#can't listen 2 that dismissive voice in my head

[eggwishing]

our couch was moldy anyways

[maxtermind]

please i'm begging you (please don't feel pressured if your life is busy 💕) we need pt 2 to the angst i can't handle this 😭 my heart 💔 the writing is too good that i'm feeling things 😓

was i stupid to love you?

★ : summary :: when he downplays your feelings ★ : feat :: max verstappen, lewis hamilton, carlos sainz, charles leclerc, lando norris ★ : genre :: angst; hurt/comfort ★ : word count :: 4.6k ★ : a/n :: open ending, don't forget to vote after so i can get a bit of feedback :3 kinda rushed so might contain lots of typos sorryyyy!!

( part 1 )

Charles Leclerc

The house party buzzed with music and laughter, a cacophony that drowned your thoughts as you stormed through the crowded rooms. Your heart raced with a mix of anger and hurt, knowing Charles was right on your tail, determined to catch you before you could reach Arthur.

Your boyfriend’s hand wrapped around yours just as his brother turned around to look at you guys. You stomped your feet as you shook your head to dismiss Arthur and follow your boyfriend who quietly kissed your head in gratitude before you could step away.

”What is going on with you?!” Your voice trembled with barely contained fury as you confronted Charles in a quieter corner.

Charles sighed, his brow furrowing in frustration. ”I don’t know, baby. I’m so sorry—”

”You told me off when you should know that I’m right!” Your voice rose involuntarily. ”She fucking leaned in thinking that you were gonna choose her.”

”Y/N, please listen to me,” Charles said earnestly, stepping closer to you. ”I messed up. I know. But I would, never in a hundred years, choose anyone let alone her over you.”

You looked into Charles' eyes, seeing the sincerity and pain reflected in them. Your anger began to melt, replaced by a swirl of conflicting emotions.

”You’re just saying what I want to hear and I don't like it,” you said, your voice softer now, searching for clarity.

”It’s the truth,” Charles declared, his voice tinged with regret. ”I know I’ve hurt you baby and I'm sorry for that but I can’t— I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I watched you leave with my brother. Let me drop you home, okay?”

Tears welled up in your eyes, frustration and hurt mixing with the love you still felt for him. Charles gently took your hands in his, his touch warm and comforting.

”Y/N, please,” Charles pleaded, his voice raw with emotion. ”I never want to make you feel like you need to run away from me. I want to talk this out, please give me a chance to make things right.”

You hesitated, feeling torn between wanting to forgive him and the pain of betrayal still fresh in your heart.

”Okay,” you finally whispered, feeling emotionally drained. ”Let's go.”

Charles nodded, relief washing over his face. He led you out of the noisy party, his grip on your hand tight and reassuring. The cool night air outside provided a stark contrast to the heated emotions inside.

As Charles drove you home, neither of you spoke. The silence was filled with unspoken words and the weight of what had just transpired. But Charles kept stealing glances at you, his eyes full of regret and love.

When you arrived at your shared apartment, Charles parked the car but made no move to get out. He turned to you, his expression soft and vulnerable.

”I'll leave if you want me to,” Charles said quietly, his voice tinged with sorrow. ”But please, Y/N, give us a chance to talk tomorrow. I'll do whatever it takes to make this right.”

You looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes and the love that still lingered despite everything. Tears fell down your cheeks as you nodded slowly.

”I need time,” you admitted softly, your voice barely audible. ”Time to sort through this.”

Charles nodded understandingly, reaching out to gently wipe away your tears. ”Take all the time you need,” he said softly, his thumb caressing your cheek. ”I'll be here, whenever you're ready.”

”Where will you go?” You asked, not wanting to leave just yet.

”To your brother’s house,” he joked and smiled cheekily when you let out a small laugh.

”I love you,” Charles continued and seemed satisfied when you saw your tinted cheeks, giving into the temptation to kiss your hand. ”I’ll stay at Arthur's for the night.”

With that, you stepped out of the car, your heart heavy with conflicting emotions. You watched Charles drive away, feeling the distance between you both but knowing that perhaps, with time, you could find a way back to each other.

Lando Norris

You sat in the break room at work, your lunch untouched in front of you. The memories of last night’s events still stung, the image of her hand on Lando’s thigh and the lipstick on his collar replaying in your mind.

Just as you were about to take a sip of water, the door swung open, and there he was, your— ex? —boyfriend, looking desperate and determined. You knew there was a possibility he’d try to catch you at work given that you’d taken away all other means.

”Y/N, can I please?” he said, his voice pleading as he pointed towards the hallway.

You nodded reluctantly and led him to an empty hall, away from prying eyes. The silence was deafening as you stood there, waiting for him to speak.

You nodded reluctantly and led him to an empty conference room, away from prying eyes. The silence was deafening as you stood there, waiting for him to speak.

”Y/N, please,” he started, his voice trembling slightly. ”I’m so sorry about last night.”

You crossed your arms, leaning against the table. ”Bet you had a good time, huh?”

”No, I didn't,” Lando said in disbelief before he took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. ”Nothing that happened there was intentional. We were all drinking, and she... she got too close. I should have pushed her away. I’m sorry.”

You scoffed, anger bubbling up again, finally fired up enough to speak your mind. ”Her hand was on your fucking thigh, Lando. And your collar— her lipstick was all over it. How do you explain that?”

He winced, clearly pained by the memory. ”I know it looks bad, but it wasn’t what it seemed. She leaned in close to talk to me, and I didn’t realize she had left a mark. It was a— just a stupid mistake, and I should have been more aware.”

”More aware?” you echoed, your voice rising. ”You should have cared about how it would make me feel! Instead, you shrugged it off like it was nothing.”

”I didn’t mean to shrug it off,” he said, stepping closer. ”I was wrong. I should have reassured you, should have shown you that you’re the only one that matters to me. Baby, please just let me—”

You looked away, the pain still fresh. ”It’s not just about the lipstick or her hand. It’s about how you made me feel like I was overreacting, like my feelings didn’t matter.”

”They do matter,” he said, his voice breaking. ”More than anything. I was an idiot. I should have pushed her away immediately. I should have come to you and told you everything before you saw it for yourself.”

”You know I only want you,” he added softly, his eyes pleading with you.

You shook your head, trying to hold back tears. ”That’s the thing, Lando. I don’t know that. I actually believe that y— you don’t at all.”

Lando’s eyes filled with tears as a broken whisper of your name left his mouth. ”I h.. have never, I never will. Ever.” He stressed. ”Want anyone— need anyone the way I want you.”

You kept quiet as you looked at him trying to catch himself. Lending him your hand that he squeezed in return.

”I can’t believe you would ever believe that but I understand and, I promise… I’ll be more mindful, more respectful. I’ll make sure everyone knows I’m taken, that I’m yours. Please, give me a chance to make it right.”

The weight of his words hung in the air, and you let out a slow breath, trying to not have a breakdown at your workplace. ”It’s going to take time, Lando. Trust isn’t rebuilt overnight.”

”I know,” he said, relief washing over his features. ”And I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I’ll prove to you that I’m worthy of your trust.”

”Okay,” you whispered, your voice barely audible. ”I’ll give it a thought, Lando. But if you hurt me again, we’re done.”

”I understand,” he said, his voice filled with determination. ”Thank you, Y/N. I won’t let you down.”

Max Verstappen

The streets were bustling with late-night revelers, their laughter and chatter a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside you. The restaurant's neon sign flickered as you stepped out into the cool night air, your phone clenched tightly in your hand.

Three hours. You had waited for three hours, hoping Max would show up for your anniversary dinner, only to find out from the story of your mutual friend that he was out with her again.

On your anniversary.

You made your way through the crowded streets, not caring where you ended up. You just needed to get away, to think, to process the hurt and betrayal. Your phone buzzed incessantly in your pocket, but you ignored it. Max's calls and messages could wait. Right now, you needed space.

After wandering aimlessly for a while, you found yourself at the edge of the city, near the river. The quiet contrast of the flowing water was a welcome change from the city's noise. You sat on a bench, pulling your jacket tighter around you as a light drizzle began to fall. The soft patter of rain on the water's surface was soothing, but it didn’t dull the ache in your heart.

Minutes turned into an hour, and the rain intensified. Your phone buzzed again, and this time you glanced at it. Last message from Max was a minute ago

Max: Y/N, please. Where are you? Let me explain. I’m looking for you.

You sighed, wiping away the raindrops mixed with your tears. Your fingers hovered over the screen before you finally typed a reply.

You: By the river. Near the old bridge.

You didn’t know why you told him, but some part of you wanted to hear him out. To understand why he kept doing this. Why would he even waste time with you if he was already in love with someone else?

God. Even the thought of that brought up a real pain in your chest. The rain fell harder, and you huddled under the small awning of a nearby building, trying to stay somewhat dry.

After what felt like an eternity, you saw a figure running towards you through the rain. It was Max, drenched and breathless. He slowed as he approached, his eyes filled with worry and regret. HIs clothes were all over the place, untucked and wrinkled and you only drew the worst conclusion.

”Y/N,” he gasped, stopping a few feet away. ”Thank God, you're okay.”

You stood up, arms crossed defensively. ”You’ve got five minutes, Max. Make it count.”

He nodded, taking a step closer. ”I’m so sorry, Y/N. I know I’ve let you down. I was with her tonight because she’s going through a really rough time. She had no one else to turn to.”

You narrowed your eyes, the skepticism clear. ”On our anniversary? How convenient.”

He flinched at your tone but didn’t back down. ”I know it’s no excuse. I should have told you. I thought I could help her quickly and still make it to dinner. I didn’t realize it would take so long.”

You shook your head, the anger bubbling up again. ”This isn’t the first time, Max. How many times have I had to wonder if she’s really just a friend? How many times have you put her before me?”

Max stepped closer, his eyes pleading. ”I’ve been blind, Y/N. I didn’t see how much I was hurting you. There’s nothing romantic between us. She’s just a friend, and she needed my help. But I see now that I’ve been unfair to you.”

Tears mixed with the rain on your cheeks. ”I don’t know if I can keep doing this, Max. The constant worry, the feeling like I’m not enough. It’s tearing me apart.”

He reached out, tentatively taking your hand. ”You are more than enough, Y/N. I’ve been an idiot, and I’m so sorry. I love you, and I don’t want to lose you.”

You looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of deception. All you saw was sincerity and regret. ”How can I trust you again, Max? What did she even need help with?”

He squeezed your hand gently. ” She saw her ex at the club and he was being an asshole. I just went over for five to put him in his place when one of her friends posted the story. I’m sorry for the delay, baby. I know I should've been more transparent about everything. Just please, give me a chance to make things right.”

”Is she okay?” You took a shaky breath, your heart aching with the desire to believe him and he exhaled when you pulled him under the shit excuse of shelter you had from the rain.

”She’s okay. I promise I won't ever embarrass you this way again, baby. You won’t ever have to sit and wonder if I'm bailing because I found someone else or not.” Max took another deep breath. ”I never will, baby, you are the only one I want. I will never find anyone.”

You closed your eyes, the tears spilling over as you hugged him. ”I wanna go home.”

”Okay let’s go home, baby.” Max gently cupped your face, his thumbs brushing away your tears. ”But I need you to know. You are my priority, Y/N. I’ll never let you feel otherwise again. I love you more than anything, and I’ll spend every day proving it to you.”

You leaned into his touch, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the pain as you hugged him.

He sighed again, closing his eyes to soak in this. ”Happy anniversary, baby. I love you”

You pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a tired smile.

Carlos Sainz

Carlos's pleas had grown quieter, the urgency in his voice replaced with a softness that seemed to seep through the crack under the door.

You could hear his breath hitching, a clear sign that he was on the verge of breaking down himself. But you couldn’t get yourself to stand up as you sat on the bed, knees drawn to your chest, tears still streaming down your face as you tried to block out the sound.

”Y/N, please,” he choked out, and you could hear the tears in his voice now. ”I'm so sorry. I... I don't know what else to say. I can't lose you.”

The sincerity and raw emotion in his voice cut through you in a vicious manner, and against your better judgment, you found yourself getting up. You hesitated for a moment, your hand hovering over the doorknob, before finally opening the door just a crack.

Carlos was standing there, his eyes red and swollen from crying. When he saw you, a look of profound relief washed over his face. ”Thank you,” he whispered.

You stepped back, letting him in. He walked in slowly, as if afraid to invade your space, and you closed the door behind him. The silence was heavy, each second stretching into an eternity.

”I'm so sorry,” Carlos said again, his voice trembling. ”I swear, I didn't know she was going to kiss me. If I had known, I would have never invited her. I would never do anything to hurt you intentionally.”

You took a deep breath, trying to steady your own shaking voice. ”But you did invite her, Carlos. And I told you to cut her off so many times. Why didn't you listen?”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking utterly defeated. ”I thought... I thought we were just friends. I didn't realize she felt that way about me. And when she kissed me, I was so shocked. I— I froze. I'm an idiot. I should have pushed her away immediately.”

”You should have,” you echoed, your voice breaking as you recalled that scene and it felt like someone was physically stabbing you. ”Do you have any idea how much it hurt to see that?”

Carlos stepped closer, his eyes pleading. ”I know, and I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I love you, Y/N. You're the only one I want to be with.”

You looked down, tears falling onto the floor. ”How do I know that, Carlos? How do I know you won't let this happen again?”

He gently took your hands in his, his touch warm and reassuring. ”Because I can’t ever go through this again. I don’t want to know what it feels like to almost lose you. I'll cut her off completely. I promise you, baby, just, anything— it will never happen again.”

You pulled your hands away, wrapping your arms around yourself protectively. ”It's not just about cutting her off, Carlos. I can never get that image out of my brain now. What if you just wake up tomorrow that you didn’t get rid of her because yo— you…?”

You trailed off but Carlos understood and immediately shook his head. ”No,” he said firmly. ”I will never wake up with anyone other than you in my heart. You’re the one I love, the one I am going to live my life with.”

He didn’t let you speak as he carried on,”I understand. Trust is earned, not given. And I'll do whatever it takes to earn it back. I'll prove to you that you can trust me.”

You sighed, feeling the weight of his words. ”I want to believe you. But it's going to take time. A lot of time.”

”I know,” he said softly. ”And I'm willing to wait. I'll wait as long as it takes for you to trust me again. Just please, don't shut me out. Let me be there for you.”

You looked into his eyes, seeing the genuine remorse and love in them. Despite everything, a part of you still loved him deeply. ”Okay,” you whispered. ”But you have to understand, it's going to be hard. I'm still hurt, and it's going to take a while for me to heal.”

Carlos nodded, a flicker of hope in his eyes. ”I'll be patient. I'll be here for you, no matter what. And I'll do everything I can to make it right.”

”Alright.” You nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope yourself. ”Just... don't make me regret it.”

”I won't,” Carlos stepped closer, tentatively reaching out to wipe a tear from your cheek. ”I love you, Y/N. More than anything.”

You gave him a small as you leaned into his touch, feeling a mix of emotions, ”I love you too, Carlos. That's why this hurts so much.”

He pulled you into a gentle hug, holding you as if you were the most precious thing in the world. ”We'll get through this. Together.”

Lewis Hamilton

You paced around your apartment, the anger and hurt from the argument still fresh. The silence after the exchange with Lewis was deafening. You couldn’t believe he said those things. Your phone buzzed on the couch, but you ignored it, needing space to process.

A knock on your door interrupted your thoughts. It was loud and persistent. You hesitated, hoping it wasn’t who you thought it was.

”Y/N, please open up. I need to talk to you,” Lewis’s voice came through the door, sounding desperate.

You took a deep breath and opened the door. Your boyfriend stood there, looking remorseful.

”What do you want, Lewis?” you asked, your voice cold.

”Can I come in? Please, we need to talk,” he pleaded.

You stepped aside reluctantly, letting him in. He walked into the living room, turning to face you with regret etched on his face.

”I’m sorry, Y/N,” he started, his voice soft as he ran a hand over his face. ”I didn’t mean what I said. I was frustrated— but that’s no excuse.”

”You really hurt me,” you said, crossing your arms defensively knowing you had to support yourself before you start crying again. ”And you were so fucking cruel about it!”

”I know, and I hate that I did that to you,” he replied, his eyes sincere. ”I’ve been spending too much time with her, and I’ve been blind to how it’s been affecting you— us. Affecting us.”

”Why do you keep seeing her then? If she’s just a friend, why does it feel like she’s more important than me?” you demanded, your voice shaking.

”She’s not more important than you,” he said quickly. ”I’ve let the boundaries blur, and I didn’t realize how much it was hurting you. I’m sorry.”

Tears welled up in your eyes, but you blinked them away. This was not what you expected. You were ready for a fight, sure that Lewis would come with his own weapons out but this was undoing you.

”It’s not just about her, Lewis. It’s about us. You’ve been distant, and I feel like I’m losing you.”

Lewis nodded, looking pained and sick. ”You’re not losing me, Y/N. I’ve been an idiot, and I’ve taken you for granted. I want to fix this.”

”How?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper. Desperately clinging onto him to make amends because you couldn’t see any in hindsight.

”By being more present, by setting boundaries, and by showing you every day how much you mean to me,” he said, taking your hands in his. ”Please give me a chance to make this right.”

”Words aren’t enough anymore,” you said, looking down at your joined hands.

”I know,” he nodded. ”But I'm willing to go through any lengths, I’ll prove to you that you’re my priority.”

You searched his eyes, seeing the determination and regret. ”I want to trust you,” as your voice cracked, the very first tear fell down your face and Lewis immediately grabbed you as he pulled you to lay your head on his chest.

”I can’t though— I wish I could but I can't get hurt again.”

”I understand and I promise you can shoot me if I hurt you again” he said. ”I love you, Y/N. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right.”

You leaned into his embrace, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the pain. ”I love you too.” You felt him take a sigh as he held you tight against his warm body.

”And I need you to understand that my feelings are valid,” you continued as you soaked his shirt with your tears. ”When I tell you something bothers me, I need you to listen and not dismiss it.”

”I promise I’ll listen,” he said, his voice full of sincerity. ”I’ll do better because losing you would end me.”

You took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift slightly. As you stood there in your boyfriend’s arms, you realized that healing would take time but there was no one else you would rather heal with. Though only time could tell what the future held for you.

Oscar Piastri

You closed your eyes as you heard the door of your best friend's apartment being knocked on again. Your mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, betrayal, sadness.

You replayed the messages over and over in your head, each one cutting deeper than the last as you contemplated whether letting Oscar in would be a good decision. You finally made the decision when you heard the neighbor’s lock moving.

You pulled him in before they could open their door or call the cops and finally took a look at him. He looked disheveled. His eyes were red from holding unshed tears as they glossed over once he finally took you in.

”Y/N,” Oscar started, moving towards you with open arms. ”Thanks for letting me in.”

”I almost didn't.” You crossed your arms over your chest, trying to keep your voice steady as you stepped away from his open arms. ”But you were waking up the whole damn building.”

Oscar nodded, looking down at the ground. ”I deserve that.” You took a deep breath, desperate to get this over with.

”Why, Oscar? Why did you lie to me?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. ”I... I was scared you'd get upset. I thought if I told you the truth, you'd leave me.”

”And now?” you scoffed, your voice rising. ”You think I'm not upset now? You think lying to me makes it any better?”

He stepped closer, his eyes pleading. ”Y/N, I made a mistake. A huge mistake. But nothing happened between me and her, I swear. We were drunk, and she sat on my lap for a picture. It was stupid and irresponsible, but that's all it was.”

You shook your head, tears welling up in your eyes. ”Do you have any idea how that made me feel? Seeing her on your lap after you told me she wasn't even going to be there?”

Oscar reached out to touch your arm, but you stepped back once again and his eyes brimmed with tears. ”Y/N, please. I love you. I was an idiot, but I love you. I need you to believe that.”

You wiped your eyes, trying to compose yourself. ”How can I believe you, Oscar? When I don't even know if you really want me?”

He swallowed hard, his tears finally falling out of his eyes. Oscar looked defeated as if he was fighting a battle already lost.

”Please don’t say that. You’re the only person I want. I'll do whatever it takes to earn your trust back. I'll never lie to you again. I'll be completely honest, even if it's something I think will hurt you. Just... please give me a chance to make it right.”

You looked at him, searching his face for any sign of deception. You saw only earnest regret and a desperate longing for forgiveness. You wanted to believe him, but the hurt was still so raw.

”I don't know if I can,” you whispered. ”You've broken my trust, Oscar. And that's not something you can just fix with words.”

He nodded slowly. ”I know. But I'm willing to do whatever it takes. I'll go to counseling, I'll give you access to my phone, my social media, anything you need to feel secure. Just please, don’t give up on us.”

You stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation heavy in the air. You looked around the dimly lit apartment, as you took a deep breath, trying to gather your thoughts.

”Okay,” you said finally. ”I’m willing to discuss this in the morning. But if you lie to me again, if you hurt me again, we're done. Do you understand?”

Oscar's face lit up with a mixture of relief and determination as his chest heaved. ”I understand. I promise you, Y/N, I'll never give you a reason to doubt me again.”

You nodded, as your lips quivered. ”I hope so. Because I don't think I can go through this again.”

He stepped closer, cautiously taking your hand. You allowed it, feeling the warmth of his touch. ”Thank you,” he said softly. ”I won't let you down.”

You stood together, still holding hands. The silence between you was different now—tentative, but with a flicker of understanding. You had a long way to go, but for the first time since those fateful messages, you felt like maybe, just maybe, not all was lost.

( writing masterlist \ main masterlist \ drop a request ) ©maxtermind // do not copy, rewrite or translate any of my work on any platforms.

[darkbluekies]

Like magic — part 2/end?

Part 1

Male!yandere x female!reader x female!yandere

Summary: after waking up from a coma like state, you find out that people are dying around you ... and they all seem to have a connection to you

Warnings: death, blood, typical stuff, abusive household

Word count: 5.1k

A/N: I feel that the ending got rushed, but I didn't know what I was going to write! Apologies. And for the moment, this will be the end of the series, but if I ever want to do another part, I will<3

Taglist: @yandere-city2 @svinxie @yumeneji @spitakgini

"Have you ever had a dueling class?" Hedwig asks.

"No, never", you reply nervously, thinking of everything Edmund told you about it.

"It's going to be fine. We're not even sure if they're going to pick you for demonstration!"

"I'm happy that Edmund isn't in this class or I'd be dead."

The mention of his name makes Hedwig quiet.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Hedwig", you say. "I know you don't like to talk about him."

"You seem to like it …"

"What? No! He just annoys me so I can't forget him. He's taken over my brain like a virus."

Hedwig sighs and hugs your arm.

"I don't like him at all", she mumbles. 

You enter your very first dueling class and watch how the professor start to talk about different spells (most you've never even heard of).

"I need two participants", he says and looks around for faces. "Arthur and Y/N, please."

You can feel Hedwig stiffen against your arm. You feel your blood go cold.

"B-But professor-!" Hedwig starts.

"No buts, come up here now, Y/N", the professor demands.

You have no other choice than to step up on the stage-looking plateau. Hedwig watches in horror with her hands clasped over her mouth. You pick up your wand. 

"Professor!" Hedwig tries again, but once again she's dismissed.

You're supposed to protect yourself from a spell you have never heard about before, but since you neither know the spell nor the counter spell, it hits your body like a thousand needles. Suddenly, everything seems to go in slow motion. You're flung against the stone wall. The air gets knocked out of your lungs and your head starts to pound thickly. Everything turns dark.

Hedwig screams and runs over to you.

"Y/N, are you okay?!" she gasps. "Y/N answer, please!" She turns to the professor. "I tried to warn you! She doesn't know any dueling spells! Now look at what you did!"

The professor stands there sheepishly, and Hedwig wants nothing more than to swing her wand and do as much damage as she possibly can.

A few students help Hedwig carry your unconscious body to the hospital wing where your bloody head is wrapped in bandage. You're tucked in under white sheets. Hedwig sits by with tears running down her cheeks. She holds your hand tightly. 

Edmund sighs and turns the page. Idiocy, all of it. He doesn't want to read about spells, he wants to perform them.

"Did you hear?" a voice says to someone else. "The transfer student in third year got abominated during duel class."

The school only has one transfer student. Edmund shuts the book and flies up towards the Hufflepuff student talking bullshit.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" He asks. "Don't talk so much shit. Spit it out."

They seem to flinch upon seeing him. Edmund's made sure that people know you belong to him.

"The transfer student, she's in the hospital wing", the hufflepuff boy says, ashamed by now.

Edmund feels how his heart stops beating. No way. Not you. He gives the Hufflepuff boy one last glare before running off. He bumps into multiple people on his way, but doesn't stop to excuse himself.

Hedwig looks up when she hears someone rip the door open and run in. Edmund's face is paler than usual and for once, there's something desperate in his icy blue eyes.

"What the fuck happened?" he pants and walks to the other side of the bed. 

"The professor didn't listen to me when I tried to tell him that Y/N doesn't know any spells", Hedwig sniffles without taking her eyes off of you. "She got flung against the wall and must have hit her head really hard."

"I'm going to kill him."

Hedwig sobs and rests her forehead down on your hand. 

“Stop doing that”, Edmund mutters and pulls her head back before wiping your hand. “Your face oil is getting all over her.”

"What if she never wakes up again?"

"Stop talking such nonsense, of course she will."

But he can't help feeling worried.

"Alright, students", the working nurse says, "you cannot stay here any longer, the patient needs to rest."

"I'm staying", Edmund says sharply.

"I'm staying too!" Hedwig insists.

"No, you have to listen to the rules. You can visit miss Y/N later."

They are about to resist once more, but are forced out and the doors close behind them.

"What a prick!" Edmund mutters and starts to walks off.

"Edmund, wait … please", Hedwig sniffles. "Please help me."

He frowns and turns around.

"I can't let that boy get away with it", she whimpers. "But I can't do it alone. Please … help me. Please."

“You want … me … to help … you?” he asks, confused. “Have you lost your little sugar, honey mind?”

Hedwig sobs and shakes her head. “No. Please, Edmund. I can’t do it myself, I don’t have the heart to do it. But I know you do.”

“How would you know that?”

“Don’t lie. I know that you have the tattoo on your arm. Everyone knows who your parents are and what they’ve done.” She snuffles and wipes her nose. “It doesn’t matter if they lie. Everyone knows.”

Edmund hushes and covers her mouth with his hand. Hedwig’s eyes widens. 

“Be silent, will you?” he hisses. “Fine, I’ll do it … not because you tell me to, but because Y/N needs to be revenged — and because I’m fucking pissed.”

“Thank you, nonetheless.” She takes a deep breath. “If you … if you do it, I will make sure to cover it up.”

“Deal.”

When you wake up, you can feel a harsh pounding in the back of your head, harsh enough to split your skull open. You open your eyes slightly, letting just enough daylight in to be able to locate yourself. The hospital wing. 

Why am I here?

You suddenly remember, and it sends a new painful wave through your brain. Carefully, you sit up and look around, wishing to see Hedwig, but there’s noone. 

Suddenly, a few teachers rush in with a body in their arms. The boy who you had dueled with — Arthur, you believed his name to be — gets thrown onto a bed and covered with a sheet. A shiver runs down your spine. Whatever that was about, you don’t want to be included. 

“Excuse me?” you say hesitantly, gathering the attention of the nurse. “Could you help me?”

“Yes of course”, she answers and hurries over. “You’re finally awake, I’m happy to see that. How are you feeling?”

Dismissing her question, you ask her to bring you Hedwig. And Hedwig you receive, along with the black haired devil. 

“Oh, Y/N!” she shouts in relief and wraps her arms around you. “Oh, how happy I am to see you awake! You worried me sick.”

You hug her back, weirdly scared. You have no idea how long you’ve been unconscious for, or what has happened to you while you were out. Hedwig’s ripped off of you and suddenly, you feel Edmund’s firm, muscular arms around you. He holds your head into his chest, breathing out slowly. 

“I told you that you didn’t want to end up in the hospital wing”, he mumbles and sighs out, cupping your cheeks. “From now on, I won’t let you anywhere out of my sight. Since miss princess over here can’t keep an eye on you, I have to do it.”

“Excuse me?” Hedwig scoffs. “Do you think I wanted Y/N to get hurt? I tried to tell the professor-!”

“I don’t care, halfblood. If I were there, I wouldn’t have let that happened! I would have dueled the damn professor myself.” He turns to you and kisses your forehead. “My dear, Y/N. I will never let anyone touch a hair on your head again, do you understand me?”

You nod, confused. 

“Good”, Edmund smiles and stands up. “What should we do with you now?"

"Are you allowed to leave?" Hedwig asks softly and you nod. She takes your hands. "Let's go eat something. You can sit at my table."

You come with her to the great hall and sit down by the hufflepuff table. Edmund refuses to be seen beside the students wearing yellow and black uniforms and retreats to the Slytherin table. 

“Here you go, sweetheart”, Hedwig says and starts to fill a plate for you, giving it over. “Eat a lot, okay? You have been skipping multiple days now that you’ve been in a coma — or whatever that was. You have multiple days to make up for, eat up.”

“Thank you, Hedwig, that’s very nice of you”, you reply and watch the mountain of food on your plate. 

Hedwig insists on feeding you, as if you were a baby. You don’t mind. After waking up all alone in a foreign room, without any knowledge of what has happened or how long you’ve been gone, being babied doesn’t sound too bad.

The entire hall is glancing at you and you realize that if there ever was the slightest chance of staying single in the public’s eyes, you were sealed to Hedwig by now. 

Your stomach starts to hurt not long after. It has shrunk in size.

“It hurts”, you say and clutch your stomach. “I think I’m going to throw up if I eat more.”

“But … but …”, Hedwig stutters, completely baffled. 

“Hedwig, I love the food, I really do … but if I eat more for now I’m going to puke.”

“I’ll … I’ll save it then!” she says happily. 

She puts the bread in a napkin and puts it in the pocket of her cloak. You’re pulled up from the bench by her arm and taken out into the corridor.

“Let’s go out into the fresh air to get you feeling better”, she smiles.

You nod, following Hedwig wherever she takes you. A fresh wind clears your lungs.

"I hope you know that I'm so happy that you're okay", she says and holds your hand while you're walking, side by side. "I got so scared. You know that I would do anything for you, right?"

You nod again.

"When I say that, I really mean it. Nothing is too much for you.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Hedwig smiles and hugs your arm tightly.

“You should come over to my house someday”, she says. “I would show you so much stuff that you have never seen before. You’re missing out on a lot by being born into a muggle family.”

“I would like very much to go to your house”, you say quietly. “I don’t want to go home.”

She stops. “What? Why?”

“Well … you know … I don’t want to go home.”

She frowns when you shrug awkwardly. You’ve hinted about your home life numerous times, but you’ve never told her the entire reason. Should you?

“Why?" she asks. "Why don't you want to go home?"

"I'm scared that they won't let me go back."

"Nonsense, Y/N. I'm sure that they'll understand."

"No, Hedwig, they won't. They locked me in my bedroom every year to make sure I wouldn't get here. I picked the lock this time. Otherwise I wouldn't be here."

"Are they bad people, Y/N?"

"Well … I don't know. They're not mean but … if I say anything that goes against their rules or their wishes, they punish me greatly.”

"How?"

“You’d be surprised at how creative they are.”

“I see.” She smiles softly and caresses your cheek. “You have nothing to be worried about, I will take you in. You can move into my house.”

“Thank you, but I don’t want to be a bother to your parents.”

“They’re rarely home anyway, they wouldn’t even notice.” She gasps and looks at her watch. “Oh, my God, I’m so sorry, Y/N, I have to go! I have class in five minutes. Please find me after class, we can meet in the library. I love you, Y/N, bye!”

She kisses your cheek and runs. You watch her until she disappears into the castle. The headache returns and you press your palms to your forehead, giving out a small sigh. Did your brain disconnect from the skull in that fall?

There’s too many people around you, too many sounds. You start to move back towards the castle when you’re stopped by a couple of students. They’re younger than you, but smirk like adults. 

“Aren’t you the third year that can’t duel to save your life?” one of them taunts. 

You’re taken aback, not knowing what to respond. They laugh among themselves, enjoying your embarrassment. You glance down at their robes. All from different houses.

Suddenly, their smiles disappear and they fixate on something behind you. You turn around, seeing Edmund with his two minions. 

“Bet you’re feeling tough, huh?” Edmund asks coldly. “Picking on someone that just came out of the hospital wing? Fuck off.”

The younger students glare at him, but listen and leave. You can feel Edmund’s hand on your shoulder. 

“Hey, transfer student”, he says, “you shouldn’t wander around right after waking up from a coma. Did you lose braincells when hitting your head?”

“No”, you sigh and hold your hand on your head. “But it does hurt. A lot. All sounds make my brain pound.”

Edmund covers your ears with his hand, gives you a small nudge in the back with his knee to make you walk. He brings you to an empty corridor and sits you down on the floor. 

“Did you know those kids?” he asks. 

“No”, you shake your head. 

“I knew one of them”, one of his friends says. “Won’t be too hard to figure out who the others are.”

“Good”, Edmund says and sits down beside you, bringing you close to him. 

You frown in confusion as he wraps his cloak around you and puts your face on his shoulder. 

“Let’s rest here for a bit”, he says. “Don’t move. Sleep if you want.”

 The food swelling in your shrunken stomach and the loud noises have brought you back to exhaustion. You find yourself drifting off in his hold. Edmund sits with you, holding you closely. Every time someone walks by, he holds his hand over your ears to make sure they won’t wake you up. His friends chase them off. 

“Of course you had something to do with it”, he hears a voice say after a while. 

“No need to be snarky, Hedwig”, Edmund says without lifting his eyes from you. “I helped you kill that Arthur boy, the least you can do is thank me.”

“Is she okay?”

“Yeah, just tired.”

Hedwig sits down beside the two of you and caresses your hair. 

“We have more to take care of”, Edmund says lowly. “Some embarrassing kids tried to embarrass Y/N. If you can find out who they are, I will take care of them.”

“Sure, it wouldn’t be too hard.” Especially with her contacts.

Things start to happen the following weeks. People you have talked to or that have been close to you have disappeared from the school or ended up dead in the hospital wing. You have done everything in your power to not blame yourself for the weird disappearances. It has to be a coincidence, you tell yourself. It can’t be your fault.

“Why that look?” Edmund asks and pokes your shoulder. 

You haven’t even realized that you’ve been staring in front ot you, completely missing what the teacher has said the last half an hour. 

“I feel weird”, you whisper. 

“Why?” Edmund asks, confused. 

“Haven’t you realized that people have died or disappeared?”

“I haven’t thought about it too much. It doesn’t interest me.”

“Oh …”

You look down in your lap where your nails scratch at each other.

“Why are you putting so much thought about it?” Edmund questions. 

“I’ve talked to them all … they’ve disappeared or died after they’ve been in my presence. Do you think it has something to do with me?”

“You think everything has to do with you.”

“I do not!”

The teacher scolds you for raising your voice and disturbing the class. Edmund smirks for himself. It stays on until you’re let out of the classroom. 

“Wait, Y/N, can you stay for a moment?” the teacher asks. 

You nod and walk over with Edmund behind you. 

“The headmaster wants to talk to you”, the teacher says. 

“What?” you ask. 

“Why?” Edmund demands to know. 

"It's urgent. Please hurry to his office.”

You give Edmund a nervous glance and hurry out. He follows closely with a cold look on his face.

“What do you think could have happened?” you ask him while rounding the corner.

“No idea”, he responds shortly. “But if they're trying to put you in trouble I'm snapping their necks.”

You can feel him take your hand tightly. You'll end up with bruises, you're sure.

The headmaster's office is dimly lit. He sits behind the desk with a worried look in his eyes. It only makes you even more terrified.

“Y/N, good”, he says and sits up straight. “I have some very serious matters to discuss with you. I see that you brought your friend.”

Edmund looks greatly offended at his title.

“What is it?” you ask carefully. 

“I'm sure that you haven't missed the unfortunate death of some of our students during these last few weeks … and they've all linked with you somehow-”

“Do you think she has killed them?” Edmund bursts out angrily.

“I did not say that. Please calm down. What I am saying is that the murders are linked with you somehow and to prevent more innocent students from death, we'll have to suspend you for a while.”

His words hit you like a missile in your chest. 

“What?” you ask quietly. “Suspend me? I haven't done anything wrong!”

“I know, Y/N, but we need to catch this murderer before he does more harm and with you here, we risk even more lives.” 

“How do you even know that Y/N is linked, hm?” Edmund questions snarky.

“Well, we're not one hundred percent sure, so sending Y/N home will determine if the murderers had anything to do with her or not. You'll take the train tomorrow evening. I'm sorry, Y/N.”

You can't seem to move, wondering if someone has put a spell on you. Your head pounds, and you start to wonder if you're hallucinating, almost hoping for it. Edmund leads you out to the corridor and grabs your shoulders to force you to look at him.

“You haven't done anything wrong, do you understand that?” he asks you harshly. 

You nod carefully.

“I don't want to go home”, you shake your head quickly as tears form in your eyes. 

“You’ll be back soon enough. When they realize that you have nothing to do with it, they have to bring you back.”

But you have to go back, and you know better than to argue with grown ups. Whether you want to or not, you’re on the train the next day, with all your belongings. Hedwig and Edmund are standing on the station, waving you off. 

“This fucking sucks”, Edmund mutters, watching the train leave. 

“I’m so worried for her”, Hedwig says shakily. “I hope that they’re not mean to her.”

“Who?”

“Her parents.”

Edmund stares at her in shock, almost fear. “What about her, parents, Hedwig?”

“You didn’t know?”

“Know what?”

“Y/N told me that they’re creative with … punishments. They didn’t want her to come here … and now that she’s been gone for half a semester, I’m scared what they’re going to do to her once she comes back. She might not be allowed to come back … or they might hurt her.”

“Not on my fucking watch.”

He starts to walk back towards the school.

“What are you going to do?” Hedwig shouts behind him.

Edmund stops and walks back to her with burning, icy eyes. 

“I am going to get Y/N out of that house and you are going to keep killing here”, he says sharply. “Do you understand that, halfblood?”

“Me?!” Hedwig almost screams. 

Edmund covers her mouth with his hand. 

“Shut up”, he orders her, “or else the entire country will hear you.”

She removes his hand forcefully and glares at him. 

“Edmund, I can’t kill anyone”, she hisses. 

“Oh, you fucking can”, Edmund scoffs. “I know you’re not all nice. Don’t even try. You had no problem threatening me on on the quidditch court. You have no remorse when you give me information on the people that I kill. You can do it too, stop pretending to be some weak lamb.”

Hedwig doesn’t answer. 

“Why do I have to keep killing?” she mutters. “Y/N’s gone.”

“Because she won’t get to return otherwise”, Edmund replies. “If the headmaster realizes that the murders really do link with Y/N, she’ll never get to come back — they might even think it was her that killed them … and then she’ll be sent to Azkaban. Is that what you want?”

Hedwig shakes her head quickly. 

“That’s what I thought”, he says. “My friends will help you kill whoever you need to. I am going to go get Y/N.”

“I know the muggle world better than you. Why can’t I go get her and you stay?”

“Because I don’t fucking trust you.”

“I don’t trust you.”

“I don’t care.”

With that said, he walks away, leaving Hedwig alone on the platform. 

You cry the entire way back. You haven’t done anything, why are you getting punished? It’s not fair. Now you’re getting sent back to your parents while the murderer is still allowed to roam the halls of Hogwarts. You’ll never be allowed to go back. 

When the train stops, you’re met by your parents outside the window. You remain in your seat. They go on board to get you when they realize that you refuse to come out. 

“Y/N, get up”, your mother says coldly. “Stop being childish.”

You don’t look at them, don’t answer. Your father grabs a hold of your arm and pulls you up from the seat. 

“Don’t touch me!” you shout. “I can walk by myself.”

You press yourself past them and walk out on the platform. The entire ride home is silent, but you know that the second the front door closes, you’ll know what hell feels like. And you’re of course right, because the second your father locks the front door behind you, you feel a slap over your cheek. With wide eyes, you back away and put your hand on your cheek. They have never put their hands on you. They have done countless embarrassing and hurtful punishments, but they have never hurt you physically. Not like this. if you weren’t stunned, you’d scream at them. 

“I don’t even want to look at you”, your mother says in disgust and walks into the living room. 

“Just go to your room and stay there”, your father says in the same manner. “I will confiscate all of your ‘magic’ supplies.”

You don’t question them and walk upstairs. The second you close your bedroom door behind you, you break out into sobs. You knew that this would happen at the end of the year, but you had wished that you could have stayed a semester, at least. It’s not fair. 

You sink down on your bed and hide your face in your hands and you sit like that for who knows how long. The sky turs dark and the moon greets you, but you ignore him. You don’t move out of your spot, not even when your stomach starts to growl. 

Suddenly, you can hear a crash from downstairs. Quickly, you stand up and are about to run over to the door, when you remember your parents. You don’t want to go downstairs and show them that the loud sound worried you. They don’t deserve that after what they’ve done. Instead, you cross your arms and lay down in bed, curling up in to a ball with your back towards the door. You shut out the sounds from downstairs, humming for yourself to drown them out. 

When you hear your door open, you’re too scared to turn around. 

“Y/N.”

Edmund? You turn around and see him standing in the doorway, blood dripping from his hair and covering his cloak. He smiles when seeing you, the first genuine smile you’ve ever seen him wear. He hurries over to you and hugs you tightly. You’re smushed against his chest and can feel his hands everywhere. His bloody hands. 

“W-What have you done?” you stutter into his neck while trying your best to push him off. 

“I’m here to save you!” he says. “Hedwig told me about your parents. They won’t keep you captive anymore.”

“What have you done?!”

You manage to push him off. He looks confused. 

“They were being mean to you, Y/N”, he says in a questionable manner. “They’ve hurt you. Your cheek …”

You can’t understand how he can sense a redness in the skin.

“What have you done?” you ask, quieter this time. 

“I’ve killed them”, he says firmly. “I killed them without magic. Just how mudbloods deserve to be killed.”

Your eyes widen. Your body goes cold at the thought of Edmund taking someone's life. It doesn't matter if he thinks that he's doing you a favor, the action itself is enough to make you mortified. You try to crawl back on the bed, but your head hits the wall, trapping you. Edmund grabs your leg and pulls you back, closer to him. 

“Don’t run away from me”, he tells you. “Not now. I came all the way here to help you.”

“How did you even get here?” you sob. 

“My father helped me. Now come here-”

You start to claw at him when he tries to pick him up, accidentally revealing the tattoo on his wrist. You stop dead in your tracks and he’s quick to pull his sleeve down. 

“Hedwig was right”, you pant. “You fucking monster!”

“Monster or not, I saved you”, Edmund reminds you and takes your moment of surprise to his advantage, pulling you over his shoulder. “Now we’re going.”

You start to scream and kick, so he wrestles you down on the floor in the corridor, picks something up from his pocket and pours something in your mouth. A liquid reminding you of Hedwig’s love potion. You cough to try to get it up, but Edmund covers your mouth with his hand and dictates it upwards, so you’ll have no other choice but to swallow the unfamiliar liquid. You feel your body grow numb in a minute. Your eyes are still open, you can still hear, but you can’t move. 

“Sorry for that, Y/N”, Edmund pants and picks you up again. “But you can’t behave. And I need you to be quiet.”

When he carries you downstairs, you can see the bloody bodies lying on the floor with limbs in positions and directions they definitely shouldn’t be in. You want to scream, but you can’t move. 

Edmund carries you out to something looking like a car, but you can telly hat it isn’t. It looks more like a carriage. He has a chauffeur in the front who starts to drive when Edmund has sitten down with you in his lap. The carriage flies, you notice when you spot your roof outside. 

“I’m sorry, Y/N”, Edmund says and brushes the hair out of your face. “I didn’t want to numb you, I hope you know that.”

How fucking could you?

“Don’t give me that look.”

You killed my parents, you swine.

Edmund sighs and covers your eyes with his hand. He soon removes it when he feels water against his palm.

“Y/N, don't cry”, he sighs. “Why are you even upset? They wouldn’t let you come back to the place you belonged … they hurt you. Stop looking at me like I’m the bad guy here. Yes, I killed them but I did you a favor.”

He doesn't say more until the carriage stops outside of a dark house. Edmund carries you inside (where it's just as dark), up a pair of marmot stairs and into a bedroom. You can tell that it's his right away by the moving pictures of dark wizards on the wall. He lies you down on his bed and sit by your side, caressing your cheek until the potion is diluted enough in your blood for you to move. It won’t be fully gone until it has exited your body. You sit up and look around, feeling his eyes on you. 

“Why did you do that?” you ask quietly. “Did you kill all the others too? In school?”

Edmund nods. 

“You fucking creep”, you breathe out. 

Edmund scoffs, but doesn’t answer. “Aren’t you happy I killed them for you? Your parents are awful. They hurt you, they didn’t see your potential.”

“They were my fucking parents …”

“And they hurt you.”

Silence. 

“Your tattoo …”, you say hesitantly. “Why?”

Edmund covers his wrist with his hand, even though his shirt already hides the tattoo.

“What should I have done, do you think?” he asks. “When all around me want me to have it? Say no? And be discarded by everyone? I don’t think so.”

“You’ve sold your soul. You’re a monster.”

Edmund doesn’t answer. 

“Your family hates people like me, don’t they?” you ask. “What if I tell your father that you’re having me here? That his pureblood son is killing for a mudblood?”

“You wouldn’t fucking dare. In that case, he kills both of us, smartass.”

“I want Hedwig.”

“I don’t think you do, sweetheart.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s in on it too.” Edmund smiles. “Face it, darling, your parents would die sooner or later.”

It hits you that you’re an orphan now. You’re all alone. No house, no family … and apparently no friends. 

You’re allowed to return to Hogwarts a month later. Edmund brings you with him, holding you tightly by his side. 

“Y/N!” Hedwig shouts and runs over to you, hugging you tightly. “Sweetheart!”

You don't move. Hedwig pulls back and looks at you worriedly.

“What's wrong?” she asks.

“She knows”, Edmund says shortly.

“Oh … b-but you know that we did it for you, right? Y/N?”

“You disgust me”, you whisper. “Both of you.”

“Well, too fucking bad”, Edmund says. “You're stuck with us now. Tell anyone and I'm going to bring you back home. You want to stay here, don't you?”

You nod shortly.

“Then behave”, Edmund tells you.

“You'll not have a hard time doing that”, Hedwig smiles sadly and caresses your cheek. “You're such a lovely girl.”

You want nothing more than to wake up from this bizarre nightmare. Why did they have to ruin your magical place?

[smfolklore]

Anticipation

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Author's Note : Hi! This is my first piece that I'll be uploading. I would love your thoughts on this if you'd be so kind. I hope you all enjoy it and I'm so excited to write more Tobias content. 2.3K Word's 😈

Synopsis : Y/N reluctantly ask's the Dauntless instructor she was assigned, and that she (unfortunately) finds attractive to help her train. There's tension. Please let me know what else you'd like to see.

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She can’t help how her thoughts drift toward the moment his fingers brushed her abdomen. How goosebumps exploded across her skin, and how they easily engulfed her entire midsection.

His voice was low, and deep, right against her ear as he positioned her in a way that would allow her to actually hurt her opponents.

That was yesterday and she can't stop the incessant place that her mind runs to as soon as it's given a moment to think. The attraction she felt for him was so insanely inappropriate. And yet.. the possibility of him reciprocating lulled her into a false sense of security.

That it’s okay.

It won’t end as awfully as she’s imagined.

Y/N’s attention is redirected when she sees the initiates begin to disperse, and her instructor walk toward the knives that they had launched only minutes before she began to fantasize about a 2 minute interaction she had with a boy. 

He must’ve dismissed the session.

Christina and Will turn to look at Y/N in anticipation of what they’ll be doing with the allotted time that they were given.

She half listens as Will discusses going to the parlor to get his first tattoo, but eventually says with a small smile, “Actually, I-uh I’m going to talk to Four. You two can go and I’ll catch up?”.

Christina tilts her head, slightly suspicious, but Y/N gives away absolutely nothing, that perfected smile of innocence she learned in Abnegation carefully placed on her face.

Four’s back is facing her, and once Will and Christina have left, Y/N reluctantly travels from her spot in the training center toward the steel table that holds an abnormally large amount of knives in any other situation. But this is Dauntless, and weapons are normal.

Her heart is pounding and before she can utter a single word he’s anticipated her arrival and muttered, “What is it?”. It isn’t particularly unkind, or malicious in any way. It’s him, and the way that he addresses all of his initiates.

But it has her pausing. Was she insane? Should she just leave?

In spite of the fact that she’s attracted to him, she really could learn from him. And god knows she needs all of the practice that she can get. 

Her arms rest by her side, but the fingers of her right hand are fidgeting as she nervously says, “I don’t know if this is against the rules, but I was wondering if you would help me improve my fighting”.

He still isn’t facing her. He’s diligently organizing the weapons by type. Y/N’s hoping to God he doesn’t refuse her. The mortification would be enough to simply volunteer to become factionless. 

She fills the silence, “If you can’t, that’s okay too! I understand you're busy–and you know what? Just–it’s okay! Forget about it..” She begins to scramble for an appropriate exit, when his voice suddenly rings out.

“I’ll see you here tomorrow at 5. We’ll practice in the morning before your normal sessions and then a second time when dinner is no longer being served”.

Y/N can’t help the smile that fills her face but she almost instinctively kills it. She’s giddy on the inside though. He’s really going to help her. She might actually be able to stay in this faction. 

And spending time with her instructor isn’t exactly a hardship.

She gives a “Thank you” in response and begins to leave the training center, her footsteps light and the only trace of her exit being the sound of the entrance clicking shut.

–––

I stifle the groan I want to let out as my alarm blares beneath my pillow. I shoved it underneath the two pillows that I’d managed to acquire throughout my initiation to try and muffle the noise. Thankfully it worked and the only noise, or rather the only feeling that is escaping is a relentless buzz.

I use two fingers to press against the mirroring sides of the machine simultaneously in order to turn it off. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d awoken the entire dormitory.

I drag myself out of my mattress and begin to clothe myself, my matching black fitted long-sleeve sweater and black workout pants being an absolute pain to put on. I internally curse myself as I have to haul this on. Who told me it was going to be practical to buy this?

Once I’ve deemed myself presentable and not like I’ve just awoken from the pits of hell, I begin my trek to the training center, the clock on the wall reading 4:52 in the morning. As I enter I’m startled when my eyes land on Four. 

But then I’m not. Of course he’s already here. I almost want to roll my eyes.

It’s ridiculous that everything about him is so.. neat. He’s poised, well-balanced, and punctual. He’s never lost his temper. I’ve never once seen this man so much as stumble. And, annoyingly, has never run late for a session. 

Regardless I approach him with a small, “Hi” as I step onto the platform carefully, now standing in front of him.

His intense eyes reach mine and despite what I expected, which was a change of subject, he says in response, “Hi. You’re a bit early”.

I’m a little bit confused given that it’s now 4:56, which means I’m only about 4 minutes ‘early’. But I laugh and quickly take the opportunity to further our conversation. “I didn’t want to be late. You’re doing me a huge favor”.

“Did you think I was going to leave if you weren’t here on time?” His voice is.. amused. His tone is full of dry sarcasm and it has my eyebrow’s shoot up in surprise. He’s actually engaging in genuine conversation; albeit I haven’t managed to pull a smile out of him. Still, it’s far more progress than I thought I was going to get.

I grin, my eyes bright at the possibility that we might become familiar, “Well, I don’t know if I’d exactly put it past you”.

I wonder if I’m hallucinating when I see a flicker of excitement roll through his eyes. But I quickly deny it to myself. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. I can’t ruin this opportunity; I need to pass this stage.

There’s a smile on his lips, but it's tilted down, almost as if to prove my accusation. But I get the sense that he’s lying; he wouldn’t have left me here alone if I was late. He’s amused, possibly impressed.

But the smile is quickly wiped off my face when his smile slips off his expression and he becomes Four again. I don’t know who I was talking to just seconds before.. but I like that version of him. Easy going. 

As he talks, he positions me.

He begins a slow drawl of words, “I’ve noticed for you in particular, because of your height and weight, you’d do well in offense. You’re light, and can escape the grip of your opponent rather easily if you learn how”.

I straighten my posture and shiver when he reaches for my two wrists, the words still slipping past his lips, “You need to practice maintaining your space. Don’t let your limbs flail. It’ll stop an opponent from being able to keep a grip on you, understand?”

It’s hard to focus with the way his body is so close to mine. He’s at a respectable distance, but still closer than we’ve encountered before. My eyes flit between his as we make eye contact. I nod slowly to demonstrate my understanding. When his grip loosens he remarks, “Okay. I’m going to charge at you. I’m not going to hit you, but I want you to try and maneuver yourself in a way that will allow you to hit me, and not kill yourself in the process”.

I almost want to laugh at the way he’s phrased that, but I bite my tongue and instead focus on mentally preparing for this. How is that even a possibility? Is there a way for me to hit him while still being out of his reach?

We stand in position, my back straight and my limbs as close to me as possible. My arms are at my side and I’m not in a wide stance in order to evade being slammed onto the platform if he manages to catch a foot.

His stance is much more intimidating. It’s perfected. He could kill me if he wanted too.

I wait for him to approach me, and it’s difficult to resist the temptation to simply bolt out of the way. But I think I’ve come up with a solid plan. I can move at the last second, which will allow me to strike him because his momentum from charging at me will be far too high. 

In this case, his weight is a disadvantage. And for once, mine is at an advantage. Or maybe it’s always at an advantage. I just needed his perspective.

It’s when I’m slightly distracted that he charges at me. I never pegged him for a cheater.

Regardless of my thoughtlessness, I manage to step to the side, only I’m a split second too late. He grips my wrist, which I failed to maintain close to myself in my haste to step away from him. 

He uses his hold on my wrist to pull me close to him, and given how quickly the entire situation is happening, I collide with him, my chest pressed to his. And my palm instinctively presses to his chest in order to maintain a distance, but it only inadvertently has me closer to him. I’m panting a bit as I try to process everything that just happened.

He caught me off guard!

I lift my eyes to his and he’s speaking before I can slip a word in, “You need to focus. Remember to have your limbs as close to you as possible” I nod in agreement and he adds, “That was a very clever strategy. Quick thinking”.

I’m still breathing a bit heavily, as is he, though I don’t know if it’s from the exertion of charging at me.. or because of how closely intertwined we are.

“Thank you”, I mutter with a small smile as I slowly pull my hand away from his chest and he releases my wrist.

He doesn’t reveal a single thought about what just occurred. His breathing is the only possible indication of how he might feel. But as he motions for me to get into my original position again he follows with, “When you’re within an appropriately close distance to your opponent, remember that you have small limbs. Shorter arms, shorter legs. You can use this to help you”.

I don’t quite understand his logic. He recognizes this and begins in my direction. When he starts to get as close as we just were, my eyes widen in surprise but he only says, “Try to knee me”.

I hesitate but I instantly lift my knee to do as he says, I don’t do it hard, only to simulate the motion he’s trying to show me and grin in excitement when I understand what he’s insinuating. At this distance, I can hit him, and it will hurt. But if he attempts to do as I did, it wouldn’t work. His limbs are far too long, and with the small distance between him and I, he can’t even lift his knee.

When I lift my head to meet his eyes, my breath hitches as I realize his head is tilted down to look at me. Which means.. We’re at an incredibly inappropriate distance. I could kiss him if I lifted myself up onto my toes. 

My eyes find his lips briefly, before I snap them back toward his eyes, trying to not trace every detail I can in order to not give myself away. But I’m not the only one who’s feeling affected by this. The words he was about to utter don’t come as they get lodged in his throat.

He’s so close to me, and we’re simply staring at one another as the tension rolls through us.. through the entire training center. Waiting to see who will break it first. I desperately want to stay in this moment, despite how horrible it is to feel attraction for him. He’s my instructor.. there’s no universe where he reciprocates. 

But the way his breathing has increased and his eyes are flitting to my lips says otherwise.

Did I imagine that?

He clears his throat and breaks our eye contact. Turning his attention to my legs, and saying, “Do you understand what I was trying to say?”

I hesitate, still briefly stunned by the moment just there, but I hoarsely respond, “Yes, thank you”.

He goes to his original mark, in position again. I regain control of myself and heavily exhale as I concentrate.

This time, when he charges at me I move in the exact direction I did the first time, knowing that he will have expected me to go the opposite way. 

Reverse psychology. If he can cheat, so can I.

I grin when I see the delayed movement of him coming to the realization that I actually did as he said and managed to evade his grip. And I take this opportunity to strike him, swiping his feet out so that his back slams against the platform.

I almost feel pitiful, but when I see the grin on his face, my pity evaporates. He’s proud of me. He quickly resumes his position and says, “Great. Now try and do it again”.

Though this time his eyes are narrowed, and I frown nervously, contrary to the bubbling pit of excitement running through me as well, when I realize he was being kind. And now he’s going to actually train me.

–––

That's it! I love this so please let me know if you liked it and if you'd like to see more! And to @remussbitch who asked to be tagged, here it is. I hope you enjoy.

–––

[hype-blue-fixation]

RadioRose Week - Day 4 Roses/Smiles - Giggles On Air

Rosie gives Alastor's broadcast the energy it needs using some tickles and tender love

SFW! About 1700 words

It was nearly time for the nightly broadcast, but tonight would be a bit more…high stakes. For weeks Rosie had been begging to be a part of a broadcast, and the host had a creative way of incorporating her. The rules were simple.

1. Don't interrupt while he's speaking.

2. No hard touches or grabbing.

3. No pain or sudden distractions.

After he took a seat, Rosie sat under his desk. Resting her hands on his knees and leaning her head on his thigh. “I bet I can make you start whining in 5 minutes.” She said with her signature grin.

Alastor's expression couldn't be more flat. “Of course you can, darling.” His tone sounded dismissive as he shuffled his papers and flipped on the switch. “Good afternoon wayward sinners!” 

The broadcast began. First with the usual announcements for upcoming events in the pentagram, with a biased highlight on CannibalTown. Rosie smiled up as he babbled on about the wonderful things and lathered her little corner of Hell with sweet words. Her hands on his knees began scratching soft circles. His leg jumped a bit at the touch, but overall went unaffected. That didn't stop her from doing the loving gesture on both sides at once.

Her hands slowly crept behind his knees. Once again making his legs shuffle strangely, but nothing beyond that. If anything, it sounded like he was getting more relaxed in his words. Speaking with extra enthusiasm and energy. Shooting glances down at her. Challenging glances that dared her to do her worst already. As much as she would have loved to start humbling that attitude, she was a woman who understood the reward of patience and strategy.

The teasing walked up his thighs and rested at his hips. Scratching away at the divets that were so beautifully easy to reach through his high-waisted pants. His hips did a small dance at the initial touch, but he was able to steel himself. Keep his body still and his voice going. Rosie raised her brows playfully. “They can't hear me, can they?” her voice barely rose above a whisper but it was enough for Alastor’s ears to flick towards it. He shook his head at her. Beautiful.

“Since they can't hear me and I'm not interrupting you…” she talked, making it sound like she was speaking to herself, “I still think I can make you whine soon. I know the spots that make your mind turn to mush. Like your pretty little tummy…especially that belly button.” His stomach instinctively sucked in. A full body jolt as she gently rubbed over it. “Shh, shh…I'm not that mean. I'll save it for last.”

Alastor shot her another glance. This one more annoyed than anything. 

“What's wrong? Do you wish I'd go for that first? I can always change plans.”

As her hands snaked to the sides of his belly, he flew to grab her wrists. His grip tight, but not enough to distract from his lovely broadcast. His voice was chipper as usual, laced with cheesy humor and faked laughter at his own terrible jokes. 

“If you let my hands go, I could make you laugh for real. Really sell it for the audience. Not that fake thing you do to make it seem funny.”

His annoyed glare sharpened. Hands did not let go.

“But I'm a woman of my word. Belly last. Right now I wanna explore somewhere else.”

He allowed her to travel up his sides. Fingers spidering slowly as they climbed. A slight shake came into his voice as she neared under his arms, though not enough for the average listener to tell a difference. Her touch went back and forth right under the spot. A single claw occasionally ventured out slightly further under the arm to make their victim twitch in his seat.

All of a sudden they slid fully on the spot. His arms clamped down in retaliation as his voice cracked for a second. Something he brushed off with a polite “excuse me” before blabbing on. Rosie's claws wiggled in their prison. Slowly tugging the corners of his smile up until it could be heard in his words. 

“Now you sound like you're actually happy to talk about the news for once!” Rosie chimed. All she got in return was a kick under the table. That didn't stop her. The tickles kept building up until he was twisting away in his seat. Her hands followed. The broadcast went on. 

A few laughs escaped in a place that sounded naturally appropriate when making jokes about the latest VoxTek innovations. As much as Rosie would've loved for the tickles to interrupt his show, she decided that was good enough for now. Her hands moved back down his body, down his legs, settling on his shoes. “You look so handsome with your smile! It's a shame nobody can see it. But when I get my hands on your pretty hooves, they'll be able to hear it. Loud and clear.”

Alastor awkwardly twisted in his chair to get his feet away from her. Even reaching down to claw her arms away. But she was stubborn. Persistent. To the point that he would sound bad for the audience if she didn't get her way. So he gave up and decided to take it. He could take anything, after all. Some tickles weren't going to derail his show.

The shoes came off, and Rosie lightly clawed over the top. Loving how his shoulders raised and smile turned almost up to his eyes. Now he was narrating the murder of an overlord, and Rosie quite enjoyed the extra joyful edge to his storytelling voice. Everyone could hear the amount of twisted satisfaction that he got from recounting each detail.

Her hands slowly migrated to the underside, nails scratching into the soft part between the hoof nails and dew claws. A spot that never failed to make him bliss out. His voice became softer. Eyes fluttered. She could tell he was focusing on his breathing to continue the story coherently. It sounded like he truly zoned out and got lost in the details of the torture and the screaming. That was the little sadist that she loved so much. The side of himself that he tried to hide, but there was no holding back the giggles and smiles during tickles.

“And then…and then they couldn't fight any more. And you know what I did?” His voice trailed off into giggles as he kicked his hooves excitedly, Rosie letting go for only a moment. “I took my knife, sliced their throat, and watched them choke and die on their own blood!” 

Alastor was beginning to go into manic laughter all on his own, but Rosie couldn't help but contribute. She quickly jousted her fingers into his ribs, roughly tickling and vibrating in between the bones. His laughter rose in pitch and energy. Her smile widened, too. Pearly white daggers glistening bright. After a minute, her hands slipped off to give him a break. He gasped and hiccuped for breath. Taking quite a while to recover. 

“Ah, that was a good one! Now it's onto the last part of our broadcast. How about we end the night with some jokes?” He raised his brow at Rosie. Once again daring her to do her worst. But he couldn't have prepared himself for the evil plan inside her head. 

The first joke.

“Why did the spy cross the road?”

A dramatic pause.

“Because he never was on your side! Ahaha!” 

After his half-baked laugh, he looked down at Rosie seeming somewhat annoyed. As if he expected her to tickle him as part of the punchline. Oh well, the show must go on.

“If a child refuses to nap, is he guilty of resisting a rest? Ohoho!”

No tickle.

This time he looked downright offended. She was simply staring up at him from under the table, a cheeky grin pasted on her face. She reached for his shirt and lifted it up slightly to reveal his belly button. A happy chill ran through his body as he prepared a third joke. Excitement laced in his voice, but a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

“This one's a bit of a story! So there was a man named Mr. Jordan, and he saw the little boy next door burying something in the ground and crying…”

As he told the story, his voice suddenly hitched. Rosie leaned into his belly and covered it with gentle kisses. On the left side, trailing to the right. Then going from the center waistline and pecking up to his belly button. The kisses were warm and gentle, making his mind melt until he nearly forgot his joke. But the show must go on! Kisses would not stop him.

“He called out ‘Top of the morning to ya! What are you up to?’ and the little boy wiped his tears and said ‘I buried my gold- gold- g-’”

Suddenly Rosie's tongue pressed into his belly button and ate it in a sloppy kiss. More kisses turned into soft bites, shocking his body with all kinds of warm, fuzzy feelings. So overbearing that he couldn't think or talk. Only smile. Laugh. Be cute and dumb.

“Goldfish- Ohhh-”

More nibbles and licks around his furry tummy had the denizens of Hell listening to a new kind of broadcast. Nothing but the happiest of sighs and ticklish whines.

“You can finish telling everyone your joke, sweetie.” Rosie encouraged between kisses, “Surely my lovins aren't making you blank out that hard?”

But they were. Just when he thought he could go on, another shock of tingles would melt him back into his chair. Part of him wanted to beg for it to stop, the other couldn't get enough. His hands came down, one on her head and the other on her shoulder. Squeezing her closer. Grabbing onto her with each new wave. His joke lost in the whimpers and giggles of sweet bliss.

Eventually he managed to speak. 

“Tune back in tomorrow for the punchline! That's all folks!” 

But Rosie wasn't just a normal part of the audience. Her show continued on. A front row seat to making the Radio Demon the happiest man in all of Hell. Making him laugh and smile in ways that nobody else was privileged enough to witness.

[starlightshadowsworld]

Heroes of Olympus but when Jason returns to Camp Jupiter, he's pissed.

He doesn't cower at the sight of his camp but stands taller. A steelness in his eyes no one at Camp Half Blood has ever seen before.

But one those in Camp Jupiter know all to well.

"Twelth Leigion Fulminata, stand at attention."

He doesn't even need to raise his voice as every single Roman demigod stops what their doing to look at him.

The only thing on their faces is fear.

"Oh would you look at that, you do know how to follow orders." Says Jason, strolling forward and.

Two centurions scramble to get a seat for him, Jason sits down nodding in thanks and dismissing them.

"Does anyone care to explain, just what the fuck has been going on here in my absence?"

Octavian raises a hand and Jason snorts.

"Augur, why am I not suprised? The floor is yours."

Octavian nods, a grin on his face and began to explain what had occurred.

All the while Jason listens, his expression giving nothing away. When Octavian finished, Jason sighed loudly and ran a hand through his hair.

"If there's one thing I can't tell you idiots off its for making my life boring. Your dismissed...actually one last thing Augur?"

Octavian paused, turning back around to face Jason. "Yes, sir?" Jason frowned "wipe that smug look off your face before I do it for you."

Octavian went pale, all traces off amusement gone from his face.

"Thank you. Your dismissed, get out of my sight." Octavian left without a second word.

"Jason"

"Praetor Ramirez-Arellano"

Reyna winced, and she wasn't the only one. Jason never called her by her title unless they were in the Senate.

He was hurt.

"Do tell me, has Augur Octavian missed anything in his explanation?" Reyna shook her head, for as pretentious as he was Octavian had spoken the truth.

Jason rose to his feet.

"Oh but he did, he neglected to mention that there were 3 Praetors standing before us. Now, unless the rules have changed their are only supposed to be 2."

Jason looked past Reyna, his gaze resting on Percy who waved awkwardly. "State your name."

Percy, feeling very much like he was intruding in on something answered him. "Percy Jackson."

Recognition flashed in Jason's gaze, and he softened momentarily. "Percy Jackson, son of Posideon? Formerly apart of this Camp?" He asked, gesturing to his orange Camp Half Blood top.

"Yup."

Jason nodded "apologises, Jackson. Your friends and I traveled here, you may wait in the Senate. I will release them to you momentarily." Percy grinned "thanks, erm... Sorry about all of this I really didn't know."

Jason held up a hand "that's quite alright, you are not at fault for this." Percy left and Jason's smile vanished.

"Tell me, when did the Senate allow for a new Praetor to be reinstated? And why someone so new? I'd get if it was due to an it emergency field promotion, but that wasn't the case."

He couldn't even look at her and it hurt.

"I thought you were dead, Jason.

Jason laughed, but there was no humour in it. It sent chills down everyone's spines.

"Really? Than please, show me the search parties, point me to the evidence you collected that bought you too such a conclusion. For that matter, where's my funeral pyre?"

Jason shook his head, anger and sadness in his eyes. "Don't bullshit me. You didn't think I was dead, you didn't even look. And frankly I don't think you cared too."

He looked Reyna in the eye. "You replaced me, with a Greek. I get shit for being named after a Greek hero, but none of you had a problem with this. You wanted to replace me, Reyna. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you."

He shook his head, turning his back on her.

"Jason, wait I-"

"We have several guests at our gate that we need to welcome. I've already had their weapons checked but you've proven how little you trust my authority so you might want to hurry up on that."

And with that he left to the Senate.

Jason swapped his outfit with Percy who apologised once again.

"Really man, I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault. My Leigion had been trying to get rid of me since the day I showed up. Unfortunately for them, I'm more valuable alive than dead." Explains Jason, Percy frowned.

"Well, fuck em." He grinned when Jason laughed in suprise. "You are definitely something else, Jackson." Percy grinned wider "see you're learning fast. I think we'll be good friends you and I."

Jason raised an eyebrow "you sure? Most of my friends stab me in the back." Percy nodded, a sincerity in his eyes that made Jason almost believe he wouldn't.

It felt too good to be true.

"Well, I'll just have to prove you wrong." Percy put a hand out "Percy Jackson, son of Posideon and former Praetor." Jason shook his hand. "Jason Grace, son of Jupiter and current Praetor."

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

[cult-of-the-eye]

Mag 81 A Guest for Mr Spider

FUCK FORMER HEAD ARCHIVIST

Wait I need to check the timelines - this was 2 days after leitner's death

New spooky music???

My man is so fucking dramatic I love him so much "grand of sand behind my eye" love the way he speaks

Yeah FUCK JURGEN LEITNER

Omg the greying hair is canon??

Child in the 90s makes him at most 27 GOD DAMN. I was imagining like mid 30s...can you imagine a fucking 27 yr old using words like "ilk" when talking to you

Oh shit he's an orphan poor guy

Yeah ok a lot of his personality seems to make sense if you realise he was raised by his grandma

You know those memes that are like people raised by their grandparents are exceptionally polite but in a brisk way, talk fancy and are super posh? Yeah that's him.

Getting such neurodivergent vibes

Yeah he sounds like a main character from the start Jesus Christ he's such a kid who got traumatised and then grows up to be a horror protagonist vibes

My First Leitner lol like kids had to be introduced to them at a young age like those my first toys

He's so funny I can just imagine him as an 8 yr old getting super like affronted at this like how dare my grandma think I am of subpar intelligence he's such a little bitch from the start

"The eponymous Mr spider" even talking about his childhood trauma he's busting out the vocabulary

Fuck that story actually kinda rattled me I had my hand over my mouth in shock for most of it

I think it was the bit where the horsefly brought his son and they were both crying that got me, I could definitely imagine it scaring an 8 yr old

The way it drags out as well, with the pages of the same scene it really heightens the suspense

Is his childhood bully someone we should keep track of?? Love how he says Michael probably cause he sees him as a bully lol

It's interesting how despite him bullying him (quite badly seeing as though he beat him up) he's still like yeah but he saved my life and that means he deserves to be remembered

My bro didn't save your life on purpose, he was just trying to make it worse and happened to come to a terrible fate cause of that

I guess underneath it all he was still a kid who watched someone die, knowing they'd get eaten by a fucking spider, he still held him in some regard

The way he specified the guy was his bully even after he was being eaten though lol

He was desperate to get the book back? That's a leitner thing I guess, the book makes you want to keep it so it can finish whatever it wanted to do to you

On my relisten (which I will do once I've finished the series I'm sure of it), I'll have to look out for any reaction of leitners name

I wonder why Jon didn't react more to Carlos vittery's statement, like it must've terrified him? I saw a post a while back explaining Jon's thoughts and IT WAS GENIUS it was like of course he doesn't react, he must be terrified that someone knew about his experience and somehow did this to mess with him or it was a joke and he can't let anyone know that the Head Archivist is not Good at This ugh it's so good I'll tag it if I can find it

AHHHHH HE REGRETS DISMISSING THE OTHER STATEMENTS AHHHHHH

HE FINALLY ADMITS THAT HE NEEDS HELP WE LOVE THIS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT YES YOU FUCKING DO BITCH.

yeah at least he's right about Elias killing leitner

GEORGIE THE EX GIRLFIEND

ITS SO WEIRD TO SEE HIM ACTUALLY NICE TO SOMEONE WOW HIS VOICE CHANGES SLIGHTLY AS WELL HES LESS ACADEMIC

THE ADMIRAL

Awwww he's so cute with georgie

GHOST PODCAST GHOST PODCAST

THE WHAT THE GHOST T SHIRT IS CANON???? AHH THATS SO CUTE

Can he not go back to his own flat?? Did he bring all his clothes to the archive and then subsequently leave them there? Does he even have a flat??

God Georgie is so nice I would kill for her

It's so funny that an apparent supernatural cynic dated a ghost podcaster

WOW SEASON 3 OFF TO AN AMAZING START I CANT WAIT TO KEEP LISTENING IM GONNA TELL MY THERAPIST ABOUT THIS TOMORROW!!!

[tsukimefuku]

Lover's Pass

You and Nanami were sent to investigate cursed activity linked to disappearances in the Lover's Pass. Meanwhile, you both still have to deal with the fallout that happened after the last time you were together.

Based off Lovers Cave from ATLA (obviously).

The song: One last kiss - Hikaru Utada (on Youtube).

Tags: Jujutsu Kaisen, Nanami x OC/Reader, implied Higuruma x OC/Reader, angst, fluff, slight canon typical violence (nothing graphic).

WC: 4.6K

This is part of my "Jujutsu Partners Canon Divergence AU". A sequence of short stories and random drabbles for a Nanami x Reader x Higuruma long fic I might write. To see the ever-growing list of one-shots and short stories, please visit my masterlist :) 

Disclaimer: the stories are NOT written and posted in chronological order of events. This happened after the stories "The Event, Part 1" and "The Event, Part 2", preceding "Tactics"(HiguReader). To see where this story fits in the timeline, please check the masterlist mentioned above.

Of course, you were trapped in The Lover’s Pass curse with Nanami after he turned you down. Obviously.

Since the day I met you, the heart began to turn its gears

I can't help but have a hunch that I will lose you

Oh, I know that we've done it so many times

But can you add one last favor?

Oh, Can you give me one last kiss?

It's something that I don’t want to forget

I love you more than you’ll ever know

 — Utada Hikaru's "One Last Kiss"

"It's not very appropriate to be talking about such personal matters on your phone while you're inside a car with other passengers." Nanami chided, while he had his arm over the door to his side, not looking at you as he spoke. You had just got out of your call with Higuruma, having set your first not-date with him for later that day.

You scoffed. "Ijichi, did my conversation on the phone regarding a not-date later today offend you in any way?"

Ijichi was taken by surprise, and pushed his glasses back on his nose as he answered, doubtful, "no, Ms. I wasn't offended."

You looked at Nanami, whipping your head towards his position, making it abundantly evident you were glaring at him. He still wouldn't look at you. Then, without a word, you stopped glaring at him and looked outside your window. You were both on the back, glued to your respective doors, trying to put as much empty space between your bodies as possible.

You remembered your earlier conversation with Yaga.

"Do I really have to go with Nanami?" you asked, feeling defeated.

"You're the only two grade 1 sorcerers available. The others have got their plates full. From what we've learned, no one should go inside this curse's hiding place alone, so it's necessary to send two of you."

"What a bore." You said, pinching the bridge of your nose with two fingers. "So, the Lover's Pass curse. Some kids went missing trying to navigate underground tunnels because they were idiots. What do the legends say?"

"The origins of these tunnels are uncertain." Nanami began. You were displeased, and grunted at it lightly, expecting Ijichi to go over the briefing again, loathing having to listen to his voice. Nanami moved on, unbothered. "The legend says that a long time ago, two people from two rival families used those tunnels to meet each other in secrecy. It became an underground destination for couples, both literally and figuratively, it seems, but it has recently become a hotspot for cursed activity. There are currently 4 people missing. Their status is unknown."

"Yeah, yeah. Sure." You sighed, dismissive, leaning your temple over the car's window. You heard Nanami sighing loudly on his side of the car, knowing full well he did it just so you could hear him, and the tension between the two of you was so intense it could be ceviche’d with a blunt blade. 

Ijichi was particularly uncomfortable in the driver's seat, turning the radio on, trying to fill the dreadful silence with anything until you all got to your destination.

This is going to be hell.

“Ijichi, can we make a quick stop? I haven’t had any breakfast today.” You asked.

“Of course. I have to put some gas in, too.” Ijichi replied.

“That is the reason most people usually wake up early enough to be ready in time for their appointments.” Nanami pointed out, unsolicited.

“Nanami, get off my case. I’m not in the mood to hear this kind of chastising. Especially from you.” You retorted, keeping a low voice that was glimmering with incandescent fury. 

Ijichi was terrified, worried he might be caught in the middle of a crossfire.

Nanami finally looked in your direction, with you refusing to make eye contact, but said nothing, returning his gaze to the view up ahead. 

***

As you both got out of the car, you picked up your phone, only to realize it had very poor signal. You left a small bag with some cookies and water inside the car.

“Ijichi, will you wait for us here? We don’t have great cellphone reception.” You said, putting your phone back inside your waist bag. 

“That is the usual course of action when we’re accompanied by an assistant.” Yet again, Nanami pointed out, unprompted.

You sighed heavily, and spent no words answering him, knowing full well it’d be tossing paper scraps to the wind. Ijichi simply nodded in your direction, uneasy at the growing tension between you and the ratio sorcerer. You waved at Ijichi, and started walking towards the entrance to the tunnel maze. It seemed to be under what was once an enormous mansion, debris being the only clues something ever stood there. 

As you finished descending the stairs, Nanami reached you, and both started walking inside the dark tunnels. They were all haphazardly made, basically consisting of very rustic diggings and walls made of dirt. You grabbed a flashlight you had brought, and lit the way for you both.

The pair was walking for what seemed like ten minutes, and you made markings with your cursed energy in order to make the coming back process easier. Like leaving a breadcrumb trail.

The silence engulfing the steps was becoming unnerving, given that, since your last conversation, you had been furious with Nanami. He tried ringing your phone twice since then, and both times you refused his call. 

He called your name to say something, and you instantly (involuntarily) sighed in contempt, still not looking at him. “What?”

“It’s about the curse. I do not intend to have a proper conversation in the middle of our mission, rest assured.” He replied, nonchalantly.

“You never intended to have a conversation.” You retorted, annoyed.

Nanami sighed. “We can talk about this in a later time. Now, let us look inside that tunnel. I believe I saw something.” He said, pointing to a turn to the left you both had just passed by.

“Fine.” You made your way back and lit the flashlight towards the tunnel Nanami had pointed at. However, as soon as you did, it became a solid wall.

What?

You drew the light away and over the same spot a few times, and it was certain: there was no way down there anymore.

“What did you see, Nanami?” You inquired, staring at the wall, confused.

You heard some ruffling, and saw Nanami unbutton his suit jacket, pulling his blunt blade from his back. “I saw a quick movement, like someone or something darting through the tunnel. I believe the curse is here.”

You thought for a moment, and couldn’t sense any type of concentrated cursed energy near. 

“Nanami, let’s go back and check on the markings we left along the path.”

You both began walking back, alert to anything that might jump you on the way. However, you were met with another solid wall. Upon further inspection, you noticed that one of the markings you made could be partially seen in one of the corners of that tunnel.

“Nanami, look.” You said, pointing at it.

“I see. It can shift space inside the tunnels.” 

“That might be the reason these people are going missing. They’re probably still down here.” 

He nodded. “Yes. Let’s hurry.”

You kept walking for what felt like half an hour, and started to wonder if this curse was also able to stretch space. These tunnels were supposed to be less than 2 kilometers long, but you had surely been walking much more than that, and you didn’t feel like you were walking in circles. Also, there was no sign of other people ever having been down there.

“Nanami, I think we’re inside the curse. I mean, I don’t feel we’ve been walking in circles.”

“I understand your point. However, we can’t be sure of that.”

“We’ve literally been walking in a straight line and took less than two turns, Nanami. I’m pretty sure about it.” You answered him. For some reason, his simple correction, something so innocuous, brought up the anger you had been feeling for him these past few days.

Nanami sighed.

“Care to enlighten me?” You asked, voice poking at him. You were looking for trouble, clearly.

“If this curse actually distorts space, as we’re suspecting, the physics of it might be broken. There is no point in wondering if we’re walking in circles or not. We’re already under its effect.” He said, matter-of-factly.

This definitely rubbed you the wrong way.

You sighed. “Thanks for the class, teacher. Didn’t know curses could do that. It’s not like I came from a family with a centuries-old tradition on jujutsu, but well, maybe I don’t know how curses work.” You spat out, angrily, turning around to face Nanami. 

He sighed, in a mixture of annoyance and tiredness. “This is not the moment for this.”

“Oh, for what? For you to remember that I’m not an idiot that has no idea what she’s dealing with? It sure isn’t. You should’ve thought about it days ago!” 

He addressed you by your last name “-san”, when he started to speak again, and that was your last straw.

“We’re past that, aren’t we? It wasn't a last name basis a few nights ago.” 

“You see, this is precisely the kind of predicament I hoped to avoid when we both agreed that getting romantically involved would be a foolish move.”

“Oh, Nanami-san, getting involved wasn’t the issue. The issue was what you did right after.”

“Now, please enlighten me on what exactly I have done wrong. I’ve been trying my best to be respectful and proceed with this clearly needed conversation.” He answered, his monotone not concealing very well his own feelings of dissatisfaction.

“Aren’t you the big shot that knows everything about the hardships of a jujutsu sorcerer’s life? Figure it out yourself.” You exclaimed.

“Are you displeased at what you perceived as a rejection of affectionate advances?” Nanami inquired.

You scoffed and looked at him, in utter and complete disbelief. “First and foremost, I’m not displeased, I’m furious. Second, you really think I’d be enraged at you because I felt rejected? Do I look like a fucking school girl?!” This was the very first time you ever cursed at Nanami, and it surprised him. 

However, before he could answer, something spiked up from the floor, separating you both even further. It was a red mass that looked like a tentacle, but not quite. It first whipped at you, and you used your cursed technique to launch one of your small grenades at it. At impact, the shock waves from the explosion caused the tunnel to make a not so safe noise.

Shit. I can’t use my technique. This might collapse the entire tunnel system on our heads.

“Let me handle this! Your technique is no good here. It might knock down the surrounding walls!” Nanami shouted, as he advanced towards the curse’s tentacle.

“No shit, Sherlock!” You yelled back, jumping and rolling when it dealt a strong blow where you were previously standing.

He swiftly dealt a 7:3 critical hit at the tentacle’s base, and it was cleanly cut. It fell, squirming softly before it stopped. You looked closer, and the tentacle seemed to be made out of several red threads, all tightly-knit together. 

“What the hell?” 

“Well, it is called the Lover’s Pass. You’re probably familiar with the red thread myth.” Nanami said, pushing his glasses back in place.

“I am. I just didn’t expect it to be so... Thematic?” You answered, getting up, huffing.

“Neither did I.” He replied, as you both resumed your walking.

***

“Nanami, this is pointless. We’re not getting anywhere.” Complaining, you leaned against one of the walls. You both had been walking for almost three hours at this point. “Apart from that tentacle, the curse hasn't approached us.”

He sighed and also leaned against one of the walls, on the opposite side, looking at you. You didn’t look at him back, though.

“Is there anything about the legend from Lover’s Pass that could help us solve this?” You asked, defeated.

Nanami thought for a moment, resting one of his hands on his chin.

“Legend has it that the only way for leaving the maze of Lover’s Pass is through an act of... True love.” Nanami remembered, instantly pinching the bridge of his nose, still with his glasses on. A faint grunt from him could be heard.

You realized it as soon as he did.

“Like a kiss or something like that?” 

He shrugged, displeased. “Perhaps. It’s an open-ended statement. I do not care much for those.”

You let out a loud ugh. “Are you serious? That’s the legend?”

“I’m afraid so.” 

You sighed deeply, then approached Nanami. “Fine, let’s get this over with.”

He was slightly surprised, but offered no resistance, given he knew this was an alternative you both should try, and you surely had enough intimacy for that.

You kissed him on the lips swiftly, dissociating as much as you could when doing so. His body was rigid at the alien sensation of you pressing your lips against his so… Indifferently.

You both waited for a few seconds after that, but absolutely nothing happened.

“Goddammit. Ah, well, worth the shot.” You shrugged off.

He sighed and pulled on his tie lightly, opening the button on the top of his shirt. “I believe we’re on the right track to solve this conundrum. But there is something about what just happened.”

“What do you mean?”

“This surely couldn’t be interpreted as an act of true love.” He pointed out.

You grunted, looking away. You were having a hard time looking at Nanami today, overall, unless you were bursting with anger, or glaring. 

“You won’t even look at me properly, and haven't, ever since we picked you up earlier this morning.” Nanami noted.

Now you looked at him, without making any effort this time to conceal the rage you had bubbling inside, translated on the facial expression you had on.

“I’m just too angry at you right now to be affectionate!” You spat.

He sighed.

“I apologize.” Nanami said.

“For what?” You inquired.

“You’re furious with me, and have been for days. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t prevent me from apologizing.”

Your rage dripped from your next words like poison.

“If you don’t know why you’re apologizing, don’t even bother.”

“Then, please, tell me what I’ve done to upset you this greatly.”

“No! Figure it out for yourself. Clearly you know more about things than I do, don’t you, Nanami?” You were nearly growling.

Suddenly, another tentacle appeared, but this time it came from the upper part of the walls, right behind you. Before you could react, it violently whipped you against the wall, and pierced through your right shoulder. You heard Nanami calling out your name. The pain shot through your body like cold nitrogen, and you almost reacted using your cursed technique, but restrained at the last moment, remembering the risks it ensued. 

He appeared swiftly, and dealt a 7:3 blow to the tentacle's base, having it fall down beside you both. You fell to your knees and held your shoulder with your other hand, huffing, before you began employing your RCT for healing.

Nanami kneeled in front of you. “Are you alright?” He asked, mindlessly putting his free hand on your cheek, effectively cupping your face. You shivered at his touch, and looked him in the eyes. Underneath his glasses, you could see a slightly worried gaze, and that chipped away at your fury-fueled emotional brick wall.

“I’m… fine. I’m already healing myself. But thank you.”

He nodded, still cupping your face in a tender, affectionate way.

You both remained in that position for a little while, gazing at each other. It was then that you noticed the faint light from what looked like fireflies extending towards the tunnel maze, making some turns until it disappeared.

“What…?” You got up, and was left dumbfounded, because the lights suddenly went away. “Did you see that?”

Recomposing himself, Nanami got up. “I did.” 

Then, it clicked.

“We’re attacked by the red threads when we’re fighting. And I guess the lights show the way out. They appeared when we-” you stopped in your tracks.

“When we had a moment of-”

“True love.” You choked out, the words pulling painfully at your heart strings. “Okay, I get it now.”

He put his blunt blade tucked away in his harness, and stood right in front of you.

“Then, we must talk.” Nanami said, in his matter-of-factly way. You were looking at the ground, and didn’t lift your gaze to meet his. He sighed softly and relaxed his shoulders, taking off his glasses, now speaking with a husky, softer voice. “I would like to talk to you, please, and be given the chance to understand what I’ve done to hurt you.”

You were caught off guard. 

“Please.” He repeated, putting his finger under your chin to lift your eyes, and you did so, meeting his. This was the first time ever since that night he seemed to be actually looking at you, and not past you. 

You sighed, as he put his hand over your shoulder, softly rubbing his thumb over it.

"Did you feel like I have taken undue advantage of the situation that night?" He asked, earnestly.

"No! It's not that." You pondered for a moment. Then, you began speaking again. "You lectured me that day, Nanami. It wasn't a conversation."

He was slightly surprised, but stayed silent, giving you time to elaborate.

"You never wanted to talk to me, you just had your mind made up. I was angry at you because you made a decision that affects us both entirely on your own, without even asking me about anything. You completely disregarded my input in your equation." You finally explained. "It was patronizing, and I felt deeply hurt by it."

Nanami then realized what he had done. Trying to shield you from hurt, he had pushed you exactly in hurt's way.

He sighed deeply as he put his other hand on your arm. "I... I apologize, truly."

You both locked eyes for a moment, and you felt the already so familiar fluttering heart. Your heart beat for this man, just like the sun rose for the day, and the moon came out for the night. The profound connection you had, which transcended time and space for more than a decade, had translated into the way each pump fervently happened because of, and for, him. You could barely breathe when he gazed at you like this.

With a sharp tug, you grabbed his tie and pulled him in your direction, locking lips, feeling the bright explosion from the longing that had swept you away in anger. You missed being close to Nanami so profoundly the past few days that it ached in places you never even realized existed, every pain pulsing away at your last kiss. He pulled you closer, diving into the passionate kiss, in his own silent sorrow and apology.

You barely felt the few tears that streamed down your eyes as you were both kissing. For the first time, the all consuming rage you felt had revealed its true colors. It wasn't anger; it was sadness.

You were overwhelmed with sadness and felt profoundly disappointed that, out of everyone, Nanami, the person you trusted the most, with your heart and with your life, was the one to hurt you so severely. You didn't feel used — you felt completely betrayed. 

As your faces parted, you kept your eyes closed, fighting the urge to cry. He saw your pained expression, and a dark pit had formed in his stomach, the gravitational pull of guilt threatening to bring him down on his knees. Nanami cupped your face in between his hands and realized it was damp. Oh, I am a complete and utter imbecile.

"I am profoundly and sincerely sorry" he said, pulling you in for a hug, burying your face in his chest while he held the back of your head.

You sighed, hugging him back tightly and breathing intensely, trying to free up the heaviness that took over your chest. He nosed your hair, and trembled to your flowery aroma, today, smelling like daffodils. Oh, how much he had missed it, and you had absolutely no idea.

At that point, the fireflies began to appear again. 

Nanami softly parted from you. "Look."

You turned your head, and saw them. There were many fireflies all over, lighting the tunnels greatly. It was actually... Beautiful. You separated from Nanami, sliding softly out of his embrace. He looked at you, somewhat apprehensive.

"We can get back to talking after we're finished here, okay?" You reassured him. 

He nodded, and you both began to follow the fireflies' path.

As you were walking, you saw a couple, two women, laid on the ground beside each other, seemingly passed out. You took one of them in your arms, and Nanami did the same. Further ahead, you saw someone else, but when you both approached, realized this person must've been deceased for a while now. He was holding onto a small, bloody pocket knife. 

Both of you decided to keep walking, and saw a bright white light at the end of the longest tunnel. The fireflies were leading you there, so you followed suit, finally reaching what seemed to be an empty white room. It wasn't empty, however. A woman — or what seemed like one — was on the ground, apparently on her knees, with her face in her hands, crying.

"Nanami, can you hold them both?" You asked, whispering. He nodded, and you put the lady you were carrying over his shoulder.

You then silently made your way towards the curse, summoning a grenade in your hand. This seemed to be in an almost separate dimension from the tunnel, so you figured it'd be probably safe using your technique here.

Why... Why did he abandon me here? The curse pleaded for an answer, stopping you in your tracks. He left me here to die- to die- to die- 

You noticed that her neck seemed to be cut, and was oozing blood that dripped down the front of her white dress.

"Nanami, you told me there were four people missing, right? But we only saw one body..." you said, keeping your eyes laser-focused on the cursed spirit in front of you.

"Yes, during the course of the last two weeks. Two couples." He pondered for a moment. " ... Oh, I see."

This woman was the last missing person. The curse itself.

She had cursed herself at being abandoned to die by her lover in the Lover's Pass.

Why did he betray- betray- betray me!? The curse wailed, seemingly self-embracing, in a pitiful gesture for self comfort.

That was a heartbreaking sight to behold. 

"Hey, Nanami, tell me something." You said, still looking at her. 

"What?" He asked.

"If we exorcize her, will her spirit be freed or disappear along with the cursed energy tethered to it?"

Nanami was silent for a moment. "I do not know."

You sighed, sorrowful, and evaporated away the grenade you were holding onto, kneeling in front of the curse.

"Hey." You said, pulling its attention to you. Nanami was standing behind you, apprehensive, while he held the two passed out women. However, he decided to trust you, and stood down. 

Why- why did he kill me?! Her eyes were pitch black, and sent chills down your spine.

"You have to forgive him. You have passed, there is nothing else that can be done. You both have. Only when you let go, will you be free. You cursed yourself." You said, warmly, sparing her a smile.

Her weeping started to subdue. 

"You have to pass onto the other side." You insisted.

I can't- can't- can't- forgive him! He doesn't deserve- deserve- it! The cursed spirit shrieked, furiously.

"Then, don't do it for him. Do it for you. Free yourself. Only you can do that."

The curse's howling stopped, and you got up, stepping back, ready to pull a grenade on her if it were necessary. You had tried your best to free this spirit without exorcizing it. 

The cursed spirit got up too, and turned it's back to you, suddenly being engulfed in all the fireflies that were spread throughout the tunnels. They got absorbed into her, and she radiated pure white for a moment, before you both could see it. She now looked human, a tall woman with long brown hair and a beautiful white summer dress, weaved around with red stitches all throughout.

You smiled, and she turned around to look at you.

Thank you, the woman said, before stepping towards, away from you, disappearing into thin air.

Then, the pure white light that replaced all the walls, floor, and ceiling began to fade away as well. After a few moments, you and Nanami, as well as the two girls, were finally back to the entrance to the Lover's Pass.

***

After you left the women at the hospital, you, Ijichi and Nanami were back in Tokyo. You asked Ijichi to let you out of the car near the restaurant Higuruma had told you he'd be at.

You got out of the car, waving Ijichi goodbye, but were surprised to see that Nanami stepped out of the car as well, calling your name. Ijichi left, probably because Nanami told him to do so before he made his way out.

"Can we resume our conversation?" He inquired, looking at you... pleadingly?

You sighed. "Okay. Just give me a moment." You grabbed your phone and texted Higuruma, letting him know you'd be late. 

You looked around and spotted a bench, walking towards it, waving Nanami to follow you. He did, and you both sat down on the opposite ends of it, looking at each other. The silence grew uncomfortable between the two, given none knew who'd speak first.

He did.

"Once again, I'd like to apologize for the hurt that I've caused you," Nanami said, earnestly, "and I hope you can forgive me for that."

"Will it make any difference to you if I tell you I already forgave you?"

Nanami was slightly taken aback. You continued.

"It seems that every time I forgive you or tell you there is nothing to forgive, my words just fall on deaf ears." You sighed. "I can't keep telling you there is nothing to be forgiven when you just won't listen. You have to forgive yourself. We can’t... You have to move past it. I'm tired of this, I've just about had it, Nanami."

He stayed silent.

"You were not saving me, or sparing me, when you made that decision by yourself. You broke my heart, Nanami. You wanted to protect me, and I understand that. I'm thankful for that. But you did it all wrong."

He sighed deeply. "Could you find it in yourself to forgive me?"

You gazed at him. "I forgive you. But I can’t forget this. And even if I can still trust you with my life, I don’t think I can trust you with my heart again."

These words cut through him like sharp blades. Hearing them felt worse than he had anticipated.

"That's reasonable." He finally replied, defeated.

There was nothing more to be said. You cupped his face with your hands, and he looked at you longingly, knowing what would come next. 

You pressed one gentle last kiss on Nanami's lips as you said goodbye.

He was left sitting alone on that bench, as he saw you walking away to go on a date with someone else, taking your flowery scent and soft touch with you, away from him.

It felt more miserable than he thought it would.

[lost-in-fiction-like-ur-mom]

Worst Case Scenario

Echo x Reader

Summary- After an ambush from the Empire, you, Echo, and Omega must escape by yourselves. Hunter and Wrecker sacrifice themselves to let you three live. Based on Season 2, Ep. 16

A/N- This is angst angst angst! But semi-sweet ending. Always open to constructive criticism, thank you!

Word Count- 1,837

"You know... I tried to look out for you boys... You too." Cid said, turning her gaze from Wrecker to you.

You immediately got an unsettling feeling in your stomach. Well, more than you had since Tech's fall. Tech's death... Tears threatened to prickle at the thought, but you had to stay strong. Especially being Omegas role model...

Echo had once called you her mother figure, you remember turning red. You dismissed him jokingly, but it gave you that warm feeling in your chest. You certainly loved Omega like a daughter. You don't think there is anything you wouldn't do for her.

"You've just got too much heat on you... and you brought it here... at my place of business... I had to make the best out of a bad situation..."

You didn't even listen to Wrecker's response, as you took off for Omega's room. Blaster sounds and lasers erupted.

With a hand on your side blaster, you turned the corner and slid into Omegas temporary room.

Hunter was already standing, eyes wide.

"Call for Echo." He instructed.

You had never felt so much fear. You had all been in tight situations like this before- only now you were all beaten emotionally and physically.

"Yes sir." You mustered, out of pure habit.

"What's happening?" Omega started, standing at the blaster effects.

"It's the Empire- You two take the mining tunnels to the space port and find Echo." He looked at you, understanding the reality of the situation. "I'll get Wrecker." No, he was going to stall and buy us some time. Hunter was a smart clone, he knew what he was doing.

You tried to check the comms while Hunter pushed out a box, revealing the tunnel entrance. All you heard was static on every channel.

"But you're injured! You can't fight them alone!" She pleaded.

"You two need to go, that's an order." Hunter always commanded with authority, but there was a hint of pleading in his voice.

Omega jumped to hug Hunter, squeezing his side strongly.

"I love you." She whispered.

"I love you too, Omega."

After an exchange of glances that spoke a million words, Omega started down the tunnel. You stopped for a second, turning, and rested a hand on Hunters shoulder.

"Protect her." He insisted.

"I will... And we'll find you..." You tried to stay hopeful, but it was difficult with the past few days you had.

He gave a glance down the tunnel, Omega was too far to hear his next words.

"No, you need to get her out of here." You had never seen him so demanding.

"But-" He interrupted you.

"Now. Don't look back."

You simply nodded and headed down the tunnels.

Omega stopped on the bottom platform, you jumping down behind her.

"I can't do it.." Omega started, followed by your name. She sniffed- "We already lost Tech."

"And I am not going to lose you Omega." You said, at a loss for any word of comfort. You did though, step closer.

"No, we are going back." She tried to climb up, you blocked her way.

"Let me go!" She yelled, getting more frustrated.

"Omega!" She stopped struggling and looked at you. You crouched down to be level with her.

"We have to leave and find Echo." You gently grabbed her hands in yours. "He will know what to do. Us two, we can't take on the Empire by ourselves"

"We can't leave Wrecker and Hunter!" She yelled, arms pulling back. You inhaled deeply, you didn't want to leave them either. But you couldn't help anyone if you were all dead. You knew they were after Omega, and nothing was going to stop them.

Better three dead siblings than six, you thought gruesomely.

She looked you dead in the eyes, "If it was Echo you would go back!" You bit your bottom lip. Maybe she was right... but it wasn't Echo. It was Hunter and Wrecker, the people who would be pissed if I let her try to be a hero.

"Omega, Hunter told me to protect you. That's what I'm doing." She looked up at you with big eyes, filled with tears.

"It's not fair!" She hissed, tears falling angrily.

"I know honey, but if we don't get to Echo. We will be dead." Your breath shook at your own words. They were harsh, but not far from the truth.

She let out a small sob as you enveloped her in a hug. She clung to you desperately, almost as if it would change the circumstance.

"It's not fair.." She repeated to herself in a whisper.

You did nothing but pet her hair and hold her. After a minute you gave her a light squeeze. "We have to move before the Empire finds the ship."

She sniffled but nodded in understanding.

The two of you quickly made your way out of the tunnel exits. It was just a short run to the ship yards.

You gave a quick prayer to anyone listening before trying your comms again. The Empire scrambled the channels, but hopefully a short-range signal worked. With you and Omega crouched behind The Marauder, you tried contacting Echo.

"Echo, Omega and I are by the ship. Open the ramp." You whispered quickly. You got no response. "Echo?" You tried again.

With a loud steam, the ships doors opened. You and Omega rushed in, closing it quickly.

"Echo, we need to get out of here now!" You ran to take the Co-Pilot seat.

"What's going on, where is Hunter and Wrecker?" Echo questioned, starting up The Marauder.

With a glance behind you, you saw Omega bundled into a ball in her bunk. You still kept your voice down for your next statement.

"We were ambushed, Cid sold us out. Hunter and Wrecker gave Omega and I a window to escape." Your own eyes filled with tears at the guilt. "I had to take it." You sobbed. "I had to protect Omega." You stood true to your words, but broke down into tears.

It was a lot to process for Echo. He wanted to comfort you, but had to think logically first.

"I'm going to go back, you two need to get to Pabu." Echo stated.

"No, you don't understand Echo! That's a suicide mission!" You gasped out.

With a deep swallow, you continued- "It's the Empire!"

He snapped his head around, "We've gone against them before."

"Not this many Echo..." You let out another sob. "There are too many for us." You pulled forward, both hands cupping Echos head. "Hunter and Wrecker are already dead by now." Tears flowed freely down your face. "What do we do Echo....?"

Just as you finished, blaster noises arose. You both called for Omega, feeling much safer with her in the cockpit with the two of you.

While Echo pulled the ship up to fly, Omega was already sat in the shuttle's gunner's seat. She had a twisted look on her face as she shot freely at the Empire troopers that attacked.

You took in a deep breath, one that painfully refilled your lungs.

You viciously wiped your tears away, grabbing the handles to the front blasters of the ship. With a white-knuckled grip you shot furiously. You lost your perception of time as you fired and fired.

Echo expertly dodged most of the Empires bombs and shots, but not as well as Tech would have. Another painful reminder. Three dead. Three brothers are gone. Not to mention Crosshair was probably dead as well...

The thoughts clouded you, your grip tightened on the blaster, but you stopped firing. Your breath quickened, hyperventilating. Adrenaline was starting to lose its effect, you were crashing and burning.

Echo called your name out, you didn't move until he shouted it for the third time.

You faced him slowly, hands not moving. Your eyes were wide, mouth slightly agape.

"Hey, hey." He got up out of his seat, putting his hand on top of one of yours gently.

"It's okay, they're gone... It's over..." He pulled your hands off the handles slowly. He then cupped your face with utmost care.

"We're safe... You're safe..." With his words, you looked out the glass pane. Echo had managed to launch into hyperspace. The three of you were out of danger.

Your chest still heaved, desperate for oxygen. You shot around, looking for Omega.

She was sat in her make-shift room, clutching her stuffed toy.

You looked back at Echo, locking eyes. You embraced him strongly. He was still slightly confused on the situation, but he did what he had to keep the last of his family safe.

He pulled away to press quick kisses over your face. You were still in shock and didn't kiss back- but you leaned into his touch.

He wiped tears from your face with his hand, everything felt numb. How was he still composing himself? You questioned to yourself.

With sad eyes, you looked down, a deep breath filling you.

You reached a hand up to place on him, feeling between his breast-plates. The feeling of his chest rising calmed you.

"I'm... I'm gonna go check on Omega." You choked out, hand swiping off any last tears, quickly. He nodded, hand coming up to rest on yours. You smiled half-heartedly and slowly lowered your hand.

It was a long night of holding and rocking Omega. After the high of battle drifted away she was hysterical. Her cries were only muffled by your chest, which she clung to. You held yourself together, somehow.

When she had finally cried herself to sleep, you laid her down. Making sure that Lula, her Tooka doll, was close by.

You returned to Echo with a shaky breath. He held his arms open, an invitation for you to join him in his seat.

You took it and lowered yourself into him, melting with his touch. His arms closed around you, hand resting on your hip.

"What the hell now..." You commented, void of any emotion. You were worn out.

He thumbs the skin around your waist. "We can head to Pabu. Get resources, contact Rex, maybe even stay."

Your face scrunched up at this, you hated Pabu. Everything and everyone had a happy-go-lucky attitude. But, it didn't matter what you thought anymore. All you and Echo needed to think about is what was best for Omega.

"Or not stay, we will see what happens." He practically read your mind.

"I don't care what we do, as long as Omega is happy and safe." You glanced back at her, still sleeping.

"You need to be happy and safe too." He said, thinking about Omega and you.

You swallowed, looking down at the floor.

"So do you..." You raised your gaze to meet his. "What would make you happy, Echo?"

"Don't worry about me, you've got your hands full already." He kissed the crown of your head.

"You take care of me, I'll take care of you." You said snuggling closer to his chest.

"And we'll both take care of Omega."

A/N- Thank you so much for reading! I've never written any kind of angst or wump before, thanks for bearing with me! Tags- (lmk if you want to be tagged as well!) @thethreeeyed-raven @knight-of-flowerss

[mutable-manifestation]

Summer Vacation Summoning Shenanigans Part 3

Part 1, Part 2

***

“D- shit!" Red cursed, leaping to catch him judging by the suddenly much-closer voice and the arms now cradling his head and shoulders to keep them off of the floor. "Steph!" 

"Names~!" Spoiler sing-songed.

"We were going to have him wear the sensory suppression helmet!"

"Well, this worked just fine didn't it?" Danny hears a sloshing noise - probably the recapped chloroform bottle getting twirled.

"No." Robin deadpanned. "The timeframe of his unconsciousness will not be sufficient to reach the batcave and we will need the helmet anyway."

"Pppshaw," Spoiler dismisses. "The last time any of you guys checked the time it was, what, when you were proving you weren't secretly cult maniacs by showing him those news articles? Between then and when he wakes up he won't have any way to tell how long he was out. As long as he can't see the entrance by the time he's up it'll be fiiiine."

"You will also have damaged what trust we had thus far been able to build with him, likely setting back our investigation and thus both our ability to interfere with the League of Assassins and to help Danny himself," came Robin's scathing reply.

"...ah."

"We're wasting time," Red sighed, moving to sling Danny over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, judged by the shoulder now jamming into his stomach. "Thank you, Spoiler, for volunteering to drag the captive. Robin, doors."

There was a lot of boredom after that, mostly just listening to the three shuffling around and hearing some kind of hissing noise that he assumed was a hi-tech door or something, given everything he'd seen so far.

Then they were moving, and Danny realized he had no idea how long he should pretend to still be out. 

Luckily, just as he was debating playing 'waking up' the group stopped, Robin commenting it would be best to be stationary when he awoke to increase the time he might suspect had passed.

After being carefully propped up against a wall, he counts to thirty before letting his breathing return to normal, slowly opening his eyes.

He looks to Spoiler - kidnapped assassin slung over her shoulder - first.

“I’m gonna be real,” he starts before anyone else tries to speak. “I think something might be wrong with your perfume.”

Spoiler snorts and Red’s lips twitch in a suppressed smile, but Robin remains stoic.

“That was not perfume,” he says carefully. “It was a mild sedative, so that we could further obscure the location of the batcave. Perfumes are generally incapable of causing unconsciousness.”

“If no perfume: why smell good?”

Spoiler bursts into cackles at that, Red making a strangled noise between a cough and a laugh and slapping a hand over his mouth.

“Please do not attempt to use or offer chloroform to others to use as a perfume, it is a highly unsafe chemical and can be fatal,” Robin says, brows pinched into a vaguely concerned expression.

“Aw,” Danny pouts dramatically.

Red clears his throat.

“Spoiler is very sorry for springing that on you,” he starts, with a pointed look her way. “We had intended to talk to you about the need for another layer of obfuscation around our security.”

“Yep!” Spoiler grins. “From the bottom of my heart, my bad.”

Danny lays a hand over his chest, using the other to wipe away an imaginary tear as he chokes out “Of course I forgive you!”

Then he snorts, dropping his hands to lounge in his pockets.

“So now that you’ve taken me to a secondary, and a tertiary, and a…um - quadrertiatry? - location, which way are we going?” He makes a point to look back the way they came.

They’re quick to correct him, leading the way through the tunnels at a more sedate pace - a fast walk instead of the running from before.

They claim to be half way there by the time he wakes up  - they definitely aren’t. It takes a solid 30 more minutes.

At least now that Danny is ‘awake’ they’re talking again - mainly about Spoiler’s questionable taste in ‘perfume’ and whether or not it would be safe for any of the aliens they know to use as perfume - a very sneaky way for Danny to acquire more knowledge of alien biology, if he does say so himself.

---------------------

Given their track record for getting along, everyone had been worried when Tim and Damian went missing at the same time. Sure, Damian had gotten a lot less murdery over the course of the last four years, but the worry was still there. 

When it turned out to be a self-imposed mission to Nanda Parbat they had worried even more. Unfortunately, no one else had been able to leave Gotham. By the time they could’ve caught up they would have been more likely to draw unwanted attention to their two strays than be of use.

Luckily, they’d managed to put the Riddler away that night, making it back to the cave just in time to receive Tim’s update - a success and a surprise guest.

A guest that, as far as they could tell, did not exist. 

No paper trail, no pictures, no appearances in any images or even audios as far as they could tell. Expanding beyond Illinois to the US in general didn’t turn up anything. A global search yielded yet another heaping helping of nothing.

There were some possible explanations, of course, but it was decidedly suspicious.

Any hope that the three had escaped unnoticed were dashed when they were over the pacific and the local branch of the League of Assassins began moving obviously enough for Oracle to detect them - branching throughout the city and posting up on various vantage points in some kind of search grid.

One group even made their way to Wayne Manor, posting up around the perimeter.

All in full view of cameras. 

One even waved. 

For a group like the League it was verging on something like polite. 

Or threatening. 

The utter lack of activity from any of them once they reached their apparent destinations put the latter option somewhat in doubt, however.

Even so, the situation was plenty alarming and Bruce had everyone arming themselves to the teeth while they waited and listened - not that Jason needed any encouragement even if he was still pouty about the lack of guns in the Bat-armory. 

Nightwing, being the loving older brother that he was, was quick to offer him a rubber band hornet to supplement his existing guns. He was immediately betrayed, narrowly dodging a projectile to the cheek.

Bruce had contacted the JLD about the situation not a second after the kid - Danny - said Ra’s was trying to summon the Lord of the Dead. 

Didn’t have to be deep into the occult to know that that was undoubtedly a very bad thing to allow to happen. 

With any luck, whatever ritual Ra’s was trying to use would be faulty and they would have more time to intervene and prevent him from finding something that would work.

Of course, to know that they needed to know what the circle actually looked like.

Good news: the kid saw the circle and seems to have a great memory.

Bad news: the kid set a condition for the knowledge and would not be swayed.

Good news: they personally know several aliens willing to help.

Bad news: literally every member of the JLD is ungodly hard to get ahold of at the best of times.

Good news: they managed to contact Constantine on the third try.

Bad news: he seemed very concerned by Bruce’s explanation of the situation.

Good news: he wanted to show up right away to help.

Bad (and worrying) news: he is currently too drunk to teleport. Or be awake, if the sudden snoring through the line is any indication.

So now Bruce is tracking his location and sending Supes to pick him up on the way so he can wait to sober up in the cave’s medbay.

Possibly for the best - given how talkative Danny was on the plane over Constantine might’ve lost it waiting for him to stop asking all the questions he’ll no doubt have.

Just another hour of playing suspiciously-polite-staredown with a murder cult and they might be able to get some answers.

---------------------

Damian watched Danny watch the door to the cave open in fascination, eyes alight with joy. Enthusiasm.

It was a large part of what made the plane-ride with him so much less distressing; normally being in a closed space with someone who’d taken a recent dip in a Lazarus Pit would be…exhausting. Manageable, perhaps, but requiring constant attention to avoid potential - likely - harm.

Any concern about erratic, violent behavior practically melted away in the face of Danny’s attitude.

His exuberant curiosity. 

The zest for life that colored each and every word he said or expression he made.

In combination with the skill he must have to have escaped imprisonment by the league? His sharp mind (even if he did occasionally lack information that should be common knowledge - Damian himself had been much the same when he first came to live with his father, he would not judge him for that)? The strong negotiation skills he had demonstrated in their talk? His unflinching will?

His beauty?

Damian was captivated.

He watched as he gasped like it was the last air he would ever breathe when he laid eyes on the T-rex, causing everyone else to tense up.

Then he moved - nearly too fast to track - before slowing back down when he was within a foot or two of the dinosaur - and many feet off of the ground. That certainly supported the sheltered meta theory.

“You guys have a dinosaur in here!?” he yelled, flitting around it in a manner not unlike a hummingbird. “That’s so cool! Is it real? Or like, not real because it obviously isn’t alive but is it, like, taxidermed - taxiderm-y-ed? Or is it a replica? Or-”

“Animatronic, actually,” Father cut in, drawing his attention. 

“It moves!?”

“It used to. We keep it shut down for safety reasons, however.”

“Aww, boo,” Danny pouted, snorting at some unknown joke as he descended back to the ground.

“It’s nice to meet you, Danny. Though I do wish it were under better circumstances,” Father gestured to the table near the batcomputer - where the rest of them had gathered to wait - before moving that way.

“It could be worse,” Danny shrugged, following after - still floating.

Halfway to the table, Danny gasped again, this time accompanied by a small blue mist.

His head snapped to Jason - fast enough Damian was vaguely concerned for his neck - and paused to stare owlishly at him.

A glance revealed him to be visibly bristling at the attention, every muscle tense.

“These are my associates,” Batman cut in before anything unfortunate could be said. “You’ve met Red Robin, Spoiler, and Robin. This is-”

“Red Hood,” Jason cut him off. “And we ‘associate’ barely.”

“I’m Nightwing!” Richard shouted, one arm waving in the air for emphasis. “And I can totally fly!”

“Grappling hooks don’t count,” Hood shot down.

“They do so!”

Hood just stared

“Orphan,” Cass interrupted, as brief as ever.

“I’m Signal,” Duke added, making the last introduction. “And I’d hate to see circumstances worse than being hunted by a globally active death cult made up of highly trained assassins.”

“Hunted?” Red Robin asked, straightening up at the new information. 

“Most likely,” Batman answered as Danny finally joined them around the table - still stealing glances at Hood. Damian frowned.

“Not long after you left Nanda Parbat, the local branch of the League began moving - their assassins have posted up throughout the city - and around our perimeter. They’re being subtle enough to avoid civilian attention, but they waved directly at our cameras. Normally we’d assume they were after the assassin we brought here, but Ra’s is normally more direct than this. He would’ve called, tried to negotiate, or just sent in men to retrieve him. That he hasn’t is unusual-”

“Which is why we suspect he’s still after you,” Spoiler added as she rejoined them, having gone to secure the prisoner.

“Spoiler!” Nightwing scolded.

“Whaaaat? It’s already obvious. No point in hiding it when the guy’s already been kidnapped once.”

---------------------

Danny hmmed.

“It comes to me that if your group is so well known, saying I’m ‘flying away with a pair of Robins’ is maybe, possibly, potentially not the incredibly vague and unhelpful clue I thought it was.”

He rubbed at the back of his neck, laughing sheepishly as all eyes whipped around to stare at him. 

“Ahaha… my bad?”

“Danny.” Batman asked after a pause. “Who, exactly, did you give this ‘clue’ to?”

“Uh…Ra’s?”

“Wh- How!? We’ve been with you the whole time since we met!” Red Robin asked.

“I just sent a duplicate,” He shrugged, splitting off a duplicate and popping it after a three-count.

“Sorry about that.”

“The fuck kid? Why the hell would you give hints about your location to a guy who wants to murder you,” Red Hood fumed, standing to slam his hands on the table.

“That will cost you two meetings with aliens,” he winked, putting a finger to his lips.

“That’s quite a high price considering you only asked for one meeting to learn the supposed summoning circle for the Lord of the Dead.”

Danny spun around at the unfamiliar voice, only to be met with Superman. He gaped.

“Sorry for the delay, I’m Superman, Kryptonian alien extraordinaire,” he topped off the introduction with a dramatic bow before landing gently on the ground. 

“I hear you have a lot of questions for me,” he smiles, holding up a hand when Danny opens his mouth to reply. “But first, I believe you promised my friends a summoning circle?”

Danny pouts.

“Yeah, I did,” he sighs, turning to Batman. “Got a pen and paper?”

___________________________________________________________

Tag: @bathildaburp @cannibalisticphantom @thegatorsgoose @skulld3mort-1fan @starmee-lodurrson @jotaroslooseeyebrowhair @sometimesthingsfallapart @osnii @coruscateselene @jaytriesstuff @seraphinedemort @ver-444 @impulsiveasshole @meira-3919 @apointlessbox @gunebugfic @starsblader4rise @screamingtofillthevoid @may-rbi @tired-yet-awaken @readerzj @lazy-bouqet @the-church-grimm @astirdreaming @bun-fish @punderfulfandoms @ispyblu @phoenixdemonqueen @cutelittlebeanie @we-ezer @treepainting @jerithe @all-eyes-no-dragon @addie-lover-of-stories @overtherose @akavincent @nappinginhell @naluforever3 @icepopstar5105us @itsloveleo @spooky-fm @undead-essence @nutcase8691 @promptingwips @zelabee @vythika96 @escelia @heartsong18 @gin2212 @ballzfrog @farmercale @ introvert-even-on-the-internet @jaggedheart11 @coruscateselene @snekullent

[lilpotatjj]

Congratulation... Captain?

AN: Chapter 2 from my long story about Andy and you. No warnings...just a little kiss

Andy x Fem!Reader

Chapter 2

She needs to look up to look into deep brown eyes. "Sullivan… What do you want?"

"Good morning to you too Captain?" his typical questioning look examines her. “Can I come in and talk to you for a moment?”

Andy opens the door so he can come in. “Something important, Lieutenant?” Robert immediately notices her subtly annoyed manner, which is why he folds his arms as he leans against the wall. “You still seem a little confused, is it because of the call 2 Days ago?

"Um…probably? Listen Robert…I still have..-" Andy is scurrying through some protocols but Sullivan suddenly puts his hand on them to stop Andy.

"It's been over a year since the divorce, I hope you're looking forward. I plan on marrying Chief Ross." Andy unconsciously looks up at him in annoyance and surprise.

"Todas las cosas buenas vienen de tres en tres….huh…" (All good things come in threes), Andy speaks clearly unimpressed.

"Hablas en serio, Andy?" (Are you serious?), Sullivan looks at her blankly. "You have to say that…" Sullivan huffs.

Now Andy looks at him pretty pissed. "Qué!? ok enought…go! Out of my office!"

"Andy I..-"..

"you are dismissed, now Lieutenant Sullivan!"

With a disappointed face he leaves the office, slamming the door.

"uuurgh" she growls to herself and puts her face in her hand, the other on her hip. The Team who finished breakfast, including you, heard almost the entire discussion.

“Is there something going on between the two of them?” you look at the Team questioningly.

"It was more like…they were married and have been divorced for over a year," Travis says, shaking his head.

"But…wasn't Captain Herrera still a lieutenant and subordinate to Sullivan, who was captain?"

"I still don't understand why they got married so quickly." Vic shrugs her shoulders.

"They were happy, it just didn't worked anymore." Warren speaks in a calm voice to mediate and change the subject. "come with probie, the hoses need to be cleaned"

Your gaze wanders to Andy in the office, but when she suddenly looks at you and stares directly into your eyes, you jump and quickly follow Warren, while Andy looks after you in confusion.

When you get to the barn, you clean the hoses, completely lost in thought. //well…despite her low rank, the captain now was dating the captain at the past…even married.// The rest of the day was pretty quiet, only a few calls were received and so everyone was able to get some rest.

At least 8 weeks passed and you have slowly but surely settled into the station. Everyone on the team genuinely supports you and Andy is slowly but surely coming to terms with her position as captain. Winter has arrived and things are also rather quiet between Andy and Sullivan. Both are focused on their work.

In the last few weeks it's just been staring. Andy knows the rules. In order not to risk anything, she tries to avoid anything conspicuous towards you and nothing more than a sweet smile happens between you.

-Aid Car19, L19, EMS19-

"Ok guys! Montgomery and Warren Aid Car, Hughes and Bishop L19! Y/N, you're coming with me! According to the interim situation report, there are several hikers who got separated and some drivers who can't get out of the snow. Act quickly and precisely. In this cold weather you all need every single bit of energy you can save!

"Always go in a team of two, never alone! If you get lost here, any rescue might come too late…". Everyone gets into their vehicles, including you and me into the EMS of the 19.

"This is my first time in the snow" you drive along the snow path in the city, it's difficult to see anything.

"Then pay attention and learn today. It will take all of your concentration." Andy looks at you and changes her gaze to the white snowy world outside.

"Captain, we were able to save the first drivers, now we'll keep looking!" Travis said.

"copy", Andy looks out the window more and more worried. "Stop here, we'll continue here on foot. Make sure we stay together and one step at a time!" Andy looks at you seriously

"understood!" You walk together along a narrow path for almost 2 hours.

"They must have passed here. They set up flags to mark them." Andy points to the small flags and the moment she approaches one flag she steps on loose ice that is hidden under the snow which breaks off and Andy literally falls backwards in slow motion before your eyes and slides down a high cliff. "Captain!!" you immediately look carefully and think about what to do. "Help…I have to get help!". You pick up the walkie talkie.

"Y/N at station 19, I need support immediately! The captain has fal-en o-f a c-i-f! I repe-d! Ca-t-in---fa---c--"

You look at your walkie talkie and shake it. "do you copy!?" Without an answer, you slowly look down in despair and see Andy lying quietly in the snow. "Come on…" You collect all the flags at the edge of the abyss to mark the spot. You also look for gasoline in one of the abandoned cars, which luckily one of the vehicles had in the trunk. "Ok…Captain!" However, you call without an answer and try to climb down the slope without any climbing gear.

You slowly come down a few steps, slide down the last few meters and immediately run to Andy.

"Captain! hey do you hear me!? wake up!" When you turn around, you see a small bloody head injury. Covered by a hidden stone under all the snow. With a hand on her neck you feel her pulse, which is there, but Andy is slowly cooling down from the cold. "Captain Herrera…please…wake up!" you pull her closer to you to warm her. "Andy…wake up…please…" She slowly wakes up and looks at you confused. "what…what happened!?" Andy slowly sits up and holds her injured head.

"You fell down a cliff and because that wasn't enough you hurt your head, you have to stay awake otherwise you might not wake up again." Andy looks at your gas and is now shaking more than noticeably.

"We have to build a fire. We need firewood." Andy stands up slowly, but immediately falls over again.

"I'm going to collect something, there's enough lying around here. The petrol will make it burn faster" you get up and collect a good amount of wood as quickly as possible and then put it together to form a fire pit. "Use just a little gas…we have to be economical in case we're stuck here for a long time." The words shock you more than they should and you look at Andy in surprise. "I tried to reach our people via radio…but I don't know if it reached our station.

Andy's whole body is shaking like never before. "w…we will die he..-"- "Nobody dies here today!" Despair spreads through you, but Andy looks at you demandingly. "We'll be saved here…we just have to hold on for a while…" Andy can hardly speak anymore because of the cold. "Come here…we should cuddle as close to each other as possible to warm each other up." Andy looks at you completely cold and you don't hesitate and sit down next to Andy, who puts her arms around you.

It's like you can hear her heartbeat, it only makes your cheeks blush even more, just like Andy's. "Feeling better?" Andy tries to smile. "my first snow call and I almost die…what a day…"

"I told you that no one would die here today…say that again and I'll stop your mouth." Andy looks at you half present. "If you die I-" you can't get any further because of Andy's lips resting on yours. It's a gentle kiss, making the blush shoot completely from your fingers to your face. "A…Andy…you hit your head" You look at her softly, whispering quietly.

"Wait…." you get up and hear a helicopter nearby. "the gasoline!" You grab the gasoline and pour almost all of it onto the wood, causing a large amount of black smoke to rise.

"I told you we wouldn't die here today!" Andy gets up and suddenly vomits. "Captain! Your head…" You can just catch her as she collapses again.The helicopter recognizes the signal and the team from Station 19 finally reaches you. Andy is taken to the hospital as quickly as possible and treated there, just like you.

After 3 days of absence, Andy finally wakes up. "hey…oh god finally! Doctor Shepperd! She's awake!" Amelia comes in immediately and looks at the values, checks her eyes and smiles. "Very good, you're out of the woods for now." Andy looks at you. "What exactly happened?" You exchange worried looks with Amelia.

"Memory loss can occur, but it shouldn't be very serious." Amelia checks some more data and then leaves the room.

"Captain…get well again quickly" You look at her with a gentle smile but Andy ignores your look. “Of course” you go off to work, not noticing Andy watching you go, completely lost in thought and touching her lips.

next chapter will comming <3

[mayflysdie]

Void- Part 2

{Warnings: inaccurate military depictions, violence, language, depressing themes, mentions of death}

A/N: I have not proofread anything so ignore the mistakes please.

I was struggling if I was going to post this or not, stared at it for like an hour imagining other ways it could've gone. so if it gets taken down, just know I am changing it. I struggle with attention disorders as it is- so my writing can sometimes get messy and off point. SO I BEG YOU, PLEASE BONK ME WITH A STICK IF YOU NOTICE IT.

I had not anticipated my exit from the vehicle to be met by a hyperactive Scotsman, but that was what happened. From then on he has been sticking close, recounting tales of his and Ghost's adventures; the beauty of his hometown, how his passion for explosives began. 

I felt an almost uncontrollable urge to bang my head against the nearest wall; my ear was beginning to feel the heat of his rambling. Even while walking towards Price's office, he still kept talking nonstop. "Alright Soap, I think you have done enough talking for the whole world," Gaz interrupted, sending me a sheepish yet apologetic glance. I shoot a thankful smile his way.

" just tryna help the lass feel at home" Soap argues.

" my home was quiet, but thank you Soap. I do appreciate the warm welcome" I retort.

I knock on the door to Price's office and after a few moments, we hear muffled voices quiet down before being granted entry. My eyes fall upon Ghost standing near Price's desk with a file in hand, while Soap plops onto the couch with Gaz following gracefully. I remain at the door with my hands in my pockets, my gaze shifting to Price.

Ghost's like a rat with cheese. I think, almost making myself snort in amusement.

" usually I give people time to adjust before a mission but m'afraid this can't wait" Price says, looking at me then around the room.

He carefully places a few documents on his desk, before reclining back and crossing his arms. "Ghost, Soap and Void are being dispatched to Mexico in order to support Los Vaqueros with their search for the missiles. Gaz will stay with me. any questions?"

yes, many questions actually. Like why aren't all of us going?

" i suppose it's need-to-know as to why you're staying here?" I ask.

Price nodded in agreement to Void, before indicating with a wave that the rest of them were dismissed. secretive bastard. Ghost was the first to leave, and then it was followed by the movements of both Me and Soap. As I turned my head towards Soap, I couldn't help but notice the proximity between us. His eyes locked with mine and he spoke out, with surprise in his voice, "Huh, just noticed your eye - the left one is green and the right one is blue." I let out a little chuckle, replying back, "Yeah, definitely not my best feature."

I was constantly reminded of my eyes, which made me stand out from those around me in school, resulting in high school bullies teasing and calling me a 'freak of nature' and even a 'witch.'. To add to this, my hair color being black gave them one more reason to express their negative opinions of me.

Shaking my head to forget these thoughts, Ghost and I make our way into the rooms - with mine straight across and Soaps room situated right of mine. hm, right in the middle.

As I begin to carefully and methodically pack the few items I really need, eventually settling on a 'pack light' mentality from my military training, there is gradually building commotion from Soap's room combined with fragmented expletives. An amused expression crosses my face, while I listen to Ghost as he violently bangs against Soap's door in an effort to gain entry.

" bloody hell are you doing Johnny!" Ghost barks.

" m'tryna pack all ma clothes!" Soap retorts, sounding frustrated.

" you don't fuck'n need a floral shirt"

" I do! it's Mexico!"

"Johnny." I snicker at the 'no bullshit' tone from Ghost.

I hear something being tossed against the wall.

" fine... LT"

Ghost stomps back out of the room, slamming his bedroom door.

Not the behavior I was expecting from an elite task force but hey, I'm not complaining.

I observe Soap and Ghost, amused. Soap has his arms crossed and is sitting as far away from us on the plane as he can; despite being an adult, he seems to pout quite a lot. I'm wondering just how long this behavior will continue; will it be the entire duration of our flight? Or until Ghost's patience grows thin and he orders Soap to act maturely?

either way, i'm not complaining. I slowly slump back in my chair, exhaustion washing over me after the mission I just completed. With heavy eyes, I allow myself a few moments of rest before I recall the pain of having lost members of my team. The heavy dog tags they had left behind were now safely in my pocket and the only reminder that they had existed at all.

This is what we had signed up for - to fight until the last breath and then to be forgotten. 

it's sad, really. protecting everyones lives and happiness but our own.

I constantly question myself if I have made the right choice in forfeiting my opportunity to experience freedom and instead submitting to stringent regulations. Despite it, I still find delight within the stimulating thrill of perpetually taking risks with my life. Thus, I can't definitively say that I regret this decision.

no, i’m fighting against the very people that took my family from me. i can’t find it within myself to regret this. 

I am jolted out of my musing by a quick tap on my shoulder. My vision immediately shifts to Ghost, who is standing tall above me. He quickly strides away and I hurry after him, assuring that the pistol attached to my thigh is still safe. Soap trails right behind me and when I look back at him I notice his pouting face has been replaced with a serious demeanor.

well Soap recovered faster than I thought he would.

Alejandro was standing in front of us as we stepped out the plane. He focused his attention on Ghost, looking him up and down before exclaiming, "Nice to meet you, I'm Alejandro. You must be Ghost." A small nod from Ghost indicated his agreement with Alejandro's assumption. Before any other words could escape his mouth, Soap quickly inserted himself into the conversation, "Actually, I think he prefers -". The sound of Ghost firmly shouting "That'll do" halted Soap's comments and made me giggle at his sudden sullen attitude.

annndd he's back to pouting. poor guy.

Alejandro's gaze shifted to me as I let out a little giggle. "And who might you be?" he questioned, his tone abrupt. Erasing the smirk from my face, I adopted a more professional air, offering a slight smile as I responded, "Sergeant Void, sir. It's a pleasure to have this opportunity to work with you." He then nodded in acknowledgement before indicating that it was time to follow him to his truck. 

well my humor was short-lived. seeing as I am going to be sandwiched between Ghost and Soap in the rear seats.

Would it be impolite of me to inquire if I am able to be fastened to the roof instead? I would find it more spacious, especially since Ghost now has his entire gear on him, which is occupying quite a bit of room. One of the knives in his pocket keeps poking against my shoulder.

" this is Rudy, part of my team. he's a good loyal man" Alejandro gestures to the man beside him in the drivers seat.  I smile politely. 

" Tengo miedo de los fantasmas" Rudy says, making me chuckle. 

"  oh no seas malo. no todos los fantasmas son malos" i respond, earning looks from Soap and Alejandro.  "¿sabes español? impresionante. debería reclutarte".  How charming. 

we drive over a bump in the road, resulting in me slipping further towards Ghost. I quickly move to fix my position, offering Ghost a hasty apology. He responds with a grunt and levels me with an intimidating glare. as if I'd want to be in your lap, fucking jerk. Soap snorting next to me induces my head to swing in his direction, challenging him to speak even a single syllable. say it, I dare you. a silent promise to level him out with my fist. 

The remainder of the trip was uneventful; Alejandro enlightened us on the present circumstances, a large portion of which we had already been informed about, however additional information from other sources never goes amiss. 

I hold onto the headrests as Rudy makes several turns down a bumpy isolated street. god, they should really fix these roads-if you can even call them that.

I take note of a church sitting atop of the hill, a frown on my face as I am suddenly hit with a bad feeling about the mission.

why would a church give me a bad feeling? no, it's something else. someone else? maybe.

Rudy parks the truck a few clicks away from our target destination. 

Stepping out of the truck, I could feel my aching back begin to relax. Soap wordlessly handed me a rifle, which I gratefully accepted. Taking a deep breath, we began our mission, advancing street by street towards our target as each house was checked and cleared off. Eventually, we are standing at the place where Hasan was last spotted.

the empty streets adding to my unease. knowing Hassan was a dangerous man and once cornered, will use everything at his disposal to fight back. Alejandro motioned for us to arrange ourselves around him, with Ghost positioned to his right, Rudy to his left, Soap and I safeguarding our rear. something feels off about this. 

"Do you feel it too?" I hear Soap murmur beside me, to which I give a soft affirmative nod. As we cross the threshold into the house, Soap and I remain on vigilant watch as Alejandro, Ghost, and Rudy thoroughly assess the ground floor. My eyes are firmly fixed on the stairs ahead, and in a barely audible whisper, Alejandro orders the trio up, taking lead himself with Ghost and Rudy hot on his heels.

“ it’s clear” Ghost’s rough British accent creaks through the comms. me and Soap make our way up. “he knew we were coming” Alejandro curses, searching the room for any leads. my brow furrows as i look at Ghost. my ears picking up the sound of approaching vehicles. i rush to the window, scanning the area. “ they’re military". Alejandro curses in response. “ we leave out the back, we have no chance against them". 

Alejandro screamed at us to flee out the back door. We hastily descended down the hill and as we were doing so, we could hear the sound of multiple vehicles drawing closer. Lingering in the background was a series of shouts.

Alejandro instructed us to take the passage way and we did, leading us straight to a cliffside. Rudy yelled for everyone to jump into the lake below. Without much hesitation, Alejandro, Soap, and Ghost all threw themselves off the edge. god, I hate water. I better not drown. Reluctantly, I followed suit, holding my nose tightly as I plummeted down into the body of water.

The cold water shockingly and suddenly surrounds me, and I desperately commence to swim upwards towards the surface, reminded by my gear of its weight as I go. After what felt like an age, I eventually break through the top, bellowing out my exasperation as I frantically search for my teams whereabouts; they are revealed to be further ahead, starting to clamber out of the water.

whispering 'fuckity fuck me' as I swim as fast as I can to them.

Soap bends down to lend me a hand. his wet appearance would be laughable if our situation wasn't dire. “ thought ya might drown lass. lot of heavy gear to weigh you down". i fix him with a glare and scoff. “ the only thing weighing me down is that bitch Hassan". he laughs. i shake my head, letting the excess water fall off. I no doubt look like a drowned rat with the way my black hair is clinging to my face. 

next question; how did Ghost not drown with that mask on?

my eyes land on him, disbelief clouding my eyes. " how did you not drown Sir?" I ask him.

" his icy soul acts as a shield" Soap cuts in, earning both of us a glare from Ghost. " I pulled it down while swimming" Ghost says flatly.

fuck, knew I should've jumped sooner! goddamnit. i notice Soap is also wearing a torn expression.

-----

We hiked for a couple of miles, until we arrived at the bridge Alejandro had said would be the ideal spot to access our communications and contact our 'reinforcement.' My arms were crossed tightly in an effort to ward off the cold that was provided by the lake. "Ah, there he is!" Instantly every head on the bridge whipped around as I squinted, disbelieving what I saw before me.

the only bimbo i know comes slowly walking up to us like he owns the joint. Philip Graves. he sports a cocky smirk, “you really stirred the hornets nest huh boys” his southern accent lacing every word. Alejandro and Rudy both reached out to shake Graves' hand, while Ghost, Soap, and I watched with thoughtful scrutiny. I made my way to stand behind Soap, catching Ghost's eye in the process. He kept silent, though Soap seemed to reflexively stand a bit wider as if to protect me.

come on Void, you're a trained soldier. stop cowering away. I internally chase myself, knowing I do not seem very tough right now.

but fuck him! he bullied me all during training and made my life hell during the short time I was with shadow company. I grit my teeth as he walks over to Ghost and Soap. " haven't seen you boys in awhile, been busy?" he asks.

" very" is Soaps short response.

Graves glanced over Soap's shoulder, catching sight of me. I bit back a profanity as I stepped forward, maintaining a neutral expression. "Sir," I said, my tone slightly mocking.

He grins, although the expression feels more like ridicule to me. "What do you think you're doing here?" he inquires with narrowed eyes as he scrutinizes me. I simply shrug in response and shoot him a challenging look. "Just doing my job, the same as everyone else," I bite out sharply, and my knuckles turn ghostly white from the intensity of my balled fists. Fortunately, Ghost interjects before the mounting tension can get any worse. "We have business to attend to, Graves," he utters.

thank god for you, Ghost. I sigh once Graves attention is turned elsewhere.

As Graves made his way to Alejandro to discuss the next plan, Soap glanced my way with a hint of worry in his eyes. “Are you okay? What’s that about?” he asked, gesturing between me and Graves. I scowled in response, ready to hiss and pounce like an irked cat. “We joined at the same time, went through training together - he’s bullied me the whole way, we have never gotten along". He nodded in understanding and gave Ghost a look. “Well, we don’ like bullies, do we, Ghost?” Ghost simply shook his head in response.

" no. I prefer to teach'em a lesson" Ghost says, his rough voice sending a jolt down my spine. is he... sticking up for me?

Soap beams brightly while patting me on the back. " don' worry lass. we always stick up for our own". I smile in response.

I was feeling an unfamiliar emotion welling up inside me, an emotion I haven't experienced in a long time. Was it happiness? No, it was comfort. A feeling of belonging, something I had been without for a lengthy duration. Soap had known me for less than two days, yet he was behaving like family, like a protective elder brother.

I, as an only child, did not have that experience of a sibling. Rather than attempting to have another baby, my mom and dad devoted themselves completely to me. Was I spoiled? You bet I was, but not with material goods or anything financially valuable. Instead, what I was rich in was parental love and attention. I had complete assurance from them that whatever errors I made would be dealt with through teaching me rather than expressing anger.

I was nine years old when I brought a boy home who I had rescued from a group of bullies on the street. He had an abundance of golden-hued hair. His deep, captivating hazel eyes could melt any heart. Despite his angelic features, one could immediately sense a hardness about him, reflective of the ordeals he had faced. My parents welcomed him in with open arms, likely realizing that I had saved this child in order to provide him solace. He refused to disclose his name, merely content with being referred to as 'SR'. For many years, SR and I would spend days and nights together, often causing some mischievous commotion within our neighborhood.

On my sixteenth birthday, SR came to my house with a small box in hand. We sat on the front porch as I opened it and discovered a galaxy necklace: a circular jewelry piece featuring an unending Void painted on the inside. Our initials – EZ+SR – had been written on the back of this precious item. At this discovery, I could not contain my tears and continued to weep for an hour, cuddled within SR's comforting embrace. "I'm going away soon, off to join the Armed Forces. So, I want you to always remember me, just like I will never forget you", he told me before leaving.

I snap myself from the memory, confused as to why it's popping up now. finding another hole in my heart where he's supposed to be. I don't know where you are, if you're even alive but I will find you, I swear it.

I tug down my vest to bring out the necklace, and my thumb brushes the engraving as I admire it. "Got a man back home lass?" Soap queries with a sympathetic smile playing on his lips. I emphatically shook my head in denial and replied, "No. I don't know where he is." Twirling the necklace around my finger as I struggled to remain focused on our mission at hand - finding Hassan. then, maybe after i can find him. 

Soap became conscious of the gaze Ghost was affording Void, and when she had gone, he strode up to Ghost inquiring "I saw you gawkin' at her there, Lieutenant - do you know her?" His query elicited a feral snarl from the other man, who responded hotly, "Watch your own affairs, Johnny. It's not ya business". To this, Soap chuckled, sending his head into a shaking motion.

[circusmania]

SIN Chapter 6

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘ Notes: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11

⚠️ TW: Religion (Christianity) and manipulation at its finest ⚠️

♡

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

I'm always going to be there,

Even if you don't want me to be.

That night was more so a blur, although I remember crying in Marcus's arms. I remember him softly brushing my hair as my tears poured down. Oh… Judy, Judy, Judy.

Saying your name sounds so foreign.

Going back to school was hard without her. I kept expecting her to run up to me or for me to wake up, but… I never did. All the promises we had made over the years still roll around in my head. Her voice keeps repeating itself over and over.

Omar's hand draped over my shoulder. We were all still grieving… Vanessa was sitting at my side as well. “Have they started planning her funeral yet?” Vanessa asked as she dabbed a napkin on her lower eyelid. “Don't know… I think her parents are making it a private funeral.” Omar replied.

“Oh… I see.” Vanessa's voice wavered. I couldn't blame her, I would've wanted to attend her funeral as well. However, I don't know if I could keep my tears from spilling if I see her again.

It hasn't been a long time since Judy's death, but the talks seem to have died down. Everyone has forgotten about her. No more staring or whispering when I walk through the halls. It all must seem like yesterday's news to them.

“How could they have forgotten her so easily?” I retorted.

“Must be all the disappearance that's been happening. People have learned to move on quickly.” Omar whispered, his hand still on my shoulder.

“Disappearances?” I stop.

How come I haven't heard of any disappearances? I swear I check the news daily, it couldn't have gone over my head.

“Yeah, disappearances. I think there's been 9 in total, and the police have been undergoing numerous investigations. Must be why they dismissed Judy's case so easily.” Vanessa slumped. Her eyes stayed on her used, crumpled napkin.

“But that's not right! Judy was pressured by the fucker who sent out that video!!” “It was a suicide, that's all they needed to know.” Omar sighed.

“Why are you two dismissing this so easily!? Don't you care about Judy?! Don't you want to know who took that video!?” I stood up abruptly.

Omar's hand slipped off my shoulder, and he and Vanessa exchanged a sorrowful look.

I can't believe them.

“We do care… it's just…”

“Just WHAT Omar!? Vanessa, Judy was your friend!”

Vanessa stayed quiet. She rubbed her arm and avoided eye contact.

“I think you should go out for a breath of fresh air.”

“What!? No! I'm letting this go, I-”

“Please…”

Why did Vanessa remind me so much of Judy?

I sighed and complied.

“Okay…”

I took my bag and walked off. Even if I had my back turned, I could still feel their burning stares from behind.

₊˚⊹♡ 🚶🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️♡⊹˚₊

Maybe this is what I needed. I enjoy walking around town and seeing other people live their lives. They seem all so peaceful… It's crazy to think about the fact that there might be a killer on the loose that's causing all those disappearances. It could just as easily be a wild animal… maybe both.

I wonder why it hasn't been broadcasted on the news.

A sudden yell made me snap out of my thoughts. Not far from where I was heading was a man dressed in a white robe in front of a church. The local church was located far from the school and the park I came from. I must've been walking for some while now.

“Repent! Repent! The Lord is coming! He sees your sorrows! He sees all! Repent!”

What a nut job.

I walked closer, it seemed he was passing out Bibles and pamphlets. I walked close enough to catch his attention because in a moment his whole body turned towards me.

“Young man! Oh! The Lord has seen your cries! He listens and watches! Repent, and he'll save you from the claws of Satan!”

Alright, this man was good.

“Alright… uh… is there a sign-up sheet or-”

That made him chuckle.

“No, no son. Every Sunday come to our church, in fact, come whenever you please. Open your heart to God, and he'll save you from whatever grief and pain consumes you.”

He passed me a Bible and a pamphlet.

“Will do… uhm, my name is-”

“I know what your name is, son. The Lord has spoken to me through a dream, he told me to guide you and let you see the light.”

“Uh-huh…”

“My name is Father Pierre. If you have any questions, please, come see me.”

And with that, he turned and went back to yelling in the streets. I put the Bible in my bag and opened the pamphlet.

As I was walking back to Omar and Vanessa, reading through the pamphlet put my mind at ease.

A God who hears my cries and pleases.

A God who'll listen and save me.

I am in need of saving.

“Omar, Vanessa? I'm back.” They turned towards me with a small smile.

“Oh? Back so soon?” Vanessa smiled before noticing the pamphlet.

“What's that?” Omar shot me a glance.

“Oh, I've decided to join the church... or something. I think it'll be good for me to believe in something... have a little hope, you know?”

Vanessa and Omar looked as if they wanted to say something, but they were interrupted by a low voice speaking from behind me.

“You joined the church…?”

I turned around, and of course, it was Marcus.

“Oh, Marcus. Yeah, I have.”

Vanessa and Omar squirmed behind me, I could hear them whispering and imagine them sparing glancing between themselves and between Marcus and me.

“Christians are liars. They manipulate believers into thinking they're worshipping a God. But in reality…” He leaned in closer. “You're just worshipping them.”

“Uhm… like I said… I'm just giving it a shot.”

“You always just give it a shot,” Vanessa mumbled.

“What's that supposed-”

“Point is… I don't think it's good for you to put off all your problems on some God.” Omar interrupted.

“I'll be the judge of that.”

It was silent for a bit before Marcus spoke up.

“Who gave you these?”

I looked back at Marcus, and he was holding the pamphlet and the bible.

“How did you- … erm… It was Father Pierre… I think that's what his name was...”

Marcus, Vanessa, and Omar's faces shifted.

“I heard that he's crazy… people are conspiring that he's the one responsible for all the disappearances,” Vanessa said.

“What-”

“Not only that… he's known for being rather… touchy,” Omar added.

“How would you-”

“Not to mention, he has a past of perjury…” Marcus smiled.

“Stop it! It's my choice to make, not yours! Not too long ago, you two were so dismissive of Judy's death. Well, you two can grieve in whatever way you want! Just let me grieve my way.”

“It's not that… it's the church we have a problem with.” Vanessa advanced towards me with her hand on her chest.

Omar's eyebrows scrunched up, turning his face into a frown. He walked over to me before putting his arm around my shoulder. He turned us around and began walking away.

“Why don't you just sleep on it? It's been hard for you… well, all of us… People tend to go overboard when trying to crawl their way out of a ditch.”

“I know, Omar… but, nothing is set in stone yet. It's good to try new things.”

I stopped and so did Omar. He sighed before taking my hand in his; his thumb caressed my hand gently.

He leaned in and hugged me.

“Just be careful, okay? So many things are going on and… I'd hate for you to make a decision you'd wind up regretting later on.”

“Don't worry Omar. I'll be fine.”

“I hope so.”

He gave me one last smile before he left to go back to Vanessa.

I turned around, and my heart almost jumped out of my chest. Right across the street stood the church with Father Pierre out front. He wasn't wearing his white robe… more like a traditional priest robe. He waved at me, and I couldn't help but wave back.

He had such a gentle demeanour that I couldn't resist.

However, one thought throbbed in the back of my mind.

That church…

It moved.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘ Want to read ahead? Click here!

[ru-fiction]

Discovery: Stiles x Male Reader

Wolf Moon 2

There was a sense of peace as you sat in your room, a calmness that came when you were alone in the comfort of your room.

You were currently reading one of your many vampire tomes. The room was dark, the only illumination came from the single candle on your dresser and your red eyes.

You closed your book when you heard a soft knock on your door. You knew it wasn't your parents, they would have just walked in after knocking so you quickly hid your tome as your eyes turned back to normal.

"Come in!''

Stiles walked into your room with a sheepish smile on his face and a lot of random books.

"I know we're supposed to watch a movie or whatever but would you mind helping me with something?"

He drops the mountain of books on your bed. You pick one up out of curiosity and your heart instantly drops when you read the cover.

"What uh- What is this for?"

You nervously started rubbing your hands over pants because they were starting to get sweaty.

Stiles was also nervous. After the information he got, he was extremely nervous.

"You know how Scott and I went into the woods earlier to look for the body....''

You nodded.

"Well we didn't find it but my dad has the other half. Scott said he heard a wolf last night, my dad's team found animal hairs on the body; the half that they have...."

He was hesitant to continue so you grabbed his hand and pulled him down next to you.

"What's going on?"

"I-I'm not sure but I think Scott is in danger."

He had no idea...

—🧛🏼

The next day Stiles basically dragged you to lacrosse practice, frantically looking for his friend.

"He's probably in the locker room."

Stiles nods frantically before running off in that direction.

You sat on the bench nervously rubbing your hand against your pants, you knew what was happening to Scott but should you tell Stiles? How would he react? Would it really be a good idea to expose him to the supernatural world? Would he be safe if you did?

You were stressing yourself out with all the questions that were floating around in your mind. From your interaction with him the night before, it was clear he had an inkling of what he thought was happening to Scott, he didn't say it but all those books were a dead give away.

The two boys came to the bench, you could hear Stiles frantically trying to tell Scott about what he found but Scott was being sort of dismissive about the information.

Scott headed to the field leaving behind an extremely nervous Stiles.

The team soon gathers around the coach, listening to him talk about what would happen if they make the cut or not. You cover your ears as the team starts to get loud. Stiles was the only one not cheering, instead he was looking worriedly at his friend.

Practice starts as if it were a real match, Jackson bumps into Scott which made you roll your eyes, he was such a jackass. But it made Scott try harder and he ended up making the goal.

Everyone started cheering him on which only made Jackson even more upset.

The coach called him over and you smiled as you heard him say Scott made the first line but then you remembered what sport this was. This was not good...

The dude didn't even know he was a werewolf and now that Jackson was starting to be up his ass, he was definitely going to be provoked.

You looked over at Stiles, whose eyes were already on you. His mouth was open and you could tell how stressed he was about this.

-

Stiles pulled you into his room and instantly went over to his computer, frantically typing.

"Sti-"

"There's something wrong."

He says with a quiver on his voice as he turns to look at you.

"I know...I know I should be happy for him, he's my best friend but I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong...."

He wiped his lips. You went over to stand behind him and slowly rubbed your hands up and down his shoulders to try to calm him.

"Am I crazy?"

"No! No, you aren't."

He scoffs and shakes his head before looking at the screen that showed an article about werewolves.

"Let's take a break."

Stiles shakes his head and looks up at you.

"I can't, I have to make sure my friend is going to be okay."

Stiles looks back at the screen and continues to look at different werewolf facts.

You didn't usually associate yourself with any werewolves besides one on occasion, but for Stiles sake you'd make sure that Scott was safe, especially from them.

The two of you spent the next few minutes looking at different werewolf sites or at least Stiles did.

He was going between different websites and books and started printing out different things that he found.

You heard footsteps coming towards the room but decided not to say anything about them, there was a soft knock on the door before Stiles stood up to open it.

It was Scott smiling, Stiles sighs before motioning for him to come inside. Scott's smile drops slightly as he looks at the mess of books that littered Stiles' room. Scott looks at you for answers and just gets a shrug in return.

"We've been up all night reading. Websites, books-"

"How much Adderall have you had today?

Stiles spins around in his chair looking at the different papers he printed not knowing where to start.

"Doesn't matter. Okay, just listen."

"He's had a lot."

Scott laughs, Stiles rolls his eyes before he continues on his rant.

"Is this about the body? Did they find out who did it?"

Stiles grabs a bunch of papers and faces Scott wanting to just get to the reason why Scott was really here.

"No, they're still questioning people, even Derek Hale."

"Oh, the guy in the woods we saw the other day."

You looked at the two, your eyebrows instantly rose at the sound of Derek's name.

"What did you say?"

Stiles turns his attention to you.

"About what?"

"You never said that you saw Derek in the woods."

"You didn't ask..."

You gave him an annoyed glare.

"I didn't know..."

"Well you...why does this... that's not the point, Scott.."

Stiles turns his worried gaze to Scott.

"Remember the joke from the other day? Not a joke anymore."

Scott's smile completely wipes from his face. He glanced at you for a second before looking back at his friend, who instantly started to speak again.

"The wolf, The bite in the woods, I started doing all this reading. Do you even know why a wolf howls?"

"Should I?"

You sigh, still stuck on the fact that the two interacted with Derek at all. Was he the one who turned Scott? He was the only known wolf you knew about that was still alive. But why would he just randomly bite someone?

You broke out of your thoughts when Scott stood up from the bed looking upset.

"Are you seriously wasting my time with this? You know I'm picking up Allison in an hour."

Scott started picking up his bag.

"I saw you on the field today Scott, okay. What you did wasn't just amazing, all right? It was impossible."

Scott shrugs him off.

"Yeah, so I made a good shot."

"No, you made an incredible shot."

Stiles takes Scott's backpack and places it back on the bed.

"I mean, the way you moved, your speed, your reflexes. People can't just suddenly do that overnight."

Stiles pauses for a moment to see if his friend was processing what he was saying before he started again.

"And don't even think I don't notice that you don't use your inhaler anymore."

"Okay!"

Scott looks at you for help but you didn't know what to say that would be helpful. You knew the truth, Scott was changing there was no stopping it. Scott frowns and looks back at Stiles.

"I can't think about this now. We'll talk tomorrow."

Stiles' eyes filled with panic as he tries to get his friend to listen to him.

"Tomorrow? What? No! The full moon's tonight. Don't you get it?"

"What are you trying to do? I just made first line. I got a date with a girl who I can't believe wants to go out with me."

Stiles sits down to face his computer and you cover your ears as Scott's voice raises slightly.

"Everything in my life is somehow perfect. Why are you trying to ruin it?''

You frowned at those words.

"He's just trying to help.''

"Look I know this must sound insane but...."

The two turned to look at you, Scott's frown deepens and Stiles gives you a half smile and an appreciative nod.

You sighed. As much as you wanted to keep Stiles from finding out about supernaturals, with his friend now being a werewolf and them coming into contact with Derek, it's looking like that won't happen.

"Scott..."

You said in a stern tone. You pushed away the rage inside that you felt when he first entered the room but your body was on fire. He glared at you knowing you were taking Stiles' side, you always did.

"This is serious, You're cursed. Your body is going to go through changes and which I've experienced myself since I'm a va-"

You stopped yourself realizing you almost outted yourself. Stiles eyebrow raised slightly.

"What I mean is it's not just the full moon you have to worry about, anything can trigger it, bloodlust or lust in general, anything that makes your heart race."

"The full moon also happens to be when your bloodlust will be at its peak."

"Bloodlust?"

"Your urge to kill.''

Stiles gazes off to the side, Scott looks between the two of you feeling disappointed.

"I'm already starting to feel an urge to kill, Stiles."

You glare at Scott the instant the words leave his mouth. Stiles pulls out his book that he had been reading the past couple of hours and recited what you had already said.

"I haven't seen anyone raise your pulse like Allison does. You gotta cancel this date. I'm gonna call her right now."

Stiles riffles through Scott's bag and grabs his phone.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm cancelling the date."

"No, give it to me!"

You instantly saw red the moment Scott pushes Stiles into the wall. You rushed from the bed at the speed of light and pushed Scott against the other wall with your arm against his neck. Your eyes were glowing pure red, the light reflecting off the wall. Scott had a scared look on his face when he saw your eyes.

Stiles looks at the scene in shock not knowing how to react. You blink your eyes rapidly and pull away from Scott, your eyes turned back normal but he continues to look at you in fear.

Scott quickly grabs his bag and leaves the room, you take a moment to calm yourself down and hesitantly look at Stiles. He kept looking from the bed to you, not understanding what happened.

"What was that?"

"I have to go."

You quickly walked out of the room leaving behind a gaping Stiles.

—🧛🏽

You straighten your dress shirt and tied up your dress shoes before spraying yourself with cologne. You walked out of your room to find your dad sitting on the couch watching a movie about Dracula which he only criticized.

"Dad?"

He looked up at you with a smile.

"How's my hair, is it fine?"

Your dad gives you a confused nod as he looks at your outfit.

"Where are you going Kiddo?"

"A party..."

Your dad shakes his finger at you.

"No, you're not."

You sighed.

"Dad-"

"No, don't Dad me. Do you know what tonight is..."

You sighed again and said along with him.

"The full moon..."

"The full moon.... exactly."

"But Dad-"

He cuts you off again and starts to pace.

"No, 'But Dads'...there might not be as many wolves as before but there are still wolves in this town not to mention the hunters..."

"You and Mom always tell me I need to go out and do something, anything besides staying in my room."

Your dad looks at you like you grew two heads.

"Yeah, on a normal night!"

You sigh, you didn't have time for this...

"Dad, I have a friend who is in serious danger tonight."

You start to rub your hands against your pants as your dad raises his hands in a big gesture.

"Too bad. You're not going out tonight. I won't allow it."

"But Dad-"

"I said No!"

His voice was dark as he said it, begging to be demanded.

"Fine. You're right."

He sighs as he walks up to you and pats your shoulders.

"I just want you to be safe."

You nodded with a sad look on your eyes. He starts to feel guilty.

"How about I make you some ice cream..hmm?"

You nodded at him with a forced smile. He walks to the kitchen to make the desert and when he comes back you're gone. He lets out an annoyed sigh when he sees the front door open.

—🧛

You entered Jackson's house with no problem, luckily you had been there before and didn't have to deal with the limitations that came with being a creature of the dead or half dead.

You walked into the party instantly feeling like you didn't belong, it was super crowded and it felt claustrophobic but you pushed through trying to find Scott, didn't take you too long because he was stumbling into the building holding his head in agony.

You noticed how Stiles instantly broke off his conversation to check on his friend. You started to follow behind Scott trying to keep a close eye on him as he passed people who looked worried about his well-being.

You followed him out of the house watching as he bumped into people and stumbled on his way down the stairs, you could smell the sweat from his body.

Allison followed soon after but Scott had already gotten to his car and drove off.

"Allison."

You turned your head in the direction of the voice, it was Derek Hale. You were going to walk up to him but he signaled to you with his eyes that he meant no harm and nods his head towards where Scott was headed.

"Did you do it?"

You whispered, he shook his head before nodding towards the car again. You sighed but nodded before chasing after the car.

-

You ran up towards his door and knocked hoping he would answer, you could hear the water running so you knew he was there but no one answered. You heard footsteps behind you and found Stiles standing there with a worried look on his face.

"Checking on Scott?"

You nodded. He points to the open window.

"Lets go."

The two of you crawled into the house and walked towards the direction of the running water.

"Hey, how'd you get here so fast? There's no other car outside."

You sighed.

"We're here for Scott.."

"Yeah, but-"

You knocked on the door to the bathroom.

"Go away!"

"Scott, I'm here to help you. I know you're scared right now but I'm going to help you."

Stiles tries to push through the door but Scott pushes back.

"Scott let me in, we wanna help."

"No! Listen, you gotta find Allison.''

"She's fine, Derek's taking her home."

He panics at the sound of his name.

"It's Derek, Derek Hale is the werewolf. He's the one that bit me."

"It's not Derek..."

"Yes..yes it is. He's the one that killed the girl in the woods. Please..."

You spoke softly trying to get him to listen, you don't know anything about the body since you haven't seen it but you knew Derek from the times you've bumped into each other and you believed him, there's no way he bit Scott.

"Scott, He didn't do it."

The door slammed shut and there was silence for a moment but then you heard the window open and the whistle of the wind.

"Damn it, Scott."

You punched the door feeling frustrated from today's events.

"I did not plan on spending my Friday chasing werewolves."

"Where are you going?''

Stiles follows after you as you leave the house, he didn't even want to mention the hole you left in the bathroom door. He secretly glanced at your hand as you balled your fists tightly.

"I'm going to find your friend and hope I can get to him before they do."

"Who's they?"

You don't answer and just sped off leaving an extremely confused Stiles.

"What the hell is happening?"

—🧛🏻

You found yourself in the middle of the forest looking for Scott, you were so done with today and ready to take a long nap after.

Your eyes were glowing bright, illuminating the surrounding trees in red as you shift your eyes around, looking for any signs of Scott.

You had stopped by the store and bought a rope and pocket knife just in case.

You were about to give up when you heard rustling coming from deeper in the woods, it sounded a lot like someone yelling?

Oh shit!

You quickly rushed to where you heard the yelling making sure to stay in the shadows.

When you got to the clearing you saw Scott with his arm pinned to the tree by an arrow, across from him were three men, the people you were told to look out for, The Hunters.

"Take him."

You took that as your opportunity to act, you took the rope that was in your hand and sped around the men and tied them with the rope before quickly pulling the arrow out of Scott's arm and speeding away from the hunters so that they couldn't see you.

Scott groaned.

"I know, I know! It'll be over soon."

When you were safely away you let Scott go, he ran up to a tree and leaned against it, Derek joined you soon after.

"I'm surprised your parents let you out tonight."

You sighed and shrugged.

"They didn't."

You turned your gaze over to Scott who was breathing heavily.

"You okay?"

He ignored your question to ask one of his own.

"Who were they?"

"Hunters."

Derek says with a pause.

"The kind that has been haunting us for centuries."

Derek motions between the two of you as he says that. Scott looks at you and watches as your eyes glow brighter. The fear he had before was now replaced with curiosity.

"Us?"

His curiosity turns to anger.

"You were in on this? You knew he did this to me?"

Derek holds his hand against Scott pushing him back into the tree.

"He.."

Derek points at you.

"Had nothing to do with this."

Scott looks confused again as he looks between you and Derek.

''Is it really so bad, Scott? That you can see better, hear more clearly, move faster than any human could ever hope?"

Scott holds his arm near him, he looks frightened as Derek steps closer to him.

It was your instinct to hate his kind, it's basically in your blood but at the end of the day he was a friend, well friend of a friend but you couldn't hate him.

You stop Derek from speaking and kneel down so that you were looking into Scott's eyes, yours were finally back to normal.

"I know it's a lot to take in. But I am going to help you."

You said softly.

"Let me take you home."

Scott stares at your hand for a moment before taking it and letting you take him home. Derek goes to say something but you hold your hand out to him and shake your head. He sighs then heads in the direction of his house.

-

Later that night Your parents had grounded you the moment you stepped foot into the house so you were currently in your room reading.

You were however broken out of your trance when you heard the sound of rocks hitting the window.

You sighed and opened the window, catching the rock that was currently thrown.

"Yes Stiles?"

"Let me in!"

He yells in a whisper not wanting your parents to hear but they could hear him just fine.

"I'm grounded."

"What? Why?!"

You shrug.

"Because I wasn't supposed to be out tonight."

He tilts his head and pouts. You shake your head and roll your eyes before jumping down from your window. Stiles panics for a moment and hurries to catch you.

"What the hell is wrong with you?''

You laugh as Stiles places you down.

"I would have caught myself."

You took a moment to calm yourself before asking...

"So what's up?"

Stiles wipes his mouth not knowing what to say or how to word it so he just goes for it.

"What happened tonight? In the span of a few days I found out one of my friends just became a werewolf and the other is... Is...."

"A vampire."

"A vamp- wait what!"

He looks at you in a mix of shock and excitement.

"Wha- why didn't you tell me?"

"Well for one you never asked."

He tilts his head as if to say 'really.' You laugh a little before getting serious.

"And for two. I didn't want you to be involved in this."

You frown.

"I wanted to keep you as far away from this as I could."

"But why?"

"Because it's not fun. Scott might be good at Lacrosse now but it comes with a price. It's dangerous, there are people who want to kill us."

"They?"

"Yeah, They."

You sigh again for what felt like the millionth time today.

"Look, Sti. I'm going to look after your friend, I can't really teach him how to be a werewolf, but I can stop him whenever he wolfs out."

He nods but he still seemed worried.

"This has to stay between us."

He nods frantically.

"Yeah, of course."

You smile at him and pull him into a hug.

"Good! I'll see you at school."

He nods slowly but stops you by the arm when you try to go through the front door.

"Thanks for uh..for helping me the other day."

He smiles at you and gets one back.

"Of course, I always have your back."

"Well, good night."

"Night."

—🧛🏿

[vodkathegreat]

Caught passerine! Wilbur x reader Pt.2

Tw: none! Just teeth rotting fluff

"Oh god..." Those words were the only ones that came out of Techno's mouth, he quickly covered up Tommy's eyes and closed the door. The embarrassment that washed over you was indescribable, however Wilbur froze, he was so shocked he couldn't talk. "it's over for us, isn't it?" He said, tears were forming in his eyes after which they rolled down his cheeks. He quickly pulled out of you, got dressed and then dressed you up as well. The next thing he knew, his dad showed up, "We have to talk and you know about what." Phil said coldly, Wilbur knew what was going to happen. "Stay here, Dear..." He patted your head and quickly walked out, leaving you alone.

"What did I told you, Wilbur..." Phil was disappointed, his monotone voice spoke up to Wilbur. "I know..." Wil wasn't brave enough to look his father into his eyes. "You knew... And still you ignored my words..." The young man quickly looked up, "You don't understand me! I'm a grown man, you can't just tell me who I can love!" His father stood up, "Listen, I thought I could trust you... You can't just love a girl who is in a league far below us, If you know what I mean!" Wilbur was quiet, he didn't knew what to say. "I'm going to make sure that this girl won't be able to see you, Ever again!" Phil sighed, "You're dismissed."

You were still sitting in his room, you weren't alone for a long time because Techno walked in. His expression was very... Unpleasant at least. He looked very sorry as he looked down at you. "You seem very nice, you know...?" His soft yet firm voice spoke. "Well, Thank you" You smiled at him gently. "I think Wilbur told you about our father, haven't he?" You just looked up at him, his pink long hair were covering almost half of his face. "He did..." Techno laughed, "Yet still he couldn't stop himself even thought he knew Phil was here. Look, I want Wilbur to be happy... I actually was wondering why he was so bubbly and giggly lately... Turns out he was seeing you." He was smiling to himself. "We won't be seeing eachother anymore, right?" The pink haired man frowned. "Well yes, I doubt that... But you managed to slip into his room these past few months, it's kind of impressive." Before you could answer, Wilbur entered the room, you could see his gaze soften when he looked at you. "My Darling... You have to leave..." Techno looked sad, that was all you could tell from his expression that you barely ever saw change. Wilbur's eyes swelled up with tears, looking at you. Tommy came in, "Our father wants to see you..." His energetic voice spoke through.

You were scared that's all you could think about. Walking throught the long hallways of the castle until you reached his office. "Sit down..." Phil spoke as you looked up at him. "I can't even think about you seeing my son..." He sighed, "I'm going to make sure, he will fall in love in someone else, someone who is more worthy of him than you." You were focusing on his voice, the words sounded unreal. "Yes, sir." You were frightened, you walked past Wilbur's chamber, looking inside. "Last goodbye?" A soft smile appeared on your face as he ran into you, crying into your shoulder. "D-Dont go, My Dear..." Wilbur sniffled out as Techno and Tommy pulled Wilbur away. "See you soon" You said without hesitation, you were going to come back, of course you were! "See you soon?" Techno just smirked as you were walking away.

You waited through the next couple of weeks, his heart was aching for you, he was hugging his pillows just to think you were with him, he was doing that for nothing... Nothing compared to you... Weeks flew by, you were just checking up on him from time to time after which you were brave enough to see him again.

"Techno!" You climbed throught his window, you looked desperate, his eyes were wide open. "Y/n...? You came here for Wilbur, you came back!" His smile was wide, you never seen him so happy. "So he's home?" You asked, still hanging on the window frame to Techno's chamber. "He is, you're lucky Dad's not home he went away for 3 days..." He quickly pulled you inside, "Be careful, there are so many guards, wait let me lead you..." He carefully took your hand in his, leading you out of his chamber to Wilbur's. "Here you go, run to him!" Techno laughed softly.

Wilbur was sitting next to his desk, scribbling something down, tears running down his face when he heard the door of his chamber open. "Missed me?" He quickly sprung out of his chair, hearing the familiar voice of his Darling. Wilbur froze he couldnt control his excitement. "Oh god..." Your arms were open for him, he quickly ran into them, crying again but this time out of luck. He looked rough is all you can say, he had a stubble of a moustache, his eyes were puffy, his hair were messy. "I thought you were dead! Why weren't you showing up?!" He sobbed out. "I was waiting for the perfect moment and here I am..." You were holding him so tightly as he started to sloppily kiss you. "You're going to stay over, right?!" He was looking so happy, looking at you with hope "of course..." Those were the last words said out loud before both of you fell asleep, holding each other tightly. Tommy and Techno walked into the room again, looking at their brother so happy again and smiling at each other. "She's the 'Darling' that he was writing about in his poems, huh?" Techno smiled at Tommy.

________________________

An: IM FUCKING ALIVE AGAIN, SCHOOL IS KILLING ARTISTS IM GOING TO POST MORE AS SOON AS I'LL BE ABLE TO!

[love4-bunny]

She acts like a woman should

Chapter 2: Tea for two

Mature

Ao3 link

1 , 2, 3

tag list:

@ydrance

@captain-natey

@amyina

@youre-ackermine

The girl was crying silently in the water, her head down, and holding her knees. She was in excruciating pain, like if she had been stabbed in the stomach. She allows herself to sink even farther, shrinking back and putting her head between her knees.

"Petra, don't exaggerate; you're crying like you're going to die," her grandma replied, tying her increasingly graying hair in a low bun as she always did. "I can't imagine how your father would have handled these women's issues if you had stayed with him." She knelt in the tub and sprinkled a few drops of fragrant salt into the water. Petra brushed her tears away and wiped her swollen nose.

"I know, grandma," Petra said, her voice shaking. "But it's just so overwhelming sometimes. I feel like I can't handle everything that's expected of me." She took a deep breath and leaned back against the tub, letting the warm water soothe her pain.

"It happens to all of us at some point in our lives, Petra; you'll get used to it," she added as she handed her a towel to dry off. "You've grown into a full woman, my girl; now you have the gift of conceiving."

Petra nodded; her eyes downcast. "I know, grandma. It's just a lot to take in all at once." She wrapped the towel around herself and stood up.

While she dressed, her grandma told her all she needed to know so that she could give herself proper hygiene and care each month, especially that she didn't have to discuss it with any guys because it was exclusively a matter between women. It was not necessary for men to be aware of it. Petra was comfortable in her blankets, and her grandma had put the warm milk on her bedside table.

Petra thanked her grandma for the information and promised to take care of herself.

"What if I don't want to have children?" says the girl with a pout. Petra was only interested in spending time with her new friend, Nifa. "Why do I need to have them? I have been told it is painful."

"They all say that at first," she said as she sat next to Petra while arranging the pillows for her. "Your mother complained about it all the time, and then she got pregnant with the first—" the lady dismissed it by waving her hand in the air. "Well, at least in your case it will be different. Right Petra?," Her demeanor left no space for any questioning.

Petra sighed and looked down at her lap. She wasn't sure if she was ready for the responsibility of having children, but she didn't want to disappoint the older woman either. "I guess you're right," she said quietly, still unsure. The woman smiled warmly and patted her hand. "Don't worry, Petra. We'll figure it out together."

This morning at breakfast, at which Levi excused himself by saying he was busy this morning, leaving the residence before the family gathered for breakfast together, he left only a note in his room.

Petra couldn't help but wonder what he was up to and if he was avoiding them on purpose. However, she quickly pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the note in front of her.

Her grandfather had arrived in time for tea. He was a small, robust guy, shorter than her grandma. He had a large beard and a pair of round glasses. Despite having a slightly harsh face, the guy emanated total joy; he was enthusiastic and kind, and when she was tiny, she enjoyed listening to him talk about his adventures when he was young. He gets along quite well with her dad, and, of course, over time they became good friends. They would meet up, drink beer together, and play cards. Despite the age difference, they always found common ground and enjoyed each other's company. Petra would have preferred that her grandma got along with her father too, but you can't have everything in life. Petra's father and her grandmother had a strained relationship, which sometimes made family gatherings uncomfortable. However, Petra was determined to focus on the positive and enjoy the time she had with her father. She hoped that one day her father and grandmother would be able to reconcile their differences and come together as a family.

As she handed him a cup of tea, he thanked her and complimented her. Petra smiled sweetly. As they sat down for tea, her grandfather pulled out the newspaper.

"We're on the front page of every newspaper," he stated as he held up that morning's local paper. With his finger, he switched the page to read the widely circulated story. "Doesn't it amaze you how fast the news flies these days, Aileen?"

Aileen nodded in agreement and took a sip of her tea. She couldn't believe how quickly Petra and Levi's engagement became public knowledge. "Uh-huh," his wife said, busy writing in the red notebook of the family finances. Petra observed the woman completing the numbers, occasionally using a tiny book by her side. It was one of the principal reasons Joseph kept her in control of business; he would merely sign the documents, trusting his wife's judgment totally.

Petra wondered if she and Levi could ever achieve such a degree of trust and ease with each other. Petra knew that building such a relationship took time and effort, but she was willing to work towards it. She made a mental note to talk to Levi about their future plans and aspirations as a couple and as parents.

She came to the conclusion that if she didn't want to be disappointed, she shouldn't get her hopes up too early. After all, the women stayed at home to care for the kids while the men went to work. Petra also realized that it was important to have open and honest communication with Levi in order to build a strong foundation for their relationship. Additionally, they would need to find a balance that worked for both of them. The military captain was overworked and unable to care for their children. Her mind had a sudden idea.

She pondered her chances of being a successful soldier.

She said to herself,

Stupid, women are not supposed to participate in war; don't fool yourself. How will they accept you?

"But you didn't even take a look at how pretty our Petra is looking here."

"If you don't mind, I'm busy planning our granddaughter's wedding," she reprimanded severely. "Unless you want to get off your ass and help me”, she added with a hint of annoyance.

Petra observed Levi finally arriving in the living room; Joseph flashed him a welcoming smile, and Levi returned with a little nod. The two women wish him a good day. Today will be a busy one.

Petra couldn't remember the last time she dated a man, and while she was aware of the dating do’s and don'ts, the captain walking beside her struck her as odd. "At least they clean the horse shit well in this place," the only thing he said as they wandered the streets of the capital looking for a jewelry store for engagement rings.

She was frustrated by the captain's lack of verbal exchange, but Petra tried to make the best of it by admiring the beautiful architecture around them. Hoping they could have a more meaningful conversation once they found the perfect ring.

Aside from unsweetened tea and cleaning, what did the man enjoy? She refused to live with a stranger and told him she needed to get to know him first. He appeared to understand and respect her boundaries, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about him. She had no intention of falling in love with him; she was content to be friends, but he's making it difficult for her.

The men she used to hang out with used to fall for the same old trick: a nice smile, complacency, appearing interested in their chatter, and laughing at their bad jokes. She had them trapped with her nice cleavage and flirtatious look. But this guy was unusual. He didn't seem to be falling for her usual dirty tricks, which both stressed and intrigued her. She wondered if he saw through her facade or if he was simply uninterested in her. She refused to believe Levi was any different from any other man. She'd have to take the initiative and be more active than usual this time. Perhaps she could suggest a fun activity for them to do together or ask some questions about his interests. She didn't want to come on too strong, but she also didn't want to waste her time on someone who wasn't interested in knowing her beyond the surface.

"Have you always been this quiet, Levi?" She inquired, hoping to strike up a conversation.

"I think I talk enough," Levi replied, shrugging.

She sensed his aversion to small talk, but she was determined to break through his shell. "So, I'm glad you're speaking up now. So, what do you enjoy doing for fun?" She tried once more.

"So, tell me, did you attend a man-pleasing academy or were you always like this?"

Surprised by the man's abrupt change in tone and inappropriate remark. Petra realized this was going to be more difficult than she had anticipated.

"From the academy," she replied without hesitation. Trying to ease the tension, she asked, "Have you ever had a partner? I'm intrigued because I don't believe you have the temperament to deal with a lady, and it only took me a day to figure that out."

The man fixed his gaze on Petra. "Well, I guess you're right," he admitted. "I've never had a 'proper romantic relationship,' but I'm willing to learn. Perhaps you could teach me a thing or two about dealing with a 'lady' like yourself" He proceeded to say.

The sarcasm made Petra roll her eyes, she needed to teach him some etiquette. Petra was perplexed as to how this man had gotten so far in life without any social skills. She decided to give him a chance to show him how to be a gentleman. Petra suggested they begin with a dinner date and work their way up from there. She hoped he would use the opportunity to improve himself and his company in the future, or she would have headaches.

Levi cast a sidelong glance at her before returning his attention to the luxury store in front of them. Petra couldn't help but notice how out of place he looked among the expensive merchandise as they entered the store. She was curious if he had ever visited a store like this before. Nonetheless, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and hoped for the best.

All types of jewelry and accessories with eye-catching and sophisticated designs were displayed in glass showcases. Petra walked around admiring the pieces as the man awkwardly followed her. She could tell he was uncomfortable, and Petra hoped she could stop feeling awkward around him as well.

The store owner immediately attended to them, trying to hide her delight at seeing them. Levi and Petra both had no preferences. To be honest, neither of them was excited about the prospect of marriage.

They went with the classic design of a simple gold band, the simplest and plainest they could find. Petra couldn't help but feel a twinge of negativity again. After the brief interaction, they turned down every offer of expensive jewelry from the lady. Her wedding day had always seemed grand and romantic to her, but now it seemed like just another mundane task to cross off the list.

Petra directs Levi to the restaurant. When they found one with a second floor and a balcony, they were able to sit away from the few people in the place. Levi sat down at the table for two without saying anything. Petra intended to push his chair away from him so he could sit first, as the men did with her, more as a joke to break the ice. It didn't work; of course, it didn't.  Petra laughed as she imagined herself in the role of the ‘man’ She didn't object to the idea, and Levi raised an eyebrow at her.

Astonished at herself by covering her mouth. Petra had never been one to challenge gender norms, but something about Levi's peculiar attitude made her want to break out of her shell. She wondered if he would be open to a more unconventional dynamic between them. However, she quickly dismissed the thought as too risky and instead decided to stick to the traditional script for the evening.

"I wasn't laughing at you," she said as the waiter passed the menu to Levi, who immediately handed it to her.

"Forget it; choose for both of us."  Petra felt a sense of relief wash over her as she took the menu. She knew that Levi's passivity was a reflection of his preference for her to take charge. She smiled to herself, feeling empowered by the opportunity to lead the evening. But on the other hand, Petra felt a pang of disappointment at Levi's dismissive response. She couldn't help but wonder if he was worth the effort of trying to break out of her comfort zone because Levi simply looked at her with a blank expression, making Petra feel foolish for trying.

As they sat down to eat, Petra couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. If going through the motions was all there was to life, she questioned whether this was what she really wanted. Perhaps there was still time to make her wedding day truly special and meaningful. She decided to focus on enjoying the evening and not let Levi's behavior ruin her mood. Maybe it was better to just enjoy the night and move on.

Petra made a quick order for the first thing she saw on the menu, and she picked a wine. She was bored, but to her shock, Levi was the one who spoke first.

"I understand that this is unfair and that you are not to blame. Sorry that I acted like an immature brat," She was taken aback by his apology, but she decided to accept it and move forward. They both wanted to find one person to blame for the entire situation. The order wasn't given by Levi, and Petra didn't submit her application to be a candidate either. Both of them were opposed to this.

After the Reiss tragedy, the sole survivor was a 10-year-old girl identified as Historia Reiss. The commander of the three regimes, along with the military committee, would remain in control until the girl was at least 15 years old to take over the throne. The decision to have Historia take over the throne was met with mixed reactions, with some questioning her ability to rule at such a young age. However, others saw it as an opportunity for change and a chance to break away from the corrupt monarchy.

Then it emerged that the monarchy was desperate to preserve the blood of Levi Ackerman as well. They couldn't risk it, not when they were in the midst of the war. No matter how powerful and agile Levi Ackerman was, he continued to be tied, by definition, to a simple mortal. This led to a debate among the people about the importance of bloodlines in ruling and whether they should be a factor in determining who sits on the throne or has power. Others insisted that preserving the purity of bloodlines was essential for upholding stability and tradition, while some insisted that ability and merit should be the only criteria.

When Petra wrote her father a letter informing him of her wedding plans a week ago, his simple response of "come home, we need to talk" caused a knot in her throat. She had anticipated some pushback, but not to this extent. As she walked back home, she couldn't help but wonder what her father would say and how he would react. She was well aware that he would dismiss the idea.

She took the carriage to her father's modest estate. The memories flooded back, both pleasant and distressing. Although she would have preferred to wear trousers, she had no choice but to raise the long skirt to avoid walking in horse shit and to keep mud from ruining her boots.

She took a deep breath and knocked, her heart pounding with anticipation. She couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over her as she waited for her father to respond. What if he doesn't agree with her decision? What if he abandons her? She pushed those thoughts aside, reminding herself that she was an adult with the authority to make her own decisions.

When he opened the door, she hugged him tightly and pressed her face against his chest. Her father's embrace was soothing and warm, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her. She knew that no matter what his reaction was, he loved her and would ultimately support her.  The same way he did when she was a child, he cradled her in his arms. He had a more severe expression when they were done hugging—the one he wore when getting into trouble.

He warned her, "Don't get so comfortable, young lady; I haven't forgotten about it," as they sat on the porch of the old home. In worry, he grabbed Petra by the shoulders. "I believe you're too young to get married. You have no idea how concerned I am about your abrupt engagement." Petra tried to reassure him, explaining how she was ready to take the next step. Her father listened attentively but remained skeptical. "I only want what's best for you," he finally admitted, "and I'm not sure this is it."

Karl was still blind to the fact that Petra, whom he had raised through childhood, was no longer his little girl. She was the one who laughed loudly even as she climbed trees and played in the mud, unconcerned about getting soiled, even if she knew she would get reprimanded. In order to avoid ending up dirty, Petra now raised her skirt and took careful steps. She made additional precautionary movements. She was no longer his Petra; she was now a porcelain doll. The messy, spirited kid from the past wasn't there anymore. Petra knew that her father's protective nature was rooted in love, but she also hoped that one day he would see her as the capable and independent woman she had become.

"Everything will be fine, Dad. I'll pay your doctor as soon as I get access to the funds, and we'll work together to improve the farm." Petra's voice was steady and confident, but her father was still concerned about her. She couldn't blame him; he'd always been there for her. She knew it was time to prove herself and show him that she was capable of handling things on her own.

“You don't need to do that, Petra, he said.”

"You're right; I don't have to; I want to. With a lovely smile, Petra encouraged her father, "Have faith in me." She knew this was her chance to shine and make a genuine difference on the farm. She was ready to take on the challenge and turn the family farm into a thriving success with her father's support.

She then turned to face Levi Ackerman, who was seated across from her, and studied his features. Petra never considered using the adjectives ‘pretty’ and miserable, jovial and mature at the same time to describe a man. She was aware that he was in his early 30s, and when she realized that they were at least ten years apart in age, her initial feeling was one of rejection. That sort of thing happened all the time, and if the woman was older than the men, it was even frowned upon. She was entering young adulthood, and Levi was approaching the end of it, so the two of them were estranged not only by lifestyle but also because they were in different stages of life. It would take forever to list all the aspects in which they differed from one another.

She has frequently heard other women use the phrase ‘opposites attract’ But in their case, it appeared that their disagreements only served to make them more awkward with each other. Petra held a tiny sliver of hope that maybe someday they could overcome the differences and find common ground in spite of the distance between them. She felt like he was ice and she was fire. A fleeting thought crossed her mind: "If I get just close enough, will I be able to melt this man?" Petra knew it was unlikely.

To build up her courage, Petra took a few long sips from her wine glass. She asked hesitantly, "Why me? Aside from the obvious fact that you're doing it for money and because the government is pressuring you," she said, holding her breath as she awaited his reply. Before responding, the man sitting across from her reclined in his chair and took a deep breath.

"Among all the candidates, there is only one reason: one of my subordinates is your friend."

It had to be a terrible joke.

Unexpectedly, a man walked up to their table, and Petra instantly recognized him despite his civilian clothing. Levi shifted his facial expression to one of irritation.

"Excuse me, commander, but we are in the middle of a private conversation," said Petra calmly. Nile ignored her.

"Then it's true," he smirked. "This underground scum is going to settle down," he said in a mocking tone, crossed his arms, and looked directly at the famous captain.

Petra's anger over the man's disrespect made her blood boil. Levi Ackerman's crimes in the underworld, whether committed alone or in groups, caused the military police a lot of trouble for years. Petra, unlike the military police, had no further information. She made a mental note to ask him later about his criminal past; she had a right to know.

"Nile," Levi grunted, "what are you doing bringing your pig-ass face all the way out here? Did your wife kick you out of the house again?." Levi could be seen becoming enraged, but Petra knew they couldn't afford to start a fight in front of other people.

Nile smiled while displaying his teeth. "Well, I just so happened to run into the man who went from being Erwin's lap rat to the puppet of the government."

Petra clenched her fists, feeling the urge to defend Levi. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that she needed to ignore petty insults. Nile looked at Petra, who had a serious expression. Levi didn't get to answer because Petra intervened.

"I suggest you watch your words, sir. Levi has done more for humanity than you ever will," she said firmly. "And I was having a nice date with my fiancé. So, if it's not too much trouble, I invited you to take your shitty attitude elsewhere." She uttered each word with venom, intensely glaring at Nile.

Nile was struck dumb; he closed and opened his mouth several times but decided to say nothing. He shook his head in defeat and embarrassment.

"Pardon me, Miss Ral, I'm not going to keep you any longer. Enjoy your date," he mumbled under his breath. "Now I know why they are getting married."

Petra turned to Levi and slammed her hand on the table, making the glasses of wine and the candles shake. Levi watched her in fascination. "I can't believe it; how dare he come here and ruin our evening?" She was furious, "saying all those things about you! That damn jerk! Didn't they teach him how to behave in front of a lady?" That's when Petra heard Levi almost laugh.

"What's so funny?" she demanded.

"Sorry, it's just that I never thought I'd see you get so worked up over something like this," Levi replied with a grin. "But don't worry, I'm not going to let him ruin our night. Let's just enjoy our dinner and forget about him." Petra's anger dissipated as she realized he was right.

She smiled and took a sip of her wine. "I guess I do care what people think of you." They continued their meal.