#cause i nearly froze of my face on the bike this week

[hufflepuffhabs]

Happy Ferran and Fellows on Loan Friday ❤️‍🩹

[banditcoyote]

Wrangled and Tangled

Sasuga stood by the sink washing the last of the dishes from tonights meal. She smiled softly to herself as her tail flicked behind her, happy about the sets of cups and plates she had picked out, feeling domesticated and settled looking over the two sets of dishes her and her lover had shared, something about them in the drying rack felt almost romantic to her. But maybe it was just the way the sunset was showing so pink and purple over the water that was making her feel that way, the cool summer breeze blowing in from the open Lanai. She hummed to herself a little as she dried her hand and reached for the first plate, ready to dry them herself, when the dish cloth was plucked out of her hands swiftly.

“Let me take care of that.” Simon said perching himself onto the counter and starting to dry one of their plates.

“All the left overs put away?” she asked leaning against the counters and bringing her wine to her lips.

“Most of them.” he said with a nod. “Except for the second helping I couldn’t resist, which is now residing in my stomach.”  

She laughed lightly, brushing her hair back behind her ear “Well I’m glad you enjoyed it.” She said with a nod, moving to cozy up to him just a little bit, her eyes full of warmth, and maybe a bit of mischief. “Maybe we can enjoy some other things when you’re done putting those dishes away.” She said with a curl to her lips.

Simon returned the smile and took a moment to lean down to kiss her easily, drawing back with a little hum. “I can think of some things for sure.” He added. “But before we get too distracted.” He placed the clean plate down on the counter and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small ring box and placing it on the counter next to her hand. “Happy Anniversary.”

Sasuga froze at the sight of the small velvet box and her large eyes went wide, slowly looking up into Simon’s face, searching for the meaning.

Simon at once realizing what she might have thought smiled and blushed. “I know we’ve talked about it, but this is just a promise ring.”  Sasuga let go of the breath she was holding with some relief. He picked the box up and opened it. “See?” inside was a thing gold band with a small rose quartz crystal cut into the shape of a heart that side horizontal to the finger. He reached for her left hand and slid it on to her ring finger kissing it into place. “I love you Sasuga, I know that this might not be perfect, but I wanted you to know how much you mean to me.” Sasuga looked to the ring on her finger, feeling tears pull at the corner of her eyes. He hopped down from the counter “Oh no….is it too much? I know we said we weren’t going to do anything, that dinner was enough but-“

She shook her head “Don’t be stupid.” She said choking back her emotions. “I love it. I love you….Thank you.” She looked at the ring again before reaching up to tug on one of his horns pulling him down into a kiss. “Forget the dishes….come on.” She said, her tail already snaking up around his waist to guide him toward their bedroom.

Coyote woke up with a start, staring up into the dark ceiling above him. He contemplated for a moment what that dream could have meant, and his jaw tightened in his face. Did Sasuga sleep with Simon while he was away, it was the only rule he had given. Or maybe that had made the whole thing more enticing for the two of them. Still, why would Sasuga end up with Simon, he had the feeling he was absent, that house not looking familiar to him in the slightest. He closed his eyes again, almost willing it to come back to him, but some of the finer details were already fading from his memory, and all he remembered was the way the pair looked longingly at each other before they kissed. He gave a little growl and pushed himself up quickly to throw on some jeans and a shirt.

“Coyote?” Shishi asked lifting his head from where he was curled up on one of the pillows. “Where are you going?” he asked rubbing one of his eyes sleepily.

“I’m heading back to the Makai” he told Shishi as he pulled his shirt down over his torso.

The imp eyed the view appreciatively before his senses snapped back to him. “Should I be worried?” he asked knowing of Coyote’s sometimes prophetic dreams, and he wondered if he had some type of vision of Sasuga’s fights. “Do you want me to come with you?”

Coyote shook his head. “No. No. It’s nothing like that it’s….” only he wasn’t entirely sure he could begin to really understand it himself. He shook his head “Sasuga’s fine. I just need to see her. I only had that one other show at the end of the week anyway, stay here, I’ll go tell Russell to pack everything up and head on home. You’ll be fine finding a flight right? I mean, stay the night, don’t leave on my account.”

Shishi laughed “Oh it was that kind of dream was it?” he grinned. “Okay, Well, tell her I said hello and get back safely.” He said as he yawned and laid back down to sleep. “I’m sure Kurama and Gatlin will be happy to have me home, if they haven’t torn each other apart yet…”

Coyote slapped on his cowboy hat and grabbed a jacket though he felt his skin burning. “And you remember what we said about this right?” he asked as he headed toward the door.

“My lips are sealed.” Shishi murmured. “Not a word to anyone”

“Especially to Sasuga.” He confirmed hand on the door.

“Especially Sasuga.” Shishi promised “She’d probably be more upset with me than you anyway” and waved him off.

Coyote found himself easily at his ring manager’s trailer, pounding on the door. He felt bad to be waking Russell up like this but he knew he couldn’t just disappear in the middle of the night and leave Shishi to explain for  him, things looked weird enough having him around. Russell answered the door, looking as if he was still blinking back sleep. “Coyote, everything alright?” he asked looking around.

“No…Um no, there was a fire back at the ranch.” He said lying on his feet. Thinking easily of the fire at Thom’s he could use as a cover even if the time line wouldn’t match up. He figured it would never get back to Russell anyways. The manager looked concerned. “It’s nothing big, a small one thank god, no one hurt, but I really should get out there, I know we only have the exhibit at the end of the week so I was just going to head home now. Would that be too much of a pain for ya’ll to handle?”

Russell cleared the sleep from his eyes with his hand “Yeah, yeah I can handle it no problem. Take care, hope it’s as small as you say.” He said and headed back to his bed.

Coyote made one more stop, saying farewell to Poncho in his trailer, before he headed towards the nearest portal in the woods, which was still pretty far, and Coyote had to be careful no one saw him as he slipped into the woods and transformed, having to sprint as fast as he could to reach the portal before daylight. He was glad he had the foresight to try and keep his motorcycle as close to him as possible, as the only other way he could have gotten there was to fly back home and then race to her, and he wasn’t sure he could stand being on a plane the way he was feeling.  All cooped up without being able to run or move, or do anything. It would have been torture, not like the past few weeks hadn’t been. The time away from Sasuga had been harder than he’d like to admit, and he already knew he would never plan on being away from her like this again. All the time away from her he had felt like pulling his skin off. He had helped Thom around her house before he left, and at the rodeo he did more of the manual work than anyone really wanted him to. He ran Poncho as often as he felt he could without causing the poor animal too much strain, and then would run laps as fast as he could as long as he could well into the night. But it was never enough, the women that tried to greet him as soon as he stepped out of the rodeo corral still enticed him to the point he had to nearly run back to his RV. All that hair, perfume, and how the hell where they making such good bras now adays? Though he was sure that some of breasts out there weren’t only held up by a bra but maybe some type of surgery, that didn’t sway him away any. Then the fact that in some of the more populous areas there were actual demon women in the crowds, and those he really had to avoid. He was sure they’d sense something about him, and he was doing his best to be incognito. Luckily his prior years of fooling around with plenty of the women at these things rarely had any of his crew spotting him being social, so now that he was hiding out on his own it went unnoticed. Coyote tried to run himself ragged, exercise, the rodeo, his variety of plants and a few sex toys paired unironically with the body pillow he had snuck on board, none of it had done the exact trick. Which had then led him to call Shishi. It had been a long shot, but it didn’t take much convincing getting him to come out to see him in secret, even if he was a bit miffed at having to mostly stay hidden at the events. Coyote let him have the pass into where the wives or girlfriend’s normally sat, and he posed in his refinery during the events when it fancied him. It had helped tire him out, but he still hadn’t been getting enoug

He thought he could remain out here for the full month, and they had gotten so close, it was almost silly to run now. But after the dream with her and Simon he just couldn’t deny the ache he felt for his mate any longer and he had to find his way back to her. Dawn was just about to break as he reached the portal and he wasted no time heading through it and heading towards where he had hidden his bike. He felt like a dog that had gotten a scent, and he wasn’t going to rest until he got to her. **** Four days later still hours from dawn, Coyote stashed the bike behind the hotel, barely taking care to hide it, and stumbled into the lobby. He had all the faith in the world that Sasuga was still in the tournament, and held the most hope that meant she was still in the hotel room that he had the key stashed for. He limped into the lobby where the clerk paled at the site of him. “Sir….” He said rushing around the desk and towards him. “Do you need a medic?” he asked looking him over.

Coyote didn’t waste the energy to speak to him and only shook his head as he stumbled forward before catching his balance again. He knew what he looked like, but wasn’t stopped as it was clear the clerk in his pristine uniform was afraid to touch him at all.

“Is there someone I can call?” he said walking along side him as Coyote shuffled to the elevator, bracing himself against the lobby wall and causing a smear of blood to press into the wall paper.

Coyote considered it for a moment, but shook his head again. If Sasuga was still in the tournament this late in the game there was a chance she was injured as well, and he wanted her to save her strength for fighting. He’d be okay. He just needed a shower, some stitches, and her.

The clerk did not follow him into the elevator, being the main hotel for the tournament he was surely not the only injured guest they received, and he retreated back to their desk, probably to call for maintenance to clean up whatever other mess Coyote had left behind him. He leaned against the wall as it started it’s ascension toward the upper floors, again leaving a smear of dirt and blood where his shoulder braced himself. A few droplets of blood dripping from somewhere onto the floor. It seemed to take forever for the elevator to reach it’s destination, the doors pausing once as a couple was about to get on, but after seeing him let him go on without a question. Coyote almost passed out, unsure if it was from blood loss or exhaustion, but the dinging and wooshing of the doors riled him, and he staggered out into the hallway. Knowing he was so close to Sasuga spurred him on, and he was relieved to find that the card key still worked. He let himself into the hotel room, finding it dark and quiet and he did his best to move with stealth into the bathroom. He passed the bed and spotted Sasuga sleeping peacefully by herself, he was grateful for this because with the rage that was still somewhat in his veins if he had found Simon with her he might have taken a regrettable action. In that moment iat took everything in him to not simply cover her with himself, though with how dirty he was he knew it would only concern her more. There was blood in his mouth and under his fingernails, matting his hair down and sticking to his hat. Better to clean himself up first, and he shut the bathroom door behind him before turning on the light.

He did his best not to look at himself in the mirror, but finding it a necessity to assess some of the damage. If he had made it this far like this it couldn’t have been too bad. Still he was in rough shape. Not only was his face cut, bruised, and swollen, but he had also lost enough weight that he appeared gaunt under the torn and dirty clothes he wore. He slowly undressed, assessing each wound, fresh bruises forming on top of old ones, some cuts that were still bleeding every time he moved, gashes that would no doubt need to be closed up. He hissed as some of the clothing stuck to him where blood had dried, let his effects fall to the floor, his gun empty and tucked back in his holster, and stepped into the shower letting the water strike at his feet until it was warm enough to step into. He braced himself against the wall, letting it flow over his hair and down his back, feeling the sense of relief start to fill him as well. He had made it, he was close to resting, and he was close to his mate, that was all he could ask for right now.

[her-world-on-fire]

It Was All Yellow {Jason Todd x Reader}

MASTERLIST

REQUEST HERE

Word Count: 2,424

Request: Jason or Damain finding you, the happy girl, singing a sad song and crying while on patrol. If possible, do you think the song could be If I Could Ride a Bike by Chevy? Thanks, you're a godsend <3

A/N: Sorry if this wasn’t what you imagined, hope you like it anon!

I LISTENED to the sound of own heartbeat. It echoed loudly, and I looked over at Jason, fearing he would wake at any moment. He had fallen asleep almost as soon as we got to the apartment. I didn’t blame him, almost every night he was working himself to death. Crime rates increased with every new vigilante. The work never seemed to stop. No matter how much we tried it seemed like Gotham was the same as we left it the night before. I watched as his chest slowly rose then fell. His face was expressionless, his usual smirk was gone.

Jason was sore, I could tell by the way he moved he was in pain. He tried his best to hide it, but I noticed it. I noticed that he hot showers to try and ease the pain. The steam flowed from under the crack over the door, and found its home on the mirrors and walls. Every night before he went to sleep he would sneak into the kitchen and take ibuprofen. I could hear the pills rattling inside the bottles, and his hushed footsteps as he hurried back into his room.

This was the most peaceful I had seen him all week.

His head was resting on my lap. I pulled the blanket over him as gently as I could. It was only 8pm, he needed to sleep to recover. I didn’t have to worry about the boys waking him up. Jason had insisted on getting his own place. He knew I never felt quite at home in the manor, and let me stay with him.

I turned off the TV and leaned against the arm rest. I wanted to try and get some sleep too.

I woke up to the sound of Jason’s phone ringing. I looked around, and he wasn’t in the living room or the kitchen. My best guess was the shower. I grabbed his phone, it was Artemis. I bolted to the bathroom. “Jason!” 

I reached the bathroom door and he immediately swung it open. He looked over at me. “What? Are you alright?” I held up his phone.  He looked at the caller ID. “Oh shit.” He took his phone, and answered it, bringing it to his ear. “Hey.”

I looked at Jason, his hair was still soaking wet. The water dripped from his hair down to his neck, them his chest. He had his towel wrapped around his waist. I motioned I was going to go into the kitchen. And he nodded and closed the door. He spoke quietly. A few moments later I heard him move into the closet.

Artemis.

Artemis was a former teammate, and from the way Dick told it, they were more than that. I tried my best to push the negative thoughts out of my head. I started making breakfast when I heard a loud crash. “Jason?” I moved away from the kitchen and into the hallway. I heard rustling coming from inside his room. “Jason? Are you okay?” The door opened and Jason emerged with a duffel bag. “Have you seen my holster?” He didn’t look at me as he zipped up his duffel bag.

“It’s in the laundry room.” He moved past me and to the laundry room. He didn’t speak. He moved back and forth between the rooms collecting his things. “I paid this months rent. Alfred will continue the payments on my behalf just in case.” I blinked in shock. A month’s rent? Just in case?

“You’re leaving?” He stayed silent. He looked over the apartment, trying to make sure he didn’t miss anything. Finally he looked over at me. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He reached for the door and paused. He mumbled something under his breath. He turned back to me and pointed a finger.

“Don’t go out on patrol alone.” With that, he was gone.

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

Dick had noticed a change in Y/N’s behavior. Normally, Y/N was the highlight of patrol. Constantly positive and bubbly, it made the night go much faster. But since Jason left, Y/N was quiet. No more humming, the laughter that had once illuminated the night was gone.

Not even Dick knew why Jason was gone. It was Jason didn’t want any backup, it was something he needed to do alone. He didn’t want to risk Y/N getting caught up in his mess. He was sending updates to Jason but he wasn’t sure that he was getting them. If Jason wanted to be alone, he knew exactly how to do it. He cut off all forms of communication and was consumed by the job. It had been 2 weeks and he was silent. No one knew where he was. No one knew if he was even alive. Roy informed Dick that Jason had stopped by for supplies. But he hadn’t heard anything since.

Whatever he was doing, he was sure to hide it. No news reports caught wind of his activities. For his sake, Dick hoped that Jason was on the right path. The last time Jason broke his promise to Bruce beat him until he was almost unrecognizable. Jason had even remarked he had never seen him hit the Joker as hard.

There was an insatiable anger in Bruce. He had trusted Jason to operate in Gotham under the condition he wouldn’t kill anyone. Then Jason went on national television and nearly killed Cobblepot, by shooting him point blank. The boys were at a loss, neither of them knew what to do. Bruce insisted on dealing with it himself. Jason only got away because Roy saved him. Dick wasn’t sure how they would stop Bruce this time.

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

Jason slung his duffel bag across his shoulder. He released a sigh as he stretched. He had been driving all night to get back as soon as possible. He had a lot of explaining to do. He had received all of Dick’s messages.

Let me know you’re alright.

Tim can’t track your location, just check in.

Jason we haven’t heard from you in 3 weeks.

Y/N’s not doing good.

He felt guilty for just leaving, but he had to. He knew that if he gave explanations then Dick would try and talk him out of it. It would give Tim more time to figure out how to track him. More importantly he knew if Y/N had asked, he would’ve stayed.

Jason entered the apartment. After being gone for so long it seemed almost foreign. There were a few noticeable changes. The curtains that were almost always drawn open to let in the sun were shut. More importantly it looked empty. Almost as if no one was inhabiting it.

There was no evidence of dirty dishes, no laundry, and everything was spotless. It was too clean for anyone to be living here. When he opened the fridge his suspicious were confirmed. There was no food. It was almost empty, apart from a case of water. He sighed, Dick was right. Things were not good. He looked around the apartment, trying to find any hint of where Y/N went.

The only thing missing, was a single outfit.

Y/N’s suit.

Jason decided to visit all the patrol spots he knew. Each one of them came up empty. Just as he was about to give up, he heard something. Jason stopped. He faintly heard a voice in the distance. It was barley audible, but he somehow caught it. He tried to find the source, he walked towards the stairs. It had to have been coming from the roof top. As he got closer, he heard an accompanying soft piano.

“If I could sail a boat I'd cruise across the sea. A sweet adventure for us two. I'll be Jack and you rose.”

The voice began to falter, there were so many emotions just begging to be released. Jason didn’t want to interrupt, in fear of the voice stopping. He didn’t walk completely up the stairs. He was mesmerized by the sound. He stayed at the bottom steps, as quietly as possible. It took him a while to process that he knew the voice.

It was Y/N. He had not ever heard Y/N sad. He continued listening as the voice grew louder. “Just please don't let me go. Cause I'll be nothing without you.” The desperation made Jason want to make his presence known. He wanted Y/N to know that he was there. He wanted to help, more than anything. He slowly walked up the stairs. “Oh when you call me, I'm drifting on clouds. Like I'm dream-ing.”

“But in the morn-ing, I'll wake up and see that you’re stuck here with me. If only you knew what I would do for you I'd jump up and hold you so tightly.”  With every verse, the voice grew softer. There was more sadness in each line. He listened carefully to the lines, trying to piece together the information. Each line made it apparent, unrequited love.

-

“But I will never be able to do these things, so I'm just left imagin-ing.”  As the song ended, I finally let all my emotions go. No one knew where Jason was and I was beginning to give up hope. I was sitting on the ledge of the rooftop. Police scanners were quiet. There were no distressed civilians. For once it seemed like Gotham was having a good night. Jason wasn’t here to see it. I moved to get up, in search of something. I had been trying to distract myself as much as possible with work. I couldn’t stand being inside the empty apartment anymore. For the first two weeks I stayed in hoping that one night Jason would come back and everything would be okay. But by the third week, it was evident he wouldn’t be back any time soon. When I did sleep, I stayed with Roy. We had been working together to try and track Jason but it appeared he had learned some new tricks.

I heard a creak come from behind me. I turned around immediately, but there was nothing there. I was about to venture down the stars when I heard something. “Hey.” I froze. That voice. I turned around and saw Jason. He was in his street clothes. He looked drained. There were a few small cuts and some bruising on his face. I moved closer to him, and let out a breath I had been holding in. I was relived he was okay, but I was angry at him for leaving.

“I didn’t know you were back. I didn’t even know if you were-“ I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence, but he knew. “I went to the apartment and it was empty. I noticed your suit was missing. I figured I would find you out here.” He moved closer and wiped the tears from my eyes. “How much did you hear?” I asked nervously. I was hoping he arrived after I had finished but by the look on his face it was apparent he didn’t.

“Almost all of it.”

“I don’t even know where to start.” He paused, “I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I just disappeared.” I nodded and thought back to each restless night. Not knowing was the worst part. “A long time ago, someone really bad got away. I lost his trail, but I’ve been keeping tabs on him. He resurfaced and I couldn’t let him get away again.” He put his arm around me, “But I won’t ever leave you like that again.” He placed a kiss on top of my head. Silent tears streamed down my face and I took in his warm embrace.

“Let’s go home. The boy’s have this covered.” I looked at him in shock. He had never called the apartment home. He always said that it was just somewhere he slept. He had never felt that it was home. “I thought the apartment wasn’t home?”

“It’s not home without you.”

We got back to the apartment and Jason reached for the door. He opened the door and I moved to turn on the lights. I stopped, the table was lit by candles. The floor was scattered with rose petals. It was nothing like how I left it. It felt comforting again. “I had Roy bring your things back.” He shut the door behind us. “It’s perfect.” I turned around and wrapped my arms around him. He ran his hands through my hair. “Come on,” He took my hand and led me to the bathroom. It was lit by a few candles. The bath was set with warm water. “I know you haven’t been here much and I thought you would appreciate it.”

“I’ll be in the bedroom, when you get out.” He placed my towel and some clothes on the sink and departed.

Once I got out I followed the petals into the bedroom. The bedroom was back to it was before. Jason had left a mess when he left, and I left a mess moving back and forth between Roy’s. Everything was neatly put away. Jason by now had changed out of his street clothes and into his sleep wear. He was laying down staring at the ceiling. Once I closed the door he looked over. “How was it?”

“I haven’t done that in a long time.” I moved to the bed and joined him. He opened his arms and I put my head on his chest. “Are you okay?” I looked up at him and examined his face. The darkness hid the severity pretty well. Now in the light, it looked worse. “You should see the other guy.” I shook my head and laughed a little. “Really, I’m okay. It’s not as bad as it looks.”

“Prove it.” He leaned over and kissed me. It was soft, and needy. After weeks, it finally seemed like it was going to be okay again. He pulled away and pulled me closer. He pulled the covers over me, and kissed my forehead again. “Get some sleep babe.”

“How are you?”

“Better, now.” He ran his thumb across my cheek, “I’m so sorry.”

And for the first time in weeks, I slept soundly.

MASTERLIST

REQUEST HERE

[heyitsyn]

Milk Bread

Oikawa!Reader x Ushijima

a/n: bahahaha oikawa would literally disown yall though

anon request:  Hiii if your request is still open could you also do an Oikawa's lil sis!Reader x Ushijima please~ fufufufu

ushijima and i could go get our own farm and have our own cows and horses and uggghhh

this entire,,,,, fiasco was an actual accident

it all started when you were so hungry that you ended up eating tooru’s milk bread

you were part of the girls track team in seijoh and competitions were starting soon so the team has been making practice mandatory during lunch as well

this caused you to only be able to survive off of snacks rather than your normal bento so you were blazing hungry when you got home

and when you are hungry, you go on a rampage

your brother was staying later practice so he wasnt home when you arrived

the fridge door almost unhinged and out the window by how roughly and quickly you opened it

the only thing in there was bottles of water and vegetables and you were not hungry enough to eat freaking raw onions

then you searched all over the cabinets for anything edible until you stumbled upon a clearly hidden milk bread

you guessed that tooru hid it bc he knew either you or takeru would eat it but heh, he didnt hide it good enough 

finders keepers, right?

and as long as he doesnt find out it was you, itd be fine

you giddily opened the bag and ripped off a piece before smiling at how delicious it was 

but this was cut short

you were so caught up in your happiness with the food that you missed iwa and tooru coming home until you heard your brother scream

‘Y/N-CHAN!’

your eyes flew open and you froze, mid-bite 

his eyes were wide and his mouth was agape as he watched you scarf down the rest of the bag quickly before dashing upstairs

but tooru’s shout for iwa-chan made the buff guy snatch you from the hallway despite you kicking and screaming at him to let go of you

‘IWA-CHAN NO!!!!!’

you yelled but he just tightened his hold on you

‘i bought oikawa that bag, y/n’

you pouted then crossed your arms

‘you bought it for an oikawa, not a specific oikawa though’

so tooru ordered you to go to his favorite bakery, which was all the way out there like an hour away, and buy him a dozen bags of milk bread

‘TOORU YOURE GOING TO GET FAT!’

*offended oikawa*

‘I BURN ALL OF IT DURING PRACTICE ANYWAYS!’

‘hm, explains why you have no cake’

y/n stop thats so mean !!!!

but doorkawa though

so there you were, shoving all of the stock they have in the store into the big cart 

if someone were to walk by you right now, theyd stare at the cart then at you weirdly for being a milk bread addiction

and thats exactly what happened

ushijima went to the bakery bc tendou won a bet and demanded a milk bread from this specific bakery

so he was entering the building, a single milk bread in mind, when he saw you, literally shoving all the bags down with an arm into the cart

he paused, like 5 feet away from you, just watching as you continued to take all the bags they had in stock into the cart

but he just wanted one bag so he went up to your cart and wordlessly took a bag which you saw and caught his arm

‘um, excuse me, what are you doing?’

he gave you a stoic face

‘i walked 30 minutes for this bag of milk bread. im sure you can leave one for someone else’

you were about to retort when you saw who this guy was

ofc if your brother was oikawa tooru, youd know his hatred for the apparent ‘farmer idiot’ ushijima wakatoshi from shiratorizawa

the familiar eyes and the furrowed eyebrows

yep, this had to be him

‘you,,,, ushiwaka’

he nodded

‘yes. now if you’ll excuse me, ill be going’

but you again held him back

‘ushijima-san! take this-all of this! i dont need it anymore!’

you pushed the cart in his direction before bolting out the store in a hurry

now ushijima is known to predict almost anything that came his way

but never has he even THOUGHT that a girl would give him a cart filled with nearly 50 bags of milk bread

the store lady pushed the cart to the cashier and only did he finally snapped out of it when she told him the total

‘oh, um, you forgot this bag too’

what was he going to do with all of this bread?

you pedaled your bike home and when tooru saw you empty handed, he started shouting

but you just faked a pout

‘ushijima wakatoshi-san took it from me’

his ears turned red

and all he could see was red

i see RED! rED! ooOOhH rED!!!!

he got his phone out and dialed a number before shouting into it

‘YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THIS, IWA-CHAN! USHIWAKA-!’

ngl, you didnt really think that he would completely forget about it but he fell for it

you planned to use tooru’s hatred for him and just a single utter of his name could completely brainwash him from the milk bread stealing situation

‘MAYBE HES GOING TO BUY ALL THE MILK BREAD IN THE WORLD UNTIL I GO TO THE DAMN SHIRATORIZAWA! WHAT IF HES DOING THAT?! IWA-CHAN-!’

the entire situation completely slipped your mind a few weeks later and you even forgot that you met ushijima and left him a cart of the treats

but that was quickly remembered

similar to your brother, there was one day per week where you have no track practice so you found yourself in their gym at wednesday, just waiting for iwa and tooru to finish practice

you were just busy doing your homework and trying to help kyoken with all of his missed work when kindaichi shrieked from the side

‘ushijima wakatoshi!’

JAPONN

at the mention of his name, everyone turned to him and followed his line of sight where indeed, the tall farmer boy stood at the door

oikawa tooru was so shocked to see him and his nerve to show up at HIS TURF that he didnt say anything

‘hello. is oikawa y/n here?’

then all hell broke lose

tooru was screaming at you in betrayal

iwa was shouting and hitting oikawa to stop and holding him back from lunging at you

the others were yelling at how you knew this famous player

while kyoken just sitting there all chill

‘you know that guy?’

‘uh-well-kinda?’

‘nice’

you quickly packed up your stuff, confused and surprised, before bolting down the bleachers to the door where you grabbed ushiwaka’s hand to drag him away from the gym where tooru couldnt find you

you finally stopped by an alleyway about a street away from school and turned to him with scrunched eyebrows

‘ushijima wakatoshi-san! what are you doing here?!’

you whisper-yelled 

but he just unzipped his gym bag and handed you a bag of milk bread

you were so caught off guard that you just held it on your hands and stared at it

ushijima noticed your expression and pointed at the food

‘i have a lot of it at home. i figured you wanted one’

you slowly looked up at him

‘ushijima-san,,,,, i,,, why-’

‘you seem to like milk bread seeing your cart full of it. i thought you still wanted one and i need to get rid of all of it anyways’

‘but,,,, you shouldnt have come all the way to seijoh! nii-chan-’

then you stopped

wait, hold on

how did he even know your name

‘how do you know my name, ushijima-san?’

he blinked

‘youre a known track runner in the prefecture in both the girls and boys. a friend of mine wanted to recruit you for the school team but you turned it down’

you paused and chuckled

‘ah of course. i actually wanted to go but nii-chan considered it a betrayal so i couldnt go’

‘but you should’ve come to-’

‘SHUT UP USHIJIMA! AND STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MY SISTER!’

tooru’s figure was panting a little bit away from behind ushijima and he was pointing at him heatedly

you sighed and face-palmed but you flinched when ushijima placed an arm around your shoulders and held you close

‘she has talents that could take her to far places. i understand that she refused it but you might have greatly influenced that decision and never asked her opinion about it. im here to ask her to re-think this decision and join us instead’

‘YOURE NOT EVEN IN THE TRACK TEAM IN THE FIRST PLACE!’

tooru raged and ran forward before grabbing your arm roughly to pry you away from the dirty touch of ushiwaka

‘we’re leaving, ushijima. and you better not talk to my little sister again’

he hissed and dragged you away but you turned your head and raised a hand

‘later, ushijima-san!’

‘SHUT UP Y/N!’

after that, ushijima knew to approach you in secret

you saw him by the gates after practice and you hurriedly hid him away from sight bc the moment someone saw that familiar purple jacket, theyd know immediately

‘ushijima-san! what do you want now?’

you whispered and again, he reached into his bag to give you a bag of milk bread

‘i need to get rid of them. and i also want to hear your opinions about joining shiratorizawa next year’

you laughed, softly clutching the bag

‘in truth, the bread was for nii-chan. and regarding next year, i dont think im leaving seijoh, ushijima-san, so sorry’

he nodded

‘i understand. but i do hope you will think about it, oikawa-san’

you cringed at the formality coming from someone as important as him

‘please, call me y/n. it sounds really weird from you’

‘okay, y/n-san’

‘no, just y/n’

��y/n’

‘good’

then these meetings turned to another, then twice more, then everyday

it was becoming a routine at this point

track practice ended at 6, about 30 minutes before the seijoh volley so you could easily slip away from tooru, and ushi’s ended around 5 so he was able to meet you at the alley by your school

tbh, you didnt understand how you were meeting as such a shady place and you didnt understand why he would take such a long trip just to give you milk bread and ask you about the school

however, that soon changed

soon, you just talked about school and life in general while munching on food

he would occassionally talk about this first year goshiki and some setter shirabu and how they fought constantly

you knew a little bit of his best friend tendou and his dorm life back in shiratorizawa

he knew that you weren’t exactly in track for fun, but for scholarships since you werent exactly smart

part of you wondered if he used the dozens of milk bread in his house as an excuse to see you and make you eat them as compensation when he couldve just sent them back

yet eventually,

your conversations helped you know a little bit of each other without the title of fastest runner oikawa y/n or u-19 japan ushijima wakatoshi

‘tori accidentally broke a hurdle and sprained her knee so she had to sit out during practice. it was a mess because she was screaming about the pain and caused practice to end early’

you whined while chewing

he remained quiet so you turned to look at him, who was just staring at you

‘ushijima-san? you okay?’

‘waka,, toshi. call me wakatoshi’

you tilted your head to the side

‘i,, i can’t call you that, ushijima-san’

‘please, call me that. we’re friends, right?’

a genuine laugh escaped from you

‘oh dear. i mean, yeah, we’re friends, i guess. but nii-chan would not appreciate this friendship’

‘but doesn’t he like you having friends?’

he was confused as to why tooru’s even in the conversation

‘no, ushijima-san. i meant, he would not like me being friends with you’

‘why does he have a say in this?’

you paused

he was right

why did tooru’s opinion matter?

why did it matter so much that you’ve been hiding in this stinky alleyway with ushijima wakatoshi for a few weeks all because you were scared someone you knew saw you?

‘wakatoshi-san, do you have a brother?’

‘no’

‘hm, makes sense’

you laughed then looked away, straight at the dumpster that stood behind him a few feet away

‘my parents,,, are always working. even when i was young, they were constantly working so i dont really have good memories with them since they were rarely home. my sister, she was already in high school when i was born so the only person i really had was my nii-chan’

ushijima’s stare on you never wavered as he remained looking at you, inspecting you almost, the way your nose curved or your lips looked a little chapped or that crumb that stuck itself on the corner of your lip

‘he has always done everything for me,, in a way, he raised me and i appreciate everything hes done for me, yknow? and i want to repay him for all of that but im sorry to say this, but he doesnt exactly like you, wakatoshi-san. and me being friends with you, him not even knowing we’re meeting up like this, he would get very angry with me. and i dont to disappoint him’

you looked down at the remaining bread and softly sighed

it annoyed you a little that you cared so much for what tooru thought

why couldnt you live your life?

why couldn’t you just be your own person and meet people that you like?

‘we have only have 3 bags of milk bread left’

ushijima’s comment took you aback bc its not like you just told him something so personal or anything

‘huh?’

‘i need to buy some more’

you shook your head and waved your hands around

‘wakatoshi-san, i just told you, like, something really personal-’

‘but i dont care about all that though’

he blinked, confused as to why it mattered to him

‘what-’

‘y/n, havent you noticed that you’ve been calling me by my first name?’

his question made you stop and realize that you were saying wakatoshi

‘oikawa tooru is simply a person who helped raise you, he didnt make you nor does he have control over you. your life was given to you to live and create, not to be molded or shaped by someone else’

you nodded and patted his arm in appreciation, still awkward about having interactions with the guy

but he reached behind you and patted your back, averting his gaze forward

‘you have talent in track so i think you should keep running for a team that shares your skills. like your brother’s talents deserve to be played in a team full of undefeatable players’

you chuckled and shot him a confused glance

‘wakatoshi-san, youre over here telling me to do what i want yet youre telling me to do something else’

he seemed completely innocent to his hypocritical statement as he just looked at you

‘im just influencing you. theres a difference’

you shook your head and continued eating your bread, throwing the entire topic behind your mind

‘youre right, wakatoshi-san. we do need to buy some more milk bread’

little by little, you started to stray away from your brother

like you started coming home late and your wednesdays were now booked up with someone else

ofc he noticed and he went straight to iwa-chan to complain about it

by the second wednesday, he got fed up and actually cancelled practice which caused iwa to beat him up for stopping practice for something stupid

‘let your sister be, shittykawa!’

tooru pouted and rubbed the now sore spot on his head

‘somethings wrong, iwa-chan! i can sense it! shes hiding something and if its kept from me, of course i want to know!’

this led iwa to be dragged along with him as he followed you walking to somewhere

he remembered you getting flustered and smiling at him when you refused his offer to get ramen after practice with the guys

‘i have plans, sorry, nii-chan’

this caused oikawa to be very sus bc no tea, but he knows you dont hang out w other people outside school

so this led him to stalking you instead of talking and asking you like a normal adult

iwa was also there bc he lowkey sus and worried for your safety if oikawa does decide to lunge at your boyfriend

the two boys were huddled behind a car as you were just walking cheerfully, skipping every step

‘iwa-chan, she doesnt have a boyfriend, right?’

‘shes pretty and kind, it would be hard to believe she doesnt have one’

but as they continued to follow you, they started getting confused as to why you were walking in such an unfamiliar neighborhood

this wasnt exactly their turf and when they noticed a familiar looking uniform a boy was wearing as he walked down the street, oikawa almost busted a blood vessel

aw look at him tremble-

‘what in the ever-loving god of anime is she doing in shiratorizawa!’

he whisper-yelled

‘iwa-chan! is she transferring there?!’

‘shittykawa shut the hell up!’

you heard a familiar voice behind you and quickly turned around but saw nothing

you swear you heard hajime’s voice

but it couldve been just your imagination since you’ve heard him call that for nearly 6 years

you continued walking forward and you jumped to wave when you saw ushijima leaning against the school gates

‘wakatoshi-san!’

you greeted and he nodded, acknowledging your presence

‘y/n, you were late’

you giggled

‘why? did you miss me wakatoshi-san?’

‘hm, yes. the milk bread bakery is going to close in 15 minutes’

he said and held out his hand which you gladly accepted

tooru was basically strangling iwa by how he was so ANGY that his little baby sister was fraternizing with the enemy!!!

back on you though!!!

you still blushed when you held his hand but you knew there was nothing about it bc you ltr almost got ran over once

so basically,

you were finally opening up to going out in public w him as long as it was far away

and he suggested going to some ramen shop that they frequent at for some food

you were just walking side by side and humming a tune when you were interrupted by a loud honk that freaked you out and freeze

but ushijima, being a volleyball player and developing quick instincts, grabbed your shoulders and pushed you both to the side, away from the car

youve never had that experience before so you were quite freaked out and you were just hanging on to his jacket for dear life, hiding your face in it

he sensed your panic and placed a hand on top of your head to provide some comfort

‘its okay, y/n. dont worry bc ill always be there to protect you’

you turned red at that statement but ushijima was known to be very naive and he didnt understand that underlying suggestion in his words

‘thank you, wakatoshi-san’

you mumbled and he gently pried you away but he held your hand

‘this will allow me to pull you quicker and to make sure you dont wander too far’

you pouted

‘hmph, im not a child, wakatoshi-san’

he smiled, surprising you bc wowza was he showing emotions?

‘you need to be taken cared of, do you not? no matter what age, ill still look out for you’

to this day, he still kept your hand on his grip and your heart kept beating really fast

all these hangouts were really showing you the real ushijima wakatoshi that was so different from the court and you really liked it

from the strong and cold and cruel player to the awkward, funny, and naive schoolboy

he was an enigma and you were attracted to the remaining iceberg that maintained being hidden under the waters of his physical appearance

focusing on something else, you were tugging him along excitedly bc you forgot your bento at home today and you STARVED

‘lets get sweets!’

you cheered excitedly and with his hand still laced into yours, he looped it around your shoulders so he pulled you closer

‘semi told me he does this to his girlfriend when she gets too hyper’

um, sire, where did that come from?

from oikawa’s spot, he was starting to get hurt by how harshly he dug his fingernails in his palms while iwa was getting angry at how carelessly this farmer was handling his sister

but you werent bothered by his weird oblivious comments

‘im very hungry so we must hurry, wakatoshi-san!’

‘yes, yes’

unbeknownst to you, he kept looking down to observe your faces

when you would see a store, your eyes would widen and youd mumble about wanting to go there sometimes

when you saw a baby in a stroller, youd coo and unintentionally squeeze his hand

it was cute

and it made his heart jump every time

today was no different occasion

and he was finally able to put a pin into this weird action from his organ

lmao im so tired bruh im cackling as i type

earlier today during practice, he felt that jump when you whined to him about leaving your bento at home and expressing your excitement to get some food

that jump returned and he was so focused on texting you that he didnt notice his teammates watching him in shock

tendou even started hitting semi, confused and flabbergasted

‘ushijima-san,,,’

goshiki started but shirabu smacked him to be quiet

‘oh, i might not come to practice on friday since im going to the doctor’

the mention of the doctor, everyone freaked out bc they cant have their prized player injured or hurt

‘what,, whats wrong?’

semi asked and ushijima finally locked up his phone

‘im having weird random jumps in my chest and slight tickles in my stomach. google told me to go to the doctor if it persists so i made an appointment’

they all sweatdropped

goshiki uwu babie was biting his lip to stop himself from sobbing and thinking his senpai and rival was having an illness

but semi and tendou knew whats up

‘wakatoshi-kun, who were you texting?’

they all noticed the slight widening of his eyes and the sprinkle of light that shined through

‘oh, oikawa y/n. we’re friends now’

everyone shared a look bc he didnt really have friends outside the team and didnt bother himself with unnecessary relationships like these

‘oh god’

tendou mumbled and his grin widened

‘i,,im no doctor, ushijima-san, but i think youre experiencing the symptoms of a crush’

shirabu was basically the smartest than the others combined so when he said something like that, they believed him immediately

‘crush?’

ushijima wondered

‘dont tell me you dont know what that is’

goshiki muttered in disbelief

‘im familiar with the definition of the attraction to another person. but ive never experienced it myself’

yall why am i writing him to talk like this

‘youve been so busy with volleyball your entire life that you probably havent had time to actually admire the girls we have in school’

tendou reasoned so ushijima went to go wait for you by the gates and observed the females that passed by

nope, they all didnt strike him for anything

he just gave up until he saw you waving for him all enthusiastically and there it was

a simple glance at your smile and it leapt

it only got worse when you giggled and he clenched his fist to keep his heart from leaping out of his chest

the entire time, he felt it, especially holding your hand

to really be honest, he only did that after what happened and his mother used to do that to him to protect him from other cars

now that he had someone to protect, he was doing the same thing

you clearly didnt mind and just swung your hands along the entire time

eventually, yall arrived 

the lady at the front was now accustomed by your appearances and she waved at you

‘hello ushijima-kun! oikawa-chan!’

you greeted her happily while ushi just nodded at her

your brother and his best friend decided it was best to stand outside to not garner suspicion ltr yall are stalking and everyone knows since the bell rang whenever it was opened

tooru felt his heart clench at the thought of you being on a date with this,,, !!!! farmer boy!!!!

the sister complex in this one is quite strong

it got even worse when he saw your giggling form and ushijima holding you close with your shoulders

next thing he knew, he entered the bakery and ripped you away from him

ofc you were surprised bc wtf why was here?

‘NII-CHAN?!’

‘oh, hello, oikawa’

^^ 2 types of people

‘didnt you hear me when i told you to stay away from my sister?’

he seethed

‘yes, i heard you. but i dont care’

‘wakatoshi-san!’

you whisper-yelled bc his answer clearly made your brother angrier

‘well, i need you to start caring bc you are not welcome to be a part of our family! i will never accept you as my brother-in-law! i will never visit! you hear me?!’

your eyebrows furrowed and you flushed in embarrassment

‘NII-CHAN! WE’RE JUST FRIENDS! WHAT ARE YOU SPOUTING ABOUT?! AND WHY DID YOU FOLLOW ME?!’

he didnt bother to hear you and started dragging you by the arm

but you wrenched out of his grip and ran to ushijima, who held you close

‘hes my friend, nii-chan. i dont care if you dont like him but hes nice to me and he hasnt given me any reason to not be friends. now try to be a grown-up for just a few minutes and leave me alone so i can go hang out with my friend and you go back home with iwa-chan’

you firmly stated, glaring at him and tooru felt sad at this entire thing

were you growing up?

despite only being a year younger, you were always that ran to him for everything bc you looked up to him so much

but now, you were refusing and becoming your own person

you were still his baby sister but now, you were a grown woman who could make her own choices

and he had no choice but to accept that

‘okay. but come back home soon, okay, y/n?’

tooru’s quiet voice made your expression fall and you made a move to go to him but he already made his exit

‘nii-chan,,,’

you mumbled but ushijima placed an arm around your shoulders

‘you can go to him, y/n. we can-’

‘no. im,,, happy that he finally realized it. so lets continue’

you smiled up at him and he nodded, going back to looking through the cupcakes

‘how do you think hed take it if he finds out i like his sister?’

he off-handedly asks to no one but you heard and jumped

okay, you were used to his random comments and questions but this one had to be the one that took you aback the most

‘H-HAH?!’

but he doesnt seem bothered

‘my teammates told me that i have a crush on you so if i were to act on that feeling, would you accept me?’

your eyes flittered everywhere and you grabbed him by the shoulders and leaned him down to his level

‘ar-are you seriously confessing to me right now?’

he shrugged, so nonchalant

‘yes. before getting your brother’s approval, i should get yours first. will you let me be yours, oikawa y/n-san?’

your face scrunched up and you nodded, pulling him in for a hug

‘i like you a lot, ushijima-san. like a lot’

he softly smiled and buried his neck in your neck

‘i noticed when you didnt care about your brother’s dislike towards me’

‘yanno, for someone who is so against us together, hes the reason we even met in the first place’

he pulled away and looked at you

‘really?’

‘yep. i told you this, didnt i? i came for milk bread yet left with a boyfriend’

‘over a span of a few months’

you rolled your eyes but still laughed

‘yes, a few months and nearly a hundred bags of milk bread later’

the old lady was watching the whole thing and only made her presence obvious when she squealed

‘OH YOUNG LOVE! GET ANYTHING YOU WANT TODAY, DEARIES! WE SHALL CELEBRATE THE BEGINNING OF NEW LOVE AND FOR MANY MORE!’

you and ushijima shared a look before busting out laughing, you freezing when you heard his chuckles

he noticed your stare at him and he asked you whats wrong

you shook your head before grinning

‘im already already looking forward to falling in love with you. so make me fall really hard, okay?’

you just unlocked blushy and flustered ushijima wakatoshi

when you went home that night with bags full of milk bread, your brother practically forgave you

but you accidentally blurted out of your new official relationship and you knew what he did?

oikawa screamed

a/n: sorry if i was gone for 2 days bc selling sunset came season 3 came out on friday !!!! but heres an update and i might post another later bc tomorrow’s my first day of school and id be too busy to update but id probably update in wednesday so feast on these in the meantime!!!!!!

[tired-college-student-writing]

Tim’s Secret Weapon pt. 12

I’ve been slightly obsessed with @ozmav​ ‘s Damian Wayne/Marinette Dupain-Cheng pairing as of late, and just saw a post that has inspired me more than anything else has in months, so I felt the need to write it

Summary- Tim has always seen the numbers floating above people’s heads, been able to perceive their threat levels with a single glance. After being a hero for so long he thought he was desensitized to seeing high numbers above people’s heads until Damian brings a new friend home.

Part 1

Part 11

Part 12(HERE)

Part 13

____________________________________________

Jason had started cackling as soon as Tim explained why he was cross, pulling the ring from his hand and tossing it back to its proper owner. Damian Bruce and Alfred were intrigued by the prospect by the fact Jason was predestined to be a miraculous wielder. Dick, on the other hand, was pouting at Jason being ‘officially more of a cat than him.’

“You’re not a black cat,” Tim snapped, using the door frame to stay upright, glaring at the stark white number over Jason’s head, “He may claim he’s all about destruction but it’s who he was made into not who he is at his core.”

“What?” Jason huffed, “You’re the one that said my number went up to 15! I’m a cat now, I’m leaving the birds to join Selina.”

“No,” He nearly growled in frustration, staggering over to the couch, “Adrian is the real cat here. At his core, he’s sweet and kind and trustworthy, but he also has chaos at his center. He can destroy a person he believes deserves it without a second thought, tarnish a reputation permanently with no remorse if he believed it was the best course of action, manipulate a person into behaving how he wants with precision and grace without anyone realizing that the ray of sunshine would be able to do so. He’s literally destruction. You aren’t like that Jason, not at your core. You’re a true holder, but you aren’t a Black Cat.”

The room was silent as he finally finished and he couldn’t help, but look around at their stunned faces with confusion. Even the Kwamis had frozen from where they had been whispering on the side table, glancing between each other and Tim.

“What?” He snapped, too tired to deal with anything else tonight.

“You’ve only just met Adrian,” Kim drew out, “And just spouted off stuff I never knew about the sunshine boy with such confidence I’m pretty sure you’re not lying.”

“What do you mean? Of course, I know that stuff, can’t you guys tell it too? That’s just what I can tell from observing if I really wanted to know anything important about him I’d have to do research,” He explained with a groan as he leaned against Dick’s shoulder.

Dick just looked down at him in amazement, “No Timmy, most people can’t tell that kind of stuff just from spending a few hours with someone.”

“Huh? You guys never acted like I was crazy before,” He pointed out looking at his brothers.

“I always assumed you researched our targets before we needed the information,” Bruce hummed, “We had meant to ask you how you knew some of the skills you had listed when you had never met the heroes before making the entries in your journal.”

“I mean I did look up some stuff, but isn’t most of that stuff common knowledge?”

Jason snorted, “I didn’t know Bruce spoke Portuguese before reading his journal entry, replacement. I can say with confidence that there’s no video footage of B or Bats speaking or reading Portuguese anywhere or any reason you should know that before I even kicked the bucket.”

“I…” Tim tried to think back, to why he knew this information, where he had put together the man had known so many languages.

“Tim,” Marinette piped up, “What languages does everyone in here speak?”

“French and English.”

His deadpan earned an eye roll from her, “No, I meant past that. Start with your family and then my team, tell me all the languages. Go.”

He was skeptical of what she was trying to do but decided not to question it, “All the bat speak Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, and BSL. Bruce knows Romanian, Portuguese, Dutch, Cantonese, and Greek. Alfred speaks German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Polish. Dick speaks Romani, Romanian, Dutch, and Russian. Jason has Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Cantonese, and Russian. I can do Japanese, Romanian, German and Polish.

Damian knows Japanese, Korean, Cantonese, and is just short of fluent in Romanian.”

His eyes turned to the Parisian teens, ignoring the surprise at their extensive list of languages, “ Adrian knows Mardiran and Japanese. Chloe knows Japanese. Kim is fluent in Vietnamese and is nearing passable in German. Max knows Korean and Safan. Alix knows Ancient Egyptian and Arabic. Kagami knows Japanese and Mandarin. Viperion knew quite a bit of Italian but wasn’t quite fluent. Marinette knows Italian, is nearly fluent in Arabic and… actually, I’m not sure what the last one is, but it’s ancient, something close to Sino-Tibetan I think?”

Eyes flashed around the room, before settling on Tim.

“Seriously?” Tim groaned, “None of you knew that?”

Jason's eyes flashed to Damien, “Since when do you speak Romanian?”

He scowled, the tips of his ears burning, “It was going to be a surprise for Grayson, I was hoping to be fluent by his birthday…”

Marinette broke in before any of the brothers could make a comment, “Tim, Damien only practiced Romanian when he knew everyone was out of the house. Nor should you know about the Guardian Language.”

“Guardian Language?” He whispered, head too fuzzy for him to process more than that.

She winced a little, “When the role of Guardian was handed over to me, the language of the Guardians was basically downloaded into my head. It allows me to read the Guardian Grimoire and perform the spells within it to heal kwamis, fixing broken miraculous or create potions to allow them different abilities they don’t usually possess. Usually, there’s a lot of training to be able to deal with the new knowledge being shoved into their heads but my gaining of the guardianship was more than a little unorthodox so I had to deal with migraines for about six months after. I had to decode the secrets for myself even with knowing the language.”

“I don’t even know what the Guardian is,” Tim whispered as the truth set it, “I really shouldn’t know this stuff about you guys…”

“Another aspect of your power, no doubt,” Alfred cut in, “Hardly the worst thing in the world for a detective to have intuition-based knowledge of the people he’s looking up, hmm?”

Tim laughed, “Thanks, Alfred.”

The butler merely nodded, “However, I am fairly certain Master Tim hasn’t been truthful about how much sleep he’s gotten this week and a miraculous drain is dangerous even when well-rested, I suggest suspending this discussion until a proper hour?”

Damien gave him an innocuous look, “ You tried to lie to Pennyworth? Are you completely braindead.”

“Panicking over my secret being out means lots of comfort coffee,” He groaned back as he attempted to bury himself in Dick’s side.  

“Go to sleep Replacement,” Jason huffed, as Dick pulled the other man to his feet. Zombie Tim's duty was something they all had plenty of experience in. It wasn’t long before he was stripped of his costume and sweatpants and an oversized tee pulled on over his bike shorts.

Tim barely registered the lights being turned off as he was bundled into bed, half asleep already.

When Tim arose the next morning he was surprised to see it was only 8 am, seven hours after when he remembered his brother’s getting him to bed. Typically, after the kind of crash, he felt last night he needed a solid thirteen hours of sleep and two cups of coffee to feel this alive again. His answer came from the tiny horse resting on the nightstand.

“Kaalki? What are you doing here?”

“Kwami healing,” She offered in an attempt to be nonchalant as she floated up in front of him, “ Tikki is best at it but every Kwami, barring Plagg, can offer some form of rejuvenation to those who need it. My way of healing is to replenish the energy that has been lost in a timely manner. It was the least I could do after causing you so much distress last night.”

Tim frowned and offered a flat hand for her to land on, “Don’t do that, there’s no blame on you or Marinette or anyone else. Accidents happen, and it’s not like there’s an instruction book on miraculous and metas.”

She fidgeted, “I believe you are correct but I still felt bad for causing such harm to befall you.”

Tim just shook his head, “Either way, thank you. I feel amazing right now.”

She smiled, “Perhaps if you hurry you can join your family for breakfast, I heard they were setting out to leave soon.”

He quickly pulled on his clothes and did his morning routine in the ensuite before entering the main room where his family froze in place as they were pulling on coats and shoes.

“What the fuck are you doing up?” Jason hissed, ready to force him back into bed.  

“Kwami magic has its perks,” Tim defended, hands raised in surrender as Kaalki floated next to him, “I feel more awake then I have in years.”

Alfred grinned, “Ah yes, I remember how Duusu would help us relax after battles. Well come along then,

Marinette squinted at him judgingly, trying to figure out how he was allowed out by his family before Kaalki darted from his jacket over to Max’s. Instead, she just huffs and begins leading the entire group of heroes towards her parents’ bakery, Damien quickly falling in step to her left, glaring at Adrian who had fallen into step on her right.

“SO, replacement,” Jason drawled, dropping an arm around the short brother’s shoulders, “I didn’t get to ask last night cause you looked more zombie then me, but if I’m not a cat, what am I?”

“I don’t even know where to start with miraculous,” Tim huffed, pushing the older man away, “Where would I even start with which miraculous to give to you?”

“Well, how about we give you a starting point,” Adrian asked, turning to walk backwards so he could look at them with a twinkling smile, “Miraculous are broken into two categories, indirect and direct. Direct miraculous powers affect the target of the power directly like the Bee’s venom freezing someone, while the Indirect affect the world around the target, like the Horse’s teleportation. The Black Cat and Ladybug fall outside of the groupings as they’re both direct and indirect. Indirect users can’t use Direct miraculous effectively and can even have adverse effects of transforming too long and vice versa. So does Jason feel like a direct or indirect holder.”

“Indirect,” Tim started, finding the words just started flowing as he stared at the 11 swirling about over his brother’s head, “Jason’s cocky and more stubborn than the Blue Boyscout if you get him going, but he’s also loyal to a fault and filled with so much determination I’m not sure whether to be scared or impressed. No matter how angry he is at someone, or how much he thinks they deserve the consequences of their actions he will be there to protect them by any means necessary. He may talk tough and act stupid but he’s unbelievably wise with instincts unparalleled by normal humans when it comes to trust and how to get out of sticky situations. He can and will kill, but only if it’s the only option left to make it out of a situation alive.”

Jason scowled and pulled on the end of his jacket sleeve as he looked away, “Geez, rip me open why don’t you?”

“Hey, you asked,”

Marinette stared at him with a cryptic eye, “No, he’s right I can see it. I think I know what miraculous to give you.”

Tim’s attention fell away from the conversation as Jason tried to pry the newly found information from the young Guardian. Because that was the least of his worries.

Not when his eyes landed on vibrant blue hair, strikingly familiar, attached to a man sitting on the wall around the Seine, strumming his guitar absentmindedly.

“Found you,” Tim said, causing the man in front of him to smile up at him.

“That was quick,” He laughed, the thick gothic steel-colored 13 made his blue eyes take on a silver hue.

“It’s easy to spot such a high number when most don’t reach past six,” He shrugged.

“You and I aren’t very different, you know?” Steely grey 13 offered, looking back to his guitar.

“I think the masks gave that away,” Tim mussed, “I’m Tim.”

“Luka, Luka Couffaine,” Steely Grey 13, Viperion, Luka offered easily, “And I meant past the masks.”

“How do you mean then, Luka?”

The younger man looked up at him and waved a hand at the chair across from him, “How about you take a seat, Uccellino, and we can compare notes on what it’s like to be meta.”

____________________________________________

Taglist: @vixen-uchiha @iggy-of-fans @mewwitch @roseinbloom02 @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @mochinek0 @royalchaoticfangirl @09shell-sea09 @mystery-5-5 @derpingrainbow @aloha-posts-stuff @hauntedfreakdeputyhero @maribat-archive @blue-peach14 @kae690 @zazzlejazzle @vincentvangoose @be-happy-every-day-please @xxmadamjinxx @celestiacq @peculiarlylostdreamer @dani-ari @melicmusicmagic @themcclan @nyctamaximoff @nataladriana9 @drama-queen-supreme @miraculousbelladonna @urbanpineapplefarmer @graduatedmelon @lexysama @hecate-hallow @ki117h3dr4g0n @vinerlover @interobanginyourmom @bluefiredemon @imanerddealwith @tinybrie @clumsy-owl-4178 @shizukiryuu @whogavemeaninternet @schrodingers25 @lunar-wolf-warrior @urbanpineapplefarmer @xxmadamjinxx @crazylittlemunchkin @littleredrobinhoodlum​ @rougemme​ @dur55​ @phantommeow12 @kand-roo​ @silvergold-swirl​ @officiallyathiana​ @completelypeccable​ @redhoodsdoll​ @nataladriana9​ @mariae2900​ @northernbluetongue​ @sturchling​ @thesunanditsangel​ @reyna-avila-ramirez-alreanaldo​ @bobothyross @taoiichii​ @magnitude101999​ @magicalfirebird​ @nataladriana9​ @panda3506​ @aquariusrunes​ @woodland-queer @sayarock121​ @mindfulmagics​ @magic-miraculous​ @my-name-is-michell @naoryllis @slytherinqueen2432 @ilovefluffbutsmutisalsogreat @captainartsypants @nanakeid @legendaryneckjudgestudent @smolplantmum @the-real-ginakid @nyaabinch @elmokingkong @gentlemanoftimetravel @whitennerdiest@imbrium-mare @tired-butterfly @corabeth11 @aestheticnpoetic @amirahevens @sassakitty @letterlust @whats-she-gonna-post-next

[theyreonlynoodlesmike]

Mint-Chocolate Chip

Prompt: Cecilia and her friend go roller-blading to try to get her mind off of her ex-boyfriend. She ends up bumping into a particular brunette and his friends.

Pairing: Dwayne/OC

Rating: Teen for mild swearing.

Warnings: None

"I can't believe he broke up with you!" Her friend, Ruby said. Cecilia rolled her eyes. The whole reason she had let Ruby convince her to go to the boardwalk was to avoid the thoughts surrounding her now ex-boyfriend. It had been a week, and she still didn't want to think about it. They were rollerblading their way down the boardwalk, and Cecilia could feel the burn in her thighs already.

Cecilia hadn't rollerbladed with her friends since she started dating her boyfriend. She used to be on the roller-derby team, but her boyfriend didn't like how she would often come home with bruises or how practices took up most of her time. Or perhaps it was the body type she had to have for the sport. She was a fool to quit, and it felt good to have them back on her feet. Even if she had to take breaks every fifteen minutes.

"Well, believe it. God, was this always so hard?" She asked as she grabbed the railing. She pulled herself onto it, and Ruby stopped next to her. Ruby was arching her brow at her and shaking her head. Cecilia used to be their captain. And now she could barely skate.

"You're never gonna make it back on the Cheer-Beaters again if you can't skate down the freaking 'walk." She said, and hoisted herself up next to her. They were both wearing knee pads and elbow pads, but they both ditched their helmets. It was the boardwalk, not playoffs. Ruby was wearing her team uniform, as all she did was eat, sleep, and breathe roller-derby. Cecilia had once been the same, but she ditched the red and white mock-cheerleading uniform for a pair of denim shorts and a yellow short-sleeved crop top. She wore her old red and white knee-high socks, but mainly so the knee-pads wouldn't chafe her skin. "I mean, what happened to Cece Cut-Throat?" She said, and Cecilia rolled her eyes. No one had called her that in almost a year.

"Cece Cut-Throat retired. It's Cecilia now." She said. The only thing she had to reminisce from that time was their matching socks and red roller-blades. Ruby didn't seem pleased, and swung her legs on the railing.

"Lame. I miss you on the team. Remember that time you got a foul 'cause you knocked that girl off the track?" She said, and Cecilia laughed. She did remember that, and it never failed to bring a smile to her face. She ran a hand through her long brown hair and sighed.

"C'mon, race you to the end and loser buys ice-cream!" She said as she hopped off the railing. She started skating ahead, and dodged a punch from the other girl. They hooted and cheered as they moved through the crowd. Ruby was chasing Cecilia down the boardwalk, and didn't intend on letting the other girl escape her so easily.

"Out of the way!" Cecilia yelled, and the two laughed as they raced down the boardwalk. She nearly knocked into a group of boys, but she quickly dodged them and their bikes. One of them revved their engine as they passed. Even though Cecilia was rusty, she had been the captain for a reason. She was fast, and she gave a long, pleased sigh as she finished before the other girl. The two strolled down the boardwalk then, heading back where they came with cups of ice-cream in their hands now. Cecilia ate her mint ice-cream happily as they chatted.

They were passing the carousel, and Cecilia entertained the idea of riding it. Ruby was quick to interrupt her thoughts, and poked her shoulder. They had just passed a familiar group of bikers, but paid them no mind as Cecilia's attention was drawn elsewhere. Her eyes were on her ex, who was just getting off the carousel. With a girl. Cecilia felt her heart sink, and she nearly dropped her cup. Ruby wrapped an arm around her and the two stopped. Cecilia didn't mean to stare, but she just couldn't believe it. They had dated for nearly a year, and it only took a week for him to find someone new? It was heartbreaking.

Her ex wasn't the handsomest guy in the world, but he was the definition of a popular kid. He had liked Cecilia because she was different, or at least that was what he had told her. She frowned as she looked over the girl, and recognized her from the cheerleading team. It seemed that he had upgraded from a cheer-beater to a cheerleader. It made her frown, and Ruby gave her arm a squeeze.

"I mean, she's not even that pretty. You're totally hotter than her." Ruby said to comfort her, but Cecilia rolled her eyes. That wasn't why she was upset. It was then that her ex, James, saw her. She froze then, and immediately went to turn on her heel. She was going to zoom back where they had just come and escape into the crowd. She'd forgotten she was in skates, and, instead, she nearly fell.

Someone caught her before she could face-plant, and the hand holding her cup of ice-cream crashed into his chest. He steadied her, and then looked down at the mess she had made down his bare chest. She stared at the mess and quickly started,

"Oh my god. I am so sorry, I'm such a klutz-" She said, but then she looked up at his face. If she was embarrassed before, she was humiliated now. In front of her was the most handsome brunette she had ever seen, and he was glaring down at her as he held her by her arms. He had long brown hair, intense brown eyes, and a frown etched into his handsome face. Cecilia turned a bright shade of red, one that rivaled the red of her roller-blades. He sighed and said,

"You okay?" He asked, and Cecilia couldn't speak for a moment. She simply stared at him, and then her brain quickly caught up with her. Specifically, when the boys behind him started laughing.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Again, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" She asked. She hadn't even noticed that Ruby had left her side, but she was back in record time with a handful of napkins. She offered them to the brunette, and he took them from her. Cecilia ditched the cup and threw it into a nearby trash can while the boy wiped the mess from his chest. The two girls couldn't help it. They stared. His chest was chisled and his abdomen was practically a god send. How could someone look attractive just when cleaning themselves up? Cecilia's eyes snapped back up to his when he said,

"I'm fine. Maybe don't eat and skate next time." He didn't sound happy, and Cecilia cursed herself for being so clumsy. One of the blondes, the one with the teased hair, said,

"Where's the fire, ladies?" He had a lazy grin on his face, and Cecilia looked him over. He was almost as attractive as his friend, and she quickly realized that they were all obnoxiously attractive. He was sitting on one of the bikes, and she remembered that it’d been him who revved his engine at them. She looked over her shoulder. James was laughing with his friends, and was quickly heading in their direction. She cursed herself, knowing that she'd humiliate herself further if she ran away now. Ruby was the one who supplied an answer.

"Her ex is here with a new girl and I think her fight or flight kicked in." She said, and the boys laughed. She blushed harder, and elbowed her for being so blunt about her business. They didn't even know these guys, hot or not. The brunette looked her over, and then at the quickly approaching group. It was the one with the mullet and the cigarette that spoke next.

"Is that so?" He asked, and Cecilia didn't like the way he looked at her. There was something dangerous about him, dangerous about all of them. She saw it more and more as she looked at them, and she was starting to think that maybe she'd accept the embarrassment of dashing away.

"Need assistance? We're always happy to offer our services." The angel-faced blonde said. He looked the least unassuming, but the suggestive wink he gave the girls made her think otherwise. His grin was devilish and knowing, and Cecilia didn't like it. Ruby didn't seem to see the same things she did and said,

"Maybe. C'mon, Cece, we could give him a taste of his own medicine." She said, and Ruby gave her a wide smile. Ruby had been suggesting she find a new man the entire week, that the best way to get over someone was to get under someone else, and this was a golden opportunity. Cecilia didn't have time to weigh her options, and she heard her name get called behind her.

"Cecilia!" Fuck. She thought. The brunette smiled at her, and Cecilia quickly decided then. The unnamed boy seemed to understand exactly what she was thinking. When she turned to face her ex, he threw an arm over her shoulder. She tried not to blush and instead reached to intertwine their fingers. James had jogged over her, a cocky little shit as always, with his new girl clinging to his side. He looked surprised when he saw the brunette and quickly turned his eyes back to Cecilia. "Hey, how're you doing? This is Abby." He said, and Cecilia had to stop herself from rolling her eyes.

The only reason he'd come over was to brag and to watch her squirm. Ruby looked like she wanted to knock his teeth out, and she was thankful she had roller-derby as an outlet.

"Dwayne." The boy offered, and Cecilia looked up at him with a small smile. Dwayne, huh? She thought. The name suited him, and the deep rumble of his voice made her stomach flip. He squeezed her hand lightly, and looked down at her. The intensity of his eyes made her swoon, and she'd almost forgotten that her ex was right in front of her. Dwayne reached up to caress her face, and Cecilia felt her heart flutter. She’d definitely forgotten her wariness of the group. Her ex cleared his throat. The boys behind her were doing their best not to laugh, and the platinum blonde decided to pipe up,

"Cecilia hasn't told us about you. You are?" He asked, and Ruby had to cover her mouth to stop her laugh. The blonde was obviously trying to antagonize him, and it seemed to be working.

“James.” He stated, similarly to how Dwayne had.

“Doesn’t ring any bells. Ring any bells for you, Marko?” He asked the curly haired blonde. Marko had taken Ruby’s side, and the girl definitely didn’t mind. He leaned against her shoulder, using it as an armrest as he placed his head against his hand.

“Nope. Any for you, Paul?” He asked the long-haired blonde. Paul was lighting a joint, and let out a large puff of smoke before asking,

“Wait, who are we talking about again?” And Cecilia couldn’t bite back her laughter. Especially when Dwayne looked over at the boy, and then said,

“We’re talking about James.” He had a shit-eating grin on his face, and Paul went,

“Oh.” And held it out like it was a great discovery. “Nah, none for me.” He finished, and blew the smoke into the air. When Cecilia looked back at her ex, he looked extremely annoyed. Cecilia couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m Cecilia’s ex.” He said, and his voice had lost all of it’s smugness from before. Dwayne pulled her closer then, and raised an eyebrow at the boy. He didn’t say a word, but he was playing the part of her new boyfriend fairly well. It was the platinum blonde that spoke again,

“Oh, really? Well, thanks to you, Dwayne’s got himself a girlfriend.” He said, and gave the boy a large grin. James wasn’t pleased by the news, but Cecilia didn’t care. It felt good to get him back, especially when he’d been so willing to push his new girl in her face.

“Yeah, finally.” Paul said and pushed the brunette from behind. Dwayne turned around to push him back, and Cecilia watched the two. She doubted that Dwayne actually had trouble picking up girls, but she figured he was pretty intimidating. She’d been nervous about them earlier, but they were just a group of rowdy boys. They probably didn’t mean any harm, and were even willing to help her get back at her ex. They didn’t even know her, but they’d been willing to help. After everything, they were thoroughly alright in her book.

“Really? You see her birthmark yet?” He asked, and Cecilia went bright red. He was being an asshole, and he knew it. The birthmark he was referring to was on the inside of her hip, and it was covered even by a bikini. What he was really asking was if he had seen her naked yet. Ruby shook her head and glared at the boy.

“You’re an asshole, James.” She spat, and James waved her off. Dwayne glared at him, and his arm tightened around her almost possessively. Cooly, he said,

 “No, have you?” He was being honest, and Cecilia thought that was for the best. James wasn’t afraid to stoop low enough to ask him where it was, and they didn’t need him catching their act. James gave him a smug smile.

“Plenty of times. But don’t worry, you’re not missing much.” He said, and Ruby took a step forward like she really was going to punch his teeth out. Marko seemed ready to help her. James took this as a sign to leave, and him and his new girl laughed as they quickly left. He called behind his back, “Later, Cecilia.” Their group followed behind them, and Cecilia glared at their backs as they disappeared into the crowd.

“He’s a dick.” Dwayne said flatly, and Cecilia let out a sigh.

“Understatement of the century.” She said, and then looked up at the brunette. He gave her a small smile, and reached up to touch her face again. It made her heartbeat quicken when he rubbed her cheek, and Cecilia almost fell for him right then and there. He smirked down at her, and said,

“C’mon.” Before he started pulling her away from the rest of them. He dropped his arm and opted to hold her hand instead. She held onto it with both of hers, and skated besides him.

“Where’re we going?” She asked, and turned to see Ruby give her a double thumbs up. She rolled her eyes and looked back at the brunette, who was already looking back at her. He had a small smile on his face, and gave her hand a small squeeze.

 “Ice-cream.” He simply stated, and then looked down at where she had dumped her cup. He looked back at her with a smirk. “Mint-chocolate chip, right?” He asked her, and Cecilia gave him a shy nod.

Cecilia ended up talking enough for the two of them, and Dwayne was happy to let her ramble. He’d offered her a ride on his bike, but she thought better of it. Her and Ruby went their separate ways to their homes, and she found herself dressing extra nice for their second night on the boardwalk in a row. Though, she stopped her skating when she passed the missing persons board. There, she saw a new flyer with James’ face on it.

[lil-meow-meow-goes-rawr]

A Challenge of Fate

⚓︎ Previous Parts: Betrayal, Doubts, The Race

⚓︎ Pairing: Jungkook x OC

⚓︎ Genre: Fantasy, Pirate AU, magic, time travel, romance

⚓︎ Warnings: none

⚓︎ Rating: General

⚓︎ Word Count: 1.4K

⚓︎ Synopsis: In a desperate attempt to find out if it was truly Aoi, Jungkook finds himself face to face with his worst enemy.

A/N:  I am so sorry this took so long to get up! Life has been more than a little insane but I plan to start posting chapters again once a week. So stay tuned!

Masterlist

Jungkook’s heart pounded in his chest, the sound of Aoi’s laughter still ringing in his ears. He could recognize the sound anywhere. It was her, there was no doubt in his mind.

Below him, the tires skirted across a patch of loose gravel. His mind too distracted, he wasn’t prepared for it and only narrowly avoided an untimely introduction of the ground with his face. After three years in this miserable world, tonight had been the first indication he’d had that Aoi was alive. He had to find her. He had to know for certain.

Jae told him Aoi had been called back to the hospital. The same hospital which stood only twenty minutes from where he’d been living. Jungkook had even spent a few days there last year due to an injury he’d acquired during a race. How had he never seen her? She’d been so close this entire time.

“I’m sorry,” his words drowned in the wind, “I’m so sorry.”

Jungkook was meant to protect her in this world. He had promised to bring her home. He’d failed her and all he could do now was hope she would find it in her heart to forgive him.

Fifteen minutes later, Jungkook’s feet pounded against the cold tile floor of the hospital. The building was nearly empty, visiting hours having ended a long time ago. The sound of his footsteps echoed down the barren halls as he followed the signs to the emergency room, forcing his feet to move faster.

A bright red sign lit up above the door - Operation in Progress.

With a sigh of defeat, he searched for the nearest employee. He found a young woman seated behind a medication cart, her expression clearly communicating her lack of enthusiasm to be working the night shift.

“Excuse me?”

The woman looked up from her phone, annoyed by the interruption, “Can I help you?”

“I was wondering if you could tell me where I might find Aoi?”

“Who?”

“Aoi?”

“I don’t know who that is.” Turning back to her phone, she tuned him out.

Closing his eyes, Jungkook took a deep breath. He was certain this was the hospital Jae had told him about. But wait, Jae had used a different name when he’s spoken about her earlier. What was it? What did he call her?

Tapping the woman’s shoulder, he asked again, “I’m sorry. I just have one more question.”

“Look, I don’t know any Aoi, alright?”

“I know, I was wondering if Sakura was around?”

Raising her brow, she nodded down the hall he’d just come down. “She in surgery right now. They should be out in a while.”

Smiling, he bowed his head in thanks and hurried back toward the operating room. Jungkook tried to sit still and wait patiently but his nerves wouldn’t allow it. For a while, he paced in front of the doors. Time seemed to slow down. Was the clock moving backward? He could have sworn it read 10:40 twenty minutes ago.

Frustrated, he approached the annoyed woman again. “I’m sorry to bother you again, but can you tell me when they’ll be done in there?”

“Right, you’re the guy from before. The one looking for Sakura, right? They finished about ten minutes ago. Pretty sure she’s already left.”

Jungkook’s shoulders dropped in disbelief. “Why didn’t you say anything? The sign still says the surgery is in progress.”

“That thing hasn’t worked right in weeks.”

Jungkook’s hands itched to draw the sword he didn’t possess in this world. Taking a deep breath and with a forced smile he asked, “Do you happen to have her address?”

She eyed him up and down a few times before scrunching her nose in distaste. “Yeah, I’m not permitted to hand out personal information to strangers.”

Jungkook wanted to scream that he wasn’t a stranger. That they’d known each other for years and were about to be engaged but he held his tongue. Without wasting another breath on her, he strode back the way he’d come. Taking out his phone, he scrolled down to find Jae’s name. Maybe he could tell Jungkook where Aoi went.

“Would you look who we have here?”

Jungkook froze, his blood turning to ice at the sound of the man’s voice.

Akira.

“I didn’t expect to find you here tonight. The ever elusive pirate on my own turf.” Akira chuckled, moving around so he could face him. “Tell me, what brings you to our humble hospital? Perhaps an injury I can help you with?”

Jungkook wasn’t sure whether he was offering to cure or cause the injury. “I don’t need your help.”

Akira clicked his tongue in disappointment. “Then perhaps you are here to see the lovely Aoi?”

Jungkook tensed.

“Funny isn’t it? She’s been here with me this entire time and yet it took you three years to find her. I wonder why that is?”

“Where is she?” Jungkook ground out.

“She’s left for home. I expect she’ll be there in the next fifteen minutes.” The glow of the hospital lights cast a shadow across Akira’s face, eluding to the madness he hid inside. A shiver ran down Jungkook’s spine. This wasn’t like it was back then. Jungkook stood at a disadvantage here. Akira had the higher ground. “She doesn’t own any form of transportation you know. Poor thing has to walk everywhere. It’s a good thing she has her father to watch over her.”

“You’re not her father.”

“Figured that much out have you? Very well then. I won’t try to convince you otherwise. It stands true, I’m not her father but I suppose that’s well enough. It would make such a mess if I had to use my own daughter to get to you.”

Jungkook’s fists balled at his sides. It wouldn’t do any good to attack him here. The moment he’d walked into the hospital, Jungkook noticed the array of men scattered throughout the halls. One word from Akira and Jungkook would find himself surrounded. “I don’t know what you have against me, but Aoi has nothing to do with it.”

“It’s for that reason that she remains the perfect target.”

“If you touch one hair on her head-“

“You’ll what? What are you going to do to me?” Leaning forward, Akira’s lips parted into a sickening grin. “I’m untouchable. You may have had the upper hand on the high seas, but here you are nothing more than a street rat. People finally see you for who you truly are. A fool with no magic to his name and no crew to back you in a fight.”

“I don’t need my crew to kick your ass, Akira.”

A nod of Akira’s head brought one of the men to his side. “Did I not mention? You may not have your crew, but I have mine. Just admit you’re too weak to protect the girl and accept the inevitable.”

“A person’s fate is meant to be challenged and changed. You take all the joy and excitement from life if you take that away.”

“Shall we test this theory of yours? All it would take is one word from me and Aoi won’t make it home alive.”

Jungkook kept his expression carefully blank while searching Akira for any signs of deception.

“I’ll give you ten minutes. If you can find where she lives and reach her before than, I’ll spare her life. If you can’t . . .” He let the sentence trail off.

“Interesting,” Jungkook tipped his head in thought, “but let’s make this a bit more exciting.”

“What do you propose?”

“A race.”

Akira’s brow shot up.

Jungkook smirked. “You and me. If I reach Aoi, I win. But if you can manage to knock me off my bike before that, you win.”

Akira contemplated it for a moment, a smile growing larger as he calculated the odds.

Jungkook knew the odds were against him. Akira was a good rider. Probably better than Jungkook was on a good day. His bike was newer and could easily out run Jungkook’s. The majority of this race would take place on open roads. To reach Aoi, Jungkook wouldn’t be able to stray off course. Strictly speaking, Jungkook didn’t have much of a chance against him.

“I accept your challenge. However, when I win, your life belongs to me.”

“You’re awfully confident for a man who’s never caught me before. Let’s see how far that confidence takes you.”

Akira waved off the men who had slowly began their approach toward them. Immediately, they melted back into the shadows. “Because I am a generous man, I will give you a thirty second advantage. It’s no fun if I catch you while we’re still in the parking lot.” Tapping the face of his watch, Akira grinned, “Your time has begun.”

[magioftheseas]

Stirring

For @i-demand-a-hug

Summary: In a post-canon AU where Akechi was temporarily an amnesiac after almost dying, Akira visits him at his work. Things are a little nostalgic for reasons.

Rating: T (?)

Warning: None really except for references to the plot. I guess. Akechi’s a little bitchy but I mean...

Notes: This might seem out of the blue because I’ve never really posted about p5. I haven’t fully played the game. I haven’t fully watched the anime. But I am interested in it because of a friendly friend who I’m writing this for because sOME WEIRDO was harassing them over their valid ship tastes. I may not know much, but I do know shuake is legit, so like, here’s a fic. Also, I’m using Akira Kurusu instead of Ren Amamiya because the former sounds nicer. It’s got that edge.

***Alternate Ao3 Link***

Commission? Donate?

It’s a bad idea to keep coming here.

It’s not the first time he’s thought that. It won’t be the last either. It’s also neither the first nor the last time he found himself in front of the same cafe, staring through the window where a certain waiter was washing tables. When that waiter glanced in his direction, he offered an achingly friendly wave.

And there was the slightest twitch at his lips.

Akira tries not to react, tries to keep his own usual grin as the other walks towards him and opens the door.

“Welcome, again,” is said oh so cheerfully. Perfect waiter behavior, and it never gets less amusing on this person. With their chestnut-brown hair tied back and that auburn gaze now striking. “I’m starting to think you’re obsessed.”

“Am I that obvious?” He fakes sheepishness, rubbing at the back of his neck. “I’m actually still gathering up the courage to ask you out.”

Another twitch to those features. And maybe, just maybe, Akira’s heart leaps a little.

“Ha-ha.” The waiter shakes his head. “Well, you haven’t tipped into harassment yet, I suppose. Unless you actually plan on loitering.”

“I’m good with actually paying for something,” he said.

“Then hurry up and come inside.” It was almost snapped at him, but the waiter was back to gentle smiles and a friendly demeanor as Akira followed his lead. He picked up a menu, leading Akira to his usual table, offering that same vapid smile as before. “The usual, I presume?”

“Yeah,” Akira replied, almost absently. “The usual. But maybe something sweet to go with it? Or maybe something spicy. What do you think? Pancakes or curry?”

The waiter froze momentarily, face tightening for a moment. Akira noticed this, and they both reached the threshold of how much they were willing to overlook. If not for the setting, things between them would have erupted on the spot.

Instead, the waiter inhaled sharply, fingers going briefly to his nametag. The name printed on there was just another obvious lie.

“Curry,” was said through gritted teeth. “I think curry suits you best.”

Akechi spun on his heel and stomped away before Akira could say anything else. And he’s really not surprised. He’s nervous as hell, but not surprised. It’s not like brimming tension was unfamiliar when it came to one Akechi Goro.

How nostalgic. He really hasn’t changed from back then at all. Still all fake smiles and broiling with fury. That’s my Akechi alright.

Akira does straighten up, hoping that Akechi doesn’t take this moment to flee the scene. But when he squirms to try and see into the kitchen, there’s not much to look at. Just a bland set piece. Clean, but boring.

When Akechi stepped back out, he avoided his stare. He just went straight to making coffee as if on autopilot, although Akira could definitely criticize his technique. Too much of a shaky hand. Too hasty with the pouring. Not nearly enough creative flair. Clumsy in how he still seemed intimidated by syrup. Endearing in how he was now considerably flustered in handing him the cup.

“I don’t know why you even come here,” he remarked with a huff. “It’s clear I’m still an amateur.”

When I first came here, he was pretty earnest. It was unsettling. Adorable, but unsettling.

“I’m pissed you lied to me, by the way,” Akechi said. “Remember? When I first asked how it was? And you said it was great? Spineless coward.”

Akira shrugged, sipping at his coffee. His face pinched a little at the bitterness of it. Akechi’s messed up the flavor before, and his taste buds are still too refined to overlook it. Still, he offers Akechi an easy grin.

“It’s great. Delicious. I love it.”

“I hate you.”

He can’t help but laugh, especially at how Akechi’s cheeks were steaming red. When Akechi sat in the chair across from him, it was with enough force to cause the table to rattle. The coffee spilled a little onto his lap. It definitely burned through his pants. And Akira kept smiling at him stupidly.

“Your service skills are slipping,” he pointed out. “At this rate, you’re going to get fired.”

“This place is going out of business,” Akechi retorted. “As you no doubt noticed, it doesn’t exactly compare to LeBlanc.”

“I mean, few places do.” Akira shrugged again. “But, I mean, that’s still a shame to hear. I’ll miss ordering from you.”

Akechi’s eyes rolled irritably.

“I’m sure. You definitely weren’t coming here for the food.”

“It wasn’t bad. Do give the owner my regards.”

“I’ll be sure.” Akechi waved his hand. “Considering you were one of the very few regulars, it’ll be appreciated. Although you were also just one of many shallow idiots who only stopped by because you saw a pretty face.”

“You are pretty,” Akira hummed, almost admiringly. Akechi scowled at him.

“Well, great news. I have other jobs you can harass me at. I’ll have to get another to replace this one soon. Bills have to be paid, after all.” Akechi sighed. “And the living expenses just keep building. Just last week, my bathtub broke. Quite the fall from grace, wouldn’t you say?”

“Cheers to adulthood,” Akira chirped, lifting his cup. “You should see my student debt. So many zeroes it could make an old man cry.”

Even now, he got a little weepy remembering. And of course, Akechi giggled at the idea of him in pain. Adorably, at that.

He wanted it to last. He desperately wanted that more than he wanted a lot of things. Of course, Akechi’s smile drops as easily as it comes.

“So,” Akira can only say. “How much do you remember now?”

“Enough.” With a rather cold expression, Akechi pinched at his fringe. “It’s gross, remembering. Like wiggling your way into a second skin. It’s also not fun waking up from the nightmares. The worst part is that there are still things missing. I don’t know what they are and I dread finding out, but I can tell they’re there. Like...there’s some old bastard I’m supposed to hate with every fiber of my being, right? Even more than I hate you.”

“Yeah.” Akira nodded. “There was.” 

“Oh yeah, you and your little posse were in the business of mind control, right?” Akechi asks almost saccharinely. “I remember snippets of that. But I feel like it’s still far beyond my current understanding.”

“I mean, it's complicated,” Akira mutters into his coffee helplessly. “It’d take a while to explain, but it’s impossible these days. For what it’s worth.”

“Mmhm.” Akechi’s gaze was lidded. “Whatever those means were, I did terrible things through them, too.”

Akechi didn’t wear gloves anymore. It’s not the first time this has struck Akira as odd. But he does cast a glance at the other’s fingernails, noting how he had a tendency to pick at them. When he takes and squeezes Akechi’s hand, his first thought is marveling at how cold the skin is.

Akechi’s expression is a complicated one. His eyebrows are knitted, his face pinched like he’s anxious. Akira’s thumb running over his knuckles only causes his brow to furrow more and get his face that much closer to distorting. It’s nothing like in dreams or romantic fantasies, to be sure, but that Akechi has yet to stab his hand with a fork is progress.

“You still haven’t told me where else you work so that I can check up on you,” Akira said. “Will you keep your hair tied up?”

“Yes, but because of the wind not because of you.”

“Ooh, outdoor labor.” Akira crooned. “Will I get to see you lift?”

“I direct traffic, dumbass.”

“Oh, that’s actually terrifying. Too much power.”

Akechi snorted before slipping his hand out of Akira’s grip. Akira lets him, although his eyebrow waggles.

“One sec. The food should be ready.”

Akechi does wipe his hands off before going on his way. Perhaps out of spite. Perhaps out of habit. Maybe he actually was self-conscious about it. If he brought it up, he’d just get shut down so he was stuck pondering. There were many things he could only wonder about these days.

Like what he was doing right now, exactly? What was he hoping to accomplish? With Akechi mostly revived and his memories mostly restored, what was supposed to happen between them next?

“Our relationship is purely about equal terms.”

There was no reason to fight anymore. There was also no reason to see each other. And yet, the idea of just letting Akechi go and turning his back like none of it ever really mattered as if their interactions had only ever been out of necessity...and maybe some of them were. Maybe there were utilitarian exchanges between billiards and coffee.

If he really believed that, he wouldn’t have approached Akechi again in the first place. The sentiment of closure only held so much weight when it came to the messy relationships between messy human beings.

“If we had only met a few years earlier.”

Someday, it’ll be a few years later.

“Eat up,” Akechi announced, setting the plate before him. “Also, hurry. You’re the last customer for today and closing hours are coming up.” Akechi checks his watch. Akira notices that it’s pretty cheap. That the face is cracked. “I have another shift after this.”

“Can I come?”

“Only if you can keep up with a bike.”

“I definitely can.”

Akechi gives him a look but the corner of his lips twist the slightest bit upward. With a faded smile, Akechi taps his broken watch. Akira takes his first bite.

The curry was pretty unremarkable as always, but there was still that bit of spice he liked. There was nostalgia to this moment that helped sweeten the deal. It was overall pleasant, even if it, of course, wasn’t going to last. Still.

“It’s quite the run,” Akechi was muttering into his palm, looking away with a light pink dusting his cheeks. “There’s room on the bike. Just this once.”

He had a good feeling about the future.

[isarose2]

Who is that?

This is a continuation of my fanfiction Lost & Found. Follows directly after ‘Take a break’

Meanwhile in Bat cave a certain data collector was reviewing information on the latest crime trends and drinking some coffee. Behind him Damian was doing some training before he went out on his bike, his father had already left to patrol the docks, Cat-woman would also be there as there was supposed to be a shipment of 'something valuable' into Gotham. Bat-woman and Batgirl had the north and west side of the city respectively with Oracle to guide them. Dick would be monitoring midtown which was fairly quiet these days while Abuse had Downtown covered. That left crime alley to Red Hood and Robin, which wasn't horrible, as Damian had worked with the vigilante before they more or less worked fine together preferring not to get in each other's ways. Damian understood Jason's violence toward bad guys especially if they messed with the innocent, while Jason did the same for Damian. They worked fine together, be-sides they both wanted to be as far away from a Batman and Cat-Woman team up as possible, as did most of the family. Once everyone was dispatched, they had started their usual run. However a few times Damian thought he saw something in the air, every time he looked though it was gone. He wasn't the only one to notice something though. Just as Batgirl got to the site of a mugging she found the perpetrator already knocked out. Then there was that odd Blur that showed up in the cameras every now and again, both Red Robin and Oracle conferred that there was something-someone else out there but even with the enhanced technology they couldn't make it out. Then it happened, while Red Hood was standing near a Gargoyle he saw something, that looked on fire on the other side of the block in front of him. But fire burns red, this was bright blue. He remembered that when he use to work with Starfire her hair would glow with green fire, but that didn't make sense because she was back on her islands. It darted away fast but he began to look for it. That's when he got a glimpse of the face of the person he was following and nearly fell off the roof top he was on. Then she was gone as if she hadn't existed. He felt like he had been punched in the gut, even after ten years he would still sieve at the mention of his missing niece. He hated that they took her, he hated that the family couldn't protector but most of all he just hated the feeling of failure. Every time he would think about how that little, small, innocent child use to look at him like he never did anything wrong that he was alright. A hero she use to call him, ever since he managed to catch her when she fell off a tree(before she learned she could fly). And he knew who this was, oh he knew, it was that same person that showed up in just about every country in Asia and Europe. The girl that would only appear once then disappear without a trace, they had caught her on camera before but the images were always too blurry to really distinguish her from any other flying dark-haired female hero and unfortunately there were to many of those. Black bat had thought she got close to whoever that was only for them to dart away like a phantom. But now it was even more painful, as whoever that was he just saw had the whole blue eyes just like the missing child had, when she took off her hologram projector pendent, but her skin was more tanned and she was, of course, older. Jason figured that with the anniversary just passing he was 'seeing ghosts again'. He hated that and he may have taken more anger out on the criminals than usual. Oh well they were going to die in prison anyway, though he had to explain to Red Robin was he saw in order to get them to remove the footage. "So it was between Blekker and Halbet" Jason said boredly, he had his helmet off already. He didn't like it but eventually he had made his peace with the family, if only because Dick and his daughter were so insistent. Right now he was in the bat cave but that didn't mean that he would be staying. "okay found them,  …uh Jay are you talking about that?" Red Robin asked in front of the screen. Jason looked up and sure enough there was his phantom, but it was a shot from the back and they could see much of the person's face or anything distinguishable. "yeah that's it, thought I was hallucinating when I saw her" Jason said as they tried to follow the mystery girl's movements through the city but she kept darting in and out of the cloud bank obscuring her face even more. Batman would be upset at this, he typically dislikes it when meta-humans especially those that had no business in Gotham were around his city. "why's that?" Tim asked as he got to work on collecting the files and saving them to the mainframe of the Batcave computer before deleting the image on the city's database. No need to alert the city just yet, they didn't even know what this person wanted. Jason swiped at his eyes and sighed heavily, ten years of frustration come up, but he let it out in a breath, no need to get worked up, especially here of all places. "cause it's her, the look-a-like or whatever. It was hard to tell before but I am telling you there were no whites to her eyes, just blue." Tim stopped typing, he knew the 'look-a-like' was a topic that no one wanted to bring up. They all had a suspicion that Mari' was still out there, the 'tokens' as they called them always reminded them of this. But that only made them more cautious about every time they saw a girl of blue eyes and black hair. The knowledge that she was out there and the suspicion that she was taken possibly to be used against them made them uncomfortable as heck because if it came down to it, other than Damian, Tim didn't really think any of them were capable of taking her down. What would happen when or if they found her? What was she like now? where was she all this time? but most of all, does she remember? does she care, about them, about anything? Every year Tim dreaded that maybe this year was it, this time was when she would return and ready or not they would have to face their mistake, their error, their miscalculation. Tim shuddered at his thoughts, and went back to work, it's on a screen, it's not in front of you, at least just not yet, you still have time to get ready. "Really. I can't see that in any of the clear shoots we got of her?" He said this only to see if they can shift to something else. "well yeah. Actually I noticed her because her hair was on fire like Kori's does but you know just blue" Jason mentioned, with a tilt to his head. Tim froze again, but this time was faster on the up take, "well we won't know unless we catch her right? What's she doing in Gotham anyway, didn't she get the memo, Batman doesn't exactly support unknown meta-humans in Gotham" Jason snorted, "Well I don't know about that, I may where the Bat symbol but I am not much of a 'symbol of justice these day'." Tim winced, "sorry I didn't mean-" "no worries it's just, ugh, this week, never good for any of us anyway." Jason huffed. Tim smiled uneasily, he started to get to work on the computer bringing up some footage he found the other day. "that reminds me, this week may suck for the rest of us but this kind of made up for some of it, at least it made me feel better" Jason looked over at the screen where Tim had just started a video, as it went on he saw the Baby bird-Damian get chewed out-in public by some pretty black haired teenager. Jason couldn't see the girl's face but he was sure that it was someone at least a few years younger than Damian. He smirked, okay yeah that kind of made up for his night so far. It was always fun to see that little prick be taken down a peg. "you are sending that to me, right?" Jason asked. "already sent it to everyone, even the Demon's so called 'friends'" Tim said. "Humm, you know your going to be in trouble for that" Jason said. "worth it, I don't know who this girl is but I owe her a soda or something" He said with a smile. "fair enough. Well I gotta get some shut-eye, got a lead I need to follow tomorrow night" Jason then departed. Tim looked back at the screen, he had closed the video link because he had a feeling the Demon spawn wouldn't appreciate that too much, he focused in on the blurry picture of the 'look-alike', "if you are who I think you are, I hope you are on our side because I don't think this family could take another hit without us all spiraling" He said to himself, then closed the links and images and got back to work data collecting for his reports.

[wolfpawn]

I Hate You, I Love You, Chapter 56

Chapter Summary - Sarah asks Danielle's opinion on something, sometimes being brutally honest has a risk of going against people, other times, it can be fun. Tom talks to his niece about her ideas of himself and Danielle as well as more talking between the loving pair themselves and plans for the future as the family sit down to a lovely Christmas dinner, but Christmas can have it's ups and downs in the best of households, including then Hiddleston's.

Previous Chapter

Rating - Mature (some chapters contain smut)

Triggers - references to Tom Hiddleston’s work with the #MeToo Movement. That chapter will be tagged accordingly.

authors Note - I have been working on this for the last 3 years, it is currently 180+ chapters long.  This will be updated daily, so long as I can get time to do so, obviously

tags: @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog​ @jessibelle-nerdy-mum​ @nonsensicalobsessions​ @damalseer​ @hiddlesbitch1​ @winterisakiller​ @fairlightswiftly​ @salempoe​ @lys-syl @youcantcatchafallingstar

If you wish to be tagged, please let me know.

"Elle, I need your opinion on something," Sarah called over.

"Will you ever just be honest, I know that tone you are using. What you are really saying is 'Elle, I want to say something incredibly bitchy, but haven't the balls to do it myself, so I am hoping you will do it for me'." Danielle laughed as she came over. "Right, what is it?"

"Listen to this." Sarah handed her headphones, while she, Emma and Jack waited, seemingly with bated breath. After Danielle put them on, Sarah pressed play and no one said anything.

"I like the backing music and singers, but your man is no great shakes," Danielle stated as she listened to the song. "God, it's shit."

"It's the title song for the new Fifty Shades movie," Sarah informed her.

"Well, at least they're honest, starting with a shit song for a shit movie, I..." She froze for a moment before taking off the headphones, wincing. "Who is that attempting to sing?"

"Zayn," Jack informed her.

"Huh?"

"Guy from One Direction," Emma explained further.

"One of them was Irish, wasn't he?" Danielle tried to recall. "Well, like, he's still Irish, obviously, never mind. Someone send this guy some help, they seem to have crushed his balls. Is that part of the movie?"

"Put on the headphones again." Sarah laughed.

Warily, Danielle did as she was told. "Right, so some generic chick now."

"Opinion?"

"I am not sure she's actually good or is it after crushed balls she sounds good, no wait, she's shit too." she looked around at the grinning faces as she took off the headphones. "It's Taylor, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Sarah admitted.

"I knew it, it's genius, have some fella get a crushed bollix so for once, she actually sounds mediocre as opposed to all-out shite. You've to give it to her, she knows how to work it."

"You are evil," Jack shook his head.

"Are you saying you actually like her music? I mean, whatever you're into but, you know, you may need to get a doc to check your oestrogen levels if whiny 'I can't get anyone to put up with me' songs is your thing." Danielle stuck tongue out through her teeth as she smiled at him, knowing she was irking him.

"You are such a bitch." Sarah laughed.

"This is known," Danielle shrugged. "Where's Tom?"

"He, Yakov and the Duchess are out bringing Mac for a small walk," Emma stated. "Speaking of which, why is she 'the Duchess' now?"

"Because she acts like one, she stole Tom's room." Sarah rolled her eyes. "It actually suits her."

"I shall take credit, as per usual." Danielle beamed. "Your mam is in mine, isn't she?"

"Yeah, getting up the pudding and stuffing," Sarah stated. "I better call Yakov and tell them that dinner is nearly ready."

"I better go get the rest of Tom's present." Danielle walked out of the room and to her home.

"Are you two alright again?" Sarah asked her younger sister as she unlocked her phone to call her husband.

"I think so."

"What did she get you?"

"That jacket I couldn't find anywhere that sold out on fashion week." Emma swallowed, readying herself for what she knew was coming.

"And what did you get her?" Emma did not respond, instead, she looked guiltily at the floor. "Are you serious, you got her nothing? What did you get Tom?"

"A new suitcase."

"Wait, you got our brother, the same brother who declined a huge film because they weren't going to give him time to go to your wedding a fucking suitcase and your supposed best friend you got nothing for?" Sarah growled angrily. "What the fuck, Em?" Emma said nothing and meekly left the room. Sarah stated at Jack for a moment. "You knew about this?"

"No, I just asked if she got everything she needed for Christmas and she said yes." He sighed. "I didn't realise she had done this."

"This has to stop, seriously, I know Danielle is not the sort to care about presents, but that is a slap in the face to anyone." Sarah declared.

"Look, they are clearly sorting things out, so I am not going to say anything," her brother-in-law stated. "This got blown out of proportion, yes, but I am there for Emma, no matter what."

"We all are, but we cannot condone her being like this either. Danielle is the only decent woman Tom has looked at as a long-term partner since he first stepped out on a Hollywood red carpet, and I am not letting some spoiled brat ruin that for him, or for this family."

"Tom nearly caused a lot of issues last summer." Jack reminded her.

"Tom was in a desperate place last summer, we all thought he was losing his mind, especially when he brought home the fucking Prom Princess and threw my daughter in front of camera's like a show dog, but he has copped on, all because of Elle, and she cares for him, not his money, not his name, him and that is what matters here. She was there for my daughter, she defended my daughter, listened to her woes when she would not open up to me, and as a mother, I will never forget that. And if you and Emma have kids, there front and centre to protect them from any of this bullshit, will be Elle. Tell me I am wrong."

Jack barely took a moment to respond. "Even if we tell her not to, she will be."

"She cares for this family, she sees it as her own, she was always part of it and now, with Tom, even more so. When this all hits the newsstands, she will need us, and we have to be there for her."

"They are going to try to tear her apart." Jack shook his head.

"She's too normal for them." The pair turned to see Emma in the doorway of the room again. "She's not Hollywood pretty, Hollywood skinny, Hollywood rich, she's too normal, they will want to cause her to break."

"Is that what you want?" Sarah asked her younger sister.

Emma shook her head, tears in her eyes. "Never."

"Then cop on and make sure you make her see you are her friend because you are acting like you are going to be leading the charge against her. If anyone ever found out, they would run that story before we even sat to dinner." Sarah ordered. "That she used you to get to Tom and tore the Hiddleston family apart, that is what it would say, and your behaviour would act as the confirmation. It could not be further from the truth, but trust me, I have seen the cesspit that is the journalistic world and to get ahead, they will try and make destruction, and the summer and subsequent bullshit with Taylor just confirmed that lower than some normal journalists are the paparazzi ones; we make sure that doesn't happen, agreed?" Her sister and brother-in-law nodded their agreement.

*

"Uncle Tommy?"

"Yes, darling?" He looked around, watching as his niece held onto the fur on Mac's neck, the dog slowing his pace to keep in step with her.

"Are there going to be cameras around again?"

"I really hope not."

"Oh." There was more than a hint of disappointment in her tone.

Her father and uncle looked at her. "Why, do you want there to be?" Tom asked.

"Well, before, with Tyler."

"Taylor." her father corrected.

"Yeah, her, they were here and all wanting to take photo's of you and her, but not with Ellie."

"Well, Elle doesn't like camera's."

"No, Aunty Emma gives out that she never likes them, she has to force Elle to take photo's with her."

"Why would you want to have Elle in front of a camera?" Tom asked.

"Because I like her and you do and you are always smiling now, and that is what you should take photo's of; except yesterday, what happened to her yesterday?"

"She fell off her bike and hurt her hand."

"Was she wearing her helmet?"

"She was, and that is why her head is okay," Tom stated. "See why your mum and dad get you to wear yours?" The child nodded enthusiastically at him.

"Ellie would be mad if I didn't."

"Elle would lose her life if she thought you were going to get hurt." Tom agreed.

"Are you and Ellie getting married like Emma and Jack?"

Yakov simply laughed. "That is officially everyone making comments about that topic in the past two days, I think you are under some pressure, Tom."

"I am not even thinking of anything like that at present. Poor Elle would run like a racehorse in the opposite direction." Tom shook his head. "Not yet sweetheart, perhaps in the future, I am not able to say now."

"I'd be the flower girl again like with Aunty Emma's though, won't I?"

"It's good to see her staking her claim in early." Yakov laughed.

*

Tom brought Mac back to Danielle's as his brother-in-law and niece went into his mothers, walking into her kitchen, he was somewhat startled to find Elle there. "Hey."

"Hi." She was facing the window, looking out on the garden.

"What are you doing over here by yourself, has Emma said something?"

"She said a sincere sorry and explained herself," Danielle informed him. "But no, that's not why I'm here."

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I just came to get something and got sidetracked by birds."

"Birds?"

"Yeah, look." She indicated to the garden, where sure enough, due to the few bird feeders Danielle had placed out there, there were several birds foraging for food. "I forgot how nice it is to have some around."

"Well, how about we get a few feeders for London and put them in the back garden?" Tom suggested, kissing her neck.

"I actually would really love that, you don't mind?"

"Elle, it's a few bird feeders, not a six-story extension." Tom chuckled.

"You forget how many pretty colours they are."

Tom looked at her for a moment. "How strong of a painkiller are you on?" She nudged his ribs with an elbow.

"Stop it, I just miss seeing little animals, they are just so nice and calming to look at."

"Do we have these sorts of birds in London?" Tom had never really paid proper attention to such a thing before.

"Yes, of course." Danielle laughed. "It's not exactly a million miles away, though, I'd say they are tougher, like the Underground mice."

"Underground mice?" Tom looked at her with concern. "Are you sure you are not after taking too many tablets at once?"

"No, I have not. Wait, you never noticed the mice?"

"Mice, on the Underground? No, I cannot say I have, what do they do, take the Northern line to Camden to the street markets, hop on the Central to get to St Paul's?"

Danielle giggled. "No, they scuttle around on the platforms, usually black with dirt from the trains and look for tidbits of food. How have you not noticed them?"

"How have you?" He retorted.

Danielle merely shrugged. "I just love watching them all."

"Did you ever want to be a vet?"

"Yeah, sort of; I wanted to take dad's practise for a bit when I was in school, but I never excelled in Chemistry and that is a requirement for Veterinary in Ireland." She explained. "I know my weaknesses, so I just decided to enjoy animals instead."

"They really are therapeutic to watch actually," Tom noted as he too became somewhat transfixed on the birds too.

"The Great Tit over there is a bollix, watch how he is bullying them all." She pointed out.

"I'm sorry, the what? That's actually a real thing?"

Danielle rolled her eyes. "Yes, there is actually a bird called a Great Tit."

"I thought that was just a joke. How do you know it's male?"

"Boys are bright coloured to attract females, didn't you speak at a thing to commemorate Richard Attenborough, haven't you watched any of his brother's documentaries?"

"Only a few."

"Shame, shame." she joked. Tom just chuckled back. "I got you something, by the way. The other part of your present."

"It's not new shoes?" Tom asked warily, "I was given a new jacket from Sarah with the comment, 'For a change'."

Danielle laughed, "Well..." She handed him a small bag, somewhat perturbed, Tom took one look at the content. On seeing what it was he gave her a scowl, to which she grinned proudly back.

"Really?"He asked holding it up.

"Could be worse, could be an 'I Heart DH' tank top, or what else do they call them, 'wife-beaters', but I thought to myself that you lost enough dignity with that crap earlier in the year." She laughed. Tom looked at the t-shirt in his hands and nodded, knowing there was actually some truth in that statement. "It's actually sort of funny." He grinned, looking at the t-shirt which had a picture of a pencil saying 2B, then an 'R' a picture of a knot and another pencil saying 2B.

"Glad you like it." She smiled, kissing his cheek and walking off. Tom frowned for a moment, looking at the t-shirt as he did. A few moments later Danielle came back into the room and began to laugh. "You poor thing, you honestly thought that was the second half of your present." she got out between fits of giggles. "You are so cute." Tom gave a bemused grunt in return. "Here." she smiled, handing him a small bag.

"So this isn't the present?"

"No, you twit. I just did that to get a funny reaction from you." She laughed. "Open your real one."

Tom opened the bag, took out the little box inside and frowned. "I..."

Danielle grinned. "I took time off from paperwork a few days ago to get a fresh coffee and you were on the phone ranting to someone about how hard can it be to find one decent pair of cufflinks to match your burgundy suit, that you searched everywhere." She smiled. "So, due to no designer having one to match, because of the shirt, you were going to have to try and scrap the idea to wear it, but you were effectively dying to wear, so I thought if I got something that would match it, you would be happy, since you like it."

"I....I was not ranting."

"You were being your version of it, you don't rant like others do." She grinned. "I know it's not as nice as anything you got me, but I wanted to get you something that actually had a use, they are personalised" She smiled, showing the engravings of 'TWH' on them. "And there is one last thing." she reached into the bag and took out a little envelope in the bottom of it, handing it to him.

"Is this another spa weekend?"

"Nope."

He took it and opened it, as his eyes skimmed the lines and he processed the words, his brow raised, "Really?"

"Yep."

"That's absolutely wonderful, exactly what I wanted." Tom beamed, folding over the piece of paper again. "And thank you for the wonder cufflinks, I am so delighted with them. You are too good."

"I know, I know." She laughed in false modesty.

"So, when do I get to see the item that this receipt is for?" He asked cheekily.

"Well, it was going to be tonight, but considering," She looked at her wrist. "It's sort of hard to pull off sexy underwear when you are wearing this."

"Well, I mean, your left hand is still functional..." He grinned.

"Tom!" She laughed. "Incorrigible."

"Oh, darling, that is nothing new." He gripped her ass as he leant down to kiss her again. "I am dying to eat you up."

"Okay, throw some cold water on this, right now," Sarah ordered as she walked into the room. "Dinner is ready, so come on Elle."

"What about me?" Tom asked indignantly.

"You need to make sure you can walk into a room with our mother and my daughter present before you consider coming back over." She made minor hand gestures to him without looking at specific areas. "And the best way to do that is to remove the eye-candy."

"I have too many strong women in my life, I'll never catch a break." Tom shook his head, embarrassed by his sister's comments.

"Nope." Both women responded simultaneously before they looked at one another and laughed, then left the room. Tom followed after grumbling to himself.

*

"I am stuffed." Jack declared as they finally finished the pudding. "Where are Elle and Tom?"

"Commandeered by the Duchess to watch a DVD I think," Yakov answered. "Elle got her Zootopia for Christmas, so she is demanding that Elle stay with her and watch it, and Tom seemed interested in joining them."

"I haven't seen that it's up for a load of awards so it has to be good." Emma grabbed the last of her wine and rushed to the sitting room before she missed anything. "Ooh, it's just starting."

Diana looked at the washing up for a moment. "I'll help you with that later mum, come on." Sarah smiled, knowing what her mother was thinking. With a nod, the two women grabbed their own drinks and followed.

"I think we are watching Zootopia." Yakov chuckled, grabbing his drink.

"It would appear so." Jack agreed.

The sitting room was considerably packed with seven adults and a child, but on seeing they were being joined by the rest of the family, Tom got up from where he was sitting and went to Danielle, taking her out of the armchair she was sitting in before sitting down himself and pulling her down on top of him. The pair getting comfortable again immediately. Diana was the only adult to get any bit of comfort as the others found different ways to fit in the room, Sarah instructed her daughter to get her beanbag from her room to relax on the floor with. In five minutes, everyone was watching the movie and relaxing.

"She's unconscious." Yakov pointed to his daughter at the end of the movie.

"Since half an hour in," Tom informed him.

"So why did we still watch this?"

"Because it's good." His wife stated. "Get her up to bed."

"It's only half eight."

"She had the house up at six, I think it is safe to say she is tired." Emma reminded her brother-in-law.

"Tom." Yakov requested. Danielle got to her feet to let Tom off the chair. Between the pair, they gently were able to manoeuvre her into her father's arms and upstairs to bed.

"What about her pj's?" Tom asked as Yakov put her into Tom's old bed since Tom had said she could take the room while he stayed in Elle's.

"She'll wake then, we'll just take off her shoes and she will be comfortable, that's all we have to worry about." He stated, doing as he said and placing the covers on his daughter. "Do you honestly not mind taking her for the conference?" He inquired when they had left the room.

"Danielle was going to mind her here, but in London, there is so much for her to do. She will have a great time, and regarding suggesting it, I wouldn't do so if I did not want to see her. I barely get any time with anyone these days, I have to take what I can get."

"You will be a good father, someday."

"Just someday?" Tom asked, slightly hurt at Yakov's words.

"You spoil her too much, wait and see, my daughter will be sugar filled and spoiled the entire time at your house."

"Elle won't allow that."

"Look me in the eye and tell me you will not sneak her some sweets when Danielle is not looking because I know you enough to know you will. Sarah told me of that time in your cousins where you stole the entire cake."

"Sarah saw nothing, snitch." He growled, not liking that his sister was still reminding him of his childish messing.

"Who's a snitch?" Danielle asked as the two men reentered the sitting room, the three other women gone.

"Sarah."

"Older siblings, I hear that's a trait of them alright." She smiled, getting out of the chair.

"Where are mum and the girls?" Tom asked.

"Kitchen, doing dishes."

"And you're in here?"

"I was booted out because I kept trying to help. I have a fracture, not an amputation," She declared indignantly.

Tom chuckled and kissed the side of her head. "I'll give out to them for you, shall I?"

"You, give out to your mam? I need to watch this." she walked passed him into the kitchen.

"Out you get, you are not to be trusted," Sarah ordered.

"See what I mean," She turned to Tom. "I'm not wanted."

"You keep trying to use your hand," Sarah stated in defence.

"Well, if she is not wanted, we are going to bow out," Tom stated his arm around Danielle's waist. She looked at him offended. "She is still not caught up on sleep and is recovering from injury, so I am taking her home." He pulled her to the door.

"You are trying to get out of your portion of the cleaning up." Emma pointed out.

"Yep, and this is the perfect excuse," Tom grinned.

"You are on duty tomorrow so," Diana ordered before something caught her eye. "Elle..."

Danielle figured out what caught her eye. "Tom found it and got it for me for Christmas." She beamed, pulling the necklace out properly to show her. "Just like mam's."

"It's perfect." Diana smiled, noting the happiness in both her son and his girlfriend's features. "What else did he get you?"

"A book I have been searching high and low for, bath bombs, and a gorgeous scarf."

"What did you think of Elle's presents?"Sarah smiled.

"You are not stealing my spa weekend." Tom declared, having been warned by Danielle of what Sarah had said.

"Well use it so," Sarah warned. "Did you give him the t-shirt?"

Elle began to laugh, "He honestly thought that was a proper present. It was so funny, he looked so dejected."

"Poor Tom." Sarah laughed. "And the cufflinks?"

"Perfect," He grinned.

"Who would have guessed I had such good taste?" Danielle grinned.

"Anyone that has seen that hidden section of your wardrobe knows you have taste, you actually just need to wear something other than jeans and hoodies for fifteen minutes to see it." Emma joked, flicking sud bubbles at her.

"You make that sound so dodgy, I don't have a hidden section in my wardrobe, it is just towards the back."

"Narnia is closer than those clothes, I said it a thousand times, you need to wear them more, they are really nice on you."

"I don't like dresses, you know that." Danielle dismissed. "Anyway, I am going to bed, I am seriously tired," She walked over to Diana and hugged her tightly. "Thank you for dinner, and letting me invade your home for another Christmas."

Diana swatted her arm gently. "Stop it, you know I could never leave you over there by yourself at the best of times, this year even less so. I think Tom would have boycotted dinner if I did, not that I ever could." She cupped the younger woman's face in her hands. "You mean so much to us, darling; all of us."

"Thank you." Danielle smiled and when she turned to Tom again her brow furrowed. He and Sarah seemed to be silently discussing something with facial expressions.

"Is there something you two wish to share with the rest of the room?" Diana asked in a motherly scolding manner.

"Sarah knew about something I had planned to ask Danielle over Christmas and was wondering if I chickened out," Tom explained. "Elle never mentioned it, so Sarah thought it had been either shot down or not asked, the answer is neither." Danielle looked at him curiously. "The key."

"Oh, right."

"Key?"

"I asked Danielle to stay with me in London rather than a hotel while she is working there for the next few months," Tom explained.

"So, wait, now you're moving in together? After what, three months?" Emma asked in disbelief. "You're kidding, right?"

"Emma!" Sarah snapped.

"Tom doesn't live with people, he gets pissy after a week sharing this house, his home with others, much less someone from outside it."

"Well, we lasted nearly three before this and no issue," Tom interjected, Emma stared at him, confused. "Elle has been in my house in London for the past what, two and a half weeks, and we are staying together here too, and there has been no issue, we are actually very comfortable around one another, so I asked her to bring Mac and stay with me in London." He took a step forward, his anger rising. "If you actually meant any of your apology, then you would be happy about this, Elle will be a forty minute Tube journey away from you, meaning you could actually meet up more."

Emma swallowed hard. "Em," She turned to face her friend. "I know you're still not comfortable about all of this, but..."

"It's not my business." Emma declared. "I, um...I need to go to the bathroom, excuse me," she walked out of the room without a backwards glance, causing everyone to say nothing for a moment.

"I think it a good idea." Diana smiled, as though nothing had occurred. "Sensible, and who knows, if there is one woman in the world that can train Tom in the art of a washing machine, it's you," Diana stated to Elle.

"Wait, you still can't use your washing machine, how have you been washing your clothes?" She asked him.

"Dry cleaners," Tom stated as though very obvious.

"Well, that's about to change." Danielle declared, much to Tom's concern. "Come on, before I get annoyed enough at that little tidbit of information to do a lesson here and now about it. Good night."

"We'll see you both tomorrow, good night." Diana smiled, watching as they went through the two gardens to Danielle's.

Tom left the door open long enough for Mac to come back in after going to the bathroom before closing and locking the door and following Danielle upstairs. On reaching her bedroom, he noticed her sitting on the bed and staring at something in her hands. "Do you regret it?" He suspected what it was she was looking at.

Danielle placed the key on her nightstand and took off her clothes and got into bed, Tom following suit. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"This necklace, did you only get it because it was like my mothers?"

"I don't follow."

"When the store clerk told you it was a Celtic love knot, you researched it, didn't you?" Tom nodded. "It that make you feel odd or anything, getting me something with such a meaning?"

"It was odd, sure."

"Not exactly a word I wanted to hear you say."

Elle, I want this to work, and it is not going to if I am always overbearing."

"Tom..."

"When he explained it to me, he told me what it meant, and I thought to myself that yes, I now want to get this for you for two reasons, happy?" He asked, slightly flustered at having admitted that. "I knew your parents were married a long time, and I hoped getting you that would perhaps be a good omen for us and this relationship." Danielle looked at him, her face emotionless. "Is that the sort of answer you were looking for?" He waited, somewhat fearfully, for her answer.

Danielle remained silent for another moment before leaning over and kissing him chastely. "I love you, Tom." She declared quietly before kissing him again more passionately. Tom, for his part, kissed her back, before pulling her against him.

[d3-iseefire]

Beneath the Surface Chapter 2

I was going to post the rest on AO3 and send you all there but I changed my mind, partly cause I like this mood board and wanted to use it again. :D :D

Chapter 2

Bilba sat on the windowsill and stared dully through the dirty panes. It was a brilliant spring day, with a crystal-clear blue sky and a bright sun.

Down below she could see the younger kids running about, playing tag or building forts out of old cardboard boxes. One of the older girls was seated on the tree swing, reading a book, while others from the older set were playing on bikes or skateboards.

Bilba knew dimly that she should be out there with them. Some of the kids had even invited her to go play, and her foster mother had been up three times to encourage her to go outside.

As if any of them actually cared. They hadn’t worried when she’d been gone for weeks, hadn’t batted an eye when she’d returned. Now, suddenly, she was expected to believe they cared whether or not she left her room?

Hardly.

Her legs were beginning to cramp where they were curled under her, but she couldn’t find the energy to shift her position. Her entire body rested against the window, forehead against one of the panes.

It had been a month.

Two weeks since he’d stopped calling or trying to visit.

“If it bothers you so much maybe you should have answered the damn phone.”

That was what Essie had said. She was a few months younger than Bilba and had carried a torch for Fili since the day she’d seen him. The fact he only ever wanted to hang out with Bilba made her angry, and she usually took that anger out on Bilba in the form of snide comments and asides. 

It had never mattered before, because Bilba had Fili in the end so who cared what anyone else thought?

Except now she didn’t have him.

She’d probably never had him, just the same as Essie had never had him but she’d at least had the good sense to realize it.

The worn wooden floorboards creaked behind her and Bilba shut her eyes and pretended to be sleeping. Hopefully, whoever had come in would get what they wanted and leave her alone.

“Bilba?”

Damn.

Bilba opened her eyes and lifted her head to see her foster mother's new boyfriend, whose name she couldn't quite remember, standing there. He was middle aged and short with an already receding hairline and wide framed glasses. He was nice enough, but had no experience with children and struggled to relate to them.

Bilba had always felt sorry for him. He was so out of his element and yet tried so hard.

But, then again, he hadn’t looked for her while she’d been gone either, had he?

“What?” she asked tiredly.

He nodded over his shoulder. "Diane wants to see you.”

Bilba grimaced. The last thing she wanted was a lecture or, worse than that, sympathy. She was not at a point where she could handle sympathy, probably never would be. “Can it wait?”

“No,” the man said in a tone he probably hoped was firm. He frowned and then nodded at the old sweatpants and ragged t-shirt she was wearing. “You’ll need to get dressed first.”

Bilba had no idea why she needed to be properly dressed to go speak to her foster mother but couldn’t find the energy to care enough to ask.

“You’ll need to get out then,” she said instead. 

He flushed with embarrassment, and turned toward the door. “Be quick about it, they don’t want to be kept waiting.”

Bilba froze in the act of unwinding her legs. “They? Who are they?”

She was speaking to an empty room, however, as the man -- Tom? Ted? -- whatever, had already left.

Her stomach clenching with sudden nerves, Bilba hobbled to the small chest where she stored her things. Blood began to rush through her legs, and she grimaced in discomfort. She fell to her knees with a heavier thud than she’d intended, and opened the lid of the chest.

Don’t be ridiculous, she chided herself as a wild hope began to bloom. It’s not them. Her heart began to beat faster, defying her, and her hands trembled as she reached inside.

She chose a sundress and sandals that Fili always compliment her on, hating herself for being pathetic even as she stood to undress and pull the dress on.

It wasn’t them, she thought, as she staggered on still half numb legs to close and lock the chest. It wasn’t, especially not after all the things she’d said, and after the way she’d ignored his calls and visits.

He wouldn’t want her after all that.

No one would.

A deep pit opened in her stomach as she pulled her hair into a high ponytail. Her vision wavered, and she took a shaky breath. It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s not them, don’t get your hopes up.

She steeled herself, shoved her feet into her sandals and marched out the door.

She could could hear the faint sound of voices from the living room. Again, her traitorous heart started to race, and her breathing became shallow. She felt hot and cold at the same time and she felt almost sick to her stomach from nerves.

Her lungs nearly frozen in her chest, she reached the end of the hall and turned the corner.  

The first person she spotted was her foster mother, a tall woman with silver streaked dark hair and a strangely blissful expression on her face.

Bilba looked past her...and it wasn’t Fili. Or his uncle, or any other member of his family.

Her throat clogged and she set her jaw against the sudden rush of misery that threatened to overwhelm her.

Of course it wasn’t them.

Life wasn’t a damn fairy tale. There were no happy endings, least of all for her.

There were two young men standing in the center of the living room. She’d never seen either of them before. They looked so much alike they could have been twins. As Bilba looked at them the only thing she could think was...bland. There wasn’t one thing about them that stood out, that suggested individuality, or even personality.

She met the eyes of one, and something deep inside her flinched at the flat, dead expression in his eyes. An almost primordial response ran through her as if her subconscious was reacting to...something.

“Ah, Bilba.” Her foster mother stood and came around the desk with a big smile. “Congratulations, my dear. I know you’ve been waiting for this day a long time.”

Bilba frowned in confusion. “What are you talking about?"

The only big event she could think of in her future was her eighteenth birthday. It was still two and a half weeks away and would hardly be a day of celebration. She’d put things off to the last minute, not wanting to face the truth, and then concern over Fili had pushed it off even further. Now, thanks to all that, she was facing the very real possibility of being jobless, and potentially homeless, when her birthday finally did arrive. 

“Oh, I’m not talking about that, my dear,” her foster mother exclaimed, coming to grab Bilba’s hands. “I’m talking about your adoption of course. I know you’ve been excited, and now the waiting is finally over!”

Bilba was literally struck speechless. For several seconds she ran the words through her mind trying to make some sort of sense out of them.

“What?” she finally asked, dumbly. “What are you talking about? I’m not getting adopted.”

“Of course you are!” This came from one of the men standing in the center of the room. He scurried forward and grabbed Bilba’s hands in a grip that seemed unnaturally strong given his slight stature. His hands were also insanely cold, like two blocks of ice, numbing her skin and sending slivers of ice up her forearms. 

Bilba tried to pull her hands back, but the man tightened his grip. She looked at him and her heart jolted as the way the man's mouth was twisted in an unnatural sneer. 

“What are you doing?” she demanded, a tremor running through her as her adrenaline spiked. “Let me go!”

The other man was suddenly there, grabbing her by the upper arm and sending that same, unnatural smile at her foster mother. “Thank you again for all your help. We’ll be going now.”

With that they began to head toward the door, dragging Bilba along with them.

Panic set in, and Bilba set her heels and tried to pull away from them. Her sandals were slip-ons, and they twisted as she fought to hold her place, causing her to stumble and nearly fall.

The second man scowled in annoyance and forced her upright again. “Now, now, none of that.”

“No.” Bilba twisted around, trying to see her foster mother. Despite apparently not noticing her weeks long absence, the woman had always been kind and tried to do what was best for her kids under her care. "Why are you just watching? Stop them!”

Her foster mother simply continued to smile serenely and waved. “Oh, you’re quite welcome, my dear. It makes the struggle worth it, seeing you kids find homes.”

“What?” Bilba whispered. She kicked her shoes off to try and gain purchase, but the two men lifted her like she weighed nothing and half carried, half dragged her toward the door. “They didn’t adopt me! They’re kidnapping me!”

Her dress tangled about her legs as she struggled and her feet stung as they caught on splinters from the rough, wooden floorboards. The grip on her arms was brutally tight and she could already feel deep bruises forming.

She whimpered in fear as she was dragged upright again. The second man shook his head at her. “I said, none of that.”

Bilba barely had a chance to process his hand drawing back, before pain exploded through her face and the side of her jaw. Blackness washed over her and she sagged in their grip.

Dimly, she felt one of them take her legs while the other put his arms under her armpits and, together, they lifted her. Her head sagged back and then she was being carried out.

They took her right down the stairs and out the front door. Bilba could hear the laughter and yelling as her foster siblings played. She tried sluggishly to call for help, but all she heard back for her efforts were variations of “Congratulations, Steph!” and “Bye Steph!”

It was like the entire world had gone mad. No one could see what was happening. No one even cared.

Fili's voice suddenly ran through her head, with his constant talk of monsters and things that lurked in the shadows.

He’d been telling her the truth, she realized with sudden, horrific clarity.

All those years.

All those things he’d said.

It had all been real.

Her feet were set on the ground. She felt the hardness of concrete under her soles, and the fine grit of dirt and debris pressing into the skin. An arm slid around her waist, and her arm was dragged over someone’s neck.

“Why are you doing this?” The haze was beginning to clear, leaving her with a dull ache in her jaw, but she continued to sag and behave as if she were still stunned.

“Because you won’t be missed,” one of the men said from beside her. “Just relax, dear. It’ll all be over soon.”

Bilba tensed. She didn’t want it to all be over, soon or at all. She wanted...

She wanted...

She wanted Fili.

God, but she wanted him. He’d telling the truth. All those years, and she’d never once believed him, never even considered it. Not even with all the proof, the strange trips, the injuries, the crucifix he always insisted she wear or his insistence on always placing salt along her windowsill and the bottom of her door.

Ahead of her, she saw a small, non-descript sedan idling at the curb with its trunk wide open. She bit back a whimper and felt herself begin to shake uncontrollably.

“No,” she whispered. “No, I don’t want to go in there. I don’t want to go in there.”

“Well,” the second man said from over her head. “I suppose no one cares what you want, do they?”

That wasn’t true.

Fili had cared, hadn’t he?

When they’d gone out it had always been to where she wanted to go, to movies she wanted to see. Even when they’d gone to the beach all those years ago, it had only been after she’d told him how badly she wanted to see the ocean.

Her vision blurred and she sucked in a sob as tears began to run down her face.

God, why was she only realizing this now?

Who stuck with someone they didn’t like for over a decade? Especially when they didn’t have to? All he had to do was stop coming. Not give her a phone. Never take her out of the home for trips.

Not try to visit or call her after their fight.

Bilba burst into tears and it was only partly from the fear. Why was it all becoming so crystal-clear now? Now, when it was all far, far too late?

She was never going to see Fili again. Never going to get the chance to apologize or tell him how much she loved him.

He’d go his entire life thinking she hated him, and that was the absolute last thing she felt. 

The two pulled her off the curb and onto the street. The asphalt was scorching on her feet. The burst of pain was like a bolt of lightning through her body and she gasped and tried futilely to pull her feet away.

Her head jerked up as she struggled, and she found herself looking directly at Fili.

Fili who was rounding the corner at the end of the block, Kili in tow beside him. He was wearing a leather jacket she was sure he’d inherited from his uncle; his blond hair was mussed and unruly...and he was the single most beautiful sight she’d ever seen.

“Fili!” The scream was ripped from someplace deep inside her, tearing through her throat.

Fili’s head snapped up from whatever he’d been saying to Kili and for a single, horrible, moment, Bilba was terrified he’d be under the same delusion that everyone else was. That he’d looked her right in the eye and simply wave as she was forced in a trunk and taken away.

Then she saw his expression change into one of horror, heard him shout, and relief rushed through her.

The man holding her cursed. “I thought you said she had no one?”

“She doesn’t,” the other man insisted. “I checked!”

Their grip loosened, for just a split second, and Bilba didn’t hesitate. She twisted and kneed the man in the groin as hard as she could. At the same time, she grabbed the second man by the hair, wrenched him down, and slammed his head into the back bumper.

She took off, running toward Fili. He’d started running toward her, Kili just behind him.

Arms wrapped around her waist, and she screamed again. “Fili!” The arms lifted her up and she pushed at the grip and kicked, desperately trying to free herself. “Fili! Help me!”

She was thrown to the side, and then she was in the backseat of the car. She lunged toward the door, only to have hands grab her from behind and wrench her back again.

The door slammed shut. A moment later the second man slid into the driver’s seat. Bilba heard the rumble of the engine start up, and her stomach wrenched as the car pulled away from the curb.

She tried to lunge forward, toward the door, but the grip around her was like granite. The other man put a hand over her mouth, clamping off her air.

Bilba arched backward, trying to free herself, but to no avail. She scrabbled, clawing at the hands with her nails and trying to reach behind her to find something, anything to cause damage, but she might as well have been held by a statue.

Pressure built in her lungs, and her heart was pounding so hard she thought it might burst right out of her chest. Her brain screamed at her to breathe and she wanted to, god she wanted to so much, but the hands wouldn’t move.

Dots swam in her vision and blackness started to eat in at the edges. Her movements grew weaker and more lethargic, until fighting itself became too much effort and her arms fell limp to her side.

Her last conscious thought was she really wished she’d taken Fili’s call.

Read on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21702031/chapters/51764428

[rosemaidenvixen]

A Secret’s Worth

Chapter 2: Jim

Ao3

 Jim stood at the entrance to Arcadia Oaks high school, feet rooted to the ground. He really didn’t want to go inside.

 After sobbing in the car for no less than a solid hour last Thursday he and his mom had gone home to spend the rest of the day crying off and on and fighting back abject misery. Next morning things weren't much better, Jim had stood at the front door for nearly twenty minutes, lunch and book bag in hand, trying to find the will to force himself to go outside and bike to school. In the end his mom had found him like that and called him out sick again. Jim ended up spending Friday hanging out in the staff lounge at the clinic visiting with his mom on her breaks.

 The entire time he had avoided Toby and only communicated with him through vague texts, dreading giving him an actual explanation for all of this.

 On Saturday Toby had forced the issue and showed up at his house in person. He hadn’t said anything, just held up a DVD of the Great British Baking show in one hand and an extra gande size bag of tacos in the other.

 If he hadn’t been completely emotionally wrung out by that point Jim would have cried.

 One weekend later that brought him here, Monday morning, getting ready to go in and face the social fallout of bursting into tears in the middle of the school. Jim wasn’t so naive as to think that there wouldn’t be any. And to add a cherry on top of the disaster sundae that today was sure to be, Toby had to go to the orthodontist and wouldn’t get here until lunch. Meaning Jim was going to be facing the tender mercies of his peers alone.

 His gut twisted, if things were hard at school before, they were about to get even harder.

 But no matter how bad this was going to be, no matter how much crap Steve and every other jerk in school was going to give him; going to in and facing the music, even without Toby’s support, was better than spending a long day alone in his house.

 Anything was better than that.

 Sucking in a final deep breath, Jim steeled himself and walked inside.

 Mercifully, he didn’t run into any trouble getting to his locker and making his way through the halls. But Jim knew better than to let that get his hopes up. Resisting the urge to hightail it to the other side of town, or preferably even further than that, Jim walked up to first period algebra and pushed the door open.

 Ms. Janeth wasn’t here yet, but more than half of the students already were. Sitting and standing around talking while they waited for class to start. The creak of the door opening caused the buzz of conversation to dim and several people to turn and stare in his direction. Which was perfectly normal, that’s just what people did when someone came into the room, they weren’t staring at him in particular. Although some of them held their gazes long enough to make him start doubting that.

 Jim made his way to his desk in silence. Just when he was about to sit down, someone’s palm made contact with the back of his head, and not gently.

 He spun around on reflex, only to come face to face with his absolute least favorite person in the world.

 “I’m surprised that you’re willing to show your face around here again      Lake    ,” Steve said with a nasty smirk “We don’t usually let crybabies come to the big kid school, but if you really want to stick around, I’m sure we can find some diapers for you,”

 Jim glowered, cheeks burning, but said nothing as he slid into his desk. From all around him came snickering and whispers of ‘Crybaby Lake’.

 Less than half an hour in and things were already going to hell. Great, just great.

 Fortunately Ms. Janeth came in less than a minute later, putting an end to the murmurs and giggles. Class was relatively normal, Ms. Janeth lecturing on algebra and working through problems while Jim tried to force himself to pay attention.

 Even though he wasn’t going to make anything of himself after high school so there was no damn point to studying algebra so what was the point of even trying anymore.

 An hour of algebra later the bell rang, signalling for everyone to pack up and head to the next class. Jim had stuffed his papers into his bag and stood up out of his desk when Ms. Janeth stepped over to him.

 “Jim, could I have a word with you?”

 He froze, a teacher had never approached him like this before, meaning that this was no doubt a direct result of his public meltdown last week  “Uh...ok,”

 She waited until everyone else had left the room, some of his classmates lingering and glancing back at them not so discreetly as they went through the door.

Once they were alone she spoke up against, voice soft “Is everything... alright with you?”

 At first Jim wasn’t sure if he heard her correctly. Was he alright? A common, innocent question. One that had him biting the inside of his cheek to keep from screaming.

 Alright.

 He was on house arrest every night, doomed to become an unemployed recluse after school was over, and one day he would die old, friendless, and alone. Of course that was all assuming no one figured out his secret and shipped him off to be alien autopsied.

 Jim was pretty much as goddamn far from alright as a person could.

 He forced a smile “Yeah I’m good,”

 Ms. Janeth frowned, apparently Jim wasn’t very convincing “Well if you ever do have any...issues, I’m here to help,”

 Jim mumbled out a thank you before making a hasty retreat and scampering off to his next class.

 Health and Spanish class were much of the same; sideways stares and whispers from his classmates, and Coach Lawrence and Señor Uhl pulling him aside afterwards to ask if everything was ok and tell him that they could help or just listen if he ever needed it.

 You know you’ve hit rock bottom when even Señor Uhl takes pity on you.

 Finally, after the longest morning of his entire life, lunch period came.

 Jim cycled through his breathing exercises as he headed into the cafeteria, stomach growling. He hadn't packed a lunch this morning; just getting up and getting dressed had been utterly draining. Even waiting in line to buy some french fries sounded unbearably exhausting. Guess that meant he was skipping today. Steve had a different lunch period, so at the very least Jim would be able to get a break from him.

 So far school was still better than being home alone, but not by much.

 He took a seat at an unoccupied cafeteria table and pulled out his phone, hopefully the new Go-go Sushi app could take his mind off of things for a bit. Jim had been at it for about ten minutes and burned through four out of five lives when Toby showed up at his table, catching him completely off guard, over an hour early and carrying a large pizza box.

 “I figured Chef Jim could use a break,” Toby beamed at him as he set the box down onto the table “So for the next five days, you let me worry about lunch,”

 Jim was stunned and more than a little touched “Tobes you--”

 “Up up up,” Toby held up a hand “Sorry Jimbo, I’m not taking no for an answer, you’re just going to have to get used to take out a la Toby for the rest of the week,”

 Tears brimmed at the edge of Jim’s vision, he blinked rapidly to dispel them before they could fall. Toby had been his rock throughout the entire disaster that was his life, never prying or asking questions, always there with cheerful support and comfort. He was the greatest friend Jim could ever have.

 It was going to hurt so so much when Toby went to college and left him behind.

 “Thanks Tobes,”

 Toby took a seat next to him and opened the box “Anytime,”

 Jim reached in and grabbed the closest slice, Toby following suit. It wasn’t until he took the first bite that he realized just how hungry he was.

 They’d been chewing their wonderfully greasy pizza in silence for a few minutes when Jim saw someone approach their table from the corner of his eye. Of course, today just had to be one of those days when Seamus decided to bother them without Steve acting as the muscle. He swallowed his mouthful of pizza and snapped his head up to tell Seamus to get lost only to freeze.

 A girl with blue streaked dark hair stood in front of him.

 It was Claire.

The Claire.

 The girl who’d been in his dreams ever since that fundraiser last February.

 “Hi,” she said with a small smile.

 Jim’s heart fluttered. Claire was      talking    to him.

 “Oh...hi,”

 “How are things?”

 Jim, fumbled, trying to remember how to put words together “Oh, uh...things are...good...I guess,”

 Claire tugged at the edge of her jacket “So me, Mary, and Darci really liked the macarons you shared with us,”

 The memory flickered behind his eyes, Toby snatching the cookies he had made the night before and sharing them with Claire and her friends in order to ‘make a good first impression’.

 Had that only happened a week ago?

 “So to say thank you...we were wondering, maybe, if you guys want to go to the county fair with us with us this weekend?”

 Jim’s mouth went dry. Of all things he expected to happen his first day back, this was not one of them “The county fair? I, uh….”

 “No pressure, think about it for a bit,” she piped up, voice half an octave higher “Let me know what you decide,”

 She scurried off, gone just as quickly as she had come.

 Jim was still trying to restart his brain when he felt Toby elbow him in the side “      Oh my gosh!    Claire just totally asked you out!”

 “What? No, you heard her, it’s a group thing, you’re invited to,”

 “Po-ta-to po-tah-to, I know what it looks like when a girl’s been bitten by the love bug. You’re going to tell her yes, right?”

 “I...don’t know,”

 An hour later Jim was sitting in history class half listening to Mr. Strickler’s lecture, still turning Claire’s offer over and over in his mind.

 A week ago, he would have said yes in a millisecond, but that was before. Thoughts of Claire still made him blush, but what could she possibly see in him? Claire had to know about Jim’s breakdown, why would she want anything to do with him? She’d said that it was a thank you to him and Toby for the macarons. But macrons wouldn’t outweigh a public crying fit. Maybe this was just a pity offer in disguise.

 Jim’s stomach knotted up as an ever worse idea took shape. Maybe this whole county fair thing was just a way to trick him and humiliate him even more.

 But Claire wouldn’t do that, would she?

 A wadded up piece of paper hit him in the back of the head, derailing his train of thought. Jim grimaced and tried to ignore it, two more wads of paper and that became impossible.

 Glancing back, Jim saw Steve smirking at him, he then pretended to rub his balled up hand against his eye, doing a bad pantomime of someone crying, Seamus and Logan snickered and high fived him behind his back.

 Jim bit back a slew of choice four letter words and turned forward again, from a few seats ahead and to the right he could see Toby shoot him a sympathetic glance.

 Seriously, could Steve just not for one hour of their lives? Jim had enough on his plate as it was.

 Class seemed to drag on forever, but finally the bell rang and the students started filing out, Jim lingered, packing up his bag with deliberate slowness. Toby waited by the door, but Jim waved him on. He hesitated, clearly uncertain, before walking away, giving Jim one final lingering glance.

 Mr. Strickler was cleaning off the blackboard, he hadn’t noticed that Jim was still here. Jim cautiously stepped to the front of the classroom, ignoring the little voice in the back of his head shouting to get out before he made things awkward and weird. Before he could act on that instinct, Mr. Strickler finally noticed him loitering.

 He turned and smiled “Ah Jim, normally I would ask if you need something, but I assume every other teacher you’ve had so far has given you some variation the same question. I’m curious, how did Señor Ulh’s offer of assistance go?”

 Involuntarily, the corners of Jim’s mouth quirked up, the expression feeling almost foreign on his face. A smile. The first genuine one in days.

 Somehow Mr. Strickler had known the exact right thing to say to make him feel just a tiny bit better, in spite of everything.

 None of the teachers here were bad, but Mr. Strickler was the one who had pulled Jim up off the floor last week, brought him to his office, let him cry until he was semi functional again, called his mom to take him home.

 Maybe it was irrational, but Jim trusted him just a little bit more.

 “Actually...there was something I wanted to ask you,”

 Mr. Strickler stopped what he was doing, putting down the rag and turning to face him fully “What seems to be the issue?”

 “Well...you see, it’s…” Jim struggled to translate the gnarled knot of emotions into words “There’s this girl,”

 “A girl?”

 “Yeah, and she wants me and Toby to go hang out with her and her friends,”

 One of Mr. Strickler’s eyebrows quirked up “And you don’t wish to do this?”

 “Yes-- I mean no! I mean, I do want to, but I just...” Jim trailed off helplessly.

 “You know this girl and her friends, correct?”

 “We’ve...met,”

 “And does the idea of spending time with them sound fun?”

 Jim thought about it for a few seconds before swallowing hard and nodding.

 Mr. Strickler gave a wry smile and picked up a pen from his desk, “I think I might know what your problem is,”

 “You do?” even Jim wasn’t sure what his problem was.

 “It sounds to me that you would like very much to go on this outing, but you’re intimidated by the idea of putting yourself out there with new people and terrified that something will go wrong,”

 “That...sounds right,” Jim mumbled, he was embarrassed about having it laid out like that, but at the same time he was glad Strickler was able to explain what Jim couldn’t find the words for.

 “So...I should tell her yes?”

 Mr. Strickler chuckled “I think you should do whatever feels best for you. Keep in mind, while there is a certain amount of risk involved with making a change and opening yourself to new people, as a great man once said, t  here can be no life without change, and to be afraid of what is different or unfamiliar is to be afraid of life  ,”

 Jim’s blood turned to ice in his veins. He struggled to keep his face blank.

 If Mr. Strickler noticed Jim’s sudden change in mood he didn’t comment on it, merely capped the pen and slipped it into his pocket “And if I may be so bold, I think you could benefit greatly from a deviation in your routine,”

 Mr. Strickler didn’t know, he couldn’t have meant the words that way, but hearing them cut Jim to the bone.

 There can be no life without change.

 A life trapped in his house, a life of slogging through the same old routine just because he didn’t know what else to do. Powerless to alter his inevitable future.

 Jim balled his fingers into fists so the trembling wouldn’t be too obvious. His life wasn’t all doom and gloom, but Jim had gotten to the point where even the best things about his life, Mom and Toby, could barely keep him going.

 He wanted more.

 To be able to live free from secrecy and fear, to spend just one night of his life outside his house with other people. To be able to have an actual future.

 But Jim wasn’t going to get that. No matter how badly he wanted it.

 He took a deep breath to steady himself, Mr. Strickler’s words buzzing around in his skull.

 A deviation from the routine.

 Claire’s face flashed in his mind.

 Jim wasn’t going to get what he wanted, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have more.

 Mr. Strickler was right, there was a risk, a huge risk. But the potential for something different, something new, was worth it. Even if it wouldn’t change anything long term.

 “That makes sense,” Jim hefted his bag over his shoulder “I think I know what I need to do now,” he started hurrying towards the door, if he was quick he could meet up with Claire and give her an answer before next period “Thanks Mr. Strickler,”

 Mr. Strickler waved back as Jim walked away “I’m glad I could be of some help,”

[idreamofhazeleyes]

Ties in Blood -- Chapter 31

Yet another chapter that took longer than necessary to write and post. Life pushed it to the side. I might do a drabble or two (idk). I’m ... still trying to process my dad’s death (last night), so ... yeah.

@mrswhozeewhatsis @winchestergirl-13 @optimisticpeacecollector5 @percussiongirl2017 @revwinchester @squirrelnotsam @impala-dreamer

Chapter 31

Aaliyah lined up the shot, all too aware of the several pairs of eyes on her. The bar was yet another dive off of a dimly lit highway exit. One of many she’s stopped at after leaving the biker hall. Her hand adjusted its hold on the cue. One of the men coughed with impatience. Aaliyah took the shot and sunk the eight ball. The man she had been playing against sighed. It sounded like one of his buddies had hit the wall in frustration. A corner of her mouth pulled into a smirk as she straightened. Aaliyah rested some of her weight on the pool cue while crossing one foot over the other.

“I do believe that’s game, gentlemen.”

Aaliyah eyed the alcohol embedded men around the pool table while the thought of being jumped passed through her mind. A couple had stepped in closer to Aaliyah as she reached for the pile of money. Part of her wanted the fight the men seemed to hold back from. It would have been a welcome distraction for a moment.

“So you think you can come in, hustle us, and walk out?” one of the men asked.

“Half figured there’d be a fight over something,” Aaliyah countered. “Didn’t figure it’d be over you lot being hustled.”

“We hustle and be hustled; all part of the game,” the man said. “It’s not common for one such as yourself to hustle.”

Her eyes narrowed at him. Another man who decided that she had to prove her place to. She reached over to the pile of money and grabbed it. “Well, sucks to be you lot, huh?”

Aaliyah took a couple steps back from the man as she pocketed the money before turning for the door. The few people that had been loitering near the door now stepped in front of it; baring her exit.

“Give our money back, and we’ll let you go,” the man instructed.

“Or you can stop being a sore loser and let me go.” Aaliyah turned around. “I’d hate to beat you twice in one night.”

She nearly froze when the man charged at her with a yell. Aaliyah caught herself before the man got close to actually tackling her.

His hand grabbed her wrist, preventing her from running.

Aaliyah balled her free hand and swung; making contact with the man’s face. The hit caused him to loosen his hold. Just for a second before he flung her toward a pillar. She hit with a grunt and steadied herself.

The man charged at her.

Aaliyah waited until the last moment to move, hearing the man impact against the pillar. A smile pulled at her mouth when her mind recognized that she was getting the fight she wanted.

Someone grabbed hold of her from behind. A heel slammed down on their toes, releasing her arms. Aaliyah spun and landed two hits to the face before a motion from the corner of her eye caught her attention.

A third man had decided to jump into the fight and managed a solid hit to Aaliyah’s face. It was hard enough to send her back a couple steps before she recovered. A fist went for the man’s stomach before it swung up for a jaw hit.

Another came from Aaliyah’s side and tackled her to the ground. From that angle she recognized her attacker as the first guy who started the fight.

“Y’all know,” she started. “I’m all for a good time.”

The man landed a couple hits to her face.

“But not when the guy and his lackies are trying to beat me to a pulp.”

Aaliyah brought up a knee to the man’s crotch and pushed him off of her as he grabbed the injured area. She caught her balance and waited for the next man to attack. A minute or two passed before her mind caught on to the fact that there was no new attack due to the fact that the crowd and fighters were being held back by several burly bikers. One of them stepped up to Aaliyah and handed her a pile of money.

“We’d like to talk with you,” they said.

Aaliyah accepted the money before she turned her attention to the biker that held a couple inches on her. Either it was the fact one of her eyes might have taken a hit or it took a bit longer for Aaliyah to see that the biker was a woman.

“Thanks for the help, but I’m just gonna take this and be on my way,” Aaliyah told the other woman. She pocketed the money as she started to push through the parting crowd for the door.

She stepped out and sighed as the cool summer night air hit her face. There had to be an easier way to make money while still working cases. It was hard enough proving to other hunters she had every right to hunt along side them; but toss in the assholes in the bar who took being hustled by a woman the wrong way. It was something else.

“Still here, huh?”

It was the biker woman who gave Aaliyah the pool money.

“Just leaving. Gotta get a few hours of sleep before hitting the road.”

“You know, the tough guy act doesn’t suit you,” the woman called after her.

“It suits just fine, thanks,” Aaliyah tossed over a shoulder. “If you excuse me…” she reached her car and opened the door. “I’ve got a bed calling my name.”

“I know about the Winchesters.”

Aaliyah froze half way into the car. Did they screw up so much in a short time that people knew about them? Or was it something else?

“How they closed the hell gate and dealing with the Yellow Eyed demon,” the woman continued. “And how they got into deep trouble.”

Aaliyah got her balance and slammed the car door in her storm back to the woman. “And what else do you know, huh? Do you know that Dean made a cross roads deal to bring Sam back to life? That he got shredded by a hellhound two weeks ago? No? Thought as much. Now, what do you and your biker gang want with me?”

“Singer reached out to us,” the woman said. “Says he’s worried about you. I don’t blame him after what I saw inside.”

“And he knows what happened.”

“Which is why he’s worried about you. Let us put you up for the night; warm bed and food. And probably a hot shower.”

The possibility of a hot shower seemed to be a good idea, but the motel offered the same thing. Same with the bed. What the motel offered for food was two day old fast food.

“Where are we going?” Aaliyah asked.

“My place. Figured you’d wanna take a break from all the male hormones for a while.”

“How do I know you’re not taking me some place just to kill me?” Part of Aaliyah heard Dean in that question. Maybe the Winchesters taught her more than just how to hunt.

“Miguel would have my head if anything happened to you under my watch,” the woman told her. “Current wounds aside, of course. You’re more than welcome to go back to the motel you’re staying at of course.”

Aaliyah shifted her weight, mentally debating the options. An actual save place to rest up for a night or two or go back to the motel where the guys from the bar could find her and do who knew what to her.

“Lead on.”

***

Aaliyah stared at the well kept house as she pulled up in front of it on the street. She eased out of the car and heard the bike’s engine die. It would take a minute for her to get back in the car and take off down the street. The biker woman would be upset about it, but there was really nothing that could stop Aaliyah from running again. But there was something about how much work the biker group put into trying to get her attention. With a steady breath, she moved away from the car and started up toward the house.

“I never did get your name,” Aaliyah told the woman once within ear shot.

“Senona. Come on in; some of the others want to meet you.”

Aaliyah watched Senona head for the side door before following along. Butterflies started flapping around in her stomach. Of all the things she had faced off since that werewolf back in college, dealing with people when not on a case was one thing she forgot how to handle. She stepped through the door held open by Senona and heard a chorus of laughter from a room.

“Come on in,” Senona invited. “The guys tend to be a bit … loud when they get drunk.”

“And full of pizza.” Aaliyah gestured to the boxes on the stove. “Sounds like a party.”

Another round of laughter came from the other room. Aaliyah looked up from the pizza to see Senona disappearing into that room. Left with little choice, Aaliyah stepped into the room that held a good dozen biker men that all seem to fit the big and burly type cliché.

One by one, the men fell silent and turned their attention to her.

“Guys, Aaliyah,” Senona made the introduction. “She’s gonna be staying with us for a while.”

“You know the rules about bringing outsiders to club houses,” one man told Senona. “Especially when they’re not …”

“She’s a hunter,” Senona cut in.

Aaliyah glared at the man when he turned again to her and sized her up. “What proof do you want that I’m a hunter? I’ve got scars from my first werewolf I took out, two different djinn hand prints on my neck, and who knows how many ghosts, demons, and things that go bump in the night.”

“Sounds like you’re playing yourself up,” the man said.

“I wouldn’t play up facing off against a yellow eyed demon who opened up a gate to hell,” Aaliyah said. “Hard not to when I teamed up with a few other people.”

“I heard stories of that,” a second spoke up. “A lot of demons got out from that gate. There weren’t that many hunters on that case. How’d you end up on that?”

“Not sure you’d all wanna hear how I got into hunting.” Aaliyah scanned the drink covered table and picked up an unopened bottle of beer. “It’s a dull tale.” She opened the bottle.

“With your ties to the hell gate, I wanna hear,” The first man said.

“Still not much to tell.” Aaliyah took a drink. “I got a favor called in by someone to help find their father. A mess trying to find a gun that eventually killed the yellow eyed demon. There was a semi that T-boned the car; sending us all to the hospital.”

“I heard about that,” a third chimed in. “How’d you all survive?”

Aaliyah glanced around the room to see a dozen men plus Senona waiting to hear what happened. “We barely did. John and Sam had minor injuries…”

“John? As in Winchester?” one man deeper in the living room asked.

“You never said you teamed up with the Winchesters,” Senona said.

“Now you know why.” Aaliyah put the bottle on the table as she stood. “For once I’d love to be judged on my own work and not be judged or tied to the Winchesters.”

“What makes…”

“Because I’ve had it since I met Ellen,” Aaliyah snapped. “Every hunter that’s known of the Winchesters or came in contact with them judged me against them. Can you blame me for wanting to distance myself from the Winchesters?”

“If half the stories about them are true, you’ve got a tough time a head,” Senona said.

Aaliyah sighed. “That’s what I’m afraid of. You all didn’t believe I was a hunter until I mentioned a name.”

“It’ll take time for others to realize that you’re not completely tied to the Winchesters,” the first man said. “And to be fair, with half of your hunts being with the Winchesters, it’s difficult to separate you from them.”

“Then stop comparing me to them,” Aaliyah yelled. “This was pointless.” She stormed back through the kitchen and out the back door.

The sound of the door opening and closing echoed behind her as she was half way down the drive.

“Wait, please,” a voice called after her.

“So you can tell me how much I don’t live up to the Winchesters even more? Not going to happen.”

“You live up to them and more,” the voice answered. “Why do you think the guys in there were questioning how you survived?”

Aaliyah slowed to a stop before she reached the car. There had been various reasons why she survived; the same that the guys had. Sure, there were the odd moments she saw death, but managed to survived.

“Why would they care how I survived?” she asked.

“Not many people last in our line of work,” a new voice answered. “And women tend to have a lower survival rate than men. Can you really blame us for believing you’ve survived this long?”

“I ask you to believe I have. Especially since I’ve been hunting for two years before teaming up with the Winchesters. I met Dean and his father once nearly four years ago.” Aaliyah turned to see Senona and Tom standing in the driveway. “Is this a common belief that I can’t hunt without the Winchesters; or that I can hunt without them and that scares everyone?”

“Some sort of combination of both,” Tom answered. “You’ve gotten so tied up with them, you probably go destructive mode if cut loose. And if you’re not being destructive, you make for an awesome hunter. We …” He looked over to Senona then back to Aaliyah. “Some of us were hoping to help you not be so destructive.”

“You think you can help me not be destructive?” Aaliyah asked, a small chuckle escaped. “You lose your best friend from college in a motel bathroom after having her guts ripped from her abdomen by a wendigo. Your brother may never walk again after going up against a vampire. And who knew what your half siblings are doing right now. So, tell me, Tom. Can you and your friends in there really help me from going destructive?”

Aaliyah gave a little nod when Tom didn’t respond and reached her car.

“We can’t really stop it,” Senona called out. “But we can try and … make it less. Only if you’re willing to accept our help.”

Aaliyah stood there with a hand on the handle, her mind mulling over the offer Senona gave her. It was tempting to be sure, but was she willing to allow this group of burly biker people to take her in and maybe help? Something seeped into her mind to tell her that she couldn’t keep up what she’s done the past month forever. She looked up to Senona and Tom before stepping away from the car.

“I think I need it.”

Aaliyah walked back up to Senona and Tom and walked back into the house.

***

Aaliyah fist bumped the bouncer on her way into the club building, the whining voices of a group of entitled teenagers trailed in after her. A few weeks had passed since she accepted Senona and Tom’s offer, and they’ve helped her ease back from being so destructive. She had pulled back from actively looking for cases and picked up a job waiting tables. Senona had mentioned she had seen a difference in Aaliyah since she started staying with her. Aaliyah told the older woman she hadn’t seen that difference.

“Aaliyah, over here,” Gene called out.

She scanned the room before finding the man at the bar. He had been one of those at the house Senona took her to that night. And one of those who had questioned her ability to be a solo act as a hunter.

“What’s up?”

“Some of us have been talking…”

“Never a good thing to start off a conversation,” Aaliyah commented.

“This is a good thing,” Gene countered. “Some of the guys have been talking, and wanna get you something.”

“Like what? Not sure if I can handle another surprise after that motorcycle class.” Aaliyah eased herself into one of the bar stools. “Not sure when the actual classroom setting is done and we get to the hands on part.”

“Give it time, Kid,” Bear chimed in. “It’s an eight week class and you’re two weeks in.”

Aaliyah stared at the bar counter in the attempt to let the guilt wash over her. It wasn’t Bear’s fault that she hadn’t spoken to Bobby in weeks.

“You okay?”

“Yeah. Just haven’t heard that nickname in a while. An older hunter I know used to call me that.”

“Go call him. I’d be torn apart with worry if I was him.”

Aaliyah glanced to the couple other men at the bar, who nodded. Sighing, she slid off the bar stool and headed into the kitchen where the landline was and dialed Bobby’s number.

“Singer,” Bobby answered.

“Hey, Bobby,” Aaliyah spoke into the receiver. Part of her swore she heard the older hunter faint or drop his receiver from shock. “I’m okay, Bobby. Meet a rather pushy, but decent people recently.”

“You disappear for two weeks and you decide to call up now? I had people looking everywhere for you. Don’t you know how worried I was about you?”

Aaliyah looked back to the bar and the men sitting there.

“Were these people hunters or bikers?”

“Both. Why do you ask?”

“Because I think I met them. More than once; they’ve … They’ve taken me in. Got me out of hunting.” She turned back away from the view of the bar. “Bobby, they got me an actual paying job. I don’t know what to make of it.”

“Take the win, Kid,” Bobby told her. “Go live a life not hunting. You deserve it.”

“After everything that I’ve gone through with and without the boys? Losing Amanda? Nearly losing Xander? Hell, I haven’t heard from Nissa and Leo in six months. That’s what got me in the deep end of hunting. Looking for family.”

Bobby sighed on his end. “I know, Kid. I’ll send feelers out for your siblings. You … try not to do anything stupid.”

Aaliyah gave an amused sound. “Okay, Bobby. If you hear from Sam … Tell him I’m okay.”

“I will. And Aaliyah. You keep in touch.”

“I’ll do my best, Bobby.”

Aaliyah put the receiver back and sighed. Part of her expected the blow up from Bobby, especially after how she just up and left his place. Another part is grateful that the people that she finally allowed inside her little protective bubble had been out looking for her on his behalf.

“Hey, Aaliyah,” Bear called out. “Come on. We need to meet the others at the dealership.”

***

Aaliyah inched herself forward up to the line and waited. She cursed how slow the past eight weeks before the final road test. The Saturday had been the picturesque bright sunny morning that would call for a brunch meal at a mom and pop restaurant. Aaliyah hadn’t been able to eat anything more than a banana on the way to the college parking lot with Senona due to nerves.

The instructor signaled Aaliyah to begin.

Starting into a slow roll, she weaved her way through the cones and made a turn before coming to a stop in the formed line. A finger started tapping the gas tank as each student before her took their turn in the next section of the road test. The instructor told Aaliyah what to do for the section while she waited at the line for her turn. She caught the signaled and rolled off the line.

With each passing section, her stomach relaxed and nerves eased up. Aaliyah joined the growing crowd of students that have completed the test. She watched the instructors gather around when the last student joined the group. Aaliyah glanced over to where Senona sat and flashed a thumbs up.

“Ms. Fisher,” one of the instructors said as he approached. “Congratulations.”

Aaliyah accepted the paper and looked it over to find that she had passed the course.

[67midnightwriter]

Ketch and Release - Chapter Three

A/N: It feels so good to get this out! We’re really starting to pick up now, and I can’t wait for y’all to read this. Thanks to the beautiful @sculptorofbeginnings for the beta!

Warnings: General Angst Warning

W/C: 2,105

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The water at the bottom of the tub turned brown as Y/N scrubbed a week’s worth of grime from her body. As the dirt circled the drain, the water was tinted pink from blood still seeping from day old wounds reopened by the steam. She winced as she cleaned them, calculating which ones might need stitched and which ones would close on their own. She scrubbed her skin until the small bar of hotel soap was gone before closing her eyes and resting her forehead on the shower wall, but there were some things she couldn’t scrub away.

Y/N drank half the whiskey in her med kit before she even began to sterilize her wounds. It burned over her tongue and down her throat, providing a momentary distraction from the images flashing through her mind. It calmed her enough to steady her hand, so she focused her mind on her wounds, sewing them as much as possible, applying ointment and covering them with gauze. She eyed the leftover whiskey but decided against it. She loaded up her gear, grabbed the keys to her truck, and headed to check out.

She stopped for coffee at a diner in Lawrence, unsure what had brought her here. Maybe she had been chasing better memories, simpler times. She looked around the room and tried to remember the good times this diner held: sharing half a pie with Dean on the barstools, talking research with Sam in the booth in the back, Bobby bringing her down to visit with the boys and John for her 13th birthday. The memories were gone as fast as she could conjure them, pushed away by the scream still ringing in her ears, the sound of flesh being torn from bone.

She jumped when her cell phone rang, nearly spilling her cup of coffee. She let it ring for a few moments, taking a few deep breaths and mentally preparing herself for a lecture from Dean. She answered without checking the caller I.D., warily pressing the phone against hear ear. There was silence at first, and then Castiel’s deep voice.

“Y/N?”

“Castiel?” She sat up a bit straighter, the worry evident in his voice.

“Where are you?”

“I…” She sighed, slumping again. “I’m in Lawrence.”

“I need you to meet me at the bunker, please.”

He hung up before giving any more explanation, but the worry had sent the wheels in her head spinning once more. She left some money on the table for her coffee and walked out, trying her best to leave behind the failed hunt.

When Y/N got to the bunker the Impala was sitting in the garage, the engine ticking as it cooled down. She grabbed her hunting bag and walked into the kitchen, chewing her lip as she went. Castiel was sitting in at the map, his forehead cradled on the heels of his hands.

“Cas? Where’s Sam and Dean? What’s wrong?” Cas looked up at her, and the look in his eyes sent her bag thudding to the floor.

“They’re gone.”

Y/N stalked over to the liquor cabinet, snatching out a bottle of Jack. Her emotions were running high, making her head spin. She couldn’t think straight, her hands were shaking, and her body was begging her for sleep. The whiskey burned as she drank from the bottle.

“So let me get this straight, you left them?” She slammed the bottle back on the table, causing the glasses to rattle.

“I didn’t leave them, Dean told me to go! I was taking Kelly-”

“Oh yeah, the woman who is delivering the antichrist and is now on the loose, no thanks to you.”

“It’s not my fau-”

“Save it Castiel. I guess neither of us can do anything right.”

Y/N grabbed the bottle of whiskey and headed off to her bedroom before Castiel could say anything more. She sat cross-legged in the middle of her bed, letting the tears run down her face, taking a drink for every scream that echoed in her brain.

The shrill ring of a phone pulled Y/N into a throbbing consciousness. She groaned, holding her head with one hand and steadying herself with the other as she kicked the empty Jack bottle across the floor on her way to the desk. Loose papers fell and fluttered to the floor as she dug through the drawers searching for the phone, desperate to stop the sound.

“Hello?” She croaked when she finally found it, holding the phone away from her ear as she answered.

“Y/N? Is… is that you?”

“Yeah,” Y/N cleared her throat. “It’s me.”

“Oh thank God. We need your help, please. We thought it was just one werewolf… but it’s a pack. We’re in over our heads.”

“Maybe I’m not the bes-”

“We heard you were working on a quiet, long range weapon. We need it. We’ve lost two already trying to get close. They have captives.” The line went silent as Y/N closed her eyes. The events of the last 48 hours blurred past her mind, and she sighed.

“Where are you?”

“Louisiana. I can text you our coordinates.”

“I’ll be there.”

Ketch hated the American south. The sun beat down on his leather jacket relentlessly, causing beads of sweat to run down the sides of his face underneath his helmet. The tires of his bike chewed at the miles before him, but he would be elated when the job was done and he could head the other direction, back to air conditioning and away from the abomination known as sweet tea.

His foul mood was forgotten when he pulled off the highway and rolled to a stop next to an ancient yet pristine powder blue pick up truck. It was clearly a hunter’s, and he hated it. It stood out, it was inefficient, and it was gaudy. He shook his head as he hid his bike. He had strict orders; take out the werewolf pack if the American hunters haven’t yet, and if the American hunters are there, observe how they hunt. Do not interfere unless the American hunters fail.

Ketch turned and eyed the truck again before taking the parts of his gun out of his bag and assembling them; judging by their transportation alone, it would only be a matter of time before he was cleaning up another mess.

The cabin wasn’t hard to find. He could hear the hunt before he crested the hill, the sounds of broken glass and the screaming of captives echoing in the otherwise silent forest. He was walking around the perimeter, looking for a good place to scout from, when he caught a glimpse of her through the back window. He hid himself behind a tree and shouldered his gun so he could use his scope to see.

Y/N was by herself in a room with three wolves, and two more lay dead on the ground. She was bleeding, her face was smeared with a mix of sweat and blood and dirt, but her teeth were clenched in determination, fear nowhere to be found. They surrounded her, fangs out and jaws snapping, and she returned a toothy grin of her own. Ketch watched as she stabbed one and pivoted to stab another, stumbling when her blade caught and she was drug down as the wolf collapsed.

The third jumped and pinned her to the floor. Ketch waited for the other hunters to help her, but they were ushering humans out of the front, running toward the road. He waited for her to scream, but she didn’t make a sound. Ketch’s orders replayed through his head as he watched the wolf lean in, drool dripping from his mouth down onto her neck.

The werewolf’s body convulsed as the bullet tore through his brain. Y/N jumped at the sound of breaking glass and flipped as soon as the pressure on her shoulders was released. The body slumped to the floor and she looked out the window for the source of the shot. She caught a glimpse of leather as it ducked behind a tree, but before she could get a better look Alicia burst into the room, ready to join the fight.

“Y/N!” She rolled the werewolf the rest of the way off so that Y/N could get up. “Y/N are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Did you get everyone out?” Y/N stood up and wiped her hands off on her jeans before collecting her knife.

“Yeah, Max is taking them all back to town.”

“Convenient of him to leave us to clean up.” Y/N toed the head of one of the bodies with her boot, grimacing as it rolled limply.

“Burn pile?” Alicia asked, pointing to a can of gas behind her.

“Burn pile.” Y/N agreed with a grin.

The light was fading when they made it back to Y/N’s truck. She threw her hunting bag in the back, pausing when she turned to walk back to the cab. She tilted her head and knelt down.

“Is there a problem?” Alicia asked as she leaned in the doorway.

“No, no everything is fine.” She studied the motorcycle tracks for a few more seconds before standing up and flashing a smile at Alicia. “Let’s go home.”

When Y/N got back to the bunker, Cas and his truck were gone. The Impala sat untouched in her spot in the garage, a silent reminder of the issue at hand. She leaned against her truck and looked at the Impala, chewing her bottom lip while the wheels in her mind began to turn. She walked inside, started a load of laundry, made some dinner, and got to work.

She was in the library on her laptop when Cas walked in. She was surrounded by take-out boxes and dirty dishes, open notebooks and pens, books and sticky notes. Her hair was unbrushed, her shirt dirty, her eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep.

“Y/N.” She jumped when Castiel said her name. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Cas.” She put her laptop down and stretched before standing up and walking over to him. “I’m sorry. Sam and Dean, that’s wasn’t your fault. I never should have blamed you for that.” Cas smiled softly at her before looking at the floor. “I’m looking. I’m searching everywhere, but I keep hitting dead ends. It’s like chasing a ghost. They’ve been gone-”

“Six weeks, two days, and ten hours.”

“We’ve got to find them. Until then, we just keep doing our best.”

“Are we though? Are we doing our best?” Y/N froze, her eyes widening as the buried memory of a little girl who would never return home forced its way back to the front of her brain. “Did you hear about the murders in Lancaster, Missouri?”

“No…”

“Women. Throats ripped out, blood drained.”

“Vampire.”

“I tried. I drove into town, I asked around. I don’t know what I did wrong, but I couldn’t find it. Three more women died and I couldn’t… I ran.”

“Let’s go back. You and me.”

“No, you were right. I can’t do anything right.”

“Cas…” Y/N reached to pull him into a hug, but he turned and walked away.

She turned and looked at the library, all the progress she wasn’t making. She felt like she had circled the internet twice, exhausting every lead, and she had nothing to show for it. She closed her laptop, cleaned up the room a bit, and headed to shower and pack. Lancaster just made its way to the top of her to-do list.

The phone rang while Y/N watched the vamps body burning. She tossed the dirty rag from cleaning her machete on to the fire as she answered.

“Hey Cas. Don’t worry about that vamp. I took care of it.”

“Y/N… It’s Dean. He called.”

“I’m on my way.”

“What are we getting into?” Y/N asked as Castiel climbed into her truck.

“I’m not sure.” Castiel buckled his seatbelt as the truck lurched forward.

“We should call in backup.”

“I may have an idea.”

Y/N recognized the Bentley instantly. It gleamed in the glow from her headlights as she threw the truck into park. She turned and looked at Cas with a raised eyebrow.

“This is your backup plan?” Castiel met her gaze and wordlessly stepped out of the truck. They walked to the front of the truck, and Y/N looked up into the face of her valiant one night stand. A grin crawled across his face.

“Hello Annie.”

Next Chapter

Tags:

The Whole Enchilada: @impala-dreamer @sculptorofbeginnings @curly-haired-disaster @rideandwritethings @adoptdontshoppets @supernatural-idjit-95 @team-free-will-you-idjits-67

Ketch and Release: @cinnamonrollsforlife @time-travel-bouqet @cutelittlepurplesouls @armieggedon @marianita195 @cloverhighfive @supernatural-teamfreewillpage @liv-the-artist @chloesamxoxo @probably-writing-something @ambx2 

[buckyscrystalqueen]

Little Moments: Part 1

Pairings: Chris Pratt x Reader

Warnings: Memory Loss, angst, mention character death

Word Count: 3,438

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Life has moments- big or small, everyone has them. The small moments, like losing a baby tooth or riding a bike for the first time usually get lost in the jumble of bigger moments, like the time you broke your arm in the third grade or graduating high school. The thing about moments; however, is that in an instant, a seemingly small moment can alter the course of your life exponentially… and you never even see it coming.

This is one of those moments.

——

You had a migraine before you even opened your eyes, which was typical for you in the past two years since your internship ended. To this day, you couldn’t figure out if people were just getting more and more stupid or if you were just noticing it more because you worked as a resident in a hospital emergency room. Just the other day you had a patient come in with seven nails through his hand (with a board attached to the other side to boot) because he pissed off his girlfriend while they were rebuilding their house. You sighed to yourself and moved your hand to rub the sleep from your eyes but something was holding you back.

“Hey, there’s my girl.” Your brow furrowed, causing your head to throb as you forced your eyes open. You couldn’t help but cringe against the blinding white lights that didn’t belong in your bedroom. With a groan, you rolled your head to find the voice that also wasn’t supposed to be in your bedroom and smarted the slightest bit to see a vaguely familiar man… in a hospital room?

“I’m up.” You said as you tried to sit yourself up, wondering how you managed to let yourself fall asleep in a patient’s room.

“Whoa! No, sweetheart. You gotta stay in bed for now.” Your stomach turned violently and the whole room spun, so you let yourself lay back on the bed for a moment longer as you nodded at the man who you assumed had to be the new chief of emergency medicine.

“Sorry, chief. It’s just been a long week.” You missed the confused look that crossed the man’s face as you reached up to pinch the bridge of your nose. You took a deep breath as your boss shook his head slowly.

“(Y/N)…” He tried as your co-worker, Abby called out your name.

“Thank God!” She said as she came into the room with tears in her eyes. “I was getting worried.”

“Um… OK?” You said as you glanced over at her. You studied her tear filled eyes for a moment as she leaned her hip against the bed you were napping in. “What’s wrong with you.” You watched her glance over at the chief, whose name you couldn’t remember for the life of you, before she looked back at you with a trembling bottom lip.

“Sweetheart… you were in an accident.” Your brow furrowed as you sat up and reached out for the tablet in her hands to see your chart.

“What happened?” You demanded as she tried to move the chart out of your reach. You growled, grabbed her arm and yanked her back over to your side. “Abs…”

“A drunk driver ran a red on your way home.” The chief said as he got up from his chair and sat down on your bed. Your face flushed and your fingers froze on the touch screen as you looked between him and your best friend.

“Wait… did I get drunk and go home with the new chief last night?” You whispered loudly as you glared at Abby. Her brow furrowed as the chief picked up your hand.

“Sweetheart… I’m not the chief.” The man said softly. “It’s Chris… I’m your husband.” Your head whipped toward him and the heart rate monitor started beeping rapidly as you gasped to catch your breath. You shook your head and yanked your hand back to look at your chart.

“No… that’s not right.” You gasped as you flipped to the personal information page. Tears welled in your eyes as you looked at the foreign name across the top- (Y/N) Pratt, M.D. “No… no, no, no.”

“Honey, it’s OK. Memory loss is common…”

“What year is it?” You asked as you flipped through your chart frantically, not really seeing any of the information there. “Year!”

“2017.” Abby said softly. “It’s 2017.” You burst into full blown sobs and shook your head.

“No… no it can’t be. It’s 2010…” You covered your face and finally felt the bandages wrapped around your head. Your sobs wracked your body harder as you curled into yourself on the bed. “This isn’t happening…”

“I’m gunna go get doctor Masters.” Abby said softly as Chris gently rubbed your leg with tears falling silently down his cheeks.

“It’s gunna be OK, baby.” He said gently yet unbelievingly. “It’s all gunna be OK.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Retrograde amnesia.” Doctor Stephen Masters said as he stood at the end of your bed with his arms crossed over his chest. “It’s common with a TBI. You had a lot of swelling and bleeding in the temporal and occipital lobes but we managed to get it all under control with surgery…”

“OK… when can I be cleared to go back to work?” You interrupted, choosing not to care about what happened to you. Chris sighed beside you as he continued to rub his temples and Stephen slowly shook his head.

“(Y/N), you haven’t worked here for three years.” Your brow furrowed and you shook your head.

“No, that’s not right. Why would I…”

“You wanted to travel.” Chris sighed as he rested his arms on his thighs. He kept his green eyes on his folded hands as he shook his head. “After we got married, you wanted to travel with me when I filmed so you could see the world…”

“Why the hell would I give up my job to travel?” You asked as you looked over at him. “I was happy…”

“You… ugh.” He sighed as he sat up and scrubbed his hands down his face. “You wanted a family and didn’t want to be an absent mom…”

“That’s bullshit.” You grumbled as you absentmindedly rubbed your hand lightly across the fabric of the black and blue flower patterned scrub cap you had borrowed from Abby and wrapped around your now bald head.

“He’s telling the truth.” Stephen said carefully as he leaned his forearms on your bedside table. You shook your head and let your hand fall into your lap with the other.

“OK, well that’s not what I want anymore. I wanna go back to work…”

“(Y/N)…” Chris tried as your boss… your former boss held up his hand toward your ‘husband’.

“One way or another, I can’t clear you to go back to work for a couple months.” He said as he stood up straight again. “My suggestion to you, for now is to go back home. You know as well as I do that submersing yourself in a familiar environment is the best way to bring back your memories.” You nodded at him as you fiddled with the edge of the blanket across your lap.

“Alright… well fuck, I guess I’m not in my apartment anymore?” You asked as you glanced over at Chris. He shook his head and glanced over at you.

“We live in the Hills.” You sighed loudly and nodded your head.

“Alright, well let’s get me the hell out of here, please. The faster I remember this shit, the faster I can get back to work.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Any of this look familiar?” Chris asked carefully as he lead you into your massive house late that evening. You shook your head as you paused in the off white entry way to look at the photos on the wall. You obviously recognized yourself, though you looked a little older than you remembered but the man beside you was still unfamiliar.

“This was from right before our first red carpet together.” He told you as he pointed to the first photo. “You didn’t normally go with me back then because you were so busy with work but this was the first movie I did where I had a lead role. It’s called Guardians of the Galaxy.” You nodded slowly as you studied the professionally done picture as if it were going to unlock the recesses of your mind. You looked stunning in a floor length, green, chiffon gown that did match Cris’ eyes and his tie. “You changed four different times before landing on this dress because it matched my eyes and made yours pop.” You pursed your lips and nodded because it really did make your (Y/E/C) eyes pop. He took a step back and pointed to the next photograph with a small sigh. You looked at the obvious portrait he took, holding out the camera as far as his arms would allow as you were showed off an engagement ring with a giant smile on your face. Chris was kissing your neck with a giant smile on his own face and you both looked so incredibly happy.

“This was in Kauai, where I shot Jurassic World. I had a day off filming and we spent the day at the beach. I…” You glanced over at him as his words caught in his throat and tears welled in his eyes. “We, um… we got engaged that day. And six months later, we got married in Vegas because we didn’t want the paparazzi to ruin our day.” He pointed at the last photo; a picture of him holding you bridal style. You had on a short, mid-thigh length white dress, white heels and a bird cage veil that covered the left half of your face and Chris was decked out in a black suit. You had his face cupped in your left hand and neither of you were looking at the camera.

“Our room’s this way.” He nearly whispered as he hiked your hospital bag up on his shoulder and turned away without looking at you. You gave the three photos one more glance before following after him on the hard wood floors through a white living room. You glanced out the French doors along the back wall at the large pool with a gorgeous grotto and waterfall in the middle as Chris cleared his throat.

“This is us.” You nodded slowly as you paused in the doorway of your bedroom. Your head tilted to the side slightly as you studied the four poster bed. It was a dark, black wood and had a silk, gauze fabric draped decoratively around the top and down the four corners.

“Did I pick out this bed?” Chris whipped around and dropped your bag on the beige carpeted floor.

“Do you remember?” You shook your head and stepped into the room.

“No… well… sort of. I remember seeing this in a home and garden magazine a few months… well… a few years ago, I guess. It just wouldn’t have looked good in my apartment.” You could see the sheer disappointment on his face as he nodded and looked at the bed to conceal his pain.

“Yea, it wouldn't have. So I’m gunna sleep on the couch, you can take…”

“No, I can take the couch, it’s fine.” You offered as you took a step back. Chris shook his head and gestured out into the living room.

“The couch makes your back hurt when you sleep on it. I don’t mind it.” You nodded as he showed you where your dresser, the bathroom and your bathroom products were before turning to head out of the room. He paused at the doorway, giving you a small glance over his shoulder as his mouth floundered with unspoken words. After a moment, he shook his head and pulled the door closed behind him. Tears finally welled in your eyes as you looked around the unfamiliar master bedroom and pulled off your scrub cap. Without a word, you crawled into bed on what you hoped was your side and cried yourself into a restless sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

You didn’t sleep for long at all. By three AM, you were wide awake, staring up at the black painted ceiling and the thousands of stars that appeared to twinkle in the moon light that poured in through the window. You had always been fascinated by astronomy so you knew you had to have been the one behind the design you hadn’t noticed when you first came into the bedroom. After forty-five minutes of simply laying there and gently tracing the outline of the bandage that ran along the entire left side of your skull, you forced yourself out of bed.

You were grateful to yourself that you had kept your scrubs in a box in the back of your closet because none of the outfits that hung in the closet felt like ‘you’ at the moment. From fancy dresses and tops to flowy skirts and leggings to gym clothes that you knew you had had since med school; all you wanted was to feel comfortable and ‘normal’ again and none of that fit the bar. You pulled out the cleanest pair of scrub pants from the box, and snagged a UCLA muscle shirt before finding your broken cell phone from your hospital bag and Abby’s scrub cap off the bedside table and sneaking out of your bedroom.

You found yourself on the top rock of the grotto, staring at the city light dimmed night sky. Just like you always had, you instantly missed your home town. You came from a town so small you could throw a rock from end to end in the middle of the country but the starry night sky was indescribable. When you first moved to California for school, you realized that was one thing you took for granted. You pulled your phone from the pocket of your scrubs and went to try and call the only family member you had, your older brother, Paul, but realized that you couldn’t unlock your phone.

Tears welled in your eyes as you looked at the unfamiliar photo that was your lock screen background. Chris was dressed in a red, leather trench coat and pointing a toy gun at you with a playfully menacing look on his face. You towered over him on stilts, holding on to his shoulder for balance as you gripped your stomach from laughing too hard. You couldn’t help but wonder how you managed to forget seven years of your life. Not only was it such an odd number but you had never seen a traumatic brain injury make you lose years. Typically it was only a few days, weeks, or months lost or everything. Never something so obscure as seven years. But injuries were never by the book so why should this be any different.

“(Y/N)?” You glanced over as Chris stuck his head out the back door and looked around the poorly lit back yard. You gave him a weak, unseen smile and wiped the tears off your face.

“Here.” You said weakly as you sat up on the rocks. He nodded and stepped outside.

“Figured as much. I can usually find you out here when you can’t sleep. Can I come up?” You nodded at him as he hesitated at the bottom of the stone steps that were built in to the stone structure.

“I was gunna call Paul.” You said softly as you showed him the phone that was temporarily useless to you. “But I can’t unlock this.” You heard him sigh as he sat down beside you and gently took the phone from your hand.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. But… um… well, Paul… his cancer came back.” Your breath caught in your throat audibly as your husband hit the home screen button. “He fought for so long but we lost him on August 12, 2012.” You nodded at him as he put in the numbers 081212 and handed you the unlocked phone. “I’m so sorry, (Y/N).” Tears fell from your eyes as you turned off the screen and unlocked it once more.

“Did he suffer?” You whispered as a few tears landed on the screen. Chris shook his head as he pulled his knees up to his chest and draped his arms over them.

“You made sure he didn’t. You and Abby made sure that his pain was medicated away and he spent his last moments in our back yard with you, watching a meteor shower.” You burst into body wracking sobs and covered your face in your hands. Very carefully, Chris reached out and  rubbed your back. “That’s the star map on the ceiling of our room. You painted it by hand all by yourself to cope.” He turned away from you as tears welled in his eyes and he took a deep, steadying breath.

“That’s part of the reason you wanted to travel with me but you didn’t talk about it. You finished your residency in the fall of 2013 and a year later, you went on the road with me. We wanted to start a family and you told everyone that was your reason for leaving but I knew it was because of Paul. So did Abby.”

“I’m still friends with her, right?” He finally looked over at your tear stained face, nodded and huffed a laugh.

“Oh, yea. You two are nearly inseparable when we’re in town. She still lives in your old apartment… but I’ll let you two catch up…”

“Did she marry that Jeff guy?” Chris nodded as he took his hand off your back and draped it back over his knee.

“Yea. Two years ago. And yes, you were the maid of honor. No kids yet.” You nodded some more as you adjusted the cap on your head.

“So what do I do now?” You glanced over at him as he shrugged his shoulders.

“Well when we’re in town you go for a walk with me in the mornings through Runyon Canyon park. Then you usually catch up on your shows; Grey’s Anatomy, House, Chicago Med… You like to correct the shows on their medical inaccuracy by yelling at our TV.”

“Yea that sounds like me.” You giggled. He huffed a laugh and nodded.

“You edit your photos as well. That’s what you do when you travel with me. I go to work, you sightsee around the city and take pictures. You made an Instagram…”

“What’s Instagram?” He glanced over at you and you could see him frantically fighting back his tears.

“It’s um… well it’s an app that you can share pictures on. Kinda like a combination of Facebook and Twitter but for photos.” You nodded at him and made a mental reminder to look that up to see if it brought back memories.

“OK. What else?”

“Well, you go to lunch with Abby when she has a day off. You two go shopping a lot. But when we’re in LA, we spend a lot of time at home. It’s our days off so we usually just spend time together, go to the beach if it’s nice out. You’ve dragged me to Disneyland more times than I can count.” You giggled and looked up at the stars.

“That sounds like me, too.” He nodded in agreement as he looked up at the night sky with you.

“We’ll get your memory back, sweetheart.” He said softly after a few minutes of silence. “We’ll figure this out together, no matter what.” You glanced over at the man that was basically a stranger to you as tears fell down his cheeks. “I’ll get my wife back.” You reached out slowly and rubbed your hand on his back, startling him. He met your eyes and you nodded reassuringly as the ER doctor in you surfaced.

“I’m sure we will. I’m sorry this is happening to you.” He shook his head and wiped the tears off his face as he stood up.

“It’s not happening to me, (Y/N). It’s happening to you.” He turned around to head back down the steps but avoided eye contact. “I’m gunna go make some coffee and jump in the shower. I’ll pull up Netflix, too. Give you something to do until your appointment later today since hiking is out for a while.” You nodded at him and curled into yourself on the rock as he headed around the pool to go back inside. As you watched him pull the door closed behind him, you burst into tears again.

Part 2

[a-daydreamers-stories]

~Here’s the second part!!! @ilikechocolatemilkh Thank you for your help and dealing with me and thank you to @mackenzie301 for inspiring the story!~

Chapter 2

Happy’s POV

You had been avoiding me for a week now and I was starting to get pissed. I tried a couple of crow eaters after you but none of them fit right. They didn’t moan or move the right way, not like you had and it left me completely frustrated. At least, I wasn’t the only one that you were avoiding. You had pretty much been avoiding all the others boys since they kept hounding you over who it was that fucked you. Since you had missed the party friday night, the boys had been discussing your new guy a lot.

“Why would she ditch us for some new guy?” Juice pouted.

“How d’ye know i’s th’ same guy?” Chibs asked Juice. “Could be more’n one.”

“You think?” Tig perks up. “Like at one time?” The boys all laugh.

“Perv.” Juice shakes his head with a smile.

“What? Come on! I can’t be the only one to have thought about her like that.” Tig said.

“I mean she is really pretty.” Juice blushed.

“Aye,” Chibs nodded in agreement with Juice.

“Even Chibs agrees! See!” Tig smirked.

“I agreed th’ lass is beau’iful, Tiggy, no’ tha’ I’ve had debouched thoughts o’ ‘er. Tha’s you, ye bloody pervert.” Chibs told him.

“Fine but fuck! Just imagine bending her over that desk in the office.” Tig groaned and I froze in my spot.

“I gotta admit, Tiggy’s got a point on that one. Especially if she’s wearing that tight pencil skirt.” Jax piped up and all the boys’ eyes got glazed over looks. I nearly let a growl escape as they all thought about fucking you.

“Bitch doesn’t know her place, can’t keep her mouth shut, and doesn’t respect the kutte or the men wearing them.” I rumbled and everyone looked at me surprised. It was the first time I had participated in the conversation and it hadn’t exactly been in the same direction. And then Juice started to laugh which caused some of the others to chuckle.

“You mean she doesn’t respect you?” He asked with a smirk and that sentence had everyone laughing. I growled and got off the couch. I stomped out of the clubhouse with the boys all yelling “Sorrys!” and “Come back!” behind me as I left. I jumped on my bike and very quickly made my way to your house, I parked around the block. I had been to your house once before when Chibs had made me drop some stuff off. I made my way up your sidewalk and to your front door. I began to pound on the door hard and I almost ended up hitting you in the face as you opened the door. Shock was written all over your face as you took in the fist in front of it. I put it down and you looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

“What the hell!? You just about fucking hit me in the face!” You said angrily.

“Almost, I didn’t though.” I pointed out with a smirk.

“Oh, I know you didn’t because if you had, I would be going to visit one of those famous little hiding spots of yours to get rid of your corpse tonight. ” You put your hands on your hips and that’s when I took in the sight of you. All you were wearing was a long SAMCRO shirt obviously one of the guys at the clubhouse. I let out a growl and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Who’s shirt is that?” I demanded. You looked down at the shirt and let out a giggle as you looked back up at me.

“Why? You jealous?” You asked with a smirk.

“Hell no, little girl.” I growled and took a step towards you.

“Then you don’t need to know who’s shirt it is.” You replied with a fake sweet smile and a wink.

“The fuck I don’t; I don’t much care for crossing swords with my brothers and not knowing it. For fucks sake, have you MET Tig?” I snarled before grabbing your hips and pulling you close. You started laughing hard and I had to grip your chin hard and force you to look at me before you stopped laughing but still had a bright smile on your face.

“Well he is the reason I have the shirt.” You said with a cheerful voice. My grip tightened and I let out a growl. I was about to say something when you cut me off with, “He spilled his beer on me.”

“What?” I asked, surprised.

“Tig was drunk and in his drunk mind he thought that spilling his beer on me would be the perfect way to see me without a shirt on. So after he spilled the beer on me, I smacked him upside the head and went to a random room. Which was where I picked up the shirt.” You explained slowly like you were talking to a child. I smirked and pushed you into the wall while kicking the door shut behind me.

“Naughty, little girl. Stealing shirts, avoiding me, and giving my brothers naughty thoughts about you.” I growled and I felt you shiver underneath my hands. “Maybe I should punish you.” I leaned down and started kissing your neck, which caused you to moan.

“Happy…” You moaned as you grabbed my kutte, pulling me closer. I grabbed your ass and lifted you up. I pulled back and looked you in the eyes.

“You want me to punish you little girl?” I asked with a smirk. You bit your lip before nodding slowly.

“Bedroom though.” You demanded and I chuckled.

“Where is it?” I asked. You pointed to a hallway.

“Last one on the right.” You told me and I nodded before carrying you to it. I sat down on the bed with you straddling my waist. My hands slowly lifted up your shirt and I noticed your black lace panties.

“Fuck… Stand up.” I demanded and you actually listened. “Shirt off.” You slowly took it off with a little smirk on your face. I leaned back on my elbows as I took in the sight of you in those lace panties and nothing else. “Off now.”

“Demanding much?” You asked in a sassy voice.

“Do it now, little girl, and I’ll make your punishment enjoyable.” I told you. You rolled your eyes but took them off. I motioned for you to come closer and sat up straighter. You came and stood between my legs. I grabbed your legs slightly and ran my hands upwards to your stomach then up to your breasts. You let out a moan as I squeezed them. I smirked and moved my hands around to your back and then down to grab your ass. I moved my hands to your hips and turned you around. Even though they were mostly healed you still had my handprints on your ass and I felt pride while looking at them. I turned you back around and made a hum noise as I thought of all the things I could do to you.

“Are you going to do anything or you just going to stare at me all night?” You asked.

“Watch your mouth, little girl, or I’ll stuff my boxers into it.” I said with a wink.You made a noise of disgust and glared down at me. What I wasn’t expecting was the hard punch that you landed to my shoulder.  I chuckled and pulled you on top of my lap. “That was very naughty.”

“What ya going to do about it?” You challenged.  I rolled us over so you were pressed into the bed and I was above you. I leaned down and kissed you hard. You moaned and kissed me back just as hard. I pulled back and looked down at you.

“Do you trust me, little girl?” I asked.

“Honestly? No, not really?” You answered and I chuckled.

“Just close your eyes.” I told you. You sighed and did as I asked. I softly took each of your hands in mine and moved them above your head. You squirmed slightly and I smirked as I looked down at your body. I hadn’t had much time to look at it last time. I leaned down and took your nipple in my mouth, sucking hard on it. You moaned and your back arched, it made me smirk at how responsive you were. I took both of your hands in one of mine and moved my one hand down to my side. I bit down on your nipple and you grabbed my shoulders hard. I chuckled and sucked on it harder while I reached inside the pocket on the inside of my kutte. I switched nipples and did the same thing while making sure you were thoroughly distracted before pulling the handcuffs out of the pocket. I reached back up and slowly began to handcuff you to the headboard waiting to click them till the very end.

“What the fuck?” You asked angrily.

“What? I told you to trust me.” I smirked.

“Where did you even get these?” You asked while looking up and tugging lightly.

“You never know when you’ll need cuffs.” I chuckled and winked at you.

“This isn’t funny, Happy. Get me out of these things.” You told me.

“Nope, you are going to get your punishment.” I smirked before getting up and you whined at the lack of contact. I chuckled and took my kutte off and placed it on your dresser. I started to strip and once I was finished, I stepped back so you could get a nice long look. Your eyes darkened and you bit your lip as you took me in. “See something you like?”

“Eh, I’ve seen better.” You smirked.

“Liar.” I growled and climbed over top of her. I leaned down and swirled my tongue around your nipple. You gasped and your back arched into my touch. I ground down against you and your legs wrapped around me, I growled loudly and bit your nipple playfully. I reached down and grabbed your ass as I continued my assault on your nipples. I rubbed my cock against your folds and that made you moan my name loudly. “What do you want, little girl?” I asked as I rubbed harder against you.

“Happy…” You whined.

“That’s not an answer.” I chuckled and grabbed my cock. I rubbed the head over your pussy. “Now tell me, what do you want?”

“Fuck! Fine! I want you! I want you to fuck me!” You practically yelled.

“As you wish, little girl.” I slammed into you hard and I moved the hand that was on my cock, back to your ass. I squeezed it and started thrusting in and out of you fast. I moved from your breasts to your neck, marking and sucking on it as I thrusted. I moved faster and our moans filled the room, mine were slightly muffled by your neck. You pulled against your restraints as I lifted your ass up to get a better angle.

“Happy! There! Yes!” You yelled out and I felt you starting to clench around me. I smirked against your neck and quickly pulled completely out of you. “No! Happy! Please, I was so close.”

“I know.” I smirked and looked down at you. You glared up at me and struggled against your restraints.

“You bastard!” You growled up at me.

“You said you wanted a punishment, little girl.” I reached down and circled your clit softly and slowly.

“Happy….” You whimpered as your hips went up to try and push my fingers against you more. I kept the light pressure on your clit though and it made you whimper more. I smirked and added a little bit more pressure which caused you to make the hottest sound that I’ve ever heard. I groaned and kissed up your stomach as I moved faster and harder against your clit. You moaned and I pinched and twisted your clit. Your hips bucked up hard and you moaned out loudly. “Fuck! I’m….. Fuck!” I started rubbing on it hard for three more seconds before pulling away again.

“Sorry, little girl.” I smirked and you pulled against your restraints more.

“Fuck…. Happy! Please! I… I need this. I need you!” You begged. You looked at me with pleading eyes as they filled with tears. “Please…” Some tears escaped and you whimpered softly. I cupped your cheek and wiped the tears away then I kissed you softly. You kissed back, managing to deepen it somehow. I pulled back with a growl and reached down to grab my cock. I teased your pussy for one second before entering you again. I tangled my fingers in your hair and pulled back slightly as I thrusted in and out of you. I couldn’t stop myself from taking you roughly and leaned down to kiss you hard.

“Fuck! You feel so good…” I growled out.

“Y…You…. Too…” You let out between gasps. I moved in faster and hard as I tightened my hold on your hair. It didn’t take long for you to cum and once you did I followed. I thrusted in and out as I rode our orgasms out. I collapsed against you, keeping most of my weight on my elbows. Once my breathing and heart rate were back to normal, I undid the handcuffs and rubbed your wrists softly.

“These are going to bruise.” I told you. You smiled sleepily.

“It was worth it.” You mumbled softly and I chuckled.

“Time to sleep.” I told you gently as I let your wrists go. You nodded and then curled up on your side. I smiled and pulled your blanket over you before getting up and putting my clothes on. I left your house as quietly as possible and rode back to the clubhouse.

~I hope you enjoy~