#caps lock aside yeah i really need to do more stuff with my sun and moon aus especially this one

[soleilxe]

GYAAHHH I DIDNT THINK PEOPLE WOULD MAKE STUFF BASED ON THIS AU??? AND A FANFIC TOO?? HOLY SHIT I LOVE THIS SO MUCH THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

So, lately, I’ve been thinking of how Sun and Moon will look like in the Ruins DLC next year, and the art of potential designs I’ve been seeing was getting my own gears turning. So, after a bit of time and work, here’s a bit of an explanation for my new, hopefully-somewhat-original AU design of Shattered Sun and Molten Moon! It’s pretty long though so I’ll put the explanation and standalone pictures under the read more!

After the events of Security Breach’s true-ending (the one with Peepaw Willy actually in it), the animatronics infected with the Afton Virus are finally freed! Bad news is, the mall is completely ruined and basically unsalvageable in the eyes of Fazbear Entertainment. They take stuff that’s only of value to them, and to the robot’s dismay, they’re seen as too expensive to fix and left to rot in what remains of the PizzaPlex.

All of them took it hard, but Sun and Moon arguably took it the worst. Even though they were mainly seen as weirdos by the staff and nightmare-fuel by the children they watched over, they were incredibly sociable and didn’t take extended non-contact from people well. While they were both the most hopeful that someone will come back for them (Moon cracking just a tad before Sun, though), after seven months since the mall’s closing, they realized the full extent of their situation and broke down completely. Since then, they locked themselves in the Daycare, Moon doing his best to comfort Sun but, sometimes in the middle of the night during their charging times, Sun could hear how his other-half softly weeped. It didn’t help that Roxy, Monty, and Chica still didn’t like them that much…or at all, and poor DJMM wasn’t able to make it through the fire, getting crushed by rubble. All the two had were themselves. That was, until a year later

You (Y/N) are a big fan of exploring abandoned sites, and consider yourself a well-experienced urban explorer. With a backpack full of snacks, water, and other equipment, you set off secretly to the PizzaPlex in hopes of making a video searching around the place for your channel. (sorry you’re a Youtuber in this AU. If it helps you feel any better you got a bronze play button you can hit people with) While you were just expecting to find some random shit strewn about, what you absolutely DID NOT anticipate was falling straight into the Daycare from an upper floor to find Sun and Moon, looking incredulous at your arrival before breaking out into hysterical joy for finally seeing another person. At first, you played along with their games since, while they were fucking creepy as hell when you three first met, they were endearing and you were curious. But as the overnight stay became another day at the mall, and another night, you began to realize something was up with them.

Thanks to the isolation and loneliness they experienced, both Sun and Moon refuse to let you go. While they wouldn’t go far as to kill others in jealousy or hurt you on purpose, they had become downright yanderes with how possessive they are over you and their obsession driving them more and more crazy. Despite the other animatronics being fine, the two insisted that they were still bloodthirsty monsters and could kill you, even when you knew that that wasn’t the case at all. Rations that aren’t spoiled, still left in the kitchen, are starting to run low, and you ate/drank the rest of your snacks and water a bit ago. You were beginning to starve, but since they themselves can’t leave the mall thanks to how they recharge, Sun and Moon beg you to just stay and they’ll figure out everything. You aren’t taking their shit anymore, and run off to free yourself from the Plex. But Sun and Moon are smart; they already blocked the normal exits like  doors and windows, even some holes in the ceiling, but what they didn’t expect was how resourceful you are. Now, it’s up to you to get yourself out of the mall by your lonesome, since Sun and Moon were surprisingly stronger than the other animatronics and dispatched them easily, or allow the mall to be your grave.

Uuuh that sounded like a video-game summary LMAO anyways, here’s some other tidbits too!

Sun and Moon got the most banged-up treatment from the fire in this AU. First, Moon was in-charge hopping around and trying to find a way out. Suddenly, the floor underneath him broke, causing him to fall right into a sharp piece of metal, and since the heat was already making his body melt, it cut right through his right leg and it split up right around the area beneath his knee joint. While he was trying to climb back up and out of the firepit, his arms were starting to split as well thanks to the overwhelming temperature. His left arm disconnected itself way up into his forearm, while his right thankfully only got up near his elbow joint. The final blow was when Moon finally got out and was attempting to escape out of a hole in the ceiling, but a fiery beam came crashing straight into the middle of his faceplate. It obviously cracked and left some of his endoskeleton exposed, allowing the fire to make him look almost two-headed. The rest is just the remains of his endoskeleton, barely covered up in a bit of paint but mainly in debris and dust.

(I’m going to give credit to @icedmetaltea for this idea because it’s legit awesome and i like it a lot /gen) Sun and Moon moving sounds like the Wheelers from the Return of Oz, with their horrible scraping noise thanks to the lack of silicone the two have now on their bodies. Their voice is also a bit messed-up, sometimes pitching down-and-up randomly but still sounding like dear Kellen most of the time lol.

Sun and Moon now have a noticeable limp, but they can still move fast and agile as hell.

The hole in the middle of their head is supposed to look somewhat akin to an eye! Originally, I was going to have their eye (right for Sun and left for Moon) be extended into one large eye, but any time I tried to make it work, it just looked goofy lmao. It should be noted though that Sun’s and Moon’s eyeballs melted away, leaving the small light of their pupils left.

Their wrist ribbons are slimmer because the fire destroyed a majority of the fabric on them too. They still have their bells somehow, though!

I’d love to hear people’s thoughts on this AU of mine, and I’d also love to hear your ideas on what you think Sun and Moon will look like in the DLC. This AU might become incredibly outdated, but I just like me some angst LOL Hope ya’ll like it!

(also i just realized that i used the word "fine" twice in that last picture. fUCK.)

Edit: FORGOT TO MENTION SORRY!! The expressions are from @/capochiino! See them here! https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/capochiino/677100713037463552?source=share

[fruitcoops]

Ok so what sbout remus/sirius being too sick to go to an away game so the other one has to go alone, and then tons of facetime conversations and "get well soon" videos from the team?

This is related to this fic about Remus and Finn bonding over terrible reporters--hope you enjoy! SW credit goes to @lumosinlove, and the Loops/ Talker bonding is for @lee-1012!

TW for illness

“You don’t look so good.” Remus frowned as he held the inside of his wrist against Sirius’ forehead. “And you definitely have a fever.”

“Non.” Sirius sat up on his elbows with a groan, then almost immediately flopped back down.

“Yes.” He leaned back on his heels and checked the clock—they had two hours before they had to be at the airport. “Baby, I don’t think you should—”

“ ‘m going.”

“It’s not a good—”

“Gotta go. Games.” Sirius cracked one glassy eye open. “Two weeks away. I’ll take the first couple days off.”

Remus sighed through his nose and brushed his sweaty hair out of his eyes. “You shouldn’t go on the plane if you’re sick. Not just for your sake, but for the rest of us. We don’t need everyone to come down with this.”

He received a halfhearted glare in response, but Sirius finally huffed and curled on his side to nuzzle against his thigh. “I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too, baby,” Remus said quietly, bending to kiss his temple. They hadn’t been apart for that long since before he was a player, nearly a year prior. Hell, he had never played a game without Sirius, let alone two weeks’ worth. “Lily will check on you, okay?”

Sirius mumbled an incoherent response and cuddled closer when he began combing his fingers through his hair. The second alarm beeped, loud against the quiet of their bedroom; time to go, he thought ruefully. Sirius touched his knee as he started to stand. “Love you. Be safe.”

“Love you more.”

“Love you most.”

“Go back to sleep,” Remus said as his heart clenched. “I’ll let Coach know what happened, but you’ve got to rest and take care of yourself. Hydrate or die-drate, yeah?”

“Yeah. Love you.”

“Sleep,” he repeated, kissing his forehead once more before hauling himself out of bed and tucking the covers around Sirius’ shoulders. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

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

The clouds were a soft, pastel pink around them as the sun rose—Sirius’ favorite. If his phone was correct, Lily would be there soon to let Hattie out and make sure Sirius wasn’t pushing himself too hard. The thought brought Remus a bit of relief, but not enough to quell his concern.

Talker poked his forearm, snapping him from his reverie. “What’s going on?”

“Just worrying.”

“About Cap?”

Remus waved a hand vaguely. “And Hattie, and Lily, and whether he’s got a cold or something worse. Feels weird being here without him.”

Talker hummed his agreement and offered one of his earbuds. “Want to listen to half of Bohemian Rhapsody with me? It’ll give you five minutes and 55 seconds of relative peace.”

“It’s too quiet,” James groaned just before he pressed ‘play’.

Across the aisle, Remus saw Kasey roll his eyes. “Your husband is sick, dude, not dead. He doesn’t talk to you on planes anyway.”

“It’s the principle of the thing, Bliz.”

“Oh my god,” Kasey muttered under his breath, securing his headphones tightly over his ears.

James let his head flop to the side with a baleful look. “Loops, you’re on my side, right?”

“I’ve got you, buddy,” he assured him. Talker stifled a laugh, and the opening chords began as more clouds rolled past. Remus let himself drift with them, taking deep breaths to soothe his worries; Sirius would be fine. He had the sniffles, or at worst the flu, and he would be join them for the second week in top form. There was nothing to worry about.

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

“He’s got pneumonia,” Lily sighed.

“He what?”

“A mild case, but the doctor said it would take a week of antibiotics and rest before he’s close to a hundred percent. No hockey for about a month, too.”

Remus stared at the wall of his empty hotel room, lost for words. “Well, fuck.”

“Yeah.”

“Fuck.”

“Pretty m—absolutely not, go lay down.” There was a rustling noise and two grumbling voices. “Sorry about that.”

“Will you put me on speaker real quick?” Remus asked, pinching the bridge of his nose until he heard a faint click. “Sirius? You there?”

“Yes! I miss you, and I was just going to tell you that it’s really not that—”

“Please sit your ass down. Lily, if he tries to fuck around and find out exactly how nasty pneumonia is, you have full permission to sit on him. I miss you too, love,” he added after a short pause.

“He’s blowing you a kiss,” Lily informed him. “Oh, and he’s giving me the puppy eyes.”

“Resist if you can. Love you both. Give Hattie lots of cuddles from me.”

“We will,” she promised.

The second the call ended, Remus groaned aloud and thumped his head against the wall before padding down the hall. Just my fucking luck. The door swung open after the second knock; Arthur’s face fell. “How bad is it?”

“Mild pneumonia.”

“Fuck.”

“Yep. Doctor said he’d be out for a month.”

Arthur rubbed his eyes and nodded, motioning Remus back towards his own room. “Get some rest, then. I’ll let everyone know in the morning. Any idea how he got it?”

“Not a clue.”

“Thanks for the update, Loops. Sleep tight.”

“I will,” Remus lied as he headed back for a sleepless night between cold sheets.

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

Lily sent updates every few hours; most reported that Sirius was sleeping well and looking better with each passing day, but Remus couldn’t help but feel overwhelmingly guilty. If something happened while he was hundreds of miles away, he would never forgive himself. He had sworn in front of their closest friends and family to be there in sickness and in health—what kind of husband ditches their partner for one of a million roadies?

This one. He stabbed a piece of broccoli and shoved it in his mouth. And then he goes and makes an idiot of himself for the world to see.

The interview was supposed to be easy, but he couldn’t let it roll off anymore. Not when he couldn’t answer their questions even when he wanted to, not when he was states away from the love of his life while he was sick, not when he felt helpless and shoved aside in every current aspect of his life.

“So.” The chair next to him creaked as Talker planted his full weight in it and set his plate decisively on the table.

“What.”

“Oh, pissy Loops. Haven’t seen you in a while. Talked to Cap yet?”

“Yeah.” Another piece of broccoli fell victim to his frustration.

“How’s he sound?”

“Better.”

“Sweet.” Talker continued to munch away on his dinner. “Anyone ever told you that you have the general disposition of a wet cat when you’re upset?”

Remus tried and failed to keep down a smile. “I seem to recall you bringing it up on occasion, yes.”

His dark eyes softened and he bumped their elbows together. “He’ll be okay.”

“I know.”

“Really, Loops. Cap’s going to be just fine. Lily doesn’t sugar-coat this kind of stuff, and he’s a tough guy. Mild pneumonia doesn’t stand a chance. Besides, we’ve only got four days left and we need you to kick some ass out there.”

If Remus was a little more emotionally vulnerable, he would’ve burst into tears. Instead, he settled for leaning his temple against Talker’s with a quiet ‘thanks’ and allowed himself to be pulled into a side hug. Across the dining hall, Finn shot him a thumbs-up and a wink. “Love you, man.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Talker teased. “The internet is already coming to your aid, you know.”

“About…?”

“Not only have those asshole reporters become a new meme, you’ve also got a shit ton of people bringing up past mistreatment of athletes in the press room. You’re the face of a revolution, Loops.”

“I’ve been the face of too many revolutions for one person,” he groused, not even bothering to duck out of the way when Talker ruffled his hair.

“Well, one more won’t kill you.”

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

Remus’ heart raced as he stepped off the plane. The logical part of him knew that Sirius would be waiting outside the security gate, but everything else screamed to see him now, now, right now so he could be sure he was alright. At least he had sounded healthier on the phone the night before—Remus wasn’t sure what he would do otherwise.

“Deep breaths,” James reminded him as they walked toward the baggage claim. “I’m sure he’s—”

An excited shout broke through the thick crowds. Remus’ heart skipped a beat, and then he was running, racing through the people that parted for him as his vision tunneled. His carry-on hit the ground with a low thud that he hardly heard as Sirius lifted him straight off the ground and held him tight.

“I love you,” Remus said immediately, locking his ankles around Sirius’ lower back and squeezing his eyes shut. “Are you okay?”

In lieu of a response, Sirius pulled back and kissed him, cradling one side of his face in his warm, warm hand. Two weeks may as well have been an eternity. He broke away after a moment, searching his face for any signs of illness or pain. “I’m fine,” Sirius said softly, as if he could read his mind. “I promise. A little tired and sore, but there’s no lasting damage.”

“Don’t do that again,” Remus said into the side of his neck as he hugged him close. He smelled like home. “Not when I have to leave.”

Sirius’ arms were steady around his back. “I won’t.”

“I’m going to grill you on everything as soon as we get home.”

“I know.”

“But right now, I’m just going to hug you because I missed you and I worried myself into a hole, like, every night.”

He could feel Sirius’ smile against his shoulder. “I know.”

[yurtletheturtlehenderson]

COSMIC - S3:E4; Chapter Four, The Sauna Test - [Pt. 3]

A Will Byers x Reader Series

𝘔𝘪𝘬𝘦, 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘌𝘭, 𝘔𝘢𝘹 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘠/𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘯, 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘺𝘯𝘹.

📝: ERICAAA!!! FRICKIN FINALLY!! Less important note, but when writing about Y/n, El and Max, I wrote "the three friends" and autocorrect literally changed "friends" to "fruits". Yelmax confirmed 💀

||𝟑𝐑𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐕||

"It is fascinating what twenty bucks will get you at the County Recorder's Office," Robin reports, unfurling what looked to be a familiar layout on the break room table. "Starcourt Mall. The complete blueprints."

"Not bad," Dustin smirks from her left.

"So this is us," she points to a familiar-looking room before gesturing across the map. "Scoops, and this is where we wanna get."

"Yeah, I don't really see a way in," Steve mumbles from his seat at the table.

"There's not. If,"

She rips away a layer of the blueprint, revealing a vastly complicated map of air ducts, pipelines, and detailing that made up Starcourt.

"you're talking exclusively about doors."

Dustin looks at her with excitement growing in his eyes. "Air ducts!"

"Exactly," she smirks, making her way to the whiteboard to retrieve the magic marker. "Turns out, this secret room needs air just like any old room and these air ducts lead all the way" she circles the secret room in question, drawing one, interrupted line right back to, "here."

Dustin and Steve finally tear their eyes away from the map and follow Robin's mischievous eye. All the way to the air duct tucked away in the far corner of the Scoops Ahoy break room.

⊹ ⊹ ⊹

To their surprise, a screwdriver had been harder to find than a ladder but soon enough Steve had managed to reach the air vent and unscrew it from the wall. But as he stood here now, peering down into the vent he quickly realized they were now facing yet another obstacle.

"Flath'ligh'?" Steve asked, finally removing the screwdriver from his mouth and shaping it for the small torchlight Dustin had waiting. "Thank you,"

The flashlight turns on with a tiny click and a soft yellow light bounces down the narrow metal tunnel, enunciation the frown on Steve's face.

"Yeah, I don't know man, I don't know if you can fit in here, it's like... super tight."

"I'll fit," Dustin smirks. "Trust me. No collarbones, remember?"

"Uh, excuse me?" Robin asks.

Steve jumps down from the ladder, turning to Robin as Dustin begins the climb and gives her a nod.

"Oh, he's uh, he's got so disease," he frowns thoughtfully, racking his brain as he tries to recall the word. "It's chrydo... um... something, yeah I don't know. He's missing bones and stuff, he can bend like Gumbo."

"You mean... Gumby?"

"I'm pretty sure it's Gumbo," he snorts.

"Just shut up and push me!" Comes Dustin's muffled voice from the vents.

By now he had wormed himself halfway in, his bottom half sticking out of the wall and still propped up on the latter while they had been talking.

"Okay,"  Steve huffed, motioning knowingly to the kid's feet and turned away from Robin.

She watched with a tired, lazily bemused expression as Steve grabbed a less than sturdy hold of the kid's feet and attempted to push.

"Not my feet, dumbass, push my ass!"

"Uh, what?"

"TOUCH MY BUTT! I DON'T CARE!" Came Dustin's impatient scream from the walls.

With a heavy grimace, Steve hesitantly began pushing against Dustin's rear end and his muffled anger grew louder.

"I'm pushing!" Steve argued.

"PUSH HARDER!" Dustin shrieks as he attempts to inch further into the metal vents. "You're playing with my legs!"

"I'm not playing, I have terrible footing!"

"Come on!"

Steve finally makes it to the top of the latter, Dustin's legs bunched together over his shoulders and locked under his arm as their voice continued to shout over one another.

"I'm gonna just shove you, ready?"

"Just shove me?"

"One, two..."

"Shit!"

"That work?"

"One more time,"

Robin rolls her eyes, finally turning away when she hears the sudden rapid chimes of the customer bell out front and all too familiar patron.

"Ahoy, sailors! All hands on deck!"

Through the partition window, Robin meets eyes with none other than Erica Sinclair who flashes her an exaggerated salute and rings the bell knowingly.

⊹ ⊹ ⊹

Laughter and joyful screams filled the chlorine-soaked air, the smell of the pool lingering with sunblock was strong enough it wafted all the way to the parking lot where the majority of the Party now stood at the Hawkins pool. It looked quite different than it had the day before when Y/n, Max, and El had last been, but the tension weighing down the atmosphere seemed just as heavy and ever-present.

The storm had of course long since lifted, and the sun was now beating down heavily on their backs as they took shelter behind a Rust Red AMC Hornet, all eyes across the lot on the occupant in the lifeguard chair.

Billy.

He was squished underneath the bright red beach umbrella, hidden underneath a baseball cap, thick shades, a long-sleeved sweater, and a white beach towel draped over his legs where they poked out into the sun. He was completely covered.

"I don't know," Max begins, peering through the group's binoculars. "He looks pretty normal to me,"

"Normal?" Lucas scoffs. "How many times have you seen him with a shirt on?"

Y/n smiles weakly from where she stands in between him and Will. Max lowers the binoculars, conceding a wince.

"I mean, it's a little weird,"

"More than a little," Mike nods. "He was in a tub with ice. The Mind Flayer likes it cold. Plus everything El saw—"

"But he's lounging at the pool," Max argues, doubtfully. "Which is like, the least Mind Flayer thing ever,"

"Not necessarily," Will says, pulling everyone's attention. "The Mind Flayer likes to hide. He only used me when he needed me. It's like... like you're dormant. And then, when he needs you,"

All eyes return to Billy.

"...you're activated."

Y/n gulps, shifting on her feet from where she had previously stood rooted to the spot. Ever since that dreaded Halloween night the previous year, nothing seemed to have been the same. The Mind Flayer had set his sights on Will, and in turn, her. Slowly but surely, he had infected all of their lives as he had the town of Hawkins; spreading his rot and poison, and his hate. She could still feel it sometimes; the pain of Will's nails raking into her face and leaving behind the faded scar that had already long since disappeared.

Her eyes dart back through the fence at the suspicious-looking lifeguard and her insides twisted further into a sickening knot. The thought of the Mind Flayer's possible return was enough to drain the color from her face and leave a chill in the humid, sticky summer air. Her mind was running rapid with fear but the sound of Max's voice was enough to return her to earth.

"Okay, so we just..." she shrugs, looking back over towards her brother. "wait until he gets activated."

"No," Mike says with the shake of his head. "What if he hurts someone?"

"Or kills someone?" Will counters, and the Wheeler boy nods.

"We can't take that chance. We need to find out if he's the host,"

"Well, how do we do that?" Lucas asks.

The Party falls silent. The weight of the air growing heavier and heavier as it dawns on them. And one by one, each pair of eyes trickle over to the only present Henderson sibling in the Party. Her head is hung, propped-up against the hood and when she senses the eyes on her she straightens, breathing a sigh. But Will was already shaking his head.

"What? No, no way," he says to Mike and the others, Y/n already turning to him. "No, Y/n, I don't think it's a good idea,"

"I don't like it either," Y/n fretted. "but it's our best chance. The Mind Flayer hates me, and I can push his limits. It's the fastest way."

"And if, by some random chance, Billy isn't the host?" Will countered gently. "He'd find out about you,"

Y/n didn't have a reply for that. Truthfully, she didn't know whether to be relieved or angered he had cornered her. She just stood there, frowning at the concrete sidewalk biting her lip thoughtfully. She tried to think of a way to use her abilities subtly, but all her experience with heat came from seismic blasts or concentrated bursts from her hands. If she attempted that on Billy, he would surely know it.

"There's gotta be another way," Mike cuts in. "I mean, a safe way that doesn't risk you getting hurt or discovered."

Y/n and Will - even El - shoot him a funny look and he shifts under the sudden attention, guiltily.

"What about the sauna?" Lucas says, lighting up.

"Huh?"

"Yeah, it's perfect!" He grins, stepping out from around the car and motioning for Will and Mike. "Come on,"

Seemingly catching onto Lucas's idea, Mike wastes no time in following. And Will hesitantly steps away, sending Y/n and his friends an apologetic shrug.

"Where are you going?" El called after them, exasperated.

"Sorry! Boys only!" Mike throws over his shoulder.

Max scowls after them. "Seriously?!"

"Just trust us!" Lucas cries.

"We'll be back," Will shrugs again. "... I guess."

The three friends sigh, throwing less than impressed looks at the retreating boys. Privately, Y/n wondered if Mike stood any chance of harm just from her glaring at him in this moment. She hadn't shared these feelings with anyone, but since reuniting with Will something had been troubled Ling him and he wouldn't say what. She could spot it right away, the shift in demeanor but she knew it was something different from the return of the Mind Flayer somehow. And she believed it had something to do with Mike.

He was acting differently around him. He had been for some time now, as she had with Max and even El but this was different. Something had happened, and because Will was, well, Will, he was clearly trying to put aside for the sake of everyone's safety. Y/n couldn't really blame him there, but she wished he would open up to her. Tell her what was wrong.

And she wished more than anything she could fix whatever Mike had clearly broken.

⊹ ⊹ ⊹

"All we gotta do is wait until the pool closes and everyone leaves," Lucas begins, guiding his friends through the first layer of the men's locker rooms. "And then get him from here..."

He steps forward, quickly ripping open the secondary door. The three boys scurry inside, and Lucas's friends quickly seem to catch on to his plan and a small smile grows on Will's face.

"And get him into here," Lucas eagerly rips open the sauna door, expecting to see nothing but steam but his luck had run out.

Five sweaty adult men in towels sat packed in the sauna like sardines, scowls on their faces for the three party members who interrupted their steam. "Hey! Shut the door!"

-"Come on, kid!"

-"Shut it!"

Lucas finally broke from his stupor and slammed the door shut, shuddering.

"I think I just threw up in my mouth,"

Will nodded with a grimace, but shook it off when his eyes landed on the wall beside the door.

"The controls!"

Mike's still bulging, haunted eyes finally broke away from their zoning out and jumped to the wall where Will was pointing. His face lit up.

"We can control from the outside, it's perfect!"

"Do you think it'll get hot enough?" Will asks, feeling more and more relieved by the second. "Like, "Y/n" hot?"

His friends immediately stopped, looking to him with a deadpan expression. Will scoffed at them. "You know what I mean" he snarked, not in the mood though he was trying to ignore the hint of a blush creeping up on his skin.

"Nevermind that," Lucas says. "Look right, here, 220 degrees. That's definitely enough."

"Okay, so we just need to figure out how to get him into here," Will nods towards the sauna door.

"Precisely."

"Then we lock him in," Mike says.

Lucas nods. "-heat him up,"

And Will manages another somewhat relieved smile. "-and no matter what happens, we'll know for sure."

⊹ ⊹ ⊹

Erica descends from the latter, the flashlight in her hands flicking off with a loud click as she strides up to the break room table where her recruits stood waiting. The group had taken a calculated risk I confiding in the young girl, but she was smart and demanded the information and why they needed to know if she could fit into the air duct in the back room. So here they stood, waiting with anxious breath for her verdict.

"Yeah, I don't know," she says, propping herself up on the edge of the table rather unimpressed.

"You don't know if you can fit?" Dustin asks.

"Oh, I can fit. I just don't know if I want to,"

"Are you claustrophobic?" Robin tries.

Amused, Erica gives the young woman a pitiful laugh. "I don't have phobias."

"Okay, well," Steve begins with a shrug. "What's the problem?"

"The problem is I still haven't heard what's in this for Erica,"

⊹ ⊹ ⊹

Steve slides another banana boat ice cream float across the table, joining the already plentiful dairy banquet laid out for the Sinclair girl. She merely gave it a single, disinterested glance and slid it back.

"More fudge please,"

Nobody said anything. And Steve just stared back at the table with tired, glazed-over eyes before Erica sent him a dismissive wave.

"Go on,"

He gave a sigh, and left the booth with the Banana boat in hand, and retreated to the counter. Robin took that as her cue and pulled out the marked-up blueprints she had at her side.

"Alright, you see this?" She points from the circle marked Scoops Ahoy and trail connecting over the flipped map. "This is the route you're gonna take. Then we just wait until the last delivery goes out tonight then you knock out the grate. Jump down. Open the door."

"Then you find out what's in those boxes?" She asks.

"Exactly,"

"And you say this guard is armed?"

"Yes," Dustin quickly nods. "But he won't be there,"

"And booby traps?"

"Booby traps?" Robin echoed.

"Lazers, spikes in the wall,"

Robin couldn't help but give a small laugh, but Erica was all too serious. She turned to the two with a serious look.

"You know what this half-baked plan of yours sounds like to me? Child endangerment."

"We'll be in radio contact with you the whole time-"

"Uh! Uh! Uh!" Erica stops her. "Child. Endangerment."

Robin sighs, ignoring the knot wanting to twist in her stomach. She knew she was right, and Robin supposed she just didn't want to admit to herself what they were asking not only of themselves but the young girl.

"Erica?" Dustin began. "Hi, uh... We think these Russians want to do harm to our country. Great harm. Don't you love your country?"

"You can't spell America without Erica," she shrugs, taking a long and loud sip from her complimentary Scoops Shake.

Dustin just blinks at her response and concedes with a nod. "Uh... yeah. Oddly, that's uh... weirdly true, so... so! Don't do this for us! Do it for your country. Do it for your fellow man. Do this for America, Erica."

Erica, who had been slurping her drink through her straw throughout his entire speech, finally finished it off and shivered, sending him a smirk. "Ooh! I just got the chills."

Dustin smiled proudly.

"Oh, yeah," she quickly corrects, her smile falling. "From this float. Not your speech."

His smile falls right off his face.

"You know what I love most about this country?" Erica began. "Capitalism. Do you know what capitalism is?"

Both Robin and Dustin mumble a 'yeah'.

"It means this is a free market system, which means people get paid for their services depending on how valuable their contributions are. And this seems to me that my ability to fit into that little vent is very, very valuable to you all. So-"

Robin and Dustin share a worried look.

"-you want my help? This U.S.S. Butterscotch better be the first of many. And I'm talking free ice cream for life,"

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[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Banner

Ch41: Drops Of Jupiter Part 2- There’s Still A Life To Live. 

Intro: Pepper finally makes an honest man of Tony, and as the sun sets on, quite possibly, the most horrific year of their lives, the New Year brings a familiar face back into Steve and Katie’s life.

But Tony has some news that puts a smile on his sister’s face. If only her husband was as happy…

Warnings: Bad Language words. Brief mentions of Smut (NSFW, 18+)

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

A/N: @angrybirdcr​ I LOVE YOU

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Chapter 41 Part 1

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

October 2018

Despite Katie’s protestations to the contrary, Steve refused to believe that Tony and Pepper actually wanted him at their wedding. She had tried in vain to convince him to go but at times like this he was so stubborn and, ironically, the only man on the planet that could rival him for pig-headedness was Tony himself. So now she was doubly pissed at him. He knew that, and if he hadn’t already he would have certainly guessed it by the way she was currently throwing things into her bag after hardly speaking a word to him since the previous night.

FRIDAY informed her that Happy was here to collect her and Katie closed her small carry case. Steve sighed and went to pick it up for her, fully intending on carrying it to the car, but she beat him to it, swatting his hand away.

“I got it, its fine.” she said a little curtly as she did up her jacket. “Baby, c’mon, don’t leave on a bad note.” He pleaded, following her into the living area. “You know I get that you might think Tony doesn’t want you there, but I do.” Katie’s voice was quiet as she levelled him with a look. “And I was kinda hoping that would be enough to make you swallow your pride for once in your God-damned life” His face fell and the expression on it almost made her relent and apologise. 

Almost.

But the Stark stubbornness in her won out and she simply left it at that, slamming the door behind her. 

Steve felt like shit. Absolute shit as he stared at the place his wife had been stood a few moments before, the noise of the door banging shut still echoed round his head. With a sigh he swiped at his face with his hands before he headed into the bedroom, changed and wandered down to the gym to work off some frustration.

****

Katie glanced at her reflection. The bridesmaid dress she was wearing was an Alexander McQueen, as was Pepper’s dress, her favourite designer who hadn’t been dusted. It was a deep, burnt gold, almost brown to look at with a hint of a shimmer, perfect Autumn colours. The dress was plain, with a sweetheart neckline, the bodice drawing in her waist and the skirt was floor length, with a slight flare to it.  Her hair was twisted up and she wore a white gold headband which was studded with diamonds and pearls, her mom’s necklace that Tony had given to her on her wedding day sat flush to her collar bone. But all that aside, what she really loved was her make-up. It was all autumnal colours, eyes lidded under a burnt orange which had a slight golden shimmer to it setting off her green and amber eyes to perfection, and the contouring was amazing. 

Smoothing down her skirt once more, she looked down and stepped into her gold Jimmy Choo heels and stilled as a familiar voice spoke.

“You look beautiful.”

Her head shot up and Steve’s eyes locked onto hers in the mirror before she spun round to face him stood in the doorway.

“I thought you weren’t coming?” She frowned.

“I wasn’t.” He said shyly, stepping into the room “But, after you left yesterday I thought about what you said and you’re right. So I spoke to Pepper and well, here I am.” Katie looked him up and down. He was dressed in his blue suit and underneath it he wore a light green shirt complimented by a tie more or less the same colour as her dress, along with his shiny dark brown oxfords. Exactly the outfit she’d picked for him and left at the front of the closet just in case. With his hair immaculately styled, short stubble impeccably trimmed and a nervous smile on his face, he looked absolutely gorgeous.

“I’m so glad you came.” She smiled, all anger forgotten as she stepped forward and he met her halfway.

“I hate it when we fight.” He muttered, gently kissing her, his strong hands on her back, pulling her to him. “I’m sorry, Doll.”

“Well, well, look what the cat dragged in.” A familiar voice drawled and the pair of them turned to see Natasha leaning in the doorway, two flutes of champagne in her hand. She looked stunning in a knee length figure hugging bottle green dress.

“You look great Nat.” Steve offered, surprised to see a faint tinge of red flushing up the blonde’s neck and cheeks as she uttered a soft thanks before she looked at Katie.

“Came to let you know that Tony’s here.” 

Steve took a deep breath.

“Right, erm…” Katie tugged on Steve’s hand and took a glass of champagne off Nat. “Come on.” “Where are we going?” Steve frowned. “To see my brother, the pair of you need to get this out of the way before the ceremony.” “Baby, I-” “Don’t argue with me Steven.” she retorted, leading him down the stairs and out into the Autumn sunshine, across the lawn which was sporting a banquet tent and down the small path which had been lined with a gold carpet. Tony was stood at the end, under the arch which led into the tent where the reception would be held, directing people. As the Weather was nice, the actual ceremony was going to take place at the end of the wooden jetty. People were already settling on chairs on the banks of the lake.

Steve felt, and looked, like a deer in headlights when he caught sight of Tony. Katie squeezed his hand and whispered for him to relax as Tony, who had seen them approaching, started striding over to meet them.

“Well, don’t you look handsome?” Katie said to him, taking in his dark grey formal tail suit, ivory patterned waistcoat and ivory ruffled tie.

“Errm, shouldn’t you be with Pepper?” Tony asked, dropping a kiss to his sister’s cheek. “You look beautiful by the way.” “Thanks. Your gorgeous bride is just having her hair finished off and then I’m going to get her in her dress, but I wanted to come and see you first, we both did.”

“It’s a err, beautiful house.” Steve cleared his throat as he spoke and looked around. He’d never been before, and he felt ridiculously uncomfortable right at that moment for being a complete jerk. He should have done this months ago. "Well, it’s a bit like you Cap.” Tony replied, his eyes locking onto his brother-in-law’s. “Ancient, but nothing a little modernisation couldn’t fix.”

Steve let out a chuckle and took a deep breath. “Tony, listen, I want to apologize. For everything.” He swallowed a little before he continued.“What went down in Siberia was, well it was harsh, and I was out of order. I should have told you about your parents. I’m sorry, I really am.”

Katie held her breath, she knew how much that would have taken for Steve to apologise, so heartfelt as well and she knew he wasn’t doing it just for her. As she stood watching, she saw Tony bristle and she stiffened slightly.

“You should be.” Tony sniffed, but just as Katie was about to chastise him she saw his face soften, “But all that’s in the past now. You know, I get that Barnes wasn’t in control of his actions but I still can’t-” he stopped himself and took another deep breath ”Look, it doesn’t matter now, so let’s just say I understand why you did what you did even if I don’t agree with it. And I’m sorry too, Cap.”

Steve took a deep breath and gave a small smile. “I missed you Tony.”

“Yeah, well, that goes without saying because I’m so incredibly missable” Tony shrugged before he smiled “I missed you too, buddy.”

The two men shook hands before Tony gave a small huff and pulled Steve into a slightly awkward embrace, the two men clapping one another on the back.

Steve felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. As much as he had tried to deny it, Tony was like a brother to him and he had missed him. Plus, he knew how much it had hurt Katie them both being at odds. And he just wanted his wife to be happy and to move forward, past what had happened. As he looked over Tony’s shoulder he saw Katie watching them both, her eyes shining and she mouthed a thank you to him before she cleared her throat.

“Right, now that’s done can I leave him with you whilst I go do Bridesmaid stuff?” She spoke with a smile on her face that her two best boys were finally over their spat.

“Yeah, go ahead, in fact, I have just the job for you,Spangles.” Tony nodded, and the two men strode off, Tony’s hand in between Steve’s shoulder blades as they walked. Steve looked back at his wife as she strode across the lawns to the house before he turned his attention to Tony as they headed towards the lake.

*****

The wedding was beautiful. And whilst he really should have been thinking this about the bride, Steve seriously thought his wife was the most stunning woman there. As she walked down the aisle first, arm linked through Rhodey’s she caught Steve’s eye from where he was sat in between Banner and Natasha and he smiled at her, a genuine smile which she returned. When it was time for Pepper’s entrance, Steve glanced at Tony and couldn’t recall a time where he’d seen the man so happy, so emotional. 

The small ceremony was conducted, and it was time for Steve to perform the task Tony had given to him-signing the witness register along with Happy. It was a small gesture, but one which meant a great deal to the Captain.

Then, the rest of the afternoon passed in a bustle of photos, drink, food and speeches. Tony’s was slightly self-indulgent, as always, before he gushed about his new wife. Rhodey told plenty of stories about them growing up, and then it was Katie’s turn.

“As all of you here know, Tony brought me up from the age of seven.” Katie cleared her throat, glancing round at the various faces in the room. “Our parents died and suddenly there he is, twenty-one years old with a business to run and a pain in the ass kid sister to look after.” She scratched at her head. “My childhood was happy, I wanted for nothing, and that was all down to you.” She locked eyes with her brother. “Tony, I don’t tell you this enough, but I really am grateful for everything you did and everything you gave to me, least of all the absolute, unconditional love I have always felt from you. I know we have had our differences but you always told me that you could never be prouder of me if you tried, and I want you to know, that the feeling is mutual. I love you, not just as my brother, but as the best substitute father I could have wished for. And it makes me so happy to see you here today, after everything, with the woman that finally made an honest man out of you.” A few more chuckles, but Tony’s eyes were now wet with tears as he glanced up at her.

“Pepper has been a big part of my life for almost twenty years now, and I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d be happier with as a sister-in-law. But, you do know what you’ve let yourself in for right?”

Pepper laughed and nodded.

“Good, because he’s your problem now, good luck!”

Katie sat down as the room erupted into laughs and Steve pressed a soft kiss to her lips, gently wiping at her tears before they could ruin her make up.

As the night closed in, the Marquee was strung up with lights and wooden benches giving the place a warm, welcoming ambient feel. Far too soon for Katie’s liking it was time for the first dance. Tony clearly hadn’t told anyone she was performing as many puzzled faces peered up at her as she took the microphone in her hand and cleared her throat with a nod to the keyboard player who struck up the opening notes to Eta James “At Last.”

Tony’s face split into a grin as he offered Pepper his hand and the new Mr and Mrs Stark took to the dance floor, applause and camera flashes filled the tent as Katie sang, watching her brother and his new wife dance closely. In turn, Steve watched his wife, her voice s powerful and sultry, her eyes shining softly as she was watching Tony and Pepper revolve on the dancefloor. And then, as customary, people began to join them and Steve turned to Nat.

“May I have this dance ma’am?”

Natasha studied him for a moment before she smiled and slipped her hand into his, where he took her into a polite hold and steered them around the dancefloor, catching Katie’s eye causing her to smile.

When the song finished everyone turned to her and she flushed a little, giving a shy smile before she cleared her throat. “I’ve got one more.”

Tony frowned as he looked at Pepper who met him with an equally puzzled look, but when the band started to play, Tony’s face slid into a huge smile as Katie winked at him, before she once more began to sing.

“Now that she’s back in the atmosphere, with drops of Jupiter in her hair, hey…”

As she continued through the verse, Tony looked up at her, his eyes shining as he tossed his arm over Pepper’s shoulders, everyone in the tent gently swaying along to the song, and when the upbeat part kicked in, everyone hit the dance floor again.

Katie was now completely lost in the song that her and her brother had sung together so many times. She allowed the memories to wash over her as she sang, suddenly back in his convertible mustang cruising over the Golden Gate Bridge, then again dancing round in shorts and a bikini by the pool, then she was back in the kitchen, both of them holding wooden spoons to their mouths as make-believe mics. She sang out note after note and as she launched into the final chorus. Tony, who knew the song was coming to a big crescendo had stopped dancing to start winding the crowd up as she belted out the last bit of the song, eyes closed as she dipped slightly, hand extended by her side.

And now you’re lonely looking for yourself out there

The marquee erupted into a cheer and Katie smiled to herself, handing the mic back to the singer of the band who thanked her, drawing another cheer from the crowd. Steve walked forward and offered his hand to his wife to help her walk down the small steps from the stage.

“You amaze me every single day you know that?” His lips brushed her ear as the band struck up into a soul song and he led her towards the bar for a drink. She beamed at him, cheeks flushing from the singing and the adrenaline that had been pulsing through her veins at the fact she’d been stood on a stage, singing in front of a group of people for the first time since she could remember. He dropped a kiss to her cheek and she moved her head to catch his lips softly.

“Kiddo?”

At that she spun to face Tony, who didn’t say another word, simply pulled her into his arms and squeezed her tight, kissing the side of her head. She held him back, happily resting her head against his shoulder until he eventually released her, and then turned to head off over the dance floor to greet someone else.

“I saw you dancing with Nat.” Katie slid her hands up Steve’s chest as he ordered a beer and a gin and tonic, his jacket and tie now discarded on one of the chairs behind him.

“Jealous?” He arched an eyebrow, his hand settling on her hips.

“Not in the slightest.” Her hands connecting round his neck. “I thought it was one of the sweetest things you could have done. She’s been so down lately.” “She seems okay tonight.” Steve turned, watching the woman in question as she stood talking to Bruce. “Maybe she just needed reminding that there’s still life to be lived.” “That’s very philosophical of you, Captain.”

“I have my moments.” He grinned, looking back down at Katie, his hand on her hip pulling her closer. “Are you still staying here tonight or coming home?” “Undecided.” She teased, her hands resting on his chest, muscles broad and tense under her fingers.

“Well if you come back with me I’ll do that thing you like.”  His short beard scratched her cheek as he spoke softly into her ear.

“That’s blackmail.” 

Smirking, he kissed her softly. “I know.”

She did go home with him, and Steve was about as gentle and tender that night as she could ever remember him being. His lips were soft as he made sure to cherish every single part of her body. His hips rolled against hers, keeping them locked together, hands entwined together as he gently pinned them at either side of her head, eyes locked onto hers as he took her apart, piece by piece.

They lay there afterwards, Katie’s head resting in its favourite place on his chest, his hand gently running up and down her spine as she slept. Resting his head against hers, he closed his eyes on what had been a pretty amazing day in all honestly. He and Tony were back on an even keel, and being surrounded by people at the wedding, he couldn’t help but marvel at the love, friendship and happiness that had been present at the event. 

He hadn’t ever thought he’d see it again on that scale after the snap, and it gave him faith that, just like he had said earlier, there was still a good life to be lived.

*******

January 2019.

Steve pulled his jacket collar up against the snow and trudged across the car park towards the store entrance. A soft, white blanket covered the cars that lay abandoned after the snap, something he knew that the Government was going to have to sort at some point. Heading into the shop, he noted that it was reasonably busy compared to how it had been the last time he’d popped in a few weeks ago. He supposed that was a good sign. Grabbing a basket he headed straight for what they needed- milk, eggs, bread, bacon, fabric softener and tampons. Okay, so the last weren’t what they needed, obviously, more what Katie needed. She’d laughed when she had given him the list, remarking that this was the first time she’d ever sent him shopping for shit like this before offering to go instead, but he was a modern man now, they’d been together for almost six years, married for over three, he could deal with buying his wife tampons, right?

Now he was making a mental note, as some woman was slyly eyeing him as he grabbed a box, to remind his wife it’s a fucking good job he loves her as much as he does.

He whizzed around picking up the rest of the stuff and was heading to the till when he heard a loud shout. Spinning round on autopilot he saw one of the security guards chasing someone, a kid dressed in a pair of dirty jeans, a jacket that was far too thin for the weather, and a baseball cap, down the aisle. Steve let out a sigh. Shoplifting and petty crime had rocketed as people struggled to make ends meet following The Decimation. As the kid neared him he gently held out an arm to stop them passing and the child, a girl, gave a loud yell and looked up at him angrily. 

Instantly his heart leapt into his throat. Granted, it was a few years since he had seen her at the last Stark Christmas Party, but he’d recognise those large, deep brown eyes anywhere.

“Gerrroffff me!”

“Emmy?” He frowned, and she paused her struggling to look up at him and he removed his hat. “It’s me. Steve.” “I know you are.” She blinked, and then began to struggle again.

“Stop it.” He instructed, voice full of authority and he turned to the security guard. “What’s the problem here?” 

“Caught her down the aisle back there, shoving packs of chocolate and chips into her backpack.”

“Has she actually committed a crime yet?” Steve asked. “I mean, nothing has left the store. If I pay for it…” “No but she was gonna!” “But she hasn’t actually?” The security guard let out a groan. “Look pal, you’ve no idea what it’s like trying to keep this place straight.” “Oh believe me Sir, I do.” Steve mumbled, before he glanced down at Emmy. She was small, her dark, ebony hair was dirty and knotted, and her olive-skinned cheeks were pinched like she needed a good meal. He looked up at the man. “I’ll pay for the items and then ensure she’s dealt with.” “Dealt with?” The Security guard frowned before he looked at Steve properly and then his eyes widened “Holy shit, you’re Captain-” Steve cut him off, holding his hand up. “I assume that’s an acceptable proposition?”

“Of course Captain Rogers.” He nodded. Steve shook the man’s hand and then turned to Emmy.

“Give me the bag.”

She looked up at him before she sighed, handing it over. Steve tipped it out onto the conveyor belt at the till. A few bars of Hershey, some kettle chips, toothpaste, soap.

“Have you been on your own since, well, since it happened?” He asked and Emmy shrugged.

“Foster parents both dusted. Not that I care like, they were horrible. Better on my own.” Steve stiffened slight as he handed over some cash to the assistant. He studied Emmy as she packed her things into her bag. He couldn’t leave her like this.

“No one’s better on their own.” He shook his head. “Listen, I’ll give you two choices. You either come back to the compound with me for something decent to eat, or I can take you to one of the shelters.” “And if I refuse to do either?”

“Okay, three options.” Steve raised an eyebrow at her sass. “I turn you back over to Mall Cop over there and you can be handed into the police.”

Emmy snorted at his film reference before she looked down and plucked at something on her coat. “Is Katie…” “Yeah, she’s there.”

“Suppose coming to see her wouldn’t be so bad.” The small girl shrugged. Steve smiled, picked up the bag of groceries and gently went to place a hand between her shoulder blades, to steer her towards the car, but he stopped dead when she flinched violently to his touch.

“Hey, its okay.” he said gently. “I’m not gonna hurt you.”

She looked at him, with an expression that made her look far older than her years and rolled her eyes whilst giving a snort. “Yeah, that’s what they all say.”

*****

Lucky alerted Katie to Steve’s return home as he shot off the couch next to her and headed to the door before it even opened. Katie glanced over the back of the sofa and did a double take as Steve headed in with a familiar face in tow.

“Emmy?” She gasped, getting up off the sofa. The girl smiled a little and allowed Katie to pull her into a hug “What are you doing here?” “He kidnapped me.” Emmy glowered at Steve who rolled his eyes as she stood up from where he had crouched down to greet Lucky.

“That’s crap Emmy and you know it.” He said sternly as he turned to Katie. “She was stealing.”

“Don’t look at me like that, it was that or starve.” Emmy shrugged.

“Starve? What? Wait, have you been-” Katie let out a groan as she realised the implications of what the kid was saying. “Oh, honey you should have found someone, got help!” “Better on my own.” Emmy repeated her earlier sentiment, kicking the floor with her dirty trainers. “And you can’t keep me here ya’ know?”

Katie looked down at the girl. She would be ten now, but she looked a lot smaller than she should be for her age. Katie glanced up at Steve who nodded to the kitchen.

“Listen, I was gonna cook dinner so at least stay for some food?” She asked. Emmy shrugged.

“Suppose so, what we having?”

“Pot roast.”

“Got any mash?” The girl’s eyes lit up and for a brief second Katie saw the cheeky little kid she had last seen a few years back.

“I can do mash.”

“Okay I’ll stay.” Emmy agreed before she looked at them both, a little sheepishly “Could I have some hot chocolate, like they used to do at the parties, please?”

“Sure I can manage that.” Katie smiled.

After settling her on the sofa, Lucky jumping up beside her, Katie retreated into the kitchen and gently shut the door before she set about making Emmy the hot chocolate she had requested.

“What happened?” Katie looked at Steve who sighed, crossing his arm.

“The Security guard at the store was chasing her after he caught her stealing.” Steve shook his head “She’s been on her own since the snap, said her foster family all disappeared.” “Shit.” Katie sighed stirring the cocoa powder and a square of chocolate into the hot milk.

“Yeah but,” Steve gently moved to hand Katie the marshmallows out of the cupboard, “she said something odd, about her being better on her own and she practically jumped out of her skin when I touched her. When I told her I wasn’t gonna hurt her, she said ‘that’s what they all say’”

Katie’s hand slipped at little as she contemplated Steve’s words, and she reached for a cloth to wipe up the liquid she had spilt. “You don’t think…” “I don’t know.” Steve sighed “But I couldn’t just leave her.” “No, course not.” Katie shook her head, reaching up to touch his face. “Just one of the many things I love about you, Rogers.”

He gave a soft smile. “I thought maybe we could give her a good meal, get her cleaned up and she could stay here tonight whilst we can figure out what to do.” Steve shrugged. His wife smiled at him, and grabbing the mug, she stood on her toes and gave him a kiss.

“You know,” she said, opening the door to the kitchen, “you might not be Captain America anymore but you’re still a hero.”

The three ate dinner and then Katie convinced Emmy to have a shower and, after digging her out a t-shirt and a pair of shorts, settled her down in the spare room, promising her that neither of them were mad at her. Once she was convinced the eleven year old was asleep she dumped Emmy’s disgusting clothes in the washing machine, before she headed into the living room and snuggled down next to Steve who had poured her a glass of wine.

“She okay?” He asked.

“Yeah. Out like a light.” Katie sighed “I’m so glad you found her.”

Steve sighed a little. “She looked so lost. I can’t believe she’s been on her own for so long.” “Yeah well not anymore.” Katie scratched at her nose. “This is exactly why we need to sort those homes out. I mean there are hundreds of kids out there like that.” Steve nodded and took a long pull from his beer.

“Just seems so shitty.” Katie carried on “That she’s had two foster homes now and, ok, the last one doesn’t sound like it was so great, but we’re gonna shove her back in a home and…” She trailed off, tears in her eyes. “She deserves so much better, they all do.”

“Well,” Steve turned his head to look at her. “I’m sure you’ll make sure she has a good place for when she has to leave.” Katie stayed silent for a moment, before she took a deep breath and decide to just go for it and voice what was on her mind. “What if she doesn’t?” 

“Doesn’t what?”

“Leave”

“What, you mean, she stays here?”

“Would that be so bad?” Katie asked, “I just, I dunno, Steve, I can’t…” She trailed off, simply looking at him, a hopeful expression on her face that made Steve want to kiss the life out of her. He knew she loved the little girl, she’d always had a soft spot for her. And would fostering a kid for the time being be such a bad idea? It would mean changes, a lot of changes and they would be inheriting an eleven year old, with an attitude to boot. But, they had the room and Natasha was always on hand as well…

Maybe this was just another little way they could give something back.

“Why don’t we ask her tomorrow?” Steve suggested. “If she wants to stay then maybe we can look at it, at least until something else turns up.” “You mean that?” Katie looked up at him and he nodded.

“Yeah.” 

With a teary smile she shifted so she knelt up and reached to gently cup his jawline with her fingers.

“Thank you.” she kissed him softly.

***** Of course Emmy wanted to stay. And, after a fortnight of her being at the compound, Katie and Steve made the enquiry into fostering her on a more official basis, which was easier than it would have been pre-snap, officials keen to rehouse children with people that were willing to take them in. 

The first month was full of teething problems. Emmy had refused to go back to the house she had been living in, screaming blue murder when Steve had suggested they collect her things. So Katie had taken her out shopping for clothes and bits and pieces that she needed. Then she had refused to try anything on in the changing rooms. Ever patient, and recognising the signs of trauma and panic, Katie had calmed her down and told her they would simply take the clothes home to try on there, and that it wasn’t a big deal.

It transpired, after a tearful confession later in her room, Emmy was simply frightened that they would see the marks on her back left by the belt her foster father had hit her with and she had broken down, Katie simply laying with her until she fell asleep. 

The girl also had nightmares, and would often wake up screaming, but wouldn’t let Steve anywhere near her to comfort her. He didn’t take it personally, not after he knew what she had gone through with her foster father, but it did upset him somewhat to think that she could be afraid of him. As time went by she became a lot more comfortable around him, but still wasn’t really happy with any physical contact from anyone bar Katie. Steve simply respected her boundaries, Katie assuring that she would come round eventually.

Emmy found a friend in Natasha, the young girl spending a fair bit of time with the woman, often Steve would find them in the gym, Natasha teaching her some boxing move or other. Steve wasn’t completely sure it was a very good idea, but he left them to it as Emmy would come back to the apartment gushing about what she had learnt, keen to show them both her ‘moves’ as she called them. It was those moments that they both enjoyed, the signs of a cheeky young, innocent girl flashed through and it made Steve’s heart swell to see her coming out of her shell more and more.

Maybe more surprising, however, was how much she took to Tony. Katie said it was because they were the same mental age, which Pepper had vehemently agreed with. But Steve thought it was because Tony simply treat her like he would anyone else with his usual sarcasm and bluntness and she was fascinated by anything the inventor would show her when they visited the lake house. Turns out she had a real knack for technology, and the two of them set about on a project, building a small remote control robot which Lucky wasn’t quite so sure about as the dog would run away, bark, come back, and run away again whilst Emmy cackled away from her vantage point on the stairs where she controlled it.

Alongside this, Katie was still working on setting up homes for other kids through SIDE, and when she came home saying that there was a place for Emmy at the most recent one, the Rogers were both forced to face the reality that, whilst they had meant the fostering to be a temporary arrangement, neither of them wanted Emmy to be placed back into care.

So at the end of April, they made the fostering arrangement permanent.

Which was why Steve now found himself in a hardware store with a ridiculously hyper young girl, picking out a colour to paint her bedroom in.

“I don’t want pink.” Emmy frowned, looking at the colour chart on the wall.

“Well, what do you want?” Steve asked patiently.

“Purple. I think. Maybe a lilac.” “Okay there are some over there.” he nodded and she crossed the aisle to study the colour.

“I think I like this one.” 

Steve nodded. “Good choice,” before he found the tin with the correct shade in and dropped four onto the trolley. “Alright, that’s that done.” He turned to look at her “You wanted a new lamp too?”

“I don’t need one…”

“No, I know, but you wanted one.” 

Emmy’s face lit up and she nodded so they headed over to the light display. Her eyes went wide as she made her way straight over to a tall lamp, the shade of which was decorated with tiny, silver stars.

“I love it.” She said gently. Steve nodded, picked a boxed one up off the shelf and dropped it onto the flat bed trolley.

“That was easy.” He smiled.

“Please can I get some fairy lights for round my bed?” Emmy asked timidly “We told you kid, whatever you want, well, within reason.”  

With another face-splitting smile, Emmy selected some fairy lights. And a rug. And a few new cushions. And a throw. And a new bed for Lucky who seemed to have taken up permanent residence in her room when she was in there. Several hours and a couple of hundred bucks later they were on their way home after Steve had been cajoled into taking a detour through the drive-through for a burger.

“Hey!” Katie greeted as they walked through the door, Emmy carrying the cushions, Steve lugging everything else “Wow, you buy the whole store?”

“Is it too much?” Emmy asked, nervously “We can…” “No, I’m teasing, honey!” Katie chuckled, dropping a kiss onto her head. There was a moment and then Emmy burst into tears.

“Okay,” Katie sighed, taking her hand “Come on.”

Steve watched, feeling slightly useless, as he couldn’t help comfort the girl. He followed as Katie led her to the couch and he sat on the arm chair as Katie patiently sat Emmy down and waited until she had stopped sobbing. Lucky jumped up beside her and pushed his face into hers, licking away her tears as she wound her hands into the dog’s sandy coloured fur.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered.

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” Katie assured her “Do you wanna talk about it?” “I’ve never had nice things.” The little girl wringed her hands together and looked up at Katie from underneath wet eyelashes. “And when I did, then my foster brothers would break them and then he would hit me because I didn’t look after them.” She never used her foster father’s name. It was always he or him. Steve clenched his fists and felt the nerve tick in his jaw as he fought back the urge to go on a rant about the asshole.

“You know we would never hurt you Emmy.”He leaned forward, fighting the urge to reach out and tuck the hair that had fallen over her face behind her ear. “And no one else is gonna hurt you whilst you’re here.”

She wiped her eyes and gave a small sniffle. “I know.”

“So, how about we dry those tears and you help me make dinner?” Katie looked at her “Whilst Steve-O puts your things in your room.”

Steve let out a playful groan as Emmy giggled. “I really wish you’d stop calling me that.” Katie stuck out her tongue as he rolled his eyes and stood up, slapping his thighs with his hands. “The pair of you are a monumental pain in my ass.” “Language!” Emmy shot back as she smirked at him and he gave a snort, picking up the items they’d bought and taking them into her room.

Whilst they were in the kitchen, Steve set about fixing up her lamp, the fairy lights, tossed the new throw and cushions they had bought on her bed and set the remote for the flat-screen TV they had had installed on the wall on her nightstand. He called the girls to come and look and Emmy’s face was a picture, her eyes lighting up as she saw her room. She glanced around and looked at Steve, then to Katie, then back again.

“We can start painting over the weekend-” Steve began but was cut off when the girl threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her forehead to the top part of his stomach. Steve paused for a moment before his hand gently fell to the back of Emmy’s head as he stooped and gave her a hug back, looking up at Katie who was smiling from her vantage point in the doorway.

“She’ll come round in time…”  

His wife’s voice echoed around his head as he dropped a soft kiss to the top of Emmy’s head and smiled.

That was just another time in a long list of instances his wife had been right.

***** Chapter 42 Part 1

**Original Posting**

[greyfongschemmenti]

In These Arms | Chapter 6 :Ba Sing Se

Summary:

You and Korra always had a bit of a love/hate relationship but it comes with the budding friendship. When it comes down to it you will help fight alongside her and even protect her with your life if it comes down to it. Your life….are you really willing to lay down your life for the Avatar?

“You’re amazing….you know that? No one asked you to, but you made it your personal mission to protect Korra.” you speak in barely a whisper before you lean over and softly plant a kiss on her forehead.

Notes:

So I changed some things around in the Ba Sing Se episode so the Reader could fit into the story.

You had packed your clothes and other stuff in a duffle bag quickly when you left Lin’s - not taking a chance to change.

“Oh Miss y/n, I presume the dinner was successful?”

You look up at Butler while you stuff the contents in the bag as you move some hair out of your face “Sorry to wake you Butler, yes, very much so. Thanks again for your help, but something came up at work. Not sure how long I’ll be gone”. You zip your bags up

“Understood miss y/n” as he opens the doors for you as you head out.

You pack your bags onto the cycle and speed off waving at Butler as you head out of the estate grounds.

           Meeting up with Lin on the roof of police headquarters you step into the airship, setting your bags aside on a bench. Lin is looking around with another officer making sure the airship is ready, “Captain” she acknowledges your presence and you return the gesture “Woah Cap, had a nice night?” Officer Song asked you

“What?” you look at Song confused as you run your hand through your hair.

“Your clothes, Cap” he points his pen at the outfit you still have from last night.

“Oh, yeah…was just out enjoying the city” you give him a weak smile -

“Enough chit chat is the airship ready Song?” Lin looks at Song with her hand on her hip. You take the opportunity to grab your duffel bag and duck into a nearby bathroom to change into your combat clothes. Bending on your brace and sleeves on before stepping out and heading to the control center of the ship. The ship takes off and you’re soon flying to Ba Sing Se “How about I take the reins so you can gather information on Korra and Tenzin” you reach for the controls while Lin nods and walks over to see if she can radio the Ba Sing Se embassy.

           “This is what I feared would happen….not only is Korra in trouble so is Tenzin and the whole group - they’re out there unsure of what’s happened. Outside of my control and protection” she mutters angrily as she looks down at the map looking for the fastest way possible to the city. “You should have gone on that trip with them. Someone with your knowledge of the area, it could have helped with their search. Now I have to leave Republic City to the hands of Saikhan and we both know how that turned out the last time I was…. indisposed.” Lin snarls, infuriated with herself for having to leave her city because of Raiko’s stupid banishment on Korra while she looked at the copy of the travel itinerary Tenzin had sent before their trip. You try not to feel guilty for having pushed her on going on that date. Is it possible that Lin regrets the date last night? You look down at the controls and gather your thoughts before inhaling deeply, “You’re right… I….should have gone as added protection. I-- Ba Sing Se isn’t particularly a place I’m fond of, but that is no excuse. I’m sorry, Chief”

You look over and see a look of stress creeping up on Lin’s face, switch your captain hat off and switch to being Lin’s support system. You set the ship on autopilot to continue on course then walk over beside her, “Lin, we’ll get Korra back to safety. She has Tenzin and her team with her,” speaking calmly to her as you wrap her in your arms. “I need her back in the city where I can protect and keep her safe” she sighs and rubs her eyes to fight off sleep. You smile a bit, this isn’t the time or the moment but Lin sounds like a worried mother and it warms your heart to see this type of concern come from her.“You will get her back, Lin” you whisper as you kiss her forehead “You should rest, you’ll be better off if you take a nap. I’ll wake you once we’re close”

“I’m fine”

“You barely had any time to sleep. Don’t fight it. Please, darling”

“Fine but wake me up as soon as Ba Sing Se is on the horizon.” Lin begrudgingly walks out of your arms and heads to the upper deck.

After a couple of hours you’re leaning against the dashboard watching the sun slowly start to creep up on the horizon. One of the beauties the world gives us is the ability to experience moments like these. Here you go again, jumping straight into the midst of battle - and this time it’s a direct attack against Korra. Seems like you’re always having to put your job on the line, and it always goes back to Korra. You scoff, fighting a smile as you look back out the window as the blend of oranges and yellows starts to cover the once dark landscape, your eyes squinting once it gets brighter. You stifle a yawn but shake it off, you’re not entirely sure what kind of danger Korra could be in, but you’re about to dock into Ba Sing Se for no reason other than to get Korra and the team. You and Korra always had a bit of a love/hate relationship but it comes with the budding friendship. When it comes down to it you will help fight alongside her and even protect her with your life if it comes down to it. Your life….are you really willing to lay down your life for the Avatar? You look up to where Lin would be currently asleep before looking out the window. Lin would do it no questions asked, you’ve always been about helping those who need it - putting yourself in harm’s way. This time you’ve been more cautious, not wanting to get hurt because you have someone to come back to. Even though it’s all new with Lin, you feel like she is where you’re meant to be. You don’t want to ruin it or cause her any harm, and you know that  if it had to come down to it you would get the brunt of the hit to save Lin, so be it. The world needs help now especially with the way Lin looked when you woke up. It seemed to be a serious threat and you can’t let Lin handle it all by herself.  

You see the neighboring villages that surround Ba Sing Se start to appear so you head up to the upper deck to check on Lin. She’s sleeping on one of the cots and you approach her quietly as you decide to take a moment to see peaceful Lin before you wake her. Kneeling down beside her you take her in, softly brushing some hair out of her face, careful not to wake her yet, “You’re amazing….you know that? No one asked, but you made it your personal mission to protect Korra.” you speak in barely a whisper before you lean over and softly plant a kiss on her forehead, “We’re approaching the city”. Lin slowly sits up and stretches “That was fast” causing a laugh from you “You were asleep. Of course it would seem fast,” you stand up and walk over to the windows looking out over the city and see that the ship is flying over the outer ring, “I’ll radio ahead to prep for landing” you mutter as you get back to the controls and radio the inner ring to get directions on landing. Once the ship is secured, you and Lin head down and make your way over to the guest house Team Avatar is staying in.

You step up and knock on the door and hear the sound of muffled noises and shuffling. You look at Lin cocking an eyebrow before Tenzin opens the door “y/n?! wha- Hi” he greets you warmly “Can we come in?” you look at him “We?” he looks at you confused until you point beside you and he notices Lin standing there appearing from behind the other door. Lin walks into the house and you follow suit “Lin? What are you two doing here?” he closes the door. “We need to get Korra out of here immediately. Her life’s in danger.” She stops and turns to face Tenzin as she crosses her arms. “What? What’s going on” Korra asks as she walks towards them, standing in the middle while Lin and Tenzin stare at each other. Lin ignores Korra and keeps addressing Tenzin “I just got word from Lord Zuko and Tonraq”

“Why is Lord Zuko with my Dad?” Korra looks at you “Can you hear me? Tell me what’s going on” you nod then shrug as you take in the interaction between Lin and Tenzin, “All I know is that you’re in danger so here I am”.

Lin still ignoring Korra and continues talking to Tenzin “Zaheer and the others have escaped”

This news seems to surprise Tenzin “How is that possible?”

“Because Zaheer is an airbender now” she reveals, Tenzin’s facial expression is one of complete shock,

“No…”

“Alright” Korra thrusts both hands out in irritation “Hold on” she turns to Lin “Will you quit ignoring me and tell me what’s going on?” She raises both arms in confusion “Who’s Zaheer? Looking between Lin and Tenzin “And why is my life in danger?”

Lin and Tenzin glance at each other silently as Korra looks at Tenzin and he relents “Shortly after we found out you were the Avatar, Zaheer and three others attempted to kidnap you. Luckily, your father, Lord Zuko, Chief Sokka, and I were there to stop them. We apprehended the criminals and locked them away in prisons designed to impair their abilities.” Korra looks down in disbelief as she hears this news then it seems like she came up with an answer on her own “So that’s why you and my Dad sheltered me away in the south pole for so long.”

Everyone in the room listened to the news silently “It was for your own safety” Tenzin responded. Mako stepped forward and started talking, gaining the attention of Korra, Lin, and Tenzin as they turned towards him “Why were they trying to kidnap Korra?”

“We spent thirteen years interrogating them, but they never broke. To this day, no one knows what their motive was.” She rests her arm on her hip as you take a step forward, “How is it for 13 years no one could come up with a theory that Zaheer wanted to kidnap Korra to either A. Raise her to be an evil Avatar or B. Find a way to kill Korra without her being reincarnated into the next life”. You questioned Lin as she turned to you “We developed theories but none of them were ever proven because Zaheer and the others never talked.”

Lin turns back to Korra and takes a step towards Korra “Now we need to get you back to Republic City where I can protect you.”

Korra shakes her head “No” Tenzin turns to face Korra “I’m not running”

Lin closes her eyes to try to calm herself down and not start a screaming match “Korra, you don’t understand.” She opens her eyes to look at the Avatar “These criminals are like nothing you’ve ever faced before.” She’s trying to reason with the young Avatar and you’re unsure if you should step in, but you end up speaking calmly to Korra “If Zaheer is as great a threat as Lin says. It would be best for you to come back to the city. Lin and the force can help protect you.”

A look appears on Korra’s face, one of irritation on how the adults are talking to her “Look, I’m not a little kid anymore. You guys don’t need to protect me. I came here for one thing, to find airbenders, and I’m not leaving without them.”

You and Tenzin glance at Lin who seems to be trying to fight the urge to yell “Fine. Let’s get them and get out of here. Where are they?”

“We’re not entirely sure...” You watch her expression change to anger.

“Um…what?” you put a finger up questioning anyone to give you the rundown.

“The Earth Queen is conscripting airbenders to fight for her, but we don’t know where they’re being held.” Tenzin answers and you nod understanding “Ah, I don’t like it, but the Earth Queen technically has a right to conscript her citizens” you cross your arms “That’s what I said!” Bumi exclaimed as someone agreed with him. The rest of the gang give you and Bumi dirty looks “What? it’s not my law! Just another reason why I don’t like Ba Sing Se” you mutter as you fold your arms, looking away.

“Alright enough. What’s the plan” Lin waves her arm to stop the conversation and turns to Korra and Tenzin. Korra walks to the table “Well we’ve been looking - Jinora read books about the city. Hey y/n, maybe you can help!” she looks up from the map at you.

“Yeah, sure if there’s anything I can do. Count me in” you lower your arms and approach the table. “Jinora mentioned secret places, do you have any ideas of where the Earth Queen could have the airbenders?” Korra glances at you as you look at the map putting your palms down on the table as you search and point at Lake Laogai “There was a secret Dai Li facility under Lake Laogai. To my knowledge it hasn’t been used for years but maybe it’s been restored to be used for housing the airbenders. That’s the only place I would think makes sense on where to hide them.” Korra, Tenzin, and Jinora nod at your insight “Jinora said the same thing, so we’ll start there.” You nod then move your finger up a bit “There’s a small piece of land in the middle of the water that you can reach, right about here” you find the location and point to it.

“We can use Oogi to get there” Tenzin comments

"Lin and I will watch over the rest of the group" you say and he thanks you before the three head out on Oogi.

“What about the rest of us?” Bolin asks as Pabu crawls out of his shirt “Oh sorry Pabu…forgot you were in there” Pabu chirps angrily.

“Nothing much to do until we get more intel on the airbenders” you shrug as you stifle a yawn,

“Are there any other places they could be?” Asami looks at you and you rest your head on your hand as you put your elbow on the table. “For what the Earth Queen needs, no…the rest of the “secret” places are just underground tunnels or catacombs.” You lean back in your chair “Unless the Queen built some new military compound in recent years, there isn’t a facility big enough other than the one in Lake Laogai” you fold your arms then stand up .

“We just have to wait until Korra, Tenzin, and Jinora come back,” Mako says and you nod putting your hand over your mouth as you fight off a yawn.

“Didn’t sleep much?” Asami whispered and you jerked your head to her and nodded “Had a couple of hours before we got the call from Lord Zuko.” You rub the back of your neck.

“Go take a nap, I'll wake you when they come back” Asami rests her hand on your shoulder and you shake your head “It’s fine, I’ll just drink some black tea” you rub your eyes “You’re no use to us tired and off your game. Go sleep” she squeezes your shoulder and shakes you a bit and you groan “Fine”. Asami walks you over to an unused bedroom and you thank Asami before dozing off on the bed.

*

“y/n… wake up. They’re back” Asami shakes you awake as you sit up and rub your eyes “Did they find them?” you mumble as you get out of bed and put on your boots “The Lake was completely deserted, but Jinora found them.”

“Where?”

“The Earth Queen’s temple..”

“What?!” you stand up shocked when Asami pulls you out the bedroom and you follow her back towards the foyer, “I can't believe Miss Queenie Smugface had them right under our noses the whole time!” you hear Korra say as you meet the rest of the group.

“We have to get into that compound tonight and get those airbenders out.” Tenzin steps forward in the group as you and Asami step closer.

“Alright, we go in under the cover of darkness. Two small insertion teams and a third on the outside. Then all we'll need is twelve tons of blasting jelly, a medium sized bulldozer, and does anyone have a badgermole that knows morse code?” you all look at Bumi with skeptical expressions and Tenzin sighs, annoyed at his brother. You slowly talk “Okay… so two small insertion teams and a third on the outside. Good plan Bumi”, you put a hand on his shoulder and give him a smile “Asami, Lin, and I will fly the airships while the rest of you go inside and rescue the airbenders” you look at everyone, giving more clarity on Bumi’s plan and everyone nods “Nightfall” Korra ends the conversation as she stands up straight putting on a determined face.

*

You hand Bumi one of the radio communication devices and he tests it out - speaking into the receiver “Top Side, this is Papa Bear. Do you read me?” you hear an annoyed sigh coming from the other side, causing a laugh from you and Bumi as you hear Lin confirm the test “Yes”.

“Okay, good. You can radio us in case anything happens.” You look at Bumi “Well, see you on the other side, soldier”

“See you at the other side, commander” you playfully salute Bumi and watch the group start their stealth mission as you head back sending Asami a thumbs up before stepping inside Lin’s airship. “They’re off. We should hear something soon,” you step beside Lin as she rolls her eyes “Top Side? Papa Bear?” you laugh and shake your head “Not my idea”.

“The Earth Queen is never going to want to work with the Avatar after this…” Lin comments as she groans looking out the window as you slide your hand in your pocket “She shouldn’t be ruling the country at all, these types of things should never happen.” You remark as you look out and see the lights of the city you once called home. “How long has it been since you’ve been back?” Lin asks and you sigh closing your eyes as you try to remember “Just before settling down in Zaofu” you open your eyes “Had to visit my uncle, let him know I was safe and planned to move to Zaofu and start a new life.”

“How did he take the news?”

“He was supportive. We still exchange letters and phone calls, not as much as before, but I update him on how I am.” You sigh as you hear static coming from the radio followed by some whispering “Top Side, this is Papa Bear. The Breezies are in the hole, cue the Balloons!” Bumi’s voice is heard and you let out a laugh and nod “Got it. I’ll start the ship..” while Lin grabs the receiver confused “What? Are you in trouble?”

“No, we got the airbenders and we're headed out. Bring the airships! No one likes code names anymore.” Bumi sounds exasperated as you walk up to Lin “Copy that. Asami, y’n, and I are on our way.” Lin radios and you take the receiver from her grasp adding

“Papa Bear, this is Top Side. Balloons are floating your way, be at the ready, over and out” you hang up the receiver as Lin gives you an incredulous look before giving Asami the signal.

“You understood that mumbo jumbo?” Lin looks at you as she watches you start the ship up “You didn’t? I thought it was pretty obvious” you smirk while looking over at Asami as both ships start to take off and head to the rendezvous point. You and Lin hear a growl coming close to the airship “It’s just Oogi” Lin peers out the window and the sky bisoni comes into view between the two airships.

           On approaching the Earth Queen’s temple you give Lin the control to the ship “Take control, I’ll help them in” you run out of the cockpit before Lin can refuse. Opening the door of the hangar bay you grab a cable to clip on your belt to prevent you from flying out. You bend your cables down and let the airbenders to start climbing to safety, Bumi is the first up “Good to see you, Soldier” he smiles and you give him a nod “Commander” two by two the airbenders start safely boarding in the airship, Bumi helps pulling them up until everyone is accounted for and you radio Lin “Everyone's in! Let's go.”

You press the hangar door closed as Lin motions the airship to go forward.

“Welcome everyone, you’re safe now. Feel free to sit and rest while we get out of danger.” You nod to Bumi as the both of you head up to the upper deck to meet Lin. Heading over the map on the table. “What’s the plan, where are we heading to now?” Bumi asks as Lin joins once the controls are set “To Republic City. We got Korra and the airbenders…”

“Lin, we can’t just take these benders to the city. It’ll basically be airnapping” you smirk as you keep your eyes on the map. Bumi snorts as he butts in

“Yeah, Linny, we can't conconscript these benders. We need to find a secure place to land. Have the airbenders choose where to go from there.”

Lin folds her arms “You know not to call me that.” then groans “Fine, where do you suggest we land then?” she walks over to you to the map.

You search all over the map and find the location and point to it. This seems safe and far enough from the Dai Li “If I remember correctly, there is a barren city off by these cliffs here. We can land there and have Tenzin and Korra talk to the new recruits.”

“I’ll radio Asami and change the course”, Lin looks at you before heading back to the control center and radios Asami to let her know of the new plan.

“Nice job, Captain” Bumi nudges you and smiles “Thought she was going to rip your head off with that Linny comment, Commander” you smile and laugh. Bumi grins back at you mirthfully "You should try calling her that. It's fun"

"oh no, I like to keep my head intact thank you very much" you grin back both of you snort in a laugh as you fold your arms. "what are you two idiots laughing about?" Lin barks and you cover your mouth trying to stop "Nothing" you try to sound convincing "Yeah, nothing" Bumi comes to your defensive and you give each other a nudge as Lin rolls her eyes and diverts the ship to the safe location you pointed out.

*

Once both airships are landed and parked, Bumi helps the airbenders off the ship and joins the rest of Team Avatar in Asami’s ship. You stay inside and walk up in the higher deck and look at Lin, who looks tense and stressed out. Looking around and sensing no one is around you walk up behind her, slowly putting your arms around her. Lin seems to calm at your embrace and you softly talk to her “You’re getting too stressed, I understand Korra’s safety is your top concern but getting worked up… it’s not beneficial to your body or your mental health” you kiss her neck softly “Korra doesn’t understand how dangerous Zaheer is” she mutters.

“That might be the case, but you’re here now to protect her…. Korra’s is right though, she’s not a kid anymore.” Lin balls her fists as she closes her eyes to calm herself as you continue -

“Plus, she’s not alone. She has you, Tenzin, me, her team. We’re not going to let anyone hurt her.” You finish and Lin opens her eyes and looks out the window to watch Tenzin talking to the airbenders. You join watching the scene unfold down below and notice the airbenders start to rise.

“You think Tenzin and Korra got some recruits?” you ask, watching them stand one by one.

“I think fighting the queen was motivation enough to rise and fight, but they don’t know what’s in store…good luck to them” Lin states out plainly.

“Tenzin or the airbenders?” you peer out and notice as Tenzin start walking towards the airship,

“Both” Lin answers and you look at her and share a light laugh.

“He’s coming this way” you remove your arms from Lin and step away, moving to another part of the ship as Tenzin steps in and shares the news and new plan. “Great news, all the benders want to join!”

“That’s--” you smile

“Great so we’re headed back to the city. Let’s go” Lin starts walking to start up the ship,

“Actually….” Tenzin drags out receiving a glare from Lin

“Korra wants to keep looking for more airbenders and I have to agree. I wanted to ask if you two would accompany Korra on the search while Bumi and I take the airbenders to the Northern Air Temple.” He looks at Lin with pleading eyes as Lin looks over at you. You scratch your cheek “President Raiko did banish Korra from the city… and you can keep eyes on Korra this way” you step towards the two of them as Lin lets out an annoyed sigh.

“Fine. Her safety is in my hands”

“Thank you Lin…y/n”

Tenzin and Bumi go in Asami’s airship and take the newly recruited airbenders to the Northern Air Temple while Lin and you take Team Avatar to continue looking for more airbenders. Once everything gets situated both airships take off, flying in separate directions until either is no longer in view. A new adventure awaits.

[crying-gay-tears]

Brighter Than The Sun

Chapter 2: The First Day

“G-Gon?” Killua’s mouth fell open in surprise. “What are you doing here? How did you find my room?” Gon looked so excited and he had no idea why.

“Killua!! I didn’t know this was your room! I just got home and wanted to meet my roommate!”

“Home? Wait, does that mean-” realization hit him suddenly.  “Are you in 405A??”

“Yes! We’re roommates!” 

Killua stood in stunned silence for a moment, unsure of how to feel. Of all the people on campus to have as his roommate, it turned out to be Gon, the bubbly and strange boy he had ironically just been thinking about. 

“Can I see your room? I peeked in earlier when I arrived but it was empty.”

“Uh, sure” he stepped to the side, letting him into the room. “I haven’t really done anything in here yet. I got in right before orientation, so I didn’t have time to start unpacking. When I finally got back after the library I put some stuff away, but I’ve mostly just been hanging out.” Killua blushed, suddenly hyper aware of the chocolate robot wrappers on his desk, and his haphazardly arranged belongings. His suitcase was lying open on the floor beside his dresser, stacks of books were scattered across the desk and floor.

“I think it looks great already! I haven’t had the chance to unpack or decorate at all yet.  Is this your favorite band?” He nodded to the crooked poster on the wall above the bed.

“One of my favorites, yeah. It’s the one playing right now.” He motioned to the bluetooth speaker sitting on the windowsill. 

Gon walked over, sat on his bed, and began bobbing his head to the music.

“They’re really good! You’ve got nice taste in music.” 

Killua chuckled, “This is only one song! I like a lot of different stuff, there’s a lot to listen to.”

“Well, you’ve got the whole school year to show me!” 

His smile was warm and real and it shook Killua up quite a bit. No one had ever really shown interest in the things he enjoyed before, but here was someone he had just met, genuinely excited to be listening to underground rock with him. 

They hung out while Killua finished unpacking his suitcase and getting settled. After that, Gon wandered back to his own room to start his unpacking and when he did Killua followed and this time Gon played the music. His taste was a little weird, and mostly pop, but Killua didn’t mind. He was enjoying the view as Gon danced around his room, tossing clothes into his dresser and arranging trinkets on his desk.When he went to the bathroom to unpack his toiletries, Killua stood over the desk, checking out all of the small momentos Gon felt were important enough to bring with him to college. Among them was a few seashells, a green ring, and a fishing hook in a small glass jar. A photo in a blue frame near the corner of the desk caught his eye, and he leaned in for a closer look. Gon, wearing a graduation cap and gown, was facing the camera, eyes squinted with a beaming smile on his face. One arm held his diploma in the air, while the other was wrapped around a teary eyed woman. Her head came up to his shoulder, and where her hazel eyes and orange hair bore no resemblance to him, her warm and genuine smile was a spitting image. She must be-

“That’s my Aunt Mito!” Gon chirped, eyes lighting up as he walked over to where Killua was standing. “She burst into tears right after this picture was taken. I know she was proud and happy for me, but I’m pretty sure she was really sad that day. Mostly worried about the future, I think.” His face fell a bit. “She knows I want to follow in my dad’s footsteps, and since he’s so busy and always overseas I think she’s worried I’ll just leave and never come back.” 

“What does your dad do?”

“He’s an archaeologist.”

“Wow, that’s so cool!”

“Yeah, that’s why I want to see for myself! If his job is so amazing that it was worth missing out on my life and Mito-san’s life, then I want to know what it’s like!”

Killua felt kind of bad hearing that. He knew what it was like to have a dad ditch you for work, but at the same time, his parents were also very involved with his life. Suffocatingly so. They had appearances to uphold, afterall. His parents were far from perfect and even farther from pleasant, but he still couldn’t imagine one or both of them just leaving and not returning. Plus, what would Gon do if he finally got the job and it wasn’t as amazing as his dad made it seem? Killua knew from experience that hope usually just led to disappointment. 

He pulled out the desk chair and swung his leg over it, nestling backwards in the seat, his arms folded across the top rail of the chair, and his chin resting on top of them. “So what’s your dad like?” 

Gon sat on his bed across from Killua and was lost in thought for a moment. “Well, I’ve only really seen him a few times in my life. . His name is Ging. Ging Freecs. He’s pretty rough around the edges, but well respected. He’s famous in parts of the world for his finds and research. I don’t know much else, except a few stories Mito-san has told me from when they were kids on Whale Island together. She says I’m a lot like him though. ” He shrugged, “By her tone of voice,  I can never tell if she means that as a good or bad thing.” 

Killua surprised himself when he spoke, “Whether you're like Ging or not, and whether that’s good or bad doesn't really matter. You’re you. And for what it’s worth, I think you’re pretty cool.” 

They locked eyes and a huge smile broke out on Gon’s face. 

“Thanks, Killua. I think you’re really cool too! I’m glad we’re roommates!”

Killua just grumbled a bit in response, his mouth set in an awkward smile. Gon could be so embarrassing sometimes.

They slipped into a comfortable silence after that, music still playing softly through the room as Gon continued organizing his stuff and Killua scrolled on his phone. After a while Gon let out a huge yawn and decided it was time to call it a night. They were both mostly unpacked, and even though classes didn’t start for two more days, he wanted to get up early to explore the campus some more. Yawning himself, Killua followed suit and once behind his closed door, stripped to his boxers and flopped onto the bed. Staring up at the ceiling, his mind began to drift.

It had been a hell of a day. Aside from his text letting them know he arrived safely, he hadn’t spoken to his parents at all. Where this wasn’t too different from the norm--they were usually too tied up with work and social ladder climbing to give him much attention--it was still nice to have space from them and his life back home. He’d been so excited for the freedom college was going to provide him. Freedom from the claustrophobic walls of the Zoldyck estate, from his siblings, and best of all, freedom from his parent’s cold judgement. He was finally able to live his life without them breathing down his neck and criticizing his every move. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life, but he was so happy to finally have the space to explore and figure it all out. 

The only thing he was really worried about when he left for college was who his roommate would be, and he was pretty relieved to have Gon. They’d barely known each other a day, but he had the feeling that living with him was going to be a good time. He’d never met someone so… open and warm. His joy was almost contagious, it was a nice contrast and welcome change from his boarding school roommates and family. For the first time in a long time, he fell asleep excited for what the future would hold.

~~~~~~~~

The next two days were a blur of course catalogues and video games with his roommate, and before he knew it, Gon found himself on the way to his first college class, Biology 101. He was practically skipping down the brick walkway and, thanks to all of his previous exploring, he was able to find the classroom with no issue.  He snagged a spot towards the front by a window, and as he sat, noticed a neatly bound packet lying face down on the desk. He was curious, but resisted the urge to flip it over, choosing instead to check out his surroundings. There were a few other students scattered at the tables around the room, and a short woman with green hair stood at the front. He watched as she neatly wrote in neat and swoopy cursive across the white board. 

Dr. C. Yorkshire 

Adjunct Professor 

Biology 101 

Fall Term

Class A 

So she was the professor, Dr. Cheadle. She looked put together and kind, but he’d be lying if he said her calm demeanor was enough to soothe his nerves. School was never really his thing, he much preferred to be outside learning with his hands and on his feet, and his grades usually reflected the trouble he had with studying. His teachers in the past had always been nice enough, but he hated disappointing them with his test scores, and he wanted college to be different. He wanted to put his best foot forward with his new life and really prove himself. He was determined to give it his all. 

A few more people shuffled in and filled the open desks, and when the wall clock marked the top of the hour, the professor faced the class and cleared her throat. 

“Good morning everyone, and welcome to Biology 101. I’m Dr. Cheadle Yorkshire and I’ll be your professor. As you should know, this class is accompanied by a mandatory lab that will meet once a week. You’ll all be partnered off and expected to work together for the lab as well as in class activities.” Her eyes scanned the room, mouth set in a stern smile. “To kick things off, I’d like everyone to turn over the packet in front of you. This is a copy of your class syllabus, I took the liberty of binding them for you, as you’ll be referencing it throughout the entire semester.  It contains all of the information you’ll need to be successful in this class, including classroom policies, expectations, assignments, required reading, my office hours, and more!” 

Gon held the syllabus in his hand and was staring at it like it was made of gold. Everything he needed to do well in this class? It was like he’d been handed a treasure. 

“Now, I’ll call out the lab pairings, and you can find your partner and arrange your seating accordingly, then we can begin our first activity!”

When Gon’s name was finally called along with his partner’s, he was giddy with anticipation and just as he stood to scan the crowd for his partner, a blue satchel dropped down on the table and a tall boy sunk down into the seat next to his. His blonde hair framed his face and hung just above his shoulders, his smile was tight but genuine as he held a hand out to Gon. 

“I’m Kurapika, nice to meet you, partner.” 

Gon shook it and chirped back “I’m Gon! Nice to meet you too!”

They sat in silence while Cheadle finished calling out the rest of the pairs. When everyone was settled, she addressed the class.

 “Alright, now that everybody is paired off, we can begin today’s activity! In order to get to know your syllabus and your lab partner, I’ve created a scavenger hunt! Simply peruse your syllabus and use what you read to answer the questions on this handout!” She waved a stack of papers in the air and with a proud smile on her face, began handing them out. “You can begin as soon as you get your worksheet and you are dismissed whenever you finish!”

When their worksheets were placed in front of them, Kurapika turned in his chair to face Gon. 

“Well, I suppose we better get started, eh? We can both read through the syllabus and then answer the questions together, does that sound good to you?”

“Sure!” Gon nodded in response and they got started. Gon was a little overwhelmed with the amount of information on the syllabus. It was pretty stressful seeing an entire semester of work listed out like that. He was excited for the lab though, all of those assignments seemed pretty hands on and a few of them were even supposed to be done outside. Maybe this class wouldn’t be so bad afterall. After a few minutes, they began answering the questions together. It wasn’t too tough to find the answers, and with two people it went by pretty quickly. Gon didn’t want the whole class to pass without getting to know his lab partner though, so he tried to strike up a conversation between questions. 

“So, Kurapika, what’s your major? Are you a freshman here too?”

Kurapika didn’t look up from the worksheet when he answered. “I’m not a freshman, but I am new. I’m a sophomore and I transferred here this year.I’m double majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice.” He glanced up and over at Gon. “What about you? Have you decided on a major yet?”

“I have! Well, kinda. I’m considering Anthropology or maybe  Environmental Biology. Still trying to figure out which would be best, but I don’t think I could handle double majoring like you. Your majors sound really great! What do you want to do with your degree?”

“I want to become a detective, I’m still deciding between public and private.” He scribbled something on his paper. “The answer to number 12 is ‘Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5pm’ by the way. Three more and we’re finished.” 

Gon was hastily writing in the answer when Kurapika asked, 

“What do you want to do when you get your degree?”

“I want to become an archaeologist, like my dad! Or possibly a similar job within the field.” He perked up when he noticed that Kurapika had put down his worksheet and turned his focus to their conversation instead. 

“So you're a transfer student, how do you like it here so far? Where did you transfer from, and what made you leave?”

 “Woah Gon, you’ve almost got more questions than the assignment.” Kurapika chuckled but still pressed on. “So far it’s fine, but I’ve only been here for 3 days so we’ll see how it goes. I transferred here from Meteor City Community College, but I never really wanted to go there in the first place. This was my first choice school, but I wasn’t able to move here last year because of some family stuff. This year I was able to, so I did. And how are you liking it here? What made you choose YNU?”

“It’s my dad’s alma mater, so it was an easy choice. So far I’m really liking it! I was a little nervous before I got here, but everything has been pretty awesome. I’ve gotten to know and love the campus already, and I’ve got a great roommate too! Plus, my first class is going well! And that’s what I was the most nervous about.” 

“It’s good that you like your roommate. That can cause a lot of trouble for some. It definitely did at my last school, so that’s actually what I was most worried about here.”

“I’m sorry you had trouble last year, but is your new roommate nice I hope?” 

“Well, I actually lucked out and got a suite to myself. I requested one when I filled out the transfer paperwork, and told them about my last experience. I wasn't counting on it to work out in my favor too much, but it did.”

“I’m glad it did!”

“And I’m glad you’re feeling better about your classes now that you’ve got one under your belt.” He slid his worksheet over with a pale slender hand,  the last three answers were written out neatly.

Gon quickly jotted them down and slid the paper back to Kurapika. “Thank you!”

“No problem, it was a team effort after all.” He smiled as he slung his satchel over his shoulder and stood up to turn in his paper, Gon grabbed his backpack and followed behind him. 

After they handed her the worksheets, Dr. Yorkshire complimented their effort and teamwork, and dismissed them for the day. They were in the hallway and Kurapika was waving goodbye when Gon spoke again. 

“Kurapika, do you wanna grab lunch sometime? I know we’re just lab partners, but you seem really cool and I’d like to be friends!”

Kurapika looked puzzled for a moment but his voice was soft and sincere when he spoke. “I’d like that, Gon.” 

With that, they exchanged numbers and went their separate ways. 

The rest of the day breezed by, and Gon was pretty much on cloud 9. He was excited about his classes, and even more excited about the people he met in each one. He had lunch scheduled with Kurapika for later on that week, and he decided to check out some of the clubs a few of his new friends suggested to him throughout the week as well. It was going to be a great year! He texted Killua and they decided to meet up for dinner in the cafeteria, so he headed that way after his last class.

When he arrived, he scanned the room until a crop of silver hair caught his eye at a small table by the dessert station in the far corner. He made his way over and plopped into the seat across from Killua, who was surrounded by plates of different desserts.

“Gon, the dessert bar is amazing. You’ve gotta try the chocolate cake, and there’s cookies too!”

“It looks great! I’m gonna go grab some, and maybe some regular food too!” He stuck his tongue out teasingly, Killua just rolled his eyes in response. 

“Have you been here long?”

“Nah, I got here a few minutes before you. I just headed straight for the dessert.” 

Gon laughed out loud. Dessert for dinner, Mito would’ve killed him. College really was a different world.  “Do you want me to grab something else for you while I’m up?”

“Eh. I’m fine for now, might grab some pizza or something in a bit.” 

Gon nodded and left to make his plate. When he returned, Killua was scrolling on his phone, fork in hand hanging lazily at his mouth. 

His stomach growled and he quickly twirled a bite of spaghetti around his fork. The day was so eventful he hadn’t even realized he was hungry. 

“So, how were your classes? Did you like your professors?” he asked, shoving the huge bite of pasta into his mouth. 

Killua put his phone down and draped his arm over the back of his chair. “They all seem pretty boring, but I’m mostly getting gen ed classes out of the way for now, until I decide what I wanna major in, so that’s probably why. I don’t even remember any of the professors’ names, so that answers that question I guess,” He shoveled another bite of cake into his mouth, “What about you?”

“They all seemed nice enough, but I think I liked Professor Satotz in Anthropology the best. He seems interesting, so I’m excited to see how that class goes. Did you make any new friends?”

Killua quirked an eyebrow at him. “Uh, no. Did you?”

“I did! A few people, and I actually have plans to hang out with one of them! I’m gonna check out some clubs here too, I can definitely make some new friends there! And you’ve gotta come with me Killua! We can check them out together!” As he spoke he was practically buzzing with excitement.

“What clubs are you going to?” Killua asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Well, There’s a bunch of them to choose from, but the Great Outdoors Club, the GSA, and the Ultimate Frisbee Club were all recommended to me, so I’m gonna start with them I think.”

“GSA?”

“It stands for Gay Straight Alliance.”

Killua almost choked on his last bite of cake. “O-oh. Right. Why are you going to that one? Are you... gay?”

Gon’s face scrunched up a bit, his gaze suddenly intense.

“Not that there’s anything wrong with that if you are!” Killua backpedaled. “Just asking!”

“Yeah, I’m just thinking about it. I guess I don't know? I was gonna check it out ‘cause I liked the idea of an alliance, and I wanted to go to show support I guess, but hey, maybe the club will help me figure it out!”

Killua’s cheeks were tinged pink. “You don’t know? Haven’t you ever gone on a date or to a school dance or something before?”

“Well, I’ve gone on dates with girls before, never with any boys though.” He rested his chin on his hand. “To be honest, I’m just not sure. I guess now I’m pretty excited to see what I learn from this club!” His eyes squinted up in a bright smile. 

“You should come with me when I go! It’s for everyone to come together, so I don’t think it even matters if you’re gay or not anyways.” 

“Yeah, maybe, we’ll see.” He awkwardly rubbed at the back of his neck. “ I’m gonna go grab some food, be right back.” He stacked his dirty plates and quickly shuffled off.

Gon leaned back in his chair and rubbed his full belly. He looked around the cafeteria, already starting to recognize people from his classes amongst the crowds at tables and in line at food stations. His first day was really amazing and if this was what the year was going to be like, he was so ready for it. 

~~~~~~~~

After wandering between the different food stations for a few minutes, Killua finally returned to the table with a plate of spaghetti and some soda. The food on campus was actually pretty good, so that was a plus. It was almost good enough to distract him from the nagging questions that the mention of the GSA brought up. Almost. 

He really hadn’t thought too much about his own sexuality, or sexuality in general. He’d never even gone out with anyone before. Well, there was the one time he agreed to go to the winter formal with a girl he knew, but that night was a disaster and he only went because his brother had been giving him shit about his social life.

It’s not like he never found anyone attractive before. But now that he thought about it, most of the time when someone in a crowd caught his eye, they happened to be a boy. Like at orientation just a few days ago... But what did that say about his sexuality? How did anyone actually know if they were gay or straight or whatever? And what would you even do with that information once you managed to figure it out? 

“Killua?” 

“Eh?” The sound of Gon’s voice snapped him back to reality and when he looked up he was met with a pair of honey eyes burning into him. 

“What?” He gulped. Had Gon been sitting this close to him the whole time?

“I asked if you were ready to go.”

“Oh, yeah, sure.” 

They grabbed their bags and began the trek back to their dorm. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the blush that spread across his face and up his neck.

[everlastingdreams]

Dex x Reader: Sugar Crush Chapter 3

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Notes: I remember using google a lot for this chapter lol

Summary:  Reader moves into the same building as one Agent Poindexter. A bond starts to grow between them. Can the reader move on after a traumatic past ‘relationship’ ?

Chapter: 3/?

Trigger Warning:  Mentions of physical and emotional abuse ! YES this one will come with trigger warnings. I tried not to post too much into detail stuff but this entire thing comes with a trigger warning !

Word Count: 2144

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You woke up early the next morning, when you left your ex you had promised yourself to take the most out of every day. Part of you wanted to stay in bed, but you knew that some fresh air would be good for you. He had wanted you to be afraid, afraid to leave, and you did not want to give him the satisfaction of keeping you scared. And perhaps you could meet more people. You drank your coffee before you switched into your running clothes. It had been so long since you had done a morning run. Your ex used to forbid you to do so, afraid you might start running and never return to him and he was right to think so.

You grabbed your Ipod and looked for a good song with a good beat to it. Lastly you took your bag  that you hanged over your shoulder.

You stepped out of your apartment carrying some pancakes you had packed up. The moment you locked your door, Mr.Wilkinson stepped out of his.

“Mr.Wilki-” he looked at you “..Bob” you smiled at him kindly as you caught yourself. “Goodmorning. I have this for you.”

You walked to him holding out the plate of pancakes.

He looked at you puzzled for a moment before his eyes lit up in suprise as he took the plate from your hands “Oh my ! These smell delicious. My wife once attempted to make these, she however used salt instead of sugar by accident.”

“Really ?” you giggled at his story.

He nodded “Really. She of course refused to admit her mistake.”

You laughed at his words “She sounds like she was quite the woman, Bob.”

“She was. She really was.” His eyes were sad for a moment before his cheery mood returned “Well, I should get these inside. Thanks again (y/n). But..”

You waited for him to continue “Yes?”

He got a bit closer to you “You were able to make these pancakes, does that mean you were able to get an egg from the guy upstairs ?” his whispering suprised you.

“Yes. I also brought him some last night to thank him. We talked a bit.” Why were you whispering as well now??

He seemed suprised “He's a quiet one. Keeps to himself mostly.”

“He's seems nice though.” you quietly informed him.

“Good to hear. This city has a lot of good people in them, but a lot of bad ones too.” he pointed his finger at you as if he was trying to teach a child.

“Well, It's time I go out and meet the 'good' people then. I'm going for a run.” you tilted your head towards the stairs.

He put his hand on the doorknob “That's a good plan. And if you run into the wrong people, keep running.” He patted you on the shoulder as he laughed.

You let out a chuckle “I'll remember that advice, thank you, Bob.”

You waited until he was back in his apartment before you made your way down the stairs and out of the building. You had googled for a good path to run.

The air smelled fresh, the rain from the night before was still drying up on the streets. It was only when the sun started to sting your eye that you realised you had forgotten your sunglasses. You shrugged it off. There was no one in Hell's Kitchen that knew you, who would ask about the bruises  or the cut? Why should you care ? You were free now, and as your feet began touching the ground in a quick pace you also felt free.

You had planned to run along the East River Bikeway, it had been a good decision as you were able to enjoy the company of other early runners and the impressive architecture of the bridges.

Knowing that there were other people following the route you were taking had to be a good sign that this really was a good route for a jog.

You had been running for a while now and you stopped for a moment to catch your breath. Your hands on your hips as you breathed out.

You heared a yelp and you looked up and around you instantly. A girl had fallen on the ground. You hurried to her side “Hey, are you okay ??” you held your hand out to her and she took it. You pulled her to her feet again.

“Hey, Thank you. I tripped over an empty beer bottle I believe.” she brushed the dirt off of her knees.

You noticed what looked like a broken MP3 player laying on the ground right next to her feet.

“Is this yours ?” you kneeled and picked the MP3 player up from the ground. The sudden sad look on her face confirmed your suspicions.

“Yes. I can't believe it is broken.” you handed it to her and she desperately tried to switch it on.

The way she looked at the MP3 player in despair made you think that this girl didn't have the budget to get a new one. It made you think back to the days where you yourself missed having one, music just made the world better, a way to escape the harsh reality.

You took your earphones out and grabbed hold of your Ipod “Hey, I'm sorry about your player. Look, I uhm.. I have another one of these at home and I would love for you to have this one.” you held out your Ipod to her. Her eyes widened as she looked at the Ipod in your hand “What ?.. no I can't accept that..” she stammered.

You just smiled at her “I know how shitty it can be to exercise without listening to music. And this one isn't new or anything. Just an old Ipod. I barely use it anymore.” It was a lie, you bought the thing new not long ago. You placed it in her hand and she looked at it in disbelieve “Thank you so much ! This is just.. wow.” her excitement was worth the Ipod.

“You're very welcome. Sorry if the music on it isn't that new, you will notice I am a Queen fan.”

She shook her head as she figured out how to work with the Ipod “That's perfect! I am too. Hey, listen uhm.. if you give me your number, perhaps I can find a way to repay you for this.”

You held up your hand “No.. you don't have to-”

“Please ? you have been so kind.” she interupted you.

You nodded in agreement and gave her a number. Not your number, you didn't want her to feel like she owes you something.

You talked to her for a bit longer before you said your goodbye's and she went back to run in the other direction.

You wanted to check what time it was and grabbed your phone from your bag.

As you took your phone out of your bag to check the time you weren't paying much attention to your surroundings.

That's when it happened, you felt a strong pull on your shoulder almost making you drop your phone.

The pull was short but forceful, and you couldn't believe your eyes as you realised what was happening. A guy was running away from you now, in his hand he was holding your bag.

A gasp escaped you as you saw it “HEY !!!! STOP!!!” you bolted after him.

Hell no, you were not going to let someone just steal your bag like that.

The other runners moved aside in suprise at what was happening. You tried to keep up but damn this guy was fast.

A sudden breeze of air passed over your shoulder, it took you a second for your eyes to register what had caused the breeze. What was that ??

The object hit the back of the thief hard and he stumbled and hit the ground face first.

You stopped dead in your tracks when you saw it happen, the thief was on the ground and next to him.. a water bottle ?

You started walking towards the thief, still wanting your damn bag back.

Someone ran passed you and once they were past you he turned around “Wait here. And call the police.” your eyes now focused on the person in front of you.

Your mouth fell open in suprise as you saw your neighbour from the floor above you standing in front of you, wearing a running outfit and cap.

“Dex ?” you gawked at him.

He nodded as he held up his hand, telling you to stay put. You started to dial the number and explained what was happening to the police. He turned back to the thief who was starting to get up “FBI !” Dex said casually as he walked to the thief “I'd suggest you stay down.”

He grabbed the thief harshly and restrained him with ease as he used his knee to keep the thief on the ground and held the thief's hands behind his back.

The police soon arrived at the scene and Dex pulled the thief off of the ground and walked him over to the police vehicle. You had to stay and tell the police what had happened.

“So he stole your bag and then you were chasing him?” the cop asked you.

You rubbed your arms “That's correct.”

“What happened after that ?” the cop was taking notes as you answered the questions.

“The asshole tripped over his own feet and hit the ground.” Dex spoke up before you could.

You looked at him, knowing damn well that that wasn't the complete truth. You knew the thief was struck by a water bottle and that was what made him fall.

The cop looked a bit suspicious “Is that correct, Miss ?”

“Yes, he tripped and fell. That is when Special Agent Poindexter restrained him until you arrived here.” you decided to lie, he did just stop a thief that tried to steal your bag. Dex's eyes fell on you momentarily when he heard you confirm his version of the story.

“Alright then. I'll be taking this guy back to the precinct. If we should need any further information we will contact you. Have a good day, Miss (l/n).” the cop tells you. “Good job, Special Agent Poindexter.” he gives Dex a tap on the arm before he gets in his vehicle and drives of with the thief.

“I'd take it that throwing a water bottle at a thief isn't something the FBI teaches you, Special Agent Poindexter ?” you turned to look at him, wanting to see his reaction.

He looked around him before he finally looked at you “No, they stick to teaching us how to beat them up or shoot them most of the time.” there was a tad of sarcasm in his voice.

“Shame. It would be a very entertaining sight.” you dryly told him.

He let out a chuckle and moved his hand over his face “Yeah. It would be..yeah.”

“Thank you, Dex. Thanks for saving my bag, I don't know what I would have done without my favorite granola bar that I carry with me. I mean, imagine me running all this time and no snack to reward myself ? It would have been horrible.”

He looked at you before he shook his head and placed his hands on his waist. A smile slowly growing on his face “You are by far the strangest person I've met so far.”

You pretended to be insulted “Says the guy who took a guy down by throwing his freaking water bottle at him.” you crossed your arms “Besides, everyone needs a little 'strange' in their lives. Life would be boring otherwise.”

His eyes landed on yours as he appeared to think about what you had just told him.

There was something in the way he looked at you that made you wonder if he found you strange as in too strange. Or strange as in interesting.

He crossed his arms in front of his chest as well and blinked a couple of times before he spoke “Good point.”

He kept his eyes on you and you were lightly swaying yourself to try and keep yourself warm as the air was starting to get colder.

He noticed your discomfort “Hey..(y/n)..-”

“Do you want to go and grab a coffee ?” the question fell from your lips faster “My treat, of course.”

His brow rose in suprise at your question, a lopsided smile making it's way on his face “Sure. I've got some time.”

“Great. There's a place close by that I know off.” your voice was cheery.

You two decided to walk the short distance instead of running. Chasing a thief was all the workout you needed for the day.

Please let me know if you want to be tagged when I update this series !!!!

[quarterfromcanon]

Habits

Heather & Valencia - Femslash February - Day 25 - Pet Name [3,599 words]

“Wanna get high and help me name my starfish?”

Valencia lifted her eyebrows. The sight of Heather on the doorstep toting an aquarium and a backpack full of recreational materials was not what she’d expected to find outside her apartment that night. However, after the recent decrease in communication between them, the surprise was far from unwelcome. “Hello to you, too.” She stepped aside to allow her friend to pass.

Heather carefully set her new sea creature atop the kitchen counter, under the cabinets. She gauged the distance from there to the living room and nodded to herself. “She’ll be safe here,” Heather elucidated upon noticing Valencia’s quizzical response.

“I should preface by saying I don’t smoke pot. Or anything else, for that matter.” Valencia returned to the couch. She turned off the TV and tossed aside several throw pillows to make room for a second occupant.

Her unexpected guest took the vacant spot and put her book bag on the floor. “I can teach you,” Heather volunteered as she withdrew the supplies from their hiding places.

Valencia glanced at her stack of rented DVDs beside an empty takeout box. Meanwhile, Heather rummaged through unseen contents and grumbled about the stash slipping all the way to the bottom. Valencia watched her for a moment - hair falling over her cheek, biceps still bearing indents from the heavy fish tank, a faint trace of spilled water across her shirt - and reached a conclusion. She rearranged the clutter on her coffee table. “All right. I wasn’t really doing anything tonight anyway.”

“That’s the spirit,” Heather remarked dryly. She produced a purple lighter, papers, cardboard, glue, and the sought-after Ziploc bag. “Before we get started, do you have cucumbers?”

Valencia blanched. “One, I think. Why?”

“It’s good for the dry mouth effect,” Heather explained. “That and water. But we need to prep ahead of time because you do not wanna be wielding a sharp knife when you’re on this stuff.”

“Got it. I’ll take care of those and you can finish setting up here.” Valencia departed for the kitchen, feeling strangely observed by the starfish in the corner. She sliced enough cucumber to cover a plate and put the rest of the produce back in her fridge. Once a water bottle was tucked under each arm, she shuffled to the living room with the dish balanced on her palm. Valencia positioned one drink on each end of the table. She set the plate in the center.

Heather held a finished product and the lighter in her hands. She sparked a small flame, touched the fire to the end of the paper, and twiddled the joint in circles between her thumb and forefinger. Heather talked Valencia through the breathing counts by likening it to yoga. Then she detailed the best inhalation technique for drawing the hit into her lungs. 

Valencia worked to commit the advice to memory despite mounting uncertainty. She gave Heather’s demonstration full attention and tried to duplicate it once the second toke was offered to her. The sputtering aftermath seemed unavoidable, but it could’ve been worse without the tutorial.

“Why do you have a starfish?” Valencia asked once the cough subsided. 

“Marine Biology. She’s basically the biggest part of my grade for the next three months.”

“Important starfish.” Valencia flexed her fingers. Her brow furrowed at the subtle numbness in her extremities.

“Yeah. We get to refer to them by name in our reports, so I’m trying to figure out something that’s, like, academically serious but still reflects her personality.” Heather contemplated the tank from a distance. “Oh, right, I almost forgot.” She fumbled with a different compartment of her bag and tossed Valencia a hefty paperback. 

Valencia missed the catch. The purchase whacked the corner of the couch, causing it to ricochet into her lap. “What’s this?”

“I thought it might give us a place to start.” Heather twisted the cap off her water and chugged.

Valencia held the book away from her face. Her eyes went slightly crossed at the number emblazoned across the front. “One million... No, wait, damn it. Not that many zeroes. One hundred thousand baby names? Holy crap! Heather, I don’t think people consider this many options for their human children.”

“They do according to the store where I bought our mid-high munchies.”

Valencia tried to whistle but couldn’t accomplish the sound. She gave up the effort and shook her head instead. “We’re going to be here a while.”

Heather plucked up two slices of cucumber. She pressed one against Valencia’s palm. “We’ve got time.”

Valencia followed the unspoken command and sampled the serving. She grabbed Heather’s wrist. “This tastes like rain.”

Heather snorted. “What?”

“Try it.” 

Heather complied and her eyes widened. “It does.”

They consumed a few more before Valencia’s elbow bumped the book and she remembered their intended task. “Oh shoot. We were supposed to be finding a name for your little buddy.” Her forehead creased as she attempted to concentrate. “What kind of name?”

“Maybe we could start with real stars?”

“The celebrity kind or wish-upon-a?”

Heather cackled but held up two fingers. “That one.” She leaned against the pile of throw pillows. “Polaris. Vega. Mira.”

“The Sun,” Valencia added tentatively.

“Also true.”

“How about the word for star in other languages?”

“What would that be in Spanish?”

“Estrella.”

Heather leaned forward until she could see her starfish in the water. “Estrella,” she repeated, dragging out the final vowel. “I kinda dig that.” 

“We have a keeper?”

“I think so.”

Valencia pouted at the tome under her hand, still unopened. “Well, that was easy.” She chucked it away. The thunk of impact when the book slid to the bathroom door made them giggle.

They readjusted on the couch until they were angled toward one another, legs overlapped at the ankle. 

“You know, before you showed up tonight, I kind of wondered if maybe you were mad at me,” Valencia admitted.

Heather reached for the joint where it rested at the edge of their shared plate. “Why would I be upset with you?”

Valencia frowned. “I don’t know. We haven’t been hanging out lately, and I guess I got worried. I haven’t seen you since Rebecca and I came back from investigating Anna.”

“Things got kinda busy after that.” Heather exhaled slowly. “Speaking of getting busy, how was that barfly rando you left with? Rebecca was all pouty you turned her down for Friday Night Lights to get laid. Because, y’know, priorities.”

“We didn’t really do anything.”

“He passed out before things got to that point? The guy was pretty far gone already.”

“No, he was conscious when I saw him last.” Valencia sighed and lolled her head to the side. “I panicked and ditched him in the parking lot.”

Heather traced the design on the nearest pillow. Her head bobbed almost imperceptibly with every rise and fall of the stitching, as if she were experiencing each crest and valley like a winding road. “Why’s that?”

“I didn’t know how to go through it.” Heather gave her a dubious look and they both laughed. Valencia rolled her eyes. “Well, okay, I knew how, but I’ve never had a one-night stand in my life. He was all over me under the lamppost and it was like I was out of my body thinking, ‘What am I going to do? Invite this not-so-sexy stranger back to my place and pray he’s not a murderer?’ I don’t even remember what excuse I made. I just bolted and shouted something over my shoulder. Locked my car doors and sped off.”

Heather stifled a snicker with a fist against her mouth. “Wow. That was a next level hard pass.”

Valencia hid behind her fingers, wincing. “I know. I feel bad but, at the same time, I don’t regret it.” She lowered her arms and twitched her shoulders. “So Josh has some hot new girlfriend and I’m still single. Who gives a shit? Let her put up with the sports clutter all over the house and his annoying nostalgia for his mom’s Bagel Bites.” Valencia paused with a wistful expression. “Oh, but those do sound good right now.”

Heather plunged a hand into her backpack and produced a recognizable red box with a yellow label.

Valencia’s jaw dropped. “You’re a genius.”

They went to the stove and arranged the treats on a pan. Valencia set the oven to preheat then hopped onto the counter with her legs dangling over the ledge. Heather visited her pet. “Hey, Estrella, how’re you doing over here? V, check it out. I think she kinda moved a little. She answered when I called her.” 

Valencia beamed and tapped her shoes against the lower level cabinets. “I’m glad she likes it.”

“Since you picked the name, it feels like that makes you an honorary part of this.” Heather slid her fingertips across the cool glass. “Like a godmother or something.”

“Except we didn’t have to immerse her in water for the christening. She’s already there.” 

“Maybe, for ocean life, you’re supposed to lift them to the sky? Sorta like Simba.”

“I’m not reaching in there.” Valencia shook her head emphatically until dizziness made her stop. “Let’s just pretend we did.”

“It’s the thought that counts.” Heather bent low to drape her arms along the counter in front of the tank. She folded both hands beneath her face and stared at the grains of sand. 

Valencia studied Heather with heightened sensory detail. The soft, even sound of her breath reached Valencia’s ears as if there were only centimeters between them. She became convinced it might be possible to count Heather’s eyelashes from afar. Everything was so bold and focused when she looked closely -- the small mole visible beyond the opening in Heather’s deep-cut tank top and another on her neck, the subtle indentation in her chin, the slope of her nose, the piercing through her perfectly sculpted eyebrow, and the way the light bounced off the water to dance across her skin.

“God, you’re beautiful,” Valencia mumbled.

Heather turned to her with a smile. “And you’re high as fuck.”

Valencia considered the current perch she occupied and gulped. Her muddled thoughts latched onto a more literal interpretation of the word ‘high.’ She became suddenly anxious. “I don’t know if I can get down from here.”

Heather moved to stand before Valencia. She braced her knees and extended her arms. “On three?”

Valencia jumped off without warning. Heather yelped when Valencia’s feet landed on hers, but she steadied her companion with a firm grip regardless. “I didn’t count,” she croaked.

“Sorry.” Valencia pulled away slightly to look into Heather’s eyes, but not far enough to break the hold.

Beep.

Heather dropped both hands to her sides. “Oven’s ready.”

Valencia blinked and nodded. She slid the pan onto the metal rack and closed the door. Then she settled cross-legged on the laminate to stare through the foggy glass at their food.

Heather laughed. “Dude, you’ve gotta set the timer first.” She punched in the appropriate number of minutes and offered to help Valencia rise from the floor. “C’mon, let’s wait in the living room.”

Valencia accepted Heather’s assistance but felt a strange pang when her friend’s fingers released hers once more.

They flopped on the couch. Heather flailed as the stacked throw pillows came tumbling down over her head. “Your furniture is attacking me.”

Valencia guffawed but angled forward to rescue Heather from the onslaught. They batted half the square cushions in various directions until only the ones supporting Heather’s spine remained. Valencia took in the mess and her lower lip protruded. “Wait, I didn’t leave any for me to lean on.” 

Heather shifted to the left and patted the empty space beside her. “Just share mine. This thing is like a gigantic bench. We can both fit next to each other.”

Valencia snuggled into place. “Okay.” She rested on her side and hummed contentedly. Her arm wound across Heather’s middle. “You’re so warm. The last person who was on this couch with me was Josh.” Valencia stuck out her tongue. “I’m so much happier with my girl. You and Rebecca are way better company.”

Heather tensed. The bridge of her nose scrunched and her eyelids clamped shut. “V, I have something I’ve got to tell you. But I think you should take another hit first.”

Valencia made a grabby gesture in the air. Heather responded to the silent request and fetched the joint for her. Valencia took a drag with remarkably improved technique and only minor throat clearing. She passed it back to Heather, who indulged in another toke before freeing her hands again. “So, what did you want to say?” Valencia prompted.

Heather grimaced. “Okay, so, you know Anna?”

Valencia’s mouth turned down at one corner. “Unfortunately. What about her?”

“She’s gone.”

“She died?”

“No, no.” Heather waved the misunderstanding aside. “She broke up with him.”

“Oh.” Valencia’s eyebrows rose. “So Josh will finally have to figure out how to be on his own. It’s about damn time.”

Heather took a deep breath. “Not quite.”

“He’s already with someone new? That is so typical.” Valencia scoffed and folded her arms.

Heather met her gaze. Her features were etched with sympathy. “Valencia, it isn’t someone new.”

Valencia struggled to comprehend what that meant. She had to speak the thought process aloud just to make sense of it. “Somebody old? An ex. But Josh only has two of those and he’s not with me so...” The realization washed over her with painful understanding. “Rebecca?”

Heather inclined her head in confirmation.

“But we connected,” Valencia protested feebly. “We refreshed. We healed.”

“I know.”

Valencia pushed her fingertips against her temples. The truth kept slipping in and out of her grasp, a devastating déjà vu she instinctively fought to reject. “When?”

“I don’t know exactly.” Heather sank deeper into the couch. “Rebecca was staying with Paula right after she kicked Scott out, and I got this text about Josh going over there to find her.”

“He ran right from one woman to another. Again.” Valencia’s lip curled.

“That’s what I tried to tell her when I texted back.” Heather tugged off her beanie and clenched it in her fist. “But you know how that goes. You try to stop Rebecca doing a thing and she doubles down. They’ve started going out in public and I didn’t want you to see without knowing ahead of time...” Heather draped her palm over Valencia’s left wrist. “I’m so sorry, V.”

It took additional effort due to her dulled sense of touch, but Valencia found Heather’s hand with her right and clasped. “You don’t need to apologize for anything. No one else showed up at my door to be honest, but you’re here.”

Heather studied the place where their skin met in silence, but there was still intense guilt and regret behind her eyes.

Valencia let her forehead fall against Heather’s arm. She felt Heather’s chin rest near her scalp. “I’m really lucky to have you,” Valencia murmured.

“Same here.”

Beep.

Heather’s laugh escaped on a tremulous exhale. “Oh, shit. The bagels.”

Valencia returned to the kitchen. Heather moved from the couch to the chair where she could monitor snack-related proceedings. Valencia opened the oven and squinted as heat spilled from the interior.

“Don’t forget you need those glove thingies,” Heather cautioned.

“Good call.” Valencia pulled the handle of a nearby drawer and found her floral pair of oven mitts. She moved the tray over the burners then leaned her hip against the counter while she waited for everything to cool. “Heather, what am I going to do?”

“... Eat the Bagel Bites?”

“No. I mean, yes, I am, because they look and smell like a dream. But the Rebecca and Josh thing.” Valencia wrapped her arms around her stomach. “I’ve only got enough room in my head for one thought at a time -- like how I’m pretty sure I can hear the cheese sliding down that far left bagel right now -- but tomorrow’s going to be different. I can’t stay high indefinitely to avoid this.”

Heather nodded. “I think you’ve gotta let yourself feel your feelings. If you wake up sad, have a good cry. If you wake up pissed, go kickboxing or something and let all that aggression out. They’re gonna want your forgiveness, but you don’t have to give that to them until you’re ready. They need to respect your emotional right to cope in whatever way works best. Both of them hurt you, and they don’t get to dictate the self-care required to recover from that.” She looked down at where she was sitting and smiled. “I’m like textbook armchair psychologist right now, literally and figuratively.”

Valencia’s lips twitched. She dissolved into a fit of giggles.

Heather tilted her head to the side and her eyebrows quirked. “Okay. That is a feeling. Not any of the ones I was expecting, but like, do your thing.”

“It’s not that,” Valencia clarified as she gasped for oxygen. “I just realized something.”

“What?”

“Heather Davis. HD. Your initials are the same as High Definition.” The amusement overtook her again. Valencia whimpered at the resultant sting behind her rib cage. She ran her wrist under both eyelids while Heather chuckled appreciatively. “I’m sorry; the weed is just making that weirdly funny to me for some reason. But I think I have your new contact name for my phone.”

“It’s perfect. Go for it.”

Valencia tried to access her back pocket and ended up patting her jeans in confusion. “Wait, I can’t find it.”

“That’s because you’ve still got your Minnie Mouse hands on.”

“My...?” Valencia held out her arms and realized she still wore her patterned oven mitts. “Oh! Crap. Hang on, how do I take this one off when my fingers are stuck in the other one?”

Heather wheezed. “Don’t worry. I’ll come help you, you confused cartoon character.”

She walked over to catch hold of the troublesome material. “Pull.”

Valencia wrenched her hands free and gave an excited shout. “Yay, they’re back!”

Heather patted Valencia’s shoulder. “I think they were there the whole time.”

“Probably.” Valencia gasped, making Heather jump. “Hey, do you know where we should eat these bagels? Under the dining room table.”

Heather’s eyebrows drew closer together. “Don’t people usually put their food on top of the table?”

“Doesn’t matter. This will be better. Trust me.” Valencia wandered off with the pan in both hands. 

Heather stood still for a minute while she tried to trace the logic behind the suggestion. Ultimately, she shrugged and followed Valencia’s lead. She passed through the living room, grabbed the two water bottles along the way, and sidestepped the Venetian screen. Valencia was already there, dragging two living room pillows and a thin blanket alongside her as she crawled out of sight. 

“It’ll be like a fort,” Valencia reasoned. “Just us against the rest of the world. Only you, me, and modified food starch allowed.”

Heather shook her head affectionately. “Stoned you is basically a junk food craving third grader. I love it.”

Valencia’s face poked into view. “If you’re cootie-free and you know the password, you can join me.”

“Is the password ‘pizza,’ by any chance?”

“Duh. Get down here before I polish them all off myself.”

Heather ducked past the surrounding chairs, back bent to keep her head from bashing against the table. “You’re right; this is so much more comfortable.”

Valencia put a Bagel Bite against Heather’s lips. “Why be full of sarcasm when you can be full of mozzarella?”

“You have a point.” Heather caught the bagel between her teeth and groaned. 

“Good, huh?”

Heather popped the remainder into her mouth and held two thumbs up. “Best three dollars and ninety-seven cents I’ve ever spent.” She tossed Valencia a water bottle and they drank.

Conversation fell by the wayside as they ate across the rows of mini pizzas. By the time they got down to the last few, they were both stretched out on their sides with one elbow propped against their respective pillows. Valencia finished her final bagel and shifted to a reclined position. “This table fort might have to double as a cave. I think I could hibernate from now to spring.”

Heather stowed the empty pan atop a chair, clearing the path for them to get more comfortable. “Sign me the fuck up. Home Base and Miss Douche can figure out how to get by without me until, like, at least mid-March.” She hugged the throw pillow and settled on her stomach. Valencia fanned the blanket over their legs. “So it’s cool if I crash here?” Heather checked, eyelids fluttering closed despite her best efforts to prevent them from doing so.

“Of course.” Valencia got situated with one hand flung above her head. Her natural sleeping position accidentally brought their arms into contact again. She debated moving a few inches to allow more room between them for sleep. However, since Heather didn’t seem to mind their proximity and Valencia found the nearness comforting, she let it go.

A few minutes ticked by without a single noise, save for their relaxed breathing. Valencia was on the brink of dozing, but she licked her lips and tried to express one last sentiment. It traveled through the stillness in a whisper. “Heather?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for trying to protect me.”

Heather drowsily rolled to the side, bumping against Valencia in a slow motion body-check before returning to her spot. “No problem. Everyone needs someone in their corner, right? You can count on me.”

[pointy-hat-witch]

Title: Touchdown Show: Haikyuu!! Pairing: Iwaizumi/Oikawa Summary: based on the tweet by _lumielle where Iwaizumi and Oikawa meet at a football game for the first time and the kiss camera is a thing A/N: It’s pretty short, I could have done so much more with it b/c it’s so cute!! But student life and work are hitting me hard r/n :’) So, please enjoy!

You can read it on AO3 if you want to! :)

Oikawa wasn’t one for American football, or sports other than volleyball in general. But he, as well, wasn’t one to say no to his friends when they kept on begging him to accompany them to this game and they even bought him the ticket.

So, now Oikawa was sitting in the sun, sweat already forming under his shirt and he watched too many men running after a brown egg and crashing into each other. Oikawa had bought himself some fries and a tonic water to keep himself hydrated in this weather but mainly to have something to do with his hands. He kept on screwing the cap of his bottle on and off and ever so slowly ate his fries.

But looking at his friends Matsukawa and Hanamki made it all worth. They kept on yelling and screaming and literally felt the pain of the players who were going down. Oikawa smiled. Such dorks.

The first break was uneventful, and Oikawa listened to his friends talking about different tactics how their team could win. But it was boring none the less.

It was a way different story when the halftime break was announced, and people got all cheery. Oikawa looked around and when he was about to ask Hanamaki what was this all about, the big screens to each side of the field displayed a huge heart and a camera zoomed in to couples.

Oikawa was astonished by the great cheers whenever a couple kissed, and the animated heart made beating movements. Oikawa wouldn’t tell this to anybody but deep down he was a big sappy goofball and was a fan of these totally non-romantic-but-still-romantic things. Maybe, one day, he will have a partner to be as sappy as he could.

Hanamki dragged him back to reality when he pushed his elbow into his arm.

“Ouch!” Oikawa grumbled and shot a glare at Hanamki who in turn just grinned at him at pointed at the monitors. Matsukawa leaned forward and held his hand in front of his grinning face.

Confused Oikawa’s eyes found the monitors again and looked at his own reflection. That’s how his hair looked like right now? His gaze moved to his left where the other person on the screen was shown and he almost lost it.

His head flew around to the person next to him. How could he not realize this absolute handsome man next to him? And they even sat so close to each other?! No wonder, it was so hot.

Oikawa wanted to say to the person that it was okay if they just waved it aside but in secret, he didn’t want to do that either, so all he could do was stare. The other person found his eyes and his shy smile got Oikawa melted. The person shrugged and gave him an inquiring look.

Oikawa didn’t think about anything at all and just nodded. That’s all that his stupid brain could generate at times.

They didn’t even have to lean that much into each other, or rather his neighbor didn’t have to since Oikawa wasn’t able to do anything, and their lips brushed against each other. Their lips were smooth and warm, and it didn’t even last a second, but Oikawa swore that was the softest kiss any human has ever received.

Oikawa looked stunned at the other person who gave him a cheeky grin and turned away again to their neighbor. Oikawa couldn’t believe that this just happened. He turned to Hanamaki and Matsukawa who suppressed their laughter the best they could and Hanamaki patted his shoulder.

Oikawa buried his face in his hands to comprehend what just happened.

“You okay?”

Oikawa looked up, feeling his face heating up when he looked at his neighbor he just kissed.

“Huh? Oh, uhm, yeah, sure. Are you?”

Oikawa received another heart-melting grin. “I hope it was okay … to … you know … do that and stuff.” They scratched the back of their head, looking a little lost themselves. “I’m Iwaizumi by the way.”

“Yeah, yeah, no worries. It was fine.” Oikawa cleared his throat. Fine? Like hell it was fine. It was the most perfect thing ever happening to him and he couldn’t hold a decent conversation for heaven’s sake.

“And, uh, Oikawa.” He mumbled, and Iwaizumi leaned in a little closer.

“Sorry, what was that?”

Oikawa’s heart made a backflip and leaned over to Iwaizumi that he almost touched his ear with his lips.

“Oikawa. My name is Oikawa Tooru.”

Iwaizumi leaned back and grinned at him. “Nice to meet you.”

The siren announced the third quarter and Oikawa lost the chance to say something else. People ran back to their seats, almost trampling over each other and screaming at each other. That’s another reason he didn’t like to go to open sports events. They are like uncultured pigs already.

The next two quarters flew by way quicker than the first two. Oikawa glanced over to Iwaizumi every couple of seconds and ran imaginative conversations in his head they could have had if he would just say something.

When Oikawa finally built up enough courage to finally say something, the favored team of his friends shot a goal, had a touchdown, threw a three-pointer or whatever they do to get points. The people around him sprang to their feet, yelling and screaming.

Confused and alarmed by the noise, pressed his hands onto his ears. He couldn’t see anything because everyone around him was standing, he couldn’t hear because everyone was yelling and whistling. He felt awful. This was not a place he wanted to be.

Bent forward, Oikawa crawled through the masses and searched for the nearest exit he, fortunately, found rather fast. Inside the air was cool and refreshing and best of all, it was much more silent. Oikawa decided to wait for a couple of minutes for the people to calm down and then head back.

Unfortunately for him, Oikawa didn’t pay attention to the time and after a minute, the siren blared again, indicating the end of the game. Within seconds people came rushing out and running out of the building. Oikawa was pushed against the wall and couldn’t move an inch.

Internally Oikawa damned all these people but most of all he damned himself for not paying attention at all today and running into obstacle after obstacle because of his own mistakes.

After about 10 minutes, the masses finally flattened, so Oikawa at least could move around for a bit and he got a hold of his cell phone. The reception probably would be bad with all these people, therefore, Oikawa texted Hanamaki where to meet up.

The message didn’t get send and Oikawa mumbled curses under his breath. He had to get out of here before he could even attempt to meet up with them. He sighed.

The exits were probably still overflowing with people so that he decided to go to the bathroom in hope it will be clearer when he comes out.

The nearest bathroom had a queue that lasted way beyond the next corner, so Oikawa’s new quest was to find a bathroom he could actually use within 5 minutes or something. He walked around for some time until he reached the bathroom probably farthest away from the exits since they were almost vacant.

“Yes!” Oikawa breathed out and walked inside. He looked into the mirror and made a face when he saw his hair. It was flattened and tousled and made him look like he just sat in the sun for an hour and had to push his way through thousands of people. Hah. Oikawa ran through it with one hand to get them styled more acceptable for the time.

Oikawa turned around and wanted to use one of the bathroom stalls when the door opened and, Oikawa thanked every god he could think of in this moment, Iwaizumi walked into the bathroom.

He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Oikawa. It was awkward, and Oikawa couldn’t believe that his self-proclaimed small talk/sweet talk master ass couldn’t produce any comprehensive sentence.

“Well, uhm, hi.”

Great. That’s a start, Oikawa guessed. Iwaizumi nodded.

“Hi.” He gestured at the stalls. “Uhm, were you going to use them or are they occupied?”

Oikawa turned his head around, suddenly unaware where they were.

“Oh, uhm, no. I just wanted … have some water. Y’know.”

“Alright.” He nodded again and passed Oikawa. Oikawa swore, the bathroom was not really spacious, but Iwaizumi walked even closer than needed. The door got locked and Oikawa threw another glance into the mirror. He looked too awful.

He splashed some water on his face and rubbed off the sweat of his arm and when he dried his hands with the paper towels, Iwaizumi left the stall. He proceeded to go to the sink and wash his hands.

An awkward silence followed.

‘Say something, say something, say. Anything.’ Oikawa repeated in his head like a mantra, but no words left his mouth. When Iwaizumi was done washing their hands, he looked up at Oikawa.

“Well, then, bye. I guess.”

Oikawa’s heart sank into his boots. No, no, no, this is not how it should be. Iwaizumi turned around and was about to leave the bathroom.

“Wai-“, Oikawa made a step forward, finally being able to produce sounds with his mouth again, but failed to notice the wet toilet towels on the ground. He lost his footing, scrambled forward and got a grip at the corner of the sink, which was even more wet, causing him to slide off and with the last stretch of energy he had left, pushed himself around, so would at least land on his back instead with his face down.

But the fall never came. Two hands grabbed him under his arms and held him tight above the ground.

“Woah! Everything okay?”

Oikawa blinked. He pushed his head into his neck to find himself looking upside down at Iwaizumi. His deep brown eyes were fixed on his and what would Oikawa give just to get another kiss from those soft lips.

“Yes,” he said with a raspy voice. He was pushed up until he could stand on his own feet again.

“Uhm, thanks.” Oikawa fumbled at his shirt and pushed his hair back again. He gave up on it. He just had to accept that he had to look like an utter buffoon in front of this gorgeous, muscular, drop-dead handsome person.

“You sure? Looked a little … Did you sprain something?”

Oikawa shook his head. The ground could swallow him right now, please. He covered his eyes with one hand and Iwaizumi instinctively stepped in closer.

“Hey, hey. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Oikawa couldn’t believe he made such a fool out of himself. He held one hand in front of him to keep Iwaizumi at least a few feet away so he can regain his composure. Oikawa took a deep breath and when he finally was able to look up again he knew this was his last shot.

“Phone number.”

Wow. Great.

“Huh?” Iwaizumi blinked a few times.

“Can I have your phone number? Please.” Oikawa cleared his throat feeling the heat creeping onto his face again.

Iwaizumi exhaled.

“Thank god, you asked. I just couldn’t come up with.”

[envirotravel]

The Great Escape: Month 59 Roundup

Oh, my monthly roundups. They are so ridiculously out of sync with real time now (this post is basically one year late, ha ha) that I recently considered axing the series, but I decided to play catch up instead — so brace yourself for a couple of these coming up! However, now that I’m writing on multiple timelines they do serve as a nice roadmap of my archives for those who want to follow my travels chronologically.

Apologies for the delay, but I suppose better is late than never… right?

Oh, how hard it was to leave my island life! This was my final month in Thailand before jetting off to Brazil and a stateside summer, and it was a struggle to say goodbye. Aside from one hellish visa run and one giggle-filled girl’s weekend in Samui, I stuck close to Koh Tao and enjoyed my last bit of stillness.

This is a simple post for a simple month!

Where I’ve Been

• One night in overnight transit

• Five nights on Koh Tao

• Two nights on Koh Samui

• Twenty-one days on Koh Tao

Highlights

• Breaking my Diet Coke addiction! Long time readers know that I’ve long considered the stuff to be carbonated gold, and I spent years jolting out of bed and immediately heading out on a mission to source a can if I happened to find myself without it. I was well and truly addicted.

When I started thinking about doing a DIY health retreat, I knew I wanted to kick my ridiculous Diet Coke habit. But it took me months to psych myself up for it! I knew that there was nowhere better than Thailand to do it, since I don’t actually love the Thai formula for Coke Light. And you know what? It was raging success — so much so that I extended my initial four weeks to six! I took a million notes and learned SO MUCH from the process. Literally one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever given myself. It’s basically not travel related at all, but give me a shout if you’d be interested in a post about getting un-addicted from diet soda!

• Crushing my 5K time. Well, perhaps crushing is a bit of an exaggeration. But I did semi-train for a run for the first time ever, and I saw the results! I set a new best pace for myself, and had a blast crossing the finish line. It wasn’t just that final moment of euphoria though — I also cherished my sunset jogs with my running buddy Amy leading up to it.

• Easter Brunch. Our whole Samui girl’s trip was divine — not because we did anything super special (apart from the race, of course) or ate or drank anywhere especially noteworthy. But we were together, and it was our last big hurrah before my summer departure, and I just loved it. The highlight was our Sunday brunch complete with DIY mimosas and endless toasts to friends and upcoming farewells.

• Not one but two diving courses! A sidemount speciality and an enriched air certification were the perfect courses to take side-by-side. I learned so much, I got excited about diving on Koh Tao again, and I got to cap it all off with a group trip to Sail Rock surrounded by friends. I couldn’t have asked for better days in the ocean.

• Celebrating Sonkgran! My first Songkran years ago was just days into a heart-wrenching breakup with my boyfriend of three years, so suffice it to say that was pretty bittersweet. And I’ve been just missing the big day ever since in my comings and goings from Thailand. Finally, in 2016, I got to have a big wet and wild, happiness-fueled do-ver. Travel BFF Heather even flew in from Bali! Honestly, it was the best day I could have asked for. It’s one of the greatest holidays I’ve had the privilege of celebrating!

• Calling quits on Photo of the Week. It had to happen! I didn’t regret it for a second and I’ve really enjoyed focused more on my Instagram and Facebook since. (My newsletter has been far less successful, unfortunately.) It just took so much pressure off!

• Getting enough sleep. It says something funny about our society that I write here every day about my travels around the world but I’m almost embarrassed to say that I get 7-8 hours of sleep a night when I’m on Koh Tao because I know what a luxury that is.

I’ve spent years with various degrees of sleep deprivation due to anxiety and extreme scheduling. Not that both those didn’t flare up occasionally over my time in Koh Tao — and not that I didn’t have the worst mattress on the planet — but overall it was the most well-rested half a year I’ve had.

Lowlights and Lessons

• Another hellish visa run to the Burmese border. Paying to spend twenty-four hours being motion sick and be bored to tears by a bureaucratic puppet show? I vowed then and there to never do another one — and so far I’ve stuck to it! (I take mini-vacations instead.)

• Our Samui hotel was pretty disappointing. After all the fabulous places we’ve stayed over the years, it was kind of a letdown to land somewhere so meh for such an epic trip — I really wanted to treat my girls to something special! Ah well, that’s what we get for booking last minute! We still had a blast.

• My Brazilian visa photo. Lol? I know it sounds like a funny thing to complain about, but I was legit horrified to learn that the awful passport photo I’d submitted with my Brazilian visa application was PRINTED ON THE VISA AND PASTED INTO MY PASSPORT. Of all the passport photos I’ve had to submit over the years, none but the original have actually ended up in my passport! Lesson learned: I’ll never settle for anything less than frame-worthy again. Tears were shed, guys. My vanity knows no bounds.

• The Boat Party… ugh. Honestly, this was so traumatizing of an event that this is the first time I’m mentioning it anywhere in public. And frankly, I’m still going to be super vague, because I’m always on edge writing negatively about anything pertaining to the Thai Government or authorities, considering the country’s track record of warmth towards free speech and criticism.

But basically, what happened was this: a yacht was hired for a private party of mostly long-term expats. We boarded the boat with much elation and enjoyed our fun at sea for about an hour before being approached by a police vessel which boarded the boat and forced it back to a pier other than the one we’d departed from. When docked, we headed for the end of the long pier — only to realize the police had locked it from the other side. We spent two hours in the hot sun with no water or access to bathrooms, portions of it on our knees with our hands over our head, while the police tossed the boat and tried to figure out what charges we could be held on. When we were released, we had to write down names, passport numbers, addresses, and more. It was incredibly traumatizing and I actually cried when we were finally freed. Anyway, that’s the short version — for the longer one, you’ll have to wait for an incredibly juicy chapter of the book I’ve finally accepted I’ll try to write someday.

• Leaving Koh Tao. Seriously, it never gets any easier. This was one of the best seasons I ever spent on the island, and leaving literally felt heart-wrenching. That said, a travel writer stranding herself on an island that is the isolation equivalent of being a 4-5 hour drive from the closest, most expensive airport and a 7-8 hour drive from the more reasonably priced one is not a sustainable business plan and I recognize that my time off the island is necessary for both my business and my mental health! Still, there are always things I long for when I’m away.

Best and Worst Beds of the Month

Best: Well I didn’t really travel much this month but I did soak up my last beautiful weeks of sleeping in my own apartment! Kind of a shame that I loathed, ya know, my actual bed.

Worst: Easy — my evening on the night boat with broken AC followed by a miserable motion-sickness inducing car ride to the edge on Thailand on my visa run. (Though frankly, the hotel in Samui was nothing much exciting either.)

Best and Worst Meals of the Month

Best: Our post-Songkran brunch at my friend Janine’s house! I made banana cinnamon pancakes and mango mimosas — hangover food in the tropics.

Worst: Sorry to be a broken record, but I’ll have to go with “whatever shitty snacks I compiled from a five-minute stop at 7-11 just over the Burmese border.” Yeah, I really hate those visa runs.

Spending

I had another nice and low-key month of expenditures (much needed before the spend-storm that was Brazil!). While Songkran and our trip to Samui were mild splurges, my day-to-day lifestyle on Koh Tao is so affordable it can definitely absorb the blow of a few fun activities thrown in per month. In Samui I also used some built up hotel credit I had — nothing special for being a blogger, just normal loyalty programs anyone can use! — to cover the majority of the cost of the rooms.

Unusually for me, two of my biggest splurges were clothes and accessories — new bikinis from local Koh Tao designer Flip Flop and Treacle, and some new jewelry from local island jeweler Amy Jennifer Jewellery. Had to send myself off in style!

Saving

Hallelujah! I doubled my income from the previous month thanks to a few big campaigns coming in with my regular blog partners, as well as a successful month for affiliate income. Again — right before Brazil, I seriously needed it.

Health and Fitness

Between my 5K, the training for it, and trying to use up all my gym and yoga passes before heading off to Brazil, I basically crushed it. Admittedly, Songkran was quite debaucherous, but overall

What Was Next

Six weeks in BRAZIL!

I simply couldn’t ask for better travel companions than all of you!

Since I left home for my Great Escape, I’ve been doing monthly roundups of my adventures filled with anecdotes, private little moments, and thoughts that are found nowhere else on this blog. As this site is not just a resource for other travelers but also my own personal travel diary, I like to take some time to reflect on not just what I did, but how I felt. You can read my previous roundups here.

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