#crazy. you know i'm glad i did finish the school year at the middle school instead lol

[britneyshakespeare]

the guidance counselor who manages in-school suspensions at the high school is cute

[simpee9000]

I love your “not just friends” series🥹 im obsessed! Im hoping to see more I love it soooooooooooo muchhhh!!!!!!! Even telling my friends to read it

But I saw a bakugo headcanon by another anon about him having a crush which I wanna add a spin on, what if he rejected this said crush back in middle school but developed feelings after xD I find it funny

Thank you !!! I'm glad you enjoy it so much!

And that is literally Katsuki Bakugo, can't see him not doing it tbh. (This was also a lot longer then I planned for it to be- I just started typing and here we are- 1k)

He isn't confused about a lot of things in life but his feelings definitely stump him. He tries to analyze other people and how they react to people, but the dots just don't connect. He hears people rave on and on about how cute their crush is, but he just doesn't get it.

It's not that he hasn't been introduced to it either. I mean, it's middle school. Everyone is crazy about dating someone even if it's just to hold their stupid hand. Bakugo didn't get it, he honestly didn't want to get it. Sure he wanted to understand it, but only so he could know a weakness or some shit. He didn't want the gushy feelings or anything such.

Rejecting girl after girl was normal for him, people just loved how great he was. But after the first year of middle school that stopped. Mainly because of how rudely he rejected every girl in the past, but also because of you.

You got extremely close with him rather quickly, working your way into his life and friend groups. It was rare to see you away from each other.

Yet when you confessed to him in your last year of middle school, he stood still. It was the only confession he hesitated on. And while you swayed on your feet, anxious for a reply, he tried to cough up any words possible.

But the only ones that came out were. "You're not special."

In the most blunt way possible, he crushed your dreams. With the way he was looking at you, it was like he couldn't fathom the thought that you thought you were good enough for him, different than all the other girls. So you choked up any spiteful things you wanted to say and nodded before walking off.

He didn't necessarily like you then, but the thought didn't seems gross. So when he watched you walk away, he shrugged it off. You'd talk to him tomorrow definitely.

When tomorrow came and went, he was waiting for you to show up by his side at any second. But of course, you never did. You waited a day before showing up to class, but when you did you stuck near your other friends.

It stayed that way too. You only nodded at him after you finished middle school, a small final goodbye.

So it was rather unfortunate that one of your friends happened to be Izuku. It was a hard-built friendship, but he's very forgiving.

You came and visited the dorms often, encouraged by his mother to help him get by easier.

Bakugo hated it, you never even looked his way.

When he googled his feelings he didn't want to believe the words typed on his screen. It was all saying he was jealous. He'd never been jealous of anything, especially nothing Deku had.

Eventually, Kirishima pointed it out, commenting on the glare he was giving Midoriya. He also called him out the next day, when he kept glaring despite you not being there.

The day he cracked was after he fought Deku, after being yelled out by Aizawa he and Deku were told to wait.

Bakugo mentioned your name in a mumble at first before Deku questioned it. "She like you or some shit?"

"What?!"

"You fuckin' heard me," he spat back.

"No!" Deku scrambled for a reason. He knew you had a crush on Bakugo before, but you haven't mentioned it in a while, "Do you?"

"Do I like you?!"

"NO! HER!"

Bakugo's aggression faded as he thought. Everyone was saying that. Kirishima, his dad, and now Deku. He gave a small shrug because he was unsure.

"She still asks about you," Deku decided to say, rather than poke the bear.

"Hm."

"Wanting to know if you're okay. After the sludge, and after.. well you know," Deku mumbled.

The door opened before anything else could be said, but even if it didn't, they both knew the conversation was over.

Feeling the commonly named butterflies in his stomach, at just the thought of you thinking of him still, was odd. It was an entirely new feeling. After googling, once again, he came to terms with the fact that he finally felt all the gushy feelings that everyone else got in middle school. The ones you used to have for him, hopefully still do.

He still waited a year to act on his conclusion first. But he still slowly tried to weave his way back into your life. Choosing to sit next to you when you visited, to othering you the remote.

Everything was without words for a while. Almost a year in he was forced to talk to you often. All conversations being awkward and strained.

Confessing was a different story, it was the last day you could visit before it was officially summer break before the second year. Everyone was all sat around watching TV, people leaving before they got too tired. Surprisingly, Bakugo and you were the last people in the living room. He didn't want to miss a second of your presence because he knew he couldn't see you during summer. He was so glad Aizawa let you stay late.

His head snapped away from the TV when you stretched to stand, silently grabbing your stuff.

"What are you doing?" he spoke before thinking.

You looked stunned, he never talked to you without you talking first, "It's late, I should go. Plus is it not past your bedtime?"

He glared at your joke before looking at the clock. It was 2:54a.m, you asked him out at 2:54 p.m in middle school.

"Do you still?"

"What?" you switched your weight onto one foot, crossing your arms confused.

"In middle school," he sighed, "do you still?"

"You're gonna have to be more specific."

"Have feelings and shit."

He still wasn't looking at you, but out of the corner of his eyes, he could see how you froze.

"I don't know how that's relevant," you huffed, embarrassed and annoyed that he'd be so cruel to bring up the rejection again.

"I do."

"Do what? Know how it's relevent? Of course you do, it's your brain-"

"Have feelings and shit," he mumbled, crossing his arms at how irated you sounded. He was finally making his move and you seemed pissed as hell.

You barked out a laugh, muffling it with your own hand, "You can't think I'm that stupid, right?"

"I'm being serious," he looked at you straight on for the first time. He was always easiest to read when you could see his eyes, and he looked nervous. Out of all the emotions you've seen on him, this wasn't one.

"Oh."

He sighed and looked down, "Don't gotta say anything, you can spend the night in the common room. No one will care," he pushed himself off the couch, turning to leave.

"Bakugo," you called out softly.

"Hm?"

"I might," your voice was shaky, "but I need to think about it. Know that you're not fucking with me or something."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay. Take your time. You have my number."

[artandhijinks]

My experience with the worst most toxic parts of the IWTV fandom

Okay, there are going to be details here that are changed or admitted for obvious mostly safety reasons. And I personally don't care if you think I'm lying, but it was still a scary experience and I do think there are people in the fandom that need to be aware this crap goes on all over fictional characters. So warning they're going to be mentions of threats a violence, doxing, harassment, the works, It was bad.

Okay a few months ago. I kicked the hornets nest when it comes to the worst part of the interview with the vampire fandom. I had engaged in some fan discourse. Made a couple of posts. A lot of it had to do with defending the added diversity with the casting of Assad and Jacob. Theorizing about possible characters in the future that can be race swapped how it could be a good thing and how it could be historically possible. You get the idea. I love what the show is done with all the race swapping it has added so much to the story.

And then all the sudden I woke up to my inbox being full of over 100 anonymous ask that ranged from the average calling me evil racist. I didn't know the books. How dare I it was ruining the story. I should kill myself. The usual online internet harassment. It was horrible. And they kept on coming and would not stop until I shut off anonymous ask. And they will remain off because of this but again I had well over 100 messages to go through. And it took me well over a week to go through them but when I got to like the last I think 10 one of them stuck out. Not because it was particularly bad because apparently I pissed off the Armand people who don't realize how creepy it is and kind of comes off as pro pedophilia when all of you insist that he has to be 17 much less the racist issues. There's a reason it took me over a week to go through all the messages they made my skin crawl. But this particular message scared the crap out of me it was a death threat with my home address. Someone cared so much about a fictional character. They tracked down my address and threaten to kill me. So guess who immediately started screenshotting the rest of the messages. And had to make a police report. Do you know what it's like having to explain to cops? Yes, I got a death threat with my address over a fictional gay vampire. No, getting death threats over Tumblr is not new to me unfortunately, but my address was new and that I want documented. So being harassed by a couple racist book purists turned into a police report and me buying security cameras. Thank you Tumblr. I nearly deleted the app.

I don't even know if I want to finish the Vampire Chronicles books now because of you idiots you took it way too far. And the worst part is I'm white. I can only imagine what you idiots are doing to the fans of color. Again someone tracked down my address to threaten to kill me. But again it's documented. I filed a police report and if any of you idiots try something I got cameras now.

And for all those who are going to be demanding proof well I thought about sharing a redacted screenshot or maybe a redacted version of the police report. But I decided I would ask the cops what they thought just to be safe. I'm glad I did because they advised me not to do that and they explained to me there is technology out there that if someone really wanted to they can remove that redacting. And I already have one crazy person that knows my address and is threatening to kill me so I don't want another one. So everyone is just going to have to take my word for it. However the cops were all for me sharing my story because of the rise of things like swatting. A in a nearby police department had to deal with a middle schooler (so a 11 to 13-year-old) who made a bomb threat at their school because they didn't want to take a test. So, they think this would be good for people to hear because what you do on the internet does have real life consequences.

So remember people the internet is real life. These things have real life consequences. And I'm pretty sure these people thought it was a joke. But now I have to worry about things like someone breaking into my house killing me or swatting. Which is something I didn't even think of until the cops brought it up. And it does affect my real life. I'm looking to move and hopefully we'll be out of my house soon. So, thank you, Internet stranger

So to sum it all up. The fandom needs to take a bunch of chill pills and calm down. Because we are literally harassing, bullying and threatening people out of the fandom. Again, I thought about leaving Tumblr due to this experience and now I'm having to move. Thank you. Interview with the vampire fandom please do better.

[allthingsfangirl101]

Accidental Run-Ins – Timothy McGee

I walked into the coffee shop I hadn't been to in years. Everything looked the same. Same old booths. Same rickety stools. Same stale coffee smell. And as it would seem, the same customers.

"Y/N?"

I turned to see my childhood best friend sitting at the counter with a notebook in front of him. I smiled when I instantly realized what he was doing. Timothy McGee always wanted to be a writer.

"Well well well," I teased as I walked over to him. "Is that Timothy McGee or Thom E. Gemcity?"

I sat next to him as he looked away, struggling to hide his blush. "How'd you know?" He asked, his voice soft.

"I've known you since we were little, Tim. You always talked about what kind of books you'd want to write." I playfully nudged his shoulder as I added, "Besides, your picture is on the back of your book."

"Right," he laughed. He looked up at me and smiled. "It's really good to see you, Y/N," he said softly. "How long has it been?"

"I think the last time we saw each other was high school graduation," I smiled. "You went off to MIT to do great techy things. And clearly, you have. I hear you're a part of NCIS. The Navy cops?"

"I am," he said, going back to being slightly uncomfortable. Tim never did like talking about himself.

"I bet you have lots of stories," I said, trying to get him to open up. I paused before adding, "Probably enough stories we would have lots to catch up on?"

He looked up at me and I watched as he figured it out. I couldn't help but laugh when it finally clicked.

"I umm. . . I think I can. . ."

"You working a case right now?" I asked, ignoring the gnawing feeling that I should be working on my case.

"Actually, no," he said with a small chuckle. "For once, we aren't. Normally, whenever something comes up in my personal life, I'm always in the middle of a case."

"Your personal life?" I asked genuinely curious but covered it with a teasing question.

"What little personal life I have," he scoffed.

"Can I get you a refill?" The barista asked Tim. I smiled when he turned toward me.

"Y/N, do you want anything?" He asked.

"Just a latte for me. Thanks," I said.

Tim and I spent the entire morning at our old coffee shop. We talked about almost everything that's happened in our lives since we last saw each other. After about two hours and three refills, Tim's phone rang. I instantly recognized the sigh and the look of defeat.

"Take it," I said before he could tell me it was work. He sent me an apologetic look before answering his phone.

"McGee."

I hid my smirk behind my cup as I finished my coffee. As he talked to someone he called, "DiNozzo", I got a text.

Wilson Got another body. Might be our 2nd in command.

"Son of a bitch," I mumbled under my breath.

"Everything okay?"

I looked over to see Tim no longer on the phone. "Just work," I said instantly. "I've got this big project and my boss is hounding me the closer we get to the deadline."

"You never did tell me what you do for work," he said, clearly forgetting the call he just got.

"Nothing too crazy," I laughed off the lie. "I work for an advertising company. They're branching out so they moved me and some of the other employees here."

"I'm glad they did."

"Me too," I said honestly. When I got transferred to Washington DC, I never thought I'd run into Tim McGee.

Tim opened his mouth to say something but his phone started ringing again. "I'm on my way," he snapped as soon as he answered. He instantly hung up the phone and turned toward me. "I really want to keep talking, Y/N, but I gotta go."

I reached over and gently put my hand on his arm. "It's okay," I tried to assure him. "I should be going too."

I grabbed a napkin and quickly wrote my number on it. When he realized what I was doing, Tim grabbed his NCIS business card and wrote his cell on the back. With awkward chuckles, we exchanged them. I leaned over and kissed his cheek before leaving the coffee shop.

For the first time in four years, I hated working for the FBI.

* * * * *

I walked out of the briefing room and answered my phone. "What can I do for you, Agent Gemcity?"

"Ha ha," he sarcastically laughed. "Are you busy?"

I looked over my shoulder to see my team focused on the evidence board. "Not at all," I smiled. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I was just thinking about yesterday at the coffee shop," he stuttered. "To be honest, I haven't stopped thinking about it."

"I haven't stopped thinking about it either," I said honestly.

"Really?" Tim cleared his throat before asking, "Any chance you want to get dinner?"

"You sure you can get away from NCIS?" I asked, wondering if I would be able to get away from the FBI.

"We're not working on anything too big. We're still following a few leads," he said, sounding like he was shrugging. "You free?"

"I think I can sneak away a little early," I smiled. "Text me the address and the time and I'll be there."

"Great," Tim chuckled. "I'll find a place and let you know."

"Sounds good."

I got a text from Tim a few hours later. That night, we went to dinner. We continued talking about our lives after high school and soon transitioned to reminiscing about our lives together before and during high school. After dinner, Tim and I walked back to his car. We didn't get in though. Instead, we turned toward each other.

"It was really nice catching up with you," I said softly when I realized how close we were.

"It was," he whispered. "This is going to sound horrible, but I didn't realize how much I missed you until the moment you walked into our old coffee shop."

I let out a small chuckle as we got closer. I held my breath as our lips finally touched. The second they did, we deepened the kiss. We broke the kiss when we ran out of air.

"You know," Tim said slowly, "the night doesn't have to end here. We could. . . continue it."

I smirked as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I like the sound of that."

Without a word, we got in the car and Tim drove us to his apartment. I couldn't fight the smile that formed as I walked in. The first thing I noticed was his bookcase. I walked over and started scanning the titles. I felt him step up behind me. To tease him, I grabbed the copy of his book off the shelf and turned toward him.

"Mr. Gemcity, I am such a big fan. Would you mind signing this for me?"

Tim just smirked at me as he grabbed the book out of my hand and, without breaking eye contact, tossed it onto his table.

"I'm not Gemcity to you," he whispered as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his chest. "I'm just Tim."

"Well, just Tim," I teased, "where were we?"

"Right here," he mumbled as he pressed his lips to mine. I let out a small moan as I threw my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Without breaking away, Tim picked me up and carried me into his bedroom.

We finally broke the kiss when Tim laid us down with him hovering over me.

"I've waited years for this," he whispered, sending chills down my spine.

Without breaking eye contact, I grabbed the bottom of his shirt, pulled it over his head, and tossed it across his room. He sent me a small smile before doing the same to my shirt.

"So have I, Tim," I whispered. "So have I."

* * * * *

After our first date and our night together, Tim and I fell back into our usual sync. We've been dating for a month and I still haven't told Tim that I actually work for the FBI. It wasn't normal for FBI agents to keep their job a secret but mine usually leads to undercover work. My director prefers my job to be kept a secret so I can continue safely going undercover.

Having kept this secret for so long, you wouldn't think it bothered me. And it didn't. Until I started dating Tim.

He's been completely honest with me. He's always honest when he has to rush off for work. He's always honest when he has to stay late for a case instead of meeting me for dinner. He's always honest when a case has been rough and he needs a distraction. And here I was, keeping a huge part of myself hidden from him.

"Are you listening, Agent Y/L/N?"

"Yes, sir," I said.

"Great," he said, slightly rolling his eyes. "So, we've set up a buy for you. We want you to go undercover."

"Of course you do," I scoffed as I stood up. "Heaven forbid you send anyone else."

"But you're the best, Y/N," my coworker Agent Wilson said sarcastically.

"Yes, she is," Agent Fornell snapped. "Look, Y/N, I know we send you undercover a lot and I'm sorry, but you really are the best."

"Yeah yeah," I brushed off. "Stop buttering me up and just tell me my cover."

Fornell handed me a file as he started to recite from it. "Your name is Lily Walters. You are the newest recruit."

"How the hell did you get me in?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"We have our ways," Fornell shrugged. "The meet is in two hours. You good?"

I grabbed my phone when it started to ring. "Yeah," I sighed as I stood up and started walking out of the room. "I'm always good."

I walked down the hall into my office and answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey," came Tim's soft voice. "Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"No," I sighed. "I'm sorry, baby. It's just one of those days, ya know?"

"Unfortunately, I do know."

"Sounds like you're having one of those days too," I said gently. "Another case?"

"A bad one," he said, "which means I'm going to have to cancel dinner. I'm really sorry, Y/N."

"It's okay," I said gently. "I understand. I'll probably be working late too. Just stay safe, okay?"

"I will," Tim said with a small chuckle. "I'll call you later?"

"I'll be waiting."

I hung up the phone and turned around to see Fornell standing in my doorway. "What?" I sighed, crossing my arms over his chest.

"How's Agent McGee?"

"He has no idea I'm Agent Y/L/N," I scoffed.

"That's not why I asked," Fornell said, putting his hands up in defense. "I know it's not easy."

"Not easy?" I snapped. "Of course, it's not easy lying to the man I love."

"The man you love?" He asked. "I thought you were just dating McGee."

"I've known him since we were little," I sighed, defensively crossing my arms over my chest.

"How long have you been in love with him?" Fornell asked, the tone of his voice turning slightly fatherly.

"Since high school," I shrugged, trying to ignore the guilt rising. The look on Fornell's face dropped.

"He doesn't know, does he?"

"No," I said under my breath as I looked at my feet. "He doesn't know how I feel or that I work for you."

"Damn," Fornell sighed. "I'm sorry, Y/L/N."

"You wimping out on us?" Agent Wilson laughed.

"Never," I said between my clenched teeth.

"Good," he said, his smirk falling. "Cause we need to get a few things before the meet."

* * * * *

I resisted the urge to fix my earpiece. In all my years in the FBI, I've never enjoyed going undercover. Despite what Fornell wants me to believe, I know that the only reason I'm the one to go undercover is because I was young and female.

"You must be Lily."

I smelled the marijuana the second he walked up to me. I slowly turned around and crossed my arms over my chest.

"And you must be Andy," I sighed. "So much for not getting high off your own supply."

"It's not. . ."

"Don't," I cut him off. "You got the stuff or not?"

"You got the cash?" He snapped back. I grabbed the wad of cash out of my back pocket and dramatically showed it to him. He reached for it, but I pulled it back.

"Not until you show me the stuff."

He angrily grunted before digging through his backpack. I hid my smirk when he pulled out a ziplock bag full of coke. Before I could reach for it and arrest him, someone interrupted.

"Get on the ground!"

"NCIS!"

"Both of you, hands on the ground."

"Shit," I mumbled. The second I was surrounded by agents that weren't mine, my agents swarmed the building.

"FBI!"

"Federal agents!"

"Lower your weapons!"

"You lower your weapons!"

I was soon in the middle of an FBI and NCIS standoff. "Son of a. . ." I mumbled under my breath. I pushed down my anger as I turned and was face-to-face with a special NCIS agent.

"Y/N?"

I saw the color drain out of McGee's face when he saw me standing between the two groups of agents.

Andy tried to use the confusion as a distraction but I was faster. When he started to run, I quickly swiped his legs out from under him and got him under control. Once I had him handcuffed, I picked him up and tossed him to one of my agents. I turned around and saw I still had several guns pointed at me.

"Agents," I sighed, turning to my team, "meet NCIS. Special Agents Gibbs, Bishop, Torres and. . . McGee."

"What are you doing here?" Tim asked through his teeth. I let out a deep breath as I moved my jacket aside, showing him and his coworkers my waistband. I watched as McGee's eyes changed when he saw the gun and the badge on my hip.

"What the. . ."

"Is there something you want to tell us, McGee?" Agent Gibbs asked.

"I don't know myself," he mumbled.

I turned around and faced my team. "Can you give us a second? Something tells me NCIS didn't know we were working this case just like how we didn't know they were working this case."

The agents nodded, sending glances toward the NCIS agents. Once they were all gone, I turned toward McGee and his team.

"First, let me apologize, Agent Gibbs," I started. "I was not aware that the Navy was looking into our case."

"We weren't aware that our case was part of an FBI case," Gibbs sighed as he finally put his gun back in the holster. "We were investigating a lieutenant's death."

"A lieutenant?" I asked.

"Lieutenant Chance Taylor."

"Damn," I mumbled. "No one told me he was a Navy Lieutenant."

"Technically, he's not one anymore," Agent Torres said.

"That's interesting, but considering what we knew. . ." I said slowly as I tried to connect this to my case. I looked over to see Tim staring at me with anger in his eyes. "Tim, maybe we should. . ."

"Maybe the two of you can sort this out later," Gibbs suggested but it didn't sound much like a suggestion. "What does the FBI want with Lieutenant Chance Taylor?"

"Before I explain that," I said, feeling Tim's glare on me, "I just want to make it clear that we did not know Taylor was a Navy Lieutenant. If we had, I would've gone to your director right away."

"Really?" Tim scoffed. I ignored the feeling of my heart diving into my stomach.

"Yes," I said firmly. "I know you guys have had some issues in the past with the FBI, but I know the work you all do and I think it's valuable. I would never knowingly step on your toes, Agent Gibbs."

"I believe you, Agent. . ."

"Y/L/N," I finished for Gibbs. I resisted the urge to look at Tim. I didn't think my heart could take the anger in his eyes.

"Agent Y/L/N," Gibbs corrected himself. "Why don't you come back to our offices and we can figure out how our two cases connect?"

I finally looked at Tim to see him looking away, his glare now on something else in the room. I cleared my throat and turned my attention back to Agent Gibbs.

"I think that's a great idea."

* * * * *

As it turns out, NCIS's Lieutenant Taylor was the second in command of the drug cartel I've been chasing. He's been helping build the cartel's range by selling to Navy Petty Officers whenever their ship ported.

Through all the confusion and connection, I haven't had a chance to talk to Tim and explain everything. Once we connected and then proceeded to disconnect our cases, I left NCIS. As soon as I sat down at my desk, the look on Tim's face when he realized who I was popped back into my head.

I leaned back in my chair and ran my fingers through my hair. I already knew what he was probably thinking. I jumped up and quickly went to his apartment. When I got there, Tim wasn't home so I waited out front.

About an hour later, I was sitting on the ground in front of his door when I finally heard footsteps coming down the hallway.

"Y/N," he stuttered when he saw me. "What are you. . ."

"We haven't really had a chance to talk," I started slowly.

"Since FBI Agent Y/L/N interrupted an NCIS case?" He asked passively-aggressively as he forcefully unlocked his apartment and threw the door open.

"Tim," I sighed as I jumped up and followed him inside. I gasped when he angrily spun toward me.

"The FBI," McGee scoffed. "The FBI! You work for the FBI! How long have you worked for the FBI, Y/N?!"

"Almost four years." My answer made him angry.

"You told me that you were in advertising," he shot at me.

"I know," I cringed. "But I didn't have a choice."

"FBI agents don't keep their jobs a secret from the people in their lives," he accused. "You're not the CIA. Unless you are lying to Fornell, too."

"Come on," I sighed. "That's not fair, Tim."

"It's not?!"

"Fornell sends me in undercover," I tried to explain. "Whenever we need eyes on the inside, I'm the one that's sent."

"Why?" He demanded.

"Because I'm a girl," I scoffed. "And young. When I go in, I get ignored. I can walk into a bar and be completely invisible. The FBI loves that, so they always send me. That's why I couldn't tell you. They didn't want to risk my covers being blown."

"That's ridiculous," Tim scoffed. He thought about things for a second before saying, "You never once talked about wanting to join the FBI."

"That's because I didn't think about it," I shrugged. He started to say something but I cut him off, "Look, not all of us knew exactly what we wanted to do once we left high school."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"After we graduated," I sighed, "I didn't know what to do with my life. I never told you this, but I didn't apply to colleges our senior year."

"What do you mean?" He asked, finally calming down.

"You knew from the age of 8 that you were going to go to MIT and do something amazing," I said, walking over and sitting on his couch. "I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I wasn't even sure what college I should go to or what degree I should get. I had no idea what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing, Tim."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Tim asked as he joined me on the couch.

"I was embarrassed," I whispered, not looking up from my hands.

"Too embarrassed to tell me?" Tim sighed as he reached over, gently grabbed my chin, and made me look at him. "I could've helped you, Y/N."

"I didn't want to hold you back," I said, my voice breaking. Tim leaned in and gently pressed his lips to mine. When he broke the kiss, he leaned his forehead against mine.

"I could've helped you figure it out," he whispered. My heart sank when he pulled away and I saw the look on his face.

"I swear, Tim, I didn't know that NCIS was working my case," I whispered. "If I had known you guys were focusing on Lieutenant Chance Taylor, I would've reached out and given you everything I had."

"You really didn't know?" He whispered. "You had no idea that we were working on the same case when we. . . The night we. . ."

"I didn't know until you and your team showed up at the drop," I tried to reassure him. "I swear, Tim. I didn't know when I ran into you at the coffee shop. I didn't know as we stayed until you got a call from work. I didn't know when you called me the next day. I didn't know when we went on our date. I didn't know as we went back to your apartment. And I promise, Tim, I didn't know as we spent the night together."

I was about to say more, but Tim grabbed my face and pressed his lips to mine. The second my lips touched his, I threw my arms around him and kissed him back. Without breaking the kiss, Tim laid me down and slightly hovered over me.

I wanted to shut out the world and focus on me and Tim, but something kept bothering me. It wouldn't leave my mind so I broke the kiss.

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" I asked, slightly out of breath from the kiss.

"You mean your job at the FBI?" Tim asked.

"Our jobs might overlap," I shrugged. "And I've heard about Gibbs and his rules."

Tim laughed as he sat up, pulling me with him. I sighed as he pulled me into his side and relaxed on the couch. "Gibbs has a rule about coworkers dating, but I'm NCIS and you're FBI. It shouldn't be an issue."

"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice soft. Tim sighed as he tightened his hold on me.

"I'm sure," he said as he leaned down and kissed the top of my head. "As long as we don't have any more accidental run-ins, I think we'll be fine. I mean, we almost shot you today, Y/N. And if we had. . ."

"No more accidental run-ins," I said quickly when his sentence got stuck in his throat. "I promise."

Part 2

[stewiesclark]

Second Nature: Chapter Two

Full Series

To be completely honest, Harriet had sort of blacked out that she gave Breanna her number the night before. Not that she blacked out. More so that she completely forgot about it. But she could not ignore it when in the middle of making breakfast with Grace, ding.

Unknown Number: Hi it’s Breanna, this is Harriet, right? If not, this is extremely embarrassing lol

She laughed at the text, but when she went to go pick up her phone to answer it, Grace side-eyed in a light hearted way. “What?” She deadpanned Grace, who was nice to the people that she liked, but was always skeptical over anyone in Harriet’s life that she did not know.

“Who’s that?” She dragged out the syllables of her question to tease Harriet who had always been somewhat secretive about her personal life. It’s not that she doesn't like people to know who she is dating. She just knows that queer relationships operate differently than straight ones and even if the person she is dating or talking to is comfortable with their sexuality being out - you never know. She’s always safe rather than sorry.

Granted, she was not dating Breanna, it just had a romantic connotation and she does not know her nearly well enough to make these judgements on Breanna. “Oh. It’s just a friend who I met last night and before you ask, it’s not like that.”

Grace nodded without saying anything because they both knew that she was half lying. Even though she believed Harriet in theory, she knew that everything revolving around Harriet’s personal life was so closed off in recent years and they both understood why and her boundary was respected but it sometimes made it hard to communicate with Harriet.

Once Grace was doing her part in making breakfast and Harriet finished for the time being she texted back.

Harriet 📖: Yes! This is Harriet. Hello!

Breanna 🦅: Oh cool, if it wasn’t I think I would have to flee the country.

Harriet 📖: Ctrl + Alt + Dlt really got to you that’s crazy.

Breanna 🦅: Enough about me fleeing to Mexico! I was wondering if you were free Friday night? I liked talking to you and I would like to get to know you better.

To be perfectly clear, that message made Harriet laugh more than she should have.

Harriet 📖: I would love to!

Now, it’s Friday. The soft glow of the Italian restaurant’s lights bathed the small dining room in a golden hue, reflecting off the rustic brick walls and casting a warm, welcoming ambiance. The low hum of chatter mixed with the occasional clink of silverware, and the faint scent of garlic and basil filled the air. It was the perfect blend of cozy and intimate, which suited Harriet just fine. As she pushed open the heavy wooden door, her eyes quickly scanned the room for Breanna, and she spotted her near the window, fidgeting slightly with her napkin.

Breanna looked up, her face lighting up with a mixture of relief and excitement when she saw Harriet approaching. Despite her calm exterior, Harriet could sense the underlying nerves; Breanna had the look of someone who was both eager and slightly out of her element. It was endearing, and Harriet couldn't help but smile.

"Hey," Harriet greeted, sliding into the seat across from Breanna. "Sorry if I'm a little late."

"No, you're fine," Breanna waved it off with a shy smile. "I just got here a few minutes ago." She paused before adding, "I wasn't sure if you'd remember… you know, agreeing to this."

Now it sounds like a business meeting, great.

Harriet let out a light chuckle. "Honestly, I almost forgot until your text. But I’m glad I didn’t."

That seemed to put Breanna at ease. The two exchanged casual pleasantries—talk of classes, the typical stress of balancing school and life. As they settled in, the conversation naturally turned to food.

“I’m really into pasta, honestly,” Breanna confessed, her eyes brightening. “There’s this dish, fettuccine Alfredo with extra garlic and a little bit of spice—it’s like heaven. I always get it when I’m stressed.”

Harriet raised an eyebrow. “A comfort dish, huh? I get that. Italian food is kind of my go-to too, though I’m more of a classic spaghetti and meatballs person. Nothing too fancy, but when it’s done right, it’s unbeatable.”

Breanna smiled wider, clearly pleased by the food talk. “Right? There’s something about good pasta that just makes everything better. Plus, it’s kind of hard to mess up.”

“Well,” Harriet said, grinning, “that’s debatable. I’ve seen some culinary crimes committed in the name of ‘pasta.’”

Breanna laughed, the sound genuine and full of warmth, and for the first time that evening, Harriet realized how comfortable she felt. It wasn’t often she allowed herself to just sit back and enjoy moments like these. She noticed how Breanna’s enthusiasm seemed to bubble over when she talked about things she was passionate about, like food. There was an openness to her that Harriet found both refreshing and intriguing.

“So, are you always this passionate about pasta, or do you have other things you get worked up about?” Harriet asked, leaning in slightly, her tone playful.

Breanna blushed a little, but her smile didn’t waver. “You caught me—I get pretty worked up about a lot of things. Basketball, obviously but I don’t really think that counts. I could talk about it for hours, though I’m trying to tone it down so I don’t bore you on our first… hangout.”

Harriet smirked at the small hesitation before “hangout” and chose not to comment. “I don’t think you could bore me if you tried.”

Breanna’s eyes flickered with surprise at Harriet’s words, but she quickly recovered. “We’ll see about that.”

The conversation flowed easily from there, the initial nerves on Breanna’s side giving way to a comfortable rhythm. Harriet found herself genuinely enjoying the exchange, feeling a connection with Breanna that was rare for her. She wasn’t sure what it was yet, but she was curious—curious enough to let her guard down, if only a little.

As the waiter came by to take their order, Breanna glanced over the menu. “You ever try their lasagna? I’ve heard good things.”

Harriet shook her head. “No, but I’m willing to try anything once.”

Breanna grinned. “That’s a dangerous statement to make.”

Harriet smirked. “I like living on the edge.”

Breanna rolled her eyes playfully, but there was a glimmer of excitement in them, and Harriet could feel the same excitement building inside her. This evening was turning out to be much more interesting than she had expected.

Harriet noticed there were pits of tomato within the sauce which grossed her out and the expression spiked an interest from Breanna. “I just hate tomatoes,” she laughed off.

“Oh wow, I love them.”

“You try this then,” she joked and Breanna took a bite, enjoying herself which added to the banter and fun of the evening.

Breanna and Harriet settled more comfortably into their seats. The atmosphere had shifted from their light, playful banter to something deeper as they began sharing more personal stories.

Breanna took a bite of her fettuccine Alfredo, savoring it for a moment before setting her fork down. “You know,” she started, her voice thoughtful, “basketball wasn’t always something I thought I’d be serious about. It was just this thing I did when I was a kid, kind of a way to burn energy, you know?”

Harriet nodded, listening intently as she twirled her spaghetti on her fork. “So, what changed?”

Breanna smiled at the question, her eyes lighting up with the memory. “It was my first major game. I was 15, and I got called up to play in a regional tournament. I was nervous, totally freaked out, honestly. It was the kind of game that could make or break you. I remember walking onto the court, my heart pounding so loud I thought everyone could hear it. But once the ball was in play, everything just… clicked. All the noise, the pressure, it disappeared, and it was just me and the game.”

She paused, eyes distant as she recalled the rush of adrenaline, the way everything fell into place. “We won, and I played the best I ever had. After that, I knew basketball wasn’t just a pastime. It was something I could do, something I wanted to do for real. The discipline, the teamwork, the physical and mental challenge—it became my life.”

Harriet was quiet for a moment, processing what Breanna had said. There was an intensity in Breanna’s voice, a raw passion that she admired. “That’s... amazing. I can’t even imagine the kind of pressure that comes with something like that. I mean, having everyone’s eyes on you, expecting you to perform at your best.”

Breanna shrugged modestly. “It’s a lot, but I thrive on it. There’s something about pushing myself that makes me feel alive. Plus, basketball’s given me a lot—a scholarship, a chance to travel, meet new people. I owe it a lot.”

Harriet smiled softly. “It sounds like it really shaped who you are.”

Breanna nodded, but then leaned forward, her gaze curious. “What about you? I mean, I know you’re into engineering and economics, which is, like, so far from what I do.” She chuckled a bit before regaining eye contact with her again.

Harriet chuckled, a little self-conscious. “It’s definitely different from basketball, that’s for sure. But yeah, I’ve always been fascinated by how things work—how systems fit together, whether it’s mechanical systems in engineering or economic systems in society. There’s something satisfying about solving complex problems and making things more efficient.”

Breanna’s eyebrows lifted in interest, and Harriet continued, feeling more at ease now that they were talking about something she was passionate about.

“I think what really hooked me was this project I worked on last year,” Harriet said, her voice gaining momentum. “We were tasked with designing a sustainable energy solution for rural communities, something cost-effective and easy to implement. My group and I ended up creating a solar-powered water filtration system. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked, and the idea that something we designed could genuinely improve people’s lives? That was it for me.”

Breanna’s expression shifted to one of genuine awe. “That’s incredible, Harriet. I mean, that’s not just studying for the sake of studying. You’re actually doing something that can make a real impact.”

Harriet blushed slightly, unused to this kind of attention for her work. “I guess. I just... I want to use what I’m learning to make things better, especially in places that don’t have access to the resources we take for granted. There’s a lot of inequality in the world, and I feel like economics and engineering are tools to address that, to build solutions.”

Breanna rested her chin on her hand, watching Harriet closely. “You’re really driven. It’s impressive. Most people don’t even know what they want, let alone have a plan to get there.”

Harriet gave a small smile. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. But honestly, I’m still figuring it out. There are days when I question everything, and wonder if I’m even on the right path.”

Breanna nodded, her tone softening. “I get that. There are games where I mess up so bad I wonder if basketball’s even the right thing for me. But then I remember why I love it and what it’s given me. It sounds like you’ve got that same kind of drive, even if you’re still figuring out the details.”

Harriet looked at Breanna, feeling a deeper connection forming. There was something about hearing Breanna’s journey, the parallels of their different worlds—sports and academics, physical discipline and intellectual pursuit—that made her feel understood in a way she hadn’t expected.

“I guess we’re both just trying to make sense of things, huh?” Harriet said with a small smile.

Breanna grinned back. “Yeah, I guess we are.” 

The conversation lulled as they both took a moment to enjoy their meal, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Harriet could feel the weight of the stories they had shared lingering between them, creating a new layer of understanding. She was impressed by Breanna’s dedication to her sport and the quiet confidence she carried despite her struggles. And Breanna, for her part, seemed equally intrigued by Harriet’s intellectual curiosity and her ambition to change the world in her own way.

The warm lights of the restaurant gradually faded behind them as Breanna and Harriet strolled through the quiet campus, their takeout bags in hand. The evening air was crisp but not too cold, and the sky had taken on a soft shade of purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. It was Breanna’s idea to move to the nearby park—something about the fresh air and the open sky seemed to call for a more laid-back atmosphere, away from the noise of the restaurant.

Harriet glanced at Breanna as they walked, the soft glow of the street lamps highlighting Breanna’s relaxed expression. There was something calming about the way Breanna carried herself now, less nervous, more at ease. The casual flow of their earlier conversation had done its job, breaking the tension and bringing them to this more comfortable place.

“You sure it’s not too chilly for the park?” Harriet asked, though she already knew the answer. 

Breanna shook her head, her lips quivering into a smile. “Nah, I love the cold. Plus, it’s not like we’ll be out here all night.”

They arrived at the park, its winding paths illuminated by soft lighting, and Harriet immediately noticed how quiet it was. A few people were scattered here and there, but for the most part, it was peaceful—just the sound of the breeze rustling through the trees and the distant hum of traffic from the city.

“There’s a bench over there,” Breanna pointed toward a spot that overlooked a small hill. “Perfect view.”

Harriet followed her lead, the two settling down on the bench with their takeout bags. The city skyline twinkled faintly in the distance, and the moon hung low, casting a silver glow across the park. Harriet couldn’t remember the last time she’d just sat outside like this, appreciating the simple beauty of the night. 

Breanna leaned back on the bench, stretching her legs out in front of her, and sighed contentedly. “This is nice. I don’t get to just sit and chill like this very often.”

“Yeah?” Harriet asked, setting her food on her lap. “Always on the go, I’m guessing?”

Breanna nodded, taking a bite of her pasta. “Pretty much. Between basketball, classes, and trying to keep up with everything, it feels like I’m always running around. But moments like this… they’re rare, and I like them when I can get them.”

Harriet smiled, relating in her own way. “I get that. I’m usually buried in work, trying to meet deadlines. It’s easy to forget how nice it is to just... be.”

Breanna looked over at her, a soft expression on her face. “Yeah. It’s good to slow down sometimes. To actually have a real conversation, you know?”

There was something about the way she said it that made Harriet’s heart skip a beat. This wasn’t just a casual hangout anymore; they had crossed into something more, though it was hard to define exactly what that was. Harriet wasn’t sure if Breanna felt it too, but there was an undeniable connection growing between them.

“So,” Breanna said after a moment, breaking the silence. “What made you switch to economics and engineering? You said you were fascinated by how things work, but... was there a specific moment that sparked it?”

Harriet hesitated, her fingers playing with the edge of her food container. “I guess it was gradual. Growing up, I didn’t have much, and I watched my family struggle with money. I grew up in this small town in Indiana, and there wasn’t a lot of opportunity. It got me thinking about why certain places thrive and others don’t. I realized that so much of it has to do with access—access to resources, education, infrastructure. I wanted to understand that better, and engineering felt like a way to do something about it, to create solutions.”

Breanna’s eyes softened. “That’s… wow. It’s like you’re trying to fix the world. One project at a time.”

Harriet laughed quietly, a bit self-conscious. “It sounds ambitious when you say it like that, but I guess, yeah, that’s the goal.”

Breanna leaned back, gazing up at the sky. “I think it’s amazing. Most people just live their lives without really thinking about the bigger picture. You’re out here trying to make a difference.”

There was a pause, a moment of quiet as they both took in the weight of what had been said. Harriet wasn’t used to this—someone genuinely appreciating her, not just for her intellect but for what she wanted to do with it. It made her feel seen in a way that was new, and that realization both excited and scared her.

“And what about you?” Harriet asked, wanting to shift the focus. “You’ve got this amazing career in basketball ahead of you. Have you thought about what comes after that?”

Breanna was quiet for a moment, as if she hadn’t fully considered the question before. “Honestly, I don’t know. Basketball’s been my whole life for so long, and yeah, I love it. But I know it won’t last forever. I know that I will likely go to the pros but after that I’m not quite sure. Maybe coaching? Or something completely different. I just... haven’t figured that part out yet.”

Harriet nodded, understanding the uncertainty. “You’ve got time. No need to rush into it.”

Breanna smiled at her, and for a moment, they just sat there, enjoying the cool breeze and the peacefulness of the park. The openness of the conversation, the vulnerability they had shared—it felt like they had crossed some invisible threshold. Harriet realized that she was more comfortable with Breanna than she’d been with anyone in a long time. 

Breanna broke the silence again, her voice soft and thoughtful. “I’m really glad we did this. Tonight, I mean. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but... it’s been nice.”

Harriet met her gaze and smiled, feeling the warmth between them. “Yeah. It really has.” 

The soft glow of the city lights in the distance cast a faint shimmer on the park as Harriet and Breanna sat quietly on the bench. The gentle hum of the evening breeze made the moment feel peaceful, as though time had slowed down just for them. After finishing their meal, they had fallen into a comfortable silence, enjoying the stillness of the night. But Harriet could sense that there was more beneath the surface—more to be said, more to be shared.

Breanna was the first to break the silence. “So, biomedical engineering, huh? That’s pretty intense.” She turned to face Harriet, her expression curious but warm.

Harriet smiled, though there was a hint of hesitation in her eyes. “Yeah, it’s something I’ve always wanted to pursue. There’s so much potential to make an impact in that field—like developing technologies that can save lives or improve people’s quality of life. I mean, who wouldn’t want to do that?”

Breanna nodded, but she could sense there was more to the story. “Sounds like it’s more than just a career choice for you. It’s personal.”

Harriet looked down at her hands, fidgeting with the sleeve of her jacket. “It is. I guess, for me, it’s about combining my love for engineering with something that feels meaningful. Don’t get me wrong, I love economics—it’s like this big puzzle that explains how the world works. But biomedical engineering... It's about people. It’s about helping people directly. Plus, I think pursuing economics professionally can turn into something evil and money first which is not for me.” She kept it vague for sake of a trauma dump.

Breanna’s expression softened as she listened. “That’s huge. I mean, not everyone has that kind of clarity about what they want to do. You’re driven in a way that most people aren’t.”

Harriet’s smile faded slightly. “Yeah, but sometimes... I wonder if I’m too driven. Like, I’m so focused on my future, my goals, that I don’t leave room for anything else. Especially when it comes to personal stuff.”

Breanna tilted her head, sensing the vulnerability in Harriet’s words. “You mean relationships?”

Harriet nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the distant city skyline. “Yeah. It’s hard to balance everything—school, projects, trying to be fulfilled in every area of my life without making myself miserable. And then there’s this other part of me that wants connection, that wants to have people in my life who actually matter. But it feels like I have to choose one or the other. I can’t have both.”

Breanna leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees as she looked at Harriet. “I get that. I mean, basketball... It's my life. It’s given me so much, but the pressure to keep up, to be the best, it’s exhausting. There’s this expectation that I always have to perform, to be perfect. It’s like people are waiting for me to slip up, and sometimes, I feel like I’m carrying the weight of everyone’s expectations on my shoulders.”

Harriet’s eyes softened as Breanna spoke. There was something incredibly raw about the way she described her struggles—an honesty that Harriet wasn’t used to hearing from someone so outwardly strong.

“That sounds like a lot,” Harriet said gently. “I can’t even imagine what that kind of pressure feels like.”

Breanna shrugged, though her expression remained serious. “It’s tough. Don’t get me wrong, I love the game, and I’m grateful for the opportunities it’s given me. But there are times when I wonder if it’s worth it. Like, what if I don’t live up to the expectations? What if I’m not good enough?”

Harriet’s heart ached at the vulnerability in Breanna’s voice. “Breanna, from everything you’ve told me, it sounds like you’re more than good enough. But I get it—the fear of failing, of not meeting expectations, it’s real. I feel it too, especially with the pressure I put on myself.”

Breanna met her gaze, her eyes searching Harriet’s face for a moment. “It’s comforting to hear that, you know? That I’m not the only one who feels like this. I think... I spend so much time trying to act like I’ve got it all together, but the truth is, I don’t.”

Harriet smiled softly. “No one really does. We’re all just pretending half the time.”

Breanna chuckled, the sound light but tinged with a hint of relief. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“You know,” Harriet said quietly, her voice softer now, “it’s really brave of you to open up like that. A lot of people would just hide behind the mask of being ‘perfect.’”

Breanna glanced at her, her expression a mixture of gratitude and something else Harriet couldn’t quite place. “I guess I feel like I can be real with you. You don’t judge me, and you actually listen. That’s rare.”

Harriet’s heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in Breanna’s words. She hadn’t expected to have this kind of impact on someone like Breanna—someone who was so confident and put-together on the outside but had her own set of fears and insecurities lurking beneath the surface.

“I’m glad,” Harriet said softly. “Because I feel the same way. It’s hard for me to open up to people, but with you... it feels different.”

Breanna smiled, her eyes warm and understanding. “I’m really glad we did this tonight, Harriet. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I texted you, but I feel like I’ve known you for longer than just a couple of days.”

Harriet returned the smile, a sense of calm washing over her. “Yeah, I feel that too. It’s like... we just get each other.”

Breanna nodded, and for a moment, neither of them said anything. They didn’t need to. The shared vulnerability between them had deepened their connection in a way that words couldn’t fully capture.

As they sat there on the bench, the night growing darker and the city lights twinkling in the distance, Harriet realized that this was the kind of moment she had been missing in her life—the balance between ambition and connection, the feeling of being understood by someone who wasn’t afraid to share their own struggles.

As the evening air grew cooler and the lights of the park started to flicker on, Harriet and Breanna gathered their things and began the walk back toward the edge of campus. Their conversation had slowed, not from lack of interest, but from the comfortable silence that had settled between them after such a meaningful exchange. The rhythmic crunch of leaves beneath their feet and the distant hum of traffic filled the quiet.

Harriet glanced sideways at Breanna, who seemed more at ease now than when they’d first met up earlier that evening. There was a lightness to the way she moved, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“So,” Harriet started, breaking the silence, “what’s the verdict? Did my company live up to your expectations, or were you ready to call it quits halfway through the night?” She grinned, a playful edge to her voice.

Breanna chuckled, shaking her head. “Oh, absolutely. Halfway through, I was planning my escape route. You know, a quick fake phone call or something,” she joked, looking over at Harriet with a mischievous glint in her eye. “But then you made me laugh, so I decided to stick around.”

Harriet rolled her eyes with a mock sigh of relief. “Phew, glad I could convince you to stay.”

“Nah, honestly, this was great,” Breanna said, her tone shifting to something a little more sincere. “I really enjoyed tonight. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but... I don’t know, I’m glad we did this.”

“Me too,” Harriet replied, her voice softening. She felt that same sense of connection stirring again, and it made her both excited and slightly nervous. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a night like this—just talking and getting to know someone.”

They walked a little further, the campus lights coming into view as they neared the main road. Harriet realized that she didn’t want the night to end—not yet, at least. There was something about Breanna that made her feel open, relaxed in a way she hadn’t expected. And as much as she wanted to hold onto that feeling, she knew that their time tonight was winding down.

“So, about that rematch,” Breanna said suddenly, breaking Harriet’s train of thought.

“Rematch?” Harriet asked, raising an eyebrow. “Did we have a match in the first place?”

Breanna gave her a playful nudge. “Not yet, but we will. You play basketball?”

Harriet laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, no. No, no. I’d embarrass myself out there.”

“Come on,” Breanna teased, stepping in front of her and walking backward for a few steps, her smile wide and inviting. “You can’t be that bad. I’ll take it easy on you. Plus, I need someone to help me practice my coaching skills.”

“Is that what this is?” Harriet asked, grinning as she stepped around her. “A scouting opportunity for your coaching career?”

“Maybe,” Breanna said, falling back into step beside her. “Or maybe I just want an excuse to hang out again.”

Harriet’s heart did a small flip at the honesty behind Breanna’s words. “I see what you did there,” she teased, though the smile on her face betrayed her own excitement.

Breanna laughed, a light and carefree sound that hung in the evening air. “Hey, I’m just being honest. I like spending time with you.”

Harriet couldn’t help but smile. “Well, in that case, I guess I can’t say no to a rematch. But don’t say I didn’t warn you—I’m really bad.”

“Challenge accepted,” Breanna said, her voice filled with playful confidence.

As they reached the edge of the campus, where their paths would split off toward their respective transportation, they both slowed their pace, as if neither wanted to be the first to leave. The moment stretched out, a quiet acknowledgment that this was the end of their night together, at least for now.

“So,” Breanna said, turning to face Harriet fully, “we’ll set up that rematch soon, right?”

Harriet nodded, her smile soft but genuine. “Definitely. I had a lot of fun tonight, Breanna. I’m looking forward to hanging out again.”

Breanna’s eyes twinkled under the streetlights, and she gave a small, satisfied nod. “Same here. It was really nice. We’ll figure out a time soon.”

They stood there for a brief moment, both unsure of how to end the night but equally content to let it linger. Finally, Harriet spoke.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you soon, then,” she said, her voice warm.

“Count on it,” Breanna replied, a grin playing on her lips.

With that, they parted ways—Harriet heading toward the bus stop, and Breanna walking off toward the parking lot. Harriet couldn’t help but glance back once, seeing Breanna give a small wave before disappearing into the night.

As Harriet walked toward her bus, she felt a quiet sense of excitement bubbling inside her. It wasn’t just the potential friendship or even the chemistry between them—it was the feeling of having connected with someone in a real, honest way. Including the fact that Breanna had offered to drive her back but Harriet insisted on going back on her own. She can be stubborn like that. But nonetheless, she felt optimistic, like this was the beginning of something good.

Breanna, meanwhile, climbed into her car, still smiling to herself as she replayed the evening in her head. The conversation, the laughter, the shared vulnerabilities—it all felt so natural, so right. And as she drove home, she found herself already looking forward to their next hangout, eager to see where this budding connection would take them.

As Harriet sat on the bus, the gentle sway of the ride pulling her into a state of quiet reflection, her mind kept drifting back to the evening. The warmth of Breanna’s laughter, the sincerity in her voice, the easy way they had slipped into conversation—it all felt like a breath of fresh air. She couldn’t stop replaying moments from their time together, each one leaving her with a smile.

She leaned her head against the cool window, watching the city lights blur by, but her thoughts were focused entirely on Breanna. There was something about her—an authenticity that Harriet hadn’t expected. Breanna was open and honest in a way that disarmed her. It wasn’t just the vulnerability they’d shared, though that had left an impression. It was her passion for basketball, the way she spoke about her drive and her struggles. Breanna wasn’t afraid to admit that she didn’t have it all figured out, and Harriet admired that more than she realized.

It was strange, really—how quickly they had connected. Harriet was usually so guarded, so careful with her personal life, yet here she was, feeling completely at ease with someone she had only just met. And not just ease. There was a spark of excitement, a curiosity that Breanna had awakened in her. She found herself wondering what other layers there were to uncover, what else they would share in the coming days.

Harriet’s thoughts wandered to the moments when Breanna had made her laugh, when they had playfully teased each other like old friends. There was something so natural about it all, as though they had known each other far longer than just a couple of days. She liked that. She liked the way Breanna could be both confident and unassuming, strong but unafraid to show vulnerability.

As she thought about their next hangout, about that playful challenge to a basketball rematch, she couldn’t help but feel a growing anticipation.  Breanna had made an impact on her tonight. More than Harriet expected. She felt seen and heard, and in return, she had seen a side of Breanna that was real and genuine. It was rare, refreshing, and for once had Harriet filled with a sense of optimism.

[echobx]

One Chance 4 - Leo Grecco × fem!reader

summary: y/n's relationship with Leo takes a few bigger steps

word count: 1.6k

warnings: hard launch of relationship, making out, smut, oral (fem receiving)

author's note: hmmmm I wish he'd do that shit to me alright. I'm so fucking serious. you'll see what I mean.

masterlist part 3

   The worst part that morning is definitely walking into school, your fingers intertwine with Leo's and every guy's eyes lock down on the gesture. 

   “Can't wait for this to blow over,” you sigh while opening your locker. 

   “Oh, it won't,” Sean tells you, and you throw your head back with a groan. 

   “What do I have to do to make it stop?” 

   “You can't do anything about this,” Jack whispers just as a group of boys come closer. 

   “You know, you could do way better than Grecco,” the tallest one of them looks you up and down. 

   “Fuck off,” you hiss before Leo puts himself between you and him, not letting you spit any more venom at the guy. 

   “Get lost, Miller,” he growls, and the guy keeps walking, taking his friends with him, yet you don't feel like it will be your last encounter with them. 

   “This is what happens when you don't claim your territory, man,” Sean claps on Leo's shoulder. 

   “That's bullshit,” you scoff, but the three boys look at you as if you're crazy. “I'm going to class.” 

   “It's not bullshit,” Leo says while following you. 

   “It is. They should stop being assholes. Actually, they should've never even started,” you argue. 

  “They won't do that though,” he takes your hand and pulls you to his side. “You should really mark your territory,” he whispers, before entering his classroom and leaving you standing in the middle of the hallway, baffled and unsure what to do next. 

   “What if you just fuck me in the middle of the cafeteria,” you suggest more as a joke than anything, and you're glad that Leo is amused by it, instead of considering it. He was waiting on the opposite side of the classroom you were in when you walked out. 

   “Only if you can magically make us not get expelled for it,” he laughs. 

   “Making out is so old school and also, who'd wanna see that?” you sigh, letting your head fall to his chest. 

   “Or, you can just wear my jacket,” Leo proposes, and you pick your head up to look at him. “I never wear it, it's at home. You can have it if you want,” he shrugs, and you pull him down by his neck to kiss him, his hands finding your waist to pull you closer into him. 

   “Real boyfriend girlfriend shit,” you whisper a giggle and he smiles. 

   From that on it gets easier at school, and Leo even introduces you to his parents instead of sneaking around all the time. Other than that, things mostly stay the same. You make out and teach him dirty talk, which was a funny experiment with a lot of giggles and kisses. 

   Your dad is painfully unaware of what is going on with you, because you think it's easier to introduce the two of you once you're too close to finishing the year for it to be okay to switch schools again. 

   “Your birthday is coming up, right?” Leo asks, lying on your bed while you were trying to do some homework that was long overdue. 

   “How do you know that?” you ask, eyes still fixed on your laptop. 

   “I'm attentive,” he says, and you turn to look at him. 

   “I never even mentioned my birthday.” 

   “You did an Instagram post last year. You think I wouldn't check your insta?” He seems amused by your perplexed reaction. 

   “Why is my birthday an important topic right now?” you ask, and he gets up and leans over you. 

   “We could do something special,” he suggests, and you gulp while staring up into his blue eyes. 

   “What kind of special?” you whisper and he smirks. 

   “When you're done, we should take a shower, it's hot in here without AC.”

   “You said it was okay,” you pout. 

   “It's not your fault that it broke. And that wasn't my main focus either,” he whispers and kisses you, pulling away almost instantly. “I will go take a shower now.” 

   You are nervous when you walk into the bathroom. Leo makes you nervous. Doing things slow makes you nervous. And showering with him is a big step, one you didn't plan. Yet here you stand, watching him through the milky glass of the shower door and debating whether you should step in or not. 

   “Are you getting in or not?” he asks with a chuckle. 

   “Maybe we should wait and-” before you can finish your sentence, he has opened the door and picked you up to stand in front of him. “Now I'm all wet,” you complain, feeling your shirt and shorts soak through and stick to your skin. 

   “Should've taken your clothes off first,” Leo rasps and kisses you, demanding and harsh. You gasp and melt into him, how his hands hold onto your head, fingers threading through your hair. 

   When he pulls back, you know you've lost. Whatever he wants, he can have, you'll give it to him no matter what. 

   You try to pull your shirt up, but the wet fabric doesn't like to cooperate until Leo helps you peel it off and throws it over the shower door onto the tiled floor. Your shorts and bra follow soon after. 

   It's only when he looks down at you that you realize that you're both naked. You’ve pictured him a lot, but reality was even better. A silent “wow” leaves your lips, and you can't seem to be able to look away until Leo pulls your head up. 

   “I wanna fuck you,” he whispers against your lips before kissing you again, pressing his whole body into you, caging you in between him and the cold tile behind you. 

   “You should fuck me,” you sigh as his lips travel over your neck, sucking on your sweet spot right below your ear and making your hips buck against him. 

   “Wanna do something else first,” he smirks and you nod. There's nothing in this world you would say no to if it ended with him rearranging your guts. 

   “Anything, please,” your lips are trembling with need when he picks you up, and you wrap yourself around him. 

   He lays you down on your bed, standing over you like Adonis himself. The longer you are together, the more he opens up, becoming more flirty and cocky because he knows how much it turns you on. 

   “Lock the door,” you remind him quickly, not wanting any kind of interruption, and as soon as it's done he's back with you. Leaning over you and kissing himself down your body, humming sweet nothing's and making you whimper. 

   “Need you,” you moan, and Leo looks up at you before softly biting your hip. 

   “My pretty girl,” he muses, pulling your dripping slip off and throwing it to the floor. 

   Before you can register what is happening, he's kissing your clit, and you're arching your back into his touch. His arms are looped around your thighs, holding you down and making it impossible to move away from him, even if you wanted to. 

   “Oh God!” you moan as he begins to lick long strides up your cunt and swirling his tongue over your clit. No one has ever done this to you, and you're glad about it, because you decide that it's the best feeling in the world. Leo is worshiping you with his mouth and bringing you closer to an orgasm with every move he makes. Your fingers thread through his hair, pulling on it and shoving him deeper into you to grind against his face. When his thumb attaches to your clit to rub slow circles, and his tongue plunges into your tight cunt, you can feel the band inside you snap. Moaning his name louder than you thought yourself possible, you come undone for him, falling limp under his hold while your pussy flutters around nothing. 

   Leo gets up and places himself by your side, but all you can manage to do is roll onto your stomach and scream into your pillow, out of pure bliss. 

   He brushes your hair to the side to be able to look at you. “Good?” 

   You turn your head to look at him fully, his wet grin, the dilated pupils, hair hanging into his face. “I love you,” you breathe and although it's not what you had ever thought to tell him, not yet, you know it's true. 

   Leo smiles, scooching closer and brushing his nose against yours. “You taste incredible,” he whispers before pecking your lips. “And I love you,” he says more clearly, making sure you actually heard him before pulling you on top of him. 

   “How did you know how to do that?” you ask, your head resting on his chest. 

   “Lesbian sub-reddit,” he whispers, and you have to laugh. 

   “Why didn't you just ask me?”

   “Would've ruined the surprise,” he smiles and rubs his warm palms over your back. 

   “I'd thank you, but I don't think I have any control over my body right now,” you mumble, kissing his sweaty skin. 

   “Next time,” he chuckles, and you sigh contently. 

   But the tranquility that is wrapped around you doesn't last long when you hear the front door open and, a view minutes later, your father's voice bellows through the apartment. 

   “Y/n, what's this mess,” he yells, and you jump up, quickly putting any clothes on you can find. 

   “Shit,” Leo hisses under his breath. 

   “Where are your clothes?” you ask him desperately, but he doesn't have to say anything for you to read his mind. He got undressed in the bathroom, where your dad is standing right at this moment. 

   Quickly, you grab a pair of sweatpants and an oversized shirt of your and hope that they'll both fit him. “Put this on, quickly,” you whisper-yell, and he follows your command.

read part 5 here

please don't copy and/or post my work onto other platforms! ~e©ho

taglist: @redhead1180 @princessmaybank

[thevoiceinyourheadx]

@wheresarizona you tag me? In a...thing? An actual non taglist thing? 🥹🥹 You absolutely made my day! ❤️

Honestly I am waaaay too excited about this 😂 but I feel like a real member of the community now! 🥹

1. are you named after anyone?

Kinda? I was almost named after a medieval queen, because my mum is a huge history nerd, but apparently my nan vetoed it. (Kinda glad she did, because there were at least 6 other girls with that name in my year) So I ended up with a less common version. And my middle names (I have too many...) are all after family members

2. when was the last time you cried?

I mean, I came pretty close when I was tagged to do this (because I have no friends 😅).

But the last time I cried was yesterday (because I have no friends 😭 let's just say the covid years have not been kind to me)

3. do you have kids?

I have a fur baby! But no human children

4. do you use sarcasm a lot?

Me? Never!

5. what’s the first thing you notice about people?

I'd say it's probably people's facial expression, or their eyes

6. what’s your eye colour?

I have two tone eyes - blue with a green ring inside! I'm very fond of my eyes

7. scary movies or happy endings?

I am a baby, so happy endings all the way. My anxiety way too high for scary movies and life already sucks, so let's see some Happily Ever Afters, thank you!

8. any special talents?

Figuring out the twist in movies 🤣 Part of the reason I love Glass Onion so much is that I DIDN'T figure out the big twist before it was revealed

9. where were you born?

I’m tempted to put the actual name of the suburb I was born, because it's hilarious, but it’s also very specific...So let’s just go with I was born in Sydney, Australia - and you can look up funny Australian place names if you want to know why I love them so much!

10: what are your hobbies?

Reading, embroidery, reading, watching history videos, reading, writing stories I never finish...

11. have you any pets?

My kitty, Charlie, who I will talk your ears off about if given the chance. He was a rescue baby who I bottle fed and he now follows me around like a puppy.

12: what sports do you play/have you played?

According to my high school transcript, volleyball 😂 (we didn’t have a volleyball team?) I DID play field hockey, however, and my team was responsible for two new rules having to be implemented in one season 😅

13: how tall are you?

Uh...163cm, I think? I honestly can’t remember the last time I measured myself

14. favourite subject in school?

Science! Especially when it involved chemicals. My teacher once told the class to NEVER put magnesium in an open flame...guess what I did two minutes later? 😅 13-year-old me could NOT be left unsupervised.

15. dream job?

Does crazy cat lady count? Honestly, at this stage I don’t have a dream job - I just want to chill in a cottage in a forest with my 17 various pets, reading and doing crafts

So I'm not going to tag anyone because my anxiety makes me think I'm annoying everyone 🙃 and I'm just going to post this before I overthink it anymore 😂

[fighting-these-demons]

First Episode Season 5!!!!! Woooooo!!!

I'm not loving the first opening (and what will undoubtedly be the final track that plays fir the end of the season) but that's ok.

Oh wow Kaburagi is gonna be the one at the Finish Line?

It looked like his hair anyway. I know that Naruko was the lead up to that shot but it looked like Kaburagi's hair.

Huh. They flattened Imaizumi's chin? Did they animation crew decide on that independently?

It's been less than 24 hours and he's got a new face.

How could they break the tip off of his Dorrito Chin? 😫😭💔 Imaizumi what have they done to you?????

He looks like he went through a second puberty via time travel.

Everyone's hair is Wrong too. Naruko's and Onoda's isn't spiky enough at the top... Teshima and Aoyagis hair is too short... it shouldn't be peaking out of his helmet like it is at that length.

We traveled back in time 20 minutes and they yanked Teshima and Aoyagi from their 1st year of high school and dropped them here. Meanwhile they snatched Imaizumi from one if his college classes and threw him in here.

Naruko also looks like he got yanked from his last year of middle school.

What is going on here?????

Who let them do this?????

These budget cuts are CRAZY. The difference in animation from season 4 to season 5 is stunning (derogatory).

I know Sohoku didn't cut their hair the night before but now I have to headcanon it that way because it simply doesn't make sense otherwise.

They toned down Naruko's dialogue with Onoda from the last episode. :(

They made Kaburagi seem nervous instead of excited?

They made only Naruko shout "Go!!!" When the whole team shouted it before in the last episode and they animated it as if he was asking a casual question in a worried tone like checking up on Onoda as opposed to cheering him on.

How weird. It doesn't sync with the audio either.

You can really tell this is where the studio was losing money and patience. 😞

Ah I see it's it's spell cast by Midousuji chanting Morph Morph Morph!

He morphed the cast.

Also I know that Kyoto Fushimi had backup riders before the race... why don't they have a 6th guy to replace the one they lost the day before?

The way they're animating them moving side to side in close ups is making me motion sick! 😖

That's interesting. They didn't attack before Onoda caught up last episode but now they are.

Oh Wooooow!!!!!! It's big Imainoda hours this season!!!! Woooooo!!!!! 🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊

I hope they still throw Imaisugi some bones though!

I'm glad for Imaizumi! He deserves these moments! 💖💖💖

Dang he LOVES these moments of getting to metaphorically hold someone's hand and teach them through new experiences! This has got to be Peak for him! Good for him!!!

Gayest Dialog Ever God Bless! 💖🎊

Imaizumi's STAYING CALM after that????

THE SMIRK

Saying "That's not something you should be saying right now." ??????????

They really did pull him out of time from college!!! Holy shit the raw confidence!!! Good for him! Holy shit!

"No, that's not right. If you felt like saying it during a race, then that's the time to say it."

"Road races are similar to the passage of time; at times they change at dizzying speeds, and there's no going back. "

"Whatever you're thinking at that time has to be said in that moment. "

"Thank you Onoda, for what you said earlier. It's encouraging. Not that I'm particularly gentle or kind."

WITH THE SMOULDER?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!

EHEIDJDNDHSUWJSBSBSHSWJ

Man really did get pulled back in time and decided to capitalize on his crush that got away!!!

Good for him!!!!! DAMN!!! I'm remembering how I cheered for Imainoda in the beginning of season 1! 😂

This scene was animated by last season's team! 🤣 Imaizumi still has his chin as I'm pausing for dialog.

Ope! And now it's gone again! 😂 He wiped his damn chin off!

I like the closing song much more. The simple style is nice and beautifully colored. I'm not a fan of the framing/staging for the characters and it's REALLY making me appreciate how awesome all of the OPs and EDs were animated for Season 4 by comparison... but it's still nice. It's very sweet.

[host-club-hq]

Indeed: ~A Challenge From Lobelia Girls' Academy!~

➼ pairing: kyoya ootori x reader

➼ summary: the club learns where you went to school before ouran academy, and those very same students are determined to save you from the group of idiots that you call friends.

➼ word count: 5.3k

➼ what to expect: "I better go home; I've got a lot of thinking to do."

➼ warnings: fluff (slight homophobia from TAMAKI, not me 😭)

➼ i figured out a perfect way to work in the lobelia girls with reader's past (not me trying to follow the plot of my own damn wip)

➼ I DID NOT MEAN TO FINISH THIS EARLY, i was on a writing roll and i couldn't stop

➼ chapter navigation

"Really? All the afternoon classes have been canceled?" Haruhi questions curiously after learning her schedule.

"You mean, no one told you? It's going to be crazy around here for the next two days. Ouran is hosting an exposition for all the cultural clubs. Drama and choir clubs from a bunch of other schools have been invited. it's a big event the school hosts annually." You stand before Haruhi as she packs up her school bag after her last class of the day.

Your last morning class gets out a bit earlier than hers due to your teacher's laid-back attitude toward a schedule. You always manage to meander on down to Haruhi's class when it ends.

"Is that so?" Haruhi tilts her head.

"Mm-hm. It's usually great, especially since all of my core classes are in the afternoon." You tease with a giggle.

"That must be nice; you don't have to go to any of them for the next few days." Haruhi smiles.

"What do we do during the exposition?" Haruhi slings her bag over her shoulder.

"Well, it's like watching a bunch of concerts or plays all put on by students from other schools." You stroke your chin between your thumb and forefinger.

Just at that moment, two hands place themselves on your shoulders, and you immediately know who they belong to. So, naturally, you groan before they even have a chance to ask anything of you.

"Go buy is some more instant coffee, y/n." They demand in ironically friendly voices. You whine, "Why do I have to do it? Can't you buy your own?"

"Because you're our errand girl! No one else knows where to buy it." Hikaru ruffles your hair as Kaoru massages your shoulder.

"You know, I could just tell you-"

"We've even been serving it to our guests lately. Besides, it's part of your job."

They dust you off with happy-go-lucky open-mouthed grins, "The cultural club exposition starts soon." you grumble, miffed.

"Yeah, but it's not mandatory, so if you're not interested, you don't have to go." Hikaru practically carries you to the doorway of the classroom, and they wave you off.

"And with that being said- Be careful out there! Hah!"

"Ugh, I really wanted to go." you pout, stumbling dramatically from the classroom and into the hallway as two of Haruhi's first-year female classmates wander out with you.

"Thanks for helping them out, y/n." the first student thanks as they pass you.

"Not a problem... I just wish they'd buy it themselves." you toss your head back to acknowledge them.

"Well, I don't know if that'll ever happen, but I'm glad they seem to be having a good time." Much to your surprise, the students stop in front of you rather than pass you along like you expected them to. You weren't convinced this conversation would last or have any meaning.

"And it's all thanks to you." The second student smiles earnestly.

You lift your weary head and acknowledge them a bit better, "Me? What could I have done?" you point to yourself, befuddled.

"We've been in the same class as the twins ever since middle school. They didn't use to be this cheerful and friendly. They were always quiet and withdrawn- they didn't have many friends."

You hum in thought. Being in a different class with Kyoya and Tamaki, you never really realized how shut off the twins were before Tamaki enlisted your help in gaining their attention to recruit them to the club. You had always assumed they just weren't very fond of Tamaki at first, which was understandable, given how persistent he was.

"It's like they didn't want anyone to get too close. I don't think they liked school very much; they seemed so bored by it. I guess things started to change when the host club was created."

You turn back over your shoulder to see both twins in a conversation with two other first-year students, genuinely enjoying themselves.

"Since then, they've come out of their shells little by little."

As if on cue, Hikaru and Kaoru laugh in unison at an inaudible comment. The pieces fit together in your mind, and you realize how oblivious you've been to how much the host club has really drawn out their personalities.

"Really?"

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Passing through the gates of the school, your arms are filled with the bag carrying the newly purchased instant coffee. You're still in deep thought over the conversation between you and the first-year students not too long ago.

"But they've really opened up since you and Tamaki talked to them, y/n. Now they talk and joke with everyone in class."

"That's why we wanted to make sure you knew how grateful we are to you. Because of you, the twins are having fun and enjoying each day to the fullest."

Amid your rampant thoughts, you fail to notice a banana peel in your path.

Your foot slips out from under you, and you cry out in surprise.

You don't remember Ouran having any banana trees on campus...

A silhouette materializes out of nowhere with elegant twirls and gingerly seizes you to prevent you from hitting the ground in bridal style.

Before you know it, you're on your knees on the ground with your paper bag, disoriented and confused.

"It'd be a shame for any harm to come to that cute face of yours... y/n."

At your name, you gasp and finally glance up at your rescuer's face. Your cheeks flush a pretty pink.

"B-Benibara?"

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A Challenge from Lobelia Girl's Academy!

Benibara escorts you through the school and up to your club's room. You're surprised you haven't needed to guide her at all-it's like she knows her way.

When you arrive, the doors are already wide open, and two other Lobelia students are inside, giving Tamaki two of the most disapproving looks you've ever seen.

"Fine then, what do women like you want to hear?" you can already hear the irritation in Tamaki's voice with his knight's sword thrown over his shoulder.

"Maybe something like, 'I would never leave my lover alone.'"

Benibara's arm is thrown over your shoulder as the pair of you stand before the host club, who glances back at you with thoroughly confused expressions. They seem surprised to see you with her of all people.

"If we fight, it'll be together." Benibara spins you around and holds you by your wrist. With next to no dancing experience, you let her do with you as she pleases in fear of hurting yourself.

"If we fail, we fail together." she kneels to the floor and takes you by the hand.

"Even if I were to die, I promise you that I will never leave your side, my love." the declaration has your cheeks a bright red, along with your ears. She places a gentle kiss to the back of your hand.

The host nearly chokes at the sight. You turn to them sheepishly.

"Benibara, we thought you'd never show." a familiar voice rings in your ears, and you direct your attention to the two remaining Lobelia students.

"What are we going to do with you? So, tell us where you found our lovely y/n." Chizuru crosses her arms and inquires curiously.

"I just found her outside of the school. Although it has been several years, she still has such pretty maidenly eyes." Benibara strokes your face delicately.

You really aren't sure how you're supposed to respond at this point in time, thoroughly flustered by each and every one of her comments.

"Um, thank you...?" you try pathetically.

Hinako and Chizuru each take you by a separate limb, Chizuru at your shin and Hinako at your forearm.

"Wow, her skin is incredibly soft." Hinako gushes.

"Isn't it, though? I think she's going to be a little diamond in the rough." Chizuru slides her cheek along the smooth skin of your leg, and you shutter uncomfortably.

"How do you all know each other already?! Don't touch y/n without her consent!" Benibara is quick to slug Tamaki in the face and send him flying.

"Leave her alone!"

"Oh, geez." you sweat drop nervously.

"She punched me! She's so violent!"

"Get a hold of yourself!"

The Lobelia students stand intimidatingly before the Host Club with their hands on their hips with you in tow.

"Guess the rumors we heard are true. You guys are just a bunch of weak little punks with no sense between you."

Kyoya's brow twitches as he watches you cower behind them nervously. Finally, he pushes up his glasses, "Those uniforms. I assume you ladies are from the Lobelia Girls' Academy?" He questions with a monotone voice and non-existent amusement.

"That's correct." Benibara eyes them determinedly.

They strip off their uniform to present the costumes beneath them.

"Here we go," you whine.

"Lobelia!" The first to appear in costume is Benibara.

"Lobelia!" the second is Chizuru.

"Lobelia!" Hinako is the third and last.

"St. Lobelia Academy, high school second year, Benio Amakusa."

"Lobelia!"

"Second year student, Chizuru Maihara."

"Lobelia!"

"First year student, Hinako Tsuwabuki."

"Lobelia!"

"We are the members of the St. Lobelia Academy's white lily league; also known as-"

"The Zuka Club!" To everyone's surprise, the girls had on even more extravagant outfits under their first costumes.

"Uh..." the entire Host club is rendered speechless by their little performance. The Lobelia girls remain in position at their silence.

It isn't long before Hikaru and Kaoru burst into fits of laughter at their ridiculous presentation.

"Oh, man, what a stupid name! The Zuka Club?! My stomach hurts!" Hikaru cackles, out of breath.

"The Zuka Club?! That's priceless! They had those get-ups on under their uniforms!" Kaoru howls heartily before the twins fall on the floor with laughter.

"You shouldn't underestimate the Zuka Club!"

You nearly jump out of your skin at the introduction of a new voice to the group and the powerful motor that shakes the ground as well as your eardrums. Renge's shrill laughter soon greets your poor ears as she rises on her contraption that happens to be positioned everywhere you go.

"I may not know much about instant coffee, but I'm fascinated with girls' schools." She takes a sip of said coffee and soon regrets it, displaying a grimace and wide eyes.

She tosses away her cup and saucer carelessly, "St. Lobelia Academy! It is truly a woman's world there. The Zuka Club is a group of strong young maidens who consider women to be superior in every way. The club prides itself on its 30-year history. It's a society of maidens, by maidens, for maidens! Zuka Club activities include: 'Maiden Tea Parties', 'The Maiden Debate Forum', and most importantly musical reviews performed by the society's top members!"

Kyoya sheds his bulky knight costume, "You sure have a vast wealth of knowledge, Renge." you can't tell if it's said sarcastically, but you'll take it and run.

"Well, I've always admired St. Lobelia's. I just couldn't go to school there, though- what would I do without any boys?" She sighs wistfully.

"What indeed?" You grumble. Her platform lowers into the ground without a trace.

"A maiden's beauty. It means possessing a spirit pure enough to not give in to power or to lust." Chizuru pipes in after Renge's thorough explanation.

"'As a girl you, 'for a girl, you'. We've had quite enough of all your oppressive male contempt for woman-kind." Hinako informs angrily.

"And our pride... Comes from having meaningful relationships based on equality because we're the same sex. And yes, that includes relationships of love."

"Yeah, you tell them, Benio."

"You're awesome, Benibara!"

Already bored, the host club has retired to a sofa on the opposite side of the room. The twins are even playing menial little games on their handheld console to distract themselves.

"Whatever. We're so over it." It's not an act; they really are.

"Why don't you gals just scram?" Hikaru suggests as he inspects the new income of instant coffee. You sort of wonder when he'd taken it from you.

"I find it hard to believe that you silly boys have nothing to say about our sublime female love." Hinako chuckles in an arrogant, stuck-up sort of way that makes you grimace.

"What the hell is she talking about?" Hikaru scoffs.

Kaoru inspects a container of the new instant coffee, "Hey, I haven't seen this one before. I guess it's a new one." he sighs.

"You should feel sorry for them, Hinagiku. Their patented host skills don't work on us- now they're all flustered, and they don't know what to do with themselves." Chizuru strips Benibara of her false mustache.

"True, I must say I'm glad we decided to perform here. It was fun to sneak a peek at the notorious Ouran Host Club."

"Hey guys, are we really notorious?"

"Yeah."

As you stand by the door, Benibara slams her hand on the surface near your face and traps you against the wall. Your breath hitches.

"And to think they're dragging our sweet, young y/n down with them." Benibara repositions her hand on your shoulder and bends to meet your height.

"Say what?" You tilt your head. Benibara spins around determinedly.

"The Host Club's president may be a pretty little halfer, but he shouldn't be using his looks to create a fictitious romance! Attempting to fool the heart of a pure, young maiden is demeaning! Your so-called 'club activities' are nothing more than debasing macho fantasies. I promise you. We will bring you guys down. The Ouran Host Club will be abolished!"

They each raise their hands in solutes, "All hail Zuka Club!"

You panic, "Oh- Oh, no. Let's- Let's not do that." you excuse yourself and snatch a container of instant coffee and ready three servings to hopefully distract them or at least calm them.

Kyoya adjusts his glasses with the undertone of annoyance, "I see. I understand your concern, but do you think maybe we can finish this later?" his customer service voice never fails to prevail.

"Are you saying that you're not going to face us?" Benibara smirks.

"Not at all. It's just that our president is still bed-ridden from the initial culture shock."

Translation:

"You see, Tama-chan is having his nappy time right now."

Benibara growls, "Wake him up!" she demands.

You shove the tray of coffee in the girls' direction with haste.

"Excuse me, but I've made you girls some coffee. Would you care for some?"

"Why, yes! Aren't you the sweetest thing?" They each take a cup gratefully.

"You're a real pearl among swine!" Chizuru gushes.

"You know, coffee made by a maiden always has a more fragrant aroma," Benibara informs cockily.

"Oh, this coffee's just instant, I technically added hot water, and it made itself." You chuckle nervously.

"How about the four of us have a little tea party?"

Tamaki awakens from his slumber and throws off his sheets.

"You girls have it all wrong! Don't you see there's nothing to be gained in a romantic relationship between two women?! If that were the case, then why did God create Adam and Eve?!"

Tamaki slips on a banana peel that appeared from nowhere and knocks Hinako's coffee from her hand and onto your uniform.

You cry out painfully as the coffee is still boiling hot. You nearly drop your empty tray and fume at your president.

"Tamaki! You have to be more careful!" You attempt to dust yourself the best you can.

Benibara grabs you by the wrist and pulls you into her body with a slight sound of protest from you.

"Now that we know what's going on, we can't allow y/n to stay here. We'll prepare her paperwork and have her transferred back to Lobelia at once! And we'll welcome her into the Zuka Club!"

The entire club, including you, seems shocked by the declaration is rendered speechless.

Haruhi appears behind you and tugs you by your blazer, successfully separating you from Benibara, "Hey, just wait a second, will ya?" she pleads.

"There seems to have been some misunderstandings here. I mean, first of all, you called Senpai a 'halfer'." Haruhi holds up her hands in defense.

You peek over her shoulder, "Cause he is a halfer. He's half French and half Japanese." You hiss awkwardly through your teeth. She deflates a little.

"Well, uh, anyway, I don't think it's fair for you to pick on the host club just because you don't think they have the same history as you do." Haruhi tries once more.

"We barely have any history- we were just founded two years ago." Hikaru has the audacity to speak up in this moment.

"Yeah, the boss created it whenever he started high school here." Kaoru finishes. Haruhi deflates further and goes for one last attempt.

"Be that as it may, saying their club activities are only held to satisfy their appetites is just wrong. I mean, it's not like the host club is charging their guests or anything." She twirls her finger uselessly.

Kyoya throws open a laptop and clicks to their website, "While I wouldn't call it a charge, we do have a point system. We offer priority services based on the winning bids of auctions held on our website."

Haruhi finally deflates completely, no longer trying to defend the club.

"Check this out, Haruhi. Your used pen just sold with a winning bid of 30,000 yen. Good for you."

Haruhi turns to observe the pen in question, "Huh?"

You crane your neck to peer at the screen, "Wait- hold on, that's my pen." You take the laptop.

"Oh. My mistake." Kyoya peeks over your shoulder.

"Kyoya! I loved that pen. Why did you tell me about this before? I had no idea you were collecting money from auctions!" You whine.

"It's not like we're all working here as volunteers. While it's not much because of the expense of organizing events, we happen to make a small profit from the online auctions."

"You can't sell people's things on the internet without asking first; that's literally stealing!" You cry, your brow twitching in anger.

"It wasn't stealing; you dropped your pen on the floor." The twins shrug indifferently.

You turn and growl deeply at them, shaking your fist in a threatening way.

"I'm sorry, y/n! It's not like we were hiding it from you! Here, you can have mine! It's got a cute teddy bear on it!" Tamaki pleads, presenting you with his teal teddy bear pencil.

"Tamaki, I don't want your pencil." you fume.

"Then, to make it up to you, how about I do this: I'll tell you the secrets to my success and my fondest memories."

You sigh exasperatedly, "Not to be rude, Tamaki, but I'm not at all interested in any piece of that information." you grumble.

Tamaki gasps dramatically, "Not interested?" He teleports over to a corner and draws invisible figures on the floor with his fingers.

The Lobelia girls surround you sympathetically, but you're still seething with anger.

"Oh, you poor dear. I can't believe they've been deceiving you." Chizuru coos.

"Hey, why don't you dump these losers and come with us?" Hinako suggests.

"Hold on, Hinagiku. This young maiden has had quite a day. We'll give you some time to think about it. We'll come back for your answer tomorrow." Benibara claps a hand on your shoulder.

"Well, then. Adieu~" And suddenly they're gone.

You turn to the club with a stone-cold glare, and they flinch under your gaze, gulping.

"I better go home; I've got a lot of thinking to do," you growl angrily.

You open the door to the club room and slip out easily, slamming it behind you noisily.

Tamaki cries out, "Why did you have to tell her the truth?! You just added fuel to the fire! What are we gonna do now?!"

"The facts are the facts." Kyoya shrugs, although a bit fazed by your outburst. After all, it was only a pen.

"Maybe we should've asked before we sold her pen on the internet..." Honey sighs.

"Yeah, for all we know, it was a keepsake from her mother," Kaoru suggests.

"Her mother died far too early to have given her a fountain pen," Kyoya informs.

"How is it you know that?" both twins question in unison.

"Just like I know that y/n was a student of Lobelia Academy before she transferred to Ouran in her third year of middle school." Kyoya shrugs.

"Huh?" The entire host club shouts indignantly.

"It's not like the information is surprising. Her father wanted the best for a girl, and Lobelia is the best for women."

"Then why did she transfer here?" Hikaru inquires.

Kyoya hums, "Now that I think about it, I don't think I know the answer to that." his brows furrow.

Tamaki places his hand pensively on an adjacent window, "Gentlemen, just think about it. y/n may be basically indifferent, but if she had to choose, we know she hates the Ouran girl's regulation uniform. And besides, she wants to be a host; who's to stop her from charming girls at Lobelia since she has no debt there?"

His hand slides down the window, and he exhales shakily, "Why didn't I realize this before? Perhaps they would be a better match for y/n. Maybe she'd be better off with the Zuka Club."

Kyoya swallows hard when he realizes that Tamaki has a pretty good point.

"Yeah... she's perfect for a girl's school." Kyoya adjusts his glasses with an icy gaze.

"y/n-chan is going to transfer away?!" Honey cries loudly.

"What are we going to do?"

"y/n's so smart; passing the Lobelia scholarship test will be a piece of cake!"

Kyoya sighs, "And Lobelia has impressive debate forums that could negate the debt she has..." Kyoya scribbles anxiously on his clipboard.

"Calm down, gentlemen. It'll be alright. Listen to what I have to say. I have a secret plan." Tamaki smirks, an idea forming.

♡        ♡        ♡        ♡        ♡        ♡        ♡        ♡        ♡        ♡        ♡

Whilst in the library, you tap your foot in thought as you progress in your assignments.

Although Lobelia Academy is a very prestigious school and you enjoyed your early years there, Ouran is ideal in your current years.

You groan and shut the cover to your book, sweep up your papers, and shove them in your bag as you depart.

On your way to the club room, you run into the Lobelia girls, but they aren't facing you. One by one, they turn to meet you as if sensing your presence.

"Hi, y/n." Benibara is the first to speak. You resist the urge to sigh.

"We've come for your decision; are you prepared to leave?" Hinako boldly questions.

"We're ready to confront those Ouran Host Club idiots and set things straight once and for all."

The fact that your old friends are insulting your new, better friends almost makes your blood boil. Then, you take a deep breath and push it all down.

"Set... what straight?" you groan, preparing for whatever the next few moments might bring.

Benibara places an arm on your shoulder and tilts your chin up to meet her eyes, "That you should come with us. And go to school with your own kind!" They drag you down the hall in the direction of the club room.

She throws open the club room doors, and while you're expecting some extravagant presentation with ridiculous costumes and garish pick-up lines, the entire room is shrouded in darkness.

Instead of the six boys greeting you, you're greeted with a... sort of lump in the middle of the room. You tilt your head in question.

The first two figures rise, seemingly identical with feminine voices, "Ouran!"

"Ouran!"

A deeper, clearly male baritone, "Ouran!"

"Ouran!" A shakier male voice. You choke on your own saliva when you realize who it is.

"Ouran!!"

The chandeliers flash with light and illuminate the room.

"Ouran!"

"Host Club~ Welcomes you!"

You're speechless. Not a single word comes to mind when your vision focuses in the change of light to find the entire host club dressed in what you can only describe as drag. The silence after their welcome is absolutely deafening. You and the Lobelia girls are dumbstruck.

"Oh, y/n, welcome back." Tamaki greets in a red ballgown with pink accents, his blonde locks now sporting extensions and a headband with blatant makeup.

Honey twirls to the front in a magenta gown, his blonde hair also done up with extensions and beyond garish makeup, "Look, y/n-chan! I'm a princess now! Aren't I cute?!"

Benibara gasps in offense, "What is the meaning of this?! Are you trying to make fun of womankind?!" she demands. All the while, you're still beyond confused.

"Make fun? No, that's not it at all."

"This is kind of offensive..." You draw in an awkward breath through your teeth.

"Everything's going according to plan. Our strategy is guaranteed to make even a crying child smile; y/n, you may be distracted by the Zuka Club, but choose us. And you gain not only a host club full of brothers but sisters as well!"

As your eyes flit to and fro between all of their outfits, you can feel your anger and confusion dissolve, and amusement starts to bubble up within you.

"See? This way, you can experience feminine bonding while staying in the host club!"

Tamaki twirls, reassuming his feminine voice and batting his heavily caked-on with mascara eyelashes, "Isn't that a great idea?! Aren't I pretty?"

The twins are next, "We're the Hitachiin Sisters! Which one of us is prettier?" They appear closer to you, fans covering their mouths.

"I'm just teasing you," Hikaru whispers as Kaoru laughs haughtily.

Your expression remains emotionless and blank. To some, you might still seem upset, but you're only trying to decipher which kind of reaction this is going to draw from you.

"Listen, y/n-chan! You can call me Big Sis from now on." Honey seems to be the least uncomfortable in his attire. Even Usa-chan is decorated with a red bow and bold lipstick.

Mori and Kyoya don't say anything due to the fact that the host club probably had to physically force them to do this sort of display. You catch Kyoya's gaze and almost break your facade of anger, choking on a laugh as his fan delicately shields his face.

"Why you! Do you idiots really think you can win her over like this? I've had enough of your fooling around!"

Finally, your exterior crumbles, and you burst into a fit of laughter. Not amused chuckles or snickers, but whole-hearted laughter at their show of... whatever this might be.

"This is too much! What the hell are you even trying to do! Oh man, look at those outfits!" You hold onto your stomach with both arms and fall to your knees, collapsing to the floor, cackling.

Benibara and the Lobelia girls watch on with confusion. They were expecting your reaction to be less amused and more angry with their display.

But after knowing your boys for all these years, you know they only have good intentions in mind.

Just as you're beginning to wipe your stray tears and calm down, the twins and Honey appear at your side.

"Are we really that funny?" You shout in surprise, resuming laughter at the pitch of their voices.

They chase you around the club room, "Call me Big Sister! C'mon do it! Just say it! Big Sister! Say it please!!!"

At this point, you beg them to stop, "Stop! I can't take it anymore!" You're practically shrieking with laughter.

You cough on one last laugh and sit before them, "What are you doing? What's with the getup and the act?" You wipe another tear with a cheek-splitting smile.

Hikaru drops his feminine acts and rests his hands behind his head, facing away from you, "We did this because we don't want you to leave the host club, y/n." He shrugs nonchalantly.

At his revelation, your smile softens from amused to sympathetic, and you sigh. You smile fondly with a softer giggle.

Benibara stands dumbfounded at your side as you're still on the floor.

"Well, y/n, have you made a choice?" she has less hope now that you seem to be so happy in your current situation.

You rise from the floor with a confident decision, "Yeah, I have. I'm sorry, but your club's not for me. I enjoyed my time at Lobelia when I was there, but it's time for me to move on and make different choices with my future in mind. So while I appreciate your offer to return, I knew deep down that Ouran was always going to be the place for me. And here I'll stay." you face the club with a confident grin.

That isn't the answer they wanted nor expected from you. They fail to see the dynamic between you and the club; that's what's hindering their understanding.

Mori taps his tambourine in accomplishment, and Tamaki cries you all a river, "y/n!" he exclaims affectionately.

Kyoya's brows furrow, "Hold on, if you weren't going to leave, then why were you so upset about the auction earlier?"

Just the very mention of the auction almost has your blood boiling again.

"Because, Kyoya, I really liked that pen, and I was really attached to it! You can't just go selling my things for profit; it's shallow!" You cross your arms defiantly.

"Well, way to give us a scare." Kyoya rolls his eyes and flourishes his delicate fan.

"Aw, I think you liked dressing up, Kyoya." You tug his fan away from his face to make eye contact.

"And you look so pretty in your makeup! Oh, and look at that long, black hair! It really suits you, don't you agree?"

"Leave it alone, y/n," Kyoya grumbles as you fuss with his dress and his hair.

"Sister Kyoya? Hm, I like Mother Kyoya much more."

"Enough." Although Kyoya gives off the impression of being upset, he's finding it hard to suppress a smile at your antics. He always has.

"Hey, do you think this could become a regular thing-"

"Um... Benio?" Chizuru begins as she watches your interaction with Kyoya. Benibara lets her eyelids slip closed as she sighs.

"Yes... I know. We're not going to give up on you, y/n." She draws both your and Kyoya's attention away from each other and to her and the girls.

"I swear this to you. Someday we'll come and rescue you from this place! And when we do, we'll abolish the Ouran Host Club!" Benibara affirms with vigor and a smug smirk.

"Well, adieu~."

Just as they twirl through the door, the three of them simultaneously slip on banana peels just as the doors to the club room close.

"Until we meet again." you cross your arms and sigh in exasperation.

The lights flicker out, and Renge's platform rises from the ground for the second time this episode, except this time with a monkey at her side.

"And so, a new rival, the Zuka Club, has appeared. From this point on, the story's gonna get even more exciting! What's gonna happen to our beloved host club boys and y/n next? Hang in there, Host Club! Don't give up, guys!" Renge munches on a banana.

"Hey! It's not your job to cook things up!"

Ever so conveniently, Tamaki slips on a banana peel and collapses.

You turn to Kyoya, and neither of you can suppress your giggles.

"Oh man, what a disaster today turned out to be." You sigh. You still can't take him very seriously in his costume.

"Hey, think you have that dress in my size?" You snort.

Kyoya groans, "When will the teasing ever end?"

"Probably never. You'll never get rid of me." You smile cockily.

"We wouldn't want that."

🎵I run and run a thousand miles, and I am barely breathing. Only the fuel of a passionate heart keeps this body strong and moving forward.

Could it be I found a place to rest? How far until I’m OK?

Trees of the town reveal the time has come once again to shift our shade and colors. 🎵

🎵The world always changes around us but weakness will always remain;

Through all the pain, believe in who we are right here and now! 🎵

🎵Raise one hand to the sky; raise them both lift them high!!

And you’ll cut through the darkness make it go!

The time to start is now! And I can show you how.

Start with me, and the world will be even bigger than ever before. 🎵

♡Next time, on Indeed...♡

You never thought the host club would take any interest in seeing your home... You should have known better.

♡We'll see you then!! ♡

want to read more? here's my ouran masterlist 🌹

and here's my bts blog 💜

want me to write something you want to see? request something 💌

have any questions? talk to my characters! 🙏🏻

Adieu~ 🌹🌹🌹

[those-sea-green-eyes]

Dear Diary

So I decided to get back into the groove of writing, and this came into existence. I'm very excited to be writing again, aah!!! I'm definitely doing this as a multi part series so stay on the lookout for the next part!!

part 2   part 3 part 4

Pairing: Steve Harrington x reader

This is set before the events of season one and progresses into taking place during season one.

Dear Diary,

God, I hate that I’m even writing that.

Dear Diary

It just sounds so middle school - so childish.

Anyway, it’s been what, six years since I’ve written anything in this grossly purple notebook full of silly little things my younger self thought was some of the best writing ever, aside from the diary entries of course. I remember the first day I got this stupid thing. I had saw it on a shelf in the store while accompanying my mother on the weekly errand run. I thought it was a good idea to have something to write my personal thoughts in, and so did my parents. Man, did this thing go through a lot since then. Looking back at some of the last pages I had written on was almost like going through it all again. Remembering all the pain that comes with those memories is something I hope I never have to endure again. But you know the old saying, “history has a way of repeating itself.” 

Enough of the rambling on that topic. I’m not even sure why I’m writing any of this, honestly. You see, I’m currently packing things from my childhood bedroom. More so, things that my mother is going to donate. She’s moving out with her new fiancé and asked if I wanted to come look through my old stuff before she “donated” it all. Knowing her she was probably going to get whatever cash she could out of anything valuable and throw the rest out like garbage. To think she pretends to care about that kind of stuff anymore. Not like she ever did.

After my parents split I ended up living with my dad. Mom never even tried to fight for custody over me. Honestly glad she left me with dad, I would have wanted to live with him anyway. Dad left mom the old house and him and I ended up moving more towards the city, which meant that I had to move schools. I didn’t really like that idea at the time, but now looking back, I couldn’t be more happy with how things played out for me and dad. 

God, how I’m so glad that things played out. Meeting him was probably the best thing to happen in my life after all the hell. He’s been there for me during all the recovery and I couldn’t be more grateful. I don’t know how I’d ever repay him honestly. We’re now in our junior of high school - Hawkins High School. It’s crazy to think that was all only four years ago. Time seems to go by so fast yet so slow. Time is a weird concept to me, too. Four years of trying to get over trauma, but four years of a friendship that feels three times as long. We’ve seen each other go through heartbreak and more, I don’t know what else could bring us closer other than experiencing near death, but that’ll never happen, surely.

Onto another topic, the person in question of the previous paragraph. God, I could go on about him for hours. As much as I cherish and value our friendship with my life, there’s some shame in me saying that I wish we could be more than friends. I know, I absolutely hate how stupidly cliché this sounds. Falling for your best friend after knowing them for X amount of years and going through tough shit with each other. It was only recently that I figured out these feelings. But I couldn’t do that to him - telling him I mean. It was only a few months ago that he started dati

“Hey there, how’s it going?”

I turned around to face the bane of my existence - my mom’s fiancé

“Just finishing up.” I say as I put the last of the keep pile into a box, folding the top closed. I stand up and stretch, groaning as my back popped to hard. How long was I sitting there writing? I bent down to pick up my car keys and glanced at the notebook and pen where I left them. It was still open, the last word still unfinished. I sighed and closed it, picking it up whilst stuffing the pen in my pocket. Guess I’ll finish my newest entry later. I set the notebook on top of the keep box and decided to find where my mom went to. Walking down the hall I heard giggling and turned the corner to the kitchen to see my mom and her fiancé making out. I leaned against the doorframe and dramatically cleared my throat, making them both jump. 

“If you’re done being gross, I’ve finished packing up the boxes. I’m gonna head out too.” I pushed myself off the doorframe and walked to pick up an apple from the counter.

“Oh, honey, you should join us for lunch! I’m making tuna sandwh-”

“No, thanks. I’m actually getting lunch with Steve, which is why I need to leave shortly.” I jingled my keys and turned the corner to retrieve the keep box back in my old room. I entered the room and took a deep breath. It’d been a few years since I’d been in this room. I’d visit my mom every now and then, rather, when it was convenient for her. Taking a last look around, my mom stepped into the room.

“You know, you’re welcome to come visit us any time up in Fort Wayne.”

There she goes again, pretending to care.

“Thanks for the offer, mom. I’ll let you know if I ever plan to go up there.” I gave her a tight lipped smile, turning to pick up the box to take to the car.

“Oh, here, let me get Evan to carry that for yo-”

“No, I’ve got it.” I scoffed under my breath and carried the box to my car. Shoving it in the backseat, I closed the door and turned to my mom to give her a quick hug. 

“Bye sweetie. Call me if you need anything.” she smiled and turned to walk back up to the house to meet her boyfriend at the door. I hopped in the car and started the engine. Pulling out of the driveway I couldn’t help but have a sense of sadness wash over me. Yes, I thoroughly loathed my mom for what she did to me and my dad, but she was still my mother. And here she was, moving hours away with her perfect man to go play pretend and have the carefree life she so desperately wanted - instead of being thirty minutes away from her own daughter to be there and support said daughter. I pretended not to notice her waving me goodbye as I drove off. Sighing, I flipped on the radio and began my drive into town.

[esprei]

If you're sick of these by now feel free to delete lol but! We're sharing pokemon and/or submas origins?

Okay I've been a pokemon fan since like. 2004? Right before gen4 came out! A friend showed me the original pokemon movie and I was HOOKED. Especially because of Mew! I loved it so much I wanted to learn more... And immediately I got into the cards lol and began collecting!

I got my first games in 2009, Fire Red and Pearl, and played for HOURS! Pearl was my favorite :) I made up a whole storyline for my trainer and had a riolu as my starter bc I traded my actual starter to my cousin lol. It was so much fun, I battled my cousins a ton and kicked their asses. It was glorious.

I actually did get Black upon release, but never finished it :( I moved to a new location in the US... and in middle school, no one else liked pokemon! It was unbelievably lame!! So I fell out of it for YEARS until university, where I began some card collecting again.

PLA is my first game since Black, actually! I also found my copy of black and am going to finish it.

So my pokemon history is long but! I am very very new to the submas fandom! :D I didn't know these guys existed before this march, or at least any pictures I saw of them were just 'generic pokemon screenshots/memes' and I thought nothing of it.

In march, I was INUNDATED with submas fanart from a ton of artists i love, and became curious bc i loved their character designs. And then I learned they were twin brothers and had a wonderful dynamic and i was HOOKED. It was hyperfixation at almost first sight, even if I did my best to resist XD I was worried about feeling cringe, but my friends were really nice and I finally relented.

I'm glad i did bc now i'm actually feeling HAPPY online again and everyone is unbelievably nice!! I'm having the time of my LIFE lol. (I enjoy commenting on your art on twitter >:) )

~ingo-ingoing-ingone

YEAH SAME same for me on the submas front, learning about their sibling dynamic and how supportive they are of each other is so wholesome and it makes ingo's disappearance to hisui in pla hurt that much more, poor emmet has to be so distraught……

and omg YES the fandom is so nice!!! i'm having a really great time too, it's actually kind of crazy because i don't think i've ever been so invested in something in a long time, but it's so so fun to talk to everyone and gush about submas sflksjdflkj

AHHH YES THANK YOU I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS SO MUCH 💖

thank you for sharing!!!

[robinrunsfiction]

To The Vows You Take - Chapter 6

(This is the longest chapter in the whole story, enjoy!)

Chapter 5

"About time you got here," Ray snarked when (YN) and Frank finally boarded the bus in Washington. "Why'd you guys have to change your flight?"

“We had to go to Vegas,” (YN) replied simply as she started unpacking some of her things into her bunk. She was trying to suppress the smile that was fighting to form on her face.

“What? To get married or something?” Gerard laughed.

“Yea,” Frank replied with a shrug. 

(YN) glanced over at Ray and Gerard, who were stunned into silence for a moment. They looked at each other, then back at their bandmates.

“You guys were dating?!” Gerard asked, totally astonished. "How did we not notice?! Why didn’t you say anything?!"

“I knew something was going on!” Ray exclaimed. "They've been acting different all year! I knew it!"

“Nope, we weren't dating,” (YN) answered.

Gerard’s eyes went wide. “(YN), are you, you're not pre-”

“No! Oh my god, no!” She rolled her eyes. “Me and Frank agreed in high school that if we weren’t married by 25, we’d marry each other.”

“Well shit, congratulations! We gotta celebrate, right?” Ray asked, getting excited.

“Hell yea!” Frank chimed in. “You guys buy the champagne!”

“Do you wanna announce it at the show tonight?” Gerard asked.

“No!” (YN) was quick to reply. “It’s just that we haven’t told our families yet. We don't wanna have them find out through the press.”

Gerard nodded. "Ok, but wow, I still can’t believe you guys eloped!"

"Believe it, baby," Frank said, patting Gerard on the cheek as he walked by.

~

“Ok, ready to call your mom?” Frank asked.

“No,” (YN) deadpanned.

“Better now than waiting any later,” he replied. It had been about a week since they had tied the knot and (YN) had been putting off calling her mom as long as possible. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of what they’d done, she just knew how her mom would react.

Frank pushed the call button on the phone in front of them and (YN) hoped it would just go to voicemail.

“Hello?” (YN)’s mom’s voice came through the speaker of the phone.

“Hey mom,” (YN) started wearily.

“Hi sweetie, what’s going on? I’m at the grocery store.”

(YN) winced and Frank had to stifle a giggle. “Umm, by any chance do you remember back when I was home for Christmas and that letter came that I wrote to myself?”

“Yes, vaguely.”

“Do you remember the one thing I said I hadn’t done?”

“No, off the top of my head I can’t say that I do.”

“Umm, well I’ve got you on speaker phone because Frank is here too and I called to tell you we went through with our pact to get married.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you, it’s loud in here, you did what?”

“Me and Frank got married in Vegas,” (YN) practically shouted. Frank was hiding his face to control his laughter and (YN) reached over and smacked his arm.

“What?!” In the background it sounded like glass breaking. “And you didn’t even call to tell me?!”

“I mean, I told you when I read the letter,” (YN) rubbed her eyes.

“Not that you were gonna go through with marrying Frankie! Oh, is Frankie there now?”

“Yea, hi Ms. (YLN),” he replied.

“Hi sweetie! Congratulations and welcome to the family!”

(YN) looked at Frank, jaw dropped, as he practically gloated. “Thank you Ms. (YLN).”

“(YN) I can’t believe you wouldn’t tell me until after the fact!”

“We didn’t tell anyone, not even the other guys!” (YN) argued. "It's not eloping if everyone knows!"

“Well, have you told Frankie’s parents yet?”

“No, you’re our first call” (YN) replied, rolling her eyes.

“Ok good. Oh, goodness I didn’t even notice I dropped the jar of pickles, I’ve got to go, I want more details later, buh-bye.”

“Bye,” (YN) said, hanging up. "Yea it's a good thing we didn't tell her we called your mom first, she woulda lost it. Are you gonna call your dad?"

"Yea," he replied, already pulling up the contact info on his phone. 

"K, I'm gonna go grab some coffee," she said, getting up.

"How'd your mom react?" Gerard asked, looking up when (YN) walked in.

"She dropped a jar of pickles in the middle of the grocery store," (YN) sighed as she poured a mug of coffee.

Gerard chuckled. "Are you done?"

"No, Frank's calling his dad right now."

"That will go well," Gerard nodded reassuringly. 

"Yea, I think you’re right," she nodded as she made her way to the back of the bus where they'd been making the calls in privacy.

"So you finally told her-"

"Dad, hang on," Frank interrupted and (YN) gave Frank a confused look as she walked in. "Umm, no, but don't worry about it. Actually (YN) just walked in."

"Hi, Mr Iero," she greeted him brightly.

"I'm glad you're sticking together. Ever since you were kids, you two have been a team. That's what you want in life,  someone who is on your team. Friendship should come first, all that romance bullshit can come later on."

(YN) and Frank laughed, but when she glanced over at him, she saw he was looking at her. She smiled and looked away, realizing how much she was suddenly blushing. That was the problem. She could no longer deny the fact that she wanted the romantic bullshit with Frank. Her stomach did flips when he would look at her from across the room, his smile made her weak in the knees. She’d fallen for him completely, and she didn’t know what to do.

~

Frank had just taken a drag off his cigarette when a black SUV pulled up in the parking lot where their tour bus was parked. At long last, Mikey was back. He hopped up off the curb he was sitting on and warmly welcomed his friend with a hug. "Welcome back, man!"

"Hey! And congrats! I take a couple months off and half the band gets married?" Mikey laughed as he stored one of his bags in the compartment under the bus.

"That’s what happens when you’re not here to supervise us,” Frank laughed. “Did you know me and (YN) had originally planned to elope the day you and Alicia got married?"

"Seriously?" Mikey seemed genuinely shocked as they returned to the spot on the curb where Frank had been sitting. It was the only shade in sight.

"Yep."

“Where is she, by the way?” 

“On the phone with our realtor, we’re gonna see some houses when we’re back in Jersey before we head over to Europe.”

“Damn, you are serious about this.”

“As serious as a goddamn heart attack.”

“Wait, so how did all this happen again?”

“We made this pact in high school, we’d get married if we were still single at 25. And the chance to spend my life with (YN)? I’m not gonna pass that up.”

“You have feelings for her?”

“I’m surprised I’ve hid them this well for so long.”

“Shit,” Mikey muttered, taking the almost spent cigarette out of Frank’s hands and taking a drag himself. “So it’s happily ever after.”

“Not until I work up the nerve to tell her.”

Mikey coughed, Frank’s words taking him by surprise. “Wait, you haven’t told her?!”

Frank let his head hang. “Oh so you've been married like three months longer than me, and now you know it all? Just keep it between us ok?”

“Yea, yea I can, but you should tell her. She’s your wife.”

Frank couldn’t help the smile that formed across his face upon hearing those words. “Yea. I just gotta figure out the right time.”

~

(YN) had just finished applying her stage makeup when the door to the green room opened. She was surprised that it was only Mikey coming in, and no one else was with him. 

“Hey,” she said, glancing over at him. “Where’s everyone else?”

“Got pulled into an interview,” he answered, coming to stand behind her, checking his hair in the mirror.

“Ah yes, the joys of not being a guitarist or singer,” she smirked.

“I know right?” He laughed before flopping down on the couch. “So congrats.”

“Thanks,” she laughed lightly, shaking her head. “It’s crazy, right?”

“Why?”

"Because I saw 'My Best Friend's Wedding' at an impressionable age, and now I’m married to my bandmate.”

"What's wrong with that?"

(YN) sighed and shook her head. “Promise not to tell?”

Mikey sat up and nodded. “Of course.”

"It’s a problem because I realized that I've fallen in love with Frank and can't tell him because it'll ruin our marriage,” she explained and Mikey let out a laugh. “It’s absurd right?”

"You gotta tell him, (YN)."

(YN) just groaned in response. “But what if it fucks everything up?”

Mikey sighed. "You should be honest with the people you love," he replied. "Especially when it's about how you feel."

(YN) nodded silently.

“So... have you guys hooked up.”

“Mikey!"

"I’m just trying to lighten the mood!” He said defensively. “And I take your reaction as a yes."

(YN) smirked. "Fine, you wanna know? There was one time we did a long time ago."

“Wait, when?!”

“You probably don’t remember, but a long long time ago, I’m talking back in the van days, we were actually staying in a hotel for once. You, Gee, Ray, and Brian all went out, but me and Frank stayed back.”

“Oh yea! We were wondering if something happened that night,” Mikey laughed.

“Yep,” she said, getting up from her chair and starting to make her way toward the door. “And it was in the bed you and Ray shared that night! Bye!”

“Ew! What the fuck (YN)?!” Mikey shouted, as she ran out of the room, laughing evilly.

[do-y0u-have-to-let-it-linger]

Hi! Can I get a ship? I'm an INFP, straight girl with social anxiety. I listen to music all the time. (mostly rock) I never leave the house without my earphones. I enjoy movie nights, reading books (romance and mystery are my favourite genres), playing videogames, goofing around with my friends. My friends would describe me as kind, helpful and loyal. I'm really into photography. I wanted to be a photographer as a kid, but it's just a hobby nowadays. I'm a hopeless romantic and a night owl. It takes time for me to open up to people, but once I'm there I can be pretty talkative. I'm 5'8" tall, I have half long brown hair, dark brown eyes and I wear glasses. If I have to describe my style it would be somewhat 80s grunge. Thank you!

(tw: swearing and eating)

I ship you with Scott Summers!

You never got along very well with Scott Summers.

He always came across as a bit of a preppy asshole. Not that his preppy-ness was necessarily correlated to his asshole-ness, but it did seem to enhance it.

You may think that not getting along perfectly with some random boy who happened to live in the (large) building you live in is not much of a problem, but you are incorrect.

When your best friend (and dorm-mate) of ten years, Jean, is on a so-called "superhero team" with and is good friends with said boy, it is not exactly easy to avoid him.

Since Jean's biological family was not around, she made her own.

The first member of her so-called found family was you, who arrived just a day before she did. When she first entered your dorm, you were adjusting all of your newly unpacked trinkets. You were both young enough to immediately become friends, no questions asked, and your friendship stuck. You two tended to keep to yourselves and each other, until you two were older.

When Jean was invited to join the X-Men with some of her friends, you couldn’t have been prouder. The problem was that when you met this other part of her found family, it did not go well. None of you clicked whenever in the same room, and Scott immediately made fun of you the moment he met you. You ultimately decided to avoid her other friends, but be supportive of them. Not because you couldn’t handle Scott, but because you didn’t want to put Jean in a position where she had to choose between you and them. Overall, this just made Jean desperately want you and her other friends to get along.

"Come on, just sneak out with us this one time!" Jean was sitting on the edge of your bed, making puppy dog eyes at you and clasping her hands together.

She always tried to convince you to hang out with her friend group. Even if that meant, in this case, convincing you to break (very reasonable) rules with them.

"No. Absolutely not. Jubilee is going to try to 'catch me a man', and Scott's going to try to be funny but just end up making fun of me. Besides, why would I break school rules and steal a car for a trip to the mall?"

"Because you haven't seen Empire Strikes Back yet, and I bought you a ticket for 1:00 PM today."

"Shit. You're evil, you know that? This is unfair. You know me too well."

Jean beamed at you. "Thank you, I try. Now, get dressed, you're going to love this."

"I am dressed, and you can’t make demands. I’m the one being convinced here!"

"I will not be pestered by Jubilee's pleas to let her give you a makeover! Just throw on jeans instead of your sweatpants or something! Now chop, chop! We're leaving in 10 minutes!"

"I'm sorry, 10 minutes?"

"I knew if you had more than 15, you would change your mind. Meet me by the front door when you're ready to go!"

After Jean left your shared room, you threw on some different clothes and hastily grabbed everything you needed to go. With your sneakers in your hands, you ran into the school's kitchen and shoved a granola bar in your mouth. As you were hopping, trying to force your shoes on your feet, someone spoke from behind you.

"Well, you look elegant as ever."

You froze, squinted your eyes, and clenched your jaw. Well, as much as you could with the previously mentioned granola bar in your mouth.

Scott Summers.

You swallowed and turned around, plastering on a smile in preparation to respond to his sarcasm.

"Well, you know me, unwaveringly ethereal."

Once you finished your attempt to keep the peace, your grin dropped off your face and you went to tie on your shoes, occasionally having to push your glasses back up your nose as you did so.

Jean then started talking to you while making her way into the kitchen.

"Come on, we need to go before Charles's class ends- well, well, well, look at you two!" she spoke in a sing-song tone at the end.

"Trust me, there's no 'you two' here." Scott hissed at her. Hissed! The audacity, would it be so terrible for him to be theoretical friends with you?

"Calm down, I just mean that I'm glad you two are talking," Jean said. "But we need to go. Like- now."

Jean then grabbed you by the arm and started to pull you out of the room, wiggling her eyebrows at Scott on the way out. Scott got up to trail behind you two, if he could glare at people with the glasses he wore, then he would have been glaring at her.

You elbowed Jean in the side and whisper shouted at her.

"What was that? What was the purpose of the eyebrow wiggle?"

"What eyebrow wiggle? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You're a menace to society, you know that?"

"I am aware that you don't actually think I'm a menace, but I appreciate the compliment." She leaned down and messed up your hair. "Now let's move it!"

When you got to the minivan you were all "borrowing" from Charles, most everyone was already there. Kurt, Jubilee, and Peter took the back seats, and Ororo was sitting in the driver's seat.

You walked to sit shotgun, but Jean sped up to beat you to the seat.

Suspicious.

Squinting at her, you went to sit in the middle row, where Scott also made to sit.

It was silent for the first minute of the drive until Jubilee tried to strike up a conversation.

"So! Y/N, I'm so glad you decided to hang out with us! I love your outfit. Ooh! Peter, hand me my bag! I have a scrunchie that will match perfectly."

Peter looked at her with mock disbelief. "Yeah. dude, make me reach behind my seat and into the trunk of the car."

Kurt clearly did not want to be part of this conflict.

Jubilee smiled sweetly at Peter. "Shut up and grab me my bag, please?"

Peter sighed half-sarcastically. "Yes ma'am."

Well, Jean's friends were just as you remember (aka slightly crazy).

You heard Jean's voice in your mind "If you don't wear that scrunchie it will genuinely hurt Jubilee's feelings, and I will never forgive you."

You looked at her through the mirror and raised your eyebrows.

Jubilee's voice took back your attention. "Here it is! Scotty, I can't reach. Can you hand this to her?"

Scott visibly winced at the nickname "Scotty" but handed you the scrunchie anyway. After trying to hide your amusement at the use of "Scotty", you attempted to put your hair up with the scrunchie, and you saw Jean smile. You were determined to make friends with these people for Jean.

"Thanks, Jubilee," You smiled at her. "So, how do I look?"

Scott chimed in immediately. "Like you're twelve."

"Ok, shut up Scott. You look cool, Y/N." Ororo gave you a thumbs up from the front seat. They were all clearly told to make friends with you by Jean in the same way you were. Well... told or threatened. Who's to say.

The car ride was awkward, to say the least. When you finally arrived at the mall and exited the car, you felt like you could finally breathe. You spoke first while you were all walking into the mall.

"So, how are we planning on killing time before Empire?"

"Well, Jubilee wanted to pick up some more eyeshadow with me, and Peter, Kurt, and Ororo are probably going to buy even more colored leather jackets," Jean said.

"Where does that leave me and your wallflower?" Scott asked Jean. You turned to look at him, attempting to make your lack of amusement clear. "What?" He shrugged, "It's true!"

"Ok, first of all, she's not actually that shy, you're just mean. Second of all, I was hoping you two could go into the book shop together until we're done."

Your eyes widened as you turned to Jean, silently begging her not to leave you and Scott alone.

"What? Why are you looking at me like I'm crazy? Maybe I thought you would try to get along because you both love me and I want you to be friends!"

Scott responded first. "You're totally guilt-tripping us right now."

"Yes!" Jean responded. "Yes I am, and you better be feeling guilty. Now, we're all going inside, and you are going into that bookstore together, you are going to bond over your cheesy dreams about falling in love, and, Scott, you are going to be kind! Or I will be very upset!"

You and Scott looked at each other (slightly afraid) before you turned to Jean and nodded your head at her.

"Ok. Let's go, Scott." You looked at him and he nodded at you both of you then started to head to the bookstore.

In the door of the shop, you glanced at him awkwardly. "So... is there a specific section you want to visit? Or-"

"Uh, I usually just... wander." He was bouncing on his heels.

"Oh! Ok, uh... where you lead I will follow!"

He spun around and started to walk aimlessly, actually trying to make conversation.

"So- you take photos?"

"...How did you know that?"

"I've seen you. That sounds creepy, I just mean that I saw you with a camera once when you walked Jean to training. It seemed nice. Only a dumbass would own a nice camera and not use it."

"How kind of you to not see me as a dumbass," you mumbled as you ran your hand across the book binds. "Do you have any hobbies?"

"Not really to be honest. Well, actually- I like... cars."

"...Cars. Huh. Elaborate."

"My brother, his name is Alex, taught me how to fix up cars when I was younger. Ooh- recently we found this beautiful 1962 AMC Rambler- I mean, it was basically a pile of garbage, but we're fixing it up."

"What's a Rambler?"

"W- 'What's a Rambler?'" He looked at you like you were speaking another language. "A 1962 AMC Rambler is only the car of my dreams!"

"The 'car of your dreams'?"

"Uh, yeah. What- do you not have a dream car?"

You laughed at him, "No? I don’t know that much about cars."

"You don’t have to know shit about cars to have a dream car! Come on, you don't have any car you would want to drive?"

"A school bus."

"...What do you mean."

"I mean- I bet I could live in a school bus. It's big, has a lot of windows, it's yellow." Scott was surprisingly easy to talk to.

"A school bus. Huh."

"I thought of that on the spot, it's not a long-term dream of mine."

"No, I see the appeal. I do think it's weird that you listed it being yellow as one of its positive attributes though."

"Holy shit. Holy shit!"

"What? What's the problem?"

You grabbed the book you spotted and held it out to him with your arms fully outstretched, it almost hit his nose. "Do you know what this is?"

Scott's hands appeared at the top of the book, and he pushed it down so you could see his confused expression. "A... book?"

"Very funny, Scotty, but no this is not just a book. This is a sequel."

He crossed his arms across his chest. "... 'Scotty'? I'm gonna kill Lee."

"Who's Lee?"

"Jubilee."

"If you can call her 'Lee' why can’t she call you 'Scotty'?"

"Because 'Scotty' makes me sound like I'm twelve!"

"Well, according to you, this scrunchie makes me look twelve. So I guess we're even, Scotty."

"I see why you and Jean are friends. You’re both evil."

"I called her evil not 10 minutes ago! Look at us, 'bonding' and all."

"Speaking of a 10 minutes ago, and that whole 'twelve' thing, I'm sorry."

"What do you mean?"

"Sorry for calling you twelve... and a wallflower. You seem... neat."

"Thanks... I think."

"Neat is a good thing."

"I'm kinda messy actually."

"I meant neat as in like- cool. Plus, you’re the first friend-ish person I've had that also wears glasses!"

You smiled at each other for a moment.

This was amusing.

He was amusing.

Unfortunately, someone popped the bubble encasing you and Scott. "Wow, 'friendish'? That's an upgrade from them low-key hating each other."

You whipped your head around to see Peter and Jean standing on the other side of the aisle, clearly having been observing and talking about you.

Scott spoke first. "How long have you two been standing there?"

"Long enough," Jean smiled. "You two get along."

"...So?" Scott asked.

"So, about an hour ago that seemed completely impossible."

An hour? That couldn’t be possible. "Wait, what time is it?"

Jean responded. "12:45, you’ve sure been chatting for a long time."

Scott cleared his throat and turned to you, "So, uh, you should buy that book, and then we should head to the movie theater room thingie."

You looked back at him. "Yeah! Ok, so... yeah."

After you and Scott walked away, Peter leaned over to whisper to Jean. "Well, that was a long glance. We've really gotta lock 'em in a closet together or something."

Jean shoved Peter, and you all went about your mall trip as you did before, except that now you might have a new friend... ish.

[imagineabrighterworld]

Nothin’ On You // Sero x Shy!Reader

A/N: Kinda long! But I owe Sero for taking so long on finishing this! Hope you like it! ^^

The first time you meet is for a school project

In middle school he was the cool guy that got along with pretty much everyone. At first you would hide away, which was easy with a quirk like yours. You would turn translucent and mute according to your mood, so every time you tried to muster up the courage to talk to him when he passed you by in the halls, you would completely disappear. It was a game of chance to see who was paired with who when the fated project came up, but when you were paired with Sero you almost entirely disappeared off of the face of the earth. You begin to wonder if you could escape class without being noticed when he makes his way over and plops down in the seat next to you.

"Name's Hanta Sero, what's yours?"

Your face flushes, body turning translucent for a split second before you take his hand and shake it. "It's..." Your voice fails you. Of course it had to happen now. Your quirk just had to be a two-in-one kind of deal.

Lifting a finger, you scribble your name down on a loose piece of paper and offer it to him.

He looks at the scrap of paper with curiosity. “Cute name.” He looks back to you. “Is that your quirk? The..?” He motions to his body and mouth.

You nod sagely.

He beams. "Nice to meet you."

The tension in your shoulders lessen. Grabbing your textbook and one of your notebooks made for this type of situation, you write down several questions before pointing to the textbook pages.

He reads each message, surprisingly more patient with your quirk than others. Some expected you to push past it or get over your shyness, but he went with it. It made you feel.. valid. Like your quirk wasn't a burden.

“Sounds like we'll be having a few all nighters on this one, Mr. Takeshi expects waaay too much of us if he wants this done in a week.” Sero looks at you curiously. “What do you think? We could do it at one of those 24/7 cafes nearby.”

Feeling yourself relaxing, you realize you've returned to being opaque as you nod in agreement. "Sounds like a plan."

His smile brightens. "Hey, your voice is pretty cute too chica!"

This time you're glad you disappear from sight, hands covering your mouth as he laughs heartily.  

The project was an odd success

After your initial shock and shyness of being paired up with Sero, you both were a rather successful couple when it came to academics. You split the work equally and helped each other when either of you needed it. While he wasn't always the brightest, he always managed to put a smile on your face when you were studying long into the night, when your eyelids grew too heavy and your will to study lessened. When the day of the presentation came and you both took to the front of the class, it was his support that kept you from disappearing out of fright. However, now that it was over, you were surprised he still wanted to hang out with you, even if it wasn't required anymore.

“Oi, chiquita bonita! Over here!” Sero waves to you from across the classroom. He was sitting in his normal spot with his usual clique, and normally you didn't mix with them. They seemed nice, but it was always awkward when you joined him. You felt like they only tolerated you because of him.

Gathering your items, you shuffle out of your desk space and join him, blushing slightly as he scoots his seat to the side to make space for you right next to him. You could feel the burning stares of the girls surrounding him. You held on though, focusing on staying opaque, knowing he would try getting to the bottom of why you were nervous. Oh if only he knew how hated you were by his clique of girls.

“We did pretty good on the presentation didn't we?” He asks while draping an arm across the back of your chair, his body completely at ease. “Even the cabrón was impressed.”

You smack him lightly on the back of his head. You didn't know a lot of spanish, if at all, but you picked up some slang from the boy next to you. “Don't be mean Hanta, he's not all that bad.”

The girls’ hiss at your action, but Sero only laughs and tugs you closer under his arm. “Lo siento cariño. I'm sorry, but it's not my fault he has a stick up there.” He gestures upward with his middle finger.

You knew if you tried speaking, your voice would have fizzled out like a drop of water on a hot stove.

After the project you two were nearly inseparable, everyone knew you and Sero were an item (even if you both didn't see it)

“Dios mio! What did we do to earn this princesa?”

You turn around to the source of the voice, pausing on decorating the stage of the auditorium. It was Sero, you could tell immediately by his voice, but what you didn't understand was the context of his words. What was he talking about?

The confusion must have shown on your face as he moves closer and climbs onto the stage, walking up to you until he was by your side. “You're all dolled up. What's the occasion?” He holds you by the shoulders and peers behind you as well, earning a pinch on his cheek.

“It's the dance this week, remember? But the play is before, so we have to set up so it's all ready for the night. That means dress rehearsals too.” You were a part of the theatre group, an odd choice for someone who disappears when they get stage fright, but you were heavily invested in what you did. It was a passion you indulged.

“Aye, yeah I forgot about that.” Sero rubs his neck and looks at the ground, deep in thought. At least for two minutes. After the two minutes he peeks at you with a mischievous grin. ”Wanna go to the dance with me?”

To your credit, you manage to stay opaque while your heart beats wildly in its cage. “Thats a dumb way of asking me out.” You mutter while sliding down from the stage, nearly cutting yourself on one of the loose planks.

“¡Cuidado!” He holds his arms out, ready to help you down. “I don't want my date to get hurt you know?”

“I can still dance in a cast.” You brush off his concern with a rare smile. Crushes aside, you appreciated his friendship and concern.

“The fuck is this, Romeo and Juliet? Get a room!” A classmate yells from the lighting stage, laughing when you flip them the bird.

Sero joins in the laughter, leaving soon after apologizing to your classmate. Said classmate meets you in front of the stage, arms crossed and looking back and forth between you and the now closed auditorium door.

“So are you guys dating now?”

“No, we're just friends.” You rub your neck, feeling the translucency crawl up your neck. But it couldn't wipe away the smile on your face.

You gravitate towards each other

Stretching your arms in front of you, you twist your body to the right and sigh as you feel a pop. You didn't particularly like gym class but it was nice to get a good stretch.

Looking around at the field in front of you, you wave at the occasional friendly face. You had friends in this class, which made it even more bearable.

"Hola princesa!"

Sero?

Turning around you grin at the familiar face. You run to the fence blocking you in, gripping it as you watch your friend run to you. He holds your hand through the fence, a normal occurance and a habit you've grown fond of.

"What are you doing here?" You question while turning your hand in order to squeeze his, heart fluttering when you see the small tinge of pink on his cheeks.

"Just here to say hi. My next class is in E block." He peers over your shoulder. You were about the same height, somewhere around 5'4, so you relished being able to see him eye to eye (mostly) while it lasted. He grew a bit over the break of your first year. "Playing anything?"

"Volleyball." You shiver. "I'm team captain, but I suck at it." Who would you pick? Would you actually be a good leader? You feel your voice leave you as you begin to rival that of an onion skin, growing more and more invisible.

A small pinch on the back of your hand pulls you back to reality. Sero waggles a finger, tisking at you. "Don't sweat it, you'll do great." He squeezes your hand before backing up, walking backwards as he heads to class. "Just breathe princesa!"

"Got it." You whisper to yourself, waving to him as you watch him enter the building across from you.

Sadly by the end of your second year, he had grown taller, leaving you craning your neck to look at him.

When he entered U.A. you still cheered him on

Graduating middle school was tough when you split off into different schools. You knew you would keep in contact, but it was so much harder to spend time together when you didnt attend the same schools. Still, with each video chat and phone call, with each text, you showered him with all your love and support. He wanted to be a hero, and you were happy to support him with that dream!

You: Saw you on the tv, you were amazing!

Sero: thanks 😙 still lost tho 😅😅😁😁

You: Yeaaah🤔 but you still looked really cool! Still, didn't realize you were strong enough to pull that Todoroki guy that way 🧐

Sero: Im just full of surprises princesa 😘

Sero mentioned you often to his friends

You were mentioned in at least one conversation a day, it didn't matter the context, you just sort of popped up. What could he say, he loved you! You were his go to for support and someone he truly valued. Plus you weren't crazy like his classmates. 

“You keep talking about her but we've never actually seen her.” Mina leans forward on her palm as she sips at her milk tea. “You're not lying about her are you?” She wiggles her eyebrows, eliciting a laugh from Sero. 

“Course she's real.” 

Kirishima lays his head on the table of the booth they were at, looking at Sero with confusion. “Got proof? It’s not manly to lie to your friends bro.” Sure he believed in his friend, but after a year of just hearing about a special girl, it was hard to keep believing without some form of proof. 

Sero holds up a finger as he pulls out his phone. Placing it flat on the table, he pushes the power button and watches his friends faces light up as they view his lock screen. It was a picture of you.

“Woah! Who's the hot chick?” Kaminari asks excitedly as he returns from the bathroom. “Is she single?”

Sero powers off his phone before smacking a piece of tape on his friend’s mouth, surprisingly feeling a twinge of anger at his words. You were his best friend! He had to protect you!

 On the inside he knew his anger was from deeper feelings, but for now it was just from the fact that he may need to defend your innocence from his own schoolmate. You were so shy, he knew Kaminari’s flirting would be too much for you.

“Yeah, no cabrón. She's taken.”

You were there for his graduation

Needless to say, you were at his graduation! It was difficult to find him amidst the crowds of families wanting to take pictures of their children and siblings, and even some heroes wanting to say their goodbyes! You were absolutely bombarded and neigh invisible after overthinking the whole thing, so when you finally found him you were stunned into invisibility when his friends jumped you. 

“Ohmygodohmygodit'sactuallyyouuuuuu!” Mina screams as she pulls you into her, squeezing the life out of you before you can get a breath out. 

The boys were much gentler, but just as excited. Especially Kaminari.

“Hey it’s the hot girl- more like the gone girl, what's happening?” He questions as you disappear from sight, your voice completely AWOL.

Sero smacks his face as he curses his friends out. “Chingues! Give my girl some space hijos de perras!” 

Mina gives you enough space to breathe but holds you much like one would a hostage. For a hero course student, you believed that she would have done very well as a villain. 

“Nope! We get to meet this girl of yours, Tape Boy!” She looks down at you, squinting to try making out where your face would be, unknowingly glaring directly at you. “He talks about you almost nonstop yet you haven't visited us at all, how unfair is that?” Mina grins. 

You come into focus, your voice a mere squeak as you brush some hair out of your face. “A little? I should've visited..” You introduce yourself to his cadre, your name stumbling off your lips. 

“Hot and shy? What a cutie!” Kaminari hugs you from your available side where Mina wasn't holding you in a headlock. 

A whip of tape smacks the blonde and sends him reeling back to Sero who holds him in a similar hold Mina was holding you.

Your friend ruffles Kaminari's hair in a somewhat violent manner, grinning at him with threatening eyes. "Go easy on her cabrón. She's not used to so many people doting on her."

They were doting on you? You tilt your head and look at Mina who was still examining you. "I don't think I deserve to be doted on, that's not what's going on here right?"

"Of course not, but you and I are gonna have some girl time while the boys get us a spot at a restaurant! You're gonna tell us all about how you and Tape Boy here met!" She chirps excitedly, pulling Bakugou in with her free arm as he tries escaping past her.

You feel a drop of sweat as you accept your fate, watching Bakugou attempt to wrangle his way to freedom. "Sure, sounds nice."

Sero made it rather big as a hero, see, he wasn't the strongest hero but he was very popular

He had always been popular, so it made sense to you when his ranking kept going up and up until he was in the high twenties. You knew he was good at what he did, being a source of smiles even in dark times, but it always brightened your day when you heard your coworkers mention him in passing. 

“Have you heard about the hero Cellophane yet?”

“Yeah! I think I saw him around yesterday. He was eating soba with Shoto.” 

You look backwards to see the faces of your junior coworkers. They were in a different department than you, but you enjoyed chatting with them every now and then. Mostly when it came to heroes as you had somewhat of an insiders look. 

Had you forgotten to mention you were friends with Sero- Cellophane? 

You debated whether to tell them over tea one day until you heard their next words.

“He’s kind of hot isn't he?”

... Maybe you would keep the secret to yourself. 

As a hero he makes time to drop into your life, sometimes randomly 

What else was to be said? Really?

A blur flashes by your face, causing you to yelp in shock, stepping back and nearly falling onto the unforgiving pavement. Luckily, said blur created a swing of tape just in time to catch you, pulling you forward and bringing you into his arms. 

“Lo siento mi corazón! I didn't mean to make you fall.”  Sero grins at you, his arm wrapped securely around your waist. He definitely meant to make you fall, you could see the mischief behind his eyes. 

“As if Hanta.” You pinch him on the cheek, a smile coming to your face when he whines. “Look I’m happy to see you but I've got to get to work on time today, no funny business.”

“No funny business?” He repeats after you, rubbing his chin in thought. “Then I guess I’ll have to escort you to make sure you get to work on time.” 

Your eyes widen as you feel his hold grow tighter and more secure as he holds you flush against him. Oh no. “Wait Sero-!” 

And just like that, you were in the air, swinging from building to building with him propelling you both forward. You attempt to scream at him but your voice is lost along the way as you hear the clicking of cameras. 

Oh god they were taking pictures.

“Niña don't worry! We’re almost there!”

 Luckily for you, you were never caught on camera. So your quirk did have some uses. 

The media was sure he had a partner 

The photos really ended up getting him in hot water as every interview he did, the topic of romance was brought up. Fans would notice he would avoid the topic of love, but on his social media he would constantly mention a girl. No one knew who this girl was, but fans and news stations were determined to wring it out of him. 

Once the red light of the on-air button was out, the reporter in front of Sero swiftly covers the mic pinned to her lapel and scoots to the edge of her seat. Sero watches in quiet amusement as the whole station becomes silent. Weird. But he knew why they grew quiet so fast. They wanted information, and if even the news anchor waiting for his time to come up stopped his boisterous laughter, it must've been important. 

“Off the record. Do you have a secret sweetheart stashed away somewhere Cellophane?”

Oh. This again. 

He stretches his arms in front of him as he runs through his normal excuses and dodges for this question. All still viable and working, but.. Maybe he could give a little hint. The media was on his ass about this after those photos were taken of him and his girl, so it was only right to clear the air right?

“Turn on the cameras. I’ll give this to you.”

You were crushed when he admitted he did have a sweetheart (of sorts) and even more so when the media suspected it to be the Stealth Hero: Invisible Girl

The media did end up getting a bit of info out of him  and when you heard about this special girl your heart couldn't help but crack under the thought of him distancing himself from you to be with her. You treasured your friendship with him, romantic or not, you didn't want it to end. Because of this fear, you are the one who starts to close yourself off.

“Chiquita, what's wrong?” Sero follows you as you make your way to the kitchen, a bowl of chocolate coated pretzels in your arms. “Are you sick? I can stop by the pharmacy for you.”

“N-No, its okay. I'm not sick..” You back up when you see his arm stretched outward, flinching when the back of his hand meets your forehead. 

He hums. “No fever.” 

You push past him, abandoning the bowl of chocolatey treats on the counter. You felt yourself becoming frustrated. Not with him, but with yourself. His opinion meant the world to you- he was your best friend! And you were letting this relationship of his get to you. How petty could you be? He did nothing wrong. In fact, you should be happy for him, finally dating his high school sweetheart.

But the thought of him dating Invisible Girl- the irony of him dating an invisible girl- was just too much for your heart to take at the moment. 

You had no way to take out this frustration. So it was reflected onto him. 

“Cariño-”

“Please!” You slam your hands on the counter, voice fading in and out as you hide your face in the collar of your turtleneck. “Please.. Just go.”

The apartment was quiet, filled with only your ragged breathing as you hold in your rampant emotions. When he leaves with a silent goodbye, you're unsure if the breaking sound surrounding you is just in your head or if something truly reached into you and tore your heart to pieces. 

He makes it very clear who that sweetheart is

Finally, he announces just who captured his heart. It was live on a jumbo screen, playing as you were out getting “groceries” for the nights dinner. 

The hollow feeling in your chest wasn't easing, and it definitely wasn't made any better when you saw the Stealth Hero on the television next to her team. Though your calves were certainly doing better with how much speed walking you would do when you passed by convenience stores with tabloids lining their windows, photos of Sero and Invisible Girl on the front. 

Work went by dreadfully slow, and lunch went by just as uneventfully as usual. You ignored the chatter of your coworkers, uninterested in what they had to say. 

After the report came out, no one was talking about the top heroes anymore. They all were focused on the potential lovers and what other secret admiring the heroes had in their ranks. If other heroes were hiding their own affairs. If the popular Cellophane could hide his romance, maybe someone like Deku or Shoto could be too. 

“We’re going out for drinks later, want to come with?” Your junior asks as she slings her purse strap over her shoulder. “Jin is paying~”

You respond with a polite smile. “No thanks. I’m going straight home.”

- - -

Going straight home was the plan, but in the end you had to make a quick trip to the nearest grocery store for dinner. Something quick, as you didn't have the energy to make something complicated. 

Which meant you ended up buying only instant ramen.

It was on your way back, crossing a busy sector when the sound of your friend on the jumbo screen caught your attention. 

“She's my corazón. Mi vida.” 

You look up at the screen, stopping in your tracks.

Sero was blushing, a shy smile on his face, but his eyes were lit up with joy. You heart pulses rapidly in your chest, a blush creeping up your cheeks. You had never seen him so flustered, it was always the other way around. 

“I’ve loved her since middle school. I never wanted to drag her into this, so I never confirmed her name- but its not Invisible Girl!” He amends quickly, looking at the reporter with a knowing look. He wags his finger, his infamous cocky smile replacing the twitterpated look from earlier. 

“Sure, she has a similar quirk, which is how those photos came to be.” He leans back in his chair. 

“You want to know her name right? I guess it wouldn't hurt to say. I’ve kept it hidden for so long, but here it is.”

And then he said it.

He said your name.

Looking directly at the screen, he smiles gently, eyes full of the warmth you've been craving ever since you were paired for that project years ago. 

“Ella es mi tesoro. She is my treasure.”

Extra: 

Racing home, you're not surprised when you find the lights on in your apartment. In fact, it only spurs you forward. 

Yanking open the unlocked door, you drop your groceries and launch yourself into Sero’s arms as he held them open for a hug. 

He was sweaty from rushing from the news station to your apartment, but neither of you were concerned about it as you laugh. You laugh at the tape still clinging to his clothes, you laugh at the ramen spilling out of your grocery bags, you laugh at your tears.

You laugh at how long it took for you both to finally admit how much you loved each other.

“Mi corazón.” He pulls back from the hug and cups your cheek, looking at you with love softened eyes. “I love you.”

Tears brim your eyes. 

You speak in the clearest voice you've ever spoken in. Skin bright and flushed pink. 

“I love you too.”

[losebetter]

Hey! Not sure if you're still in the P5 Fandom, but I found a war on foxes and fell in love. If you weren't planning on continuing it, can I ask what you had planned for it?

oh! that’s fun for me -- i’m not really in any fandom at the moment, but i tend to drift all over and leave little messes of writing as i get into things. :D WotF is actually something i’d love to continue someday - i had about 10k of it written - but it’s one of those things where i just got too in my head about whether parts of it made sense, so like... it’s been rotting on my hard drive for years. oops. i’m so glad you’ve enjoyed what’s there!!

tbh it was just gonna be some soft character study and ensemble fic with shukita talkin’ through stuff, so basically a lot of what already exists... actually here, let me just give you part of a scene! maybe it’ll motivate me to finish it someday if i know someone has read past what i’ve published. :,D 

if what you liked about the published stuff was Weird Teens, here’s a little more of that...?

When Yusuke arrives at their hideout the next day, Akira still isn't present, which kicks up a whole new series of pesky anxieties, his heart thudding nervously in his chest. He sets down his portfolio with an awkward wave to his companions, leaning it up against a wall and turning around to rest beside it with a quiet sigh.

He's fishing out his phone, mindful of the conversation already going on, but he looks up when he hears Ann tutting.

"That sounded rough," she says to him, slim eyebrows drawn in sympathy. "You okay, Yusuke?"

Embarrassed to have caught her attention, Yusuke pulls his hair nervously behind his ear. "I'm alright," he answers. He tries a small smile, but he can feel his brows still pinched in the middle, and gives it up as a lost cause. "Thank you, Ann. I just… had a long night."

"What," Ryuji interrupts, leaning into his space, "you?"

"I - yes?" Yusuke fights down a blush, suddenly faced with the reality of having to lie about exactly what had kept him up. "I was working on a painting for class last night. I - I was focused, and it was well past midnight when I had finally thought to check the time."

That's a believable enough tale, right? God, he suddenly has no idea. He hopes so.

It's apparently enough for Ryuji, who lets out a theatrical sigh so heavy it sinks his shoulders. "Maaaan. It sounded all mysterious until you said it was for school. How can you work on homework for that long?"

Yusuke feels trapped, unsure if he's supported his lie well enough, but thankfully Makoto steps in to rescue him before he accidentally oversells it.

"Some of us do value our studies, Ryuji," she says, turning a smile Yusuke's way that's only slightly uneasy. She has nothing to worry about - given that she's the newest member of the group, Yusuke happens to think she fits in better than he does.

"Yeah!" Ann chirps, always game to jump in and make fun of him. She twirls a loose piece of her hair where it falls over her shoulder. "I mean… doesn't it sound cooler than homework, anyway? Painting in a studio by moonlight, and all."

Yusuke reaches for the back of his neck, uncomfortable. "I have regular homework too, you know…" Homework he'd been steadfastly ignoring last night, in favor of rereading his message history with Akira until he'd had his words memorized.

We were so close on the train it was driving me crazy

i couldnt stop staring at your collarbones. You had raindrops on your throat and i wanted to lick them off so bad, i swear i almost did

"B - besides," he adds, trying to push the thoughts from his mind, "I can't help but be somewhat envious of you all, going to the same school and getting to see one another every day."

Yusuke?

Shit Yusuke im really sorry

Did you fall asleep…?

Yusuke?

"Akira!" Ryuji shouts, and Yusuke flinches from the force of his split-second fear that Ryuji can somehow read his mind - 

But when he looks up, their fearless leader is jogging toward them, shoulderbag supported with one hand (as to not jostle Morgana) and a small package in the other. He slows a few feet away from their spot and waves, looking a little out of breath.

"Heya," Ryuji greets with a matching wave - Yusuke sees Makoto adjust her hair and stand a little straighter, and wonders about that: her deference to Akira as a leader even outside of the Metaverse, despite his age.

Akira doesn't notice, smiling sheepishly at all of them. "Hi guys. Sorry I'm late, Boss wouldn't let me leave until I - "

He doesn't continue, oddly enough, but his ears do go a fetching shade of red. What happens next may well have happened in slow motion, for how intently Yusuke watches it:

Ryuji gestures to Akira's hand and asks, what's that? at the same time Akira seems to realize he's still holding whatever the package is - and whatever it is, it makes the pale skin under his glasses glow with a rosy blush that can't be explained by his exertion. 

As if on instinct, he reaches around to stuff the offending object into his bag, but that only makes Morgana splutter as his only air hole is covered up - and just as Ryuji steps closer, a shark with blood in the water, Morgana's high-pitched voice complains, watch it! and the little box comes sailing back out of the bag in a delicate arc, directly into Ryuji's waiting hands.

Akira looks betrayed, but he hasn't moved a muscle, completely frozen with his hand next to his bag - and he doesn't move until Ryuji's whooping abruptly halts, a lull in surrounding conversations allowing Yusuke to hear with perfect clarity when he blurts, "dude, are these condoms?"

Everything returns to speed at once, Akira flushed to the roots of his hair as he staggers into motion, reaching for the box. "Oh my god," he seethes, "Ryuji, shut up."

"There's no way - " Ann starts, then her eyes widen. "No wait, they totally - Akira, oh my god - "

"Stop!" he shrieks, looking humiliated, and Yusuke dodges away from his flailing arm as Ryuji dances away from it on his other side. "Ryuji - "

"Why do you have those?" Makoto asks - she sounds a little impressed, actually.

"Boss," Akira says, and grunts with another lunge that Ryuji crashes into Ann to avoid. "Shit, sorry - Sojiro stopped me on my way out and - Ryuji, seriously - wouldn't let me leave until I took 'em!"

"How big are they?" Ryuji asks, smug grin so wide Yusuke can see his canines.

"Who cares!" Akira whines, stopping for a moment to reorient - his hands curl into fists at his sides, upsetting his short coattails. "I'm gonna blow 'em up like balloons and tie 'em to you until you float away, I swear to - "

"Why would he," Yusuke starts, at the same time Ryuji looks up from the packaging and says, all of a sudden deathly serious, "wait, did you have a girl in your room, Akira?" and the rest of Yusuke's question dies in his throat.

If Sojiro thought - if Akira —

"Mercy," Yusuke breathes.

Ann seems to have noticed his reaction, her eyes calculating, and he watches with horror as she puts the pieces together when Akira whines, "no, idiot, the last person in my room was Yusuke - "

[oohfluffy]

TIHM Ch.10 | BBH

Group: EXO

Member: Byun Baekhyun

Theme: Angst | Fluff | Rated M | University!AU | Football!AU

Word Count: 1,930

chapter 10

You grumbled on the table, your face plastered on it as you pushed your papers on the side. You were in the middle of accomplishing your genetics assignment when you felt exhausted all of a sudden.

It was already Friday, and you woke up at 8 to finish your pending school works before going to your class at 12. After your only class on Friday, you'll be running to your work at 4. Aunt Jinah scheduled your shifts at MTFS, 3 hours on Monday and Tuesday nights, and 5 hours on Friday and Saturday, afternoon to night. It was manageable, though a bit tiring. You just motivated yourself to be used to it.

You almost pushed yourself off of your seat when a mug of hot chocolate was placed beside your face. Your eyes quickly looked at the good samaritan, and softened at the sight of your distant best friend. You haven't heard her gossips and late night talks for the past few days. You wonder if she's still—

"I don't like this." Jiwon mumbled as she sat on the chair across yours. She looked back at you with solemn eyes. "You know I love you, right? I care for you."

"So do I, Jiwon-ah." You sighed, looking at the smoke the heat from the mug emits. "I understand if you don't want to be around me anymore—"

"Oh shut up. This is not where we end our friendship, Saejin!" Jiwon incredulously exclaimed, her eyes wide in displeasure. "We made it work alright these years, right? I'm not gonna leave you alone, either you like it or not!"

You let out a cry as you opened your arms for your best friend, immediately feeling warm because of her embrace. She hugged you tight as if she was getting all her energy from you. You pouted your lips in attempt of refraining yourself to sob louder.

"Even if those people continue to leave you in the dark, I won't. I'll be here, Saejin."

You smiled through your tears, nuzzling your head to Jiwon's shoulder. 

"I know you will be. I know."

—

"Oh really?! That's pretty embarrassing!" Hyoseop laughed out loud, slapping his thighs as he doubled over the couch. "I wouldn't want to see anyone after that!"

You just finished telling him how embarrassing your first date was, two months ago. You were too nervous to greet the guy that you pretended you weren't his date by looking away from his gaze, and spilling your coffee on your chest after. You tried looking casual as you wiped your wet chest, until your date finally approached your way. You couldn't handle the embarrassment and rushed out of the shop as soon as he opened his mouth.

"He was kind of cute, but then," You admitted as you chuckled. "probably wasn't the best time to meet me." Leaning comfortably against the cushion, you just found yourself relaxed with his presence.

"When will it be the best time to meet you then?"

Your head snapped back to him in surprise, but immediately pushing any malicious thoughts about what he said.

It's not like he's going to ask me out, right.

"Hmm," You hummed as you calmed yourself before answering. "maybe when I'm ready?"

"When will that happen?"

You started sweating bullets at his question, looking away from his penetrating gaze. 

"Uh, next year?" You stupidly said with a nervous laugh, just trying to get away from the question as fast as you can. You thought that Hyoseop will be laughing with you, but then he didn't. You slowly turned your head to him, uncertain of what was his reaction.

He just nodded with a small smile, eyes gentle as he looked at you.

"I'll be waiting then."

You swore that your heart stopped beating at that moment.

—

"So as I was saying, this new recruit in our squad just feels like she's so pretty that she treats anyone she thinks ugly like shit." Jiwon complained loudly as she walked beside you in the hallways. "Her name's Lisa by the way. Just so you know who the bitch is."

"Uhuh." You mumbled as she continued to drag you along with her. She wanted to walk you to your room, and you just let her do what she wants so she doesn't whine. 

"I think she's so gonna click with your bitch friends." Jiwon laughed crazily as she shook her head. "Haven't seen those girls for a while."

You almost cursed out loud as you saw them come out of the room. It sucks to see those devils most of the time. They just walked past you both, glaring as Jiwon raised her eyebrows at them.

"It's so scary how devils suddenly appear as you speak of them." She mumbled as she rolled her eyes. "They didn't try anything to you again, did they?"

You darted your eyes instantly on your right wrist, flipping it on the other side, so it would be hidden. Thankfully, Jiwon didn't see and continued on blabbering until you were both inside the room. She just sat beside you, waving at people she knew and they politely greeted back.

How two-faced these people are.

"They didn't, did they, Saejin-ah?" Jiwon asked once again with her serious face. You just smiled before shaking your head.

"No, they didn't."

You'll be avoiding those people from now on, anyway. 

It wouldn't matter.

As soon as the bell rang, you took your things and went out quietly. You didn't want to waste time and be caught up with any of Irene's shit again. You looked up at the round clock as you walked past the corner, 3:34 pm. You walked briskly, calculating how fast your walk should be to be able to catch bus—

"Oof!"

Of course you wouldn't be so lucky to be Baekhyun-free today.

His eyes widened as yours just turned into slits. You quickly picked up your bag and walked past him. He looked like he saw a ghost as he bumped into you. He seemed to be in a rush as well. 

We can just treat each other as strangers now.

"Saejin! Wait!"

You glanced around and noticed how some students looked at you in wonder. Probably thinking why is a Byun Baekhyun, the quarterback from the football team, running after you. You let out a frustrated sigh before turning to an empty hallway. 

"SAE—"

"I'm here, stop shouting." You grumbled as you leaned at the wall, tapping your foot impatiently. As soon as he entered the hallway, you looked at his back and confirmed that no one was looking anymore. "What? Wasn't I clear—"

Without consent, Baekhyun gently took your right hand, his hand carefully turning it to the side for a better look. As if he knew what he was looking for.

"What the hell—"

"Who did this? You didn't, did you? Was it them again?!" Baekhyun angrily questioned you, his once gentle eyes hardened in a second. His voice turned deeper and much lower than his chirpy and energetic tone. His touch was warm and light against your skin, contrasting his voice and eyes full of rage. "I'm gonna—"

"What? Kick them out again?" You voiced out the concern of those girls, gritting your teeth as you refuse to be affected by his kindness and worry. "Stop worrying—"

"Why can't I? When you're like this?" Baekhyun let out a humorless chuckle, eyes drifting towards your eyes. You couldn't find it in yourself to pull away from his grasp. It felt okay. You felt safe. "Who would want to leave you alone?"

Maybe because you're too weak, it gets kind of exhausting for people to care for you.

Maybe that's why they betray you. Maybe they couldn't handle your fragile heart.

Maybe you are the problem.

"Let me in, Saejin-ah."

You looked back into his eyes, seeing nothing but clear sincerity and care. You swallowed the lump in your throat before speaking, afraid your voice will break.

"Why would you want that, Baekhyun-ssi?" You whispered, lips slightly quivering under his gaze. "Why would you want to care so much?"

Baekhyun pursed his lips as he stared at you silently. You weren't expecting an answer to be honest. You just want to let out the questions bugging you from the start. Why would he, right? No one would be kind enough to approach you with pure intentions like those people around you. Everyone here knew about your past, about your scandal with a senior, who was allegedly drugged by you.

Unless Baekhyun didn't know about it.

Your eyes teared up as you looked away from him. Maybe he didn't know about it. That should explain his kindness. If he knew, he would be like everyone else.

Or maybe he likes you—

"I don't know how this happened." Baekhyun sighed as he caressed your injured hand, looking down at the neatly wrapped bandage on your wrist. "It's kinda your fault, you know."

"What?!" You almost hit him with your other hand, eyebrows twitching as your tears went back in your eye sockets. He was making you this riled up in a few sentences, huh.

"You wouldn't stop playing around in my head." Baekhyun chuckled as he looked at you through his lashes, a smile forming on his lips. Your lips parted in surprise at his confession. 

"W-What the hell are you saying?"

"I think I like you, Saejin-ah." He proudly admitted as he tugged on your hand gently towards him. Your eyes remained wide as he stared into them admiringly. "Damn, you just won't stop.  I was certain I'm going crazy already." 

As much as you want to push him away and shout some profanities you haven't said to anyone, you couldn't make yourself move away and speak bravely. It was like he sucked every piece of courage you had in yourself, turning the tables his way and to his advantage. He was messing with your brain and feelings BIG TIME.

WHO WAS HE KIDDING? HE LIKES ME? DOES HE THINK I'M THAT STUPID? HE WAS FREAKING MAKING OUT WITH DIFFERENT GIRLS LAST FEW DAYS! I COULDN'T EVEN COUNT THEM ALL! THIS FUCKING BASTARD!

"I can see that you're swearing at me with your eyes, baby." Baekhyun mumbled under his breath, chuckling as he saw your other hand forming into a fist. 

"Glad that you know." You jabbed his stomach with your elbow, earning a pained grunt. "I'm—"

Baekhyun still stared expectantly at you, slightly wincing at the pain on his abs. You looked away, stepping back to regain your space. You wouldn't want to be that close again with him, you'll probably faint.

"—accepting you as an acquaintance then."

His eyes lit up at your declaration until he realized that his love confession was ignored. He opened his mouth to ask when you shushed him. You looked at the clock near the corner and huffed.

"I'll forget what you just said earlier. I'm rushing for work. Bye." You said in one breath before running past him, not giving him the chance to say anything back. Baekhyun just let out a chuckle as he slowly looked at your back, eyes crinkling in delight.

"At least I'm an acquaintance, huh?" He mumbled at himself, glancing down at his hand that caressed yours. "Byun Baekhyun as your acquaintance. Hmp." He pitied himself for being acquaintance-zoned, shaking his head incredulously. "Step up your game, Byun!" He laughed before walking back to the main hallway with a smile on his face.

It's not that bad.

As long as you didn't say no.

—

♫ Ch.11