#everyone I’m drawing for this week keep getting scout cards…

[tinylittlelilac]

Day 3 - hobbies w tatsukoga !!!

they are super sweet. Opposites attract but really just in image bc they’re both kind at heart 💔💔this truly was our ensemble star

They’re my favorite roommates rivaled only by maybe ibamitsumidotsumugi dorm

[ipsen]

If Only

For @weektg! Hey, turns out I'm a big fat liar! Here's another piece by me for TG Week! wooo... Unsure what theme this is. Maybe "Regret" is a good fit? Maybe that can be next year’s prompt. No crosspost on AO3 this time; I might retool this for something later (shhhh)... Anyways, under the cut!

"If only I hadn't met Takatsuki."

The words on the page stared back at Hinami, telling her what she had known for some time now. If she hadn’t received that card with that number on it, she wouldn’t have been absorbed into the Tree as nutrients. She wouldn’t have killed so many Doves— so many people with families. She wouldn’t have been a part of the Tree’s scouting unit, and been falsely claimed as one of their best.

(She was just so weak, after all.)

Even if she had been separated from Banjou, if she didn’t have that white card—

Hinami tossed the notebook across the room. It hit the metal wall with a thump, and she leaned back against its mirror, staring up at the ceiling. She saw the camera in the corner, always watching her and always listening to her.

She wondered what it was like being the watcher instead of the watched. What was it like, seeing hundreds upon thousands of ghouls caged like animals with little to do besides draw, read, and write? She’d heard about wardens beating some of the detainees out of boredom, and that was how ghouls like Yamori were born, but they didn’t seem to be around in her time here. She was thankful for that much.

But… she was out of time. Aogiri’s ranks had changed too fast for her to keep up. Investigator Urie had kept bringing more and more unfamiliar faces, and each one had been another bump to her disposal date.

And now she knew the day she would die.

She hugged her knees, trembling where she sat.

I don’t want to die.

I don’t want to disappear.

I don’t want this.

I never wanted this.

Is this the price of strength? Is this my punishment?

The notebook seemed to stare at her across the cell.

If only I hadn’t met—

“We have a ghoul in custody believed to be the leader of the Aogiri Tree.”

Hinami’s eyes shot open.

What? Was that—?

She listened closer. Her ears and nose reached beyond her cell, ascending the levels of Cochlea. She shut out everyone inside, only focusing on the entrance. There were guards. Lots of them, wearing facial masks, carrying firearms loaded with RC suppressants. Leading them was—

No, no, focus. Who are they taking? Hats, suits, belts with firearms— restraints made of quinque steel. The type used in Cochlea. Wrapped around the body, like a straitjacket. A short individual, with shorter hair.

The unmistakable scent of hibiscus flowers.

It was her.

Takatsuki. Eto. Here. In Cochlea. Not on Rushima. Not with the others. Yumitsu, Miza, Naki— Ayato. Why? Why was she here? She let herself get arrested? For what reason? Hinami knew about the ongoing extermination operation. Was everyone in Aogiri— good and bad alike— going to…?

And then the one leading her to her cell. It was him. He was here. Hinami didn’t understand. After six months without visits, six months of wondering what he’d been up to, he’d finally returned here with— with Eto?

What was going on?

—

Hinami heard Ayato and his unit arrive on the property. He found Banjou, Ichimi, Sante, and Jiro too. They were going to attempt a rescue. Away from Rushima. Away from Yumitsu, Miza, and Naki. Aogiri was falling apart.

The Tree was rotting. 

The alarms went off, and the fighting broke out soon after, but the one who opened the entrance to Hinami’s cell wasn’t Ayato, or Banjou, or anyone she might have expected.

“I’m sorry it took so long,” Ken said, with a familiar sad smile on his face. “Let’s get out of here.”

Rage. Joy. Sadness.

All these emotions and more flooded Hinami’s system. Ken… was back. He was back, but… He seemed so much sadder. He seemed so much more stuck. Because she recognized that smile on his face. It was the same smile he gave her before he left her.

She staggered to her feet.

What should she say? What should she do? It was him. She should be happy. This was what she wanted, right?

She stumbled across the cell.

But Sasaki… Sasaki seemed happy too. He had friends. He had a family. He was loved and respected in the CCG. But for Ken to return, those things had to be taken away. Because Ken was someone who slingshotted into the past. Ken was the type to overcompensate, make up for the past by sacrificing the present.

Hinami slapped him. Hard.

“Why… are you here?” she asked slowly, failing to hold back the tears in her eyes.

Why haven’t you learned?

“You’re…”

You’re just doing the same thing again, aren’t you?

“Y-You’re an investigator…”

You’re leaving me.

He didn’t say anything for a moment. The alarms continued to blare. Humans and ghouls continued to fight each other, continued to kill each other, with no one winning in the end.

Leaving all of us.

“This is my last job,” he finally said. “We should go…”

She heard the reaper a few floors above, swinging his scythe. Ayato was engaging him. With him were two others. If she concentrated, she could almost believe they were—

She took a shaky breath. “How are we getting out?”

He led her down the hall, and told her about the drainage port. They ran for what felt like hours. The halls all looked the same, enough to drive one crazy.

She stabbed a strange investigator. He smelled like a pâté, but he also smelled like Ken. There wasn’t enough time to dwell on it. They kept running.

Ken left her. Again. She sank against the wall. Still weak. Still helpless. Still—

“Hinami? Hinami!!”

She looked up again, and it was Ayato. He ran to her, and she almost thought he was gonna hug her, but it never came. As always, he just put his hand on her shoulder, and it meant everything.

“Sorry I’m late…” he apologized with a smile. “Let’s go home.”

Hinami nodded and looked at who he brought. She froze. She had been right.

“T-Touka…” she whispered. “Yomo…”

Yomo looked just like she remembered, if a little bit beaten up. And Touka… Touka was beautiful. Like a butterfly unfurling its wings. She seemed so much stronger. Stronger than Hinami.

If only I—

Touka came up to her, raised her hands, and pinched Hinami’s cheek. “Idiot,” she said simply, grinning.

No need for words, or punishment, or anything. Touka was just glad she was safe.

The tears flowed freely. “I-I’m sorry…”

But reunions couldn’t last too long. They reunited with Banjou, who gave one of his nostalgic bear hugs, then headed to the compactor room after disabling it. Once they were through, they were free. Hinami would live. Her punishment was over.

The compactor room was so much larger than she imagined. As she ran, Hinami wondered how many ghouls had met their end being crushed by the quinque steel cylinders. How many quinques had been made. How she might have screamed when she was sandwiched between them.

… She heard something. Black suits, and someone she thought she had killed.

Typing.

Undoing.

Reactivating.

The cylinders came to life and rushed forward. Hinami turned to Touka, Yomo, Ayato, Banjou, Jiro, Sante, Ichimi, the Gas Masks, the remnants of Aogiri, as the space closed, the air rushed out of her lungs, the end result— 

Footsteps. Lighter than air, almost like a bird taking flight.

A familiar flash of green inserting itself into her vision.

The sound of crunching steel, and the crackling of kagune.

No one died. Everyone was safe.

Amidst the ruins of quinque steel and kagune, Hinami looked up at a familiar, massive kakuja. Ayato caught her before she could fall from the shock.

“Why would Eto…?” Banjou wondered aloud, before shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter. We gotta go, guys!”

But Hinami kept staring. Maybe to Banjou, it didn’t make sense. Maybe even Ayato couldn’t understand it. Because they didn’t know. You can’t understand what you don’t know. You can’t understand what you don’t spend time with.

In hindsight, it was so obvious.

For a moment, she was fourteen again, sitting in a coffee shop and wondering why Shuu was taking so long in the bathroom.

A flash of green entered her vision that day, and gave her a ticket down the rabbit hole.

“Hinami,” Ayato said, patting her. “Let’s get going.”

“I think Kaneki… is the type of person who wants to be loved.”

She blinked. “R-Right…”

She gave the kakuja one last glance before she ran.

If only…

[persephone-plasmids]

Debriefing

Deacon and Sole fanfic.

[AO3]

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]

Debriefing

Deacon and Sole walked in complete  silence through the abandoned Nuka-World park. Not because they were worried they’d attract the attention of ferals, but because neither of them seemed to be mature enough to address the incredible kiss they’d both just shared. Of course, nearly having Sole kill him when she got poisoned by HalluciGen and meeting a super dramatic Ghoul named Oswald had also distracted them. But Deacon was fairly certain the kiss was the real reason for the silent treatment he was currently getting.

I shouldn’t have done it, Deacon thought to himself. Although even as he thought this, his mind replayed the sensation of Sole’s lips against his and he felt his cheeks flush.

Sole was walking ever-so-slightly ahead of him, her hips swaying back and forth in a way that Deacon tried to ignore.

Right. He needed to fix this. To get things back to normal.

“Hey Charmer, did I ever tell you about the time I went undercover as Magnolia for an entire week?”

Sole slowed her pace a bit so that Deacon could fall in step beside her. “Go on,” she said, raising an eyebrow with an amused look in her eye.

“I did the whole shebang. Donned the red dress, wore a black wig, sang all the songs.”

“Flirted with the patrons?” She asked.

“That was my favorite part,” Deacon said. “You wouldn't believe how many free drinks I got that week. It’s amazing what people will do for a pretty face.”

A smile tugged at the corner of Sole’s lips, but the action just brought Deacon’s attention right back to the very area he was trying to forget.

He cleared his throat nervously before continuing. “I'll tell you, though. I’m not a fan of shaving my legs. I could never quite get that little area behind my knee.”

At this, Sole snorted, trying to suppress her laugh and failing miserably. “How do you even come up with these ridiculous lies?”

She still wasn’t looking at him, but he preferred it that way. If she wasn’t looking at him, then they weren’t in danger of suddenly kissing each other.

“Who says that’s a lie?” Deacon asked, his voice easily slipping back into its smooth unconcerned cadence.

“Literally anyone who’s ever met you,” she said, looking down at the ground as they walked. “I can read you most of the time. But I’m finding it harder and harder these days.”

“Oh?” Deacon asked.

He wanted to know what she’d meant by that, but he never did get his answer. Instead, he heard the familiar clomp, clomp, clomp of power armor approaching them. Deacon rolled his eyes at the Paladin’s lack of subtlety and Sole moved a bit further away from Deacon.

The motion would have been almost imperceptible to anyone but him. But it still gave him complicated feelings. Was he hurt that she didn’t want to be seen being this familiar with him? Or did it give him hope that she was feeling that same connection to him, even if she was trying to ignore it.

“Soldier,” Danse said, nodding to Sole before turning to Deacon. “Liar.”

“Ouch,” Deacon said, placing a hand over his heart and stumbling back a few paces dramatically. “Shots fired, Paladin. Right out the gate too.”

“Told you everyone knows you’re a liar,” Sole said under her breath, grinning as she looked at Danse.

MacCready appeared suddenly beside Danse, out of breath and wiping blood from his hands. “There’s a serious Bloodworm infestation here. I think we should get out of Dry Rock Gulch. It’s not worth the effort.”

“That’s just as well,” Sole said. “The Synth isn’t in Nuka-World. They’ve already made it out of The Commonwealth.”

“Is that so?” Danse asked. “Outstanding!”

“Bingo!” Deacon shouted.

Everyone stopped and turned to look at him in confusion.

“Danse said ‘outstanding’. That’s the last square I needed on my boy scout bingo card.”

No one said anything. Instead, Sole’s cheeks immediately flushed a dark shade of scarlet as her eyes grew as wide as saucers. She stared at Deacon in horror and had she not immediately looked away from him again, he would have thought there was a Deathclaw behind him.

Danse cleared his throat uncomfortably before Sole began loudly speaking. “So, I think we’re all done here. The Synth is safe and we’re all alive. Let’s head out.”

Sole’s voice sounded unnatural. And the way Danse turned away from Deacon with a stronger look of annoyance on his face than normal, told him that something was wrong.

As Sole and Danse began walking away, Mac sidled up beside Deacon and said in a low voice, “Not really your color, is it?” Before snickering and joining Sole and the tin can.

Deacon brought his hand up to his lips. When he pulled them away, he could see that they were stained with Sole’s red lipstick.

“Perfect,” he groaned.

--------

Things back at Railroad HQ had been normal when Sole and Deacon returned to report to Desdamona. Painfully normal. The kind of normal you got when you were trying too hard to make things seem normal. Sole was still avoiding eye contact with Deacon, but when she thought he wasn’t looking, he’d catch her staring.

Again, his sunglasses proved beneficial for more than just his Railroad missions.

“Thank you both for your continued efforts on behalf of The Railroad,” Desdemona said, after they’d given her the news concerning the Synth in Nuka-World. “Charmer, you’re getting much more efficient in your debriefings.”

“Charmer can debrief me any time,” Deacon said, giving her finger guns as Sole just shook her head in exasperation.

“Deacon, do I need to refresh your memory on the no fraternization rule?” Desdamona asked.

“Oh come on, that was funny,” Deacon insisted.

“Deacon?” Desdamona was still waiting for him to answer.

“No Des. I’ll do my best to shield your ears from my incredible wit. But just know you’ll be missing out.”

“I think I’ll survive,” Des said shortly. “You’re both dismissed.”

And with that, the imposing woman walked away.

“Sheesh, tough crowd,” Deacon said, pulling on the collar of his white shirt for effect as he smiled over at Sole.

“I mean… she is right though,” Sole said, looking down at her hands instead of at Deacon. “We probably shouldn’t joke about stuff like that.”

“Are you… we joke about that kind of stuff all the time,” Deacon said incredulously. “I mean… if it makes you uncomfortable of course I’ll stop. I just… thought that was sort of our thing.”

Deacon could feel his cheeks heating up as he desperately tried to save the situation. If Sole was uncomfortable with their joking, it was news to him. She was usually the one to start the innuendos. But he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.

The kiss may have tarnished their friendship a bit, mostly because it made it impossible for Deacon to keep lying to himself about his feelings. But he didn’t want it to completely ruin what they already had.

“I just… don’t want people to talk,” Sole said simply, still looking down at her hands.

“Yeah, of course, Boss. Whatever you say,” Deacon answered, rubbing the back of his neck before trying to assume a nonchalant posture. “Just trying to keep things light. I’ll resort to the old failsafes instead. You know… the nuclear apocalypse… the hopelessness of our existence… Danse’s extensive grooming routine.”

Sole almost smiled at this last bit. He could tell from the way her jaw tensed. But instead of smiling she just nodded. “Thanks, Deeks.”

Without another word, Sole gave Deacon a curt smile, turned on her heel, and walked away, leaving him totally and utterly confused about where they stood.

Idiot, he thought. Did I seriously think I could kiss Sole without things getting weird? Do I really want to throw away my closest friendship just because I… what? Feel something for her? Big deal. I feel something for Fancy Lad Snack Cakes and I’m not making moves on them.

Deacon refrained from letting out the gigantic sigh that had settled in his chest, not wanting to draw attention to himself. Instead, he ducked into the escape tunnel and out the back door into the small underground room just beyond the main section of Railroad HQ.

Pulling out a cigarette, Deacon nearly jumped out of his skin when Sole lit a match beside him.

“Geez! Are you kidding me?” Deacon whisper-shouted at her, jumping back against the wall and hitting his head in the process.

He dropped his unlit cigarette to the ground and rubbed the back of his head where it had made contact with the bricks.

“I thought you were always aware of your surroundings.”

“And I thought you were a baby Deathclaw about to drag me off to mommy like a bleeding morbid trophy,” he said, still whisper-shouting. “Why are you back here, Sole?”

“I needed some alone time,” she said, her face slightly amused as she watched him come down from his scare. “And then you just followed right behind me.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” Deacon said. “I didn’t even see you come back here. Trust me, I don’t go around looking for humiliation more than once a day.”

“Excuse me?” Sole asked, her eyes narrowing at his words.

Deacon swallowed, realizing he was being too honest again. He didn’t want her to know he was hurt. Hell, he didn’t even want her to know he had actual feelings for her.

“I mean… I have gone looking for humiliation in the past,” he began, trying to think up a lie funny enough to distract Sole from his honesty. “Like this one time--.”

“Deacon, stop,” Sole said, shaking her head. “Sorry, I just… I can’t do this.”

“Yep, no problem,” Deacon said automatically, without really knowing what she was talking about specifically.

Odds were, he probably didn’t want to know. He’d made a point of detaching himself from the people around him. It was a necessity in The Railroad. But it had also been crucial for his survival after Barbara. Sole broke down that resolve and made him feel out of control in a way that he both loved and hated.

Sole turned to leave but stopped herself and instead faced Deacon once more, looking at the ground with a deep sigh.

“I’m just going to say it, okay?” she began, now looking up to meet his eyes before frowning. “Geez, Deeks, will you please take those sunglasses off so I can actually see you?”

Panic.

He needed his sunglasses. Otherwise Sole might find out just what a terrible bluffer he actually was.

“You know what? Never mind. This might actually be easier if I can’t see you.”

Her words were doing nothing to comfort him and he was desperately trying to quell the mild panic attack that was rising in his chest. “Sole, if I’m dying, you really need to just rip off the bandaid and tell me.”

He grinned at her, but they both knew it was a facade to mask his panic.

“I appreciate you telling me about Barbara. That took a lot of trust to open up to me about her.”

Well this wasn’t looking good.

“And I felt instantly connected to you because of it. We… we both knew what it was like to experience loss.” Sole frowned but pushed through it. “And honestly, after everything with Nate, I didn’t think I’d ever… feel anything for someone again.”

Deacon had to stop this conversation. He’d made her uncomfortable. And he hated himself for that.

“You don’t need to say anything else, Boss. I got it loud and clear,” Deacon said.

But Sole wasn’t letting him off the hook that easily.

“I don’t think you do,” Sole said. “I get that you flirt. It’s what you do. And it was always fine with me but… I can’t keep putting myself out there just to find out that this whole thing is a big joke to you. I’m not like that. It… it hurts too much.”

Deacon’s heart twisted inside of him. Had he misunderstood this situation completely? There was no way. Because as much as he’d dreamed about Sole reciprocating his feelings, he never thought it would actually happen.

Deacon had been a bigot back in his youth. Someone had died. He’d been a violent man. Sure he’d changed, but there was no way someone as good as Sole would be able to look completely past that. She may say his past wasn’t important, but she was just being polite. That’s who Sole was.

There was no way she could ever truly forgive him. He knew that. And he didn’t think he’d deserve that kind of forgiveness even if she did offer it.

“I respect you too much to break up our team, because we really do work well together… I just need the flirting to stop,” Sole said, looking down at her hands again as she twisted them together. “I want… I want you, Deacon. And it’s fine that I can’t have you. Really. I can learn to live with that. I’m a big girl. But… I’m not good at differentiating your joking with what’s real. I never have been. You know that.”

Deacon was staring at Sole now with the most shocked expression he’d ever worn.

She was saying that she had feelings for him. Wasn’t she?

Of course, he could just ask her for clarification, but that went against every instinct inside of him that was screaming at him to make a joke.

He realized a bit too late that he had been staring at her in silence for quite a while. She looked up at him uncomfortably with a wince. “So… are we good?” she asked. “Even though… you know… I just told you I have a crush on you like some five-year-old on the playground?”

There it was. The confirmation.

Deacon’s mouth might have actually dropped open in shock. He wasn’t sure.

“Okay, well… this has been sufficiently awkward. But I said what I needed to say. So…” she gave him a soft awkward slug on the shoulder. “Good talk, Sport.”

She instantly shook her head in embarrassment at her own words.

“Yeah, I’m going to leave now,” she mumbled, ducking her head down and turning to walk away.

“Wait, hold up just a minute,” Deacon said, finally regaining control of his brain. At least partially.

Sole turned around slowly and reluctantly.

“I swear if you make fun of me for this, Deeks, I will fill your pillowcase with cayenne pepper while you sleep.”

“Whoa,” he said, raising his hands up in surrender. “That escalated way faster than it probably should have.”

Deacon reached down and hesitantly took Sole’s hand in his own.

“I just… are you actually saying you have feelings for me?” Deacon asked.

Sole’s cheeks flushed at his straightforward words. Deacon was never straightforward. Except for the time he’d told Sole about Barbara.

“Seriously, Deacon? You’re going to make me say it again?”

“You feel things for me?” Deacon repeated, trying to rephrase his question so that there was no confusion. He wasn’t doing a great job. “Not like the way Danse has feelings for his power armor, right?”

“I mean, I’ve seen the way he looks at his power armor. So, maybe,” Sole said, that ghost of a smile returning to her lips. “Seriously, can I go now? I don’t know that I’ve ever felt this humiliated. This is worse than the dream where I show up to school naked.”

Deacon’s eyes grew wide behind his sunglasses at this statement. “Okay, well I’d definitely like to hear more about that in a minute,” Deacon began. “But I just… I feel like I need to be absolutely certain. You, the perfect, beautiful, compassionate, smart, brave, sexy, savior of The Commonwealth, have romantic feelings towards a former-bigot, current-man-child, broken, immature, and hopelessly lost human?”

Realization seemed to dawn on Sole in that moment. At his words she could see the insecurity dripping off of him, cleverly disguised by jokes and a devil-may-care attitude.

He felt the shift between them. Felt the way she squeezed his hand with confidence now, knowing that his flirting wasn’t a joke. That his casual contact wasn’t all that casual.

“Well… the jury’s still out on whether or not you’re a human or a synth,” she whispered with a grin. “I still haven’t tried your recall code on you.”

With that, Sole pressed her lips to Deacon’s. He hadn’t kissed Sole many times, so he didn’t have much to compare it to, but this kiss definitely felt different. Her hesitation was gone. Her lips were confident as they moved over his, and he smiled at her touch.

“Can we go back to that whole, dream business you were talking about a second ago?” Deacon asked, but Sole instantly silenced him with another kiss, which he was just fine with.

Her hands roamed slowly up his chest, as if she were taking her time to enjoy the moment. Goosebumps erupted all over his skin at her touch.

As she gently bit his bottom lip, something he definitely hadn’t expected from her, he couldn’t stop himself from being too aware of their surroundings. He wanted to melt into the kiss. He wanted to thoroughly enjoy this moment. There weren’t any more questions between them. They both understood each other finally.

But they were also in Railroad HQ. Anti-fraternization Zone Number 1. They may have been in the escape tunnel, but agents regularly used it as an overflow for the headquarters.

“Hey,” Deacon said, pulling away from Sole regretfully. Confusion lined her features. “So… I want this. You have absolutely no idea how much,” he began. “But… we’re not really in the best place for… grown up bonding time.”

Sole smiled up at him. “Doesn’t that sort of make it more exciting?” she asked.

What? Where had this Sole come from?

Not waiting for his response, she kissed him again, harder this time. He tried to exercise restraint.

He failed.

Instead, he pushed Sole up against the wall, parting her lips with his tongue and pressing his body against hers. Every fiber of his being burned to be even closer to her, but even with this bold new Sole that stood before him, he knew she wasn’t that type. She’d want to take things somewhat slow. And he was fine with that.

Besides, after years of being completely touch-starved, any contact was like a revelation for Deacon.

His hands found her waist, softly kneading the smooth skin there as his mouth moved against hers. She made a little noise that encouraged him further, prompting him to trail his kisses down to her collarbone instead.

She grabbed his hair in a slightly painful manner, but he didn’t mind. Instead, he focused on the very important work he was doing on her neck while her hands pulled him more firmly against her.

“Deeks,” she said breathlessly, though he hardly heard her. His lips were too preoccupied with just how perfect her neck seemed to be. How had he not noticed before? “Dea-con,” she said again, still just as breathless.

This time he heard her. And he loved the way his name sounded when she was the one saying it. The way her breath hitched at the end of the first syllable when he’d nipped at her neck. That desperate quality to her voice.

“Mmm?” he mumbled, now slowly moving his lips back towards hers.

“You…” but her words were cut off by another kiss. “Said we should be careful here?” she finally managed, between kisses. “About Des?”

This was more like the reserved Sole he knew. But he was enjoying himself too much. He was finally kissing her. Really kissing her. Not just for fun. Not as part of a ruse for a mission. Not in some psychotic funhouse where he wasn’t sure if she really wanted to or if it was just some weird trick of the drugs in Kiddie Kingdom.

Being able to touch someone after so long was like an oasis in a desert. And she saw him. Really saw him. That was normally the last thing he wanted from someone. But it was all he wanted with Sole.

“Screw it,” Sole said between another kiss before she wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him harder against her body, shuddering as they crashed together.

“I already told you, I left a backup in the escape tunnel,” Tinker Tom said from somewhere near the room’s entrance. “Now if y’all would give me two seconds, I could actually go get it.”

Sole instantly broke the kiss, looking wide-eyed at Deacon in a panic. He pressed a finger against her lips and grabbed her hand. Without a word, Deacon pulled her towards the exit at the far end of the room. It would lead them out into the cool night air of The Commonwealth.

As he held her hand and pulled her behind him, he couldn’t stop the embarrassing little smile that broke across his face. He heard Sole giggle behind him and it only added to the pure unadulterated joy that was beginning to permeate his very being.

She saw him. She saw all of him. And she still wanted him.

------

Note: This fic makes me seem like I don’t like Danse. I actually love him! I just like to make fun of him :)

Also, if you enjoy my writing, I’m an author IRL. I’ve got 13 published books, but my favorite is Parrish. You should check it out if you like ghosts and love stories between weirdos.

[kaimelia]

Christmas Cards

a/n: I accidentally posted this yesterday oops....but here’s a cute little thing I wrote and I hope you enjoy it! merry Christmas to those who celebrate and happy holidays to everyone!

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

They hadn’t sent Christmas cards out any other years, which was probably why Amelia was so excited. She had spent the past few weeks compiling photos of their little family onto various card designs while making Link get all of their friends’ and family’s addresses. And now, they were both sat at their kitchen table, piles of cards, envelopes, and stamps in front of them. She smiled as she picked up one of the cards, a photo of the three of them on Scout’s second birthday surrounded by other pictures of her and her husband. As adorable as it was, she was most proud of the back of the card. When she found out she was pregnant a month ago, part of her knew it was her chance to have a corny holiday card. It was a photo of the three of them in front of their Christmas tree. Link was holding Scout with his spare arm wrapped around Amelia, whose hands were cradling her small bump. She stopped for a moment to admire it, a hand resting on top of her stomach that had been hiding in bigger scrubs and sweaters for the past few weeks.

“I’m pretty sure my parents know.” Amelia raised her eyebrows and sat up at the sound of his voice.

“What? How?”

“We were facetime this morning and I went to get Scout some apple juice from the fridge and I think my mom saw the ultrasound photo. She asked what was on the fridge but I just showed her Scout’s elephant drawing.”

“We said only Meredith and Maggie would know.” Although Amelia hadn’t wanted to tell anyone until they sent out cards, Meredith had quickly picked up on her symptoms and put it all together one morning at their weekly breakfast. Amelia had made Link promise to come up with a quick excuse, like food poisoning, if she felt nauseous so that her sisters wouldn’t find out yet, but as soon as she left the bathroom Meredith asked if she was pregnant and the wide grin on Link’s face gave it away.

“And Winston, Cormac, Meredith’s kids-you realize no one we know can keep a secret?” She narrowed her eyebrows at him and shook her head.

“I made them promise not to say anything. Plus, Mer and Maggie telling their boyfriends doesn’t count.” Amelia closed another envelope and handed it to Link. “When did we become these people?”

“Hm?”

“Sending out Christmas cards, doing a pregnancy ‘announcement’” She made air quotations with her fingers. “I used to hate this woman, and now I am her.” Link grinned toothily, placing an address label on an envelope.

“For whatever it’s worth, I never pictured myself like this. But, I wouldn’t trade it for anything, now.”

“That was incredibly cheesy,” she whispered.

“What, am I not allowed to say how insanely in love with you I am? Is being happy a bad thing?” Amelia rolled her eyes while feigning annoyance.

“It’s extremely annoying.” She watched as Link paused with a label in his hand. “What is it?”

“We’re sending a card to Alex? How’d you even get his address?” She shrugged.

“We started talking a bit ago. He knows about Christopher and what happened and wanted to know how I was doing. I know you don’t like him because of Jo, but he’s my friend. Plus, it’s just a Christmas card.”

“Has he sad anything about Jo or what’s her name, Izzie?” Amelia shook her head at him.

“We don’t talk about that. Really just about Scout and work.” Their son perked up at the sound of his name.

“Momma,” Scout mumbled, holding his arms up towards his mother. Amelia grinned and picked him up, placing him down on her lap.

“It’s almost your bedtime, buddy.” He turned around to look at her, a pout on his face.

“I want to stay up with you and Daddy and baby.” She rustled his blonde hair with her hand, trying to hide her joy at his excitement over his new sibling. Amelia had expected jealousy from him when they told him; he loved the constant attention from his parents and she assumed the idea of having to share that attention wouldn’t please him. Instead, he’d asked for a baby doll for Christmas and asked to share his room with the baby as if it was the most normal thing ever.

“How about this, Mom and I don’t have to work tomorrow, so if you go to sleep now, we can go shopping for the baby,” Link suggested, standing up and walking around the table. He kneeled down next to Amelia and smiled at his son.

“Okay.” Scout held out his arms as Link picked him up. He placed a kiss on the top of Amelia’s head.

“I’ll be back down, soon.” She continued filling envelopes and sticking labels on them until the entire table had been cleared, just a neat stack of envelopes on the floor below her. Amelia grinned and stood up, slowly walking up the stairs to see her husband laying in bed with their son who was fast asleep as he read one of Scout’s books.

“He’s asleep,” she whispered, stepping into the room. Link looked over at his son beside him and dropped a kiss on the boy’s forehead before carefully climbing out of the little bed. He set the book down on top of the bookcase and followed Amelia out of the bedroom, turning off the light as he left. “You got him down fast.”

“He was really insistent on going to bed so that we could go baby shopping.” Amelia pushed open their bedroom door and laid down. She watched as Link pulled off his shirt, joining her in bed and pulling her close to him. “Did you finish all the cards?”

“Yup,” she nodded, placing her hand over his on her stomach. “All done, we’ll just drop them off at the post office tomorrow morning.”

“For the record, I love our corny Christmas cards.” Amelia grinned at his words and brought his hand up to kiss it.

“Honestly? Me too.”

[bakubabes-tatakae]

For The Love Of Humanity’s Strongest (Part Six)

Author’s Note: If anyone wants to be in a taglist for this feel free to let me know! Happy to do it for anyone!

(Levi Ackerman x Reader)

Summary: When all seems lost Y/N knows that she can count on one person to always be there for her brother, Eren Jaeger, and herself. Can humanity’s strongest not only keep Eren in line, but keep his relationship alive as well?

AO3 Link

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five

Part Six: *NSFW Ahead!*

Word Count: 2291

The kiss grew passionate as Levi moved his hands from behind my head to my lower back. We hadn’t been together like this in weeks, we hadn’t been together since we had been back from the last recon mission outside the walls. The tension was a big reason for my temper lately. He wrapped his muscular arms under my thighs and dragged me closer to the edge of the desk. 

He broke the kiss, fumbling with the button on my pants. Clearly the tension was getting to him as well. I’d never seen Levi so desperate when it came to sex. I put my finger over his lips and stopped him. I undid the button to my uniform myself and then made my way to his. When I was done his hands started wandering. He grabbed my breasts, squeezing them some, making me throw my head back in pleasure. He chuckled and began planting kisses down my stomach. My hand grabbed some of his hair the farther he got and a small noise escaped his lips. 

“Levi, forget the foreplay.” I grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him up. “It’s been too long. You don’t need that.”

I had never seen the fire in his eyes this bright. He stood back up and placed a hand on both sides of the desk around me. I pulled the front of his pants down and exposed his growing erection. Levi grabbed the sides of my pants, pulling them down with one swift movement. He positioned himself at my entrance, letting his erection glide across my wet sex before finally entering. 

He put his lips to mine in an attempt to keep me quiet, knowing that there were scouts outside the door. With every thrust I could feel myself getting closer to my climax, making it harder for Levi to keep my quiet. He took a hand off the desk and used it to cover my mouth, thrusting harder, having me almost screaming. I reached around the desk for anything I could hold onto, when I found nothing I grabbed onto Levi’s arms. The tighter my walls became around him the faster he moved. We were getting sloppy at this point, we didn’t even care at this point. 

He removed his hand from my mouth and grabbed a fist full of my hair, pulling it backwards. I tried so hard to keep my mouth shut, but it was too much, and as I finally reached my climax I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Levi, oh god!”

I heard a cocky huff come from his mouth. Hearing his name being called out had always been one of the biggest turn ons for him. As I shouted his name he went sent to the brink. His thrust grew even rougher as he released into me. 

Levi collapsed on top of me, kissing the side of my face. I put my hand on the side of his face. “I love you Levi.”

He smirked. “I love you, too, Y/n.”

* * * * * * 

When we exited the room everyone had been gone already. We figured they had gone back to headquarters, so that’s where we headed. When we reached the common area of headquarters Mike was sitting on one of the couches, clearly wrapped up in the girl he was entertaining.He looked back at the sudden interruption and pointed toward the stairs. “They’re up in the Commander’s office.”

Levi saluted him and stepped behind me, holding onto the belt loops of my pants and he pushed me toward the stairs. Levi was always the clingy type after sex. I’d probably find him glued to my hip for a couple of hours at the least. 

We knocked on the door and were greeted by the familiar face of Zoe Hange. She opened the door wider and let us in, before running back to where she had been. Eren was sitting on the couch with Hange in front of him, tending to his wounds. It was almost like they had been waiting for us to even start their conversation on the matter. Hange looked over at me and smiled. “That went better than expected.” As she dabbed Eren’s cuts from Levi with a cotton ball he flinched. “Does it hurt?”

Eren put the cloth up to his face as she backed away. “Yea.”

“Yea?” Her eyes lit up. “Describe it to me.”

I walked up behind her. “Cool it Zo.” I walked over to Eren and sat next to him. Levi claimed the seat next to me, putting his arm on the back of the couch behind my figure. 

Erwin looked between the two of us and Levi nodded at him. He nodded back and spoke to Eren. “Sorry about all that.” He looked toward him. “But the theatrics did get you placed in our custody.”

Eren nodded. “I understand”

Erwin approached the window that was beside him and stared out. “I can assure you that the pain is worth it. We played our trump card at the perfect time.” He left the window and knelt down in front of Eren, holding out his hand for him. “You have my utmost respect.” Eren’s face lit up, he had always wanted to be a member of the scouts. He had grown up around Erwin, Levi, and I. He had always respected them to the highest of degrees. “Eren, I’m glad you’re on our side.”

Eren couldn’t get his hand to Erwin’s fast enough. “Me too. Glad to be here sir.”

Levi leaned forward some. “So, Eren,”

Eren looked over at him, clearly still afraid of getting beat again. “Sir,” He cowered beside me some. 

“You don’t resent me now, do you?” He smirked some. 

“No, I can see that what you did was necessary sir.” Eren crossed his arms. 

I looked over at him and mumbled. “Even if some of it was overkill.”

Levi shot me a look before continuing. “Good, then you understand.”

“Still! Don’t you think you went too far!” I leaned forward from the couch and turned to him. “I mean, you knocked his tooth out Levi.”

Hange walked over with a napkin. When she pulled apart the ball Eren’s tooth was wrapped in it. “Neat, huh?”

Levi was appalled. “You picked it up? How disgusting.”

“This is a precious sample, I’ll have you know.”

Levi looked from Hange to Eren. “Just be glad that people like that aren’t dissecting you.”

Hange glared at Levi. “Don’t you dare compare me with them. I would never even dream of killing him.” She turned back to Eren. “Hey Eren, let me take a look inside that mouth of yours.” Eren looked over at me and when I nodded he opened his mouth for her. Hange’s jaw dropped. “Your tooth… it grew back.”

All of our eyes went wide. I slid off the couch and bent down next to her, looking into my brother's mouth. “What the hell do you mean?” Where his tooth that Levi had knocked out when kicking him should have been missing another tooth took its place. My head started to hurt again. This was insane. My brother had regenerating powers too?

Eren looked afraid as the two of us stared into his mouth. Levi tried to help him out. “Hey freaks, why don’t you leave him alone.”

We both glared at him, but Erwin stopped the catfight that was about to start. “Captain Levi, I want you to take him to the abandoned scout headquarters. Get your team and set up camp there. Keep him safe until the recon mission.”

Levi nodded and looked at me. “Y/n, get the others. Eren, come with me to get the horses ready.”

I stood back up. I didn’t hide the annoyance in my words. “Yes sir.” I gave a sloppy salute and walked out of the room, leaving my brother with Levi.

* * * * * * 

As we approached the old headquarters Petra and I were growing very annoyed with Oluo. Oluo had not shut up the entire ride to the building. As we started to see it over the horizon he spoke to Eren. “She’s an architectural marvel, don’t you think? It was a proper royal residence once upon a time, but now it’s known as the formal scout headquarters. It was impractical once the scouts started using it. Too far removed from a river or the wall. This was the early days for us, you understand? Hopes soared high, now it’s little more than a holding cell. The place where we store our newest toy.”

I spat venom towards him. “How many times do I have to tell you to stop talking, Oluo? And how many times do I have to tell you that my brother isn’t a toy.”

Oulo completely ignored me and got his horse as close to Eren’s as he could. “Do not be deceived greenhorn.”

Eren looked over at him, confused. “Excuse me?”

He started berating Eren. “Don’t think for a second that you’re going to get special treatment.”

I started to draw my sword from my scabbard and I felt a small gust on my leg as Levi came closer to me with his horse, grabbed my arm and stopped me from charging forward for Oulo. He tried to calm me. “Let karma do it’s things Y/n.”

Oulo continued. “Whether you’re Titan or human don’t imagine for a second that we all share the good Captain’s thoughts-” His horse caught a rock and jolted, causing Oulo to bite a gash in his tongue. He screamed in pain. 

“That’s what you get for flapping your gums on horseback Oulo. I warned you.” I laughed at him. 

The horses approached the building and we all dismounted. Levi looked around. “You guys stay here, I’m going to see what we have to deal with inside.”

We all saluted him and sat outside. Oulo looked at me as we sat down on the outside of the well next to us. “The Rookie needed to know his place.” His tongue was swollen, causing him to sound funny. “First impressions are important.”

“Well you certainly made an impression on him, no question there.” I looked over at Eren who was taking the saddles off our hoses, giving them a break. 

“Indeed so, our exchange went exactly as planned.”

Petra put her hand on her hip. “What happened to you? You never used to talk like this.”

When Levi had taken over our squad and pulled me in it had just been Petra, Eld, Oulo, and Gunther. They had had another Captain who had met a fatal end in battle, and Levi hand picked them to form his squad. He knew they worked well together and he knew that they all had criteria that he had wanted in his members. When Levi and I had come around Petra had told me about how Oulo had suddenly changed. I had always blamed it on the fact that he had wanted to be just like Levi, but Petra had said he was just trying to make Levi think he had a little competition when it came to his girlfriend. 

“It’s none of my business, Oulo,” I sighed. “But if you’re trying to be like the Captain, it’s kind of embarrassing.”

Petra let out an annoyed huff. “You and Captain Levi couldn’t be less alike if you have been born into separate species.”

“If you’re going to hound me like a wife Petra and Y/n dear, there’s rather more of me that you need to be acquainted with before laying claim to the privilege.”

“You wish.”

I glared at him. “I’d tell you to bite your tongue, but it looks like you’ve got that covered.” Levi had come out of the building and was just in ear shot, listening to the whole thing. “Next time, I hope you bleed out.”

Oulo laughed. “Methinks the lady doth protest too much.”

“You disgusting swineherd!” I walked away from them and over to Eren. “You want the lowdown on everyone little brother?”

Eren smiled. “Sure. That sounds great.”

Levi walked up behind us, staring daggers at Oulo. He had never taken kindly to the shots that Oulo took toward me. I smiled at him. “Just giving him the rundown on the squad. Need us to do something first?” 

Levi put his hand up. “No, go ahead. I’ll tell the others to start cleaning.”

I pointed to Petra. “Petra Rall, ten Titan kills to her credit, forty-eight kill assists.” I changed my glance to Oulo. “Oulo Bozad, thirty-nine kills, nine assits, elite as they come, but he can be a total ass.” Eld and Gunther passed us as I spoke, so I pointed them out as well. Eld was first. “Eld Jinn, fourteen kill, thirty-two assists, and Gunther Shultz, seven kills, forty assists.” I stopped and pointed to myself. “Obviously you know who I am. Twelve kills and forty-four assists.” I smiled. “Every single one of us was hand picked by Captain Levi for our accomplishments in the field.” I hated what I had to say next, but I had too. “And just so you know Eren, if anything happens. These guys are your executioners. The ones that have no choice but to end you if you lose it.” 

I walked over to Gunther and Eld, standing between the two. Eld put his arm on my shoulder, using me as a leaning post. “This place has gone to hell.”

I looked up at him. “It’s been abandoned for years.” 

Gunther sighed. “The insides are in shambles.”

Levi walked up behind us, jumping all three of us. “In that care we have work to do, don’t we? You all best grab a broom and get to work.”

Taglist 💕 @gamegirl23100 @super-peace-fangirl @pjimochi @izzythefanfreak @echimozart @peachymochimochi @primusk @absolute-randomness-forever @omg-lexiloveyou @always394patronus​

Part Seven

Updated: 5/13/2020

[thetriggeredhappy]

if ur still taking them... 28 pyroscout 🥺

pyro tf2 said trans rights and scout tf2 said disaster bi rights and the team said queer rights and that’s what’s up, sis. (warning for discussion of past transphobia and other queer issues)

#28: First kiss.

It wasn’t that Scout was all that surprised to have Pyro end up as basically his best friend. He’d secretly been hoping that he’d get to be friends with a few of his coworkers when he’d taken the job, and Pyro was pretty close to him in age and shared a few of the same interests as him so it wasn’t unreasonable to expect to get along. It was just…

Maybe it would be more accurate to say that it was a little bit of an honor.

They hung out in plenty of places—watching TV or playing card games in the common room, hopping into a car and heading into town to watch the latest movie once or twice (or like eight times if they both really liked it), sometimes out back to start a bonfire or something for the hell of it.

But Pyro’s room tended to be his favorite hangout location of theirs, because that was the only place where they were okay with taking off their mask and suit.

Pyro had tried very hard not to make a big deal out of it the first time they’d unmasked in front of Scout. He’d been confused about what they were doing unclasping the bottom of it, since they didn’t have any food with them or anything and that was the only reason they usually did that—to sneak bites of food beneath. But then they shucked the whole thing up and over their head, shaking their head to re-orient themselves, sending their hair—he’d never thought about what Pyro’s hair had to be like before, how had he never thought of that?—bouncing around their face loosely, half-flattened but clearly very naturally curly. Pyro had to take a moment to fish something else out of their mask, a cap of some kind, probably to hold their hair down, and they clearly were trying very hard to avoid eye contact, nervous.

Scout, for once, was at a loss for words, mouth flapping in a way that was probably pretty similar to a fish for something like thirty seconds straight.

“Hey,” he finally managed, pointing at his own face where assorted freckles dotted his cheeks. “We match.”

Pyro glanced up at him, a little startled, then barked a laugh, and it sounded so much better when it wasn’t muffled. They hesitated a few more moments before they pulled off their gloves as well and set all of the newly-shed pieces of uniform down on their cluttered desk, fidgeting severely. “I guess so,” Pyro confirmed, and Scout had never noticed before that they had a very slight accent, too light for him to pick out what it had to be. “I’d never, I couldn’t tell before. With the…”

They pantomimed something up near their eyes, words stalling on them. It took Scout a few seconds to get what they meant. “With the mask?” he asked for confirmation. They nodded. “Oh. Huh. So it’s kinda like your first time seeing me too, huh?”

Pyro laughed. “I guess so,” they repeated, scratching at their stubble self-consciously, or maybe just because they finally could, and then Scout made an effort to both just move on with the rest of what all they were planning on doing when they hung out and also with not staring too much.

The jump to stripping off their suit as far as the tank top and thick-but-tight sweatpants they wore underneath was done a few weeks later when Scout had demonstrated that he wasn’t planning on saying anything, and he was only a little surprised by the plethora of burn marks and scars dotting their skin. He’d noticed an awful lot of scars all over Pyro, and he figured it was probably from when Pyro had been working as a mercenary before Mann Co., something he was aware had happened but hadn’t been able to coax Pyro into talking about. But it was nothing heinous, nothing that he figured warranted a full-body suit to hide it.

He tried to work out how exactly to ask Pyro why they wore the suit without being weird or rude. Luckily, he didn’t have to.

“I appreciate it, you know,” Pyro said one day unprompted, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. They were sat a foot or so apart on Pyro’s bed and drawing, Scout sketching out a dramatic rendition of a particularly funny pose he’d seen the enemy Sniper land in when he died and Pyro apparently drawing yet another unrealistically bright technicolor landscape.

“What?” Scout asked, glancing over at them, more obviously than he’d been occasionally doing the whole time they’d been drawing together. They tended to do this really adorable thing where they stuck their tongue out a little bit when they were concentrating, and Scout had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop from smiling every time he saw it.

“That you don’t…” They hesitated. “…I dunno. That you don’t try and guess, now that you’ve seen me.”

Scout tilted his head. “Huh?”

Pyro’s gaze flickered to him and back down again almost too quickly to see. “You keep… not calling me anything,” they said. “Except for dude sometimes, but, you call everyone that anyways. That you still try and use “pal” or “buddy” instead of “man” or “lady” or whatever.”

Scout blinked.

Admittedly, there had been a good month or two right after he joined the team where he didn’t know how to refer to Pyro, and had just gone with using “he”, figuring it would be the less offensive assumption for someone in a mercenary career. Then at some point Engie finally sat him down and explained things to him, and after about a week of stumbling he finally got in the practice of using “they” and other words that weren’t particularly for a guy or girl. He couldn’t say that he really got it in a lot of ways, but he’d worked hard to learn the rules on how to be polite, because he figured he owed them that at the very minimum, if nothing else.

“What do you mean?” he asked after a second.

Pyro turned the marker in their hand over and over again. “Back before I started wearing the suit,” they started to explain, gesturing loosely at the suit in question, laid down on the chair at their desk like a deflated second Pyro (and admittedly sometimes scaring the shit out of Scout when he forgot it was there and noticed it in his periphery). “I would try and tell people I worked with that I wasn’t a guy or a girl, and they’d say sure, whatever, who cares, as long as you can kill people. But they’d look at me and start referring to me as a guy anyways. Sometimes a girl, but not usually. And only as… as neither, or both, or whatever, when I corrected them and maybe for a little while after.” They scratched at their stubble again. It was getting longer, and they’d probably shave pretty soon, if Scout knew them. “And it’s just… I always wondered what it was. I’d try and go clean-shaven all the time, wax, I wore makeup once or twice even to try and balance it out, but all that did was make them refer to me as a girl more, or look at me weird. I couldn’t seem to find the middle. So eventually I just put on the suit so nobody would… get hints anymore.”

Scout frowned, but didn’t know exactly what to say. “That’s the fuckin’ worst,” he decided on.

“I know, right?!” Pyro gushed, as if the dam had broken and they were finally allowed to feel mad about it. They sighed hard, pushing their hair out of their eyes, even if they just bounced right back into place a moment later. “They always respected me professionally, but what’s it take for a person to get called the right name, y’know!? Did they want me to wear a stupid t-shirt with instructions on it!?” Another sigh, then they looked up at Scout with those deep brown eyes of theirs, the ones that flooded Scout with an inexplicable sense of comfort. “And I guess I just wanted to say thanks. For not… I dunno. Being weird.”

Scout nodded, hesitated. “So I’ve been doin’ that right?” he asked suddenly, unable to stop himself.

Pyro smiled at him warmly. “You’ve been doing great, probably the best job anyone’s ever done,” they assured, and Scout knew his own smile was probably goofy and stupid looking, but he couldn’t bite it back.

“Thanks,” he said, having to look away, and Pyro laughed.

“And, I dunno. There was also this weird thing where I tried to date for a while and people kept not taking me seriously, then one day someone finally gave me a shot but got all weird and just straight up asked me what equipment I had on the second date and it was the worst.”

“I mean, none’a their fuckin’ business is what unless they’re asking if they should pack a condom,” Scout scoffed.

“Right!? It just sucked because most people would say “oh, I’m just into girls” or try and like, swing it as if I’m a guy and therefore it was totally cool, and only twice did I find someone who would go for whoever and one got weird about it and the other one is the person I took on two dates. Only person who ever gave me any real respect about it could only go on one date with me, and she was only cool because she kind of had some special circumstances going on too, then she had a contract abroad and we had to cut things off. And I just—I dunno. I wish people who went either way would… I dunno.”

“Hey, I fit that bill, and I’d totally date you,” Scout said, and then realized what he’d just said out loud.

Pyro was staring at him openly, mouth a little agape. They tried to start talking twice without success before finally managing it on the third attempt. “You’re bisexual?” they asked, a little surprised.

Scout immediately began backtracking. “I mean, I, I dunno,” he said quickly, looking away, face on fire, “I, it isn’t like I’ve ever really even gotten to date any, anyone but a couple girls and stuff, and, I, thinking and doing are kinda two different things, and y’know, labels and, and…”

They raised an eyebrow at him.

“Okay, yeah, I think I’m bi,” he finally admitted. “But you can’t fuckin’ tell anyone, got it? The guys already get all up in my grill about callin’ me gay all the time and, and Medic asking when the coming out party is and, and Sniper going all “what’s with the pride meeting?” and shit like that, I just, I don’t need any more of that fuckin’ nonsense, okay?”

“You know half of them do those jokes because they’re not straight either, right?” Pyro asked flatly.

Scout blinked. “The Doc and Snipes are gay?” he asked, surprised.

Pyro gave him a look.

“…Okay, I guess that’s, that tracks,” he admitted. “But—how many, who all’s…?”

“Far as I know, just Medic, Sniper, Heavy, and Spy, and those last two are also bi or something like that, and I think Demo doesn’t really swing any way,” Pyro said. “You really didn’t know? I thought they were pretty out about it.”

“Nobody tells me anything!” Scout said defensively.

“That’s fair. But… I dunno, I’m obviously not gonna go out and break out the news with confetti and streamers for you, but… I think they wouldn’t really care,” Pyro shrugged. “If anything they’d just try and wingman for you more.”

Scout thought about that for a while. “Man, what are the odds that we’d get a goddamn queer collective out in the middle of a fuckin’ desert?” he asked suddenly.

“Have you maybe considered that the people who’d go out into a desert away from civilization might be queer people trying to be more themselves where they can’t get as much backlash?” Pyro suggested.

“…Shit. That makes a lot of sense actually,” he admitted.

Quiet for a few seconds. “Let’s circle back around to that part where you said you’d totally go for someone like me,” Pyro said suddenly.

Scout pulled his hat down over his face, feeling it go red again. “Shut the fuck up, dude,” he protested, annoyed at how whiny it came out. “I didn’t mean to say it out loud.”

“Do you think about making out with me a lot?” Pyro asked, tone clearly teasing now, and Scout groaned.

“Oh my god, shut up,” he muttered. “I come out to you and you just start fuckin’ bullying me? That’s the play?”

“Duh,” Pyro laughed, and pinched his cheek, making him flush further as he batted their hand away.

“I’m just sayin’ that you’re good-looking and funny and anyone would be lucky to date you, okay?” Scout finally said, trying not to let more embarrassment flood through his voice.

That got Pyro to grin sheepishly, picking up their drawing again. “You’re sweet,” was all they managed to reply with, quieter now.

“The sweetest guy on the planet,” Scout agreed, picking up his own drawing as well, and Pyro elbowed him in the ribs, making him squawk.

He ended up coming out to Engie offhandedly during their lunch break about a week later, and he only even managed it because Pyro was sitting and eating next to him, their knee pressing into his own and bringing him enough comfort to broach the topic. Engie was immediately supportive, and ended the conversation with a pat on his shoulder and by saying he was proud of him for having to courage to say something.

That gave Scout a burst of confidence, and he ended up dragging Pyro around for the rest of the day as he came out to other teammates as well, first Demo and Soldier right after battle (Soldier needed an additional few moments of explanation but overall they were both glad to hear the news), then Medic and Heavy where they were sitting playing chess in the common room (once Heavy got past the language barrier, he offered Scout a solemn high-five in solidarity, which he accepted gratefully). Sniper was reserved for the next day, outside where he was setting up the grill to take his turn making the team dinner (he was a little awkward for a moment, clearly a bit confused and not having expected anyone to come talk to him, but once he caught on to what Scout was saying he offered one of his rare smiles and a few supportive words). 

Oddly enough, Spy was the one that made him the most nervous for reasons he couldn’t pin down, maybe partially because he didn’t bring Pyro along, but he probably handled it the most easily, treating it as no big deal at all, simply pausing for a moment before giving a flippant “Alright. Was that all, mon ami?” and shooing him back out of his smoking room shortly after.

“Look at you,” Pyro said appraisingly when he showed up to hang out in their room, clapping him on the shoulder, clearly noticing the fact that he was practically glowing.

“Didn’t even get beat up or shoved in a locker,” he said cheerfully.

Pyro looked at him for another second or two before they finally just swept him up in a hug, squeezing him almost too-tight in their excitement. “I’m so proud of you!” they exclaimed softly, and he returned the hug, burying his face in their hair when he became sure that he wouldn’t get in trouble for it, surprised and delighted by how very nice it smelled. Vanilla-y and a little coconut-y, warm like everything else about them.

It was only through the combination of circumstances—riding the nervous high from being newly-out for the first time in his life, and being all wrapped up in a hug with his best friend, and his nose being greeted by the smell of the very appealing shampoo they apparently used—that he got the exact level of confidence to do what he did next. They pulled away from the hug finally to look up at him with that same proud smile, and he leaned down and kissed them square on the mouth.

It was three or four seconds before he pulled away again with a tiny, almost-inaudible little smeck. He smiled down at them, feeling the wildly spinning combination of euphoria and fear and excitement and apprehension and thrill and terror swirling around in his chest. Their lips were slightly parted, and they stared up at him with wonder. If he ever drew the moment, he would probably draw Pyro’s pupils in the shape of little hearts, the way they were looking at him just then.

“Oh,” they said breathlessly, and laughed a little. “So you were serious when you said you’d go for someone like me, then?”

Scout laughed, couldn’t stifle it, rising up through his chest alongside his heart. “Yeah, duh,” he said, voice tinted a little higher than usual.

“Well shit, then get back down here,” Pyro said, and tugged on his shirt, and he readily obliged.

[crackimagines]

Reunion at Dawn (evil!Byleth AU)

AU Masterlist Here!

Withering Flower - Chapter 5

5 years have passed since the Battle at Garreg Mach, and the war has been drawn to a stalemate. Constant attacks by the Knights of Nemesis have halted any progress the Empire and Church may have made.

After maintaining a facade of neutrality, Claude finds out the truth of what Byleth has been planning throughout all this time, and is now racing against the clock to get the truth out before it is too late for everyone.

-----

The Elites of the Fell Star Journal - “Breach”

Throughout the five years, the Elites of the Fell Star was sent all across Fodlan to gather resources for a super weapon Byleth wanted to make.

We had built it under Garreg Mach so that way only our engineers and mages could tamper it, and at all times it was under heavy security.

Once it was finally finished, it was Byleth's favorite toy.

He shipped it out into some god-forsaken desert in the North and had a good chunk of us guarding it.

The fortress holding it was a spectacle to behold.

It was also the most boring assignment in the continent for a Knight of Nemesis.

Tedious inspection drills, endless hours of guarding impregnable magic fields.

Things got so bad that when a breach of security was reported, we were almost happy to be chasing down someone again.

If only we had known what an embarrassing shitstorm we were about to wade into, and how the situation escalated all the way to Derdriu.

We probably would have razed the entire base to the ground...

-----

CURRENT STATE OF FODLAN:

3 Years Later after Chapter 4

Imperial Year 1185

When Byleth, now referred to as Nemesis, announced his presence to the world in Arianrhod, he had declared war on the Adrestian Empire and the Church of Seiros. And by association, the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus.

For such a small force to deal with a 3-Front war, everyone thought he would be crushed in a matter of a few months, or even weeks.

The Church of Seiros was the first to attack, sending a relatively strong army to Garreg Mach and to secure the Monastery.

However, the forces were completely obliterated in an ambush right outside of the monastery, with magic and beasts no one had ever seen before.

This showed that Nemesis would not go down easily, if at all.

Before anyone could make the next move, Nemesis launched a full-scale counter attack with the Knights of Nemesis on all fronts.

While had not conquered territory to expand, he razed each city to the ground while taking all the supplies and any prisoners back to Garreg Mach.

Several attempts were made to infiltrate Garreg Mach, but each time was a critical failure.

His forces could warp in and out of the battlefield, inflicting maximum damage while taking minimal losses, no one had a good counter to his hit and run tactics.

Edelgard, previously having Nemesis as her professor, knew how dangerous he was and tried to avoid direct combat with his forces as much as possible.

The only trump card she has against him, is the Death Knight, which no forces have been able to take down thus far.

The war is at a stalemate.

Claude, having stayed neutral the entire war, decides to investigate what Byleth has been up to.

Having been careful in setting his spy networks, has been keeping a close eye on him.

Not only that, an anonymous source saying that they were a Knight of Nemesis and wanted to defect gave Claude vital information.

Large amounts of soldiers and resources were poured to moving an item from Garreg Mach to the deserts of Sreng. They could not put what exactly it was into the letter, but time was of the essence to reveal this project.

They could not hope to stop it Sreng, but once they found out what this item was, it would be pulled back to Garreg Mach and be hopefully destroyed there.

In order to find out what it was, he sends a small force to run a covert operation.

Hilda, Lysithea, and Ignatz were trusted to keep a low profile and check it out.

Deserts of Southern Sreng Unknown Facility...

Ignatz turned the corner in the hallway and saw two guards chatting as they continued in the direction opposite of him.

(Guard 1) “Damn, the test did that much destruction?”

(Guard 2) “Yeah, it was a good thing that we were told to stand back as far as we did. The debris of the buildings went everywhere.”

(Guard 1) “Thank the goddess that it was uninhabited.”

When they turned a corner to the right, they disappeared. It looked like they were at an intersection now.

(Ignatz) “What are they talking about?”

(Lysithea) “We’ll figure it out soon enough, now let’s get moving!”

He nodded, and the trio quietly ran to the intersection.

Hilda checked the right side while Ignatz checked the left.

(Hilda) “Jeez, how slowly can these guards walk, they’re not even out of the hall yet!”

(Lysithea) “Be quiet!”

(Ignatz) “Coast is clear over here, let’s get a move on!”

They walked down the hall trying their best not to make any noise as they slipped by the guards. They kept walking down the corridor, looking behind and front of them.

(Hilda) “The room the double agent told us to meet them in is getting close, right?”

(Ignatz) “If the map is accurate it should be...here!”

Ignatz readied his bow before Lysithea quickly opened the door, drawing out an arrow and looking into the room.

(Ignatz) “...Clear.”

Hilda nodded and shut the door behind them, holding her axe tightly.

(Lysithea) “Where is the agent? Did they fake us out?”

(Ignatz) “Must be running late. If that’s the case they should knock on the do-”

KNOCK KNOCK!

Everyone hid behind cover as Ignatz put his back against the wall near the door.

If the situation came up where they didn’t see each in the room, they had to knock back in a certain pattern.

Ignatz slowly put his fist against the door.

KNOCK! KNOCK...KNOCK KNOCK!

The door slowly opened and the figure revealed themselves.

“Whew, thank goodness you guys are-What in the-?!”

(Everyone) “Leonie?!”

(Leonie) “H-Hey, keep it down you idiots!”

(Lysithea) “So the rumors were true! What in the world are you doing with Byleth?!”

(Leonie) “Listen, there’s a time and place for that, but that isn’t now! I promise I can explain everything, but for now put these on!”

Leonie down disguises for everyone. They were uniforms with bits of armor, and a fully sealed helmet.

Once everyone put on their helmets, they turned to Leonie.

(Hilda) “It’s good to see you’re okay but, it’s been five years! Why did you suddenly decide to contact us?”

(Leonie) “City after city, civilians dying in the droves and being ordered to kill every one of them? That’s...That’s something I can’t in good conscience let slide, even if it was at some point for a good cause. But that doesn’t matter, I need to tell you about what you came for! It’s...It’s a super weapon the likes of which we’ve never seen before. It’s called the Javelin of Liberation.

(Ignatz) “That name doesn’t sound good. What does it do?”

(Leonie) “That’s all I can say. The last thing I want to do is risk what little time I have. Here, take these papers!”

Leonie shoved documents into his hands.

(Leonie) “Bring it to Claude, and he’ll know what to do. The fate of Fodlan...No, this world lies in your guys hands! You have to bring it to him! Do you guys have an extraction point?”

(Lysithea) “Yeah, we have a boat that can-”

(Leonie) “Tch, that’s not fast enough! We’re already preparing to ship out the Javelin back to Garreg Mach!”

(Hilda) “What?! We were too late?!”

(Leonie) “No, just in time as a matter of fact. I’m supposed to be transporting this to a portal that’ll take us to Gronder Field in 2 weeks!”

(Ignatz) “Why Gronder?”

(Leonie) “We’ve had scouts examining the area from where we wiped out Those Who Slither, and it’s been completely unguarded since Edelgard thinks that place can’t be used anymore. We’ve been using it as a shortcut to avoid Alliance and Kingdom forces to get to Sreng. I can get you guys through that portal and from there, you can hijack a carriage to get back to Derdriu!”

(Lysithea) “Sounds like a plan to me, but what about you?”

(Leonie) “I...I gave up trying to justify myself a long time ago. I’m ready to pay the price for what I’ve done with my life. And that means doing the right thing.”

(Hilda) “Come with us! We can’t just-”

(Leonie) “When you get out, take a left and keep going straight! If they ask what you’re doing, say you’re redeploying back to Garreg Mach as an assignment by me! Now go!”

Leonie immediately left the room, leaving the three alone.

(Hilda) “Leonie...”

(Ignatz) “...Come on, we need to move. We need Claude to get this.”

As Leonie walked down the hallway, she looked down and sighed loudly.

(Leonie) Claude, I hope I can do right by you now...

(Shamir) “You’re sweating a lot there, Leonie.”

(Leonie) “S-SHAMIR?!”

She turned around and saw Shamir leaning against the wall.

(Shamir) “Those are some guards I haven’t seen before. In fact one of them looks like a kid, didn’t even know we made uniforms that small.”

(Leonie) “S-Shamir I-”

Shamir put her hand on Leonie’s shoulder and leaned into her ear.

(Shamir) “Next time, check your surroundings completely. You’re lucky it was me around.”

Leonie’s eyes went wide and turned to Shamir who was already walking off.

(Leonie) “Wait...Does that mean you-”

Shamir signaled a thumbs up behind her as she kept walking.

(Leonie) “...Thank you, Shamir.”

Derdriu, War Room

2 days later...

12 days before Javelin of Liberation ships back to Garreg Mach.

13th of the Ethereal Moon (12/13/1185)

(Claude) “First of all, thank you guys for risking your necks. We never would have gotten such criticla information without you.”

(Hilda) “If anything we should be thanking Leonie. I...I wish she could’ve come with us.”

(Ignatz) “It doesn’t feel good leaving a classmate behind like that.”

(Lysithea) “Did you guys forget what she said already? She’s doing this for us, let’s not waste it.”

(Claude) “Lysithea’s right. All we can do now is look forward and try to make things better. Now, the papers?”

Ignatz nodded and handed Claude the documents he kept safe.

As Claude read the papers, his eyes slowly became wider.

(Claude) “Goddess, this is what Teach has been doing?!”

(Lysithea) “Yeah, we read the reports on the way here...I didn’t think anyone had that much magical power in this world. The technology-”

(Hilda) “Is freaking scary! Do you think he really is going to do that?”

(Ignatz) “With how he’s been completely destroying the Church, Empire and Kingdom? I have no doubt in my mind...”

(Claude) “Hilda, get the fastest couriers we have that can slip by Garreg Mach and bring them to me! Ignatz, I want you to order to have our troopers stand by for combat. Teach is going to know we’re up to something. Lysithea get the best mages we have to prevent any kind of magical attack that the Knights of Nemesis might have!”

Everyone nodded and ran out the door to do what they were told, there wasn’t a moment longer to lose.

He took out three papers and a quill with a bottle of ink.

(Claude) “We have to get everyone together to stop this. If we don’t...Doesn’t matter who wins this war, we’re all ending up dead...”

10 days later...

2 days before Javelin of Liberation ships back to Garreg Mach.

25th of the Ethereal Moon (12/25/1185)

It was the extremely early in the morning when everyone started arriving in their escorts.

Dimitri was the first to arrive, alongside the class of the Blue Lions. As they were nearing the gate, a blue haired woman greeted them.

(Dimitri) “Marianne!”

(Marianne) “Hello your majesty. It’s good to see you again.”

(Dimitri) “And to you as well. Though, I wish this was under better circumstances.”

(Marianne) “Claude is waiting for you in the War Room. If you would please follow.”

Dimitri nodded and followed, the rest of the former Blue Lions close behind them.

The next to arrive was Edelgard, closely tagged behind a Royal Guard and the Black Eagles Strike Force.

This time it was Claude who greeted them.

(Claude) “Edelgard.”

(Edelgard) “Claude.”

There was an awkward silence before Claude cleared his throat.

(Claude) “If you’d follow me, Dimitri will be there. All we’re missing is Rhea.”

(Edelgard) “It must be a very desperate situation if you are expecting me and her to get along during this meeting.”

She expected Claude to crack a joke, but his expression just grew darker.

(Claude) “If you don’t, then I might as well just kill us all myself to save Teach the trouble...”

(Edelgard) “I’ll...be on my best behavior then, Claude.”

(Claude) “Appreciated.”

Rhea was the last to arrive, coming in with Seteth, Flayn, and Catherine as her escorts. The Knights of Seiros stood outside, across from the Kingdom and Empire’s royal guards.

Dimitri brought them in and guided them to the room that they would all be sitting at.

(Dimitri) “Lady Rhea.”

(Rhea) “Hello, Dimitri...I see that woman is already here.”

(Dimitri) “Y-Yes-”

(Seteth) “I can only guess how you must be feeling, your worship, but I humbly ask that we keep our minds open. It must be an urgency of the upmost importance if Claude were to invite those who are warring to come together like this.”

(Flayn) “And the professor isn’t here...?”

(Rhea) “Because that child would be dead, Flayn. I am barely holding my hatred in as it is...”

(Catherine) “Lady Rhea, please. Let us hear what they have to say first.”

(Rhea) “Hmph...”

When Rhea and Dimitri entered the War Room, Claude was sitting at the head while the classes were standing near their respective leaders.

Rhea sat down at the other end of the table, facing Claude, while Dimitri sat across from Edelgard.

(Claude) “Alright...onto business, we all understand the general idea of why we’re here, yes?”

(Dimitri) “Yes.”

(Edelgard) “...Indeed.”

(Rhea) “Hm.”

(Claude) “Teac-...No, Nemesis is planning something huge, something that dwarfs this war entirely.”

(Rhea) “Oh please, what could those band of heretics even do-”

(Edelgard) “Those ‘heretics’ if you haven’t noticed have been decimating all of our forces across the entire continent! And if I recall correctly, your forces were so confident marching up to Garreg Mach, only to end up with no survivors!-”

(Rhea) “You dare?!-”

SLAM!

Everyone turned to Dimitri who had completely ripped off a part of the table when he slammed his fist into it.

Though he didn’t mean to do that, it certainly got their attention. Whatever works he supposed.

(Dimitri) “We have no time for your grudges right now! I have seen first hand three years ago of what he is capable of, and the fact Claude brings us all here despite those grudges, and tells us that he is planning something? I’d take this meeting as a priority over your ideals!”

Rhea and Edelgard sat back down into their chairs and turned back to Claude.

(Claude) “Thanks. Now, how much do you guys know about Nemesis thus far?”

(Edelgard) “He has been evading our main forces and have been striking at strategic points along the borders of Faerghus and the Alliance. I have only fought his men, none of his Elites or himself as of yet.

(Dimitri) “Dedue and I encountered him in Arianrhod where I was to be executed. Back then, I only cared about getting my revenge, believing Edelgard was behind the Tragedy of Duscur but...Nemesis had opened my eyes to the facts. Besides that, our forces have had minimal contact with him. The Death Knight protected Mercedes and Annette from their assassins, but that’s about it as direct contact goes. I do not think they are interested in Faerghus besides key points associated with the Church.”

(Rhea) “He has been slaughtering my followers with no hesitation, and have devastated most of our bases...”

(Claude) “Then let me tell you what exactly he’s been up to. I’ve sent some of my men to Sreng after someone from within contacted me...-”

...

Scouts looked at the soldiers standing outside and motioned for the others to head back.

It was confirmed. Claude has called all the leaders to Derdriu.

Byleth and his forces were closing in on Derdriu as they marched forward.

Though it took a lot of resources to do so, they teleported directly outside to bypass any of the border patrols, and everyone wore black to blend in with the darkness of night.

(Byleth) “So it was true...You did allow a breach of security to happen, Leonie.”

He turned around to Leonie, who was kneeling on the ground with hands tied behind her back.

Riddhe and Alois were standing next to her, holding their weapons firmly.

(Byleth) “You disappoint me but at the same time...I cannot fault you for going behind my back.”

(Leonie) “...”

(Byleth) “You always were a kind person underneath.”

(Leonie) “And I thought you were too?! Those years we spent slaughtering civilians, how can you still look any of us in the eye?! You and Jeralt spent so much time protecting the people, and you’ve become no more than a glorified bandit leader!”

The soldiers looked to her in shock of what she was saying.

It wasn’t necessarily that she was in the right or wrong for saying it. It was more of the fact she said that to begin with.

(Byleth) “...I was a fool for believing that you could understand why I was doing this. Perhaps I had a bit too much faith instead of relying on my logic.”

(Leonie) “What we did to Randolph and Fleche, what we did to all those civilians?! How do any of those actions justify what our goal is?! You said we’d be bringing peace to the world, not destroying it!”

The soldiers started talking amongst themselves, agreeing and disagreeing with her.

Byleth just sighed.

(Byleth) “I always did like you, Leonie. So, as an act of mercy, you will not see what will become of your classmates.”

He unsheathed the sword of the creator before Percy walked up.

(Percy) “Sir?”

(Byleth) “What is it?”

(Percy) “I’ll be the one to do this sir. You need to focus on the task at hand, you shouldn’t have to kill one of your students.”

Byleth stayed silent. True, he really didn’t want to but he had to make an example for the men, but at the same time...

(Byleth) “You have my thanks then. Percy, take care of her, and make it painless.”

(Percy) “Yes, Nemesis.”

Alois and Riddhe stepped to the side as Percy began charging a spell in his hands.

Shamir and Alois looked at each other but didn’t say anything.

They knew what was about to happen.

(Leonie) “Percy...”

(Percy) “You’re my friend Leonie so...Sorry about this.”

Shamir and Alois closed their eyes and looked away.

Leonie shook her head slowly.

(Leonie) “You were always too compliant for your own good, ya know?”

Percy silently nodded, and raised his hand at her.

The next thing Leonie saw, was her world going black.

Percy picked up Leonie’s body and turned to Byleth.

(Percy) “I’ll bury her for you, sir.”

Byleth nodded silently.

(Byleth) “Now then...Riddhe, prepare the artillery.

....

(Edelgard) “Byleth intends to blow up the entire planet?!”

(Claude) “In his words, it’s to start everything from zero. No church, no crests, nothing so...what better way to do than to wipe the earth clean?”

(Dimitri) “And...And he already has this weapon?!”

(Claude) “No. He intends to use it Garreg Mach, and we have a limited time to intercept it.”

(Rhea) “And where is the damned child going?”

(Claude) “From the Hyrm Mountains and how long it’ll take all of our forces to reconvene, it’ll be 3 days too late to get him at the base of Those Who Slither. Our next best option is to intercept him right at the heart of Gronder Field.”

(Edelgard) “...Tch, how ironic.”

(Dimitri) “I loathe to think what would’ve happened if this war carried on as it did. We’d be fighting each other there instead...”

(Rhea) “Do not dwell on such useless thoughts, Prince Dimitri. What matters is that we kill Nemesis as fast as possible.”

(Edelgard) “We are in agreement for once.”

(Claude) “So, we can put aside all of our differences to stop Nemesis then?”

Everyone nodded and the classes started whispering to each other.

(Claude) “Fantastic. Now, let’s send letters to your armies standing near the borders and prepare to-”

KABOOOOM! (Claude) “...Fight.”

(Imperial Royal Guard) “LADY EDELGARD! THE KNIGHTS OF NEMESIS HAVE BEGUN ATTACKING DERDRIU!”

(Hilda) “They got past our patrols?!”

(Claude) “Figures, EVERYONE, PREPARE FOR BATTLE!”

Platoons of soldiers of the Knights of Nemesis began pouring onto the roads to Deridru.

(Gilbert) "GET TO THE FRONT, WE MUST PROTECT THE CIVILIANS!"

The Lion Corp moved to the front, forming a blockade with their massive shields, blocking incoming arrow fire.

(Death Knight) "MAGES!"

Imperial mages unleashed a volley of spells onto the troopers coming in, the Death Knight charging into them with his bodyguards on horseback.

Rodrigue and Judith came in with a number of troopers behind them, joining the fray.

(Judith) "Those damn mages up there are raining hell on Derdriu! If we don't get up there fast enough, this entire town will be in flames!"

(Rodrigue) "We can't get close enough! The archers are providing cover for any riders we send up there, and going by foot is suicide!"

(Gilbert) "All we can hope to do is block their main forces from storming the city! The kids will be getting the civilians to safety!"

The Death Knight rode back to them, holding his scythe firmly as he looked to the Titanius Golems moving in behind the soldiers.

(Death Knight) "We have no time for idle talk, we must take down those golems!"

(Rodrigue) "Right, TROOPERS, WITH ME!"

The four generals charged alongside their men and took the Knights of Nemesis head on.

(Seteth) "They are using the other entrances to breach the city!"

(Claude) "Golden Deers, get the townsfolk to safety!"

(Dimitri) "Lions, we shall take these bastards head on!"

(Rhea) "Knights of Seiros, we shall join the Prince in smiting down these heretics!"

(Edelgard) "Black Eagles, we move to take out the artillery!"

The classes moved out and the leaders about to join them until they heard something warp in behind them.

As the sun rose in, they saw the shadow of the person.

They all drew out their weapons and spun around, pointing it at the figure.

(Byleth) "It's been 5 years..."

No one said a word as they stood their ground, waiting for him to make a move.

(Byleth) "I should've been keeping a closer eye on you, Claude. You were always one of the more crafty students."

Claude's brows furrowed, keeping his relic trained on Byleth's head.

(Claude) "Why the hell are you trying to blow us all to oblivion?!"

(Byleth) "Because, we're all part of the problem, Claude. Humanity will never learn to stop fighting each other at this rate. The poison of the Church and Empire run too deep. The nobles, crests, relics, everything."

(Rhea) "You dare to call us a poison when you yourself take the mantle of a murderer you ignorant brat?! If you read the history of Those Who Slither, then you should know Nemesis was nothing more than a thief!"

(Edelgard) "Professor, I-"

(Byleth) "You still call me that after what you've done? You started all of this!"

(Dimitri) "You speak as if you are above us, yet you fail to realize you are a hypocrite! Condemning Edelgard and Rhea for the very actions you are doing, believing that YOU and you alone are right in what atrocities you have committed!"

(Byleth) "...I will not deny that my actions are unforgivable, but-"

(Rhea) "But NOTHING! YOU WILL DIE TODAY, HERETIC!"

(Byleth) "Then it seems I was a fool for trying to talk to a beast!-"

...

(Percy) "Hey, come on! Get up already!"

"Nnggh...what...?-"

Leonie sat up quickly realizing what had just happened.

(Leonie) "P-Percy? Are you dead too-"

(Percy) "No, you're still alive!"

Leonie's face went from relief to confusion.

(Leonie) "...What?"

(Percy) "...Truth be told, the moment we retook Garreg Mach and I had to kill all those townsfolk...I started to lose faith in our cause."

He helped Leonie up. And took off his mask, and looked at her, eye to eye.

(Percy) "And what we started doing to Randolph, his little sister and all those people? No amount of good we do will wash the blood off our hands from that."

Percy started to look off to Derdriu as the sounds of war filled the air.

(Percy) "I promised my cousin to be a mercenary to help protect families who couldn't protect their own...I guess this is my way of repaying the favor."

He turned back to her.

(Percy) "Get to town via the water, your gear is right next to you."

(Leonie) "You're...not coming with?"

(Percy) "As you said Leonie, I'm too compliant for my own good. I couldn't raise my weapon against Byleth if I could. Half out of respect and half out of fear honestly."

(Leonie) "Percy...You know what he does to-"

(Percy) "He'll kill me, I know. Don't worry about me, alright? Just get to your folks."

Before he put his mask on, he smiled at her.

(Percy) "Thanks for always being so nice to me, Leonie."

Leonie picked up her gear and nodded. A single tear dropped from her eye, but she wiped it away as they parted ways.

If she started now, she wouldn't be able to stop.

Claude and the others needed her now.

(Leonie) "Goodbye, Percy."

(Percy) "...See ya."

...

Shamir and Alois walked towards the other mages firing off artillery.

Two other mages were with them and they stopped before they reached the others.

(Mage 1) "Is there a problem?"

(Alois) "Yes son, there is."

(Shamir) "Two of them."

Alois spun around and punched the mage's stomach, making him drop to the floor.

Shamir roundhouse kicked the mage, making him fly off a small cliff below them, landing in the water.

(Alois) "I'll take care of the archers, get the mages!"

(Shamir) "Already on it."

As Alois charged towards the unsuspecting bodyguards, Shamir pulled out several small ball-like explosives.

(Shamir) "Might as well see if these prototypes work."

The archers were taking aim at the four leaders in the fight below as the mages kept bombarding the city.

(Archer 1) "On my mark!"

Right as he raised his hand, he noticed several spheres rolling under their feet.

(Archer 1) "Huh?-"

An explosion made most of the archers and mages fly off the cliff, or die from the shrapnel and blood loss as their limbs went flying.

Several more explosions went off, cutting off the Nemesis's artillery.

(Judith) "The hell is going on up there?"

(Death Knight) "An opportunity."

(Gilbert) "MEN, ADVANCE!"

...

(Raphael) "There's so many of these guys!"

He clashed two of the knights head together before throwing their bodies beside him.

Lorenz and Lysithea used magic to blast away a squad getting too close to the civilians, as Hilda and Ignatz made sure they were getting to the evacuation boats.

Marianne healed any civilian who couldn't run to the boat.

(Hilda) "At least we're not dealing with the bulk of them!"

(Ignatz) "RAPH, BEHIND YOU!"

Raphael turned around right as a knight was about to take a swing with his sword.

A knife went into the knight's head and he fell over.

(Leonie) "Note to self, thank Shamir for practice."

(Lysithea) "LEONIE!"

(Leonie) "No time to talk, where's Claude?! The Javelin is already on the move!"

(Hilda) "Huh?! But thats too early, we still have 2 days don't we?!"

(Leonie) "The report I gave you was a trick from Byleth, he knew that I'd be giving out the information on it!"

(Lorenz) "Goddess, Nemesis is fighting them!"

Everyone turned around and saw the fighting in the distance.

Claude shot several arrows, with Byleth deflecting each one, dodging Rhea's swings.

Activating the whip, Byleth rolled out the way of Edelgard's axe as it slammed down onto the concrete.

As he swung the whip at Edelgard, Dimitri hit the whip away from her and twirled at him, the lance hitting a part of Byleth's cloth.

Before he could retaliate, Riddhe and several other soldiers warped in front of him, blocking Claude's shot with a magical shield.

(Riddhe) "Sir, our artillery battery and main forces are overrun!"

(Byleth) "What?!"

(Mage 1) "Shamir and Alois have gone rogue, and have already caused catastrophic damage to morale!"

(Byleth) "Damn it, fire the flare, we're withdrawing!"

One of the mages fired a green fireball into the air as they warped away from the fight.

In the distance, they all saw the Knights of Nemesis retreat into portals.

(Rhea) "DAMN IT!"

(Dimitri) "So, this battle is won then..."

(Leonie) "CLAUDE!"

Everyone turned around and saw the Golden Deer students run up to them.

(Claude) "Leonie, thank -"

(Leonie) "Yeah yeah, good to see you too, not now! The Javelin is already on the way to Garreg Mach!"

Everyone's eyes went wide.

(Edelgard) "What?!"

(Claude) "A false report, damn it all! And our forces haven't had anytime to recover yet!"

(Shamir) "If the Javelin gets to Garreg Mach and has proper time to deploy?"

Shamir and Alois stepped around the corner, holding their weapons and hands over their injuries.

(Alois) "Then we're all dead..."

Everyone reconvened near the entrance, Catherine and Seteth's jaws hitting the floor.

(Catherine) "You two!? The hell makes you think you can just waltz back in? Leonie too!"

The three looked down onto the floor.

They couldn't deny what Catherine was saying.

(Dimitri) "Worry about the trials later, we have a much bigger crisis on our hands! EVERYONE, LISTEN WELL!"

Dimitri shouted loud enough for all the soldiers to hear, clearly conveying the situation at hand.

(Edelgard) "We must ride to our armies, and regroup at Gronder Field!"

(Rhea) "How much of the heretics will be present to defend their Javelin?"

(Shamir) "Almost half our forces will be there to defend it now that information has been leaked. The rest are stationed at Garreg Mach awaiting for a fight."

(Claude) "Then let's get moving, people!"

Everyone steeled themselves as they got on horses to alert their armies.

This was going to be the bloodiest battle Fodlan had ever seen since the old days.

-----

The Elites of the Fell Star Journal - “Surprise”

If there’s one thing we weren’t expecting once the news of our doomsday weapon was leaked, was that all four factions would unite under a single banner.

With the false leak that we’d be moving later, we thought we could at least get a bit of a distance from the armies before they could converge.

And for once in our entire campaign, we were the ones getting surprised.

I’ll tell you right now.

I’d trade places with that poor bastard Randolph than partake in the Battle of Gronder again.

-----

[Escape - Darling In The Franxx]

[eponymous-rose]

Talks Machina Highlights - Critical Role Highlights C2E35 (September 25,2018)

Tonight’s guests are Marisha Ray and Liam O’Brien!

Announcements:

The NYC live show is one week from this Thursday (October 4)! Tickets are available now, and an NYCC badge is not needed to attend. There is much speculation over what on earth Sam’s going to wear this time around.

Travis’ episode of Between the Sheets is available for CR Twitch subscribers now and will go up on CR’s YouTube channel tomorrow! Marisha: “He’s like the big brother to us all.” Laura Bailey’s up next!

All Work No Play premieres (returns) this Friday night at 7PM Pacific at twitch.tv/criticalrole!

@critrolestats for this episode:

It has been 61 days since the party found the Cloven Crystal, and 45 days since they first learned of Marius LePual. (The party’s been together about 87 days total.)

Beau has avoided 126 points of damage by using Deflect Missiles.

Caleb’s top speed in this episode of 120 feet is still a quarter the speed of a hasted and flying Vax: 480 feet. Liam points out that he mostly used the speed last campaign to rush at problems. This campaign, it’s more for rushing away from problems.

On being pirates: Liam: “It feels pretty good.” Marisha: “No regrets.” Especially for the Empire kids, this isn’t their country, and the repercussions may not feel as pressing. Also, Liam gets shamed for his lack of knowledge about maritime law. As you do.

Beau’s thoughts on Fjord’s abilities? “Some people have daddy issues and some people vomit up water and see visions.” She tries not to judge people on their shitty days, because she thinks that her own good days are worse than their bad ones. That self-deprecation comes from guilt, and also that her whole outlook is that she’s a bit of an asshole, but she assumes that everyone she meets will hate her anyway, so she might as well take control of the ways in which they consider her to be an asshole.

Caleb is taken by the coincidence of Yasha continuing to pop up; it’s not distrust or anything, it’s just surprise that this keeps happening.

Caleb feels fine about how they treated Algar, because they were doing what was needed to take care of one of their own. Marisha talks a bit about how cathartic fantasy violence like that can be when it’s just amped-up versions of the “no, fuck you!” responses that you might say to someone in that situation in real life. Liam: “I think we put our cards on the table with the DM to be like, yeah, this is who we are. They’re a very different group. They have the potential to make good things happen, but it’s nobody’s goal.” Marisha: “So much is revealed in those moments of impulse.” Liam: “Also, just personally speaking, as someone whose character is not trying to be a hero but is trying to get things done, keeping the group happy and making the group work well together... Selfish motivations, and if good things can happen along the way, awesome. He’s such a hypocrite. He’s done worse things than Algar. But he wants Jester to be happy, and useful. And happy.”

Caleb doesn’t see himself as doing anything wrong in casting Suggestion on Nott (he saw it as doing something good for his friend, unlocking that for her). Liam points out again that this is more of his hypocrisy; he hasn’t connected his own experiences under influential magic with what he did to Nott. “He knows that he’s awful, but he doesn’t think that every single aspect of his life back then was awful.” He emphasizes how quickly things turned around for Caleb. “His life is ruined. He ruined it.”

Marisha on Beau’s impromptu disguise: “Tracy was such a fluke. I was being very transparent when I was talking to Fjord.” Beau knew that if she was just being herself, she’d mess everything up. She was drawing on the personalities of people she knew from school. “For her, it was, ‘Please don’t fuck this up by being yourself.’” It’s not about deception, it’s about wanting to not be a liability.

Gif of the Week: Marisha is... engaged.

Liam: “No decision to steal the ship was ever made. Things just vomited out, Jeff-Goldblum-chaos-theory style. The only reason Caleb got on that boat was because he saw his friends were in trouble, and then they were on the boat, and then a platoon of soldiers showed up, and then they were leaving on the boat.” Marisha: “When we were in the lobby during the break, we were like, ‘We’re going to grab Marius and bounce.’ That was the goal.”

They point out how frustrating it must’ve been for Travis to have gone from playing a character who delighted in chaos to being quite literally the only one who could steer the ship.

Everyone gets really giggly over the username “BeautifulBusinessBoy”. Brian: “Why do we keep doing this show?”

Beau definitely acted instinctively to catch the arrows, rather than letting them hit her to keep up the ruse. “It all went to shit when I caught that first arrow. Beau’s too obsessed with being the badass of her fantasies.”

Fanart of the Week: Caleb at ludicrous speed.

Before the fight broke out, Caleb was going to summon Frumpkin as a small owl of his own to scout out the ship. “But that moment is gone. Everything burned to the ground.”

Both Liam and Marisha were really worried that Caduceus was going to just leave the group. Taliesin definitely pointed out after the episode that it had been Caduceus’ no good very bad day and he was having doubts about sticking around with the Nein. Liam: “It’s a real big question mark what’s going to happen in the first twenty minutes of the game.” Marisha: “I think there’s going to be some discussions.”

Brian has some advice: don’t cast Fireball straight down when on a ship. That’s definitely not coming from personal experience in an encounter during his home game that definitely didn’t end with the ship sinking.

Brian points out that Beau’s adoption of Molly’s mantra of leaving things better than you find them has had a lot of butting-up of theory versus application. Marisha talks about how Beau never really got reconciliation for the conflicts she had with Molly, and it was the first time she ever had that kind of unfinished ending. Her immediate response was to try to be better like him, “but that doesn’t mean that’s easy, especially for someone like Beau.” 

Liam is intrigued, because Caleb’s opinion on Molly’s death was so different. “Caleb was not touched in the same way. It was an affirmation of what he knew was at risk. I don’t think Molly was the one he was closest to in the group. They had a good working rapport. He knew his personality and his life and a bit of his wants and hopes, and it’s a risk to get so close to people and then have them be killed alongside you. It’s a risk to care, because everybody’s a distraction for him. He needs them, he wants them around, all this conflicting information for him. To see Molly die is, ‘Yup. Yup.’” He’s getting a lot closer with Mighty Nein, but in his head, it’s just going to hurt more in the long run. “He sees it as a danger to himself and what he wants to care for people. I risk becoming a better person and trying to get on a different path from what I need to do, which is to stop the unforgivable. And fuck you all for taking my mind off of it. I really like you, but fuck you for taking my mind off it.” He’s got a lot of conflicting voices in his head right now.

Liam: “To the audience: we’re so sorry.” Brian: “Yeah, we really did good tonight.”

Talks Machina: Art Dad Chesty Times

Yes, that’s a direct quote from Brian.

Another out-of-context quote: Liam: “I’d high-five the statue of liberty.” Dani: “Solid.”

Marisha recommends the documentary Double Dare about women in stunts.

Things go a little off the rails, but this is After Dark, and where we’re going we don’t need rails. Break-up stories, strip clubs, tiger attacks. As you do.

Max did a lot of practicing for his Sam impression. Marisha was delighted that people thought they’d dubbed him.

Pirate names. Liam: “I am the Frump-king.” Marisha and Brian: “...okay.”

Majestic. 

Liam’s curious about how Jester and Fjord, being from the Menagerie Coast, are going to react to all this; for the Empire kids, this is a bit detached. Marisha: “I feel a little bad for Jester.” Liam points out that maybe her situation won’t be too different from how it was before, in terms of having to stay hidden.

Everyone ends with their best impression of Max’s I’m-so-done-with-this face.

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Thirty-Four: Something You Heard Your Friend Say ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Umino Iruka ] [ SasuHina, death, car accident ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

“Hey, did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“That Sasuke kid - the one who skipped school for like a week?”

“I thought he was sick…”

“No, his parents died!”

Several kids gasp in surprise.

“What?!”

“Yeah, they were killed in a car wreck! Apparently he and his big brother are living with their aunt now, and a cousin. He’s coming back to school today!”

Listening in while pretending to be busy, Hinata can’t help but stiffen.

“Oh, poor Sasuke...I’m gonna make him a card! I bet he’ll like it sooo much, he’ll finally say he likes me!”

“Oh please, Sakura - I’ll make one too. It’ll be even better than yours! And then he’ll like me!”

“Nu-uh!”

“Yeah huh!”

Glancing to Sakura and Ino as they bicker, Hinata can’t help a small feeling of anger in her chest. Is that really all they ever think about...? Bristling slightly, she manages a small glower before forcing herself to turn away. They won’t listen, even if she tells them they’re wrong. They never do…

...Sasuke...I’m sorry… Only two years prior, Hinata lost her own mother when her little sister was born. But no one had talked about that. No one ever noticed the wallflower, and it wasn’t something newsworthy like a car crash. Even her teacher hadn’t said a word.

No one cared…but perhaps better that, than people making a spectacle out of it.

Fiddling with her backpack straps as she lingers outside before school starts, Hinata tries to think of a way to convey her sympathy. Clearly the idea of a card is ruined...if Sakura and Ino are going to be so shallow about theirs, she doesn’t want Sasuke thinking she’s just copying them. She, more than anyone in their class, knows how it feels to lose a parent you love.

Lost in thought, there’s a jolt as the first bell rings, and everyone makes to run inside. Hinata startles, glancing around to look for the person in question.

...she doesn’t see him.

...maybe his aunty will bring him another way. Away from the other kids. At least, that’s what Hinata would want if she were him. Surely everyone will stare at him, now that the rumors are started and the news is out. The less he has to suffer that, the better.

The hallways are abuzz with activity as per usual, but there seems to be a slight anticipation to it. Their elementary school is rather small, so word has surely traveled fast. It brings a clench of anxiety to Hinata’s chest. Not for herself, but for the boy. Making her way to her desk, she can’t help several nervous glances to the door. And she’s not the only one to do so.

“All right everyone, settle down,” their teacher chides, looking them all over with hands on his hips. Hinata’s always liked Mr. Umino. Hopefully he’ll do something to help make things easier on Sasuke when he gets here. “I’m sure by now you all know about one of your classmate’s loss they faced last week. Unfortunately, they won’t be coming back quite yet.”

Whispers quickly break out, which he silences with a hand.

“Something came up, but they should be here tomorrow. So, since we have a little time, we’re going to be working on a project for them. Everyone is going to make a card for them, to try to cheer them up.”

A small, scandalized sound comes from the girls, apparently offended at having their idea stolen.

“Now...I want to make it very clear. Once you give the student...well, I think you all know who it is by now. Once you give Sasuke your card, I want you all to do something for me. Do not talk to Sasuke about it any more after that. He’s...very sad now, and we don’t want to make that sadness last any longer than it has to. So, give him a nice message in your card, and let him know you’re thinking of him. But then, please, just treat him as you would any other day. We want Sasuke to feel welcome back to class.”

Hinata gives a small nod to herself. Well, now she can make the card without worry! But...how to make it...now that will be the question. She wants to say something about her mother...not to take away from Sasuke’s loss, but to let him know that she understands. That she knows how he feels! She may be young, but still she understands that it’s a fine line to walk.

Iruka starts handing out paper, telling them to take out their crayons and pencils. Hinata takes to rolling one between her hands, staring at the blank canvas thoughtfully. To start, she carefully folds it in half widthwise. Then, very carefully she makes a drawing of Sasuke, and herself. Not really...doing anything, just standing together, both with somber expressions.

Next comes the hard part.

Opening the card, she switches to her pencil...and then takes out a notebook. She wants to practice what to say first, before messing up her card. She’ll scribble a bit, read it, and then...scratch it all out to start over. It’s so hard to put what she wants to say into words! To have both sadness, and hope in her message.

“Ten minutes left, class! And remember to please put your name in the card - I’ll hang onto them until tomorrow, when Sasuke gets back.”

Hinata gives a small sound of panic. Now or never! Worrying over the lined paper, she gives it one last try.

...this should work.

Ever so carefully, she writes it again, this time within the card, with the best handwriting she can muster. She just scribbles the last period when Iruka announces it’s time to move on to their next lesson.

Shyly, she puts her card in his hands when he comes by to collect them. Is he going to read them…? She hopes not. That would be...embarrassing! Her words are for Sasuke, after all.

From there, the day goes...relatively the same as any other. Still gossip is whispered around the other students, but Hinata ignores them. She doesn’t want to participate in something that will make Sasuke upset...even if he isn’t here.

For now, all she can do...is wait.

The next morning, everyone continues to try and scout out the arrival. Hinata hangs back by the doors, wishing she was brave enough to tell the others to stop. Can’t they see how rude they’re being? Would they like to be stared and gawked at?

...but he doesn’t show. Most kids still linger outside, hoping for a glimpse. Hinata gives up and heads inside early. Hopefully she can get her card from Iruka, too - she’s still nervous about it, and -

...oh!

She’s the first to enter the classroom...well, technically she’s the second. At the front of the room is none other than Sasuke, a tall, lean woman at his side. It must be...his aunt…?

The sound of the door gets them all to look over, and Hinata quickly goes red. “I...I-I’m sorry! Should I...leave?”

“No, that’s okay Hinata,” Iruka replies gently, giving her a smile. “Would you like to give Sasuke your card, since you’re here?”

Oh no - now...? She’s - she’s not ready! Still, it doesn’t seem she has much choice. Ducking her head shyly, she approaches the desk, accepting her card from Iruka. Holding it awkwardly for a moment...she then gives it to Sasuke, avoiding his eyes.

Hands on his shoulders, his aunt reads from behind, much to Hinata’s added embarrassment. All the while, Iruka looks on with that same soft smile.

...he read it, didn’t he?

Sasuke stares at the front for a while, glancing up before opening it. Hinata dares to look once he does, seeing the dark circles under his eyes, and the exhaustion in his face. He even looks gaunter… He blinks slowly, frowning ever so slightly as he reads. Oh no...does he not like it…?

“That’s a very sweet card, Hinata,” his aunt offers, looking up with a somber smile. “I’m so sorry about your mother. Thank you for empathizing with Sasuke. I’m sure he appreciates it. Don’t you, hun?”

He just keeps staring at the card.

“...well, the bell will be ringing soon,” Iruka reminds them. “The other kids will be here then. Sasuke, why don’t we get you sat down before they arrive?”

“A good idea. I need to get to work - thank you so much for seeing to all this,” the woman offers, Iruka just waving away her concern. Laying a gentle hand atop her nephew’s head, she says a soft goodbye, promising to come pick him up after class.

“...Mr. Umino…?”

“Yes, Sasuke?”

The boy looks up. “...can...can I sit next to Hinata today…?”

Surprise pulls at the man’s features, but he quickly recovers. “Of...of course! There’s an empty seat in the corner next to her. I think that would be a good idea.” That way, no one else will be right beside him to bother him. “I’ll go move your things.”

Sasuke nods, and then looks to Hinata.

They stare at each other for a while.

“...thank you,” he says softly. “...I’m sorry about your mommy.”

“I’m sorry too, Sasuke. Um...I-I hope you feel better soon, but...it’s okay to be sad, too. I still get sad when I think about Mommy…”

Another pause...and then they each move to give each other a hug.

Iruka watches for a moment with a knowing smile before continuing his task.

To Hinata’s surprise, Sasuke’s grip is...very tight, burying his head in her neck. It seems to help it sink in: how much he’s hurting. Fighting a trembling lip and tears, she does the same.

...and then the bell rings, and they spring apart in surprise.

“...o-oh! You - you better sit down. Um...before everyone gets here.”

He just nods, thanking Iruka as they both take their seats. Unbidden, they both tense themselves against the words sure to come.

And come they do.

Sakura and Ino quickly begin to squawk as they spot him. But, to his credit, Iruka cuts them off with a bark, pointing to their seats. Both girls look suspiciously to Hinata...but do as they’re told, as do all the others as they make their way in.

Only once class begins does Iruka hand everyone their cards, letting one at a time deliver them to Sasuke. To his credit, Sasuke endures, reading them all over and giving quiet thank yous to each one...even Sakura and Ino. Soon he has an entire stack that Iruka gives him a big manilla envelope for, stuffed into his backpack.

Glancing over...Hinata sees him stick her card back into his desk.

Something in her chest leaps.

“...all right, class. Today we have a very important lesson in our social studies books. We’re going to be learning about Egypt…!”

Slowly, attention shifts back to normal, and Hinata fetches her book, following instructions to the right page.

...well, maybe the rumors won’t stop after this morning. Maybe the other kids will keep whispering. But at least Sasuke will know: he’s not alone.

     Oh golly this is late. Very busy day, sorry guys! But hey, I haven't gone to bed yet - that means I'm not behind xD      Aaanywho, I'm not sure if I fit the prompt EXACTLY...but Hinata DID hear something her friends - or, "friends" - were saying. So...maybe? Haha - I think it's passable, at least. Poor Sasuke...hopefully he can find a common grief in his new friend, and they can help each other heal.      But yeah, that'll do it for tonight! Thanks for stopping by to read!

[agentotero-blog]

..//application prompts

If you could steal anything, what would it be? 

Zo had long since lost track of the time, despite it being a work night.  ‘Just stay for one beer,’  Kit had urged, shoving the opened bottle into his hand before he had a chance to respond at all.  That one beer had turned into two, then three, then four.  The laughter had become cacophonous, meddling with whatever had been playing over the speakers at the time.  He met Monty's eyes whenever his gaze was hidden by the tilt of glass bottle.  The look alone was more than enough to keep him in his seat while they were still there.

The discussion had transformed from reminiscing over old jobs to what ifs.  None of which he could participate in, of course, but he didn't mind listening in.  It was a rarity that he actually felt like one of the group, a truly integrated member, so he was content to be a fly on that wall.  Watching the others and how they interacted when they weren't all business was interesting.  They actually seemed like normal people. Like friends.

“What about you, boy scout? What would you steal?”  It took a few heartbeats of silence and everyone looking at him for Zo to realize the question had been addressed to him.  He had been so engrossed on just being there he hadn't even noticed who’d asked it.  He was certain it was a loaded question, it was no secret his association with them was the only thing he did that was even remotely illegal.  He took a long draw from his near-empty drink, scanning the circle they'd formed and met each one's eyes.

“I know you all expect me to say nothing since you all think I'm a boring asshole.”  He said, a bemused smirk tugging at the side of his mouth.  “Can it be anything? At all?” A few nods and shrugs answered the question.  “Logistically, this makes no sense but bear with me--”  He held up both hands in a moment of suspense. “Dogs. I'd steal all the abused dogs that I could house. I'd be Crazy Dog Dude, and it would be awesome.”

Tell us about a time you nearly got caught.

It had taken a long time to get used to lying.  As a child, it'd been a sinful thing, something that had earned him knuckle raps from the nuns at school. As a teenager, it'd simply just been a near impossible task with his sisters around; they saw through every attempt with snarky comments and loud announcements around the dinner table.

As a cop, it started feeling more natural.  Zo still obtained the same doubtful looks now and then, but they were hardly as persistent or dissecting as his sisters’ had been.  The duality of his actions were a simple thing, white lies Cliff had called them.  Seemed valid coming from someone like him.  Still, the more Zo told them, the more confident and fluid he became.

Then there was the Bureau, who expected him to lie.  It was a course all in its own.  Beating lie detectors, stifling your tells, reading everyone else's, it was a complete reversal to everything he had learned back home.  For once he was grateful for his time on the force.  If nothing else, it had hardened him for the life of deception he had apparently chosen to adopt.

When a suspect USB stick was found in a Bureau computer, it was easy for Zo to say it wasn't his.  If he really broke down the semantics of the question, he was telling the truth about that.  It was The Hacker’s, he simply plugged it in.  It was only the second time he had asked to do it, but he was determined not to fail.  If he was going to begin a life a crime he wasn't going to fuck it up on the second week.

So when his turn for interrogation came, he followed all the rules as he so often did.  He kept his eyes straight ahead, focusing on the interrogator but not so much he looked fake.  He flooded his thoughts with a calming memory to keep his heart rate down. He didn't fidget.  He was calm, relaxed and seemingly honest, as though he had nothing to hide.

He'd even managed to swipe the stick from lock up after it was all said and done.  He had swiped the access card for the poor sap who had taken the fall, an intern who was already on thin ice.  There was a voice that scraped at the back of his brain, it was either Sister Tomlinson or his mother, he wasn't quite sure. This is what you do now, mijo? This is how you live? How the mighty have fallen.

“That's what the confessional is for.” He muttered to the unspoken voice as he climbed into his car.

What’s the hardest part of being in a heist group?

The group was gathered around a large table in the apartment dining room.  It was odd to Zo that they called it that since in his time with the group he’d never seen them eat there.  In his head, he always referred to it as the crime room, but he’d never utter it out loud.  If he did, perhaps some would laugh, but others would likely not see it as a joke.  Which, in truth, it wasn’t.  To him what they did seemed intense, forbidden and highly illegal.  But to them, it was their job, their livelihood, just as much as the Bureau was for him.  How would he react to someone being so flippant and dismissive of his job?

It’s part of why he felt like such an outsider at times like this.  The planning stage, arguably the most important, was when he felt most useless.  Zo was perched in the corner of the room, his back leaned against a wall with crossed arms and ankles.  He was listening, but he was too far away to see.  His role was always secondary, supportive, or in the very least, protective.  Most of the time he wasn’t even there when things went down, he was covering them in an ancillary role.  Yet Dante had always insisted he was around for conversations like this one.

It was hardly the first time he’d felt like he was on the outside looking in, but for some reason now it hit him far harder than it ever had in the past.  Roman and Dante spoke the most, but others chimed in with inside jokes that send a ripple of smirks and laughter down the table.  The fact that he was one of the newest additions to the group was probably the real reason the comments went over his head, yet somehow there was still a bemused grin on Mirasol’s face.  

He knew he’d probably never be one of them, but part of him couldn’t help but wish he could.

What’s the best part about it?

After everything he’d done on the force, Zo never thought he would be able to repent.  Somehow he’d moved on to a better job.  Somehow he’d moved into a nicer apartment.  Somehow he managed to find serenity again.  The peaceful familiar quiet of suburbia certainly helped with the latter two, as did the lengthy phone calls with his Mother.  But the guilt of it all still nagged at him.  He said as much, during a confession with the new parish Father he’d joined since his move upstate.  

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”  The Father’s voice drifted quietly through the distorting window of the confessional booth, his voice calm and firm.  “Karma is not a Catholic belief, my son, but the Lord God does see fit to punish those who act against his teachings.” Zo didn’t need him to tell him that, he’d figured that much out on his own when he’d been assigned to the RICO division.  An argument arose inside his chest, but he stifled it.  Once upon a time, he’d had no issues spilling all his secrets and apprehensions to his Priests, but now, since he’d become a part of this group, the secrets weren’t just his own.

He’d left the booth the predicted prescription of prayer and Hail Mary’s but he also left with a new thing to contemplate.  Why hadn’t he told the Father about the heist he’d only a few days prior?  Or the infiltration goggles prototype he’d stolen from work yesterday?  Both sins-- both worthy of a confession.  He’d confessed plenty of sins he and his fellow officers had committed when he was on the force, so why was he so hesitant now?

Zo crossed himself as he left, stepping out into the harsh morning sunlight, a huge contrast from the pinkish weak pre-dawn glow that’d been there when he’d gone inside.  It hadn’t been his intention to detour to the church on his run, but that’s where his feet had led him, and he let them take over once more after he plugged his headphones back in.  Sneakers stomping on the pavement and a hard-pumping heart were his two favorite feelings in the world.  He let himself get lost in the feel of it, the beat of his music, the rush of adrenaline.

He finally drifted to a walk on a too-familiar street.  It wasn’t his own, he hadn’t run home.  He’d run to the group’s apartment.  Breathing heavy, he halted in front of the stoop, squinting up at the white building that almost glowed in the morning haze.  Like a revelation, it hit him.  A smile broke across his face despite himself.  What had baffled him not moments and miles ago, was suddenly as clear as the crystalline windows glinting the reflection of the tree that lined the street.  He couldn’t confess against them for the same reason he’d never been able to against his sisters:  because they’d become family.  Against all better judgment, against all better reason, against all better logic, they were his family.

Were they criminals? Sure.  Were they sinners?  Absolutely.  But they were his, and that’s all that mattered.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

SCSI

Mikasa and Armin hadn't wanted to leave. Levi had left Eren sleeping through the conversation because he knew if his partner were awake, he'd feel betrayed by Levi's words. Still apprehensive about what lay beyond the wall, and unknown actions of Zeke and his clan, Levi had given them a new mission. Two weeks. They were to ride back to the castle and relay his message to Hanji only. In two weeks, they would follow, plotting a course straight from Shinganshima to the coast. If something happened beyond the walls, and he and Eren were separated, he knew Mikasa and Armin would stop at nothing to track Eren down. If he was somehow killed, or injured, Eren would soon have help and back-up coming in the form of the Survey Corps. Hanji would bully absolutely everyone she had to, and it wasn't as if Eren didn't have fans or allies. Even if Erwin was to be taken u to custody, the Government would have to risk sending its own men beyond the walls to retrieve them. Eren wouldn't be impressed at the time limit now placed on his recovery, but his safety, along with the safety of Rilee and Eli came first. With his abilities to shift working again, Levi was confident that Eren could find a way to keep himself and their children alive until help arrived, or at least get them back within Shinganshima. He had to believe in the teen's strength, after making him feel so insignificant for so long. Mikasa and Armin had stayed long enough to say an awkward farewell to Eren. Levi couldn't blame his fiancé for being confused over their willingness to leave, but once they had, he caught Eren sighing in relief. He knew the pair had been overly attentive towards the twins in an attempt to show Eren they were sorry, when they needed to use their words instead, but Eren hadn't quite figured it out for himself. When he did, perhaps he'd find a way to forgive them. And so, their party fell back to just the four of them. Eren pouring everything he could into taking care of the twins, and finally loosening up to finish the meals Levi made for him. Things were slowly changing, and he had to believe they'd get better. * With Shinganshima in his sight, Eren stared in disgust at the broken and open gates that Hanji and Armin had worked so hard to fill. There were signs of recent works in the area, and the scents that hung in the air left his nose running from irritation. He didn't know the scent, only that it didn't leave him with confidence when it came to taking those first few steps outside the wall... snorting to himself, he supposed the fact the gates were open was a measure of some proof that Zeke hadn't been lying to him. Shinganshima was open, and something was coming. Drawing back from his position, Eren climbed from the tree with a weary sigh. He'd left Levi with the twins, hidden in the trees close to the wall where they'd be protected. Getting his fiancé to agree hadn't been as hard as he'd expected, no doubt Levi was trying to make it up to him, though Eren had been the one in the wrong. It'd hurt to twist and use Levi's love for him against the man. He hadn't wanted to play the "me or card" against Levi, but it'd been the only way to make him truly understand that he wasn't coping. Letting his body shift to his wolf form, he relished the feeling of power it brought. He felt alive. Unstoppable. His paws thudding as loud as his heart as he ran back towards his family. This feeling of freedom... he might still be within Wall Maria, but this form brought far more freedom than his human form. Levi was sitting by the morning fire, the twins sleeping in their tent. Struck by a need of playfulness, Eren trotted right up to Levi, before giving his face a long wet lick "Oi! Brat, what was that for?!" Nudging Levi's chest with his muzzle, he kept at it until Levi finally wrapped his arms around him "Calm down you" There was no bite to Levi's words, if anything he sounded as happy at Eren currently felt. Growling, he yipped as he planted himself down in Levi's lap "I forgot how heavy you are in your wolf form. You're squashing me" Huffing, he licked Levi's face again, before shifting back into his human form "I'm not fat" "No, just heavy. You seem happy, how did scouting go?" "We should wait until night. Something's happening there" "Something?" "The smell was weird. People have been there lately" "Did you see anyone?" "No, just lots of fresh scents that made my nose hurt" "That means we have a whole day to rest" "Probably... sorry for... well..." "For being a playful shit?" "I missed being a wolf" "I noticed. It's fine. I haven't seen you that happy in a while" "Life is so much easier as a wolf" "Just don't forget your human side" "I think I have more going for me as a wolf" He didn't have his pudgy stomach to worry about. He didn't have his small breasts. He didn't have the pain from riding... "As much as I love your wolf, I like your human form better" Eren's lips turned down at the edges "My human form is useless" "You're not useless" "As a wolf, I can protect you" "And as your fiancé, you should know I don't need protection" "Oh... in that case..." Wriggling out of Levi's hold, the man caught his fingertips before he could run away. His feelings of inadequacy easily stirred by the comment "Eren?" "No..." "You know you don't have to protect me, don't you?" "I don't... I don't want to be the one protected all the time. I want to stand by your side and be useful" "Come back here brat" Pouting, Eren was pulled back down by Levi, who sat him between his legs and wrapped his arms firmly around him "You know you're not useless, don't you?" "Levi" "Eren" "Words don't fix a broken mind" "Neither do extreme actions" "So it's better to not even try?" "I didn't say that either" "Then what? You know I missed shifting. You know it feels good for me to be in my wolf form... so why are you mad at me?" "I'm not mad at you" "Really?" "I'm not mad at you. You're my fiancé remember. My partner. You don't need to protect me, because we're a team. We work together" "You could have just said that instead of making me feel shit" "I didn't mean to make you feel shit" Eren let out a sigh "It's all because I'm messed up... you even had to send Mikasa and Armin back because of it" "If you're asking if I miss them, then no. And if Shinganshima is dangerous, than it's better they're gone" "But you're stuck with me again..." "I wouldn't say stuck. What else did you see in Shinganshima?" "Both gates are open again. I wouldn't trust the land or the water... the whole place just feels wrong" "How?" "Like it's a giant trap... I don't know... my instinct didn't like it" "We can go over with our gear" "But what about the horses?" "They'll find their way back to the castle" "It might be safer... I still wouldn't move until night" "Alright. I trust your judgement" Eren's heart felt like it skipped a beat. Levi trusted his judgment! It was something stupid to feel happy over, his inner demons immediately scolding him. Trusting his judgement was different to trusting him... "Eren?" "It's... nothing. We should eat, and you should feed" "You want me to feed?" Levi sounded like he'd never consider feeding from Eren in his life. Like he was completely shocked over the idea... "You don't want my blood?" "I haven't felt the need to feed since the twins were born" "Then forget it" "No. You know I would have talked to you about it if I had" "I get it! It was wrong of me to ask" "It wasn't wrong. I'm just surprised" "I can fucking tell. Let me go" "Not until we talk this out" "What's there to talk about? I said you should feed and you acted like it was the last thing you wanted" "Why do you want me to feed?" "It seemed like a good idea. We don't know what we're walking into, and if you don't want me to protect you, you need to be able to protect yourself. I know you haven't been feeding from me. I just thought... maybe it would be a good idea to be prepared..." You want me to feed for my sake?" "Didn't I just say that?" "But what about you? What do you want me to do? You know how it feels" It'd been two weeksish since he'd given birth. Thanks to his shifting powers finally returning, the trauma from it all had finally healed. He felt as sexy as sack of potatoes, but he really was scared for what was coming. If they were sidetracking Shinganshima, than these were the last hours he'd spend in the wall... possibly forever. He knew once Levi started feeding, he wouldn't be able to deny the pleasure, even if he didn't really want to have sex or be touched that way... sex... his mind blanked at the thought, before he let out a shaky gasp of realisation "Eren?" "I'm not pregnant" "No?" "Sex... leads to babies. I..." "I don't need to feed" "You... you need your strength. Just... I can't fall pregnant again.... I can't..." His breath was in coming in in pants. He couldn't have another baby... not so soon... not when Rilee and Eli needed him... and not when... not when he could have another sick child "Eren, calm down. There's no way I can feed from you, not when you're like this" "You need to!" "No. Here, just breathe for me" "I am breathing!" "You're panting" "That's because I'm fucking scared! I want this. I want you to feed. I want you to be strong! We're not going to have the walls to protect us! You need to be... you need to feed. Please, for the twins... for me" "Why are you scared?" "I don't want to fall pregnant again..." "Is that all?" "I'm scared of what's outside the wall. That Zeke is going to be right there waiting for us. Ok" "Zeke won't stop us" "How do you know that?" "Because I promised you we'd see the ocean. That we'd get Rilee there" "And Eli" "And Eli" "I feel like... I feel like he gets forgotten..." "I haven't forgotten him. This wish may be for Rilee, but I know you want him to see the ocean just as badly" "I do" "I'll feed, for you" "Thank you" "But we're not going to have sex. Not yet" "I... I'm healed" "You panicked over the possibility of falling pregnant. Your body might have healed, but we both know your mind is still getting there" "Then how..." "I'll feed, and give you some release" "What about you?" "Don't worry about me" "I don't... Levi, feeding... you feel it too. With me, don't you?" Sina. His words weren't cooperating "Brat. Do you want to try that again?" His cheeks flamed "I... you get aroused. I... want to do it with you. I don't want to be the only one feeling good" Levi snorted, nosing at his scent gland "You want to touch me too?" "Yes!" His voice shot right up. Given how many times they'd had sex, he shouldn't be this nervous about admitting he wanted to touch his fiancé. Fuck. He was such an idiot, and seriously uncool "Alright brat. We'll eat, check the twins, then I'll feed" "O-ok" * With Eren sitting in his lap, the teen had both his arms and legs wrapped around as Levi gently nipped at the soft skin of his shoulder. He'd wanted to lay the teen down and do this properly, but Eren had been shaking like a leaf. His brat climbing into his lap and clinging, the moment Levi had stripped his pants off. Nuzzling softly, he massaged the small of Eren's back, trying to relax Eren enough for the teen to enjoy the moment "Are you ready?" Letting out a squeak, Eren nodded his fingertips digging further into Levi's back "We don't have to do this" "I want to..." "Will you look at me?" "I'm embarrassed" "What do you have to be embarrassed about?" "My body" "Is beautiful" "It's... pudgy" "You're adjusting from carrying two humans inside of you" Kissing his way up Eren's neck, the teen let out a small moan "You watched me give birth" "What's wrong with that?" "Don't you find me disgusting?" "How could I find it disgusting?" "Because I was a mess" "You were strong. You pushed through your pain and you birthed our children" "I was covered in my own... stuff" "So? If I had been in your place, would you not want me?" "What? No. You're gorgeous" "So why can't I want you?" "Because I'm... me" "Silly brat... I want you" Eren should be able to feel how he wanted him, all it took was the feel of his naked body against his, to make him achingly hard. Finally reaching Eren's lips, he pushed a hard kiss to them, Eren obliging him as the kiss deepened, his grip on Levi's back loosening as they shared several deep kisses before breaking apart "You're a silly brat. How could I ever not want you?" "Levi..." Eren's breath trembled, the teen letting go with his left hand to lower it to Levi's thigh "Please..." Biting just shy of Eren's scent gland, Eren rolled his hips as he let out a long moan. The rich blood rushing into Levi's mouth had him moaning at the sensations coursing through his body. It was like a shock to his senses. The senses he didn't realise had become so dull without Eren's blood. Using his hand against Levi's thigh, Eren raised himself up, trying to awkwardly mount him, without letting control. With a frustrated groan, Levi's dick slipped, rubbing against Eren's inner thigh "Fuck... fuck me" Pulling Eren down, the teen quickly freed his hand from between Levi and the ground, placing it on the man's shoulder as his other hand guided his erection to Eren's wet opening. Easing his teeth back, Levi's words were muffled "Are you sure you want this?" "I want to feel connected" Nodding, Eren slowly sunk down, drawing long moans from both of them. His brat's body really was amazing. His arse so tight and wet as the walls sucked him in deeper. Fuck. He wasn't sure he was going to be able to last "Sina... alpha..." With his neck trapped in Levi's bite, Eren rode him the best he could. His brat dissolving into chanting his name as Levi thrust up to meet Eren's every move. They were flirting with disaster, Eren fucking him recklessly as if his fears of pregnancy were forgotten while Levi could feel his orgasm building. Even precum held sperm "Fuck Levi... fuck..." Using both hands to shove him down, his fangs tore flesh from Eren's shoulder as he kept him pinned down. With his head lolled back and his small breasts bouncing, the sight before him was hypnotic "Yes... fuck... fuck... so close..." Taking Eren's erection in his hand, he jerked him off, the teen coming within seconds. His cry of pleasure nearly a howl as thick cum splattered across Levi's chest. Forcing himself from his lover's heat, Levi's own orgasm hit. Coming across Eren's arse and inner thighs as his erection slipped up to rub Eren's flagging one. Exhausted, his teen slumped across him. Both of them basking in their high. Regaining their breath, Eren nuzzled into neck, kissing and nipping playfully "Brat?" "Fuck... I needed that" Levi snorted. How could he not snort at that? Making his way to Levi's lips, Eren granted him a sloppy kiss "What was that for?" "Thank you for not coming inside" "It really does scare you, doesn't it?" "I keep thinking... of those poor mothers forced to bear child after child. How exhausted they always look. How their husband would beat them and force them to bear even more. And Levi... it hurt. It hurt so much... I felt like... like wasn't going to make it. I can't... I couldn't breath. I thought they had me again. That they were there. I could feel them on my skin. I could hear them..." Eren hadn't told him that last bit before. Hugging his brat tighter, he moved his right hand to Eren's hair, his fingertips massaging his scalp as he murmured softly "They'll never get you" "You don't know that" "I do. And I definitely know I was the only one there for the birth" "Sometimes I still hear them... I think I'm going crazy" "You're no crazier than you were when I met you" "When I met you, I didn't have twins or a fiancé" "And look at us now" "What? Naked and covered in cum and slick?" "Under the sky, with no one else around" "Fuck... shit... the twins..." "Were sleeping. Rilee would have let us know if we were making too much noise" "She really is the more vocal one of the two. Sometimes I worry for Eli. That there's something wrong" "He's happy and he's healthy. They're both strong and stubborn" "Like you" "I was thinking more like you" Twisting, Eren rolled them over, holding Levi close "The sky really is blue... do you think the ocean will be just as blue?" "I have no idea. Are you sure you're alright with me laying across you?" "It feels... you feel warm and safe" "I try. If you're tired, you can nap" "No. I mean, I want to nap, but for now I need this" "You need me stuck to you?" "Mmm. Preferably all the time, unless I want space... but never stray too far" This whole afternoon had been more than Levi dared hope for. He'd let Eren scout ahead because he wanted to show him he valued and trusted him, but that had lead to him shifting and coming back in a better mood than he'd been in since before giving birth. Even admitting he was scared of what was to come, before allowing him between his legs and to hold his precious form. His fiancé still loved and wanted him... and by the growing erection against his thigh, it seemed he wanted him all over again "No matter what comes, we'll face it together" "Thank you" * They left the horses to wander through Shinganshima, passing over the wall in the cover of night. It felt like they were being watched, leaving them both on edge as they moved towards the unknown. Eren's new gear didn't quite sit right, the straps digging deeply into his feet so his fiancé. He could tell from the way he limped, but Eren never uttered a word of the pain he must have been in. Both of them too anxious to get to the safety of the closest tree line. They'd done it. They'd set foot outside the walls and now were "free" as Eren called it. Free from the three walls that contained the remnants of humanity. From the walls that contained the lies of their corrupt government and free from all ties that previously bound them... other than the small fact that Mikasa and Armin would be coming for them in two weeks time... which he still hadn't told Eren about. He almost regretted that the pair had left them before reaching Shinganshima. It'd raised Eren's spirits, but his message could be sending the entirety of the Survey Corps to their death. Provided Mike went with the expedition, the man should be able to alert the others to the scents that had troubled Eren's nose. Waiting until they were hidden by the trees, Levi then whistled for their horses. Between hours laying tangled up in Eren's hold, and preparing to head over the wall, they were both fatigued. Rilee had thrown a massive tantrum just as the sun had begun to set, working Eli and Eren both up to the point that his three family members were all crying just as hard as each other. She hadn't been happy even after being fed, washed down and changed. Eventually wearing herself out enough that she fell quite in Levi's hold. It'd taken Eren nearly half an hour to calm back down, then another half an hour before he'd finally look in his direction. Levi had nearly given up on their horses when he finally caught the sound of hooves approaching. Eren's horse looked spooked, shifting its weight skittishly while his own moved to almost hide behind Eren. It wasn't a good sign of the horses were spooked. They were designed to face battle, to face werewolves, yet something had spooked them "The scent of Shinganshima clings to them" "They're spooked" "I noticed... I don't like this" "Like what?" "How spooked they are. They're trained for battle" Levi nodded "I was just thinking the same thing. We should get moving. We need to stick close to the trees" "How far do you want to push on?" "As far as possible, but that depends on how you feel" "I'm fine" "You're not fine" Eren rolled his eyes as he huffed "Can we just accept that my saying of "I'm fine" means I'm up to continuing?" "No. I need to know just how your feeling, otherwise we risk your health" "I'm healed. I'm even healed from the afternoon" "You're the one who pushed me down" "I like a little pain with pleasure" "Keep this up and I might have to spank you" "I don't think I'm up to spanking..." "I was joking, brat" "Sure you were. Are you alright? Did you take enough blood?" "I got plenty, but you should know that" "Then we should go. I don't like it here" Putting Shinganshima behind them, they rode until Eren finally pulled his horse to halt. The mare snorting as if annoyed "Brat?" "Here. Here seems safe" "You want to make camp here?" "In the trees. I can't smell anything fresh, but it'll be safer in the trees" "We could probably press on" "No. The sun will be up in a few hours, and Eli needs to be changed" Looking up, the branches practically blocked the sky from view. They'd both been relying on their sharper than normal vision, but even then that only allowed for maybe five metres of dim vision "We'll need to find a few branches strong enough to support the tent" "I'll say down here with the twins while you head up" "What? Don't you want to go climbing trees again?" "No. I want to get off my horse and get some sleep. We're going to have to fix these straps" "If you stopped growing, we wouldn't have this problem" "I didn't ask to be this tall" "No. You used to be a short arse" "You mean I used to be a more appropriate height" "What's that supposed to mean?" "It's nothing..." "Eren" "Fine. Looking at us a couple, people are more likely to find you more feminine than I am" "Feminine? Because I'm short?" "There's that. There's also that soft white skin of yours, and your sharp cheekbones. Youre deceptively slim and gentle frame. You're all kinds of beautiful" "And you're full of shit" He didn't want to be "feminine" or "beautiful". It didn't matter to him that Eren was male. He thought they're relationship went beyond labels. Of sexual roles. If Eren ever wanted to explore topping him, than he'd be open to exploring that side too. Their sex was always amazing, Eren always so open and vulnerable to him "I didn't mean to upset you. I just mean... if people were to look at the twins, they'd think them more your children than mine" "You're still dribbling shit. Here, hop down so you can take Rilee. We'll need to scout out fresh water for the horses" "And for bathing. I know we don't have much left after cleaning the twins up" They had four skins of water between them, with Mikasa and Armin's help, they'd been able to collect and find small amount of water on the trip. Having not stopped in Shinganshima, they were now down to barely a canteen full. If worst came to worse, his thirst could be sated by Eren's blood, but that didn't solve the issue of what Eren would drink. They'd have to risk crossing the plain and scouting out the condition of the river. Hopefully it hadn't been poisoned, or ruined by whoever had breached Shinganshima. Sleeping in a tent in the trees wasn't Levi's idea of fun. Even if the ropes securing the tent were thick and sturdy, each sway set his nerves on edge. Eren however, seemed perfectly content. Or maybe he was too tired to care. His boots were the first thing to come off as soon as the tent was secure enough for Eren to bring the twins up. The teen's straps had left his feet bloodied, yet Eren wouldn't let him clean them down. Not until they had a safe supply of water. Instead, his fiancé had wrapped a dirty shirt around them so they wouldn't mess up their blankets. With their afternoon activities, he'd thought Eren would maybe want to sleep beside him, but the teen had taken his usual right side of the tent, with their twins between them. Eli pulled close to him, Eren's face next to their baby boy's as they slept. Eren might worry that all their energy was going into Rilee, but he each and every night, he always preferred to sleep like this with Eli right by him. When morning came, Levi had barely slept. While Eren had slept like a log. He'd woken up for twins morning feed, before falling asleep sitting up with Rilee in his arms. Taking their daughter once she was done feeding, Eren had promptly fallen backwards with a loud snore and his breasts still exposed. Rather than waking him, he'd let him get the four or so extra hours of sleep between feeds. After pushing himself through bloodied feet and sore hips, he deserved some reward... which Eren had appreciated, before leaving him with the twins so the teen could go scout for water. The cheeky shit came back wet, with the three empty skins filled. Shaking himself off, the horse backed away as he sent water in every direction "I take it you decided to take a bath?" Eren nodded as he shifted back "Yeah. I thought it might help with scent. They're a few different scents out near the river that I don't know. They seemed familiar... but I couldn't place them" "Familiar? As in people familiar or forest familiar?" "I don't know. I just got out of there as soon as I was clean and the skins were filled" "That's probably for the best. Any tracks or evidence?" "No. I've been thinking about Zeke" "What about him?" It was hard to keep the bitterness out his tone. The man had shot him, and left them both unconscious... as good as leaving him for dead. The pain he'd put Eren through with his words just added another layer to his dislike for the man that claimed to be Eren's brother "I've just been thinking about the things he said. He wanted to take me away from here... so why haven't we seen him? We both felt it... the feeling like we were being watched, but if it was him, why didn't he try anything?" "Because he knows I will cut him down where he stands if he did" "He could easily shoot either of us" "Then what are you trying to say?" "What if Zeke wasn't the one watching us?" "Do you seriously believe anyone else would be interested in us?" "He said he had a clan. That Grisha came from beyond the walls. That has to mean there are more people out here somewhere" "And what? You want to find them?" "Not right away" "Are you serious?" "I didn't mean right now. I... I want to know why everything had to happen" "It happened because your father ran off. He abandoned his first family, then he abandoned you" "I know that! But I still need to know why?" "Why do you want to know about a man who openly admitted to experimenting on you" "Because I need to! I need to know why he came. What he left behind and what was so bad that he never went back to his first family" "And who do you expect to learn all that?" "I... I want to talk to Zeke" "The man who shot me!" "I know he shot you. But he knows what's coming!" "When did you decided all this?" "I've been thinking about it for a while" "Eren, you literally told me yesterday you were still scared of the Government soldiers. Now you want to talk to the very people who..." "Who bombed the Capital and broke the gates. I want to know why they did it. Why after so many years things are finally changing" "What happened to seeing the ocean?" "I still want to..." "But?" "But I want to know this too. If something's coming and we could have prevented it, don't we have to try" "Why? Why don't we get to be happy? When do we get to sit back and enjoy our family? I've brought you this far! Is this even still about Rilee?" "Of course it's about her! I want all of us to see the ocean! But if I get the chance to face Zeke, I need to know what happened. Why he left us like that. Why he took my journal and my papers. Why he bombed the Government. He could lead us to other shifters. You said Grisha's journal said everyone had a bit of wolf blood in them, so why can't they shift into wolves?" "He left us die because he wanted us to suffer. His father. Your father left him behind and he started a new family. I hardly think it's going to be the touching reunion you're expecting" "I'm not expecting that! I'm prepared to stop him if I need to. But I also need to understand" "Can't you just focus on getting better? On us getting to the ocean? On our children?!" "How can I get better when all I have are my thoughts?!" "All you have... so what do we mean to you? Are we just thoughts?" "Don't twist my words" "Then don't be stupid" "Sina! Why don't you get it?! You three, you're my family. You're my everything. But how can I be with you, if someone comes along and slaughters everyone we know? What happens when everything on this island is destroyed? Where do we go?" "The Government is to blame for the fall of Shinganshima" "And the people who employ Zeke are to blame for the attacks. What if they plan to wipe us all out?! Where will be safe for us then? What about Erwin and Hanji and Mike and Moblit?! Petra's family? Olou's family? Everyone within the walls means something to someone. What happens when they're all dead? When we could change that?! All I want is somewhere safe. Somewhere we don't have to live in fear. Where we can love each other and raise our children without so much senseless death. If Zeke knows what's coming, then we have to talk to him" "Why does it have to be us?" "Because you're the one read the truth and I'm the abomination. We're the two closest to the truth, out of everyone in the walls. We're the ones out here and free... we're the ones who are going to see the truth with our own eyes" "At what price?" "What?" "If changing things were to cost you your life, you'll throw yourself away without a second thought" "I..." "Don't even deny it Eren. I know you well enough to know how you work" "I don't want to die" "You might not want to, but if Zeke told you to die in order to protect everyone, you would. You'd leave us behind" "If it mean saving you..." "Don't you get it? Without you, there's no point" "What about Rilee and Eli?" "How can I raise them, knowing I didn't stop your death?!" "I'm not going to die! You're not listening to my words. I want to go to the ocean. I want to see it for myself, with you and the twins. If we cross paths with Zeke, then we'll talk. I don't want to seek him out. I don't want to track him down. Not when the twins are so small and relying on us. I want a life with you, and I want to kill every werewolf we can along the way" "That's a great way to get yourself killed" "Coming from you?! Don't think I didn't know you were killing werewolves while I was pregnant!" "You can't just throw yourself at problem and hope it works out! Like the other night. Tell me that you regained full sanity while a Lycan!?" "I don't regret killing them! I don't regret using my powers to protect you" "Then go right ahead. Die a fools death" "Would you stop killing me off so easily!? I'm not looking for death" "That's what it sounds like" "I don't question your motives and actions. When you have nightmares, I don't bring up the things you say because I respect you. Right now, you've pissed me right off. You're acting like my death is the only way out. It's not. How many times do I have to say that all I want is answers?" "Answers that could end up with you dead, or tortured again" "Fuck this. I thought long and hard about this. After bathing and swimming and having some me time, I finally felt confident enough to tell you that I wanted to talk to Zeke, if the opportunity presented itself. Because I wanted you to keep a cool head and not rush to kill him. I want him dead for hurting you and for risking our family, but I understand that we need to know more about everything happening around us. I wanted to ask you to be my backup. So we could approach this thing together, like going to ocean was supposed to be together. Whenever it comes to me, you lose your head. I love you for wanting to protect me, and I know I'm the same when it comes to you... but right now, I don't want to talk to you. This was supposed to be a normal conversation, and yet we're yelling at each other. You know. Something we could sit down and hash out together. Instead you got angry at me. You dismissed me and you kept trying to say I don't care about you or our children, and that all I'm good for is sacrificing myself. I wanted a plan. Not a fight. I don't feel like Zeke has been the one watching, but I can't get my dream of 5 wolves out my mind. If he's one of them, that means there are four more we need to look out for. That's all I wanted to talk about. So fuck off and think about that. I'll be ready to listen when you're not being an enormous arsehole" Maybe he had slightly jumped the gun... it was just Zeke was bad news and dangerous. They were in enough danger as it was. Outside the walls where werewolves roamed free. Days away from help if anything was to go wrong. The last thing needed was to seek out even more danger, especially when the bombings meant Zeke was backed by some exceptionally powerful people. The logistics alone meant there had to be some kind of traitor within the walls. How else could they have possibly gotten in carrying explosives? It wasn't like the Garrison Regiment or Military Police let just anyone who approached Trost's gate in... and as far as he knew, they didn't have the gear to be scaling the walls. But he also knew that what he'd said was right. If Zeke offered Eren the chance to save everyone by sacrificing himself, the teen would get it into his mind that that was the only way. He struggled to see how beautiful and precious his existence was, and how his death would be a loss, not just to Levi and the twins, but to everyone he'd ever saved. Some might tell the teen he deserved it, but Eren really didn't. In fact, Levi was momentarily happy when he'd heard of the trouble in the Capital because those bastards were the ones who'd fucked with his fiancé, and the attack was a small example of the things he wished he could do himself. He wanted to tear all of them from power, degrade them with the same chains used on Eren, them then march them into the battlefield. They'd all be slaughtered for messing with Eren, the least they could do was apologise with their death. Eren would naturally blanch at such things. His still pure heart hated to see "unnecessary" blood shed, especially over his account. Levi didn't understand how the brat didn't realise that he'd do absolutely everything to keep him close, even if it meant making an enemy of the whole world. He'd given up so much, so many months, just to stay with the teen. To keep him safe and to help him come back to reality. Eren wanting to meet Zeke felt like a slap in the face. He'd very nearly lost the twins from stress. The twins that he'd been carrying still by some absolute miracle. Why couldn't their family be enough? Why did he have to know more? Why wasn't he enough...? *

[writtenonthesubwaywalls]

Library

(part one) (prev) (next) 

Two

Alfred collapsed onto the couch in his apartment. Within moment, he was joined by his brother, who plopped down with a huff. Their legs tangled together in the middle between them, and one of them turned on a stereo across the room with a remote.

“So,” he started, “Design anything fancy today?”

“You do realize that just because I’m a military blueprinter, that doesn’t mean that that’s the only thing we do, right?”

Alfred laughed at his brother’s exasperated eye-roll. “Yeah, I know. It’s just so fun to mess with you.” He groaned dramatically. “What’s on right now? Train?”

Matthew turned his head in the general direction of the stereo. “I think so. Want me to change it?”

“God, please change it. Put on something good like the Offspring or something. Just turn off Train for the love of god.”

“What do you have against Train?” Matthew asked him. Nonetheless, he leaned over the arm of the couch to change the song. “How about Weezer?” Alfred hummed. “Alright, Weezer it is then.”

He turned the volume up a tad, and the brothers stayed like that, just listening to their music and relaxing for a few minutes. Matthew interrupted the song a few minutes later. “Today was your first day at the library, right? How was it?”

Alfred sighed. “It was good, for the most part. The library’s director wasn’t there, because he’s visiting family out in Russia or something, but this other guy named Toris was there and he was super nice and stuff. Oh and there was this older guy there. He didn’t work there, but he apparently is like a regular or something and knows everyone well. Anyways, he was saying how I wouldn’t be able to keep up with everyone else there or something.” He stopped and stared at the ceiling in confusion. “You know, I didn’t think much about it at the time, but now that I’m talking about it he almost sounded like he was threatening me because I’m new.”

“That’s… really weird, Al,” Matthew commented, in equal confusion. “Why would he do that?”

“I don’t know! I didn’t do anything to him, so why would he have it out for me?” Alfred voiced his exasperation from the day, emphasizing it with a flourish of his hands. “I had only been there for, like, a few hours, so it’s not like he could’ve just decided I was a terrible person or anything, right?” He shook his head and huffed, pouting.

Matthew waited a moment before changing the subject. “So what’re we doing for dinner tonight?”

“I don’t want to cook,” Alfred whined, drawing out the syllables. “Why don’t we just order a pizza or something?”

“With what money?”

“...Fair point.”

The duo thought about their current dilemma, the day’s events already forgotten. “What do we have in the kitchen, anyways? Sugar and cereal?”

Matthew stood, going into the kitchen to search it. Soon, after hearing a bunch of shuffling around, Alfred joined his brother.

On the fold out care table set against the wall was several boxes and containers, all containing various foods or food ingredients. Matthew motioned to it. “This is everything we have in the apartment right now, besides the ice cream and thin mints in the freezer.”

Alfred raised his eyebrows, disbelieving. He pointed at each item as he named them off. “Cereal, cereal, pop tarts, half of a box of pasta, sugar; You’re sure this is it?”

“Yep, this is it. We really need to go grocery shopping soon.” Alfred nodded in agreement. He opened his mouth to suggest something, when Matthew cut him off. “No, we can’t just eat frozen dairy-solution and girl scout cookies for dinner.”

Alfred let out a sigh that turned into a groan. “I don’t want to skip dinner again. I haven't eaten since yesterday, Mattie! I’m going to die!” He threw himself down on the floor dramatically, laying his arm across his eyes as though he were a lady in a play set in old England that had fainted.

Matthew kicked him in the side playfully. “Come on you idiot, we need to go to the store so we don’t starve.” Alfred grumbled, but picked himself up off of the floor to follow him out the door.

They got to the car, and Matthew tossed him the keys over the car, slipping into the passenger side at the same time.

“Why do I have to drive?” he complained.

“Because you are the one being dramatic about our not-having-food-ness. Therefor, you have to drive.”

“You are the worst, you know that?”

He grinned smugly. “Yeah, I know.”

At the checkout aisle in the store, once they had gotten everything that they had needed- “Alfred, no, we don’t need that, put it back.”- Matthew pulled out his wallet to pay, all in cash.

“We really need to start putting our money in the bank. I feel like a criminal that’s on the run paying in cash like that. It’s fucking shifty as hell.”

“Alfie, you are a bartender and I strip. All of our money right now is made from cash tips. Our account balance is at maybe twenty bucks? You’re just going to have to deal with feeling like a criminal for a while until we can both get our paychecks in about two weeks or so.”

“That doesn’t mean I have to like it,” he added under his breath. The brothers grabbed their bags and left the store. “When does your shift start tonight? Ten?”

“I think yours is earlier than mine today. Why?”

“Dunno. Just curious I guess.”

“Now that I think about it, isn’t it kind of weird that we, twin brothers, work at the same club? I mean, wouldn’t normal people think that’s strange?”

Alfred shrugged. “Who knows? But we’re not exactly normal people, are we? We don’t even live apart from each other. Just don’t think about it too much. I don’t!”

“Al, I’m not so sure you think about anything.”

“Shut up, Mattie.”

Alfred drove them back home, and they threw together something quick to eat before they had to depart for their night jobs. While they were eating, they talked about little things like the latest hockey game and whether or not the color red was too bright to have as the color of your bedroom.

They cleaned up, and both got dressed. “I drove to the store so you have to drive to work,” Alfred said, tossing him the keys on the way out.

They were both dressed fairly nicely, but differently, as their roles were different. Alfred had on a blue dress shirt under a black vest, with black dress slacks and a bright blue bowtie. Matthew was wearing a loose-fitting, dark red satin shirt, and similar pants, although his were tighter.

When they got to the club, Alfred led the way inside. At the doors, he paused, hand on the handle. “I’ll never understand how you can do what you do Mattie, and I commend you for it. I really don’t think you get enough respect and recognition for it.”

The comment caught the other off guard, and he tilted his head to the side. “Thanks, Alfie. I appreciate it. But if we don’t hurry we’re going to be late and we’ll have to work over.”

“Right, right,” Alfred turned and hurriedly opened the door. “Then let’s get to work.”

In the club, the neon lights colored their hair the colors of the nightlife, and shone off of their skin brightly. They both immediately went to their stations, working themselves right in along with everyone else smoothly, like they had been there the whole time.

Alfred carded a hand through his neatly styled hair to fuss his bangs, and he flashed his signature smile. He quickly got into the familiar rhythm of bartending; taking requests and filling them with a flamboyant show. He may have a English degree, but this was his true passion. It was raw, it took energy, and it was fun. Plus, it fed is extroverted need to be social.

One of his regulars came in and sat at the bar. He never paid any attention to the dancers like most of the guys that came in, but he never tried hitting on any of the bartenders either.

“Your usual, Arthur?” he asked, sliding a shot glass down the bar to another customer.

Arthur nodded, slumping over the bar and resting his head in his hand. Alfred finished with his drink, straight bourbon, and leaned on his elbows on the bar. “So, what was it today, chief? Homicide, rape victim?”

Arthur sighed. “I don’t know why you always ask me why I come here to drink. It’s never good, and I can only imagine it kills your mood.”

Someone yelled Alfred’s name, so he went back to making drinks while the two talked, just with less theatrics than before. “Yeah, but I don’t do it for me. It feels better to talk to someone about whatever’s eating at ya, isn’t it? So tell me, what’s up?”

“Today, we responded to a domestic abuse report by a man, and when we got there the woman had locked herself in her house with her hostage husband and set the whole thing on fire. It was brutal, and we couldn’t do anything about it.”

“Sounds rough, dude. That sucks.” He slid him another drink, this one a mix of Everclear and lemonade. “Here, this one’s on the house.”

“I don’t need your pity alcohol, Alfred.”

Alfred shrugged nonchalantly, wiping out a mug. “I could charge you for it, if you want me to.”

Arthur muttered something too quiet to hear over the music, but took the glass and tossed it back anyways. “Thanks,” he eventually said. Alfred smiled at him in response.

“Good to know you have some manners after all, Artie.”

“Oh, bugger off of it, Alfred.”

Alfred spared a glance at his brother to check on him, and he noticed the expression on his face; happy and exhausted. He, too, was truly in his element while they were working in the club, and it was here that he could let his colors fly.

“What are you looking at?” Arthur asked, turning to look in the same direction. “Do you have a thing for the blonde or something?”

Alfred chuckled and shook his head. “No, I don’t have a ‘thing’ for him; he’s my brother.”

Arthur’s eyed widened in surprise, and he had to do a double-take. “Your brother? Why do you and your brother work in the same club? Isn’t that weird?”

“Funny you should say that, actually. We don’t think it’s weird, but I guess a lot of people would. I mean, come on, it’s not like I watch his dances or anything. I’m over here bartending, so how would it be weird?”

“You were watching him just now, weren’t you?”

“I was just checking the crowd for creeps. He and I have a trust system going. He makes sure I don’t work myself to death and I make sure he doesn’t get kidnapped or something.” Alfred broke off the conversation, as he was called over by the other bartender for a house-unique display, finished with a flame that fogged the glass.

Instead of sticking behind to continue the conversation, Arthur left his money on the bar and departed. Alfred collected and counted it, and smiled. There was fifty dollars there, and the bill was only fifteen.

[darecruit]

Sneak Peek #3: Open Arms Chapter 16

Second part can be found here.

It's been too long, I know. This chapter is kicking my ass. But here's a long section for you. Finally got some drama and Rachel's dealt her cards. Not sure how Shelby's going to react--any ideas you have are greatly appreciated! Enjoy!

It all started as an initiation rite for the Cheerios. The new recruits were expected to prove themselves worthy of the title and uniform. Cheerios were gods amongst men—superior, powerful, and above all else, ruthless to any not from their realm. So it came as no real surprise that the newbies were tasked with pranking (read: terrorizing) the general student body that very first week of school. There were no guidelines or limitations on what could or should be done, and only one rule—Don’t. Get. Caught.

The better the prank, the more public, the better the reputation for the newcomer. Truly epic escapades may even garner the attention—and favor—of the Cheerios coach, the one and only Sue Sylvester. Sue was vicious. She stalked the halls of the school, leaving a wake of terror and destruction everywhere she went. Her victims were students and faculty alike.

Quinn hated Sue…but she loved cheer. It was quite the conundrum. And what ultimately led her to the slushie machine in the cafeteria. She wanted something that would be quick and relatively harmless, but would offer a high return. As far as she knew, no one else had ever tossed a slushie in another student’s face, and certainly not in front of a packed cafeteria.

She hadn’t set out to slushie Rachel, the girl had just been in the wrong place at the right time. Quinn could still recall the absolute shock, confusion, anger, and finally, abject sorrow that played across Rachel’s face as the icy cherry drink hit her dead on. The girl ran from the cafeteria, laughter and taunts following her down the hall and out of sight. The cherry slushie marked her that day, its stain a permanent smear on her reputation. No amount of Clorox in the world could bleach out the red target Quinn had placed on her back.

Quinn gained her own target that day, drawing the eyes of everyone who was anyone, most notably Sue Sylvester. “I like your zeal, Fabray. You have guts and panache. You remind me of a young Sue Sylvester. You will go far with me, Q, just do exactly as I say and never piss me off. Got it?” Sue had said when she called Quinn to her office immediately following the slushie incident. Quinn had nodded, not knowing what else to say to her coach; she hadn’t appreciated being compared to that witch but knew any favoritism from Sue would serve her well. “Then welcome to the team, Captain,” Sue had said before dismissing her. Quinn had left that office feeling numb. Never had a freshman been made Head Cheerio, yet here Quinn was in that top spot.

The team’s reaction to the news was mixed. Fellow freshmen Santana Lopez and Brittany Pierce, as well as most of the sophomores and even a handful of juniors, were ecstatic at the announcement. For the underclassmen it meant upward mobility—one of their own was cheer captain and that could only improve their own statuses and popularity. For the outlier juniors, it was a buoy, a lifeline—maybe their last and onlychance at a better, more visible spot on the team that could gain them the attention of the scouting coaches and hopefully, a ticket out of Lima, Ohio. The rest of the team—the seniors, majority of the juniors, and a few power-hungry sophomores—were furious. They had all been jostling for prominence and power themselves and Quinn swooped in and stole it from them. Quinn hadn’t even wanted it, but there was nothing she, nor any of the others, could do about it. Sue��s word was law and they all had to accept it, however begrudgingly.

The only one who didn’t accept it was Harper Daniels, a complete bombshell of a sixteen-year-old. She was the worst of the power-starved sophomores, a pretentious, sadistic creature who reveled in her cruelty. She idolized Sue Sylvester and had been Sue’s favorite (until Quinn), and even that hadn’t saved her from incurring the wrath of the woman. Her fall from grace had been brutal, meant as an example for anyone else foolish enough to question the divine genius of their leader. Harper, of course, laid the blame solely on Quinn’s shoulders and dogged the younger girl the entire year, just waiting for her to fail.

Quinn, understanding how precarious her position was and how lethal even a small mistake could be, threw herself headfirst into the role of resident Head Bitch, playing her part exceptionally well. She wasn’t exactly proud of herself for the things she did and said, but she only had to keep the ruse going for the first few weeks until her reputation truly preceded her. After that she had been able to sit back and let the others do most of the dirty work for her, involving herself only every so often to keep her image fresh.

Though, come to think of it, every time Quinn involved herself had also involved…Rachel. Quinn grimaced and looked away from the piercing gaze all but boring into her from across the room. She needed to up her game—not only did she need patience and perseverance, but an apology probably wouldn’t go amiss either. Yeah, she had her work cut out for her if she wanted to make amends—and make friends—with Rachel.

“Yo, Quinn. Hello?” Lexi waved her hand in front of the other blonde’s face, startling her. Hazel eyes met her blue and she raised her brows in question. “Where’d ya go?” she teased.

“Sorry,” Quinn offered with a sheepish expression. “What were you saying?”

“I was saying, it’s awesome you and your sister were invited to the sacred Sunday dinners—means you’re elite. Only other outsider that’s ever been allowed is Sasha Montgomery and that’s because she and Shelby were roommates in college and Sasha’s home life wasn’t that great, you know? So Nana and Pop took her under their wing. She’s honorary now…guess you guys are too. So, dinner the other night went well?”

Quinn’s brow furrowed as she took in her friend’s words—that was a lot of information to take in. First, did that mean Quinn and Frannie were special in Shelby’s eyes…or did she feel pity for the orphaned sisters? Did Quinn even care? If it got her more time around Shelby, did it really matter why? Second, Lexi knew Sasha Montgomery? Had she met her before? Must have, the way she spoke so familiarly. Quinn didn’t know much about Sasha—she wasn’t as popular as Shelby, but famous enough in her own right, she supposed. Still, it would be pretty cool to meet her, if the chance ever arose—one more reason to befriend Rachel.

Shaking her head, Quinn refocused on her friend. “Uh, I don’t know that ‘well’ would describe it,” she said, and went on to explain the evening briefly.

“I think it probably takes Rach a while to warm up. She was a bit shy in front of all of us at first, and we’re family. I’m sure it’s harder for her with you…especially you going to her school. You really didn’t know her before any of this? You must have seen her around school, right?”

Quinn’s eyes flicked to Lexi’s in alarm. Had Rachel told the girl something? She couldn’t have—Lexi would have said something if she had, right? They were friends…but Lexi was Rachel’s cousin. She’d automatically be loyal to Rachel…wouldn’t she? Was she testing Quinn?

Not seeing any sign of distrust or judging on Lexi’s part, Quinn relaxed a bit. Still, she’d have to be cautious. Choosing her words carefully, she said, “No, not really. We aren’t exactly in the same circle, you know?” Not an outright lie, but certainly not the truth either.

“Yeah,” the other blonde agreed. Then she smiled at Quinn. “She’s really cool once you get to know her. She’s just hesitant around new kids…between us, she doesn’t have any friends. School sounds like a hard place for her—she gets picked on a lot. So, it’d be good for her to have someone like you on her side.”

“I’m…not sure she would agree with you,” Quinn revealed, her stomach churning with the unfamiliar sensation of guilt—at least when it came to Rachel.

“Just be patient with her. And I’m here as buffer—I’ll help!” came Lexi’s confident response. Then, spinning towards the kitchen, she called, “Hey Rach!”

Jack chose that exact moment to enter the house through the sliding door in the sunroom, the smell of charcoal wafting in after him. He ruffled Lexi’s hair as he passed, laughing at his daughter’s answering, “Jerk!”

“Brat!” he called over his shoulder, moving into the kitchen. He met his wife’s knowing smirk and winked at her. She rolled her eyes back, but Jack didn’t miss the quirk at the corners of her mouth. “Grill’s ready.”

Shelby gave Rachel’s shoulders a brief squeeze before releasing her hold. “The girls want you,” she said and wasn’t surprised when Rachel turned to stare up at her, eyes pleading. Shelby sighed internally, her frustration at her child’s increasingly anti-social behavior reaching its peak. Was this another case of jealousy on Rachel’s part? If so, the girl needed to learn to get over it. If not…well, Shelby couldn’t even begin to think what it could be. Hoping whatever it was would work itself out, she pushed Rachel forward. “Go on,” she prodded, her hand moving to add its own encouragement to a denim-clad bottom.

Rachel had barely left her mother’s hands than Lexi’s were reaching for her, linking arms with her left on the way to the basement entrance. There Lexi was stopped by Jack asking for help carrying the meat out to the grill. Lexi grinned and pushed Rachel ahead of her. “You and Quinn go, I’ll be there in a sec!” she said as she changed directions. Rachel groaned and came face to face with Quinn. Her eyes then met her mother’s and, cornered, she made the only choice she could: downfall.

Descending the stairs, Rachel wondered if she should have sent Quinn down them first—less chance of her being pushed down them, certainly. She quickened her pace, not liking having her enemy behind her back, and nearly tripped down the last few steps. She turned in time to see the blonde reaching for her out of her peripheral and sidestepped her with a fierce glare.

Quinn sighed and held her hands up in surrender. Here she was just trying to keep the smaller teen from falling on her face, and she gets a death stare for her trouble. Silently scolding herself, her inner voice reminded her to be patient. Getting annoyed with Rachel right off the bat wasn’t going to help anything. Instead, she took a calming breath and tried again; this was her chance to make it right with Rachel, while the two had a moment alone together.

“So, uh…Look, Rach—”

“Don’t call me that!” Rachel hissed.

“What?”

“Rach. Don’t call me that,” Rachel repeated.

“Oh, uh, okay—sorry. I heard everyone call you that and figured—”

“Well don’t. That’s a name reserved for friends and family, and since you are neither,” Rachel trailed off, eyeing the blonde with contempt.

“Jeez, okay. I get it. I was just trying to be nice,” Quinn groused. And she really was trying. Rachel was the one with the attitude, glaring at her with that ‘look at that bitch eating crackers’ expression on her face.

“I didn’t think that was in your repertoire, Quinn,” Rachel sneered.

“Doesn’t seem to be in yours right now either,” Quinn bit back, then let out a groan. Rachel opened her mouth to retort but Quinn spoke up before she could get a word in. “Wait. Look, this isn’t…I-I’m trying to apologize to you here, Rachel. I’m sorry, okay? For everything. I’m sorry. Can’t we…can’t we start over? Bury the hatchet?”

Rachel stared at her incredulously. Bury the hatchet, Rachel seethed. In her back, maybe! “Fuck you!”

Quinn recoiled as if she’d been slapped. Anger flared and her brain flitted through a plethora of nasty responses. Who the hell did Rachel think she was, talking to her that way? Then reality hit her, and with it, ice-cold guilt. “Okay…Okay, I deserve that,” she admitted out loud. “I really am sorry for how I’ve treated you, Rachel.”

“No you aren’t!” Rachel snarled. “I don’t think you’re sorry at all and the only reason you’re pretending to be is so you can get closer to my mom! And if that doesn’t work, you think buddying up to my cousin will. Well fu—uck you, Quinn Fabray! You can take your sorry and shove it up your ass!”

Lexi came down the stairs just in time to hear her cousin yell “fuck you” to Quinn and—what was that about shoving her sorry something up her ass? What the hell did she miss?!

“What the hell, Rachel?!” she exclaimed, shocked and confused by her cousin’s outburst. “Where are you going?” she asked, blocking the other teen’s way. “What’s wrong?”

“Move, Lexi,” Rachel said, trying to sidestep her cousin, only to be blocked again.

“No, what just happened? Why did you tell Quinn to—”

“It’s none of your business, Lexi! Move!” Rachel yelled.

“No! I want to know what made you tell Quinn to eff off just now!” Lexi stood her ground.

“It doesn’t concern you. Now let me go!”

“The hell it doesn’t concern me! Quinn is my friend and—”

“You know nothing—”

“I know that Quinn’s a nice person and she’s been trying her damnedest to get to know you and be friends with you and you’re acting like a bitch to her every time she’s over!” Lexi all but shouted in her cousin’s face. She saw the hurt and betrayed look that crossed Rachel’s face but she didn’t care. She had overheard her aunt telling her mom (while she was en route carrying hamburger patties out for her dad—not eavesdropping) all about Rachel’s behavior toward Quinn at Tuesday’s dinner and the other times this week the girl had been near. She heard Shelby mention her confusion and frustration regarding it and suspicion that it was probably Rachel’s ongoing jealousy behind it. As her aunt gave a quick rundown of family-related instances, Rachel’s moodiness during their own recent hangouts suddenly clicked and made a lot more sense. Now though, Lexi didn’t care why Rachel was jealous, she was just pissed.

“No wonder you don’t have any friends, Rachel, if this is how you treat anyone who tries!” Lexi finished in a rage.

It was Rachel’s turn to stagger; Lexi’s words hit her like a ton of bricks. Hurt quickly turned to red-hot anger. Without pausing to think, Rachel swung her left arm out, hand whizzing through the air to land with a satisfying CRACK! square across her cousin’s face. “Fuck you, Lexi!” she yelled, taking advantage of the other teen’s stunned paralysis and darting around her and up the stairs.

The door opened before she reached it, the heads of several of her family members appearing before her, all with shocked, confused, even angry faces. “WHAT is going on down there?!” Shelby demanded, eyes blazing.

“We heard yelling,” Diane’s voice spoke at the same time Sarah said, “Is Lexi crying?”

Rachel’s heart was pounding with the rush of adrenaline coursing through her body. Her body was a blur as she burst through the throng of adults, ignoring the squawks and shrieks of them calling her name, telling her to stop and come back this instant. She blew past their words and ran, ran as fast as her feet could carry her, through the living room and out the front door. She leapt from the porch stairs, staggering as she landed, still in motion, carrying her forward. Down the sidewalk to the driveway, then the street beyond.

[trashbincandoit-blog]

Lost chapter 4.2

Suga began to laugh and he ended up looking sour: "Euw, no. Sister. So, before you start asking questions I'll do the story. I have a sister, Aiko, saterday she became 18. I didn't see nor call her because I don't even know if she's even alive." He stoped, to breath and stop some tears from falling down. I really wanted to give him a hug. Jimin, who sat next to him, took his hand and patted his back. Suga took a deep breath and continued. "As you maybe know, is it an older brother's duty to take care of his younger sister, I feel like I failed. So I texted her that she could cone to our concert if she wanted. Now, I'll cover the background story. So we grew up as a happy family, she was this little sunshine and ... yeah ... the sun in our lives. She began to dance when she was small and had this gigantic talent, but that wasn't the only thing, she was extremely gifted in school as well in languages as in math. She studdied almost never because she danced full time and when she was or playing the violin or drawing or matirial arts. It was like she had a talent for every single thing she did. She was my parent's pride, she would do everything. I learned really fast she wasn't really happy with the difficult school she was in, she wanted to do something with arts, something creative. But my parents thought diffrently about that. When I heard her crying at night, I went to confort her but she did the same, we had this special thing. Then at one day, she came home with a paper and she said that she was scouted by the military and could directly begin a special education. It was abroud and ahe really wanted to do that, she would have an other curriculum but would be able to keep her hobbies. My parents discussed it and the next day, the paper was signed and she had her permission. She was going to leave at Sunday morning so she arrived in time to get her first lesson on Monday. The rest of the week, she just skipped school and started to say goodbye at everything and everyone. I can still remember we stayed the whole night up that Saturday and her happy face when she left. Shewrote us every week and everytime there was a little card for me alone. We called a lot, but we missed her enormously. The year ended and she came back for the summerholidays in which she would become 13. She had changed so much. It was unbelieveble. Not bad, just, like she was already grown up. That's what you felt while talking to her. She just talked with us about political stuff. But in her was still the sweet, caring, little sunshine she always was. She couldn't tell us about her school, because she was training to become a secret agent. What she did tell us, was that she really liked it and had this tight group of friends. The holidays went well, untill her birthday (August the 28th). She would leave again, until the winter break. We stayed up again all night and what she tolled me was 'Yoongi oppa, I want to tell you because I like you. I'm not coming back anymore. It's done, over. I hate it here, I hate mom and dad. They're like my daughter studies abroud and stuff. Like it's special. I don't want that. I just thought you would like to know. They don't.' We both started crying, but the next morning, she acted like nothing happened. Her last words in the airport were 'follow your dreams'. She was the one who encouraged me to keep rapping and trying. Everytime I feel like giving up I think about here happy face. And where she is now, how she feels. If she would give up, no, because she's the strongest girl I know from her generation." Suga ended. I think we were all crying. He continued, "I would like to thank her during the concert. Like with pictures and video's, if possible and I would then like to ask her if she could come forward if she wanted, if she came. If not, yeah..." He didn't finish his sentence, we understood.

Time skipp brought by my laziness Aiko's P. O. V. I listened in awe to the concert, Yoongi had grown soo much. He was a grown up now, like his band. I really liked it. After the little pause, they stared with 'I need you' and I had this feeling that he was looking at me and singing the song especially for me. I shook my head in disbelieve and when the song ended they all looked at Yoongi. "I would like you to meet my sister, she's the cutest, nicest and coolest sister a brother could whish. Two days ago was her birthday, I whish I could have tolled her that. But I haven't seen or spoken to her since she was 13..." he stopped a little bit, I was blushing and crying at the same time. I loved him so much and missed him so hard. I really wanted to give this man a hug. The audience oohed and awwwed. He continued when it was quiet again. "So this is for her, and when she's here. Aiko! I love you!" A compilation of pictures and videos was playing, and now I was crying uncontrolebly. When it ended, a picture of me stayed. I burried my face in my hands. Yoongi continued: "This is here right now, well, the most recent picture taken. If you have seen her, please tell me. To do that, you should all shut down your bangtan bomb and when you know something enlighten it so a mic can come to you." I looked up and saw all the lights going out exept five of which one not so far away from me. A crew with a mic ran to the first person it was a girl and she said: "Today, I think she helped me carrying my groceries. She saw I had it difficult and didn't hesitate to help. Afterwards, she didn't ask anything in return except she made me promice to have a nice day." I looked at Yoongi, who was now crying aswell. Another woman spoke: "I'm pregnant and when I droped my car keys in the parking lot, she picked them up for me. Without asking anything, and she whished me a happy life with my future child, you have a sweet sister." I blushed even more, but couldn't stop crying, because now Yoongi was also crying ugly. Why was everyone so nice? I didn't deserve this. The man not so far away from me now talked: "I have a broken leg and she helped me up the stairs of the concert hall. She whished me a good concert. I didn't see her coming in after me." Now, I wanted to scream that I was here and fine. I didn't like to see my brother so hurt, luckily were his members super supportive and getting him through this. The last one were the english girls I helped earlier on.

My brother dried his tears, but when he wanted to continue he started all over again. Namjoon jumped in: "So Suga hyung wants now to sing 'born singer' with everyone. And while we are singing, we could guide Suga's dongsaeng (?) to the stage, because we heard she came for her ticket from the crew." The audience agreed and the music started, why this number? Did Yoongi know this was one of my favorites, but I also always cried when I heard this number. I couldn't keep it together, I thought my tears ran our, but no. There were still plenty. They all began to sing, I breathed deeply and stood up. I felt the people around gaze at me, I gave them all a big smile, while the tears were still coming down. I faced the stage and jumped from the balcony down into the court. I love my military training for this. I began to sing with them. All the people around my landing place moved to make a free path to the stage, I couldn't stop crying and then my brother saw me. He looked me in the eyes and I started to run towards him. A/N - and fell on her face. Okay. That's what would happen if it was me, but it isn't so we're fine. I hope you guys liked it and see you next Wednesday. Questions below. And with who would you ship her. I have honestly no idea anymore.

[denimwrites-archive]

Friends? (Part 2)

Prompt: Not a request - I couldn’t just leave it as a cliffhanger, so I continued it. The last part will come out next week.

Fandom: Newsies (2017) - Modern College AU

Pairing: Davey Jacobs X Male Reader

Summary: Jack’s plan for getting you to confess is a little unorthodox, and leads to some new problems, but it’s done with good intentions so can it be that bad? The answer is… probably?

Word Count: 3,107

Warnings: Bars (no alcohol consumption though), food, angst, idk

A/N: I tried to make this just a two parter, but looks like this will be three parts but like I said previously in this fic Jack is bi, Davey is gay, and the reader’s sexuality is left ambiguous. He/him pronouns are used for the reader and I apologize if I don’t write a male reader very well, but I’m trying. Any tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! The plan Jack has is probably not that obvious, but it’ll be better explained in the next (and final) part.

Friends? Series - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

~~~

You were not expecting to see Jack Kelly on your doorstep when you answered the heavy pounding on your door. Furrowing a brow as he pushed past you and into your apartment, you closed the door and waited expectantly for him to spill about his newest scheme. “So, (Y/N), how’s the dating game going for you?”

Rolling your eyes, you turn away from him and head to the kitchen for a snack. There is no way you’re having this conversation with Jack, especially without something to stop yourself from talking. You hear him follow behind you and you grab some chips before turning back to the artist with a dead expression on your face.

He gives you a look, which you don’t acknowledge and he shrugs before continuing. “I was just thinkin’ that maybe if you got yourself somebody then I wouldn’t have to keep setting up people on blind dates. There’s only so many people I can introduce my friends to, y’know?” he lets out a light chuckle and you just raise your eyebrow at him incredulously.

“Well then, Mr. Love Guru, what was your idea? Set me up on a dating website?” Laughing at the idea of it, you take a bite of chips. However you almost choke on those chips when Jack just sheepishly smiles and shrugs his shoulders. Swallowing thickly, you immediately start to protest. “No. No way in hell, Kelly. I don’t have time to deal with all the shitheads who are on the internet. I have school, and work, and too much stuff to focus on my love life.”

“That’s the beauty of my plan!” Jack says, holding up a placating hand. “I would check it out for you. You would only have to fill out the profile and I’d set up everything. If you match with someone I can scope ‘em out and see if they’re who they say, then bring you on the double date. If you don’t like ‘em then it’s no harm no foul or whatever the stupid saying is.”

He’s looking at you imploringly and you take a deep breath, considering it. It is different than all the other times people have tried to get you to try online dating. And you know that Jack’s probably desperate enough to find you an actually pleasant date. You bob your head thinking about the possible outcomes, Jack looking at you expectantly.

Finally, you let out a sigh and nod your head. Jack pumps the air with his fist in triumph, but you hold up a hand and he pauses. “One condition: I am allowed to back out of pre-planned double dates if school or work comes up.” You see Jack start to protest, but you level him with a look and he sighs in defeat.

Sticking out a hand to shake, he grasps your hand firmly and pumps it a few times, face serious, and the deal is made. Jack’s smile immediately returns and he then moves to your couch where you left your laptop and pulls up the website. Fortunately it was free, so you at least wouldn’t waste any money if this venture didn’t work out.

You spend the next half an hour filling out the different boxes with information. By the end of it you’re really tired of talking about yourself and your ‘ideal’ partner. Jack knows your login information, but you trust him not to do anything too stupid. He leaves with a promise to only use this information for good, and you make sure he keeps that promise with a threat to expose his amazing singing voice.

His face paled and you knew he would definitely behave himself now. You always pulled that card when you needed Jack to be serious. Everyone always bugs him since he’s an artist, but if they knew how well he could sing too, he would be tortured with requests and people asking for proof and such.

Finding yourself alone in your apartment once again, you decide to try and get some homework done before your shift in two hours. Making more progress than you thought possible, you head to work content that you can somewhat relax when you get back to your apartment.

The next few days go by without much difference, class is boring, and work isn’t better, but life continues on. Until you get a text from Jack saying he might have found someone for you. ‘I’m meeting them at the bar two blocks down if you want to come spy and see how they look’ he texts you. Checking the clock, you see it’s about seven and that you could just scout them out and be home at a reasonable hour.

‘Be there in a few��� you reply, before grabbing a jacket and making your way down the street. Your mind wanders to who they could be. Sure you trusted Jack’s judgement, but that didn’t mean you were any less nervous. Stepping through the door, you see that the bar is pretty well packed, but not completely crowded.

You scan the room, but don’t spot Jack. You quickly decide to take one of the few open seats at the bar instead of possibly drawing unwanted attention. You order some water, not really in the mood for alcohol, and try looking for Jack again.

Still unable to find him, you slowly sip on your water and scroll through your phone. Sending Jack a quick text of, ‘I’m here, where are you?’ but not getting any response, you let out a sigh and start to get up, leaving the bartender a tip for their time.

However, your attempt to leave is foiled when you bump into a very solid mass. Taking in the person in front of you, you’re struck speechless for a second at their sheer radiance. They smile and you can feel your cheeks heat up and you stutter out an apology. They apologize too and then you’re both just standing there looking at each other.

They clear their throat, breaking you out of your daze. “I’m Devin,” they say, sticking out a hand.

“(Y/N),” you reply, shaking their hand. “Um…” you trail off, unsure what to do. The same thought seems to be going through their head as they glance over to the bar and then back at you. They take in the fact that you seemed to be leaving and go with it.

“Do you want to go on a walk?” they ask, gesturing towards the door. You contemplate it and decide that it’s still early enough that people would still be walking down the street and would see you. Giving a small nod, you both make your way towards the door.

After you step out into the evening air though, you spot a familiar face making their way towards you. “Oh, hey, Davey!” you say. He glances up to you and seems to freeze when he sees the person next to you.

“O-oh. Hey, (Y/N)! How are you?” he asks, obviously nervous.

“I’m alright. Are you okay? Is Jack trying to set you up too?” At the mention of Jack, Davey seems to pale but he plays it off with a crooked smile.

“Uh, yeah, y’know Jack. I was just about to go meet them. My ‘date’. In there.” He gestures towards the bar. “Guess I should head in then. Um… Have a good night.” And then he disappears inside. You give a small wave after him before turning back to Devin.

“Shall we?” they ask, offering you an arm. You gently take it and follow their lead as they head in the direction of the nearby park. They start the conversation with easy topics, but then you discover your similar taste in music and you both light up and eagerly chat. Time flies and soon enough it’s heading towards eleven o’clock and you are the last people in the park.

Deciding you should probably get home you start to say your goodbyes, but Devin gives you their number and so you give yours as well. Waving goodbye, a smile stays on your face well into the next morning.

When you see Davey in class you ask him how his date went. At first you’re met with a confused stare, but then it comes back to him. Davey lies and says it was alright, but they didn’t really hit it off in just the right way. Nodding your head in understanding, you don’t notice his sigh of relief when you don’t prod further.

“So, how was yours? That person seemed nice.” You can’t fight the smile that makes its way to your face again and you eagerly tell him about your awesome conversation. You talk until class starts, but you notice how Davey kind of deflates more as the class goes on.

“Are you okay? You don’t look so good.” He brushes you off saying he was just tired before leaving and heading straight to his next class, rather than talk with you like he normally does. You worry for a little bit, but ultimately decide to just let it go. If he wasn’t feeling the best, bugging him about it wouldn’t help any. Plus you could always have another movie night to help him feel better.

And that’s exactly what you did. That Saturday you invited him over for a marathon and you provided snacks and ice cream. Davey seemed happier when you invited him over and you could see him relax more and more as the night wore on. Soon enough his eyes started to get heavy and then he was leaning on you.

Well isn’t this ironic, you thought as you realize this is the reverse of what happened last time. Davey shifts and ends up with his head on your lap. At least he didn’t wake up like I did, you chuckle to yourself. The movie continues to play and you find yourself absentmindedly running your hand through Davey’s hair. His breathing gets deeper and you know that he’s fast asleep.

Letting out a sigh, you can’t help but wish this was a more common occurrence. The rhythm of his deep breathing soon lulls you to sleep and the next thing you know your neck is screaming in pain. Groaning you attempt to move it and hiss as it burns slightly before your muscles loosen up. Blearily wiping your eyes you look around before focusing on the weight in your lap.

You see that Davey is still resting in your lap, blissfully unaware of neck pain. You glance at the clock to see that it wasn’t too early in the morning. Ruffling Davey’s hair he lets out a little whine before snuggling into you, causing you to freeze and focus on anything other than his proximity.

Then you hear him mumble something. Furrowing your brow you try to concentrate on what he’s saying. However, when you realize what he’s saying you have to try and contain your laughter. Well now we’re even on the whole weird dream business, you think as Davey continues to mutter about a hippo following him.

“Go away, Huntington. No one needs your celery.” And with that you can’t hold in your chuckles. Your shaking body wakes Davey up slightly, but he lifts his head to look at the time before letting out a grumble and attempts to go back to sleep, still on your lap.

“Davey,” you whisper. He groans in response. “I’ll make you coffee if you let me up.”

Your proposal is met with silence until you try to get up on your own. “Noooo,” Davey whines and wraps an arm awkwardly around your leg. Rolling your eyes at him, you remain in place. Good thing neither of us has work today.

Another hour goes by and you’re lightly dozing again when you feel Davey stir. This time when he looks at the clock, he actually gets up, and tries not to disturb you as he makes his way to the kitchen for coffee. He gets everything ready and looks through your cupboards for some actual food before settling on some plain cereal to snack on.

Davey can’t help but look back at you still asleep on the couch with a smile on his face. Sure he still hadn’t confessed his feelings to you yet, and been caught totally off guard when he saw you with that person at the bar, but he actually felt hopeful about getting it off of his chest soon. And he was almost confident that you felt the same way. Or at least, he did until you decided to answer your phone.

You groaned as your phone went off, pulling you from your slumber. Rubbing your eyes and checking the number, you answered with a gruff, “Hello?” voice thick with sleep. “Oh, hey, Devin.” You yawned. “How are you?” … Checking the clock you saw that it was around ten in the morning, “Uh… Yeah sure. I could use some food. Meet you at Hawkins’ Diner in ten?” … “See you then. Bye.”

Davey felt as if he had been socked in the gut, but plastered a smile on his face when you made your way to the kitchen. Taking a quick sip of the coffee he handed you, you gave Davey a pat on the back. “Thanks, man. I gotta get ready, but I promise to grab you a slice of the blueberry pie you love so much.”

“No problem,” he replied as you headed to your room to change. You didn’t see the way his face fell, and Dave didn’t see the way you heaved in a hard breath. Devin was a nice person, one that you knew had an interest in you. Rather than possibly ruin your friendship with Davey, one of the best humans on the planet, you had decided to try and forge on with new possible relationships despite the pain at doing so.

When you were ready to go, you gave Davey a hug and invited him to stay for as long as he wanted, then headed out the door. After you were gone he let out a frustrated groan and threw himself back onto the couch, cereal and coffee long forgotten. Dave decided that he had someone to blame for this turn of events, and he wasn’t going to let them off easy.

Dialling Jack’s number, Davey hyped himself up to give him a real talking to over his “brilliant plan”. But of course, Jack didn’t pick up. Leaving a short and sweet voicemail of, “Great idea for getting (Y/N) and I together Jack. Right now he’s off getting breakfast with someone he met at the bar the other night. I guess there are no second chances.”

What Davey didn’t know however, was that over the course of breakfast with Devin you realized that you didn’t have that spark. The ‘wow how did I live without you’ type feeling that you had when you looked at a certain someone else. Bringing it up gently, Devin felt the same way, but you two made plans to go see a movie that Wednesday, as friends.

Grabbing a slice of pie to go, and waving goodbye to Devin, you made your way back to your apartment. Seeing Davey lying facedown on the couch, you put the pie on the counter and put away the leftover cereal and coffee. He must have heard you moving around the kitchen though, since he gets up and grabs his jacket in quite the hurry.

Saying a quick goodbye, he leaves the pie on the counter and he’s gone. You realize he left it, and send him a quick text saying you’ll drop it off at his place later. After some time doing random stuff around your apartment, you make your way to his apartment, pie in hand.

As you knock on the door, you bounce on the balls of your feet, trying to let out some nervous energy. You’re surprised to see Jack answer the door, and immediately become suspicious of his too-wide grin and Davey’s frozen look of shock. It’s obvious that they were talking about something important. Raising a brow at them, you lift the pie as an explanation and Jack motions you in.

Putting the pie in the fridge, you turn back to the two to see them having a conversation with their eyes. “Well, I just came by to give Davey the pie I promised him. I’m going to head to the grocery store, then home. See you guys later.”

But as you turn to leave, Jack places a hand on your shoulder, rotating you back around. “Aw, c’mon (Y/N), the night’s still young! Why not head out with ol’ Davey and me? We’ll have a grand old time.”

“The night’s still young because the sun’s still up, Jack. What’re we going to do, go out to a bar in the afternoon? We’re not that desperate for things to do,” Davey says, making a good point. Giving Jack a look, you and Davey are able to convince him to do something other than drink. Surprising the two of you though, Jack immediately comes up with a backup plan that interests all of you: the art museum in town.

Jack gets you a ride and leads you two on an all encompassing tour since he interned there last spring. You discuss the different pieces and soon enough it’s closing time and you have to leave. As you’re walking down the steps, Jack says he has a date with Katherine, and splits off without much hesitation.

You offer to share a ride with Davey and you sit in content silence as you make your way to your respective homes. Dave is dropped off first and you wave as he walks inside. Settling back in the car’s seats and letting out a heavy sigh you can’t help but feel like you’re back to square one.

“Your boyfriend seems nice,” your driver pulls you from your thoughts. Cheeks heating up at the thought you stutter out that you’re only friends. “Oh, well you two would make a cute couple, but that’s just my two cents.”

Mind racing as you enter your apartment, the driver’s words echoing in your head. Maybe you should try to tell Davey how you feel? But then what would happen to your relationship if it didn’t work out, or if he didn’t feel the same at all?

Sleep that night is fitful for you and Davey, but Jack is already planning another attempt to get you two together, and this time it was bound to work.

[jen-kellen]

Elerium Brunette (3/4)

Two of the Council’s top agents are sent to Prague to recover a List of all known agents operating in the region. It’s not as simple and straightforward a mission as either hopes it would be

Read it (and maybe leave a comment) on Ao3 HERE.

Důvĕra 

They manage to fall into an easy and somewhat convincing routine. John waits in the hallway in the morning for her to be ready, and once she emerges Tatiana loops her arm around his and leads him throughout the city. She makes initial contact with their targets, passes them off to him once the conversation is in English, and when they inevitably get no information they do a bit of sightseeing. 

It takes nearly a week, but eventually they catch a break. Dvorak would be hosting a party in his own home. All they needed to do was forge an invitation, mingle long enough to find the watch, and escape before they were noticed.

It shouldn’t be a problem for two of the Council’s best spies, supposedly.

Tatiana fiddles almost nervously with his fingers on the table and continues to scribble out some notes on a bit of paper. In such a crowded cafe, no one would have paid any mind if they stopped touching each other, but neither of them made any move to stop.

“So we’re certainly “invited” to this party?” she asks, glancing up from her notes just enough to raise an eyebrow at him.

“Yes. It’s not my first time forging documents. I’ve got everything ready.”

“Everything?” she asks. “Even something suitable to wear?”

He suppresses rolls his eyes. “I have a suit, yes.” He looks at her for a moment, realization dawning on him. “You don’t have a dress, do you?”

Her pen stops its scribbling so she can look up at him with a flat glare. “I don’t, alright? But I have a plan. I just needed to know if I needed to get you something to wear, too.”

John twists his hand around to squeeze her fingers gently. “You can approve my suit, if you must. As for you dress, tell me what you need me to and I’ll help,” he assures with a smile.

Without hesitation, she stows her things into her bag and stands. “We should head out, then. Stop by the hotel first to grab your suit, then we’ll sort out my dress,” she says.

“It’s barely two, though. Do you really need that much time to get ready?”

“I don’t.”

She doesn’t offer any more of an explanation before pulling him out of the cafe.

Tatiana is noticeably antsy as they climb the stairs, not anything at all like the person he'd grown so accustomed to spending his time with. She knocks on the door and squeezes his hand, more so to assure herself than anything else.

After a moment, the door is thrown open to reveal a woman about half a foot shorter than Tatiana but strikingly similar in appearance.

“Tanička!” she shouts, throwing her arms around her.

Tatiana drops his hand to wrap her arms around her as well. The two women speak briefly in Czech before finally they separate and are allowed in.

“John, this is my sister, Lydie. Lydie, John,” she introduces quickly.

“Nice to meet you.” Lydie offers her hand, and he shakes it. He shoots a worried glance at Tatiana as she turns to grab something.

“You brought your sister into this?” he asks lowly.

“She doesn’t know anything other than that I need a dress and some makeup done,” she shoots back quickly. By the time her sister turns around again, she’s smiling once more.

“Make yourself comfortable, John. I will have Tanička ready soon,” Lydie says, gesturing to the sofa. Without waiting to see what he does, she grabs her sister’s arm and all but drags her away down a hallway.

Lydie appears first after an hour and a half. She walks around the sofa, practically bouncing on her feet to grab his hand and drag him up. For being so much smaller than her sister, she is no less strong as she’s easily able to pull him down hallway and ready him in front of a door. She knocks, then steps aside, hands over her mouth to hide a wide grin.

If he had not seen her enter the same door earlier, he would not have been able to guess that the woman that opened the door was Tatiana at first glance. Most of her outfits around town had included skirts and low heeled shoes, yes, but he has never seen her in something like this. She is wearing a deep green floor length dress, high heels, and her hair and makeup had been done beautifully.

“You look… nice,” he says after an embarrassingly long moment.

Lydie smothers a snicker.

“Thank Lydie for that,” she replies quickly. She shifts uncomfortably on her feet and steps forward to wrap an arm around his own. She grips his arm tightly, like she was afraid of falling.

On a second look, she was still obviously Tatiana. Something had always seemed off-kilter about her and this just exacerbated the problem. Dresses made her uncomfortable in her own skin.

“You two look so cute together!” Lydie squeals. “I’m sure you’ll be the talk of the party.”

She leans against him and chuckles. “You know I’d rather keep a low profile.”

“Of course, of course. Still, you two are gorgeous. I won’t hold you any longer.” With that Lydie escorts them back down to their car, giving them both hugs before watching them drive off.

Silence fills the car for a few minutes, neither of them knowing what to say.

“I didn’t know you had family here,” John says at last, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. One leg sticks out of the slit in the dress so she can affix a knife to her leg with ease. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Preparing,” she answers flatly. She adjusts the knives once more, then switches legs to strap another knife on. Once she’s done, she adjusts her dress so it covers her legs once more. From the corner of his eye, he can see her hesitate, considering her answer to his initial question. “I’m half Czech,” she admits softly. “I grew up not far from here. Most of my family moved back before ADVENT took over.

“Oh. That explains a bit,” he says. Like why the Council had been so afraid of her abandoning them, he thinks. “I take it you have more than just work reasons to dislike ADVENT, then.”

“I despise them with every bone in my body,” she answers. There’s a glint in her eye that speaks to years of secrets and anger and blood. “I’d do anything to destroy them, to stop them from taking over the entire world.”

“You seem like you could do it.”

“But do you trust me enough to do it without destroying everyone else at the same time?” She shoots him a faint smile.

He doesn’t hesitate. “I trust you.”

Her smile grows. “Lets hope it stays that way.”

“Mr. Becker and Ms. Novotna,” the man at the entrance to the mansion says. He looks up from the card and inspects them carefully.

They both smile at the man and Tatiana presses herself a little more firmly into John’s side.

“How do you know Mr. Dvorak, Mr. Becker?”

“We were good friends in University, though we have only recently reconnected,” John explains.

Tatiana tries not to laugh at his mock German accent.

The man glares at them, but reluctantly lets them in. As soon as they are inside and out of range, they sigh in relief but don’t put any additional space between them.

“One hurdle down,” she murmurs.

“Now just to see if we can find this watch.”

They wander into the party hand in hand and begin to mingle. Fortunately, no one seems to question their relationship to the host. To Tatiana’s shame, though, many do compliment their appearance, including a few partygoers they recognize as ADVENT agents.

She tries not to fret too much as John leaves her side mid-conversation and instead focus on the guests she was speaking with, as well as keep one eye on Mr Dvorak. John reappears a few minutes later, a glass of champagne in each hand. He offers one to her and leans in to press a kiss to her cheek.

“It’s not beer, but it’s all they have. You looked like you needed something to loosen up,” he whispers before stepping back.

She smiles genuinely at him and takes the glass. “Thanks.” She takes a sip, then turns back to the other guests and smiles. She says something to them in Czech, then grabs his arm and draws him away from the group.

“He’s not wearing the watch,” she says before downing half of her glass in a single gulp.

“You’re sure?”

She nods and gestures at him so he can turn in time to see him shake an ADVENT agent’s hand. His wrist is bare.

“It must be upstairs somewhere, since it’s all blocked off.”

“We just have to find it before ADVENT does.”

They both take a moment to drink. John sets his glass aside, then takes her glass and sets it aside as well. “Let’s go,” he murmurs. He grabs her hand and quickly leads her up the nearest set of stairs while no one’s looking.

Many of the rooms upstairs are unlocked, but when they open the doors they are also mostly barren, filled with only the least amount of furniture. They each take a side of the hallway and quietly break into the rooms, but come back empty handed each time. At the end of the hall, just around the corner do they finally run into a locked room. John tries to force the door open, but it doesn’t budge.

“Here, let me,” Tatiana whispers hurriedly. She tugs two pins out of her hair and straightens them out. “Just keep guard for me.”

He nods and steps aside, one hand falling to the knife on his belt. “How’d you learn to pick locks?” he asks, glancing down at her.

She pauses in her work just long enough to smirk up at him. “Not all of your fellow spies were boy scouts back in the day. Most of my teachers called me a delinquent,” she teases.

“Everyone’s got their skills,” he muses. He hears footsteps and cautiously peeks around the corner to see a handful of ADVENT agents quickly approaching their position. “You should hurry your skills up, we’re about to have company.”

“I’m working on it!”

John draws his knife and prepares himself to hold off the other agents for as long as possible. The moment the first one appears around the corner, he socks him in the face and drives the knife into his gut. He throws him back into the next agent, forcing them both to stumble back.

The third agent to run in is a woman who manages to grab the wrist of the hand holding the knife before he can slash, wrenching it to the side, ineffectively. He goes to throw another punch, only to have that hand grabbed, too. They grapple for a few moments, the woman managing to spin them around enough for the last ADVENT agent to grab him from behind.

“Tanya!”

“Give me a second!”

John kicks the woman off of him and she fortunately does not have enough of a grip on him to take the knife out of his grasp. He brings it down and cuts into whatever he can of the man holding him. It’s not enough to get him to let go, however.

They spin around again so he’s facing the first two agents again. The one he’d stabbed was still tending to his wound, but the second steps forward and punches him in the face a couple times.

Something hits the man holding him, forcing him to release John. It gives him enough of an opening to kick away the agent punching him. He looks over his shoulder to see Tatiana beating the shit out of the man who was holding him with one of her heels.

She pins him down against the floor with her free hand fisted in his shirt and one knee on his chest. Tatiana beats his face repeatedly with her heel until the tip of it is covered in blood. Once the agent has been visibly knocked unconscious, she hits him once more, then stands up, kicking her other shoe aside as well.

Before anyone else can get the jump on her, she reaches under the hem of her dress and draws one of her knives. Just in time, as the woman grabs a fistful of her hair and drags her backwards into the wall, slamming her against it. Tatiana grabs at the hand in her hair and swings with the knife, feeling it just clipping the other woman’s side.

John throws the already stabbed man into her, both ADVENT agents dropping into a pile at the doorway they’d worked so hard on opening.

“Fuck,” Tatiana groans, rubbing at the back of her head briefly. She looks up and sees John choking the last of the agents in the hallway, so she forces herself to her feet and darts into the room.

She tackles the man just as the two are standing up again, getting an arm around his neck and dragging him off to the side. She plunges the knife into his leg to prevent him from fighting back and squeezes at his neck to choke him. The woman punches her in the face, forcing her to release him, though. The man stumbles back towards the doorway, coughing.

The woman grabs Tatiana again, throwing her into a table and knocking all of the items off of the top of it. Before she can stand again, the agent is on top of her. She manages to get two punches in on her face before she can grab one of her wrists and try to fend her off.

Out of the corner of her eye, Tatiana sees John enter the room and immediately punch the last man, though the woman manages to punch her again before she can see if he’s knocked out or not.

With the strength she has left, she manages to roll the two of them over, pinning the woman to the floor and getting a punch in herself. Something changes as she recovers from the punch though, and suddenly a foot connects with Tatiana’s gut. With her newfound freedom, the woman scrambles to the side and from the wreckage of the office plucks out a shining gold watch.

Tatiana quickly draws her second knife and digs it into the woman’s shoulder blade. She gets an arm around the woman’s middle then slashes at the hand holding the watch, forcing her to drop it. The woman elbows her in the face, but Tatiana resists releasing her and instead forces her to fall back with her.

Only once her back is firmly against the ground does Tatiana release her grip on the woman, allowing her to push herself up just enough. Once she has the space, she plants her feet on the woman’s chest and kicks back hard, throwing her practically halfway across the room with a single move. She quickly gets up and punches the woman hard in the head to knock her out.

Before looking to see if there was anyone else about to attack, she turns and swipes the watch off the floor. After a quick but careful examination, she determines it to be the List.

“I have it,” she says, groaning. She turns to look at John, who is dragging the bodies of the two agents in the hallway into the room.

“Good,” he says, dropping the last one in a heap. He grins at her something fierce and burning. “Let’s get out of here before these lot wake up again.”

The lock the door behind them with the ADVENT agents inside, buying them just a sliver of time should they wake up anytime soon. Tatiana pauses only long enough to shove her shoes back on, not caring that one was bloodied.

“Can you climb out a window in those?” he asks lowly as they head down the hallway once more. He glances pointedly at her shoes.

“It wouldn’t be the first time-”

She is cut off suddenly by John pressing her against the wall and kissing her. He brings one hand up to cradle her face, stinging a bit as it covers some freshly forming bruises. His other hand rests on her hip and he pins her to the wall with his entire body.

He is a surprisingly good kisser, she thinks.

After a moment, she hears footsteps and quickly slides the watch into his pocket. She does not remove her hand, and brings her other up to wrap around the back of his neck.

“Excuse me!” a woman says.

They jump apart, acting the part of embarrassed.

“You aren’t supposed to be up here,” the woman says.

“Yes, ma’am, sorry,” John says. “We’ll be right down.”

She eyes them warily, but does not make any disparaging comments. Instead, she turns and stalks back off towards the main party.

The moment she is out of earshot, they both sigh in relief.

“Sorry about that,” he says quickly, stepping back from her fully.

“Don’t worry about it, shit happens. Now let’s go.”

She grabs his arm and practically drags him back to the window they’d scoped out earlier. He pries it open quickly and helps her go through first, making sure she made it to the ground safely before climbing down himself.

They all but run back to their car, and the moment they shut the doors behind them they take off back to the relative safety of their hotel.

“I can’t believe that worked,” Tatiana laughs, pressing herself against John as they climb the stairs back to their rooms.

His arm works its way around her back and his hand settles on her hip, helping to hold her closer. “I’m pretty sure you killed that one with your heel. I didn’t know that was even possible,” he laughs.

“You’ve got to be more creative when you don’t have pockets to store all your cool gadgets,” she retorts, giving him a playful nudge.

“Does being creative only apply to ways to kill people?”

The question takes her aback as they pause between their doors. It’s either the exhaustion or the adrenaline from the fight encouraging bad decisions, but she can’t help but to think about how soft his lips were when they kissed.

“It definitely applies to more than that,” she says at last.

She grabs the front of his jacket and pulls him into a kiss full of hunger and passion. Their hands quickly tangle themselves in hair and fabric, and she presses him hard into the door of his room.

At some point, he manages to get the lock open allowing them to stumble inside without putting any space between them. The moment the door is closed again, she pushes him down onto the bed, lording herself over him.

Her hubris is quickly taken advantage of, and before she knows it she is on her back with his mouth on her neck, and her mind goes blank.