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javier-djarin · 4 years ago

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Como Me Duele: Chapter 2

Ship: Javi x Reader

Rating: M

Word Count: 3,385 words

Warnings: Language, Sexual Innuendos, fluff, Dad!Steve (sorta)

Masterlist

Summary: You’ve started getting comfortable in Colombia. Connie and Steve decide to take you out on the town to meet up with some of your new coworkers. Javier can’t help but tag along once he sees you dressed to kill.

A/N: Ahh! I got such an amazing outpour of love and support for chapter 1. Thank you to everyone that has read it! I love you all! Here’s chapter 2!! So, please let me know what you think. Please let me know if you want to be on my taglist! Also, translations are at the bottom.

Your POV

You’d been living comfortably in your apartment for a week now and weren’t scheduled to start working at the hospital until the end of the month. However, thanks to Connie, you had gotten to know several of the staff members that worked there because you had gone out with them last Friday. Connie had invited you to go out with her and some colleagues tonight. They decided to go dancing down at a club in the middle of the city. You were a little nervous to go out dancing with people you hardly knew, but she reassured you that she and Steve would both be there if you needed anything.

You spent hours trying to find something to wear, when you had reached back into the far corner of your closet and found the ONE dancing dress you owned. It was a tight, body-con red dress with a deep V-neck you had worn only once before. Michael didn’t take you dancing very often; it wasn’t really his scene, but you loved it. As a birthday gift a few years ago, he broke down and took you dancing. He even bought this dress for you. You felt your heart crack a little as you looked at it on the hanger. It was all you had to wear though. You set it on your bed and went into the bathroom to do your hair and make-up. You popped your contacts in and began the long process of getting ready.

Connie and Steve were supposed to arrive at your place in about fifteen minutes. You put the final touch - hairspray - on your loose curls that flowed down your back and shoulders. You smiled at yourself in the mirror. This was the first time you felt beautiful in a long time. You knew it was small, but you felt like this was your actual first step you were taking to move on. There was a knock on your door. You hurried out of your bathroom, grabbing your small clutch. You fixed your hair and dress one final time before opening the door. Connie and Steve were standing there, astonished. “Y/N, you look great!” Connie exclaimed. She was wearing her own dress, but not quite as tight and low cut as yours.

You felt the sudden urge to cover yourself as Steve’s eyes grew wide. “I guess this is a giant ‘fuck you’ to Michael,” he laughed.

You tried to smile at him. “This is the dress he bought me for my birthday a few years ago.”

Connie wrapped her arm through yours. “Perfect. We’ll find you someone that will happily defile that dress for him.”

You laughed this time and felt more confident than ever. Steve led the way down the stairs as you locked the door behind you. “Murphy,” you heard a familiar baritone voice just down the stairwell say, “you clean up nice for a fucking hillbilly.”

“Fuck you, Peña.”

Your heart raced a little, but you couldn’t explain why. You did your best to hide it and held your head high as you walked with Connie down the stairs.

“Where are you headed?”

“I’m taking the girls out to meet some friends.”

“You don’t have any friends,” Peña laughed.

“Again. Fuck you, Peña.”

He continued to laugh, but stopped when he saw you descending the stairs. You weren’t sure if he was aware that his mouth fell open when he looked at you, but he was definitely aware of the blush on your cheeks. He smiled as soon as you tried to look away from him. “Alguien está vestida para matar,” he said, still looking at you, clearly trying to imagine what that dress would look like on his floor. Any time you heard him speak in Spanish, you wanted to melt into the floor, especially when he rolled his r’s.

“Tú, si no tienes cuidado,” you said quickly.

Impressed, he nodded his head towards you. “I guess I need to watch what I say in both languages.”

You glanced over at him through your long eyelashes and gave him the same devilish grin he gave you the first time you met. You tried to maintain your cool composure, but his black button down shirt clung to his broad chest and stretched over his arms, making your knees even weaker. You didn’t see Connie and Steve share a look as they tried to stifle a laugh. They both knew that Javier was going to have his hands full if he made any moves on you. He tore his eyes away from yours and cleared his throat. “Well, since you’re meeting with friends, I better come along.”

“Peña, don’t I get enough of you at the office?” Steve prodded.

Javier tossed his arm around Steve. “Oh, come on, partner. We’re friends.”

Connie and you covered your mouths to mask your smiles and quiet laughs. Javier shot a glance over at you, raking his eyes up and down your body. You wanted to feel self-conscious, but you’d never felt so desired before. Michael hadn’t looked at you like that in a long time, so it was refreshing to know you still had - better yet, you never lost it. You wrapped your arm through Connie’s as you both followed Steve out of the building. Javier, stumbling, was walking behind you. Instinctively, and just to torture him, you moved your hips just a tad more seductively. You glanced over your shoulder at him, catching him stopping on the top step to watch you walk away. “¡Muévete, Peña!” you shouted, startling him out of the trance your hips put him in.

Connie laughed again and leaned closer to your ear. “I know I said to ignore him, but this is so much more entertaining,” she whispered.

“He’s not even trying to be subtle,” you laughed, looking back at him.

“Hey, now, ladies. Secrets don’t make friends,” he replied as he jogged down the stairs.

“They do when they’re about someone else,” you grinned.

He raised his eyebrow in curiosity. You guys made it the stoop of your building as you waited for Steve to pull his car around. “Care to share?” he asked.

You shook your head. “No.”

Javier looked to Connie for help, but she just laughed. Steve pulled the car around and hopped out. Javier beat you to the door and held it open for you. “So, you’re a gentleman too?” you chided.

“Tengo más sorpresas si me dejas enseñarte,” he whispered to you as you slid past him. His breath tickled the back of your neck, sending chills up and down your spine.

“No espere mucho,” you said back, once he took the seat next to you.

You saw Steve shake his head and look at Connie, rolling his eyes. She gave him a look back that you guessed only meant, “At least she’s having fun. Just let it be.”

You tried to find the best way to sit in such a tight dress. The hem slid up your legs just a tad, but enough that you knew it would drive Javier wild. You crossed your legs, revealing more of your thigh as you pretended to look out the window - using your peripheral vision to watch Javier salivate all over himself.

His POV

He threw his arm over the back of the seat and rested the other on the door, looking at her poised so perfectly in the back seat with him. He knew she was doing everything on purpose, because he wasn’t good at hiding his emotions around a very beautiful woman. Honestly, they were his kryptonite. One glance his way, and Y/N had him. He vaguely remembered his promise to Steve, but if she was playing along with this little game, he couldn’t not give her what she wanted. After all, she would tell him to leave her alone, if she wasn’t interested. He picked up on that just by her fiery personality. Javi glanced up at Steve for a millisecond, and he could see him watching him in the rearview mirror. Peña flipped him off subtly and continued to watch her. Steve and Connie were lost in their own conversation, so Javi turned to her to start his own. He lightly cleared his throat to get her attention. She slowly, gracefully turned to look at him - her curls moving across her bare shoulder and bouncing next to her arm. “Cat got your tongue?” she asks with a smile that just about killed him on the spot.

“Nope,” he grinned, shooting another glance at Steve, who was still occasionally looking back at them. “Mia hermosa.”

She rolled her eyes at the cheesy nickname he coined for her. She turned to look back out the window. “Where are you from?” he asked, leaning closer to her.

She changed positions, crossing her other leg to face Javi. His eyes couldn’t help but drop to the deep V in her dress. “Los ojos arriba,” she said, glaring at him.

Javi moved his other hand to the middle seat, closer to her thigh. “You didn’t answer the question,” he grinned.

“Texas,” she replied.

He smirked. “Yo soy de Texas tambien.” His hand on the seat moved a little to play with one of her curls.

“What part?” she asked.

“Laredo.”

“Ah, El Paso.” She gestures to herself.

His grin widens a little as he moves his hand closer to her.

“Peña!” Steve exclaims from the front seat.

Y/N covers her mouth and laughs, as Javier moves back a little from her. “Sorry, Dad.”

“She doesn’t want you groping her,” Steve says through his teeth.

Connie slapped her husband’s shoulder. “Steve!”

“What! Do you want him back there harassing your best friend?”

“She’s a big girl,” he says, turning his attention back to Y/N, “Me dirá si no quiere la toque.”

He saw her try not to swoon over his Spanish. “He’s harmless, Steve,” she said, looking Javier in the eyes. “I was about to slap him away if you didn’t.”

Javier thought he saw her wink at him, but it was so fast he thought he imagined it

***

Steve parked the car just outside of the club. Javier jumped out fast to get the door for her. Her small, soft hand fit perfectly into his as she held on to him to stand up. “Gracias, hermoso,” She said in a sarcastic, seductive tone.

He placed his hand in the small of her back as they followed Steve and Connie to the door. “Don’t get ahead of yourself there, cowboy,” she whispered.

He grinned. Once inside, Connie grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the table where several doctors and nurses were waiting for them. Javier stood next to Steve and sighed. He watched her sit next to an attractive young doctor, who had his arm draped over the back of the booth just above her. “Who’s that guy?” Javier asked.

“Some doctor Connie works with.”

“Oh, so it’s fine if Connie’s colleagues hit on her, but if I do, the world ends.”

Steve rolled his eyes. “That’s exactly what will happen.”

“Then what is it?” Peña pleaded.

His partner led him to the bar, where they sat down away from the group. “You remind Connie and I of her ex,” he sighed, “and if you remind us of him, you’re definitely a reminder for her.”

Peña grabbed the glass of whisky the bartender dropped off. “Well, I’m not her ex. I’m not a piece of shit that will cheat on her.”

Steve choked on his drink. “You’re kidding, right?” Peña looked at him, offended, “Look, you can hardly keep the same woman in your bed for more than two weeks, and aren’t you a regular down at the brothel?”

He knew Steve was right, and he hardly knew her enough to say he’d give all of that up. For all he knew, he just wanted her to be another notch on his bedpost. He turned in his chair and leaned his back against the bar. “But look at her.” He saw her glancing over at him with a smile, and his heart stopped. “I think you need to let her make that decision.”

“Peña,” he said, “Connie already warned her about you. She loves you, but she doesn’t think you’re right for her best friend.”

“I think Y/N disagrees, because here she comes,” he grinned, finishing his drink and setting it on the bar.

“Secrets don’t make friends,” she said to him.

“They do when they’re about someone else,” he replied, giving her a taste of her own medicine.

She laughed, and he felt his heart start again. It was the most angelic sound he’d ever heard. “There’s plenty of room for both of you at the table,” she said.

The young doctor came up from behind her and placed a hand on her back. Javi tensed up and clenched his jaw, instantly jealous of this doctor. “¿Quieres bailar conmigo?” he said in her ear.

She grinned and turned to face him. “Sí. Uno momento, por favor.”

She turned back to Javi. “Lo siento. Anyway, Connie told me to tell you both to stop being fuddy duddies and come to the table.”

Steve sighed and resigned to doing his wife’s wishes. Javi held back for a moment. “¿Quien es ese cabrón?”

Y/N blushed and looked over to her dance partner. “Dr. Rodriguez. He’s new to the hospital too. Kinda cute, don’t you think?” She nudged Javi in the side.

Javi let out a disgruntled growl. “Yeah, if you’re into the lost puppy look.”

“Oh, you mean like the look you’re always giving me?” She walked away with the same gait she had at the apartment complex.

He was only pulled out of his trance when he heard Steve yell for him from across the bar. “Peña, get your ass over here!”

He rolled his eyes and joined them, taking Dr. Rodriguez’s seat next to a cute, young nurse. On any normal night, he would be making his moves on the nurse, but not with Y/N distracting him. He looked out at the dance floor and saw the cabrón holding her closer than he would have liked. She spun around so she was facing him, but continued dancing with the doctor. Rodriguez wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in closer as his hand rested on her lower abdomen. Javi’s hand balled into a fist. He turned to the nurse next to him and smiled. “¿Quieres bailar conmigo?” he whispered delicately in her ear.

She smiled at him and involuntarily licked her bottom lip. She daintily held her hand out for him to take and lead her to the dance floor. More people flooded the dance floor, including Steve and Connie. He grabbed the nurse, holding her close to him so he could look over her shoulder at Y/N.

Your POV

You watched Javi dance and move against Lolita, the nurse, and you felt your face turn red. You haven't dated in a while, but you knew this feeling. You were jealous, and you knew just how to get him back. You placed Rodriguez’s hands on your hips, letting him pull you closer as you moved to his rhythm. Despite you doing this to annoy Javi, this felt good. You hadn’t been touched by a man in months. You were so touch starved that you were borderline desperate.

His POV

Javi felt his face flush, so he buried his face in the nurse’s hair and let his hands travel down her body. Lolita pulled away and rested her forehead on his as she smiled. He tried looking around her so he could still watch Y/N. He felt like shit using this poor woman to get to her, but she had left him no other choice. He saw her reach up a hand behind her and place it on Rodriguez’s face as she laid her head back on his chest. Rodriguez then buried his face in the base of her neck. At that point, Javi had enough. “Lo siento. No puedo hacer esto.” He dropped his hands from the nurse and started to approach Y/N and Rodriguez.

Your POV

You had closed your eyes as soon as Rodriguez started kissing your neck. Thank god for the loud music, because you were pretty sure you let out a small moan. You were on cloud nine when you suddenly heard a loud baritone voice boom over you, “¡Oye, cabrón! Ella esta conmigo.” You opened your eyes and saw a very flushed Javi standing in front of you.

“Javi!” you exclaimed, it’s the first time you had called him by a nickname.

“Dance with me,” he demanded.

You turned to Dr. Rodriguez who was looking very confused at the two of you. “¿Estás con él?” he asked.

“Vine con él pero no estoy con él.”

“Ella esta conmigo,” Javi growled.

His growl turned something in you, and you leapt out of Rodriguez’s arms into Javi’s without a second thought. Rodriguez held his hands up in defeat and dutifully bowed out of the dance. “What the fuck!” You exclaimed.

“Javi…?” he grinned at the use of a nickname.

“What? Connie calls you that.”

He wrapped an arm around you and pulled you close. “If anyone gets to dance with you like that, it’s me.”

“That’s if I want to dance with you,” you replied, throwing your arms around his neck, playing with the small curls at the base of his skull.

“Then walk away.” His breath on your skin sent more chills down your spine.

“I also don’t like being told what to do.” You felt his hands rest on your hips. “Just because I let you dance with me, doesn’t mean I’m going to let you take me home.”

He laughed. You could listen to him laugh forever. “Are you going to dance with me, or just stand there trying to see down my dress?”

“I can do both at the same time if you’d like,” he grinned.

“I knew you’d be trouble when I first met you.”

“Por siempre y para siempre, hermosa.”

***

It was at least three in the morning when everyone stumbled back to the apartment. Connie had had too much to drink, and so Steve was carrying her up to their apartment leaving you and Javi alone in the stairwell. “So…?” he started, raising an eyebrow at you suggestively.

You put a hand on his chest, preventing him from joining you on the same step. “Hold on there, cowboy. I may be drunk, but not too drunk to remember telling you that you’re not taking me home tonight.”

He grinned. “Tonight? So you’re saying there’s a chance later.”

You leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for a fun night, Javi. I haven’t had this much fun since…” You paused.

You wanted to explain, but you felt like he already knew. He rubbed your arm to console you and nodded. “Any time, Y/N. That’s what friends are for.”

Smiling, you replied, “So we’re friends now? Five seconds ago, I do believe you were trying to look down my dress again.”

Javi blushed. “We’re friends, until you decide to change that.” He returned the kiss on your cheek and walked into his apartment.

You felt butterflies in your stomach as you watched him close his door for the night. This was not how you were expecting this interaction to end, but you couldn’t feel happier. Javi made you feel sexy, wanted, and since Michael cheated on you, you never felt like you were enough. You craved to have Javi look at you, like he did when he first saw you walk down the stairs. He made you feel like a beautiful woman again who deserved every bit of attention he was giving her. However, your wounds were still too fresh. You weren’t ready for anything like that. On top of that, Javi reminded you too much of the early days when you and Michael were together. A few times, while you were dancing, that’s who you pictured was holding you. But Michael had stopped being that man long before he cheated. Men like him were always the same. Restless. Unfaithful. Just looking for another notch on their bedpost.

Translations

Hermoso/Hermosa - Handsome/Beautiful

Alguien está vestida para matar. - Someone is dressed to kill.

Tú, si no tienes cuidado. - You, if you’re not careful.

¡Muévete! - Look alive! or Hurry up!

Tengo más sorpresas si me dejas enseñarte. - I have more surprises if you’ll let me show you.

No espere mucho. - Literally: Don’t wait long. It’s another way to say “Don’t hold your breath.”

Los ojos arriba. - Eyes up here.

Yo soy de Texas tambien. - I’m from Texas too.

Me dirá si no quiere la toque. - She’ll tell me if she doesn’t want me to touch her.

¿Quieres bailar conmigo? - Do you want to dance with me?

Sí. Uno momento, por favor. - Yes, just one minute, please.

Lo siento. - I’m sorry.

¿Quien es ese cabrón? - Who is that asshole?

No puedo hacer esto. - I can’t do this.

¡Oye, cabrón! Ella esta conmigo. - Hey, asshole! She’s with me.

¿Estás con él? - Are you with him?

Vine con él pero no estoy con él. - I came with him, but I’m not with him.

Por siempre y para siempre, hermosa. - Forever and for always, beautiful.

Taglist

@magneticbucky

@larakasser

#Javier Pena #Javier Peña #Javier Pena x Reader #Javi x Reader #Narcos #Como me Duele

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wanderlust-and-road-dust · 5 years ago

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Getting to Know: F’nor

►Name ➔ “My name is F’nor.”

► Are you single ➔ "Mmm, yes. Too much wandering around and not enough staying in once place. Most folks don’t like that sort of thing.”

► Are you happy ➔ “Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve got my two feet and the open road. What more could I ask for?”

► Are you angry? ➔ "Not right now, no. Though that’s a good way to start to make anyone angry. Asking if they are or not, puts people on the wrong foot.”

► Are your parents still married ➔ “Marriage, hmm, that’s not my peoples way. So in short, no.”

NINE FACTS

► Birth Place ➔ “Some bolthole in a forgotten corner of the Golmore Jungle.”

► Hair Color ➔ “I suppose for those not gifted with color perception, orange. But for those a little bit more perceptive, copper. The insult of carrot top and rabbit are not welcome. Do most people not realize that the tops of carrots are green?”

► Eye Color ➔ “Green, like new leaves. Well, the one is. The other is purple, like an amethyst. Let’s just say curiosity and misfortune played equal parts in that chance occurrence.”

► Birthday ➔ " 30th Sun of the 5th Umbral Moon, if you must know.”

► Mood ➔ “Curious? Is curious a mood? Most certainly not angry. No, why would I be angry? It’s not like the question was repeated in a slightly different manner, no?”

► Gender ➔ “Full grown adult woman.”

► Summer or winter ➔ “Hnngh, neither. I’d rather take autumn. Temperatures are cooling down, leaves are changing colors. Harvest is in. Longer nights, shorter days. Good time of year to enjoy tea and fire. The heat of summer is a blight, makes travel annoying. Thirst ever present. No thank you. Winter brings with it cold that can kill, the roads impassable due to...snow... So, neither.”

► Morning or afternoon ➔ “Afternoon, means sunset is right around the corner. Riot of colors painted across the tapestry of the sky. Then shortly after night and stars.”

EIGHT THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE*

► Are you in love ➔ "Yes, I suppose I am. Though that hardly matters, as stated before, road, travel, people not caring for it, etc. Perhaps one day, maybe, but I doubt it. I’m content to nurture my feelings quietly and privately.”

► Do you believe in love at first sight ➔ "Heh, no. Infatuated at first sight. Yes, that I do believe. Attraction on a physical level from the outset is not the same as the layered depths of loving someone.”

► Who ended your last relationship ➔ “I would be guilty of that, though I think it was a mutual parting of ways. She simply disappeared one day, no note, nor rhyme nor reason. So now for me, the road.”

► Have you ever broken someone’s heart ➔ “I don’t think so no. I’m not terribly aware of peoples interests unless they come out and say it. I suppose dense would be a polite way of saying how unobservant I am in that regard. Even if I had, the poor soul is probably malms behind me at this point.”

► Are you afraid of commitments ➔ “No, much more important things to be afraid of. Things that actually instill fear, earn to be feared.”

► Have you hugged someone within the last week? ➔ “No. I haven’t seen anyone in a week.”

► Have you ever had a secret admirer ➔ “Uhm... no? Maybe? I don’t know? Perchance? I think there’d be better things to do with ones time. Then again I’m one to talk. Everyone has their secrets and I most certainly have my own. Privacy though and all that.”

► Have you ever broken your own heart? ➔ "What? No? How is that possible?” F’nor looks plainly confused.

SIX CHOICES

► Love or lust ➔ “Love. Lust is the heat of a moment, passion flaring brightly and just as quickly snuffed out. Love is something that is crafted with another over time. Nurtured against adversity. Love lasts for ages, it grows deep roots and throws its branches wide.”

► Lemonade or iced tea ➔ “A nice tart lemonade, not the sugary sweet confection that some people seem utterly enamored of. Though iced tea is nice as well, but again not overly sweet.” F’nor shudders and grimaces.

► Cats or Dogs ➔ “I suppose a cat. They seem capable of looking after themselves, not likely to get anxious at your departure. Though I suppose a good stout hound would be a welcome travel companion. Dogs seem to do better on the road than a cat would. Perhaps I’m wrong. Personally I’ll stick with my raven.”

► A few best friends or many regular friends ➔ “I don’t like crowds of people. The noise, the constant flickering conversations. You can’t seem to engage one person for any length of time without being seen as rude. Social engagements are not my thing, I feel overwhelmed and exhausted after a short period. Much rather prefer a few good friends. Stout, reliable. People I’d be comfortable sharing silence with, my campfire. Ones who wouldn’t grumble at taking the middle watch while on the road. Folks I could hold long and meaningful conversations with.”

► Wild night out or romantic night in ➔ “Well, a wild night running for my life through the woods has its perks,” F’nor would snort and laugh, “But honestly I’d prefer a nice night in. Comfy, cozy. Pillows everywhere. Lounging in something comfortable, taking my ease. Being able to entertain someone, cook for them. Listen to them speak about anything, just to hear their voice.

► Day or night ➔ “As much as I like the night time, it is harder to travel. I don’t much care for the daytime other than it lets me travel without much issue. I’d rather be up looking at the stars, listening to the pop and crackle of a good campfire. So, personally, the night. She’s mysterious and beautiful after all”

FIVE HAVE YOU EVERS*

► Been caught sneaking out ➔ “I don’t really sneak. I travel. Though a few times I’ve run afoul of patrols that didn’t take kindly to a random wanderer meandering around. So then I run. Not many can keep up with me.”

► Fallen down/up the stairs ➔ F’nor looks a little flustered and mutters under her breath. “...Yes...”

► Wanted something/someone so badly it hurt? ➔ “Yes, though let us not get into that, hmm?”

► Wanted to disappear ➔ "Not particularly. I like where I’m at in life and if I ever did need to disappear, well then all I would have to do is keep moving. Nobody notices a vagrant. So I suppose you could say my whole life is a disappearing act. Huh, hadn’t thought of it that way.”

FOUR PREFERENCES

► Smile or eyes ➔ “Eyes. A smile can be faked. The eyes though have many stories to tell.”

► Shorter or Taller ➔ “No real preference really. Short or tall, it matters not. Though it is nice to look up at people. I’ve found that looking through my lashes and fluttering them at someone has a most intriguing reaction at times.” F’nor spoils the moment with a large grin and laughing richly.

► Intelligence or Attraction ➔ “Intelligence. If you’re dumber than chocobo dung, I don’t care how pretty you are. Vapid airheads make me want to pick up and leave wherever I am that instant.”

► Hook-up or Relationship ➔ “A relationship. I want something that will last, something that has meaning. Once and done and never to look back? No thank you.”

FAMILY

► Do you and your family get along ➔ "No, I left for a reason. I wanted to see the world. What more can I say?”

► Would you say you have a “messed up life” ➔ "No, not particularly. I enjoy myself. I don’t harm or bother anyone unless they harm or bother me first. I’ve seen things I never would have had I not chosen this life. My life, for all the quirks of a life of travel, is pretty even keel.”

► Have you ever ran away from home ➔ "Once.”

► Have you ever gotten kicked out ➔ “I knew what was coming, so I left before real problems could arise.”

FRIENDS

► Do you secretly hate one of your friends ➔ "No, I’m open and honest about how I feel. Blunt and to the point.”

► Do you consider all of your friends good friends ➔ "If they weren’t good, they wouldn’t be my friends, now would they?”

► Who is your best friend ➔ F’nor licks her lips and shrugs with a small smile. “The road. Never in any place long enough to make lasting friends.”

► Who knows everything about you ➔ “Stupid question, no one. I’m not even sure I know myself half the times. A coin flip dictates which road I take at a fork more often than not.”

tagged by: @crowsaerie-rp

tagging: @kitsu-udon @caimura-rathe

#F'nor Azril #Character Building #FFXIV

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ladyseaheart1668 · 6 years ago

Text

Endless Summer Book 4 : Daughter of Vaanu (Chapter 31)

Description: Before he can make his next move, Caleb must face the leader of his new gang. Meanwhile, Alodia and Tahira make Thanksgiving plans.

Tagging: @xo-endlessmayhem-xo ; @princesstopgun ; @mysteli ; @endlesshero1122 ; @whatmcsaid

Chapter 31 : Lines of Loyalty

Caleb

The next phase of my plan requires finesse. Precision. It requires subterfuge, which I am not a fan of. I recognize the necessity of it sometimes, but it always feels dishonest. I mean, subterfuge is always dishonest, that's the whole point. But what I mean is that it feels like a compromise. Playing by the rules of the corrupt system, even if I'm privately defying them. Letting them believe they have my support, even if it's only temporary. I would much rather come storming in and make a bold statement. I want them to know why their shit is falling apart in front of them, and I want them to know right away. I want them to know it was me.

Gigi would argue that you can still get all that same satisfaction from subterfuge if you do it right, but I'm still skeptical. Speaking of the psychobitch, if I'm gonna do this subterfuge thing right, I have to keep her from getting suspicious. I've been making sure to check in with one of her spies on the edge of Bayside every couple of days, but I know that I can't stay in Northbridge indefinitely. The longer I delay going back to the squatter nest and giving her something concrete, the more suspicious she'll get, and the more likely I am to end up neck-deep in particularly rancid shit. The closer I get to the probable deadline, the faster I go through my Camels. I make what I estimate to be my third stop at that convenience store to stock up for the road with a six-pack each of beer and generic cola, a fresh pack of Camels, and a couple of those burritos—which I think actually has to be laced with crack or something because convenience stores should not have burritos this good.

Just like the last two times, the dark-haired kid is behind the counter, and his grizzled old biker manager rings out the beer and smokes before slumping back to the storeroom. I cast a critical eye over the kid while he finishes ringing up the cola and burritos. I find my gaze drawn to the racks of candy under the counter and impulsively grab a bag of gummy bears to toss on my pile.

“Those too.”

“Sure thing.” The kid scoops up the gummy bears, scanning them and dropping them in the plastic bag with the rest of my shit. He gives me my total and I pull out a slim wad of bills from my pocket, peeling off a twenty. I hold it out to him, reaching into the bag to pull out the Camels.

“So...do you live here or something?” Tapping the pack against my palm, I read the nametag pinned to the front of the kid's polo. “...Dylan?”

Dylan plucks the twenty from between my fingers, looking reproachfully at me. “Of course not.”

“So, I look back in that storeroom, I'm not gonna find your four kids and a dog?” I pull the tab on the cellophane cover. It crackles angrily as I tug off the top half. The heat in the store is on full blast to combat the cold November air constantly streaming through the doors, and the dry air makes the cellophane stick to my hand more than usual. Dylan eyes the pack in my left hand as I shake my right furiously, trying to dislodge the clear wrapper.

“Those things'll kill you, you know,” he mutters.

I roll my eyes. “Oh, golly gee, will they? I didn't know that because I've lived my whole life in a goddamn cave, and I can't actually read this warning label right here on the pack! Fuck off. Unlike you, I'm an adult.”

Dylan grumbles a reply that sounds like a warning not to light up inside, and jabs a button on the cash register. I grunt and stuff the pack in my pocket with the inner foil still sealed, giving my cellophane-draped hand another shake. I hold my left hand out for my change, and Dylan grudgingly counts it out into my palm, dropping the coins on top.

“Hey, you know what else'll fucking kill you? Skipping lunch near daily. Probably at about the same rate as smoking. I dunno, I'm no doctor.” I finally paw the cellophane off on the rim of the plastic bag and grab it by the handles, dropping the handful of coins and singles back on the counter. “Keep the change. Buy yourself one of these crack burritos. Seriously, convenience store food has no business being this good.”

Before he can reply, I stalk out the door and into the biting cold, the door's tiny brass clapper bell trilling behind me.

* * *

Traffic is bad getting out of the city, so the whole drive to Squatterville takes over an hour. Enough time for me to puff through half the pack. I'm driving a junker of a minivan that's at least as old as I am, so old that it doesn't even have a CD player. Just a cassette slot. But I did manage to find an old-fashioned cassette adapter and portable CD player last time I went looking for the kind of obsolete electronics that a guy in my position can actually afford. I put on a burned CD of a bunch of songs from a bunch of those rock metal bands out of northern Europe, the ones with the female lead singers and their reality-defying powerhouse voices ringing out over electric guitars, drums, and epic orchestras. I turn the volume up as much as I can stand, put the heater on full blast, and lower the driver's side window. I spend the journey smoking, tapping ashes off the end of my cigarette through the open window, and tossing the butts out onto the road. In between cigarettes, I scarf down two burritos and guzzle three colas. I toss the wrappers and empty cans into the dark space behind the front seats, where I rarely look. The nicotine coursing through my blood keeps me calm enough on the drive, but as I get closer to Squatterville, closer to Gigi, I start wishing I'd bought another pack.

Gotta keep sight of the goal. The goal right now is to buy myself some more time. I need something to tell Gigi so she'll let me go back to Northbridge for awhile. Something close enough to the truth to be convincing, but far enough that she won't get wind of what I'm really doing. Something to grab her interest enough that she'll let me go on with it, but not enough that she'll want to come along for the ride. Squatterville is fast approaching. I may have to wing it a little.

I turn off the main road onto a quiet side road. The side road turns to crumbling pavement, then gravel, dirt, and finally nothing more than a grassy path cut into the trees with two long barren ruts permanently worn into it by countless tires passing over. I park on the side of a hill and tuck the half-empty pack of Camels in the inner pocket of my jacket, zipping up against the chill. I shove the gummy bears into one hip pocket, and all the cash and change I have on me into the other. Unable to put it off any longer, I climb out of the car and make my way up the hill into the trees.

The sun is already starting to sink in the sky, and the trees make long, stark shadows that obscure the uneven path. I step carefully, not quite willing to use the emergency flashlight that dangles from my keyring. One of the other squatters will spot me and let Gigi know I'm coming, if she's at home. No need to alarm anyone. If someone particularly twitchy is on guard, startling them could mean I end up with a knife stuck somewhere in me or worse.

I can make out a few signs that she's home as I trudge toward the abandoned houses. She's got her own little code of symbols and signs that she'll trace in the dirt or spell out with sticks or pebbles to let us know where she is. I also hear movement in the trees that I'm pretty sure isn't being caused by animals. It's almost dark by the time I reach the cluster of abandoned houses. A small campfire burns in the small no man's land between the treeline and the edge of the nearest house. Gigi stands beside it, watching me approach with a smirk on her pretty face.

I gotta be real, Gigi is...unfathomably good-looking. She's got this creamy, pale skin, these full, pouting lips that she emphasizes with deep red lipstick, clear blue eyes, and long waves of silky auburn hair. How she stays so flawless is a mystery, living the way we do, but I'm guessing she spends at least half the time she disappears working on her appearance. ...Or maybe she just has good genes. However she does it, she at least knows how to use what nature has given her. She wears form-fitting black clothes that hug the curves of her hourglass figure, and heeled boots to emphasize her shapely calves and ass, as well as add a couple inches to her height. She looks like the kind of woman you know you shouldn't tangle with, but you kinda want to anyway. You wanna know what makes her tick, even if you don't think you'll like the answer, or the experience of finding out.

She licks her lips in a way that reminds me of a hungry wolf. She's got the large split ring on the end of a teddy bear keychain around her index finger, and she twirls it around her finger as she watches me approach.

“Well, well, well. Look who the cat dragged in. Welcome back, Pyro.”

I exhale slowly. “Hey, G...how's tricks?”

She pulls a face, pushing her lower lip into an exaggerated pout. “Aww, Pyro. You know by now that I don't turn tricks. I don't need to.” She grins, catching the teddy bear in her palm. “Step into my office.”

She leads me into one of the old ranch houses, into the master bedroom, which she has claimed as her space. Besides a queen-sized mattress on the floor, she also has a beat up old office desk and swivel chair. The desk is metal and tends to give electric shocks in the winter. She flips a switch on a portable generator. Light from the work lamps mounted on the walls floods the room. She turns to face me.

“Arms out, Pyro.”

I sigh, grudgingly holding my arms out to the side. I've gotten used to this routine by now. She approaches and pushes her hands into my hip pockets. She pulls the money out of my left pocket and throws it on the desk without looking too hard. She's found the bag of gummy bears in the other pocket, and her face has lit up with glee. She pulls out the bag and rips it open, digging out a small handful. For a moment, she just gazes down at the colorful pile of candy in her palm, a wolfish grin on her face. She selects a green bear and sniffs it before putting it to her lips and sucking it into her mouth. I watch for a minute or so while she savors each chewy little bear.

“Uh...can I put my arms down?” Gigi holds up one finger, slowly chewing. I sigh, rolling my eyes. “G, come on. My shoulders are getting sore.”

Gigi finishes the handful and sticks her hands into my jacket pockets. Finding nothing in the outer pockets, she searches the inner ones and comes up with my cigarettes. I close my eyes, trying not to audibly groan.

“Camels?” At the sound of her voice, I open my eyes to find her arching an eyebrow at me. “You know I prefer Winston's.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, G, well you know what? I prefer Camels, and I didn't get them for you.”

She chuckles, pulling one out and sticking the filtered end between her teeth. For a moment, she looks at me, and I know she's debating whether or not she should make me light it for her. Apparently deciding against it, she produces a lighter printed with images of the Powerpuff Girls from her jacket pocket and lights up. I should have bought a few more packs, stashed them in the dark in the back of my van. But I know the one time I do will be the one time she decides to send one of her broken goons to search it. So now I'm watching her puff through my nicotine stash, and I don't even know if she's gonna let me go to get more any time soon. She exhales a pungent cloud and leans back against her desk.

“So, where have you been, Pyro? It's been awhile.”

I take this as a cue that I can finally put my arms down. “Northbridge. Didn't Roach tell you as much?”

“Of course. But you were extremely vague about what you were doing. Enlighten me.”

Okay, Caleb. Here goes nothing. “I was looking into the Prism Crystal. You've probably heard that Dragonness and Silas Prescott have both returned alive.”

“I had heard that, yes. What's it to do with you?”

“G, I can conjure flames because I came in contact with the Prism Crystal. I've heard speculation that injecting himself with liquid prism has given Silas Prescott a brain tumor. I just want to know if that's gonna happen to me.”

She regards me critically for a moment, taking another drag on the cigarette between her teeth and exhaling the smoke. She moves around the desk to sit on the other side, propping her feet up on top of it.

“What did you find out?”

“Not a whole lot.” I shove my hands in my pockets, choosing my next words carefully. “...Except that I think the Prism Crystal might be linked to the Island's Heart.”

Gigi glances up sharply, icy blue eyes narrowing. “...Of course they're linked. I know they're linked. I've always known. ...Are you saying you have proof?”

“Not on me. But yeah. I saw an old security video inside one of Prescott's facilities. From like, twenty-five years ago. He let it drop that the prism crystal came from La Huerta.”

“...But you didn't take the tape?”

“Well, no. I was in a hurry to get outta there. But the important thing is that we know, right?”

Predictably, she scowls at me. “No. Of course that's not the important thing. For all I know you're lying to me. And if you're not, Prescott or one of his loyal dogs could have erased that footage or destroyed it.”

I sigh, trying to arrange my features into something contrite. “...You're right. I fucked up there. But I think I know how to set it right.”

“And how is that?”

“Dragonness. I worked with her once, and I met with her again while I was in Northbridge. I think she's got more information on both the Prism Crystal and the Island's Heart. Thing is...she's not really feeling all that trusting toward me right now since I didn't stick with her little gang of corporate tools once the dust had settled.”

“And...what do you suggest?”

“Let me go back to Northbridge and work her a little while. I save a few kittens from trees, help a few old ladies cross the street, get back on her good side...”

Gigi snorts. “And you assume she's just gonna spill on everything then?” she sneers. “No. No way it's gonna be that easy.”

“Okay, probably not. Might take awhile. But I think she knows something about Alodia Chandler.”

Once again, Gigi rises to the bait, narrowing her eyes at me. “...Like what?”

“Like why Rourke was so crazy obsessed with her. What she's got to do with the infamous Island's Heart.”

Gigi is silent for a long time. I watch the Camel get shorter between her lips. This is a particularly dangerous bluff. I don't know if Tahira actually knows shit about Alodia. I have a suspicion she does, but that's all it is.

“...Alodia Chandler is the one who killed me.”

“I know. You told me.”

“...But why should that matter to you?”

This question I can answer honestly. “It doesn't. What matters to me is figuring out the Prism Crystal. I am hoping that the chance to find some shit out about Alodia is appealing enough to you that you'll let me off the hook for awhile so I can play the hero in Northbridge and gain Dragonness' confidence.”

“Let you off the hook,” she drawls, tapping an ash off the end of the cigarette. “But I assume you want me to keep you on the payroll.”

“I get how that could be a damned inconvenience. But it would be appreciated if you were able.”

“If I were able to keep paying you for jobs you aren't actually contributing to? If I were able to go out of my way to arrange for payments to be dropped while you play errand boy to a bunch of superpowered busy-bodies?”

I ignore the jab, spreading my hands in a pose like surrender. “Like I said. I get how it could be a damned inconvenience. I can make my own way if necessary.”

Gigi is quiet for awhile, considering. Then she shakes her head. “No. You work off my payroll, there's no guarantee you're not aiming to break with me.”

I can't help smirking ruefully. “Break with you, G? Never.”

She ignores me, pinning me with an ice-blue glare. Her gaze doesn't leave my face as she snuffs out the Camel on the surface of her desk with over an inch left before the filter. Watching it is almost physical agony. She must realize it, because she smirks.

“We'll arrange a drop. But you get half your usual cut, so you better make it stretch.” She drags the bag of gummy bears toward her and pierces one with the nail of her index finger, bringing it to her mouth. “I'll let you do your thing, Pyro. But you better deliver. Fire magic or not, I can make you sorry if you cross me.”

I nod. As completely batshit cracked as it may sound, I believe her. I totally fucking believe her.

Alodia

Not long past noon on Tuesday morning, I'm enjoying a leisurely lunch at the kitchen table, flipping through a dance magazine, when my phone rings. Michelle's name flashes on my screen. I tap the phone a couple times to put her on speaker.

“Hey, Michelle. What's up?”

“Hey, Alodia. I just got home from work, and I wanted to check up on you before I get some sleep.”

I feel a frown crease my brow, and I'm glad we're not video chatting. “Okay, I know I said I was okay with you being a little alarmist about my health, but I also happen to know you work twelve-hour shifts. I promise you, I can wait until you've gotten some sleep.”

“And I happen to know that you trust me more than your own OB-GYN, in spite of the fact that my speciality is neurology. We'll both feel better if you just tell me what she said at your appointment yesterday.”

“Well, she agrees with you that it's probably nothing to worry about, just the uterus pressing on the nerves, all very normal. She ran all the tests she thought were necessary and nothing unusual is going on.”

“And the baby's healthy?”

“Well, she didn't take an ultrasound or anything. Mostly because I feel confident saying that River's alive and enthusiastically kickboxing in there. I've got the big ultrasound scheduled for after Thanksgiving, and that's when we'll learn the sex.”

“Well, that's exciting. Are you going to tell us when you find out? Or are you gonna let Raj and Craig grow the pool a little more first?”

I laugh. “Of course we'll tell you all. At some point, they're gonna have to start betting on when I deliver, aren't they?”

“Almost certainly.” She pauses for a moment. “Are you cleared to travel for Thanksgiving then?”

“Yeah. But that doesn't exactly stop Jake from being nervous about me traveling on a public airplane while pregnant. Says they're flying cesspools, especially when they're packed with holiday travelers.”

“He's not wrong, you know. Why not just get a charter flight from Aleister and Estela? You know they'd be happy to arrange it. They do have other pilots besides Jake and Mike on their payroll.”

“Because his parents are going to be picking us up from the airport, and I want everything to feel as normal as possible when I first meet them. I mean, our whole situation is going to be hard enough for them to swallow without adding in that we have powerful friends who can arrange charter flights right off the bat.”

“The strangeness of your situation won't matter so much once they meet you,” Michelle declares confidently. “They're going to love you. Especially when they realize how much you love their son.”

“Aww, thanks. How is everything on your end?”

She is quiet long enough that concern stirs in my gut. Finally, she sighs. “Oh...you know...”

“That...doesn't make it sound like things are going well.”

“It's nothing serious. I'm just a little burned out right now. ...Burned out and bummed out...”

“What's going on?”

“It's really nothing. I've been switching shifts and covering shifts like crazy to get the time off to come to California for the New Year, and then to actually get married in March, so I haven't had a lot of time outside of work.”

“Well, that explains the burnout. But why the bum-out?”

“Well, both Sean and I have to work on Thanksgiving. The Condors have the Thanksgiving game again, and Tricia's going to be going to watch, and I'm working from noon to midnight, so there's not much chance the three of us will get to share Thanksgiving as a family this year. Plus, you're in California with Jake and Diego, Estela and Quinn are in San Trobida, Craig and Zahra are having Thanksgiving with his family, Raj is in Rome, Aleister and Grace have gone back to London...”

“So, you and Sean are the only Catalysts in Northbridge for Thanksgiving?”

“Exactly. I guess I'm just feeling lonely. I miss you all. ...I guess that's the one thing I'll always miss about La Huerta, is having everyone right there.”

“I know what you mean. I'm really looking forward to New Year's Eve and having all the Catalysts back together, even if it's only for a night.”

“But that's more than a month off yet...” The weight of melancholy in her voice makes my heart squeeze. She sounds exhausted. Dispirited.

“Aww, Michelle...”

“Don't you start worrying about me, Alodia,” she chides gently. “You look after that baby of yours.”

“I'm gonna take some time off in January or February to come to Northbridge before the wedding,” I promise. “If only to get properly fitted for my dress. And I'm already making plans for your bachelorette party in March.”

“As long as those plans don't involve you drinking, I look forward to them.”

After a couple more minutes, we say our goodbyes and hang up so that Michelle can get some rest. I sit at the table for awhile, staring at my phone. The conversation has left me...unsettled. I'm not worried about Michelle per se. At least...I'm not worried that she's falling into an emotional pit, or that she's suffering anything more insidious than a combination of burnout and disappointment at having to spend the holiday apart from her family. Still, I don't like hearing her sound so tired and unhappy.

I have no idea what Sean's training schedule is going to be like right now, but I take a chance and call him. He picks up.

“Hey, Alodia. What's up?”

“Hey, Sean. Hope I'm not interrupting a practice or anything?”

He chuckles. “Trust me, if you had called during a practice, I wouldn't have answered because I value my life. I'm actually just at the grocery store. ...Is everything okay?”

“It's all okay on my end. But I just spoke to Michelle.”

There's a pause. “Yeah...?”

“I don't know. She just seems...really down right now. She was talking about how you both have to work on Thanksgiving, and how she's covering a lot of extra hours to be able to come for New Year's...I guess I'm just kinda concerned.”

He sighs. “Yeah. I don't really blame you. You know how she is when she's got a goal. She doesn't give herself nearly as much slack as she should.”

“Not unlike you in that way,” I quip.

I can practically hear the wry smirk in his voice, “Hey, there's a reason we connected at Hartfeld. Two aces at the top of our respective games, biting off way more than we could chew...many a romantic evening we spent pulling all-nighters together.”

“But you've learned to give yourself some breathing room at least...to give yourself credit and not carry the burden all on your own...”

“So has she,” he says gently. “You know her, Alodia. You know what she needed most back then, what her biggest weakness was.”

“She didn't trust people. She wasn't willing to need anyone.”

“Just the fact that she told you she was feeling upset shows how far she's come, doesn't it?”

I am quiet for a moment, thinking this over. I suppose it is encouraging that even though she called to check up on me, Michelle did not require a lot of probing to admit that she was feeling under pressure herself.

“You're right. It does.”

“But you're also right. Michelle has been working way too hard lately, and I know not getting to spend Thanksgiving together is a major disappointment. Don't worry, though. I have a brilliant plan to make it up to her.”

“Good.” I exhale slowly, feeling myself relax. “You've gotten...really insightful in the last five years.”

“Yeah, well...I ended up going through some therapy after graduation. It helped clarify a lot of what was going through my head after the island. ...Helped me deal with the trauma and the grief, not just from what we went through, but everything before the island, too. Everything with my dad and Michelle. Even though she and I were friends again, it took awhile for me to feel like I could be worthy of her again. Therapy helped with that, too.”

“I'm glad. And I'm really glad you two have each other. Your weaknesses are kinda similar, but you're both strong enough that it's more of an advantage because you can keep each other in check with empathy.”

He laughs. “And you're calling me insightful. ...I gotta admit, I'm weirdly happy that you called me about this.”

“Really? Why?”

“I guess...you could say it's a relief to have you call because you're worried Michelle might be stressed and disappointed over having to work on Thanksgiving. It feels very...everyday?”

“I think I know what you mean. ...It's a taste of normal that's can be little hard to come by for our family.”

“Exactly. Hey, I should hang up and finish shopping. ...Are you guys gonna watch the Condors' game on Thanksgiving?”

“From what Jake's told me, there will definitely be a game on at his folks' place. I'll see if I can convince them to make it yours. I'll tell Diego and Varyyn to tune in here, too.”

“Good. I'm gonna need all the good vibes you can send me.”

“I'll rub my belly during the game for good luck.”

He laughs. “What, are you Buddha now?”

“What, lucky belly rubs are only for Buddha?”

“Pretty sure. But what the hell, it couldn't hurt. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving if I don't talk to you before then. And I'll see you guys on New Year's Eve.”

“I'll see you then, Sean.”

Tahira

The biting November breeze trails chilly fingers over my face, tugging at the dark tendrils of hair that have escaped the headband I've put on to keep my ears warm as I wander through the park with Grayson, my fingers laced with his. It's mid-afternoon, but the recent end of daylight savings time means that dusk is rapidly approaching. Not that it's all that easy to tell with the sky so heavily clouded as it is today. By now, the trees are completely bare, and their skeletal branches stand out starkly against the dappled sky. The fallen leaves have all been cleared away, which somehow makes the world seem quieter and more dead in this moment than it will in a few weeks when the snows start falling. It's like looking at a body freshly dead as opposed to after it's been embalmed and dressed for a final viewing. The thought is morbid enough to make me shiver.

“You cold?” Grayson takes his hand from mine to slip his arm over my shoulder and draw me closer to his side. I smile, letting my head rest lightly on his shoulder.

“I'm okay now. Why, are you cold?”

“A little,” he admits.

“Wanna head back towards your place? We could go inside and get warm.”

He nods, kissing the top of my head. “Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that.”

I wind my arm around his waist. “So...how was your dad today?”

“I...didn't say?”

“You haven't said much of anything all afternoon. ...If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay.”

“No,” he sighs. “I do, kind of. Dad is...well...the doctors think that physically, he's okay. But his moods are...all over the map. He's angry, he's depressed...and then there are moments when he's almost manic and he seems hyperfocused on...something. ...No matter what, he still barely speaks to me. I know he's hearing me, but...it's like he can't say anything of any substance to me. Like he's hiding something. I've tried confronting him on what he did. I try asking gently. I even tried asking if he did it to bring Mom back. ...Nothing has gotten him to talk about it. And then out of the blue today, he says we should have Thanksgiving dinner together.”

“...How do you feel about that?”

“...He's my dad, Tahira. I don't want to leave him alone for a holiday...”

I sigh. “...I want to offer to go with you for moral support...but...”

He shakes his head fiercely, turning toward me and drawing me into his arms. “No. Absolutely not. After what he did to you, I don't want the two of you anywhere near each other.” He sighs. “...I feel like I should refuse him. I feel...like I'm being disloyal to you, still worrying about him.”

I feel my heart twist at his words. Pulling back, I take his face in my hands and meet his eyes. I hold his gaze for a moment before leaning forward to gently press my mouth to his. I feel him respond and I kiss him again and again, slow and tender. Finally breaking, I let my forehead rest on his.

“You're not being disloyal to me, Grayson. Any more than you're being disloyal to your dad by kissing me. You love us both, and it isn't your fault that any of this happened between us.”

He closes his eyes, his breath shaking. “I...just want you to know that I'm on your side. Really know it. ...If it comes to it, I'll support you over him. I promise.”

I wind my arms around him and rest my chin on his shoulder. “I am grateful to have your support.” I murmur in his ear. There aren't many people in the park with the weather being what it is, but I still keep my voice low. “...But if it comes to battle between me and your father again, I need to know that you'll be safe more than anything else.”

“...But...”

“Promise me, Grayson. Promise me you'll protect yourself. I'll have allies to rely on in the fighting, allies like me.”

I feel Grayson hesitate for a moment before finally nodding against my shoulder, wrapping me in his arms.

“You're right. I have to get used to the idea that my girlfriend has superpowers and doesn't need me to be the macho man.”

I laugh. “I wouldn't need that from you anyway. That's not who I fell in love with. Just stay my smart, compassionate, courageous, loyal Grayson.”

“All right, enough flattery,” he quips. “You're already getting a raise with the new year, what more do you want?”

I draw back to look him in the eye, grinning. “I could tell you, but it might be a little indelicate for a public park.”

“Ohh, so it's like that, is it? We'd better hurry back to my place, then. I want to see what you're thinking.”

We start walking again. We're moving faster now, though I'm not sure how much of it is eagerness to fall into bed together and how much is because it's quickly getting colder.

“Hey...Grayson?”

“Hmm?”

“Even if I can't go with you to your dad's...there's no reason you can't join me and Mom for dinner afterwards, right?”

“Two Thanksgiving dinners? I probably wouldn't eat much at the second one...”

“That's all right. Mom and I always spend Black Friday dishing out our leftovers at the soup kitchen in Bayside anyway. And you know we'd love to have you.”

He exhales, and there is relief in the sound. “...I would love to be there. So...so much...”

“It's settled then. Our first official holiday as a couple.” As an idea occurs to me, I turn to him with a grin. “...And to celebrate this approaching momentous occasion...” I take his hand, dragging him towards a rock shed on the edge of the park.

“Woah! Tahira, where are we going?”

I stop just long enough to whisper in his ear, “Somewhere I can get changed. Dragonness is going to fly you home.”

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iamsonyeondone · 7 years ago

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fanboy // park woojin

♥ reverse idol! Woojin

♥ fluffy!!

♥ 1.6k words

♥ summary: if it weren't for your viral moment, Woojin would not have gotten back into dancing and fallen hopelessly in love with you

Part 2

You were half of a kpop duo who compose their own music as well as choreographing your complex yet meaningful dance moves

Through the constant juggling of producing music and ensuring that your performance was top-notch

You became very close with your other half, to the point where you guys were now stuck to the hip

He went by the name of Miko, keeping his true name a secret until the both of you were guaranteed a big success

But sometimes you slip up during interviews and Miko always has to cover it up

"the one who does most of the composing of music? That's definitely Min-"

"ME,,, obviously" before he stares into your soul and sends a message with his piercing irises

"say goodbye to dinner, you asshole"

Which makes you quickly zip up because Miko is also in charge of cooking your meals

He's afraid you might set the kitchen on fire from boiling water

But he also likes to exaggerate sometimes

So the rest of the roles in your duo is placed on you

You were the rapper and the choregrapher between the two of you

And whenever you get stuck on a line, you would always ask Miko about what he feels in a certain situation

Having a dramatic friend has its perks yknow - Miko 2018

He is also the person you keep watch of if you want to gather inspiration for a new iconic™ dance move

Especially when he cooks wwhile his jamming to songs

You'll turn his silly and uncoordinated moves into a more fluid and impactful one

But you don't tell him that because you wouldn't want to add onto his list of things people need to credit him for

Of course you taking half of that damn list you loathe so much

But back to you

You were very capable in making your choreographies unique yet still eye-catching

There was once when you made a comeback in the second year of your debut and had performed for one of the music shows

You left everyone SHOOK when your performance ended

Your fanbase of boys and girls screaming their lungs out as you cheekily wink into the camera you smooth motherfker

Once your fansites had uploaded photos of the performance as well as the show being broadcasted, everyone began to copying one of your iconic moves in it

Everyone called it the sexy lip wipe

Let's just say half of your fandom died after seeing it

So during this viral moment, Woojin saw it when he was scrolling through his Instagram feed

He became completely Mesmerised when he saw a short clip of you doing the move

His heart was in his throat and he only realised he was holding onto his breath until the video ended

Hence, that was the moment he stanned your group

Naturally, you became his bias and he got motivated to get back into dancing

the last time he danced was when he was entering a competition to get free coupons at the grocery store nearby

He had a fiery passion in it but sadly, it fizzled after a few years of solely focusing on his studies

It was due to the numerous comments of his relatives nagging him on his career path, their words dumping buckets of water to his burning determination

Until you came into his life

After he had graduated from high school, Woojin began focusing on getting back on his twinkle toes

Although he was quite rusty, he's muscle memory was still as good as before as he began practicing the basic stuff and quickly moving onto the more complex moves

Once he was confident that he was able to execute your choregraphy with at least some ease

He began scanning your dance practice video thoroughly

But he was soon distracted by the way you graciously moved to the upbeat song, your charisma flowing through the screen

He was only able to get the first verse down, too busy 'studying' your other dance practices

After another week or so, he finally got the whole choreo down, setting up an old camera he found lying around at home

He took another few takes, satisfied once he ended the fifth time as he walked towards the camera, panting as sweat trickled down his temple

"Hey Woojin, what's this?" His best friend Daehwi called out to him

Daehwi was hanging out at Woojin's a routine they had made ever since they became friends, including Youngmin and Donghyun

(well, Daehwi started it)

Woojin looked over Daehwi's shoulder as his eyes trailed over to his best friend's lap where his laptop was placed

His eyes go wide when he sees a familiar figure executing a familiar dance

"o-oH i Don't Know, let's look at cat videos instead. Aren't cats more interesting-"

"You're so bad at hiding stuff, even if your face is expressionless most of the time," Daehwi scoffs as he begins to blast your song from the video

But the large number of views caught his eye, nearly flipping the laptop to another universe

"whAT THE- YOUR FAMOUS WOOJIN,"

"No I'm not what are you talk- HOLY,"

At this point, his number of views were nearly on par with professional dancers' videos

And while he was internally (and externally) screaming from the shock in his little humble home

You were browing through your phone to see that your fans had tagged you to a certain video multiple time, curious as to what it would be

You secretly hoped it would be another crack video, those always made your day

Even if it was centered to making jokes about you and Miko

But you checked the video nonetheless

And you were extremely glad you had tapped the video, your eyes lighting up when a minute of the video had gone

You always looked forward to your fans attempting your dance

Because someone out there had been inspired by you and you couldn't be any happier

If you told predebut you of what you were doing now and how people looked up to you, they would probably laugh it off as a joke

But you were genuinely glad that your fans looked happy when they were dancing to your song

And this video of Woojin confidently dancing to the beat had brightened up your day

In your daze of happiness, you liked the post before being called by your manager to prepare for a simple restaurant commercial

During the time that you were away from your phone, everyone in your fandom was screaming in capitals on every social media that existed

This soon got Woojin's attention as he began to double check the words displayed on his screen

A wide giddy smile was plastered on his face as he shot up from his bed, just about to go to bed

But he doubts that he'll ever get sleep that night

You had just finished a few concerts around korea, occasionally having fanmeetings when your schedule permits

Your next location was Busan, where you and Miko were going to hold a fanmeeting and a concert a day after.

When Woojin heard you were going to visit his hometown he searched every corner of his sofa for extra coins and crevices to add into his savings

He couldn't pass up the chance to see the group of people that had reignited his passion in dancing

And also because you were super hot and missing this opportunity will forever leave a hole in his heart

Lucky him, his parents had already bought him a ticket

They had realised how much happier he get the past few weeks ever since he began dancing again

Although he tried to hide it from them, knowing their relatives were against the idea and his parents being not so keen on the idea either

His parents would rather see their son have the sparkle in his eyes rather than have to face him where his snaggletooth smile became a rarity

They present him the little gift, earning them a bone-crushing hug from him before he scurried to his phone to spam his group chat of friends about it

Donghyun was slightly jealous, finally stanning you guys after watching numerous videos of you with Woojin

Youngmin cheered Woojin on, telling him to "take a few pics of (Y/N)'s lip wip PLEASE also Miko's visuALS"

While Daehwi sent an indescribable text

From what Woojin could decipher, Daehwi was absolutely jealous and demanded for your signature if he ever got the chance

A/N: I'm gonna post part 2 tomorrow!! So watch out for that my dudes 😋

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mutantdatingproblems · 7 years ago

Text

We Got Tagged

Hey everyone, we got tagged by @localmutantlesbian in this mutant ask thing so here we go (as always Z will be using bolded font and Vex will use italics and if we’re both saying it it’ll be both bolded and in italics, just so ya know who’s who in our answers if ya don’t wanna read our names every time). Here we go!

1. What’s your codename/mutant name?

Z: I can’t decide honestly, I’ve considered something simple like “Shifter” and crazy shit like “Dragon Queen” but they’ve all been shot down so far either by me or by Prof.X or one of the other Profs or my friends for being lame

V: This is a question I hate because I totally would’ve gone with like “Multiple Girl” but Multiple Man has that and they won’t let me pick something in a dead or nerd language (even though I think it’d be super cool) so I also don’t have one. We don;t go into the field much yet though so it doesn’t really matter yet.

2. Age?

Z: 19 going on 20, birthday is in May

V: Same except my birthday is in June

3. Gender and pronouns?

Z: Genderfluid with a current lean towards nonbinary so they/them or she/her or he/him all work for me, I don’t really care

V: Genderqueer, They/Them or She/Her please

4. What is your mutation(s)?

Z: Shapeshifting and mild hydrokinesis and is ADHD a mutation? Cause I swear it gives me superpowers

V: Creating multiples of myself and enhanced strength, speed, and senses. And yeah ADHD should definitely count as a power.

5. Are you a member of any mutant group (X-Men, The Mutant Underground, The Brotherhood of Mutants, Morlocks, etc)?

Z: X-Men in training at Xavier's (But I have friends in The Brotherhood)

V: Ditto

6. Got any physical mutations?

Z: Yeah, although mine are mostly by choice seeing as I’m a shapeshifter. I’m fond of my claws and fangs and tails and scales and horns and freaky eyes for everyday use

V: Nope, not really.

7. When did your powers manifest?

Z: Around 13

V: 12 and a half

8. What is your favourite thing about your powers?

Z: Everything. I love my powers, I love that I can be anything and do anything if I put my mind to it. It makes me who I am honestly, I don’t know who I’d be without my powers. Hell I’d probably have killed myself if my powers hadn’t manifested when they did I hated myself so much back then. Of course being at Xavier’s and meeting V and my other friends helped too. But yeah I love my powers and how they make me feel.

V: Ditto honestly, my powers help me learn so much and so much faster than I used to be able to, the focus I gain from my clones alone is a life saver when I have to do anything I find boring (which is a lot because Inattentive ADHD sucks royally). The enhanced senses and stuff are pretty awesome too, nothing better than losing your favorite pen under a couch and being able to lift the couch over your head ta get it back. I wouldn’t trade my powers for anything in the world.

9. Biggest pet peeve related to being a mutant?

Z: Assholes being assholes to us, assholes who only approve of human-passing mutants who think we should be grateful they even tolerate that much, not being able to find good shapeshifter friendly clothing that still looks cool and comes in plus sizes, and uppity fuckwad mutants who judge others on powers or looks or anything else because god dammit we need to stick together and support each other. I could go on because I have a lot but I won’t or this’ll take forever.

V: The asshole issues that Z pointed out but also when my powers go outta control cause I lose my cool or something and I have ta calm down ta find control again and it’s really hard, or when I sneeze cause of allergies and I accidentally sneeze a clone out...it’s embarrassing. Also accidentally hurting people with my enhanced strength....I hate that too

10. Ever been to space or another dimension?

Z: Yeah by accident.....it involved tequila....lots of tequila....

V: Nope

11. Do you wear a costume (BE HONEST)

Z: Sorta? I have ta make a lot of my own clothes cause of my physical mutations and shapeshifting so sometimes they come out looking very costumey and I am fond of leather which doesn’t help. I guess my battle gear counts? Loose black cargo pants (need all the pockets for gadgets and snacks cause shapeshifting requires a fuckton of calories and effort), black tank top (lightweight body armor actually but designed ta look like a tank top), arm warmers (again armor, they cover from my wrists to halfway up my upper arm, they’re also black). black leather fingerless gloves, combat boots (with knives hidden in the toes, also black except I change the laces all the time cause I like making them funky colors and designs), and a black leather weapons belt that holds at least one stun gun, two daggers/medium sized knives, and in some cases a sword because I like it. All of it’s like....well for lack of a better term...enchanted ta survive my shifts (including into dragon form) so it doesn’t rip or tear or anything. Apparently when I shift it kinda just disappears into a pocket dimension and then reappears on me when I shift back...I dunno how it works, ask Scarlet Witch she hooked me up. And by the way the weapons are because sometimes if I’m too drained ta shift I gotta go hand-to hand.

V: Yeah kinda, it’s my battle gear too. Navy cargo pants (I keep extra snacks for Z), black t-shirt, black wrist guards, black boots with purple laces and skulls and stuff painted on them, purple weapons belt holding a stun gun, throwing knives (like a frick ton, I also store more in my pants), more knives of varying sizes, smoke bombs (great for sneak attacks, just throw to confuse enemy and then attack from all sides with clones. I have flash bombs too), and a couple different versions of brass knuckles, and then I wear opaque black sunglasses too because I like them. Oh and yes my shirt is body armor like Z’s is of course, and my boots are steel toe.

12. Are you a minority in another way (race, gender, disability, etc)?

Z: Genderfluid Panromantic Demisexual who’s got mad depression, anxiety, ADHD, and fainting spells and I’m Polyamorous

V: Genderqueer, Queer in general, demisexual and polyamorous also with severe anxiety as well as dsycalculia and ADHD

13. Coolest power you’ve seen?

Z: I love Storm’s powers, but Scarlet Witch is pretty cool too

V: I concur with Storm but I’m also fond of Z’s powers cause watching your friend turn into a dragion is really cool

14. Favourite mutant artist?

Z: Dunno

V: Ditto

15. How would your friends describe you?

Z: Loud, proud, queer as fuck, angry, musical, a water baby, a literal and metaphorical dragon, bad influence, pun queen, kind of insane, kinky, and V’s shoulder devil/inner crazy bitch.

V: Quiet, secretly vindictive, punk af, dorky, wordy, easily distracted, helpful, accidental group therapist, mom friend, and Z’s conscience/shoulder angel.

16. Enhanced/powered person you most want to meet?

Z: Deadpool, I always miss him when he visits and it sucks

V: Spiderman......I just think he seem really cool

17. Feelings about mutant registration?

Z: No, just no. That’s how they end up rounding us up and killing us all. If it’s an operation run by us mutants ourselves as a way to work together and support each other and offer aid to mutants and help mutant youth who’ve been kicked out of their homes and stuff like that then sure. But not some government list of us all, fuck no.

V: Yeah ditto on that.

18. #MutantandProud or #WeWantACure?

Z&V: #MutantandProud

Z&V: Again unless it’s something regulated by mutants for mutants, no. Because it should be a mutants choice whether or not they want their powers because some people get royally screwed and end up with powers they hate because they are dangerous or something like that. It shouldn’t be something the government or anyone else can decide, it should always be the mutants individual choice.

19. How did you choose your codename?

Z: Don’t have one yet but when I do choose it’ll probably be like...by throwing darts at a bunch of names I like or a coin flip or something

V: Don’t have one yet, I’ll tell you how I chose it when I figure one out.

20. OPTIONAL: what caused your powers to manifest?

Z: Got mad, grew talons and fangs and scales cause I was reading about mythological creatures earlier, was not pretty. It happened when I was alone though so that was a plus. (I was mad because of a text from my boyfriend at the time). The hydrokinesis thing I figured out after I got to Xavier’s...was outside in the courtyard....got catcalled by some asshole student....wished I could dump water on his head....fountain water flew up and over and dumped gallons on his head....it was awesome.

V: I sneezed at the dinner table and three clones shot out of me....the strength and speed stuff I figured out at school in gym class when suddenly I was kicking ass at track and field after always sucking at it my whole life....The senses I figured out when I could hear waaaayyyyy too much noise everywhere and everything smelled waaayyy too strong and suddenly I could see without my glasses (yeah I used ta have and need glasses, I don’t anymore but if I did they’d be cats-eye style like a vintage librarian because reasons).

Tagging: We’re not really sure who ta tag so if you wanna do it then feel free ta do it and tag us!

(And thank you again to @localmutantlesbian for tagging us! We loved doing this!)

~Mod Z

~Mod Vex

P.S Wanna know more about us? Check out our previous “Meet the Mods” posts or check out our “Meet the Mods” page on the blog!

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