch water with his bare hands. Fear, abandonment, concern, duty. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on the why. 

Behind his eyelids, he saw it. Sabrina reached out to the retreating figure of Chloé, expression outright heartbroken. He opened his eyes. "Her," he pointed the redhead out to the kwamis, "Sabrina. Did either of you guys hear her song?"

Plagg waved a paw lazily, "Some boring ditty about being used and being left behind."

Paon Lilas frowned, "I have an idea… It's dangerous. But if I can confirm it I should be able to make a sentimonster to free everyone."

"Careful," Tiki whispered.

He leaped down and grabbed Sabrina, who shrieked. With gymnastic grace, they twirled in his hold and kneed him in the gut. He sputtered on a cough, but kept her grip on them. He was quickly surrounded, and he struggled to fight them all off while keeping Sabrina in his hold. 

"I'm trying to help you!" Paon shouted, frustration mounting. 

The headphones were ripped off his head. Theatrix dangled them from her finger, humming. 

"What do you want, /What do you really want, dear /What is in your heart, /This is your brand new start!"

Paon let Sabrina slip out of his hands. He covered his ears, brows furrowed.

"Just tell ussss. /What do- /You want~ oh ooh-oh! /Just give me your heart's song /I'll give you your heart's wants, /All I need is a heart song, /Open your soul, dear. /Give it to meeee, /What do- /You want~" 

Tears streaked down his face. The song just bubbled up in his chest before he could stop it. Theatrix echoed him, smiling and drawing closer, like a circling shark.

"I want a lifeee /Impossible to reach. /I want people /Who I'll never see /Nothing will give me, /What I need. /Nothing could be, /What I truly want. /Deep down, I know /My heart still bleeeedss- /For someone, /I'll never see!-" He choked as a hazy silhouette of his mother blurred in his vision. "Again…"

He twisted his eyes shut and shook his head, he spoke, "She's gone, an illusion won't bring her back..."

"What do you want, /It will be easy for me," Theatrix continued, gently touching his cheek, "soft as a dream, /Real as can beeeee~ /But only if you, /Give your miraculous to me."

The two kwamis made sounds of alarm.

Paon Lilas looked down at the brooch and clamped a hand around it, "No."

"...No?"

"You won't take him away from me too. I can’t get her back, but I can still hold onto this!" 

He threw off the few remaining people holding him in place and grabbed Sabrina. She tried to throw him off again, but expecting it, he hoisted them into a fireman carry. He leaped up out of immediate reach, yelping as Theatrix followed close behind. He deposited Sabrina on the roof and held her arms.

"Listen to me. You're worth so much, Sabrina, just break free. You're smart and kind and generous. Please, be generous to yourself and break free. Chloé won't leave you, you're her best friend. Trust me."

"...How do you know? How do you know I won't be alone?"

"You're never alone. You… you have family. You can even make new friends! I'll even be there if you need me, I promise."

"Paon...Lilas?" They said, cautious, tilting their head, "...When did you get here?"

He chuckled uneasily, "Not too long. Are you with me? No more illusionary world?"

"Illusions…" Sabrina gasped, "Oh no an Akuma?!"

"It’ll be okay! I...have it handled. Mostly. But… I need a little help. Can you release the rest of the people Theatrix captured?"

"Of course!" Sabrina exclaimed. She gasped and pushed him out of the way, "Lilas watch out!"

He coughed as he tumbled down the slope of the roof. Theatrix was fuming. He couldn't see where Sabrina went.

He latched onto her clear determination, her drive to help, and quickly plucked a feather from the fan, "Fly Away little Amok, and give them a helping hand!”

"You're done for Birdy! You're ruining everything! It was nearly perfect!" Theatrix shrieked.

"Purrfection is impossible to strive for, didn't you know that?" Paon Lilas called back. Theatrix growled and flung herself at him.

The feather landed in Sabrina's glasses. A floating mirror appeared in front of her and an image of herself smiled back at her, waving. She stared at it, shocked. 

"I need you to show Mirror Me to everyone you see and convince them to leave their illusion like I did with you! It should show you what they're seeing and the song they were lured with." Paon Lilas said over their telepathic connection.

Sabrina snuck back down and harshly whispered "Plagg?!"

The kwami zipped over to her with a teary giggle, "Oh, don't do that again."

They smiled softly, cuddling the kwami against their cheek, "I won't. Come on, Plagg, Claws Out!"

Féline Sombre looked up towards Paon Lilas struggling to keep Theatrix at bay. She frowned, focusing on the students and friends trapped in their illusionary worlds.

“Oh, to no longer live in a world so secret, /Close to friends, close to family, /Nothing to take it all away in a minute. /Oh, to be open and free /Who would care I’m a klutz, /When the world is happy. /Safe and carefree,” Marinette sang as she flitted around the bakery with the hazy “casual” form of Féline Sombre. “Oh! To no longer live in a world so secret, /No more lies, no more cries, /Nothing to take my friends too quick.” She giggled as Tiki and Plagg zipped past, openly, stealing away with a bag of cookies.

“Oh, to be open and free, /Who would care I’m not strong enough, /When the world is happy. /Safe and carefree.”

“Listen to me!” Féline Sombre’s voice called out, “I know it would be nice for us to be safe, but we’re not until we defeat Hawkmoth. This isn’t real.”

Marinette tilted her head, then looked around at the cheerful world, “But it looks so…”

“Paon Lilas needs our help… Er, I need your help.”

Marinette blinked and her hazy “casual” Féline Sombre, solidified into the masked version. She sighed at the loss. “One day...” she whispered. They held out a hand and she took it.

Féline Sombre smiled at her, as Marinette looked around the courtyard. Several other students were moving around, trying to talk to their friends. “Try to release as many of your friends as possible, Paon Lilas made a sentimonster that can help you know what their illusions are.”

Marinette nodded numbly.

Paon Lilas fell through the roof with a panicked yell, and thudded onto the ground. Theatrix landed on him, knee pushing against his chest. He sputtered painful coughs, struggling weakly. Féline Sombre gasped and raced forward. Theatrix rushed to meet her, kicking their legs from under them. Tiki zipped over to Paon Lilas and placed her paws over his chest, on the peacock miraculous, a frown flickering on her small face. She glanced up to spot Marinette and gasped.

Marinette ran in the opposite direction, trying to find a good spot to hide. She ducked into the bathroom, opening her purse “Tiki! Sp-” she sputtered to a stop. Her heart leaped into her throat. The kwami wasn’t there. “Tiki?!” She looked around, “No, no, no, Tiki?” 

Tiki phased through the door, “I saw you get released from the akuma’s control but you ran so fast!” 

Marinette laughed in mild hysteria and relief, “Ohmygoodness, you’re here, oh thank goodness.”

“I’m always here for you. But right now, we need to help them Marinette!” 

Marinette nodded in determination, “Tiki, spots on!”

Paon Lilas hadn’t moved. Féline Sombre was fighting Theatrix and the remaining students under her control. Paon Lilas still hadn’t moved. He laid on the floor, curled in clear pain. 

“Lucky Charm!” Ladybug called, figuring she didn’t have a second to lose. The charm produced a gauze. “Oh no-” She glanced towards Paon Lilas, who struggled to stand up, his miraculous beeping incessantly. 

She ran towards him. “Let me help-”

His eyes were wide with panic. Bracing an arm against his chest, he ran. She saw the flash of light from the detransformation just as he opened the door to a classroom. Pushing the desire to follow him out, she refocused on Theatrix and Féline Sombre. 

“Ladybug! I’m pretty sure the akuma is in the mask! It’s the one consistent thing in her and her minions,” Féline Sombre called, “But I can’t reach it because she keeps moving!”

Ladybug nodded, and glancing at the gauze and Theatrix, she leapt into action. “Kitty, cataclysm now!” 

“You got it, Bug! Cataclysm!”

She twirled her yoyo to capture Theatrix’s arms, and created a loop with the gauze to stop her from thrashing her head. She strained to keep her secured as the remaining students still under her control tried to grab Ladybug’s arms and pull Theatrix free.

Féline worked faster than the controlled people, luckily. The paper mask turned to ash in the cataclysm, and the purple butterfly fluttered out. The illusion fell. 

Ladybug took a moment to sigh in relief before capturing and purifying the pesky butterfly. She raised a hand for Féline Sombre to high-five.

“Miraculous Ladybug!” she called, throwing the gauze into the air.

Lila looked up at the pair with a remorseful look. “Oh- oh what happened? Why am I here?”

Féline Sombre leaned down and offered a hand to help Lila up. “You were akumatized…”

Ladybug looked around, noticing the sentimonster had disappeared. A spike of urgency pricked in Ladybug’s mind. “I need to get Paon Lilas!” Ladybug exclaimed, racing to the classroom the boy had detransformed in.

Adrien kept his back to his door, taking harsh, crackling breaths. “I need to get out of here,” He muttered towards Dusuu. The kwami looked at him, eyes wide and tearful.

Between gasping sobs, he said, “Adrien, the miracle cure didn’t even help, you need to start being more careful...” 

He nodded, “I will-” he coughed, and the door moved against his back.

Ladybug knocked urgently, “Paon! Let me in.” 

He stood up, bracing the door closed. He exchanged a worried look to Dusuu, “Dusuu, spread my feathers!” He raced forward to the window and Ladybug managed to open the door just as he started climbing through the window. They both stopped, staring at each other. 

Ladybug raised her hands like he was a skittish animal, “Are you alright?”

“Fine,” He wheezed out, he swallowed, leaning out the window and looking down.

“Wait- please, just tell me who you are! Just… let me explain.”

He closed his eyes, listening to her footsteps slowly come closer. She was worried. But that didn’t mean she was worried for him. She was frustrated too. She was definitely frustrated about him. 

Her footsteps were getting too close. He snapped his eyes open and jerked back. She took a step backward. He coughed, and shook his head, “Sorry.” He leaped out the window and left her standing alone. He didn’t look back.

Tiki paced through the air as much as a floating creature could pace.

"Usually I'm the one freaking out, what's wrong?" Marinette asked as she finished her Paon Lilas doll.

"The peacock miraculous... it's broken," Tiki said, frowning, "I... don't know how."

"It didn't look broken? ...Does it being broken hurt you guys?"

"Yes, and our holders," Tiki said, eyes wide. Terrified. "We need to find them and we need to fix the miraculous."

"...How do we do that?"

"The spellbook."

[mizumelona]

set me up | atsumu x reader

SYNOPSIS: You’re an ambitious career woman, who’s got everything…except a significant other. Your mom, sick of you showing up to family functions alone, sets you up on a series of (terrible) blind dates. You make these dates meet you at your favorite restaurant, Onigiri Miya, but for some reason the owner’s jerk of a twin brother always happens to be there exactly when things crash and burn.

NOTE: I had a ton of fun writing this chapter, and I hope you enjoy. Things are finally starting to pick up between Atsumu and the MC hehe.

MASTERLIST

PREV | DATE 2 - THE LYING, CHEATING BASTARD | NEXT

TAGLIST: @awkwardali6106 @kasandrafaye @veggytaled @svtbitch @stinkyobeymerat @hollypastl @differentballooncollection @o51oc @sunboikyo00 @justxanotherxshipper @kaisemieita

~

Onigiri Miya. Sunday 10:55AM

You did a quick survey for a certain dye job jerk as you opened the door and stepped into Onigiri Miya. The coast was clear. Awesome.

“Glad ‘Tsumu isn’t here?”, Osamu called out to you as he continued wiping dishes. You’d stopped by nearly every day this past week, and had gotten in the habit of chatting with Osamu while he prepared your orders. Yes the amount of onigiri you ate was getting a little ridiculous but at least you were eating real meals and not resorting to soylent. Surprisingly, you hadn’t encountered Atsumu during your visits.

“Hey Osamu! Haha yeah it’s just that I have another date today and I don’t trust him not to butt in”

“Yeah I wouldn’t either”

Just then, the door chimes jingled. You quickly fixed your hair and turned to put on that demure smile you’d been practicing, but it was immediately wiped off your face as your least favorite blondie walked through the door.

“Pfft. That smile was even more ridiculous than the last time sweetheart”, Atsumu said with a chuckle, setting down his bag and taking a seat at the bar. “Though I hafta admit I didn’t expect to see ya here so soon” He looked you up and down. “Another date?”

“None of your business lemon head.” Atsumu grimaced at the nickname. “I still can’t believe you two are related. You’re my favorite Osamu” You smiled and held out your fist. Osamu put down his dishcloth and walked around the counter to fist bump you back.

“Woah. Woah. Since when didja become buddies”

“Since ya left for your training camp this week”, Osamu said matter-of-factly.

“Ooo are you jealous?”, you said with a sly smile.

Atsumu let out an incredulous noise. You were about to let out a little snicker when as if he’d gotten some kind of brilliant idea he narrowed his eyes and his lips curled into a smirk. Oh no. Your date was about to show up any second. You did not have time to deal with his antics.

“Lemme tell ya now sweetheart, I’m a much better friend than ’Samu”

As if on cue, the door chimes jingled again. The timing was bad but there was nothing you could do about it. You smoothed out your clothes and turned putting on the demure smile again.

You quickly evaluated your date. Tall. Round eyes. Dimples! Dark wavy hair tucked under a blue baseball cap. He had the kind of smile that made you hold your breath. What a catch. You couldn’t believe this guy was still single. Thank you mom!

“Hey! Are you y/n?”, he said. His eyes were quite literally sparkling.

“Yes that’s me!”

“I’m Daisuke. Thanks so much for coming. Sorry, my mom’s been getting a little carried away with her schemes to get me on dates”

“Same!”

You stood there looking at each other for a moment. Maybe this whole dating thing wasn’t as bad as you thought.

“Hey do you want to grab a seat over there?”

“Yeah sure”. You guided Daisuke to the same table you used last week that was as far away from Atsumu as possible.

While you were busy getting situated, Atsumu turned to Osamu with that devious smirk still on his face.

“‘Samu, let me borrow that”

“Wha- ‘Tsumu!”

~

“It’s weird because before it was like they didn’t want me to date at all, but now it’s like…”

“Hey!” A voice piped in. Oh no. “Welcome to Onigiri Miya! What can I getcha today?”

You turned toward your server with a clenched jaw. Sure enough, Atsumu was standing there wearing Osamu’s apron with his blonde hair sticking out from under Osamu’s cap. Your eyebrow twitched.

Daisuke was unphased. He probably hadn’t even realized that it was a different guy from the one that greeted him at the door. “Hi! Could I get the unagi rice ball”

“‘Course! How about you miss?”, They both turned to you expectantly. You were seething, but now was not the time to be breaking down. You needed this date to work. You tucked a strand of hair behind your ear.

“I’ll get the minced tuna and spring onion rice ball.” You looked Atsumu straight in the eyes. “Please~”

“Okay gotcha. I’ll be back with your food real soon.” Atsumu gave you lazy smirk and sauntered back toward Osamu. He’d better not be coming back. Osamu threw an apologetic look in your direction, weakly mouthing a sorry.

It looked like you were going to have to take things into your own hands. You turned to Daisuke. “Hey I actually forgot a part of my order. I’ll go tell him real fast and be right back”

“Oh do you want me to go inste-“

“I can do it”

You gave Daisuke a little smile then stood up and stalked toward the bar where Atsumu was chatting with Osamu, grabbing him by his sleeve.

“What do you think you’re doing”, you snapped.

“Woah there. I’m just trying to save ya from yourself sweetheart.” He smirked. “Let’s face it, that last date was a trainwreck. I’m helping’ ya out here”

“Don’t mess with me. Helping? Do you think this is funny?”

“Of course”, he said with a chuckle. This bastard. “Ya want some strawberry juice? On the house. Might help you chill out. Mr. dimples over there is lookin’ a little freaked out”

Shit. You glanced back at the table. Daisuke was watching with a worried look. You quickly released Atsumu’s sleeve.

You leaned in and whispered “Stay. Out. Of. My. Date.”

You went back to your seat. Daisuke still looked concerned.

“Are you okay?”, he tentatively asked.

“I’m fine!”, you quickly quipped back.

“Here’s that strawberry juice you asked for”, Atsumu arrived with a glass sloshing with magenta liquid. He placed it on the table with a wink and walked back to the bar.

“So where were we again…oh yeah dating…” Daisuke said turning to look out the window. He froze, then quickly pulled down his hat and turned away.

“Hey is everything okay?”, you asked.

“Oh. Yeah! Totally”, he tried to sound nonchalant, but everything about him was suspicious.

You looked out the window towards where he’d been looking. There was a fashionable looking woman about the same age as you staring into the restaurant. She looked pissed.

“Hey Daisuke, do you know that person?”

“Huh, no, not at all” He let out an anxious laugh.

Suddenly, there was a sharp knock against the window. You jolted in your seat. The woman had walked up to the window and was currently glaring daggers at Daisuke.

“Are you sure? She looks pretty upset”

“Yeah, you can ignore her”

The woman rolled her eyes and walked away…or so it appeared. Two seconds later the door to the restaurant opened with a slam.

“Daisuke!” Her heels clacked she made her way over to the table you were sitting at.

“Shit”, Daisuke muttered.

“You lying, cheating bastard! Another girl? I saw you with Risa yesterday and Hana the day before that” She turned to you. “Hey I know he looks cute, but trust me he’s not worth the trouble. He’s just going to find another girl once he sleeps with you”

“Ah…” There went your perfect date. You should’ve known he was a little too good to be true.

She turned back to Daisuke. “You are absolute trash.” She picked up his glass of water. Oh no. You leaned away as she dumped it over his head, avoiding any stray splashes. Whew. You relaxed in your seat. What is this? A K-drama?

She scoffed and turned away. Her bag swung with the motion making contact with the glass of juice which in turn sent its contents flying over the edge of the table and onto your lap with an audible splash. You bit your lip then let out a deep sigh and looked down. Your (formerly) spotless cream shorts were covered with bright pink stains.

“Oof”, you heard Atsumu and Osamu say in unison from the prep station.

“Oh sh-. I’m so sorry about that”, she tried to apologize, but you weren’t listening.

She hurriedly pulled a bunch of napkins out of the nearby dispenser sopping up whatever was left on the table. Thankfully there wasn’t much to clean on the chair or ground because it had all been absorbed by your clothes.

“I think that’s enough”, you sharply cut both the woman and Daisuke off.

You stood up, stalking toward the cash register, and snatched a bill out of your wallet, handing it to Osamu. “Hey Osamu, I’m so sorry about this mess, could you switch my food to takeout”,

“Uh sure,” He stuffed the finished rice ball into a bag and handed it to you. “But are you o-“

“It’s fine~”, you said with a slightly manic chuckle. “I’ll be going now”. You opened the door and let yourself out in one swift motion. You paused outside of the restaurant, looking down at yourself on more time. You bit your lip to suppress the desire to shout profanities and started walking back toward your apartment.

The restaurant door opened again followed by the sound of footsteps approaching you. “Hey!” You recognized that voice but hoped he would just go away. You didn’t have the patience for another fight with the petty lemon head.

“Y/N, Wait!”

You stopped, turning to face him with crossed arms. “What”

He dug through his bag and pulled a black sweater out, holding it out in your direction. “Here”

Your jaw clenched. “I don’t need your help”

“‘Course not”. He stepped forward still holding it out. “This is me being selfish”

That was a bit surprising and even a bit gentlemanly. You were stunned. You paused for a second then reached out and gripped the fabric.

“…thanks”

You tied it around your waist, covering most of the stain.

He stood there watching you for a second, then with an unexpectedly sincere looking smile he adjusted his bag on his shoulder and started walking back towards the restaurant. “See ya later sweetheart”

~

Later that night you picked up the sweater from where you’d tossed it before you went to shower. Some of the juice had gotten onto it, but I was black so it probably wouldn’t stain. It smelled faintly of the strawberry juice as well as a light cologne. You held it up taking a closer look at the logo on it.

MSBY Black Jackals

What’s that? You picked up your phone and ran a quick google search. A variety of pictures of guys in black uniforms chasing after blue and yellow balls showed up. You paused, recognizing Atsumu in one of these pictures. He was leaping into the air about to smack a ball with the biggest grin on his face. You had to admit. He looked a little cool. Just a little.

“Volleyball huh”

[honey-makki]

If It Could Have Been Me

Characters: Nishinoya Yuu X Fem!Reader

Summary: “Why do we desire, above all other things, that which has the greatest power to destroy us?”

Warnings: like two curse words

Song: the 1- taylor swift

Genre: angst, past loves

Word Count: 2k+

A/N: first and foremost i am a folklore gay. second i am so sorry for this i do not know why i was inclined to write 2k+ words of noya angst but i was, so here you go.

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Picking up your drink at the bar, you head back to the table with your friends. The sting of tequila isn’t completely covered by the ginger beer, but that’s your favorite part, the slight pain that comes with having fun. Laughing into your mug you muse on how that's been a common theme in your life. Sprained ankles from volleyball, getting a little too drunk at a party, stung by a jellyfish at the beach, and him. 

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Saying that you met Nishinoya wouldn’t be completely accurate. He was late and running to practice, changing on the way after being hung up by his teacher. You were buried nose deep in your diary writing about your weekend plans. Were. You were looking at your diary but now you are on the ground laying next to a man who curiously was half dressed and had a tshirt stuck on his head. He turned, you think, to look at you and apologize but turned the wrong way. The absurdity of this situation reduced you to giggles which turned in deep laughter. You reached up to help him get his shirt on, but only after glimpsing over his toned body. 

His brown eyes crinkled together, paired with a shining smile that matched yours. Jumping up, he reaches down to help you up. You take his hand and notice he already has your diary in his other hand. “Hi, uh, I’m sorry for running into you, especially when I wasn’t even fully dressed. My name is Nishinoya and I’m a third year. I have to run to volleyball practice but here is your diary.” The words seem to flow freely out of his mouth, getting increasingly faster as the sentence goes on. “I didn’t mean to see anything but I did see that you don’t have weekend plans, can I make this up to you by taking you out for coffee?” 

You nod your head slowly, overwhelmed, and he smiles and scratches the back of his neck. “Cool, wanna meet at Sakanoshita Store at 11 tomorrow?” You haven’t stopped nodding but another smile encaptures your face. “Alright, I’ll see you then!” And with that he rushes off with a jump in his step

Realizing that you never gave him your name you called out, “Hey, Wait my name is Y/N. Y/N Y/LN!” He turns around, gives you a thumbs up and keeps running, narrowly missing a wall. With a laugh, you head on home, with the beat of your heart in your ears. He was a whirlwind and you were at his mercy already.

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You find yourself back at the bar, trying to get the bartender's attention. A tall, dark and annoying man on your left and short, loud and trashed one on your left. You just want a drink, not a man hitting on you, not a man touching you. The longer you are here the more alcohol you need, and by the time the bartender gets there you order the usual and a shot for both you and him with a wink. Lime chasing the burn of tequila in your throat, eyeing the bartender trying to decide if that was going to be your choice of pain tonight. 

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Saturday rolls around, and suddenly it's 8pm. You two spent hours at the cafe laughing about embarrassing stories, talking about your dreams and soaking up everything you could about the other person. Noya leads you out by the hand at closing time, not wanting the day to end but not having an excuse to stay with you. 

You take the lead pulling him down the road skipping, surprisingly enough he joins in until you reach a stop at a park. The fountain lit faintly with lights, the playground dark and the place was utterly empty. You both started blush with that realization but neither of you notice the other since you are too nervous to look. You might have learned about his dreams today, but it was light, it was populated and it was not as personal as this.

You let go of his hand and head over to the swings on the playground. Once you sit, you see Noya still standing there in front of the fountain, “Hey, Noya, wanna push me on the swing?” you call a little louder than you probably needed to for how silent the park is. 

He turns around with a grin, “I would be honored to push you on the swing, Y/N”. another hour passes of y’all taking turns pushing each other on the swing and eventually settling into two individual ones. The tension seems to be building between the two of you as the night draws to a close, he gets up from his swing, and before you can follow, his hands grip the chains and he leans down to look at you. “Hey, Y/N, I’m really happy you agreed to come out with me today,” giggling he adds, “there isn’t anyone else I would have wanted to run into in the hallway.”

Looking up at him you feel warm, you don’t think it's due to a blush, but rather just happiness that you have from being around him. The light he radiates makes the park seem like 4 in the afternoon, not 9pm. Wanting to reciprocate the feeling, but having a lump in your throat, you reach up, brushing his blond bangs out of his eyes and rest your hands on his cheeks. Your hands warm up the longer they are there due to his maddeningly adorable blush. You take the opportunity to lean up for a chaste kiss. 

After an embarrassingly long time kissing at the swings, you head back over to the fountain on your way out of the park. You reach in your purse for some pennies, giving him one and retaining one in your hand. “Close your eyes and make your wish and then toss it in. It’ll come true if you believe hard enough” you whisper more to yourself than him. I hope that Noya and I love each other one day. Little did you know that this wish wasn’t precise enough. 

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Fists buried in the sheets, eyes blown out, chasing your high. Well, that’s what you are pretending is happening, but really the bartender just wants to get his dick wet with little regard for the other party involved. Tired of acting, you manage to flip him over, and ride him until you reach orgasm. The orgasm wasn’t even worth the amount of effort that was involved, you think about while getting dressed to leave. Bruises are already starting to form on your hips, muscles tight, but hey, what is a little bit of fun without some pain?

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Every date you went on with Noya ended with you at a park, throwing pennies in the fountain. Your wish evolved over time as did your relationship. You didn’t even realize your feelings until you wished to stay in love. The penny plopping into water pulled you out of your mind and you immediately turned to him. Words tumbling out of your mouth, genuine but nervous, “Hey babe, I love you. It’s ok you don’t have to say it back right now, but I would feel weird realizing it here and not saying it. This place just seems special--.”

He cuts you off with a deep kiss, something that feels different. Passionate, warm, all encompassing.Your bodies are flush together, arms around waists, hands in hair, mouth on mouth. His love is almost blinding, hot to the touch, but you can’t get enough. He’s the sun and you are a planet, dependent on each other for purpose.

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The next morning you get a call from Kiyoko asking if you would be her Maid of Honor. With a tired smile, you muster all the enthusiasm you can and agree stating that you would love to do so and look forward to helping with any preparations. You’ve never heard Kiyoko have as much enthusiasm and nerves as she did on that call. Helping her and standing there with her will be one of your life’s greatest honors but it hurts knowing she’s marrying Tanaka and that you’ll have to see him. Hell, if your friendship with Tanaka is consistent, then Noya will probably be the best man, with that thought and a deep groan you roll back over to sleep off your hangover and regret for last night. 

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Months with Nishinoya fly by faster than you expected. Its dizzying, its deep, its reckless, its fearless, its love. Getting kicked out of theaters for being too loud, playing pranks on mutual friends, late nights spent under the stars together. Deep love isn’t easy love. There are arguments about the time, or lack of, that you spend together, about the future, about how serious this is. Do you have congruent dreams? Do you respect each other in the same way? Do you think they are the one?

One night, you are standing in front of the playground from your first date, tears streaming down your face, his already dried and looking frustrated now. Words soaked in anger, edging on vitriol flowing out of your mouth, “How the fuck do you expect me to feel when we haven't had time to hang out in 2 weeks, you barely respond to my texts and I see you studying with someone that you know has a massive crush on you?” Just thinking about it, you start shaking your head out of anger, “I’m the top of our class! I’ve always helped you with any assignments or concepts and you know I don’t mind. So why were you with her?”

“Y/N you know that we’ve been prepping for nationals and as vice captain, I have additional duties. I didn't want the only time we spent together to be you tutoring me. I don’t want you to think less of me because I’m not as smart as you,” his voice with increasing ire and face is red. You aren't sure if it's out of embarrassment or anger, but you know that you never want him to feel either of those things when he's with you. 

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Between preparations for the wedding and your heavy workload, you've been so busy that you barely have time to think. You wish you didn’t have any time to think because every spare moment is spent in your favorite memories. Nights with Noya under the stars, in the parks, screaming to the music in your car, cheering him on at nationals. We were something and boy it would still be fun if you would've been the one, you reflect while putting together centerpieces for the reception in Kiyoko’s living room. 

Not wanting to be too obvious, you ask Kiyoko about the bridal party and what each of them are up to, starting with the bridesmaids. When he is the only one left you let out a small laugh and say, “I bet he’s up to some cool shit, still taking every day as an adventure.” Kiyoko looks at your wistful smile, eyes lost in memories, on the brink of a few tears. She knows what happened. She knows that your love was deep, it was enviable, edging on brutal and it burned brighter than the brightest star.

She also knows how it wasn’t meant to be. That to you two, to love is to destroy and in that destruction you felt truly alive. The passion you felt slowly consumed both of you until there was nothing left. Your love couldn’t be contained, and it was just something that neither of you wanted to fight hard enough for. He wasn’t the one but that didn’t matter in the moment because, humans will destroy themselves before they will recognize a simple truth. 

Your desire for the things that have the power to ruin you is barely managed by the passage of time. The further away he is, the easier it is to push the memories down just past the point of wanting to create new memories, to being nostalgic about the old ones. you have no regrets about the time you spent with him, except that your last wish in the fountain wasn’t I wish Nishinoya was the one.

Tags: @lydzisanerd​ @shiggywiggy​ @nonexistent-social-life​ 

[iammarylastar]

1. Alone amongst brothers.

"Cal! Hey mate where are you?" Snowballs clicked his fingers under his nose, startling him.

Bad idea. Never startle an ex cop ex Marine who hadn't slept for years.

Chris -his real name was Chris- came out of his reverie and offered a poor smile to his brothers. Obviously missing his goal to reassure his squad.

Who was he kidding?

He hadn't been here for years. For 3 years. 3 fucking years.

He hadn't been the same since he came out of prison. Since his brother, his real brother fled to Canada, to never return.

Since Oyster, his little brother killed that asshole in a bar.

Thinking about it, all this shit had started after their mother died.

Big, huge mess she had left behind.

He reluctantly came back to the world, that world without his mom nor his brother, that world where he's a useless piece of shit, forbidden to serve his country in any way.

Reverie couldn't have been more inappropriate. Living nightmare would have fit better.

"Next round on me." Jaeger announced with too much enthusiasm.

"Same?" He quirked an eyebrow at Cal, who just nodded, not bothering to say a word.

He didn't need another beer. Alcohol free. Taste free too. He'd been nursing the same bottle since he settled his ass in the bar, mind absently scratching the corner of the label with his nail.

He had been sentenced to 6 years and spent 3 at Pittsburgh Correctional Institution. He got a release, good behaviour. He'd been lucky, somehow, half of the prisoners were there because of him. Death had waited for him at every corner, but freedom hadn't tasted better.

A lot had happened in 3 years. Life had gone on whilst his had stopped behind the bars.

Snowball found his soulmate Carlo, Jaeger finally got Claire back, they married last year and were expecting their first child. Milk spawned two boys, fuck he'd been out for a long time.

Brotherhood meant leave no one behind. He had Oyster's back, he did what had to be done to save his brother from jail. Sentencing himself, ruining his own life.

He got nothing left. No wife, no family. Sure, his bros had always cared, hanging out, working out, having him in for all their kids birthdays, family barbecues, even last Christmas when Claire and Jaeger announced the good news.

They all exploded, hugging Claire and clapping Jaeger's shoulder, whooping and cheering like madmen.

He was genuinely happy for both of them and tried to ignore the stab in his guts.

For once he wanted and was in the mood to celebrate. Till his eyes landed on the blessed couple's wedding pic pinned on the wall, then spotted another showing his brothers in uniform, proudly posing with the groom.

Stab.

He wasn't there and it killed him.

Claire told him they got a seat settled in his honor and it hurt more deeply.

He had missed so many events, so many people.

Oyster.

He had spent most of his miserable life to raise his little brother -half brother but who cares?- kicked his ass every morning to have him secured at school, kicking his own ass to quit both grief and booze and pass his exams to assure them a future.

Look what future both fucked up.

If only he could have the slightest news of him, knowing his brother was fine and safe somewhere in Canada, a letter, a call, an emoji on whatever social media... but no. The cops were still looking for Oyster for Ben Daley's murder and as a cop -ex cop- he knew he and his mates have been under surveillance since day one.

Oyster had been MIA for 3 years with no chance of brightest days.

And he was left alone with nobody to care for and nobody to love.

His sentence had him kicked out from the police department, along with his staff sergeant status. No job. No rules to give rhythm to his days. No incomes but a few light works here and there in the neighborhood. The people he knew always put in a good word about him and hopefully people didn't ask for his criminal record before hiring him for fixing their roof, painting their fronts or uprooting a tree stump.

Yeah he had a lot to add to his resume: by-the-book cop, dauntless staff sergeant in the Marine corps, 2 rounds in Iraq, baby sitter and groundskeeper. Impressive.

"Man, look at this chick over there." Milk nudged him. "She's been eyeing you like she's willing to drop her panties for you."

Cal finally lifted his eyes and glanced at the girl in question. Thin, sexy, a blouse full of goodies, gaudy red lipstick, prying eyes.

Maybe he needed to get laid. He hadn't had sex since he came out of prison. His mates planned a party to celebrate his freedom and got him a working girl for the occasion but he wasn't in the mood.

He hadn't been interested in sex, not after what has happened in prison, not even a quick handjob while watching a porn. No. Scratch that. He's been forced into lame and painful wankings when his balls threatened to explode, but it was no fun at all. Far, far from it.

A slight nausea invaded his throat of the reminder and he forced the thought out.

Double sentence. If he hadn't suffered PTSD after what he did and witnessed in Iraq, then he got his trauma.

He might never use his cock again. Playground out of order. Broken.

"Nahhh... She looks cheap. Guys I don't need another blind date, you know. Your Tracy girl was crazy, she scared the shit out of me with her earlobe-licking... fetishism." Cal rubbed his earlob with a disgusting frown on his face, having all his skwad laughing out loud, wiggling all tongues out.

"Listen Cal. You need to get laid. You need a good fuck to come back to life. You're hot stuff still, you just need to pick up some gorgeous chick and have some fun! Before your dick just deceases from dehydration." Jaeger joked, hilarity ensued.

He looked around the crowded bar, tired. Tired to pretend he could be interested in that kind of date.

He didn't need a one night stand. He didn't need some cunt to fuck. He needed someone to love. And be loved in return.

Like the ol'time when he lived with his mom. Or with Oyster. He needed someone who cared.

"Thank you guys but I'm tired. I better go home and get some sleep. Need to wake up early and..."

His lame excuses got cut off by an angry Milk.

"Oh yeah, because you do have so much to do tomorrow, don't you? Cleaning up the house and walk Mrs Riley's pet? That's why you're leaving your brothers now? Cal, when are you going to get rid of this shit and be alive again? It's been 3 years already, move on for fuck sake!"

Cal didn't blink. He deserved to be scolded by his gang. He's been no fun, nothing more than a burden for them. A big piece of shit, whining about all he'd lost. Poor thing. Soon he'd lose them.

He was whining again. He's got the best friends he could dream of, people he could call his brothers, who were totally devoted to him, heart and soul.

His family. His home.

Those guys made it all easy for him while his time in prison. Paying him a visit each week, twice a week when they were off. They paid for his lawyer, his loan for the house so he wouldn't be homeless when he got out of prison. So he didn't have to break into his savings and get ruined in 6 months.

They did it in a heartbeat, without thinking nor asking for his permission. They told him it was the right thing to do. The same way Cal had them home, safe and sound after their tour in Iraq. Beside Jaeger's leg, abandoned there. How guilty he had felt, and still.

He owed them... everything.

He leant on his elbows and rubbed his face. He considered staying and trying to relax and have some fun, but his mood was definitely shitty.

Time to shake his thoughts and his big ass. He survived the war, survived in jail, he could survive this night.

"OK fuckers. But I don't want to bury my future here." He emptied his drink, slammed it loudly on the table.

"Let's get home and shake the walls!"

He grabbed his other beer and clinked glasses with his mates, and chugged it whilst his bros cheered and downed their own drinks.

"Last one at my mailbox is a loser!" Cal jumped on his feet and started running through the door.

"Ohhhh, you bastard!" Milk shouted, running after him, quickly followed by an enthusiast Snowball.

Jeager rolled his eyes and took out his wallet to pay the bill. He wouldn't win anyway, his fucking metal leg was no match for those big machines.

The three guys were messing around by the front door, playfully wrestling to pass first.

Cal jammed Milk's head in between his bulging biceps and disheveled his neat hairstyle, having him struggling even more for his freedom, grunting with rage. Snowball was stuck against the wall, the two heavy guys struggling were keeping him to head towards the door.

In a joint effort to get free, Snowball and Milk pushed Cal with all their strength until he popped out like a Champagne cork, sent flying against the wall. Just as the door opened on someone coming in.

Cal ended up glued to them, pinned on the wall, crushed against his broad chest.

"Whoah, whoah, whoah! What the hell?" A muffled voice came from underneath Cal's body.

"Holy shit, I'm sorry!" He apologized, peeling his body from a smaller and thinner one.

His hands flat against the wall, each side of a face. A beautiful face. Still blurry, he was too close to focus.

Never too close... he thought. Her smell itself made him stop.

"I'm sorry!" He uttered, forcing a step back. Finally able to focus on delicate features.

"I'm fine, I'm fine...uh, hey... I'm Jessica. " She said in a big grin as she rearranged the strands of hair away from her face.

"Nice to meet you..." She started, inviting him to introduce himself.

"Milk, nice to meet you gorgeous." The bastard spoke first, getting on Cal's business, more than happy to embarrass his mate.

"And this is Snowball" he continued, shamelessly stepping on Cal's toes and bluntly pushing him to the side.

"Ma'am!" Snowball bowed before an amused Jessica, glancing at the three boys with a smirk. "Please, accept our sincere apologies. I hope this giant idiot didn't hurt you when so roughly trying to get your attention."

Jessica let her eyes wander at the big stud's body and face, making sure it didn't turn into a stare. The man was built like a brick house, huge arms, solid chest, his short hair suggested he was a cop or a soldier, his handsome face obviously annoyed by his friends' demeanour. His gorgeous self nodding his head while pressing his so soft looking lips together. She felt her heart stop and her inside melt when they locked stares. His blue eyes were captivating and something slapped her in the face. Through his hilarious expression and attractive features, he looked so... sad and lonely. So much she wanted to pull him in in a hug and never let him go.

She forced her eyes back at the two dummies still making the show for her.

"And this!" Milk nudged his pal, "this is Chris Callahan, the man you need.

The thoughtfulness itself, well, when it's not nearly killing you, this guy is not only strong, courageous and handsome, thanks God he's also single."

Cal wanted nothing more than vanish from embarrassment after getting rid of that motherfucker of a so called best friend. On a definitive way.

But the more Milk was blurting his shit out, the more Jessica looked amused and kind of interested in him.

Eyeing him. The cutest smile on her lips. Which she bit when she finally was caught staring.

"This big sweet heart is to take darling, and you'd be a fool not to try your luck with him."

Milk got a little closer and lowered his voice "I heard he's got amazing skills, like... look at the size of his feet!"

The 2 guys barked a laugh, clunching at each other while Cam just chuckled and sighed, more uncomfortable than ever. Jessica shared the guys big laugh then winked at Cal, before glancing down to judge their size by herself.

Milk wiped the tears from his face, oh Lord he loved making fun of his mate so very much. Calming down his panting, he stepped back, still hooked to an exhilarated Snowball.

"If you want to excuse us mylady, we're up for a male race contest, where the loser will have to walk butt naked the entire week." He said, bowing out at Jessica, then stepping out of the bar with renewed loud laughs.

Cal just shifted uneasily on his spot, figuring out a way to stop looking like the dumbest guy on Earth.

"Sorry... That was... pretty awkward, wasn't it?" He shyly tried, mentally kicking in own ass to not have found something clever to say.

"Found it very funny actually, you guys made my day!" Her genuine smile cheered him up a little.

"Those guys are total weirdoes, please do not believe a single word of what they say." Cal flashed one of his best smile, pretty sure it would work for him.

"Seems your friends think very highly of you. The resume they made of you is quite appealing, you know." She made it sounds like a joke but couldn't help wondering about that nice guy, nice looking guy all in embarrassment in front of her.

And the size of his... feet.

"Yeah... Well, wait to meet them once they're not drunk and you might hear a different story." Cal shoved his hands deep in his pockets. Looking so cute.

"So... Cal, I'm looking forward to hang out with your smartass group of friends, and hear all kind of stories about you, I bet each more embarrassing than the last!" Jessica's fingers were playing with a strand of her hair against her will, flirting.

And it seemed this didn't get unnoticed, by the way Cal's stare lingered on her delicate features.

"I... I've got to go and look after those drunken asses before they get into more trouble. I won't stop hearing of it if I don't beat them tonight. It was so nice to meet you and again, apologies for so rudely bumping into you."

Chris scratched the back of his neck, torn between two options. Stay and risk to embarrass himself more and more, or leave and risk to never see her again.

"It's OK, Chris I'm fine. We would find a way to make it up for nearly knocking me down earlier. Go get them, we could meet another time. I'm new in town but I'm here for some time, let's catch up later!"

Chris chuckled, mumbled a cocky "sure!" through an enormous grin, dared to throw a wink at her before turning heels and walked out of the bar.

"I hope you lose!" She shouted at him as he reluctantly started to jog towards his mates.

"Thank you...?" Chris turned to face her again, walking backward, wearing an astonished expression. That was not the kind of support he expected.

"I may not know much about you, but I figured seeing you walk up the streets butt naked could be fun!"

Chris couldn't help the large grin taped on his face to turn into a big smile, that charismatic pant-dropping smile that had been MIA for years was finally back.

As he jogged back to his drunken brothers, in absolute no hurry, a light in heart, he felt like that stupid smile wouldn't leave his face for quite a while.

[yamithediaperdork]

Joey and the baby shop (Yu-Gi-Oh)

Tristen sighed a little as he went into back 2 the crib, his favorite new shop in town. it catered to daddies and mommies and big babies and while Tristen wasn't a mommy or baby, he was the very proud baby of a game shop owner who was spending this weekend flying out and explaining to his board of directors why he'd been seen in public in a tiger themed onsie with the crotch snaps staining from a clearly used diaper. (Ironically Tristen had told duke that the little waddle outside during the day was a bad idea but the little guy had been SO fucking cute pleading he wanted to show off..) However this meant that Tristen had no one to baby this weekend, a thought that left him gloomy. Still he could always browse around the shop and use Duke's credit card to get the little brat a few things. He was heading for the back wall where the uber thick diapers were held. unlike most of the noticeably thick adult diapers, these ones practically bragged they were like wearing a pillow. Super pricey but if you wanted to feel totally helpless it was the best. since Normally Tristen preferred that duke have a little bit of mobility he didn't get these often but he figured they might help the little guy decide to stay inside for awhile when he got back. The last thing he expected to see though as he got there was a familiar blond biting his lip and looking over the different designs. and holding a large adult pacifier in his one hand that was blue and had 'mute button' on the mouth guard. Though many would of expected it to be Yugi that Tristen was seeing, it was in fact his best buddy JOEY! "ah man..I dunno if I want the dog bone ones or the dragons one!" he was whining softly, not realizing that Tristen was of course behind him now. "If you want MY advice..I'd go with the dog bones. more fitting." Tristen said, grinning ear to ear as Joey twirled around and looked at him, going bright red in the face. "T-TRISTEN!"

Joey had been saving up for months for this. truthfully he'd been the first to laugh at and make fun of duke when Tristen had shown the little diaper baby off, but truthfully he'd just been so jealous he could almost barley see! he'd rushed into the shop to see what they had and had fallen in love with the sight and idea of the waddlers..but their price meant that even after saving up this long, he'd be on a ramen noodle diet for the next two weeks. He figured with Duke heading out of town his daddy would of gone with him and that THIS was the time to come in and get his diapies and a paci.. and now. "I..I..I thought you were with Duke!" Joey said, almost worried his hair was going to catch fire with how hot his blush was. "well I was going to, but he said it might be better if I stayed behind. I think the real question is..I thought you said this big baby stuff was, and i quote 'For little losers who can't get it up so they have to shit themselves.' " Tristen asked, folding his arms across his chest. "Well uh..see..the thing about that.." Joey fumbled for a excuse and then out of the corner of his eye spotted a container of baby powder and dropping his paci he grabbed it and squeezed with both hands. His intent was to blind Tristen, grab the diapers and paci, and then pay at the front and run home. However despite how hard he pressed, nothing happened and Tristen just reached over and tugged it from his hands. "It's sealed so that big babies like YOU don't make a mess in the store." Tristen explained with a smirk. "Now how about you pick up your paci, come with unca Tristen so we get a shopping cart." "I Uh..I.." Joey whined and then poked to fingers together, feeling his bladder getting fuller and weaker by the second. "I..I don't have enough money to really go all out soo-" "Did I say we'd be spending YOUR money? it's clear this is your first full on dive into second babyhood and -I- for one am not going to let my best friend half ass it. now be a good boy and pick up your paci, then hold my hand." Tristen said. getting lightheaded, Joey nodded numbly and bent down, picking up the dropped paci and then standing up..and holding out his hand. "Good boy~"

Tristen chuckled at how fast Joey slipped into little guy mode in his head. he didn't wanna give the little guy a reason to dart out by laughing too much as they got one of the large shopping carts and without asking Joey if he wanted to, picked up the blond and stuck him in the baby seat on the front of it. (Naturally the shops baby seats were meant for well, bigger babies and Joey fit with ease even as he looked around wildly, sure that everyone they knew would be there suddenly.) As Joey started to squirm in a fashion that Tristen knew very well he laughed a little out loud. "I think before we do too much shopping maybe we should get Lil Joey to the little boys room." Tristen said. "I uh..Yes unca." Joey said, his voice going softer then normal even as he fidgeted around. 'heh..I'm starting to wonder if it's all tough guys wanna be babied or if it's just a aura I give off.' Tristen thought, trying to take the shortest route to the customer bathrooms as Joey rocked back and forth now, a clerk giving them a knowing smile and speaking into a walkie talkie. "get prepped for wetting accident, by the waddlers." the clerk said low enough that Tristen heard it as he was expecting it, but Joey missed it. as they got close to the bathroom's there there was a maintenance sign up, they were closed to be cleaned. "uh..think you can hold it buddy?" Tristen asked. a second later as Joey let out a sob and a smelly mini waterfall happened he had his answer. "Guess not."

Joey tried to stop his sobbing as he totally pissed his pants. the last time he'd wet himself like this when he'd gotten home his dad had beat his ass, and now he half expected Tristen to do the same. at the very least he knew the employees in the store HAD to be mad at him but as Tristen lifted him out but grabbing him under the arm pits..the clerk just chuckled and smiled. one of them opened up the paci that had been in the cart in popped it in Joey's mouth, and despite himself he found himself nursing away on it even as the tears still flowed down his cheeks. "So, got anther cutie huh.. you wanna grab a pack of diapers and go and change him?" one of the clerks asked. Joey was standing on his feet now, rubbing a eye and sniffling and holding onto Tristen hand as he spoke. "Yeah, grab me a pack of the dragon waddlers. you know I'm good for it, and er.. while I'm in there can you get me a different cart for wittle joey here?" he asked. "heh, of course." Joey blinked and the tears slowed, Tristen wasn't REALLY gonna put him in one of those MASSIVE diapies right here in the store was he? how would he hide it!? he tried to voice his concerns but since no one spoke pacifier his pleas fell on deaf ears as they were led to the employee bathroom with unca Tristen carrying his..HIS diapers in one hand by the strap and holding Joey's hand with the other.

Tristen felt bad for the little guy, the first public accident was always the worst and he KNEW what a bastard Joey's dad was. that just meant that he'd have to be extra sweet and nice to Joey though as he got him into the employee bathroom that Tristen was amused to note had a adult baby changing station in it. 'Knew some of these guys were wearing!' he thought. tugging Joey's wet jeans off, Tristen just tossed them in the trash even as Joey whined behind his paci. "I'll buy you more big boy clothes to make up for it, they're soaked, smelly, and were coming apart anyways." Tristen said. Joey huffed but diaper argue anymore as his undies were removed too, along with his socks and sneakers. "Before you huff, i can get you sneakers here. they'll be a little childish but no one will think twice if you say you just got them on sale." Tristen said. he'd of tossed out Joey's shirt if he thought he could of gotten away with it, but Joey seemed to of read his mind and got a death grip on it, trying to glare at him even as he nursed loudly on his paci. 'I wonder if he knows just how silly a death glare looks like this.' Tristen wondered then just got him up on the changing station. it was supplied with wipes and powder and Tristen made sure to get Joey nice and clean, pausing though to hold up a very brown stained wipe when he'd been wiping Joey's cheeks. "I think some silly little man needs to learn to wipe better." he teased and tickled Joey's tummy, making the rapidly going full on little boy giggle and coo behind his paci as he squirmed around. Joey wasn't shaved but Tristen didn't have the means to handle that at the moment, though made a note he'd have to shave him when he got him home, and finally took out one of the diapers from the pack. it was about the thickness of two pillows and was white with cartoon versions of duel monster dragons all over it, acting goofy and Tristen noted that Joey's whining and squirming had stopped as he looked eyes on the diaper, listening to the crinkles as Tristen unfolded it. it was then that something very very cute happened. even as Joey was having the stiffie reaction most big babies had, he reached out with his hand, opening and closing them in the universal baby/toddler sign of 'me want!' "hehehe lift your bum up for Unca little guy." Tristen said. not even DUKE had been this fucking cute during his first diapering (and if memory served he'd given Tristen a black eye flailing about) and Joey was just a good widdle boy and lifted his hips up as high as he could, looking at Tristen and wordlessly asking if that was high enough. Tristen responded by getting the thick diaper under Joey's butt and then counting him with a fair amount of baby powder, rubbing some of it in and making Joey drool and moan around his paci, his feet curling. "You're a good boy Joey. a super good little boy. Unca Tristen doesn't care about your accidents, he just wants you to be happy." Tristen coo'ed. it was apparently more then Joey could take and with a muffled moan the silly little baby started to make a mess, though Tristen tugged the diaper up and caught it. "Good boy Joey. such a good..little boy." Tristen coo'ed. Joey grinned behind his paci, though his eye lids were drooping. Tristen decided it might be better to just pay for some of the stuff here and now, and he'd bring Joey back tomorrow. Tugging the sleepy guy up into his arms, and a arm under Joey's massively thick butt, he planted a kiss on Joey's forehead. "so, are the diapers just as awesome as you pictured?" Tristen asked. Joey gave a sleep nod when wrapped his legs and arms around Tristen as best he could and rested his head on the bigger boys shoulder, quickly falling asleep. '...Ok fuck being his Unca..when duke gets back he has a new little brother.' was all Tristen could think as he headed out of the bathroom. the end

[kinetic-elaboration]

December 23: 1x29 Operation Annihilate!

I’m very tired but at least I’m done with work for the year! Now to...set about furiously writing because I’m behind on like 3 different events, including, most egregiously, Chopped. Woah well. Here are some thoughts on the FINAL EPISODE of TOS season 1.

This ep isn’t messing around with the drama. Very first scene involves chasing a ship that’s flying into the sun.

Sam! I have a lot of Kirk brother feels even though tbqh they’re entirely about a relationship made up in my head. Like, there’s not really a lot of canonical Kirk brothers content, in either TOS or AOS (okay, nothing in AOS...technically...) but in my head it’s like this whole Thing and I’m obsessed.

This is one of the most beautiful planets in the galaxy I guess? Looks a lot like generic California to me. Cool architecture though.

I think I missed the explanation of what this planet does lol.

Sam is a research biologist.

His wife has such a weird name that I sometimes think of her as an alien but I guess they are all human. Less interesting lol. She might become an alien in HAICG but probably not.

All the people are in their homes, hiding out. I know this is to save money on extras, and then in-universe I guess because people hide from that which scares them, even when that’s pointless, but all I could think was “they’re self-isolating.”

Kirk and co. go to Sam’s lab to find him, but his whole family is there... do they... live in the lab?

We finally meet Sam...and he’s already dead. So bitter about this.

I remember a specific close up of just Sam’s face where it’s super obvious it’s Shatner with a mustache but this seems subtler... has it been edited, or am I mis-remembering?

Spock doesn’t know what to say. Does he really “understand” lol? He wants to be comforting though.

Guess Aurelan calls him Sam too. Thought that was only Jim.

I remember someone on tumblr pointing out that Jim beams down to the top of the stairs just so he can walk down them dramatically and now I can’t unsee it.

I’ve also heard people make fun of the aliens but I legit think they are alien looking and scary and gross. “It’s not life as we know or understand it.”

Been a while since we saw Christine and here she is.

“Spock’s readings are strange... even for him, which is saying something!”

“If you can’t do this, get another nurse!” What other nurse lol? This whole ship has a medical staff of 2.

“His body’s full of tentacles.” That is legitimately disgusting.

This is a very bad day for Kirk.

Spock’s on the loose, we must catch him--oh how convenient, he is here on the bridge!

Must...pinch... Captain...

“I apologize for that mutiny attempt back there. We’re all good now.” And miraculously, he actually is.

I HAVE MY OWN WILL. LET ME HELP. Interesting phrase there!

The needs of the few do outweigh the needs of the many. He MUST save Spock. And his nephew.

Is Spock, uh, hypnotizing himself? I don’t know if I believe that Vulcans can just stop themselves from feeling any pain.

“I was confined to sick bay. I unconfined myself.” He is really determined to run this errand. This needs to be the attitude I take toward my errands.

Bad ass Scotty. “Captain, your space husband is trying to escape.”

Kirk is so in love. “Your logic, as usual, is inescapable.”

McCoy just wants his patients to stay put.

I love when McCoy just randomly examines people.

“Your affection for Spock.” That’s one way to put it.

I feel like it took them way too long to figure out that the sun produces light. “What are the properties of the sun?” / “It exists.” Starfleet’s finest minds, everyone.

These creatures are sort of...like vampires. In a way.

Cool specs. I want a pair of those (prescription).

“The best first officer in the Fleet!”

“I am also quite blind.” What a drama queen. He knew he was blind already, obviously, he just needed to bump into something and make a big production out of announcing it.

And then literally seconds after blinding Spock, the tests they were ALREADY RUNNING come back and they realize that they never needed to use the blinding light. Like... I appreciate the drama but omg you dumbasses. And you call yourselves men of science. It wasn’t even like they hadn’t thought to do the tests. They were doing them!

Jim’s mad now.

Ew, gross, disintegrating vampire creatures. Clean up is going to suck.

I feel McCoy’s grumpiness about the weird eye thing lol. Unexpected...optic nerve...thing. Except actually it’s the eyelid? Developed to respond to “the brightness of the Vulcan sun”? That Spock just FORGOT he had? Very suspicious. I suspect more manufactured drama.

Uhura’s really enjoying this banter.

YOU FORGOT ABOUT HIS VULCAN EARS.

This whole last scene is so good. If you’re going to go on hiatus for 6 months, this is the way to do it.

I legitimately love this episode. Yes, there were moments when Kirk and friends were kind of dumb: taking forever to think about light (not buying McCoy’s line about how “light isn’t harmful” because first of all, there are nocturnal creatures on Earth so the idea that a living being might not like the sun isn’t weird, and second, even if it WERE weird, these are ALIENS so--think more broadly!); and being so quick to test out the light on Spock (while the results from the first test were still ongoing!) but I’ll forgive them that. Everyone has blind spots. Even very smart people can get caught up and not think about stuff that seems obvious as soon as they realize it. Plus, with the tests on Spock in particular, I can see how the urgency of the situation, the excitement of coming up with a potential solution, Spock’s desire to be free of the pain and also to be Dramatic again, and Kirk’s general commanding presence, might have all combined to lead them to jump the gun.

Also they totally forgot about Peter by the end lol. I mean we assume he got the same light treatment that Spock and the planet did but he’s also an orphan so...where does he go lol?

But other than that, pretty perfect episode! Got some good K/S moments. Some Kirk family stuff, even if it’s not a big element and also probably superfluous given that Spock being injured gives Kirk exactly the same personal stake as a family member being injured does. GREAT alien: I’m always here for any ep that can reasonably sneak in an “it’s not life as we know it” line. I like that they’re one giant organism, but spread out over a great distance; they’re using people for their bodies, to build ships and basically be their colonizers for them; they infect people in a gross and scary way; they’re defeated in an unusual manner. Basically, a great combination of Alien, as in unusual, and frightening.

And it’s a PERFECT triumvirate episode. A lot of focus on all three, and on their strengths. A philosophical problem that puts the difference between Spock (we must destroy the comparatively few to protect the many) and McCoy (we cannot kill that many people for any reason) into stark contrast, and then sets up Kirk as the fulcrum between them (we’re not killing anyone, now or later, just find my a solution--that great combo of optimistic and commanding). Kirk gets a special spotlight appropriate for him as Captain: he has to make these big decisions that could lead to a million deaths, while also thinking about the people important to him. Spock gets a spotlight that emphasizes his Vulcan nature. Mccoy gets a spotlight that emphasizes his role as doctor. They all get to interact together in a way that shows their real affection for each other. There are great moments like them all squashed in the doorway, or when Spock is blinded and Mccoy has to hold Kirk back from helping him TOO much. The banter at the end is easily among the top end-scene bridge dialogues of the season. And it’s a good note to end on because it sets up the importance of the triumvirate going to S2.

I am not going to take a 6 month hiatus lol. Next time, probably next week, not really sure, is Amok Time! Truly a wild choice to start out the season.

[astryelle]

Phantasm-Round 2

Author’s Note: A playlist to listen to while you read this because self control is not a thing I have. Each song relates to a part of the round!

(Chicken Boy is a nickname for Gakusa Oh)

(Image: Aerial of Taiyuu’s island, angle of the train coming in)

The end of the weekend brings the close Lana’s home visit. How Dinara almost managed to set the kitchen on fire for a third time is beyond her. Really, the sheer amount of chaos that happened in two days dumbfounds her.

A thin, wispy mist sits over the island, giving everything a hazy sort of screen. She was supposed to be back at 7, the night before, but a storm had the train delayed til the early morning hours. From her window, she can see the damp campus grounds, dull greys in the out-of-focus weather. 

The car is basically empty; Fujinuma and Spellman being the only other occupants of it. No one tries to make small talk; Fujinuma is nodding off in her sleep, and Spellman is scribbling something in her journal. There’s a stagnant, but peaceful atmosphere, much like the feeling the storm has left behind. As the train eases into the station, it stops with a quiet hiss and doors slide open.

“Mind the gap when stepping onto the platform. Mind the gap when stepping onto the platform. Mind the gap when stepping onto-” The automatic voice reminds her. 

“Have a good weekend, Ogura?” Spellman’s voice rings from above as her classmate is currently a whopping two and a half meters.

“My aunt almost burrned aparrtment komplex down,” she deadpans as they leave the station.

“Sounds fun.”

“No.”

Spellman laughs, bumping Lana with her shoulder as they reach the dorms. In the common room they part, with Lana continuing up the stairs to her room while Spellman stops to talk with Masaki.

There is a grand total of half an hour to get ready for school this morning. No run, just a quick shower, breakfast, and Lana is off for the academic buildings.

(Image: Wolfsboon, 1-B Homeroom teacher)

Wolfsboon looks about as thrilled to see 1-B as he was the first week. Kottoba and Chicken Boy “help” by having an insult battle (awful choice on Chicken Boy’s part, really). After they both get detention for the foreseeable future, announcements begin. “Today will be your first official heroics class,” he bites out, glaring at the whispering class. Once the room is silent, he continues. “Don’t disappoint me.”

“Yes sir!”

Wolfsboon narrows his eyes for a fraction of a second, lips slightly jerking into what someone might call a smile. The expression is gone the next moment, as he moves on to who didn’t do their homework-Chicken Boy, who else?-and who would be washing the classroom because of it.

By the time Heroics rolls in, the clouds are threatening another storm. Other students have put on the long sleeved gym uniform, but Lana doesn’t care enough to change, so it is what it is.

Wolfsboon and Aurora spend a few minutes quietly arguing about something before the round is announced.

It seems deceptively simple.

Then the match-ups are announced.

‘Tokei Yameru vs. Ogura Svetlana’

Chicken Boy bumps her. “Have fun, Lanka.”

She replies by smacking him with her tail.

Everyone is sent to their respective side of the field and given ten minutes to prepare.

“Stay in your fields or collaboration zones, and do your best!” Aurora calls.

“Cheaters will be punished,” Wolfsboon adds.

She elbows him after she thinks the kids are out of sight.

(Image: Claws out; let’s go.)

Lana’s ten minutes are spent warming up. Tokei isn’t a person she’s very familiar with. They’re tall, quiet, and have some sort of time quirk that’s touch activated. Avoiding their hands is a given, but without knowledge of how long their quirk lasts, or if it has any disadvantages, she may as well being going in blind.

Dammit. She should’ve asked Chicken Boy when she had the chance.

The buzzer goes off and Lana descends on the city ground. She keeps to rooftops for the best view, hopping between buildings in purple puffs.

Below her, there’s a large flash with a white braid flying behind it.

Tokei.

Whatever they’re using their quirk for, it’s making them fast.

Her eyes catch on the glowing white circle in their arms.

(Image: Tokei Yameru running with the orb.)

Shit.

Lana appears in the street connecting to Tokei’s.

She just has to touch the orb and make it back to the goal.

Tokei turns the corner and Lana pounces.

With their advanced speed, the surprise doesn’t phase Tokei for long. Lana manages to knock the orb loose, but fighting Tokei for it is another problem.

(Image: Tokei’s quirk activates)

Lana tackles them, teleporting in several different directions within the span of a few seconds. She’s about to hop back as the orb falls, before a hand plants itself firmly on her arm.

Her limbs feel as if she’s trying to swim through a pool of syrup. Tokei stumbles back before regaining their balance and scoops the orb up. They take off in a different direction, not as quickly as before.

A minute later, the quirk cuts out and Lana hits the ground in a roll.

Tokei’s footsteps are fading. They don’t seem to be speeding themselves up anymore. That gives her more time.

It’s back to the rooftops; Lana takes longer jumps to get to Tokei’s goal-line first. It’ll take too long to find them, so cutting them off is the best Lana can do.

She drops at the goal line, just after an intersection with many dark alleyways.

Lana pauses, ears twtiching, before she straightens. “I know you’rre therre, Chicken Boy.”

(Image: Talking to Gakusa)

“You’re no fun, Lanka. And you’re on the wrong side.”

Lana huffs. “I know. What arre you doing?”

“Well, this is the collab zone, and I figured I come see my very best and conveniently useful friend-”

Lana shoots him a glare. “Get to the point.”

Chicken Boy rolls his eyes, a teasing smirk on his lips. “So mean to me. Anyway, what are you doing down here?”

“Waiting forr Tokei.” “Lost them already?”

She huffs.

“I’ll take that as a yes. You know they’re-” He squints at something to the far left. “-definitely not going the right way.”

Lana raises an eyebrow. “Rreally?”

“ ‘s what I said, isn’t it? They’re running toward your line.”

They must’ve gotten turned around after the confrontation.

I can work with this.

“Uh oh. Is my Lanka, God forbid, thinking?” Chicken Boy flicks her forehead. “I’m so proud. I could cry. Getting emotional just thinking about it-”

She smacks his hand away. “I hate you.”

He sticks his tongue out. “No you don’t. Whatcha gonna do?”

“I’m going to need coverr if I want orrb.”

Chicken Boy snorts. “Kemuri’s across the field. Maybe he’ll make you your own cloud wonderland so you can look even scarier.”

She swats him again.

There’s a dramatic gasp. “Slain by my very dear Lanka....whatever shall I do?” After the theatrics wrap up, Chicken Boy straightens. “I got a round to finish. See ya.” He snaps his fingers and then disappears down an alley.

Lana glances in the direction Tokei is in and then teleports into the next collaboration zone. Kemuri is drifting above the cityscape on a cloud, likely searching for his opponent.

“Kemurri. I need favourr.”

(Image: Talking to Kemuri)

The cloud drifts down to a rooftop. “What is it, Svetlana-san?” Despite the response, there are notes of resignation in what little is visible of his face.

“Could you put cloud coverr overr the field?”

“Why?”

“I need to catch Tokei.”

The boy pauses a moment before nodding. “Alright.”

(Image: Aerial, cloudy field)

The field, having already been a bit foggy, is now dense with clouds.

Lana turns back to him, ears twitching slightly. “Someone is in that building.” She indicates a tall shopfront a few streets away.

Kemuri raises an eyebrow, eyes sharper and posture taut like a bowstring. “Thank you.”

They both nod and return to their separate fields.

With the thick clouds dashing any hope of seeing Tokei on ground level, Lana stays to only the highest buildings, scanning for movement. Halfway to her goal, she sees the familiar glow of the orb radiating through the canopy of white billows.

Found you.

She drops down to the street.

(Image: Lana in the shadows)

Tokei’s looming figure staggers by, looking disoriented and dizzy.

Perfect.

She darts behind them. Tokei spins around, squinted eyes illuminated not by their quirk, but by the dull light of the orb. Lana lingers in the shadows of an alley, watching their posture shift to defensive. They tighten their grip on the orb and proceed with caution.

There’s a rock at her feet. Lana picks it up, hurls it at a window, and watches Tokei leap to face it. “Ogura-kun-?”

While they’re distracted, she comes up behind them, and swipes them off their feet with her tail.

They struggle to their feet, but Lana rams into them from behind, knocking the orb loose.

The second time they go down, Lana makes a beeline for the orb, scooping it up. She casts a quick glance over her shoulder.

Tokei’s arm shoots out, eyes beaming with signs of quirk use, all five fingers extended. They reach out-

(Image: Tokei slows the orb down.)

-and touch the orb, missing Lana in a purple cloud of smoke.

(Image: “You missed”)

It’s only a minute before Tokei realizes their mistake, but a minute is all Lana needs.

She behind them again this time, except this time, there is no chance to get back up.

Tokei hits the ground hard, head spinning.

Lana steps over them and closes the distance between her and the goal in three short jumps.

And as it had began, it’s over just as quickly.

“Lanaaaaaaa-chan!”

Between the short notice, and the fact that she’s exhausted, Lana has no time to dodge as Tokachi barrels into her, wrapping her in a hug.

The wind leaves her lungs, but she manages to stay standing. “Hello Tokachi.”

“Is your round over now? Did you win?”

“Yes.”

“Me too!” Tokachi lightly punches her in the arm. “Was it hard?”

“Harrderr than I thought.”

“Yeah. Tokei-kun is really strong. Do you think Gakutorii-ni will win?”

Lana gives her a look. “He’s a twig.”

“Lanaaa-chan! Don’t be mean!” There’s a pause before Tokachi starts laughing, serious expression cracking. “He is.”

“Wow. Nice to know how loved I am,” Chicken Boy deadpans. “Really, go on, guys. It’s very flattering.”

“Gakutori-nii! Did you win?”

“Of course I did-”

“Ameko-chan! I won!” Yukino pops up.

Tokachi gives Chicken Boy an amused look and pushes him aside. “That’s great Yukino-chan!”

The boy grumbles about his loss while the two 1-A students chat. “You lost the bet,” Lana says.

“Yeah, yea, I know-”

In the distance, there’s a deep rumble followed by a loud ‘boom’.

Silence sweeps the group.

“Was that a fucking building?”

“Lana-chan! Nowo cursing!”

And then it begins to rain, just as it had been threatening to do all day.

Of course.

@taiyuu-high-oct​

[lovelyrocker]

Love Is Blind Ch.2

~RPF

~Warnings: Jared being extremely sweet.(yes, that needs a warning!)

~ Characters: Jensen, Jared, Lexi(OFC), Spencer(OC), Ellie(OFC), Cassie(OFC)

~Pairings: Jared x Lexi(Eventually)

~Word Count: 6,310

Love Is Blind Masterlist

<Previous Chapter

Lexi managed to make it through her first few weeks with no major events. Other than the normal over obsessed fan wanted to know stuff and fangirled around her, she was able to stay to herself. Which is what she liked. She didn’t go out of her way to really make friends just yet and she never tried to hide the fact that she was Jensen’s little sister. What was the point? She figured it didn’t pay to hide who she was because in all honesty, she didn’t want to put in the effort of pretending to be something she wasn’t. She knew she wasn’t going to have a normal life but she was okay with that.

She fell into a routine of seeing Jensen and Jared mornings, catching them as she woke up just before they left for work. At night she would normally be awake studying late into the night when they’d come trudging in. Weekends were spent traveling back and forth to Austin from Vancouver and then to Dallas every other weekend. When she did have free time, however few and far between it was, she much enjoyed down time on the set. Watching them film trying not to laugh as they pranked one another, mostly Misha. Spending nights onset in the trailers binging on junk food and following the guys live tweeting while watching the show. It quickly became home, her normal and she was happy.

“Hey Texas!” Lexi heard a voice echo down the hall, seeing a petite redhead walking towards her.

“Hi.” Lexi greeted back closing her locker.

“How’re you liking our school?” The redhead came to a stop in front of her.

“Uh, good, I guess. Different than Texas.” Lexi answered slinging her backpack over her shoulder.

“I know. Culture shock. I’m Ellie.” Ellie smiled. “Wanna eat lunch with us?” She gestured towards the waiting people.

Lexi looked over at the teens then back at Ellie. “Sure.”

They sat at the concrete table on the concrete benches as the nibbled on their apple slices, sandwiches and soda. The weather was on the chilly side but the sun kept them comfortable enough to dine out. Lexi was introduced to Cassie, a 16 year old,  curvy brunette with a bubbly personality. And Spencer, a sixteen year old, tall, shaggy brown headed boy that had the ‘I don’t give a hell’ attitude most girls found irresistible.

“So why did you move here?” Spencer asked in his deep monotone voice.

“School, I applied on a whim and got in. My brother works here here so.” She shrugged.

“I moved here from El Paso a few years ago. My dad was transferred with his job.” Ellie spoke.

“So you’re Texas too.” She said raising her brow.

“Yup.” Ellie sipped her cola. “So how many A.P. classes do you have?”

“Uh,” She scratched at her nose. “All of them.”

Ellie choked a bit. “All?! How old are you?”

“Fifteen.” Lexi answered shyly.

“So you skipped two grades?” Lexi nodded. “Sweet. Smart bitch.” Ellie added with a nudge. “You said you live with your brother? Must get away with a lot of crap.”

“Uh, no.” Lexi corrected. “When he wants to be he can be strict. Jared however is a big goofball most of the time.”

“Jared?” Ellie questioned. “Is that like his boyfriend?”

“What?!” Lexi was shocked. “No, no!”

“Oh, right! The tall dude!” Ellie corrected herself. “Sorry, i’m not like hardcore obsessed with them like most other girls are.” She explained. “I refer to them as the tall one and the hot one.” She chuckled.

Lexi gave a laugh. “Better than me. I call Jensen Dork and Jared skyscraper.”

“At least my nicknames are nice!” Ellie poked fun.

The two became close as the days turned into weeks of texting and late night phone calls between the teens. Lexi often going over to Ellie’s house after school to hang out or do school work along with Ellie’s other friend’s Cassie and Spencer. They didn't treat her different or odd. They treated her normal, like a person. And when others behaved otherwise around her they would have her back.

But as always in these situations one can never be too sure. So now Lexi felt it was time to attempt to mix her home life and personal life a bit. See how it went. “Hey, can I have friends over?” Lexi blerted to Jensen when he walked into the house.

“Hello Lexi, How was your day?” Jensen answered her with a grin.

“Sorry.” She smiled and hugged her brother. “How was your day?”

“It was good.” He slipped his jacket off and hung it on the back of the chair. “Now, what do you want?”

“Can I have some friends over? Maybe spend the night?”

Jensen looked at her unsure he heard the question correctly. “Uh, here? Like in our house?”

She gave him a weird look. “That’s usually how sleepovers work, Dork.”

“That depends, Punk.” He leaned against the back of the couch.

“On what?”

“On whether or not they’ll go through our underwear drawers or something.” Jared spoke standing from the kitchen table.

“Dude, eww.” Lexi held up her hand. “They’re fifteen and sixteen.”

“Yeah, I know but-” Jensen tried to speak but was cut off.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Crazy people.” Lexi finished for her brother. “But these are my friends. They’re my friends for me not you. Trust me, I don’t normally like people in general.”

“You got a point.” Jensen exhaled and looked at Jared across the room who gave a consenting nod. “Fine.”

“Thank you!” Lexi jumped up clapping her hands hugging Jensen.

“Hey what about me?” Jared faked being left out. “I had to agree too.”

“Thank you, too!” She gave Jared a hug as well.

The next day it was a little past six in the evening when Jared and Jensen walked into the house. They were greeted with the sound of teenagers laughing in the living room. Entering the living room the seeing four teenagers lounging across the furniture, jackets and hoodies draped along the backs of the couch and chairs, school books strewn about the floor and coffee table and bags of junk food littered the area.

“Study party?” Jensen greeted.

“Hey, Jensen!” Lexi smiled. “Guys this is my brother and his bestie, Jared.” She looked over at her friend. “The tall one and the hot one right, Elle?” She giggled. “Guys this is Cassie,” She pointed to dimpled brunette. “And this is Ellie.” She pointed to the red head. “And that’s Spencer.” She aimed at the shaggy blond haired boy. “We are all AP nerds so we are kinda sorta studying.” She crooked her hand.

“Nerd herd, got ya.” Jensen said sliding his jacket off. “Did you guys eat? Like actually food?”

“Not yet.” Lexi said digging through the bag in her lap.

“Anyone seen the big bag of gummy bears from the pantry?” Jared asked walking back into the room as Lexi froze putting a gummy in her mouth looking like a deer in headlights. Jared walked over leaning on the back of the chair. “Thief.”

Lexi lifted the bag. “I’ll be nice and share.” She smiled.

“Pizza sound good?” Jensen asked as the all agreed.

“I wish I could stay but I have to get home.” Spencer said putting booking into his bag. “Thanks for the cramming session, I’ll see you guys later.” He stood making his way to the door. “Nice meeting you guys.” He waved walking out.

Sitting around the table with soda and pizza between the three girls and two men they chatted about Lexi’s upcoming birthday. “We should have a party!” Ellie continued grabbing another slice of pepperoni.

“Dude, I barely know five people.” Lexi protested.

“You can make new friends in a month.” Cassie chimed in. “And at the party.”

“Every girl needs to go big for their sixteenth birthday.” Ellie added. “It’s like in a rule book somewhere. It’s an excuse to get all dressed up and sexy.”

“I think you should have a party.” Jensen spoke from the end of the table. “Besides I know Dee would love to plan a party that doesn’t involve cartoons and ponies.” He sipped his drink.

“And I'm sure Spencer would love to come.” Ellie sang.

“The geeky kid that was here?” Jared asked.

Ellie looked at Jared. “He is always giving her flirty eyes and smiling like an idiot around her.”

“Shut up!” Lexi laughed.

“I’ve known Spenc for eight years!” Ellie sat up. “I know how he acts when he likes someone. And he likes you!”

~

As soon as Lexi agreed to the party the month seemed to fly by extra quickly. The party was a week and a half away. She learned fast as to who was her friends and who was in it for Jared and Jensen. She’d managed to make a few handfuls of friends that she enjoyed spending time with. But, Cassie and Ellie were the closest. Ellie most of all. They always seemed to be attached at the hip.

She was managing well with her new, more so hectic than not lifestyle. Traveling from Vancouver to Texas most weekends. Splitting her time between Austin and Dallas. She was adapting and maintaining her own level of sanity between being a teenaged that was advanced academically and being a normal teen in general. Normal was never her strong suit though.

“Lexi, You’ve got mail.” Jared spoke in an automated voice dropping the envelopes on the counter in front of her. “A lot of mail.” He said turning back around placing a few more in front of her.

Lexi began flipping through the papers. “Hey guys?” The men looked up at her curious as to why she looked in shock. “When you’re accepted to a university, they send you the big envelope, right?”

Jensen made his way over to her quickly looking over the envelopes. “Dartmouth, Stanford, Yale, Princeton! Lexi you got into all four!” Jensen beamed.

Jared stood with excitement. “One more, Cornell!” He held up another big envelope.

“Oh my God!” She sat down in shock. “I really didn’t think I’d get in. Like, at all!” She looked up at Jensen.

“I’m so proud of you, Punk.” Jensen squeezed her into a hug.

~

Days later it was late into the night and Lexi was sitting on her bed with all the university  information spread out in front of her. She was trying to make a decision but did not have much luck.

Hearing a grunt of frustration, Jared pushed the half opened door and stood. “Hey. Why are you still up?”

“I got accepted into three more universities. Brown, Columbia and Harvard.”

“That’s great!” Jared praised and Lexi looked at him with annoyed eyes. “Not great?”

Lexi huffed and let herself fall back against the pillows. “I don’t know where to go!” She brought her hands to her face and grunted again then let her hands fall down. “This is so frustrating! Maybe if I knew what I wanted to do with my life!”

“Okay, One, Calm down.” Jared pulled her desk chair out turning it backwards and sitting. “Look at me.” He said as she sat back up and he took her hands into his. “I’m gonna first start off by saying that you should be proud of yourself for getting into, what was it, eight?” He reached and counted the letters. “Eight Ivy league universities.” She looked back up to him. “Second, when do they need an answer?”

“July.”

“That’s still a ways away.” He assured. “We are only in October.” He took a breath. “What’s really going on?” He didn’t know her as well as Jensen did but he knew her well enough to know when something was going on in that head of hers.

Lexi sighed. “I’m not even sixteen yet. I won’t be for another two weeks, and I have to make this major life decision. Like do I live off campus or in the dorm? Can I even live in the dorm since i’m under eighteen? Do I stay here? I mean how will this work? I don’t even know what I want out of life.”

“Breathe.” Jared cooed. “I have an Idea. How about I go over all of this with you tomorrow. You know? Help you sort it all out.”

“Really? You’d do that?”

“Yeah, if you’d like.” He nodded. “Just not right now at 12:30 at night.” He smiled at her.

~

It was Saturday, Jensen was in Austin and since it was Genevieve’s weekend with the kids Jared stayed behind as well as Lexi to go over the university choices. Sitting on the porch in the cool breeze, papers, notebooks and a laptop sat between the two of them. Flipping through each information booklet one by one they went over all the benefits, pros and cons of each place.

“Which one is next?” Jared asked setting aside one folder.

Lexi shifted grabbing another folder from the pile. “Uh, Stanford.” She opened the booklet. “Isn’t that where Sam went on the show?”

“Yes it is.” He answered with a smile as he read over some papers. “I actually did a little research when I did the pilot. Good school. Between San Jose and San Francisco I think.”

“Geez, that’s far away.” She looked from Jared  to the booklet. “I don’t know if I’d be able to live THAT far away yet.” She tossed the booklet aside in annoyance. “UGH! I want Ice cream.”  She stood up and walked in remerging with a pint of ice cream and a spoon. “Don’t look at me like that.” She said to him noticing the grin and amused look on his face. “Ice cream fixes everything.” She said as she took a spoonful into her mouth. “Especially cookie dough ice cream.” She handed him the pint. “So why didn’t you go to college?” She asked laying her head back on the chair.

“I almost did.” He took another mouthful of ice cream. “Registered for classes and everything.”

“Really?” She snapped her head back up looking at him. “What happened?”

“I got casted on Gilmore Girls. Packed up and moved to L.A.”

“I wish I knew what my thing was. Like, I wish I could find something I'm passionate about.” She turned to face Jared. “I was always team Dean by the way.” She added as she continued talking. “Like you and Jay for instance. You both walked away on a full ride education to pursue acting. You were passionate and determined. I have nothing like that.”

“Yes you do.” Jared shot back. “Everyone does.”

She thought for a moment, the wheels spinning in her head. “There is one thing that I kind of liked.”

“What’s that?” Jared asked as he passed the ice cream again.

“Help me pick up all of this crap and I’ll show you.” She began grabbing the papers.

Inside Jared followed her upstairs and piled the papers her desk in the bedroom. She went into her closet and began digging around. Spotting what she was looking for she  climbed a box reaching for the top of the closet.

“Hold on.” Jared said walking behind her grabbing her waist and setting her on the floor. “You gonna bust your butt.” He chuckled. “What you reaching for?”

“That one.” She pointed. Jared grabbed the box with ease and handed it to her. “Okay, so when I was thirteen, Danneel was doing a clothing thing with a friend and drafted me as one of her models.” She explained sitting on the bed digging through the box. “I didn’t think I'd like it all but I actually loved it.” She handed him a stack a pictures.

“You look so cute!” He exclaimed, seeing the first picture then began flipping. “These are all really good.”

“I thought about looking into it but never did.” She shrugged leaning back on her pillows.

“These are from a different shoot, right?” He sat on the bed holding up a few photos.

“Yeah, those were last summer. I did that with a friend at Lake Austin.”

“Lex, you’ve found your thing.” Jared chuckled looking at her as if it were obvious, and it was. “Why aren’t you doing this?”

“I just did it these few times.”

“So, you’re a natural.” Jared placed the pictures back in the box.

“Kind of thought it may be too far fetched. You know how many people want to model?”

“Have you met your brother? The guy took off to L.A. at eighteen with only a hunch.”

“Guess you’re right.” She slid the box under her bed.

“I know I am.” Jared said with a grin walking out the room.

~

In Jensen’s trailer a week later Lexi sat on the couch buried in her school books. A place she has come to look at as a second Vancouver home. Spending many nights on set and getting rides with Cliff to and from school, spending the time doing homework and watching Jared and Jensen film.

“Hey punk.” Jensen greeted with a peck on her head, Jared in toe.

“Hey, dork.” She smiled up at him.

“What’re you up to?”

“Homework. What are y'all doing?”

“Little break.” Jensen plopped down next to her.

“Jensen,” A tap on the trailer in passing. “We need you in wardrobe and makeup.”

“Don’t study too hard.” He said, tapping her head standing before walking out.

“Nice stubble.” Lexi smirked at Jared who was sitting across from her in the chair.

“Yeah,” He said rubbing his face. “Sam’s got a little five o'clock shadow going in this episode.”

“It suits you.” She said as Jared crossed the room and plopped down next to her grabbing the bag of sour strips from her lap. “Hey!” She protested.

Jared smiled, popping a candy into his mouth. “What are you working on?”

“Book report. How many times must we pick apart Romeo and Juliet in our high school career?”

“They still teach that?” Jared asked grabbing her notebook.

“Yeah but this report has to be different. We have to not only voice what we think about the relationship but add an entire separate report through the eyes of their parents.” She rolled her eyes.

“Wow.” Jared said looking over her paper.

“Yeah, like being in love at fourteen isn’t bad enough.” She shut her text book and tossed it aside.

“Don’t you believe in true love and all that jazz, like most chicks your age?” Jared asked, putting her notebook down, grabbing another sour strip.

She scoffed. “Negative!” She answered with large eyes.

“Seriously?” He asked surprised.

“Why? Do you?”

“Eh, sorta.” He said shrugging. “Listen, um, I want to show you something. Follow me.” He said standing. Lexi followed him to his trailer, another home away from home and watched as he emerged with a box wrapped in a bow.

“You didn’t have to do that.” She said with a smile spreading across her lips.

“I know. I wanted to.” He said, still holding out the box.

“But my party isn’t until next weekend.”

“And your birthday was two days ago. So technically I’m late.” He held the gift out for her with the sweetest boyish smile.

Lexi took the box and began unwrapping it. As the paper fell away she pulled the top off of the rectangle box and looked up at Jared. “Oh my God, Jared!” Pulling out a beautiful black leather bound journal she looked back at him.. “I can’t accept-”

“Yes, you can.” Jared spoke, looking at her. “With as much as you journal I figured you would soon need a new one.”

“Is this real leather?” She asked examining the elegant spiral design with black, pink and greys. Jared nodded. “This must have cost a fortune, Jared, I can’t-”

He lifted a finger. “Ah ah, yes, you can. Besides,” He opened the journal pointing to the left hand corner on the inside. “It has your initials. And, here.” He handed her an envelope. “This is yours too.”

Lexi took the envelope and opened in. “An address?” She gave him a funny look.

“I have a friend that is currently looking for a few models to do a low profile shoot for some local stores. I showed her your pictures and she was interested.

Be there Saturday morning at 9am.”

“Oh my- Jared thank you!” she said, tossing her arms around his shoulders.

“Wait!” She pulled away. “You stole my pictures?”

“Borrowed.” He shrugged with a chuckle. “Happy Sweet Sixteen, Lex.” Jared said as he hugged her tight once again.

“Oh, I wanted to get your opinion on something. Wait here.” Lexi said as she left the trailer then reappeared with papers in a yellow envelope and handed it to him. “I didn’t know who to talk to about it because, to be completely honest, I’ve only talked to you about the college stuff.”

“Okay?” Jared said shutting the door and opening the envelope.

Lexi watched his facial expressions changed while he flipped through the papers. He shifted as he read and Lexi did a once over of his stance, trying to read him. She paused over his arms. Without a jacket or hoodie she could really see the defined curves of his biceps. She shook the thought from her head and tried to focus on his expression. She watched as he nibbled his bottom lip in concentration. The way his hair slightly fell in front of his eyes… His eyes, the deep, mesmerizing blue green abyss of his eyes.

“So the University of British Columbia?” Jared spoke, pulling her from her thoughts.

“I know it sounds crazy.” She said, refocusing her attention.

“The crazy ideas are usually the best.” Jared smiled.

“So you don’t think this is too-”

“No, I don’t.” Jared smirked. “Their curriculum is so big you can basically study whatever. They can be considered a Northern Ivy league. You get to stay home. Sounds like you made up your mind.”

“I was thinking maybe business and art design with a class or two in photography.” She explained with a hand gesture.

“Sounds perfect.” Jared smiled, handing her back her papers. “Shoot for the stars.”

“Thank you, Jared.” She said, reaching up and giving him a hug.

As soon as she did, she wished she didn’t. The feel of his firm body pressed against her made her lose her breath for a second. His defined arms held her against him in a gripping hug that made her swallow hard.

If only she knew Jared’s mind was made temporarily hazy by her sweet smelling shampoo. The scent filled his nose as he held on a moment longer that needed. She pulled away and looked up at Jared. “Don’t you need to be on set or something?”

“No, I’m actually good for the night. Jensen and Misha are shooting now. I’m staying here for the night. I think Jay may be, too.”

The trailer door opened. “There you are.” Jensen said walking into Jared’s trailer.

“Speak of the Devil.” Lexi giggled

“I’m gonna be shooting till late so I’m gonna stay here. Did you want to head home or have Cliff run you get clothes or something?” Jensen asked fixing his collar.

“I’m good. I have extra clothes here from last time I stay the night on set.”

“Okay, I have to get back.” Jensen leaned in and kissed her forehead before walking out.

Jared and Lexi cut up and watched Netflix that evening to kill time. They watched old horror movies and ate gummy bears and sour strips to their heart’s content while talking about the differences between the types of books and poetry they’d both recent read. Talking about old comic books and 80’s cartoons only to shift onto the topic of sci fi book and movies.

“Hey, Lex. It’s snowing.” Jared commented looking out the window.

“Really?” She glanced out the window excited. “Yay!” Jumping up and running out of the trailer.

She stood in the middle of the dark lot, arms stretched, as the snow fell heavily around her. She spun around and took in the feeling of the cold wetness.

Jared smiled at her. “Have you ever seen snow?”

“Once or twice. But, this is the first time it’s snowed since I’ve moved here.” She said, looking back at Jared. “I love the snow!”

A fair amount of fresh powder had already collected on the ground by the time Jared had noticed. He balled up a snowball and tossed it at her. Looking back with a huge smile, Lexi retaliated.  she ambushed him, tackling him to the ground. They wrestled and Jared pinned her to the ground in a bout of laughter and giggles.

“My God, this is freezing!” Lexi shouted as her bare skin touched the snowy ground.

“Well, you ran out here in your school uniform.” Jared laughed helping her up.

“Come on, let's get you in.” As they walked into the trailer Jared handed her a towel. “Jump in the shower, it’ll help warm you.”

Without hesitation Lexi went straight for the shower and turned the hot water on full blast. She stood under the spout and instantly began to warm up. After washing up she stepped out and dried off, then wrapped a towel around herself. It wasn’t until then that she realized that her clothes were still in Jensen’s trailer.

She cracked open the bathroom door. “Uh, Jared?”

“Yeah.” He said, not looking away from what he was reading in his phone.

“I didn’t grab my stuff from Jensen’s trailer. You mind?”

Jared glanced up and saw her standing there in the door in a towel, the water still dripping from her skin. He was momentarily frozen at the sight of her standing there, her curves obvious through the thin fabric. He quickly shook his thoughts and stood. “Uh, here.” He said walking toward the back room. He reemerged with a pants and long sleeved shirt. “I’m not about to go rummaging through your bag.” He smiled at her.

“Thank you.” She smiled, closing the door. She dried off and slipped into Jared’s clothes. Although his clothes fit his six foot four frame perfectly, Lexi’s five foot six stature was made to look even smaller in his huge clothes. But she didn’t mind. His shirt smelled of him and was warm and cozy.

She walked out of the bathroom and sat on the couch, covering back up. “I’m still freezing.”

“I’ll turn the heat up.” Jared said walking towards the thermostat. “I’m always hot so it really doesn’t bother me.”

“Bring some of that heat this way.” Lexi said gesturing for him to come over.

Jared chuckled and slid next to her on the couch. “My God, you are warm.” She said as she snuggled into him.

“You feet are freezing!” He jumped as she touched him.

Jared placed an arm around her and he soon felt her stop shivering. He pressed play on the next movie as he felt her arms wrap gently around his waist. Not long after the movie started he noticed her breathing deepens. Looking down and saw she was asleep. Jared pushed the hair from her face and watched her for a bit, stroking her cheek as he looked over her face, taking in her rose cheeks and pink lips. He let his thumb brush her lip for a small moment before retracting his hand shaking his head to rid himself of the thoughts that were rising in his head. He slid himself down on the couch to get comfortable. Laying longways, Lexi was nestled between Jared and the sofa. He fixed the blanket to cover her better, causing her to stir a bit. Lexi leaned into Jared draping a leg over his, nestling into his chest, she wrapped her arm around his waist pulling him a little closer. Jared wasn’t sure if he should stay the way they were or not. She was sleeping so peacefully. Part of his mind was telling him to move. That laying with a sixteen year old girl like this wasn’t appropriate,especially with the uncontrolled thoughts that kept popping in his head - thoughts that confused the hell out of him, to be honest. If anyone saw him laying with her like this, they would get the wrong impression.

He looked at his watch and saw it was late. If Jensen was gonna pop in after shooting he would have done it by now. Jared looked back down at Lexi and smiled. It had been so long since someone laid on him this way. He missed the feeling of somebody next to him, warm and soft. Maybe that’s what this was. Maybe he was thinking of Lexi oddly because he’s lonely? Finally, he flipped the tv off and laid his hand around Lexi and tucked the other under his head. In a matter of minutes he was asleep.

Jared’s alarm on his phone went off the next morning causing both he and Lexi to jump awake. He reached a hand and shut the phone off, running a hand over his face. Lexi sat up, the blanket falling from her shoulders.

“Did we sleep like this all night?” She asked, rubbing her eyes with a yawn.

“I guess so.” Jared stretched before getting up. “Coffee?”

“That’s a stupid question.” Lexi smirked. “You are better than an electric blanket.” She stretched again.

“What?” Jared chuckled, getting the coffee pot ready.

“I stayed warm all night.”

“Good to know I’m good for something.” He joked.

“What time is it?” She yawned again, peeping through the window shade. “It’s not even daylight yet.”

“Five. I gotta be on set in about an hour and a half.”

“I can do a Starbucks run when the sun comes up.” She smiled up at him.

“That would be wonderful. Iced-”

“Grande iced latte and one of those croissants.” She finished for him as she stood and stretched. “I think I have clothes here from last week now that I think about it.” She said, walking to the back of the trailer. “That purse thing I had last week with the rose on it. Is it still here?” She opened her closet and moved stuff around on the floor. “Ha, I knew it!” She said grabbing the bag.

Lexi swung the door and began undressing. Jared fixed a cup of coffee and walked over to the door. His intentions were to ask if she wanted him to fix her a cup of coffee. He was distracted when he caught a glance of her undressing. He stood a few feet from the door and watched Lexi slide the baggy pants down her legs revealing her sky blue pantys. She lifted the giant shirt over her head and Jared swallowed seeing her bare back facing towards the door. His eyes gazed at her body up and down as she dug for an item in her bag. He took in her curves, the way her hair fell down her back.

She shimmied her jeans up her legs and snapped her bra before turning, giving Jared a direct view of her barely covered breasts. He was already half hard watching her before, now he was fully aroused at the site of her full cleavage that peeked from the top of her bra. She slid her shirt on and went for the door. Jared turned quickly to hide his growing problem.

“Hey, what’re you doing?” She asked as he walked back towards the kitchen.

“I was about to ask if you wanted me to pour you a cup?” He positioned himself carefully behind the counter.

“I can get it.” Lexi said, walking into the small kitchen area behind Jared grabbing a cup.

Jared hoped to God she didn’t notice his issue. She grabbed her coffee and walked to the couch, Jared breathing a sigh of relief.

Lexi downed her coffee and grabbed her newly found bag and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Jensen walked in and greeted his friend, Lexi poking her head out of the bathroom.

“Did you sleep well, punk?”

“Yes. Oh, and I found my missing overnight bag.” She smiled walking back, toothbrush in her mouth. Jensen turned his attention to Jared who was leaning over the counter.

“You alright man?”

“I’m good.” Jared said, brushing it off.

Jensen stared at him for a long minuted then realized. “You don’t- really?!” He said in a half whisper, half yell. “Lexi?!”

“No!” Jared lied. “I woke up with it and it won’t go away!” He whispered to his friend. “When she is done and leaves I’ll…” He drifted off, Jensen understanding.

Jensen stood on the opposite side of the counter and a smile crept over his face. “What?” Jared asked.

“Oh, nothing.” Jensen’s smile getting wider.

“Uh huh.” Jared knew he was lying.

“Lex?!” Jensen called out.

“Don’t you dare!”

“Yeah.” Lexi said as she walked out of the bathroom and slipped her shoes on.

“Jared woke up with a massive case of morning wood, so get lost so he can rub one out before work.” Jared’s face went white.

“T.M.I.” Lexi said with a giggle as she grabbed her jacket and jumped down the steps.

“I’m gonna kill you!” Jared snapped as Jensen walked out with a huge grin.

After wardrobe and makeup, Jared was heading towards the set when he saw Jensen coming his way. “Give me one good reason not to punch you.” Jared spat as Jensen walked in step with him.

“Why would you go and do that? Did you fix your issue?”

“Shut up.”

“Did you use Lexi’s lotion?”

“No!” He looked behind them then back at Jensen. “Cold shower. You’re an ass. Now Lexi is gonna think I’m some creep weirdo thanks to you.”

“I already thought you were a creepy weirdo.” Lexi said walking up behind Jared handing him his latte. “Only thing different now is that I think you’re a sexually frustrated creepy weirdo.” She smiled handing Jensen his Venti Americano.

“Ha! I’m going to wardrobe.” He slapped Jared on the back, walking away.

“Lexi, this morning, me being-” Jared’s cheeks were growing bright. “That had nothing to-to do with you. Not- not that you aren’t attractive, just-” Jared was fumbling over his words horribly. It didn’t help that he was also lying through his teeth. She was the exact reason he was turned on this morning. And after she and Jensen left, he pleased himself thinking of her in the shower.

“Jared.” She broke his mumbling. “It’s okay. I get how the male body works. You should have just said something.”

“Yeah like I'm just gonna say 'Hey go away so I can jerk off’.” He froze. “Wait, I didn’t- that was a little-”

Lexi laughed. “Jared, chill. I’m not twelve. I know about sex,” she raised her brow. “ the birds and the bees. You’re good.” Jared flushed again. “Besides, I did grow up with Jensen.”

“Yeah, enough said there.”

“Hey, after you get done filming, can you drop me off at the mall on the way home?”

“Sure, what’s at the mall?”

“I was gonna look for a dress for the party.” She said as Jensen walked back up now in full Dean gear.

“Speaking of party, how many people you’re expecting?”

“Fifty or less.” She wiggled a hand.

“Did you even meet fifty people in a month?” Jensen questioned.

“I work fast.” ~ Walking up to the mall entrance, Ellie was waiting with coffee in hand. Lexi reached out and grabbed her cup from Ellie and they made their game plan.

“Wait, wait. Where will you two be?” Jensen asked in a paternal tone.

“We’re shopping for the party, Jay. So, everywhere.” Ellie started. “Gotta make sure we look sexy.” She said shaking her shoulders.

“Yeah. not happening. Dresses are to be decent and respectable. Both of you.” He pointed a finger. “Lex, you need cash?” He reached for his wallet.

“No, I’m good.” She turned entwining her arm with Ellie.

“Okay, Y'all have fun and remember, tasteful.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Ellie said with a wave of her arm as the kept walking away.

“And no stripper heels, either!” Jensen shouted.

“Not making any promises!” Ellie shouted back.

Jared shook his head looking at his best friend. A few hours had gone by and Jared and Jensen walked through the mall with a few bags in hand stopping occasionally to take a selfie or sign an autograph. Across the breezeway they saw Lexi and Ellie talking with Cassie and Spencer, their hands full of shopping bags. “I trust the bunch of you are behaving like mature young adults.” Jensen nudged Ellie’s arm.

“Oh absolutely.” Ellie mocked with a smile.

“Guys, you remember Cassie and Spencer.” Lexi reintroduced.

“I actually have to get going. I told my mom I’d pick up my little sister.” Spencer turned to Lexi. “I’ll call you later?”

“Okay, talk to you later.”

Jensen waited till he was out of earshot then turned to Lexi with a mischievous grin. “Call you later?”

“Shut up.”

“I said nothing!” Jensen had his hands up in mock surrender.

“You’re thinking it.”

“Thinking what?”

“I don’t know, but stop.” She said, warning Jensen with her eyes.

“He seems… nice.” Jensen added.

“Shut up, Jay.” Lexi walked past.

“I just said-”

“Oh I know what you said.” She turned and pointed at him. “And what you say and what you think or two totally different things.” She laughed

Next Chapter>

[brownskinsugarplum76]

Eye of the Storm, Ch 2

I've been staring at this and picking and picking at little parts for a few days. I need to let it go. Thanks to @callmethehunter for talking through some ideas.

This marks the last of what I had pre-written for this, so I'll be flying blind from here on. I hope to have more in a few weeks, but we'll see. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Thanks for reading. Please keep the positive vibes going as I get further into this thing I haven't done before. ❤️❤️❤️

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

“Are you gonna tell me where we're going?” Maggie asked as she fished her sunglasses and her keys out of her bag while they walked.

“Nope,” Robert responded. “I'll give you directions. But I can say it will melt in your mouth, and I'll make sure you get your fill.”

“I should've known you'd start before too long.” Maggie laughed. She couldn't see Robert's stare beneath his aviators, but she imagined his eyes were twinkling.

“I'm always up to my tricks, darlin’. But why don't I make one thing crystal clear…” He stopped and turned to Maggie.

He framed her face with his hands. “It's so good to see you again, Magdalena. “Bésame,” he said, moving in for a kiss that claimed her and hinted at much more to come.

“You remembered how to say it,” she murmured, nuzzling into his chest.

“And I haven't said it to anyone since our last time,” he said, kissing her forehead and smoothing her hair.

They started walking again. “I hope you might have some time to spend with me over the next few weeks? Can you stay with me?” Robert asked gently. “I'd love to see you as much as possible before all hell breaks loose in my life again. And in yours, too.”

“I'd love that. It's slow for us right now, too. It's exciting, but scary. It's--”

“--Like being almost at the top of the first hill on a bloody roller coaster,” Robert offered.

“That's exactly it! Everything is sort of calm right now, but once our tour starts… Who knows? Or, at least, I hope it will get chaotic, if things go well…”

“I'm sure it will go fantastically. I was blown away by the performance I saw a few years back. I'm sure America will fall in love with your music, too.”

“Thanks,” Maggie said, blushing. “Uh, I owe you a copy of the album, don't I?”

“Yes. Yes, you do. I want it autographed. And then, Mademoiselle Rock Star,” he looked down briefly before launching a mischievous grin at her, “I, your biggest fan, want you to sign my--”

“Dios mío, Robert!” She laughed. “You and your one-track mind! But I can't deny my fans,” she mused.

“Well, me, at least, anyway? Your favorite fan, I hope? I'd love the full service treatment from a budding rock vixen. It will be a fun change of pace for me.” He kissed her again after dialing his charm up to the max.

“I'll think about it. But you're not the only hot man in town who digs our music, you know,” she teased.

Maggie's words were playful, but in that moment, Robert realized her reality would mirror his, if her band was lucky. She'd be in the midst of a never-ending party atmosphere and a carte blanche of nighttime partners, if she desired them. The thought boiled his blood, but without a solid relationship between them, and the much more debauched, hedonistic haze that would resume in his life, he realized he had no right to be jealous. And yet…

Robert needed to stop that line of thinking and focus on the pleasures of the present. “Right. So, let's go to yours after our surprise stop, and you can get your things. Now, what do we have here? Does this cute four-wheeled bugger belong to you, then?” He examined Maggie's car, a red Toyota Corolla.

“It does, and I'm going to enjoy seeing you fold yourself up to fit in it.”

“I'd say I'm a bit of an expert at fitting in tight spaces… I believe you're familiar with my work, yeah? I can manage this, darlin.”

She hit his arm and groaned before unlocking the passenger door and walking over to the driver's side.

“Seriously though, I hope this won't be too uncomfortable for you,” she said when they were both seated in the car.

“It's a bit of a drive--halfway between my place and yours--but I'll be fine.” He patted her leg. “We'll walk around a little between stops, and I'll stretch my legs when we get home. I'll be right as rain.”

“OK, then. Lead the way!” she started the engine and pulled out of the parking spot.

***

Maggie watched the streets and the palm trees whiz by, and then the billboards on the freeway. She noticed one announcing the upcoming release of Presence. Robert noticed, too but kept silent. It concerned her a little that he didn't take the opportunity to brag about the album or this larger-than-life publicity. She decided to ask him later how he was feeling about his return to the spotlight.

It was her first time driving Robert around, but he had driven many times. He drove fast when cars thinned out on the road, but played it safe when the volume of traffic picked up. She realized it was a lot like his unspoken life philosophy: easygoing when a light touch was needed, but wild when he could get away with it.

They shared many happy road trips together, to the beach--their beach in San Diego--or to places like Joshua Tree Park and Hearst Castle. They were good travel companions. Robert had not been to most of the places in the early years, as the Riot House offered his preferred tourist attractions, so he paid rapt attention when Maggie divulged the secrets of her state. She smiled when she thought of all the memories they had built up. But it was not lost on her how it became more challenging for him to be a simple tourist as his fame increased, how much he was sacrificing to do memorable things with her. It meant the world to her that he risked the never-ending attention of his fans to be with her.

She kept her driving steady and vigilant. Robert turned out to be a model passenger, giving her ample warning before she had to turn or switch lanes, keeping her entertained with stories of his life in convalescence and tax exile, singing along to the songs on the radio with the same passion he delivered onstage. She could get used to the idea of regularly getting a private concert from him.

“What is a beauty queen if it don't mean that I'm your number one?” he sang with conviction, eyes closed. He surprised himself with how his feelings for Maggie bled through his singing, as well as the depth of those feelings.

“You don't have to be a star, baby, to be in my show,” they both belted out moments later. Maggie shot Robert a brief smile before turning her eyes back to the road.

“Ah! We sound damn good together, Maggie dear! We have to do it some more. I enjoyed singing with Sandy on the fourth album… Singing with a woman is much more satisfying than harmonizing with Jonesy. Bless his heart,” he drawled.

“Here's another good one!” Maggie exclaimed, as the happy disco groove of “Don't Go Breaking My Heart” started up.

They traded lines, and Robert interjected with direction updates as needed.

They sang another couple of songs. Maggie was overjoyed that she had run into Robert and was thrilled that he still felt the same way about her. She was looking forward to having a little more time with him than she'd had before, at a time when she needed to be with someone who would understand her excitement and her fears. She vowed to enjoy the time but not expect more; in the past, it had helped her to get out of each visit with her heart intact. It was especially important now, if she wanted to give her band its best chance at success.

She and Robert were close to the mystery destination, off the freeway again. She looked at him at a traffic light, admiring how the sun illuminated his cotton candy curls. He caught her looking, and a smirk turned up the corners of his mouth. “Oi, there's something on your face, love,” he said, his face scrunching a little in concern.

“Oh, what is it?” she said, mirroring his quizzical glance.

In a flash, his face switched back to mischief, and his lips were on hers, his hand cradling her head. They almost forgot where they were, until the angry sounds of car horns reminded them.

“Got a little too carried away there,” he said, chuckling to himself. “But, actually, we've reached our destination. Pull in here, and get ready for something delicious,” he said, announcing their arrival.

[punmasterkentparson]

Sacred in the Moment

read on ao3

“I wanna kiss you everywhere,” Swoops murmurs, his lips tickling Kent’s jaw as he speaks.

“Everywhere?” Kent asks, only half-listening. They’ve been making out on his couch for twenty minutes and Swoops has both hands on Kent’s ass. Higher brain functions have been out the window for a while.

“Mm, everywhere.” Swoops punctuates this with a gentle bite.

And because Kent can’t pass up any opportunity to be a dick, he says, “Even Omaha, Nebraska?”

Swoops pulls his head up. “What.”

“Salt Lake City, Utah?” Kent continues, making his eyes wide as though scandalized. “Steak N Shake?”

“Stop.”

“Blockbuster?”

Swoops groans and pinches his ass through his jeans. It barely hurts but Kent yelps anyway. “I was being romantic, you dickweed.”

“Sorry. It was too easy.” Kent knows he’s grinning too much for a believable apology.

“You’re such a pain,” Swoops grumbles fondly, and kisses him.

Columbus, OH

Losing is never fun. Losing in Columbus isn’t as awful as, say, losing in Pittsburgh, but it still sucks. The Aces are subdued the next morning as they haul their luggage out of the hotel, onto the airport shuttle, and onto the plane. Most of them find their usual seats and settle in for a nap, a movie, or a game of cards. Swoops’ normal seat isn’t next to Kent, it’s a few up ahead, so Kent is surprised when Swoops slips into the spot beside him.

“I’m not gonna be good company,” Kent warns.

“That’s fine, I’m not staying. Just wanted to give you something.”

“Oh?” Kent’s eyes still feel sticky with sleep and his heart is heavy from the shutout. He doesn’t realize what Swoops is doing until he feels the light pressure of lips against his temple.

“Everywhere,” Swoops says, giving Kent a gentle smile, and then he gets up and heads down the aisle.

Kent doesn’t figure out what Swoops meant by that until their plane is touching down on Ottawa tarmac. When he does, he blushes so hard his cheeks hurt.

Oh. Everywhere.

BB&T Center, Miami, Florida

“Your tie’s crooked, c’mere.”

Kent looks down at himself, trying to see what Swoops is talking about.

“Just c’mere, will you?” Swoops is waving him away from the door to the locker room, which is already full of their teammates pulling off their game day suits and getting ready for warmups.

Kent rolls his eyes and goes over. “I’m taking it off in like, a minute.”

“Aren’t you the captain? Set an example.” Swoops messes with Kent’s collar and makes a few (minor) adjustments to the angle of Kent’s tie. “There.”

“You did literally nothing—” Kent begins to protest, but shuts up when Swoops reels him in by his tie and kisses him. The pressure is light, barely there, and gone in less than a second. After all, they’re alone in the hall but anyone could walk by.

Swoops drops Kent’s tie and winks. “Everywhere. Even outside the locker room.” Then he grins. “You’re blushing really hard.”

“You surprised me,” Kent sputters.

“Better stay on your toes, then.” Swoops pats his shoulder and heads into the locker room alone.

Kent stands outside and fans his face for a couple minutes before he feels like he can go in without being chirpped to death.

The Blind Badger, Anaheim, California

Kent quickly figures out that there’s no logic to the locations where Swoops will choose to kiss him. Sometimes it’s by city, sometimes by arena, sometimes it’s just random. Kent also finds out that he’s not allowed to play. He sneaks into Swoops’ hotel room one night in a desperate attempt to end the week-long dry spell they’ve been forced to have, and when he tries to say, “Everywhere, even your hotel room in Dallas,” Swoops just shakes his head and says, “Doesn’t work like that, Parse.”

So it’s Swoops’ thing, just his. Kent doesn’t mind. It’s embarrassing as hell, because he cannot stop himself from blushing like a fool every time it happens, but he doesn’t mind.

He’s starting to look forward to it.

The Aces go to Anaheim and win handily, 5-2, and then go out to celebrate. They’ve got their choice of bars, and end up in a place that one of the guys found on Yelp, called “The Blind Badger.”

“This place is classy as fuck,” Carl announces when they get in.

“When you’re right, you’re right,” Swoops drawls, although Kent is looking around and he can’t say that Carl’s wrong. The bartenders are wearing ties and serving flaming martinis. Most people here are wearing at least business casual attire.

Their group gets a table and orders their first and second rounds. The bar’s atmosphere keeps them from getting too rowdy, but it’s impossible to smother the full force of their volume. Fortunately, the bar is crowded enough that the worst of their noise is drowned out.

Three rounds and a burger later, Kent hauls himself out of his seat while calling, “I’m going to the bathroom, nobody drink my beer.”

He’s no sooner through the door labeled “Gentlemen” than Swoops is right there with him.

“Swoops, what—Oh no, dude, we’re basically in public—”

Swoops kisses him anyway. Hot, wet, and filthy. Kent almost chokes on the amount of tongue in his mouth. His back bumps the door and he yelps, which becomes a low, needy whine when Swoops pushes a thigh right there.

It’s over before Kent can even think to retaliate. 

Swoops steps back, smirking, and licks his lips before wiping them with the back of his hand. Then he gestures to Kent’s crotch and says, “You’ve got...”

Kent doesn’t need to look, he can feel his own dick getting fat in his pants. “Who’s fault is that?!”

“Not mine. I was never here. I never kissed you in the men’s bathroom at a bar.”

“You absolutely did, and now I’m horny as fuck. You better make this up to me later. You owe me.”

“I will.” Swoops is still smiling, the dick. “You gonna let me out?”

Kent moves away from the door, but not without getting in a hard smack on Swoops’ ass as he goes by.

The Marriott, Montreal, Canada

They’re both stupid, is the problem.

They join a group of guys watching a movie in Kelly’s room. They don’t sit together—Kent shoves his way onto the bed and Swoops takes up a spot at the foot of an armchair. But they’re in the same room, still together, and even having five other teammates in the room with them heckling their way through Fifth Element, they can catch each others’ eyes and share a smile and that sense of, Oh, hello.

After Corbin Dallas has met LeeLoo (but before the Diva sings her solo) Swoops gets up and says, “I’m hitting the vending machine.”

There are scattered requests for Doritos and Snickers and Diet Pepsi, and half a dozen other things that aren’t on any of their meal plans. Kent grabs his wallet and says, “I’ll go with you.”

The halls are empty, just miles of off-white walls and eye-smarting geometric red carpet. A dimly-lit alcove hides the ice dispenser and two vending machines, one for drinks and one for snacks. It’s not exactly romantic. But as Kent is feeding dollars in and eyeing his chocolate options, Swoops takes his arm and says softly, “Hey.”

Kent looks up, and Swoops kisses him. It’s soft and lingering, the kind of kiss that makes Kent feel peeled open. Like Swoops is seeing Kent raw and he likes what he sees. It makes Kent feel wanted, cherished.

"With Hershey's as my witness," Swoops murmurs.

Kent chokes on a laugh, which makes Swoops giggle, and it's so goddamn cute that Kent has to pull him back in. They kiss through their smiles, each of their hands finding places to latch on: a hip, a shoulder, a back pocket. Kent loves that Swoops makes him feel like this, like Kent is something to be sought out and savored. He wants to say "fuck the movie" and drag Swoops back to his room.

Then someone says, way too close, “Are you guys—oh, my god.”

They break apart. It’s Scraps.

Kent can feel the blood draining out of his own face. He feels numb.

Scraps is still standing there, slack-jawed, his eyes wider than Kent ever thought they could go. 

“S-scraps,” Swoops says. “Buddy—”

“You guys were kissing."

Kent grapples with words. “I, uh. No we weren't.” 

“You were kissing in the hallway,” Scraps says, like he’s talking about an alien encounter in a cornfield. “Like, kissing. Are you guys, you know, together? Or is it just—what’s it, blowing off steam? ‘Cause I never did it but I heard a lot of guys in Juniors—”

“How ‘bout you fuck off ‘cause it’s none of your business?” Swoops cuts in, his glare cold.

Kent puts a hand on Swoops’ arm and gives him a look meant to convey Back the hell off, man. To Scraps, he says, “Can we talk about this later? Please? And... maybe don’t tell the guys? Or like, anyone?”

Still giving Swoops a befuddled frown, Scraps nods. “Sure.” He holds up a dollar bill. “Can I buy some pretzels?”

So they move aside to let Scraps buy his pretzels. Kent pats him on the shoulder and says, “Don’t tell the guys?”, to which Scraps repeats, “Sure,” and heads back to the room.

Kent heaves a sigh of relief. “Well, fuck.” Then he gives Swoops a gentle-but-not-that-gentle punch to the arm.

“Ow! The hell?”

Kent punches numbers into the vending machine and squats to pick his M&Ms out of the slot. “You didn’t have to be such a dick.”

“Oh yeah, sorry for being scared outta my mind. How long do you think this is gonna stay quiet? It’s Scraps, for crying out loud! This is the guy who spent a whole day pondering out loud whether a ton of bricks weighed more than a ton of feathers and still didn’t come up with an answer!”

“Wow, and you are still being a dick.”

Swoops waves both hands angrily, hard enough to nearly send his handful of snacks flying. “How are you so calm?!”

Kent sighs. “Because it’s Scraps. He’s a good guy, he won’t rat us out. Christ, Swoops, you know that. You wanna tell me why you’re freaking out so badly?”

Swoops grinds his teeth for a second, then says, “No.”

“No, you don’t know, or no, you don’t wanna tell me?”

“No, I don’t want to tell you. It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me.”

“So?”

Kent gapes. “Fine, then.” He turns on his heel and heads back to the room, alone.

Later, when Swoops comes back and hands out goodies, Kent doesn’t look at him. He doesn’t acknowledge Swoops for the rest of the night, and when he wakes up the next morning still mad, he doesn’t talk to Swoops on the bus or the plane, either.

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Eventually the sting of the spat wears off. It has to; if they don’t let it dissipate, it could fuck with team dynamics, and nothing is worth that. Kent is a captain first and a lover second. When they’re on the road, facing down December and an agonizingly slow but steady drop down the Western Conference rankings, he has to be.

They don’t talk about what happened in front of the vending machine in the Marriott in Montreal, though. It chafes at Kent, the memory of dismissal in that single, “So?” But Scraps doesn’t tell anyone and that seems to satisfy Swoops, and if there’s no active disagreeing going on, Kent has to assume it’s all fine.

"Are you guys fighting?" Scraps asks Kent at a team dinner.  "You and Jeff?" Everyone around them is stuffing their faces and drinking, because they’d just lost that afternoon on account of a truly embarrassing couple of empty-net goals.The bar has three blaring TVs and most of them are half drunk. None of them are listening.

"No.”

Scraps looks surprised. “Really? You guys are always together, and now you’re...not.” He glances down the table, where Swoops is laughing loudly at something Tads has just said and stuffing cheese sticks in his mouth. Then he leans in close and says something so quiet that Kent can’t make it out.

“Bud, I can’t hear you.”

The volume comes up a notch. “I said, did you guys break up?”

Kent’s immediate response is to shake his head and exclaim, “No!” but what’s horrifying is that his first thought is, Wait, did we?

Their game hasn’t suffered, at least. Kent wouldn’t place the blame of tonight’s loss on him and Swoops not clicking on the ice.

But he’s acutely aware that Swoops hasn’t kissed him since Montreal, and that... scares him, actually. He hadn’t let himself think about it but he is now and when he looks at Swoops sitting a few feet (it feels like miles) away, drinking and eating and not seeking Kent out with his eyes the way he usually would...

It’s a black hole in Kent’s chest.

Shit.

Providence River, Providence, Rhode Island

“Can we talk?” Kent asks—pleads, really, the morning of the game. Half the team is still asleep upstairs in their rooms, the other half eating breakfast and fully distracted by coffee and their phones. Kent is not a morning person, but Swoops is. Kent had set his alarm for this god-awful hour so he’d have a shot at getting Swoops alone.

Swoops has been wearing an expression like he was expecting this since he spotted Kent coming out of the elevator. But he just sighs, says, “Yeah, sure,” and puts his empty plate aside. “Where?”

“Let’s take a walk,” Kent suggests.

They grab cinnamon rolls and cups of coffee for the road and leave the hotel. Nobody expects the Aces to go anywhere this early, so the front lobby and entrance are clear. Kent steers them in the direction of the Providence River. Swoops might know where they’re going, he might not. Still, he follows without question or complaint.

With the sun barely in the sky and the area not residential, they have the sidewalks mostly to themselves. Kent asks, without preamble, “Did we break up?”

Swoops nearly spits out his coffee. “What? No!” His eyes are wide. “Wait, are you saying you want—”

“No! No.”

“Okay.” Swoops takes a careful breath. “Okay. Good. I don’t want to.”

“Me neither.”

Kent leads them left at an intersection, and it’s only a few more minutes before the river comes into view. There’s a bike path following it, lined with white railing and skeletal trees bereft of their leaves. It’s November but unseasonably warm—or at least what passes for “warm” in Rhode Island at this time of year. Kent’s sweatshirt and his coffee are keeping him from feeling the brunt of the morning chill. The sun is rising over the city, breaking it into blocky shadows and streaks of light.

They walk, finishing their cinnamon rolls and draining their coffees and then dumping the remains in a public trashcan. The silence drags on.

Swoops breaks it. “I know what I said, I know how it came off, and I’m sorry. I’m also sorry I wasn’t sorry earlier. I’m just... I don’t know. I was pissed off.”

Kent hates to ask, but he does. “At me?”

There’s a small, awful pause preceding Swoops’ response. “No.”

“Scraps, then? ‘Cause it’s not his fault he saw us—”

“I’m not pissed at Scraps. Or maybe ‘pissed’ isn’t the right word, I don’t know. I just—him showing up reminded me, is all. That it’s not safe to kiss you everywhere.” Swoops blows out a frustrated breath and rubs his eyes. “I would, you know? I’d kiss you in front of other people. I’d kiss you anywhere, in front of everyone, if I...could.” His eyes are going glassy and he quickly wipes the wetness away.

“Holy shit, are you—?” Kent says, but doesn’t wait for a response before pulling Swoops into a tight hug.  

Swoops’ returning grip is like a bearhug. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Kent holds him close as long as he dares. Then he pulls back and meets Swoops’ gaze. “So, you like me, don’t you.”

“Of course I like you.”

“You really, really like me.”

“I’m fucking crazy about you,” Swoops huffs. “Okay?” He’d be more convincingly exasperated if his face wasn’t blotchy and his eyes weren’t still damp.

“I’m fucking crazy about you, too,” Kent admits, even though it feels like diving in front of a Zdeno Chara slapshot. Being around Swoops has the side-effect of making Kent brave to the point of stupidity. “So don’t stop kissing me all over North America, okay? You said everywhere. I want everywhere.”

Swoops might cry again, from the look of him. Kent can’t believe he’s been best friends with this guy for half a decade and never known what a soft heart Swoops has. “I’ll do my best,” Swoops says.

Kent wants so badly to take his hand. “Come on,” he says instead. “Let’s find a really thick bunch of trees and kiss behind them.”

“That’s basically in public,” Swoops protests, but Kent can’t help noticing that he follows along as soon as Kent starts walking again. “I’m not helping you do something that stupid.”

“Well, fine. Where do you wanna kiss me?”

Swoops puts an arm over Kent’s shoulders—casual enough to be ‘just friends’ but close enough for Kent to feel his warmth—and smiles. “I’ll see what comes to me.”

[frazzybeararchive]

Beach Buddies

Dianne’s POV - 1958

Glass Shard Beach, New Jersey. Could it be any hotter? Mom said she grew up in this particular area and we’d only be here for a few more weeks since grandma is passing, saying that I should explore as well as see if I can make new friends to forget about it. I really wanted to see grandma but mom said that she isn’t looking well and that I should really go.

“But mom! I really want to see her, at least let me say hi!” I try to pry my mother's arms away from holding me back, dad looked a bit worried as he went into the room with the doctor holding the clipboard. Immediately, mom placed her hands on my shoulders. I felt my eyes well up with tears along with a lump in my throat, my flailing fists trying to make my mom let go with a few whines.

“Look, sweetie. This is grown-up stuff that me and daddy have to take care of, I’m sure grandma would love to see you too. But things are hard right now - that’s why I want you to make sure to go out and see if you can make yourself new friends to forget this nonsense.” Her soothing voice as well as her gentle touch made me stop my tantrum. She took her hand off my shoulder and wiped away a free tear then kissed my nose which made me smile a bit.

“Now, go outside. Maybe you can make grandma a little gift,” she leaned forward a bit and whispers.”pink seashells are her favorite.” She stood up then headed to grandma’s room where dad was, leaving me to my own adventure.

I hurried out of the house and ran to the beachwalk, the bright afternoon sun already blinding me besides already exhausting me in the process.

Once I reached down to the shore, I looked down to see pretty seashells. For the next hour, I knew I wanted to make grandma a goodbye necklace. Mom always told me how she used to collect seashells when she was my age down here. I continued picking up seashells, some of them even with baby hermit crabs - which I put them down after finding out so I didn’t scare them.

“Kings of New Jersey! Kings of New Jersey! Kings of New Jersey!”

Kings of New Jersey? I looked behind me and saw two boys pushing a shipwrecked boat. Looking closer, they both seemed sunburnt, shirtless and...wait, did I really get blinded by the sun that bad? The two boys looked identical! Twins! I immediately put my attention on the twins, making sure I collect a seashell or two to make it look like I wasn’t paying attention.

Ford’s POV

Me and Stan both dipped our paint brushes into the bucket, writing out our made up name, “Stan O’ War”, on the side of the boat.

“I dub thee: the Stan O’ War!” Right after raising my brush with pride, a sudden hard pain hit me on the back of the head.

“Ow! What the heck?” Rubbing the back of the head, I turned around to see who it was.

Crampleter.

“Well, well, if it ain't the loser twins. Nice boat. Ya get it at the dump? Heheheheheheheh!” He high fives the two of his friends then went back to putting his arms on his hips.

“You would know, Crampleter! Get lost!” Stan declared while standing up and pointing away in defense.

“Listen, dorks, and listen good.” He pointed towards me. “You're a six-fingered freak,” Embarrassment hit me hard, I bashfully put my conditioned hands behind my back, then he pointed at Stan. “and you're just a... dumber, sweatier version o' him. And you're lucky you have each other because neither of you will ever make any friends! Ha, hahahaha! Dorks and losers…’” He left with his two friends at the end of his sentence, I pulled out my hands only to stare at them.

They’re right, I’m just a freak. No one likes freaks… I clenched my hand and looked down. I felt a slight lump in my throat, I felt like crying right there and now. Right after I thought that, Stan puts his hand on my shoulder.

“Hey. Don't let those idiots get to you.”

“But I am a freak. I just wonder if there's anywhere in the world where weirdos like me fit in.”

I doubt it.

Stan took his hand off my shoulder and moved onto putting his sweaty sunburnt arm around my shoulders.

“Hey, chin up, buddy. Look.” He proceeded to make me stand up, looking over at the ocean shore.

The sun was barely setting, a boat out on sail with the hot breeze of the summer with seagulls flying overhead. The sky was shades of pink and orange, the waves crashing together along with reflecting the bright sun.

“One of these days, you and me are gonna sail away from this dumb town. We'll hunt for treasure, get all the girls, and be an unstoppable team of adventurers.” He proudly stated with a boasting posture.

“You really mean it?”

“High six?” He putted his open-palmed hand up.

“High six.” We both high six and laugh afterwords.

“Now let’s continue making Stan O’ War! It ain’t gonna fix itself.” Stan smiles wide as he climbed up onto the boat.

“Be careful!” Who knows what could be in there? Worst case scenario, he could fall in there without any help! As he opened the small hatch into the boat, he jumped in.

“Cool! I found 2 dead rats!” He yelled out enthusiastically.

“Hehehe! Gross, Stan!” I was about to climb onto the boat before I heard footsteps behind us, I froze in place thinking it was Crampleter coming back to give us a good beating.

“Uh...hi?” That’s weird, a small feminine voice greeted me while I turned around.

Her long hair was a dark brown with a tiny bow, her skin slightly sunburned but not as bad as me and Stanley. Her dress was red with short poofy sleeves with a white pocket on the front of her dress. I never really seen her before, she must’ve moved in from out of town.

“Hi, I’m Stanford. But you can call me Ford for short.” I climbed back down and hid my hands quickly behind my back, afraid to greet her properly with my birth defect.

“Ford? Who are you talking to?” Stanley quickly got up back onto the deck then looked down. His face turning into curiosity yet still happy. Once he realized it was a girl, he straightened his posture.

“Oh hi! I’m Stanle- Woah!” he tried to place his hand onto the mast post but missed, resulting to caught off his introduction and falling onto the deck.

“That dork over there is my twin brother, Stanley. But we call him Stan for short.” I chuckled a bit while rubbing the back of my head. Stan sat back up and walked over to the side of the boat to sit down on the edge to listen to our conversation.

“What’s your name?” I looked back at her and she seemed slightly nervous.

“My name is Dianne, I just came to visit for a few weeks. I just wanted to make friends since I might come back here when I’m older. But um, I made you two these since I saw those boys make fun of ya two.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out two seashell bracelets, it looked rushly made but it was good.

“Wow thanks!” I grabbed both of the bracelets and handed one to Stan, he put it on and smiled.

“Aren’t ya gonna put it on?” She pointed at my hand.

Uh oh.

I winced and revealed my hand to put on the bracelet.

Hearing a slight gasp from her, I expected her to run away.

“That’s so cool! You have six fingers, that means a finger friendlier than normal!”

“Aren’t you gonna call me a freak? I-I thought-”

“Freak? Those people obviously don’t know what different is, they’re just scared of seeing something completely new and special.” Her words echoed in my head, I never heard that before. I looked up at her and softly smiled.

“Thanks, Dianne. That made me feel more better about my hands.” I giggled before being interrupted by Stanley.

“Hey! Do you want to help us clean up the inside of the boat? I found two dead rats!” He lended a hand towards her.

“Two dead rats? I’m in!” We all laughed out loud then went onto the boat.

I made a friend.

The scorching sun finally was put to rest, the once roasting gust transitioned to cool light winds. Blue and still some streaks of pink painted the sky.

“Hey, I’m back from the saltwater taffy store!” Stanley ran with a small plastic bag filled with the colorful taffy towards the two kids already jumping down from the boat.

“Yes! I call the blue ones!” Ford joked as he quickly ran over to Stanley, instantly putting his hand into the bag and pulling out a few pieces. Dianne rushed over and shoved her hand into the bag and grabbed a handful.

“After this I have to head back to my grandma’s place.” Her needy hands opened one of the taffy wrappers which she immediately popped in her mouth. The trio sat down on the sand and looked ahead over the horizon, busy chewing on the taffy while digging their feet into the cooler part of the sand. Stanley looked over at Dianne.

“How many weeks are you gonna stay here?” His mouth still filled with taffy which muffled a bit of his speech.

“Oh, mom said maybe one or two.” Her calm face slightly turned a bit upset. “Which really sucks, because you guys are really fun. I really had fun today, I hope we can at least enjoy our few weeks together over here or something.” She popped in another taffy in her mouth and smiled at the twins. Ford was finished with his taffies, using his finger to draw in the sand.

“Heh, yeah. This day got ten times better with the taffy, thanks Stan.”

“Dianne! Dianne?” An adult feminine voice called out from the boardwalk with a slight nervous appearance.

“Fiddlesticks, it’s my mom. I’ll be back whenever I can, you guys normally play here right?” Dianne asked while putting on her black shoes and standing up, wiping off the sand from her red dress.

“Yup!” Both of the twins gleefully shouted.

“Okay, coming mom!” Dianne quickly ran towards her direction. “Bye!” she shouted out in the distance.

The twins were left in a few seconds of silence before Stan looked at Ford with a cheeky grin. Ford looked over at Stan confused.

“What?”

“You totally like like her!”

“Ew, Stanley! I don’t even know her that much!” Ford playfully punches Stan’s arm, receiving one back but a little harder.

“Ow!” the sudden shout from Ford made the both of them silent, which slowly escalated to laughter in a matter of seconds. Both of the twins putted on their shoes and got up then headed towards home.

“I still think you like her-”

“Stan!”