#everyone else has straight hair or is a white guy w/ short hair

[hollyhomburg]

Before I Leave You (Pt.63)

(Sneak Peak) (Omegaverse au, Mafia au, Bts x Reader)

Summary: You never thought that just cuddling with Hobi on a cold day could lead to this; his pants off and you begging "Daisy please-"

Tags: fluff, a little hurt but mostly just comfort, First times, soft cuddle sex, unintentional mutual somnophilia, knotting, scenting, under clarified limits, small triggers after sex, small references to past abusive relationships, love confessions.

W/c: 12.1k

A/n: thank you guys for being patient for this next chapter :) it's one of my favorites so please give it lots of love when it comes out!

Previous part ~ Masterlist

~-~

Chapter 63: Fizz and Burn (Sneak Peak)  

The light comes through the windows all honey yellow, turning the bookshelves that Yoongi made gold instead of white. Turns the tops of Hobi’s hair a little red too. The brown turning to a rainbow of ocher in the sunlight.

"Go back to sleep." You hum, already half there. He pulls you a little on top of him, holding you with a firmness usually reserved for too large packages and the tenderness reserved for very fragile very precious things. It makes your whole body feel tingly at the edges, the way it does when you come inside from a rainstorm. All dry and taken care of.

“Thanks for not leaving the nest when everyone else did,” you think he might be asleep for how long it takes him to answer. But everything in the last 24 hours has left you feeling like you don’t want to be alone, that you can’t be left by yourself.

He breathes up and it presses against your stomach. “Didn’t want to go. Wanna stay in the nest with you.” He murmurs, “Is that okay?”

Your hand finds his arm and you use it to tug yourself closer, getting your forehead against his shoulder, the headphones slipping from your ear.

“Yeah. It’s always okay.”

You shut your eyes and Hobi tucks your hair behind your ear and puts the headphones back in.

The next time you wake it’s because noodle is licking at your forehead, grooming you, and you hear the shutter sound of Hobi’s camera, his small giggle. You swat at noodles face and he bats at you a little before settling on the small of your back, fighting Hobi for necessary real-estate and howling when he pushes him off. “Nu, be quiet,”

Hobi’s hushed words are answered with a equally quiet meow that sends you straight off to dreamland.

The next time you wake is not so innocent.

You’re a little too close, cuddling with Hobi in a way that you might with Yoongi, with Namjoon, with Jungkook. All warm and snug hot. Bodies and dreams tangled so thuroughtly it's hard to tell where dreamy wants begin and fragile delights end.

You’re warm at your front from Hobi and warm on your back from the sunshine streaming through the window. Warm all the way through. Until he moves his hand and you realize that’s from him too. His fingers splayed over your spine.

You think you can be forgiven for confusing them. Hoseok and sunlight are one in the same.

The apex of your thigh is pressed tight to his hip just where his thigh starts. Your leg hitched over his hip and tight to it. The fabric of his sweatpants and the fabric of your pajama shorts are all bunched up from your movements. Your knee bent at a comfortable angle. His scent is heady in your nose, pressed to the low tugged collar of his shirt just over his heart.

As close as you can be but still not enough.

You don't even realize your hips are moving, sleepily grinding against his thigh until it's too late and Hobi grabs your hips and groans.

Coming Saturday November 18th at 5pm EST (Time Zone Adjustments Below)

[thisisme16]

Introducing My OCs

Okay wowzers this is the big one for me. Like I mentioned in the previous post, my stories mainly consist of my OCs interacting with the worlds and characters of my fandoms. However, any reader of this blog needs to know who my OCs are! (For science if nothing else.) I have 5 main OCs that I use almost all of the time. So, here we go! TLDR: Actually I can't really help you. Just read it all or don't. I don't know how to put things under Keep Reading. Sorry!

First things first! All of my OCs were Pokemon once upon a time but depending on what story I put them in they can change into humans, aliens, etc. So most of them have their cannon Pokemon Names as well as Human names.

Charizard ("Charlie") - This is my oldest, most fondest OC and the one my main blog is named for. He/him, young adult age, bisexual. He is a Charizard with emerald green eyes that almost shine and a scar over his right eye. As a human, he has these same features, as well as orange red hair. A lot of the times he's my protagonist. He's a good, modest, brave guy that usually tries to do the right thing. He always puts others first, often to his own determent. He likes singing, acting, games and has a taste for occult themes.

Mewtwo ("Matthew") - This character started as just the anime's Mewtwo, but evolved to become his own character over time. He/him, young adult age, straight but often shows signs he's a bit on the asexual spectrum. He has grey eyes as a Mewtwo and a human. But as a human he has very pale white skin and black hair. Mewtwo is the mature voice of reason in the group. He pretty reserved around strangers but warms up more around his friends and family. He can seem cold, but he just keeps his emotions close. He academically inclined and likes to read and play video games.

Jessica ("Jessica") - While some folks may think Charizard is my self-insert, he is actually not. This is my semi-self insert. While she does exhibit a lot of my traits, there are differences between us as well. (But those details are for me to know.) She/her, young adult age, straight/demisexual. As a Pokemon, she is a Grovyle. As a human she is a skinny female with dark brown eyes and long red hair (may change it to green some day, but who knows). She tends to be the sisterly figure of the group takes care of everyone. She also has a lot of problems with low self-esteem. She's a big gamer but also has a passion for stories and writing. (Hmm now why does that seem familiar, lol.)

Jirachi ("Jericho") - The first half of my comic relief duo. He/him, young adult age, straight. As a human, he is very short. He also has short blonde hair and blue eyes. He is a very cheerful guy that likes to make people laugh, but also has a bit of a philosophical side. His two main passions are cooking and backyard astronomy. But he loves to game too.

Deoxys ("Daniel") - The second half of the comedic duo. (I don't know how many people had read "The Misadventures of Jirachi and Deoxys" back in the day, but the two were originally inspried from those fanfictions. Obviously the characters evolved into their own eventually, same as Mewtwo, but I needed to pay homage to the original.) He/him, young adult age, pansexual. As a human, Deoxys has longer dark brown hair and brown eyes. He is very energetic. Almost manic at times, but he has a good heart. He's a big gamer and spends a lot of time looking out for his friends.

And there we have it! My hope is too introduce their backgrounds and my personal head cannons about them bit by bit as time goes on. I included their sexualities because romance plays a huge part in pretty much anything I write. I have lots of other characters in my vault too, but they will show up when they feel like it. :)

It may not seem like much, but putting these characters on the internet is a very big deal to me since I kept them close for so long. I hope they are welcomed with open arms, and I hope readers will have fun learning more about them over time!

[hoyatype]

does anyone else feel insane when they come across women/shaving/feminism discourse? in particular, when any assertion that having to shave one’s legs, pubic hair, etc is an unnecessary beauty standard and women should be FREE of this (my position btw)—

is immediately met w at least one woman saying: no, but i like it and i do it for me. statements like this don’t account for my particular situation where it’s not oppressive, it’s actually joyful! and i’m like…congratulations, you took a systemic analysis and narrowed it to your individual experience in an attempt to delegitimize it…thanks? it’s also deeply suspect that there are just so many women who have all independently and individually articulated a personal preference that conforms to what is normatively encouraged…starts to feel more like an enforced preference than an autonomously chosen one…

oh—and sometimes obscurely urgent reasons (it’s for sensory reasons and deeply important for this person’s neuroatypical existence) are brought into the discussion. i am sure this is sometimes true. but in many cases i also think people are uncomfortable with really facing their personal preferences and realizing that they’re not in alignment with their political inclinations, or uncomfortable having to own up to: well, i don’t have a defensible reason for this! so very often i suspect people are trying to invoke a Good reason that can elide critique…bc it’s uncomfortable to be questioned and reassuring to have a defense that forces people to drop any further questioning…

i genuinely would rather people be honest w themselves and say: i am doing this because i’m afraid of being socially and romantically and sexually penalized. it would feel more candid than having to obscure these behaviors as a personal preference.

and then we could have a real conversation about whether not shaving means that they won’t get the love they want.

personally: i’m not hardcore about this, i shave my legs when i wear shorts and skirts in the summer, but i just don’t agonize about my hair growing out a bit. it’s leg hair, everyone has it! and i’ve never ever ever shaved my pubic hair (sorry to burden anyone following me w this knowledge…) and i really haven’t had issues w this in multiple encounters and relationships with straight men. i am positive it DOES disqualify me for some straight men, but i don’t want to make a good impression on everyone, just an accurate impression of who i am and what my preferences and beliefs are. those guys are free to date women who are committed to spending $$$/month on waxing…i will never be that person and i am happy that no one i’ve loved expected me to be that person.

it’s not a terrible thing for someone to find you unattractive. it’s not the end of the world. it’s not a woman’s purpose to be attractive. and it is truly amazing and heartening that so many people fall in love with others who are not conventionally attractive! who are not dogmatically conforming to all beauty standards! “ugly” people can be loved and respected and cherished and i think that now, in an age of looksmaxxing femcel plastic surgery etc, we should remember this…

it’s funny how much i care about the Shaving Question bc in the grand scheme of things it’s a very small rebellion against beauty norms, but it is one i feel very passionate about and i really don’t understand why so many women are choosing to submit to it, spending significant time and money and effort plucking away all these hairs…especially when so many of these women, from my experience, are also constantly railing against the terrible chokehold that beauty norms and the male gaze have on them. (going to preemptively defuse a common objection here—that it’s different to defy a standard if you’re already very conventionally hot vs not—and note that the women i’ve been most perplexed by in this regard are cis white women who are fairly thin…they’re soooo close to hegemonic feminine beauty already and horribly afraid of losing out on any of it. i do think there’s some argument here that women who are already seen as ugly and unfeminine risk MORE by not conforming to beauty norms. but weirdly it’s woc, fat women, etc who are more likely ime to be the women who intentionally defect and choose their defections carefully. it’s almost like being on the wrong side of beauty standards encourages more criticality of it…)

it is just surprising and maddening to me. like. just don’t shave for 2 more days. or 2 more weeks. genuinely a lot of men do not notice and the ones that hold it against you are providing you with tremendously important insight into their expectations of women. and obviously a lot of women don’t care at all and you can be serenely unshaven together ❤️

i think it’s so important for women to defy feminine beauty/grooming standards sometimes, just for fun, just for practice—and when i say practice i mean it in the highest and most respectful sense: as a way of continually asserting your own agency against the onslaught of expectations for what it means to be a woman, to be “good enough”, to be “beautiful” (not to a specific person but in society’s eyes). i really do think women need to practice resisting beauty standards so that it becomes something possible and natural and even habitual. there is so much suffering present when you can’t escape these norms, and any act of defiance is a way of strengthening you against them imo

[myheelsdontmatchmysweatpants]

A/N: I would like to preface this by letting everyone know that I am in no way knowledgeable about actual science things. That being said I am amazed that in a random draw I actually managed to get a prompt that had to do with flowers lol. This is my contribution to the BakuHarem Collab! Please take a second to check out the other contributions here!

Warning: bad science, no protection, swearing, overs!mulation, accidental exhibti0som, intoxicated smut? idk sex pollen is a drug i guess.....

W/C: 3.5k

“Bakugou, dude. We should not-”

“Shut up Kirishima!” Bakugou walks through the sterile hallways checking every corner for signs of other people. “That bitch took my top spot with some bullshit flowers?!” He finally gets to the lab that was granted to you for your research. After winning first place, stealing first place in the UA university science expo. He walks into the observing lobby, looking through the large window to make sure you weren’t working in the lab after hours.

“Just keep quiet and listen for any one coming this way.” He walks over to the security door and holds his key card up to it, the light on the scanner turns green and he hears the dead bolt slide open.

Kirishima is lingering behind him, hovering in the doorway. He turns to Bakugou to talk him out of this again but his friend has already entered the lab. “Ahh geez.” He didn’t even wear any safety gear.

As the door clicks shut behind him, Bakugou stops to examine the lab. Several different species of flowers in full bloom behind temperature controlled enclosures. Some of them are recognizable; lavender, chamomile, and jasmine. “I thought it would smell like the perfume department, this fuckin place smells like heaven.” Guess it wasn’t a new shampoo she was using then.

He walks through the aisles turning his head this way and that, trying to find something, anything that he can fuck up without it being overtly obvious. He gets to the back corner of the lab and sees a piece of familiar equipment. “Perfect.”

*****

“He said WHAT?!”

Your roommate flinches at your reaction to her news. “He told Professor Aizawa that your ‘Viagra flowers’ are a joke to the science department and they should ‘wither and die’.”

You’re fuming. That fuck tard Bakugou, mister my shit don’t stink is ridiculing my research? “All that man knows is how to blow shit up! Just cause I beat him in the expo this year, he thinks my research is a joke?!” You stand up from the couch, pacing in front of it and you can’t decide whether to scream or cry. “Why did I ever like that twat?”

Cause he has wide shoulders, big hands and scarlet eyes that -

“Oh for the love of god shut up.” Screw your inner thoughts.

Ochako watches you pace, worrying in her eyes when yours line with silver and your neck flushes bright red. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have told you that.”

You stop moving and look at her, guilt flooding through you as she slumps forward. “Don’t apologize, I was talkin to myself babe.” She nods her head weakly and you stand up straight “I’m gonna go.” You walk to the door grabbing your coat and key card.

“W-where are you going?” Ochako follows you to the door and grabs your wrist gently. You turn to her and smile, she was always so sweet but you knew that if shit went down she would be right beside you, kicking ass.

“I need to blow off some steam, so I’m gonna go check on my ‘Viagra flowers’.” She huffs a laugh and let's go.

“Alright, don’t stay too late.”

You nod, put on your shoes and leave the dorm. It’s a bit of a walk to the building the lab is in and hopefully the cool breeze will calm your mind.

*****

As you walk into the building you are grateful that your professor is more of a night owl than most students. Considering how many naps he takes during lectures it is no wonder he can’t sleep at night. You contemplate going to his office to say hi but think better of it.

Don’t wanna end up venting about Bakugou to my professor of all people.

You walk down the hallway and notice the door to your lab is cracked. Not unusual, a lot of students from your class have been coming and going to see the different species of flowers and plants you are growing. Assuming someone didn’t shut the door behind them you take your phone out of your pocket to check the time. Out of the corner of your vision a quick flash of red and you walk right into Kirishima, Bakugou’s friend and one of your classmates.

“Hey! How- how's it goin?”

You take a step back, rubbing your nose from face planting into his giant chest. Does this guy eat boulders for breakfast? “Hey Kiri! Just gonna do some late night tests! You checkin out my garden?”

“Yeah! Flowers are pretty.” He laughs, it’s high pitched and obviously forced.

You take in his nervous appearance, the fact that he is still standing in front of the door and your mood sours.

“Where is he?”

Kirishima looks like he is gonna try and stall but one look at the fury in your eyes and his head hangs down. “He’s in the lab,” you rush past him and punch in the code to open the door. “I tried to talk him out of it!”

The door clicks shut and the spiky blonde huffs in annoyance somewhere in the back of the lab.

“I told you shitty hair, if you’re gonna keep a look out you have to stand outside.”

You clear your throat and his head shoots up. You walk over to him, taking note of all of the plants and equipment, taking note of anything that looks different. As you get closer to him you notice that he smells particularly good tonight.

Keep it in your pants idiot

“Really Bakugou?” You stop a few steps away from him, noticing the various disassembled parts on the counter top behind him. “What were you gonna do, break my extraction equipment and make it look like a malfunction? Are you a B-Movie villain?”

He stands up and you are reminded of how small you feel next to him, wide shoulders, arms barely fitting the t-shirt he was wearing, strong chest that tapers to a toned waist. He laughs and you look at his face. What I wouldn’t give to just lick from your navel to your neck.

“A B-Movie villain huh? That’s rich coming from the fanfiction cliché scientist.” He crosses his arms, your eyes quickly dart to the sight of his biceps flexing with the movement then back at him.

“Fanfiction cliché? What the actual fuck are you talking about?” You take another step towards him, softly inhaling his scent. Why does he smell so good?

He laughs at you again, the sound caresses your skin and you realize your feeling very, very hot. You drag your fingers through your hair, your eyes zeroing in on a bead of sweat running down the side of his face. When you lick your lips and shift to take another step closer a small part of your brain connects the dots. “What. Did. You. Do?”

Bakugou looks at you, noticing your flushed cheeks and eyes that show you aren’t quite your normal smart and sexy self. Reaching behind himself you hear the unmistakable sound of clinking glass, he grabs a beaker, an open beaker. “Just grabbed this from your equipment, I know how long it takes to extract this stuff. Would suck if it were to suddenly go missing.”

“You idiot! Do you know how potent it is in that form?!” You reach for it but he pulls the beaker out of your reach. “Why do you think I keep it enclosed? You have to close it up now!”

“Why should I?”

Honestly how stupid can this guy get?!

“Put it back in the enclosure first and I’ll explain it to you!” Your breathing is getting heavy, the closer you get to Bakugou the hotter your body feels. You lunge for him again and trip, he hurries to put the beaker on the table behind him and catch you. Put off balance from the position you both crash to the floor with him underneath you. Sighing in frustration you lift yourself up only to bump your head on the table, knocking over the beaker and spilling the extract over you both.

“Shit!” You scramble off of him and run to the door, pressing the exposure button and effectively locking it. You turn to Bakugou and back up trying your best to keep your distance. “Stay on that side of the room, if we’re far enough apart the effects won’t be as bad.”

“What are the effects?” The question is spoken so calmly that you almost convince yourself he didn’t speak at all.

“What are the fucking side effects!?” His shirt is soaked, sticking to his tanned skin. The outline of his chiseled body makes your mouth go dry. You look back at his face, his mouth twisted in frustration at your silence but no less attractive. The sharp angle of his jawline, pink lips slightly chapped, aristocratic nose, scarlet eyes that-

“Take a picture, it'll last longer.” Shaking your head to clear some of the fog in your brain, you focus on him again.

“It’s an aphrodisiac so obviously it enhances sexual desire.”

“Yeah-yeah, sex pollen I get it. But what else?” he rings out the bottom of his shirt, lifting it slightly and you avert your eyes.

“It is not sex pollen, I don’t even use the pollen of the plant.” the last part coming out in a mumble. “The aphrodisiac only works on people who are consenting adults that are attracted to each other.” You clear your throat.

Bakugou freezes for a moment and looks up at you, examining you. The flushed skin, short breaths, and how you keep as much distance between the two of you as the small lab provides.

“So why are you so far away then?” The smirk on his face is sinful as all hell.

Cheeky bastard.

“Surely I don’t have to spell it out for you.” Resisting the urge to turn your face away from him like a pouty child..

“HA!” The smug look on his face momentarily lifts the cloud of lust and replaces it with anger. “Of course you’re attracted to me, who wouldn’t be?”

“Well, aren't you a cocky bastard?” Hoping you're not about to embarrass yourself you take a chance and muster up some courage. Slowly walking up to him you notice that his forehead is glistening with sweat, his breathing heavy, ears and back of his neck flushed with pink. “Tell me, Katsuki. How are you feeling?”

A few steps and you can see his hands balled up in white knuckled fists, a few more his jaw clench and unclench. Once you are only an arms length away you can see him swallow harshly, Adam's apple bobbing, nostrils flaring. You push your breasts against his toned chest, the light friction causing a moan to escape your mouth, the sound going straight to his cock.

“I’m - I’m fine.” Bakugou clears his throat, the sound of his first name from your lips sweeter than it should be.

“Lookin a little flushed, you feeling hot?”

He doesn’t answer, his attention captured by the closeness of your body, your lips, the tops of your breasts peeking out of the v neck top you’re wearing.. He stops breathing when your tongue flicks out to lick your bottom lip.

“Cat got your tongue?”

On impulse his hands move to rest on your hips, eyes never leaving your lips. “What was the question again?”

“How. Are. You. Feeling.” you walk your fingers up his chest with each word before pulling his head down so you can whisper in his ear, the anger fading fast. “Katsuki.” You hear him growl, the sound reverberating through your core, then you're being picked up.

“I’m gonna ruin you.” Bakugou crashes his lips to yours, pressing you up against one of the walls and bracing you with one hand so that the other can wrap around your throat. “Fuck, you drive me crazy.” He bites your lip, licking it to soothe the hurt. “Smart, funny, sexy, beautiful.”

You whine at the words and grind against the bulge in his pants, your pussy throbbing with need. “Need to feel you touch me Bakugou.” He stops moving and you shift to try and grind against him again but he holds you tight, slightly squeezing the sides of your neck.

“What happened to calling me by my first name, baby girl?” Loosening his hand and crouching down as if to put you down you sputter out “Kat-Katsuki Please touch me.”

The feral grin on his face has your pussy drooling and you all but sigh in relief when he stands up straight and slips a hand under your shirt, cupping one of your breasts. “Oh god yes.”

“You’re so soft baby,” he pulls one of the cups down and rolls your nipple in between his fingers. “Take off your shirt, wanna see those pretty tits.”

Katsuki keeps playing with your nipple when you rip your shirt off, making short work of your bra and tossing it. As soon as the other nipple is in view he dives down to suckle it, his mouth hot. You throw your head back, grabbing fistfuls of his hair and pushing your chest out to give him better access.

He is merciless in his teasing, alternating between breasts, making sure to suck each nipple till they are both hard peaks. Kissing the top of your soft globes, your collarbone and neck, everywhere his mouth goes is left with a mark in varying shades of red and purple.

You grow impatient with him, needing to make him feel as good wanting to feel him with your hands, mouth, teeth.

“Wanna feel you too Katsuki.” you whine as he pinches one nipple while nibbling the other one. When you pull on his hair a little he groans but lifts his head, pulling both nipples with him before letting them go.

“What do ya wanna feel, baby girl?”

With all your inhibitions throw out the window you lean down and whisper in his ear. “Wanna feel you fuck me.”

You pull away and he quickly sets you down, you’re about to object when he takes his shirt off in one smooth motion then starts unbuttoning his jeans. You rush to follow, unzipping your pants and pulling them down, before you can pull down your panties he grabs your hand stopping you. “Leave ‘m on.”

Katsuki picks you up again before you can get a good look at his cock, but when it's pressed against you there is no need to see it. “Fuck you’re huge.”

He smirks at you, smug pride in his eyes. “Glad you approve.” Reaching a hand down he pulls your panties to the side and runs his fingers through your wet folds. “This all for me?” bringing his fingers up to show you the slick dripping down them he puts them in his mouth and sucks. “Gonna have to enjoy that tasty treat later.”

Your body is burning up, breathing is heavy as you both watch him drag his cock along your wet slit before pushing in. Your moans echo in the lab and neither one of you cares as Katsuki's cock drags against your inner walls until bottoming out. Right now is not the time for slow strokes, not with the aphrodisiac flowing through both of your bodies, so he starts a pace that has your ass slapping against his thighs.

“C-cumming!” You scream out before your body bows in on itself and you're creaming around his cock.

“Already?” a sideways grin on his face Katsuki starts moving you up and down in time with his thrusts, his cock reaching that much deeper. “Gonna cum for me again? Come on baby, wanna feel you milk my cock.”

Your mind is going blank, the only thing running through it is Katsuki. “Please don’t stop,” you dig your nails into his shoulders. “M Gonna cum again.” His thrusts go shallow and the head of his cock drags against your walls, hitting all the right spots.

You’re repeating his name endlessly, the only word that is in your mind then you’re cumming again. Your legs tense around his waist and your pussy clenches down hard enough that he has to stop moving or risk hurting you. He watches your face contorted in pleasure and starts thrusting as soon as he feels your orgasm subside.

“One more.”

Your head fuzzy, body limp from two orgasms. “I can’t!”

“Wrong,” Katsuki pulls out for a second, setting you on the floor and pushing on your back. You obediently bend forward grabbing the edge of the counter top and he wastes no time in rutting back into you. “You want me to stop?”

“NO”

“Then you got one more beautiful thing.” He sticks two fingers in his mouth, getting them wet then reaches around rubbing soft circles on your puffy clit. His other hand gripping your hip, before moving up and grabbing your shoulder using it as leverage to fuck into you harder.

“Come on, cum for me.”

You turn your head to the side trying your best to look in his eyes, yours tearing up at the overstimulation. “You cum too, fill me up Katsuki.”

“Oh fuck yeah.” Bending his knees he thrusts up into you and with the new angle, teasing circles being rubbed on your clit and the feral moans coming out of his mouth you cum one last time.

Fuckfuckfuckfuck

Katsuki cums after you, rope after rope of cum coating your fluttering walls.

You both stand there catching your breath. Katsuki pulls out and you whimper, “Oh don’t worry beautiful,” he picks you up again, walks over to a chair and sits down with you in his lap “not done with you yet.”

By the time you are spent both of you are exhausted and lost track of how many times either of you came. He helps you stand up, quickly pulling your panties back in place. “Don’t want you leakin.”

You giggle and pick up your clothes from the floor, he helps you get dressed and you both walk to the door. Making sure to check the air quality before leaving the lab you confirm that nothing is left in the air and unlock it. Before opening the door you turn to him opening your mouth to ask a question but he talks first.

“Let's go back to my room, yeah? I’ll help you clean up.” His voice rough from moaning and growling but you can see a small smile on his lips. Even though you know that the effects of the extract have worn off you can’t help but worry that he is still under their influence. Nodding your head you turn away from him again and open the door, walking into the lobby.

“I assume you're finished with the lab?”

You stop dead in your tracks, Katsuki bumping into you. “P-professor Aizawa?” Red hair peeks out behind him and Kirishima looks at you both with a nervous sharp toothed smile and red face. The fog of your memory clears and you vaguely remember hearing knocking on the window and door while you were… indisposed.

Katsuki steps in front of you, from the lack of red on his face or neck you know he isn’t nearly as mortified as you. “How long have you been standing there?”

The tired eyes of your teacher examine both of you. “Long enough.” He sighs heavily and pinches the bridge of his nose. “You are both to meet me in my office tomorrow morning.”

And just before you can’t get anymore embarrassed he walks out and says over his shoulder. “The labs aren’t sound proof, and these walls echo.”

@doinmybesthere @patchworkpuzzle @eyebagsbutglam @sugarspiceanddynamight

[arvinsescape]

I hope you’re waiting for me.

A/N: I hope you all enjoy, this is a sad one but I hope you all enjoy 💕

Summary: Mob!Tom doesn’t know what he’d do without you and unfortunately he has to find a way to live without you.

Warnings: Death, swearing, just pure heartbreak.

W/C: 2.1K

The event was beautiful, much different to the events you’d attended before, Tom had his arm around your waist as he kissed at your cheek. He was so smitten with you, the wedding ring he’d gotten you was shining in under the fluorescent lights, everyone had commented on how beautiful it was. He loved you with everything he had, you’d been married just short of a month, and this was the first event you’d attended.

You became used to the looks of jealousy thrown your way by this point. Most women wondered how you had done it, how had you gotten the Mob boss so wrapped around your finger that he proposed. Women had tried so hard to gain his attention, but none ever succeeded, he wasn’t interested and by now they’d all gotten the message, he looked at you like you were the only important person in the room.

“I wanna take you into that bathroom and fuck you right now.” Tom groaned into your ear, the white knee length dress you had on was driving him wild. He’d already had it around your waist once today, your legs still slightly shaky from the encounter and you doubted it wouldn’t be the last.

“Calm down.” You hummed as he trailed his hand down your back and squeezed your behind.

“You look so good though.” Tom smiled as he kissed your cheek.

“Mr and Mrs Holland.” You heard a voice say and your stomach dropped. This was one man you hated, he was your typical mob leader, greasy, sexist, everything you hated in a man. “How was the honeymoon, I expect we’ll be expecting a young Holland to join the mix now.” He said and your hand instinctively fell to your stomach. You weren’t pregnant but you were trying.

“It was lovely, thank you.” Tom said, he knew how to keep the peace where you didn’t know what to say.

“Brilliant, well I hope to see you soon.” He said as he walked away, you instantly relaxed.

“I hate him.” You whispered into Tom’s ear, getting on your tiptoes to rest your head on his shoulder as Tom laughed.

“You hate most people in this room.” He teased back. “Makes me wonder how I ever got you to fall in love with me.”

“You have your advantages.” You teased him.

You both watched as a man approached, you didn’t recognize him, and Tom didn’t seem to either.

“To the happy couple.” He said with a smile that set you on edge, you instinctively moved further into Tom’s side. He raised his glass at the two of you and you heard a gun shot resonate through the room, everyone stopped what they were doing. A scream rang out through the room, and you felt as people started to move towards the exit as people burst through the doors around you.

You felt out of place, a pain in your stomach spreading like wildfire. Your hand clutched at it and as you lifted it you saw the blood coating it. It was surreal, how you hadn’t noticed the pain until this point, you hadn’t felt the pain until it ripped through you all of a sudden.

“Tom?” You said weakly but he didn’t hear you as he moved you out of the way, grasping your hand that wasn’t covered in blood and rushing you both through a door and into a corridor.

“Tom, boss- “Harrison joined the two of you and stopped in his tracks. “Y/N/N?” He said quietly as he took in your appearance, Tom turning his attention to his wife, and he felt his heart stop. Your face was pale, blood seeping through your wound. That shot was meant for you and it turned his blood cold, how had he missed it.

“Baby?” Tom said slowly as you looked at him, fear evident in your eyes. Another gunshot rang through the corridor, and you didn’t even have the energy to react, you understood now, you were the target.

“Tom, we need to move.” Harrison spoke as he fired a shot off that hit the guy straight in the head.

Tom picked you up bridal style as you clutched onto your wound, the amount of blood leaving your system made your head feel dizzy as Tom and Harrison moved themselves quickly through the corridors, they were saying things to each other, but you didn’t catch any of it. Harrison had to take charge of this one, Tom wasn’t focused, he was too wrapped up in what was happening to you.

You didn’t look good, and Harrison’s stomach dropped, he knew there was a small chance you’d survive this, the possibility of you seeing tomorrow was not likely. Tom looked lost, mindlessly following his friend through the corridors. Harrison killed god knows how many people, relief flooding his system as he saw the car.

“Baby?” Tom coaxed you back into consciousness. “Hey, I need you to stay with me okay?” He said. “I’m going to get you to a doctor.” He spoke as he removed his jacket. Somehow you’d ended up in the back of his van, you were led across the seats, Tom awkwardly in the footwell. “Princess, you’re going to make it through this okay?” He said as he pressed the jacket to your wound. Your blood covering everything in its path.

“Tom,” you said, and it was so weak that Tom’s heart stopped. He clung onto the tiny amount of hop that his wife was going to be okay. He couldn’t think about losing you, not now, not ever.

“Baby, shh,” he said as he used his free hand to smooth your hair. “Don’t talk, just focus on me and stay with me.” He said, tears streaming down his face, no one had ever seen the man cry, and no one dare comment on it, the people in the car turning their attention elsewhere.

“Tom, I love you.” You said, you knew the wound was fatal now. You knew that this was how you were going to die, you felt so weak that you didn’t really care. You found comfort in having Tom here, he was with you, it’d be okay. “It’s okay.” You whispered as you felt your eyes drift closed.

“Y/N/N, no, no, come on princess, just stay awake, please for me.” He spoke, voice cracking.

“I’m tired.” You mumbled. “I love you.” You said again, you felt like your life was slipping from you, felt your heart beat slow.

“I love you so much princess, so so much.” He said as he put his forehead to yours. “I need you to hold on, we’re almost there and then the doctors going to fix you and we’ll be okay. You can’t die, not you Y/N/N. I can’t lose you.” Tom spoke but it fell on deaf ears, you’d gone.

Tom’s face completely paled as he sat there in shock, your chest no longer rising and falling. He panicked as he shook you.

“No, no, no. Y/N/N, wake up. Come on baby, wake up for me.” He said both hands falling above your chest as he attempted to bring you back.

Harrison couldn’t stop the tears as he pulled up outside the hospital. He hadn’t made it in time, you were gone, that sliver of hope crushed. He wanted to apologise to his friend, wanted to tell him how sorry he was.

“Tom, stop.” Haz said as he grabbed Tom from his awkward position and pulled him out of the car. “Tom, she’s gone.” Haz cried as Tom tried to rip himself from his grasp and get back to you. “Tom!” Harrison shouted, gaining the males attention, he watched as Tom collapsed onto the ground.

“It’s all my fault.” He whispered and Harrison’s heart broke.

“No Tom, it’s not.” Harrison motioned for one of the other men to get someone’s attention, your body needed removing from the back of the vehicle. Haz was glad they had it in with the chief of police, knowing that nothing would come of this. “It’s not your fault.”

“It fucking is. If I wasn’t who I am and I didn’t pursue her, she’d be alive.”

“She loved you Tom. Do you honestly think she didn’t know this would be a possibility? Tom she took the risk because she loved you.”

“And she was killed because of me!”

**

The funeral was hard, Tom had attended but as soon as it was over he’d left. Harrison had taken over the mob for now, Tom was unfit. Harrison found out who it was that had ordered the murder and kept it to himself, he couldn’t watch Tom fall further into the hole he was already in. Tom had taken it upon himself to almost lock himself in his bedroom.

It was two months after the funeral and Tom still hadn’t gotten rid of your stuff, nor had he gotten rid of the photos of the two of you. Harrison was trying to pull his friend from the darkness that consumed him, but nothing was working, he was lost without you. He’d come back a week ago, he was colder, much more than he’d used to be. He became unfair, almost unrealistic in his expectations of the men around him.

“Tom?” Harrison popped his head around his office door. Harrison stopped in his tracks, not prepared for the scene before him. “Mate?”

Tom was crying as he looked at the wedding ring that had sat on your finger, not noticing Harrison’s presence. He placed the ring down as he pulled one of your favourite hoodies from under his desk before stuffing his face into it as he started to cry uncontrollably.

“Tom?” Harrison panicked as he ran to his friend.

“It still smells like her.” He replied weakly, not removing his face and Harrison understood now why he hadn’t thrown your things out. “I want her back. I can’t do this without her.”

“Tom,” Harrison sighed. “She’d want you to move on. She loved you so much and she wouldn’t want you to be like this.”

“How do you know? How do any of us know what she’d want? She’s not here. She’s never coming back, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want anyone else, the thought of another woman. Harrison I can’t. I love her more than you can possibly understand.” He cried into your hoody again.

**

It had taken a few years, but Tom was back to how he had been before he met you, he had a few one night stands here and there, they all had the same thing in common, they all looked like you had but none of them ever stayed, he wouldn’t do that. He always said that no other woman would ever be able to claim that place, it was always yours.

He wore your wedding ring on a chain around his neck, he never parted with it, never removed his own, it sat on his finger like it had since the day you’d put it there. No other woman was ever allowed into his bed, not in your place. He’s learned to deal with it in his own way and Harrison was glad he could have a laugh with his best friend again.

“Where’s Tom?” A man asked as they entered the meeting room, Tom wasn’t in his usual spot, Harrison filled it.

“It’s their anniversary.” Harrison said quietly.

There were 3 days and nights a year where Tom didn’t work; your birthday, your wedding anniversary and the date you died. He made his way to the small plot on the land of his estate, it was yours, you’d always found it peaceful in that corner of the garden and it stayed yours, the only gardener who was allowed to touch it was the one who knew exactly how you liked it.

“Hi baby.” Tom spoke as he laid the flowers on your gravestone. “I hope you’ve had a good day up there. I just know you’re the prettiest angel they have up there, you were down here.” He spoke as he wiped a tear from his cheek.

“I love you. I hope you’re waiting for me. I know I’m waiting for you.”

[darkmulti]

⚠️NON CON⚠️ team captain! Jk taking cheerleader!y/n

⚠️: NON CON

-> sorry for any mistakes

Today, the school’s football team had a game and you had to go cheer for them

You’ve done it many times and it’s kinda fun

Actually, no it’s not

You’re known as the “quiet cheerleader”

Everyone on the cheer team are annoying as fuck

They come off as spoiled brats and they always have some sort of drama going on

Like who’s dating who

So far, you haven’t dated anyone

And you wanted to keep it that way

You wanted a somewhat long term relationship then you’ll feel comfortable doing the dirty

While you were performing, all the guys were eyeing your body that was wearing a short, white skirt and a white crop top that had your school mascot on it

The girls were whispering in each other’s ears about how Jeon Jungkook -captain of the football team- gave you his hoodie to wear when it was cold

Surprisingly, Jungkook wasn’t a player

Yeah he was popular and could get a chick easily

But he didn’t do that

Instead he focused on his education and stayed out of drama

He rarely talked to girls

When Jungkook gave you his hoodie, the school went mad

You tried to give him his hoodie back, that literally had his name on it but he insisted that you keep it

Now everyone knows that Jungkook has a crush on you

He didn’t even deny it

So now you were the talk of the school

Your fellow teammates started to talk about you too

“How come Jungkook’s into her? Does she even talk?”

“Yeah right? Why is she even on the cheer team?”

“Kick her off the team, dummy. You’re the team captain.”

And just like that, because of Jungkook, they kicked you out

You didn’t know how to react

You were glad you don’t have to deal with the bullying anymore

But you loved cheer

The following day you sadly went home

The next day, the boys had another game

Jungkook was shocked to see you going home instead of coming outside to perform

“Y/N, aren’t you coming to perform?”

“W-well the girls kicked me off the team so I’m gonna go home.”

“What- why did they kick you out?”

“I’m not sure. But it’s okay, at least I can go home early.”

“Wait no. Stay and watch the game. Please. You’re my good luck charm.”

Your cheeks heated up and even though you didn’t want to go, you still went for him

He was with you the entire time until he had to go warm up

You went on your phone in the meantime until Taehyung, a guy you’ve been crushing on for a while now, sits beside you

“Is this seat taken?”

“No. No it’s not.”

You said, sitting up straight and fixing your hair

“I saw you sitting alone, so I thought I would join you.”

You and Taehyung started to talk about some random things

You both were laughing and from a far Jungkook watched as his blood boiled

He took his anger out during the game

He was really aggressive

But they still won

Taehyung offered to drive you home

You were about to say yes but Jungkook interrupted

“I’m taking her home.”

He said, sternly

“O-oh, okay. See you around, Y/N.”

You wave goodbye then turn to Jungkook

“Good job! You were amazing!” You said cheerfully

“What the hell was that?!” He yelled, making you flinch

“What- what do you mean?”

He grabbed your wrist and dragged you into the school

He pushed you into an empty classroom and pulled your skirt down

“What’re you doing?!”

He pulls you into a rough kiss and quickly explores your mouth

Jungkook ripped off your underwear

“Take my cock out, babygirl.”

“No! Get off me, please!”

You push him off of you and try to run, but he trips you and you fall on the floor, face first

He takes himself out and gets on top of you before covering your mouth and shoving himself from behind

You scream against his hand, trying to squirm away from him

“You’re only making it harder for yourself!”

He pushed his whole length in, making your knees feel weak

You immediately felt weak under him and he took advantage of that and started thrusting faster

Your struggled squeaks and whines escaped but everything else was muffled by his hand

Your face was hot and covered in tears

He wrapped his arm around your neck and pulled back so he’s slightly choking you

“P-p...lease.”

You held onto his arm and squeezed it because the pain was getting to you

The sound of skin slapping filled the room

You started to violently shake

Out of pleasure and fear

“God, your cunt is so tight, babygirl. So fucking tight for daddy.”

“I-I wan...na go home.” was all you said

All you wanted was for someone to hold you

Or even the tiniest bit of affection would’ve comforted your vulnerable self

Jungkook slowed down a bit and placed kisses along your jawline

He held onto you tighter so you would stop shaking

“Shhh, it’s okay.”

He thrusted in again, his tip hitting your g spot

You let out a whiny moan and started moving back on your own

Jungkook noticed and thrusted in the same spot, making you feel good

“You like that, babygirl? Does it feel good?”

You nod your head and close your eyes

Jungkook’s hand went down to play with your clit but you slap it away, not wanting to be touched there

He tried again but this time he pinched it, making you clench around him

One last thrust and you both came together

He gets up with you in his arms and sits down on the chair so you can ride your high

“Now you belong to me. I don’t want to see you around that Taehyung guy.”

[freddie-boi]

Draco Malfoy x reader

Year 1-part 1

word count- 1326

You have always been ready to go to Hogwarts, but you started to worry that maybe you won't get a letter even though you're part of a pure-blood family. You were sitting on the couch when your mom came in from getting the mail. “Ron!! Y/n!!” she yelled for you guys. You both look at each other curiously. You got up and slowly walked to her. “Yes?” you both questioned. “Your letters came in,” she said happily. You smiled brightly at her words.  

The day had come for your first day at Hogwarts. You put your hair up in a ponytail, and put your hand down robes. You smiled at your older brothers Fred and George. They were identical twins, both with red hair that was cut short, they both had brown eyes that were so pretty, and they both were big pranksters. “I hope I make Gryffindor” you said worried that you won't. “You will, we promise” they both said together. You smiled at your brothers and hugged them tightly. 

You were at the train station. You were waiting to go through the 9 and 3/4 platform. Fred, George, Percy, Ron, and some other boy you all met at the train station had already gone through the platform. “So all I have to do is run through it?” you asked your mom. “Yes, Y/n that's all you have to do” she said with a soft tone. You smiled at her and grabbed your trolley. You ran through the wall with your eyes glued shut, you were scared that it wouldn't work. When you didn’t feel anything happen you opened your eyes. You were mesmerized by what this meant. You were actually going to Hogwarts, what you have waited to do for years, what you have dreamt about for years. Your eyes welled up with tears, because of how happy you were. You hugged your mom goodbye before getting on the train.

You sat next to Fred and George since they're your favorite out of the family. You sat in between the two. Fred wrapped his arm around you. You looked up at him smiling. “Are you excited to get sorted into your house?” He asked you. “Well not really I’m kinda worried that I might not get sorted into Gryffindor.”  you explain to him. “Well that's fine, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are both good houses.” George said to you. “Yeah but what happens if I get Slytherin?” you asked worriedly. “You won't” “Get Slytherin” Fred said the first part and George said the second part seamlessly. “Your promise?” you said holding out your pinky. “We Promise” the both said together and interlocked their pinkies with yours. 

It was time for the sorting ceremony, the sorting ceremony is where you get the sorting hat placed on your head and get sorted into your house, that will be your house for the remainder of your time at Hogwarts. There are four houses that you can be sorted in, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and the one that everyone who isn't in that house hates Slytherin. Fred had once told you that people who were in Slytherin were evil people so you always hoped that you wouldn’t get Slytherin. Your whole family are Gryfinndors, so you had always thought that if you get anything else they will be disappointed in you and especially if you get Slytherin, so you were scared to get sorted. All the first years including you were in the middle of the great hall. Mcgonagall had said that the ceremony was about to start and everyone started clapping. “Hermione Granger” She called up someone. A girl walked up to the chair. She had brown eyes, long curly brown messy hair that went down to her shoulders and she had bangs that sat just above her eyebrows. “Gryffiondor!” you hear the sorting hat yell. Everyone from the Gryffiondor table starts clapping and cheering for a few seconds. “Ronald Weasley” you saw your twin brother go up, He has red hair that is cut short, and bright blue eyes, and had pale skin.  His eyes or one of the things that don’t match you, you have forest green eyes. You and him have a few differences like he's a boy and you're a girl/whatever you prefer, he has short hair and yours goes to your shoulders, he has blue eyes and you have green eyes. “Gryffindor” the sorting hat says loudly, you hadn’t even realized the hat was on his head yet. Yet again the Gryffindor started cheering again. “Harry Potter” you saw the same guy you met at the train station, he had short black hair, and green eyes just like yours, he was really tan. A few minutes pass and you hear and another yell from the hat “Gryffindor!” Again they cheered.”Draco Malfoy” He had almost white hair that was gelled back, Grey blue eyes, and very pale skin he looked almost as if he was sick.. “Let me guess Gryffindor?” you thought to yourself. “Slytherin” You hear the hat yell. You hear the Slytherin house cheer for the first time. “Y/n Weasley” You walked up to the chair, you were so scared. The hat gets placed on your head, he talks for a few minutes before yelling “Slytherin” you feel your heart drop down to your stomach. You get up and slowly walk to the table while they're cheering, you look at Fred and George, they are looking straight at you. You know they are disappointed in you, at least you think they are.

 “Hey over here” you hear someone say. You look and it’s the kid you saw Draco Malfoy. You sit next to him. “So a Weasley Slytherin, huh? Interesting” He says to you. You look down at your feet  in disappointment. “Yeah, I wonder what my parents are going to think” You respond to him. “I mean I’m sure they’ll understand you in the most respected house,” he explained. “Not really, all my family told me was that Slytherins were evil” your eyes welled with tears. “We're not evil I promise” he said to you. You slightly smile at him. The rest of the people got sorted into their houses, while you talked to Draco about random things. After the Sorting ceremony we all and the feast they had prepared, didn't eat that much cause you were still worried about what your family might think.When everyone was done eating you went to Fred with tears in your eyes. Fred took one look at you and immediately pulled you into a tight hug. “Fred w-what's mom going to think?” You asked crying while gripping onto his shirt tightly. George walked up and saw you and immediately felt so bad for you. “Everything is going to be ok I promise” Fred whispers to you. You let go of Fred slowly. “I should go to my dorm now” You say softly. “Yes you should” Fred says as you walk off.

You got to the common room with the rest of the Slytherins. You decided to sit on the couch before going to the common room. Draco sits next to you, and smiles at you. “So I guess this is what we get to come back to after are classes for the rest of the year” He says softly to you “Yeah.. i guess” you said back to his words. “I'm going to go to my dorm room” you said to him while walking off. You got to your dorm and sat on your bed, you were really tired after everything that had happened. You slowly lay down, the bed felt like a big cozy blanket even though you didn’t use the blankets yet. You got under the blanket and slowly drifted off to sleep. The first day at Hogwarts couldn’t have been any more stressful for you. Especially learning that you are a Slytherin in an all Gryffindor family.

this will also be posted on wattpad- lucablack23, it will be pretty long each year all the way up to 7th year will have 3 parts or more. 

[philliamwrites]

The Dawn Will Come [Chpt.1]

Fandom: Fire Emblem Three Houses

Pairing: Dimitri x Reader, Claude x Reader, Edelgard x Reader, Yuri x Reader, Edelgard x Byleth, lots of minor pairings

Tags: #gn reader, # platonic love byleth & reader, #reader is a tactical unit, #angst, #slow burn, #subplots, #unreliable narrator, #pining, #remporary amnesia, #reluctant herp, #canon divergence, #lost twin au, #many chapters, #original content

Words: 5.2k

Summary: Waking up in a forest without any knowledge of your past and who you are, you join the house leaders of the Officers Academy to search for a way to return your memories. Unfortunately, the church has different plans for you, and Fate places you in the centre of a cruel game with deadly stakes. It certainly doesn't help to fall in love with a house leader who is doomed to be your demise.

Notes: Chapter 2 There’s also a playlist for this story that you can find here and here.

Chapter 01: A High Destiny

A high destiny seemed to bear me on until I fell, never, never again to rise.

[Mary W. Shelley, Frankenstein]

    It starts as it will end: in darkness.

    Black dots dance in front of your eyes, merging into dark shadows clawing at your consciousness. A dull throb pounds in your temple, a steady rhythm that speaks of life but isn’t enough to allow awareness of your surroundings. Memory is a foreign word you can’t explain, and trying to think of the past 24 hours is an unachievable task. Every glimpse slips through your fingers like sand, and the only steady reference point is the solid ground pressing into your hands and back.

    Slowly, you open your eyes. Treetops dance in the wind, towering above you like silent guardians of ancient times. The sun winks at you through thick branchesa and dancing green crowns, indicating it’s long past daybreak—but how do you know? Your memory is still a vast pool with no bottom and no means to dive into, and yet you think there’s a voice calling out to you, a heart-wrenching young, boyish voice—no, those are real voices ringing through the woods, appearing close to you. Alarmingly close.

    “You’re awake,” a woman’s voice starts, moments later followed by a corresponding face. Round, lavender eyes surrounded by thick, white lashes peak from above at you, blinking curiously. It’s an expression far from friendly, but not exactly hostile either, and of all the things you can think of at this moment, it is how strikingly beautiful she is. But before you can say anything, another person joins, leaning too close in for comfort.

    “You got us worried there, stranger,” a young man chimes in, squatting down beside you. His uniform isn’t exactly what you’d call fit for travelling through the woods. A heavy yellow cape falls over his shoulder, more fanciful display than practical use. But something in his posture seems very attentive, his broad shoulders taut like a drawn bowstring that won’t miss its target. “Weird place to take a nap, but hey, I’m not judging.”

    “I wasn’t—” you start, immediately struck by a throbbing pain behind your right eye that reverberates through your skull and wretches a groan from you.

    “Take it easy,” another voice joins, and panic spreads through you because of the amount of people surrounding you. Where the first man is a picture of warm colours—gold and sun kissed skin nourished on warm summer days, the other man observing you with a worried expression is clad in blue and black, blond hair falling into a pale face that carries the most striking blue eyes you’ve ever seen. Or so you think, because surely a colour like this, a blue stolen right out of the sky, wouldn’t be easily forgotten.

    More movement and rustling of fabric, and a chill settles in your bones as you begin to fear that you’ve run into a bunch of ruffians who’ve only kept you alive for so long because they’re hoping for valuable information. More people emerge from the underbrush, carrying large sacks and backpacks with billycans dangling at their sides. Among them, a tall man with a beard, clad in robust mercenary’s gear, steps forward, concealing another young woman with sharp features and unusual greenish blue hair.

    The sight of her strikes you like a bolt. It tastes like familiarity and the relief of being reunited with a long lost friend. But that is impossible. This is the first time you meet her.

    Is it?

    “You brats, I told you not to head off too far,” the older man bellows, crossing logs for arms in front of his broad chest. The first three take one big, polite step away from you, but don’t look apologetic at all.

    “I’m sorry for our hastiness, Captain Jeralt,” the girl says, her eyes darting from you still sitting on the ground to him towering in his full height above them. “But it seems we would have otherwise not found this person.”

    “This person who wasn’t really much conscious a couple of minutes ago,” the boy in yellow adds with a crooked grin. “How bad would it have been if someone else would have beaten us to it?”

    “No need to make me look like the bad guy,” Captain Jeralt interrupts with a raised hand before the boy in blue can join his friends' justifications. Instead, he turns to you and regards you with a scrutinising look.

    “What are you doing out here?” he demands. “Where’s your family? Friends?”

    “Uhm, they’re—” you start, but nothing comes to your mind. Not only that. You don’t know why you’re out here, where you are exactly … and basically anything that should come to you about your own person remains shrouded in darkness. “I don’t know.”

    Jeralt nods like that explains the very reason you’re still sitting on the ground like a misplaced cargo of cabbage. He kneads the nape of his neck, his face softening the tiniest bit. “And what’s your name?”

    Unable to hold his piercing eyes, you drop your gaze to the ground, curling your trembling fingers into the fabric of your wool jacket. “I, uh… don’t know.”

    If you thought you didn’t have their attention before, now their eyes are glued on your face in different levels of shock and disbelief.

    “A case of amnesia?” the blond male says, not quite managing to achieve the right balance between blatant curiosity and polite worry. “Does this mean you have nowhere to go? Don’tknow where to go?”

    “Goddess help you, Dimitri,” the other boy groans, running a hand through his short, brown hair. “Be any more tactless, will ya?”

    “He isn’t wrong,” the girl says, observing you like you’re a fascinating new specimen in her collection of strange things. “You need a place to stay. And help until your memories return.”

    If they return, you don’t dare to say because despite all things, hope still clings to you in the deepest corner of your heart, not allowing you to follow that train of thought and what it will mean for your future.

    “Then by all means, if you want to join,” Jeralt says, waving a dismissive hand in your direction. “I don’t think you kids accept a No, so I’m going to save my breath.” He turns around with a grunt. “Get them your horse, Byleth. We’re late as it is, and another night of Alois talking my ears off will make me do something I’ll regret.”

    The woman called Byleth keeps staring at you even as Jeralt walks past her and gives her shoulder a solid clap. You can’t say if she’s mute or just speechless because she’s filled with the same strange overflowing sensation like you: like a basin filling with water but unable to drain off. It appears you’re the same age, a couple of years older than the other three but still much younger than Jeralt, and yet the moment your eyes lock, it feels like there is something far older than any of you together passing between you. Something ancient.

    “Well, first off, on your feet, little one.” Strong hands curl around your elbows, hoisting you up in one swift movement. A wave of dizziness hits you like an unavoidable spell, and the pounding from before settles back behind your right eye.

    “Amazing, Claude,” the girl hisses, and quickly steps forward to steady you, pressing one hand against the small of your back where her strong fingers curl against the curve of your spine. Her other hand gently holds yours as she helps you regain your balance. “Excuse his manners. I promise not everyone from the Officers Academy behaves like a brute.”

    “The what now?” you ask, hit by another wave of dizziness that might originate more from the girl’s soft lavender fragrance rather than the world spinning around you.

    “The Officers Academy at Garreg Mach Monastery,” Dimitri provides this time. His posture is straight like an arrow, the stance of a soldier speaking to his officer. “That is where we attend as students and hence are going right now.”

    “And you want me to come with you?” you ask like you have the option to refuse and go somewhere else. Strangely, the thought of joining a group of armed knights and mercenaries doesn’t fill you with fear or anxiety. You’re about to tread into foreign waters, and yet your heart is calm like a still compass guiding you in the right direction.

    Claude clasps his hands behind his head like he’s got nothing to do with you feeling unwell at the moment. “Unless you have another place to be?”

    Luckily, your head does come clear and breathing becomes a little easier. You nod to the girl and she holds you a second longer before she nods back and lets go. “I guess not,” you mumble, looking at each one of them. Byleth still hasn’t moved. By now you can’t really tell if she’s looking at you or through you. Surely, she would have said something by now if she thought you were familiar, right?

    “Then it’s settled.” The girl nods solemnly, throwing her silky, white hair over her shoulder. “We welcome you in our company. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Edelgard von Hresvelg, heir to the Adrestian Empire.” Edelgard gives you a tight-lipped smile that quickly thins into a white line when the other two introduce themselves as Claude von Riegan, grandson of the Sovereign Duke of the Leicester Alliance and Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, future king to the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. None of these names ring a bell to you, but you nod, pretending to know exactly what they're talking about.

    “Okay, we need a name for you as well,” Claude proposes, tapping a slender finger against his chin. He has a strikingly sharp jaw that looks fit to cut stone. “Can’t have everyone call you stranger or little one now, can we?”

    “No,” you say. “Especially since we’re about the same height.”

    Claude laughs like you just told him the best joke he’s heard in years. “Soo, since we found you here … how about Glade? Or Woody?”

    “How about no,” you say with furrowed eyebrows.

    “Apologies.” Edeglard sighs and shakes her head, her expression a mix between disappointment and annoyance. “Claude isn’t much accustomed to the notion of consideration.”

    Claude rolls his eyes. “Then you come up with something, princess. Or is it impossible because you can’t take out the stick up your—”

    “Claude,” Dimitri half shrieks, his pale cheeks splotched with red dots. As he stumbles over his own words trying to apologise for Claude’s behaviour, Edelgard simply deadpans, “Bold words for someone in stabbing range.”

    The fourth in this round of strange people considers you with a blank expression, her steady gaze like a solid touch on your skin. Before a greater argument can break free between the students, Byleth says a name with a surety like she’s never said anything else in her life, and hearing it, this barely whispered word immediately lost to the wind, you just know it’s your name.

    “Yes, much better than what Claude proposed.” Dimitri nods, regaining his composure even though he’s still staring daggers at Claude. “It sounds more civilised as well.”

    “You didn’t even suggest anything,” Claude remarks, but the huff of annoyance quickly dissipates from his voice when he jerks a thumb towards Byleth. “That’s Byleth, by the way. Funny story is, we met her just a couple of hours ago as well.”

    “Fate must have brought us together here today,” Dimitri agrees with a solemn nod. “I swear on my honour as a noble knight from the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus that I will see you safe to the Monastery. Lady Rhea will surely be able to help you there.”

    “Okay. Thank you,” you manage, unable to connect a face to this name in your head that feels like it’s about to burst any second anyway. The only course of action lies within those strangers who are so willingly offering help that you can’t stop worrying it’s a ruse. But without anything to offer them except your life, there’s little coming to your mind that they can anticipate in taking you with them. Tthe fact that Byleth knew your name doesn’t sit right with you as well. There’s something waiting to be grasped at the tips of your fingers, and yet you lack the strength to embrace it.

    Following the little group of soldiers and students through the woods, you remain silent on the journey, only answering questions with approving or denying hums. How did you end up in this particular forest? According to Jeralt, you’re currently moving away from a village called Remire and towards the mountains to the northeast where the monastery lies tucked away between two mountains. Judging from the clothes you’re wearing, you’re a commoner, and when Edelgard pushed a slim dagger in your hand, nothing rung in intuitive knowledge about how to handle a weapon. Your mind remained silent, like an untouched chord.

    There’s little you can say about the first impression those people left on you. There seems to be a unanimous dispute between the three students, hanging palpable in the air whenever an argument starts that’s pregnant with implied insults or passive-aggressive comments. From that you gather there’s tension between the governing fractions in Fódlan, something else you’ve learnt from listening to them squabbling.

    Byleth and Jeralt acknowledge their bickering as if it was flies buzzing around their heads. They keep more to themselves and their mercenary comrades, indicating they’re really as much of strangers to the students as you. Their conversations are a lot quieter as well, their heads leaning close together for the illusion of privacy. More than once you notice Byleth sneaking glances in your direction, and every time you lock eyes, there’s something close to comprehension when she looks at you. The further you march through the woods, the less you try to meet her gaze. Reaching the monastery is the first step to regain who you are, or so you hope, because the opposite would mean you’ll continue stumbling through the darkness with no lead to your past or why you’re in this particular part of Fódlan, and you can only hope that this Rhea person really will be able to help you.

    A sound from the underbrush cuts through your thoughts.

    Thinking it might be an animal, you don’t let it bother you too much. No one else seems to have heard it, so maybe it was just your imagination. But your brain refuses to let it rest, and fails to push it away from your mind because something about the sound doesn’t seem to be right. The more you try to focus on it though, the blurrier it gets; the less you understand its origin.

    Then, you hear a voice from within the woods. It sounds like a slurred whisper.

    “What was that?” You stop in the middle of the road, looking around the thick trees. Claude barely manages to avoid walking into you. “What was what?”

    “There’s something here.” Unable to explain further, you wave your hand around for emphasis. He looks at your hand, incomprehension written all over his face. “And that something is what exactly?” he asks.

    “I don’t know.” You wave your hand wilder. “But I don’t have a good feeling venturing further.”

    “You may be still tired,” Edelgard offers, not hiding her irritation that the journey stopped. “It won’t be long until we reach Garreg Mach. You can rest however long you need inside the monastery’s infirmary.”

    “I’m not tired,” you hiss, hand falling back to your side where it clenches into a fist. “I just really don’t think we should go further for now.”

    “And why is that?” Dimitri inquirers. He raises a hand and the soldiers following them come to a halt, a murmur of unrest breathing through their lines, and it’s just enough that you question if it would be better to play if off and admit your mind is playing tricks on you due to exhaustion.

    But whenever you blink, a red veil falls over your right eye, blurring your surroundings. Little red dots move slowly in the distance through the forest. If you didn’t know better, you’d say it’s some sort of life form far away, slowly advancing on your position. “Because someone is coming,” you finally manage, scratching the thin skin below your irritated eye that’s started twitching slightly. “Someone is coming towards us from southwest. And I can’t say if they’re friendly or not.”

    Three pairs of eyes consider you like you’ve grown a second head. Only Byleth stares into the woods like she might find the strangers you’re talking about waiting behind the trees if she just looks hard enough.

    “Little one, are you sure this isn’t just an aftereffect from you hitting your head?” Claude offers, squinting into the woods. You’re pretty sure he’s staring directly at the moving dots but for whatever reason can’t see them.

    “Unless amnesia is suddenly another term for going crazy, I don’t think so,” you snap, unable to hold back the irritation raising to the surface.

    A whistle echoes through the tree crowns. Byleth snaps her head in the direction of the sound, growing all tense. She raises her hand into a tight fist, and all movement stills behind you. When you turn around, you see the mercenaries waiting in the underbrush like a flock of crows ready to swipe down on their prey. Jeralt breaks away from them and approaches Byleth, a frown cutting a deep wrinkle into his forehead.

    “Bandits,” he says, and quickly signs a hand gesture to the nearest bowman. He nods and disappears between trees. “Another mile away. If we stay on this road, we’ll walk right into them.”

    “Seven hundred feet, actually,” you blurt. Jeralt looks at you like you’re a cockroach under his boot. Another whistle cuts through the woods, one long followed quickly by two short. Byleth exhales audibly, and only now you notice she’s moved to stand beside you. “Seven hundred feet,” she mutters, her eyes fixed on you.

    Jeralt tenses. “How do you know, kid?”

    “I don’t know,” you mumble towards your boots. “I just see.”

    There’s an uncomfortable silence falling around you, and you’re too afraid to look up and read distrust in their eyes.

    “Does it matter?” Claude finally breaks the silence, sliding his bow from his shoulder. “They won’t be a problem with the knights and mercenaries on our side.” He jerks his chin towards Byleth, already plugging an arrow from his quiver. “You should really see her fight.”

    “Wait,” you say, reflexively reaching for the hem of his cape. “Don’t engage them yet.”

    Claude stops, one eyebrow arched up in a curve. “Beg your pardon?”

    “They come from the woods. Which means this is their hunting ground and they have the advantage. They have dozens of archers. I think they’re waiting until you reach a glade. And then open fire.”

    “Which means we’ll end up as skewers.” Claude scratches his chin and twirls the arrow between his slender fingers. “I can think of better ways to shuffle off this mortal coil.”

    Dimitri perks up. “You’ve read the Tale of Hamelot I gave you?”

    “I’ll give it a six out of ten. His soliloquies were awful.”

    “Boys.” Edelgard snaps her fingers impatiently as Dimitri opens his mouth to protest. “Not the time.” She takes your wrist and pulls it away from Claude’s cape, her hard gaze like a sharp knife. “Are we simply ignoring the fact that we have someone in our midst knowing the enemies’ movement and deployment?” she cuts in harshly. “Is this a plan to lure us into an ambush?”

    “You think someone would give away their comrades’ position just like that?” Claude eyes her wearily. “Don’t be so suspicious of everyone.”

    She glares at him. “I rather be suspicious than dead.”

    Which is a valid point and a trait you willingly admit to share with her, but that doesn’t really solve the problem at hand. Luckily, Dimitri seems to think the same. He doesn’t unfasten the spear on his back yet, but his fingers dance swiftly over the handle, immediately resting on where he can easily pull it from the straps if needed to strike down an enemy. “Fact is enemies are approaching,” he concludes, looking at his fellow students in search for a consensual ceasefire. “We must put an end to them before they target defenceless travellers on their way out of the forest.”

    “Spoken like a true crowd-pleaser,” Claude says, either unable or not caring to hide the mock in his voice. “We can resolve our new friend’s condition after we take down the enemy.”

    “I don’t agree with this,” Edelgard declares, but nonetheless unclasps the double-bit axe from her back and swings it on her shoulder like it weighs nothing. “But I accept that this is a more pressing issue.” The easiness in the movement robs your lungs of air, and even though there are more important matters to focus on, you wonder how her muscles play under her black uniform swinging around a thing like that. Your admiration comes to a quick end when Jeralt and Byleth close the circle. Her hand rests on the hilt of a short blade as she scans the underbrush, her body rigid with battle anticipation.

    “Let them come to us,” Jeralt announces. “Let them think they have the advantage.”

    “Your knigths over there move slow through the woods,” you say, gesturing at the waiting man clad in heavy armour and armed with shields. “But their amour can resist some stray arrows coming down on us. It’s the rearguard that will take them by surprise from another direction and—”

    “And charge their flank or rear to finish them off,” Jeralt ends with a crude nod. “Indirect approach. I thought of that as well.”

    Your mouth goes dry. The idea plopped seemingly out of nowhere in your mind, but yes, now that you think about it, that is the indirect approach tactic, first recorded after the Battle of Nicaea in … Faerghus? Or was it Adrestia? The picture in your mind is still blurry, but now you can make out definite lines of objects: Books with drawn pictures of pointing arrows and coloured lines, each lettered with a name or an approach in a neat handwriting that isn’t yours. The picture triggers another wave of dizziness, disappearing as fast as it appeared.

    “They’re going to faint in three, two, one…” Claude’s voice rips you back to the present. You glare at him and raise a fist to show how close to fainting you really are. He only laughs at the tiny fist in front of his face.

    “Enough brats, get into position,” Jeralt bellows, and the students scatter with a bouncing step in all their strides as they take the lead of a small unit.

    You’re about to retreat to the furthest point away from battle when Jeralt blocks the way. “Not you. You’re going with Byleth.”

    “I’m what?”

    “Byleth,” Jeralt nods to the young woman ahead of you, “will be the commanding unit and you’ll help her.”

    The world tilts a little as panic takes hold of you. “I can’t. I don’t know how to fight.”

    “You seem to know enough to plan a counterattack.”

    “That doesn’t mean anything.” Your voice sounds horribly piercing even to your own ears. “It was just a lucky guess.”

    “I don’t know what’s the deal with you,” Jeralt says with a finality to his voice that doesn’t allow objection, and this time you clearly see the head of a mercenary guild, one that gives commands with every breath. “But that wasn’t a lucky guess. You see what it needs to win a battle. So you guide them.”

    He turns around sharply and leaves, not bothering to check if you plan to abandon them. It’s madness. You should abandon these people, should flee from the fight that will demand blood and death. One, two, three … six steps and you’re standing beside Byleth, taking deep breaths. It doesn’t help. She eyes you sideways with a raised brow, and you flinch at the metallic rasping sound as she draws her sword.

    “I shouldn’t be here,” you mumble, staring into the woods. The red dots are approaching faster, forming into more recognisable features of humans. “I’m going to die. Without knowing who I am or why I’m here. This is the worst day of my life. I think. I don’t know. It has to be.”

    Byleth hums beside you. You can’t tell if it’s a thoughtful or an affirmative hum. “This might sound crazy, but I do trust you.”

    “Maybe you shouldn’t,” you say, struck by a sudden fear that this all is a fever dream and you're about to lead them into ruin. It’s enough that you don’t even notice this is the first time you two are talking to each other since your meeting.

    Byleth studies you out of the corner of her eyes, then says, “A very persistent voice inside me tells me I shouldn’t.”

    “That’s your survival instinct. Listen to it.”

    “Yeah,” Byleth says, and there’s something like a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. You blink and it's gone. “I might do that.”

    You don’t really understand what’s there to smile about, but the moment quickly disappears as silence settles, only occasionally disturbed by a bird sitting in the trees above you.

    “So what exactly do you see?” Byleth whispers after a moment, barely shifting in her crouching position. You on the other hand really want to move your legs before they go numb.

    “I don’t know why you guys even believe me,” you mumble, and pinch the bridge of your nose with your fingers, trying to stave off another rush of dizziness. “And I don’t understand it myself. It’s the opponent, in a way. I see their strengths and weaknesses, their amour and weapons. It’s like … it’s like the flow of battle is displayed in front of me.”

    Byleth hesitates a moment, then nods like everything is pretty much self-explanatory. You wonder if to her it really does sound plausible, as she is someone who is practically born in battle, a daughter to a mercenary who breathes battle and fighting. Before you can explain anything further, she ducks more into the bushes and silences you with a sharp hush, her body tensed. The first bandits approach the glade, their bows and arrows ready to strike as the Academy’s knights engage them. Swords and axes clash against each other, battle cries ring through the woods. Byleth gestures you to follow her, and out of the corner of your eyes you see the students do the same, moving around the bandits. From the distance, you notice Claude gesturing wildly. It’s a mix between pointing at himself and then at the space a couple of feet away from his unit, and though you’re unable to fully comprehend it, you shake your head. He gives a thumbs up and slows down until he halts inside the thick cover of ferns.

    Just when you reach the right angle, Byleth looks back at you, waiting for your approval, and after briefly hesitating, you signal with a short nod to attack. Edelgard is the first to emerge from the underbrush. She has a dancer’s grace and a seemingly unerring instinct for what her opponent will do next. Her axe cuts through the first bandits who are too surprised to regroup in time. Dimitri and Claude are quickly to follow her. The crown prince of Faerghus wields his weapon of choice like he’s never done anything else in his entire life. The spear is the instrument to a deadly song they know by heart, and whoever stands in the way of their melody is cut down swiftly. Claude doesn’t disappoint with his steady aim either, his eyes sharper than an eagle’s. He nocks his bow, draws and impales a bandit that’s been running toward a mercenary with a crooked nose and eye patch. The mercenary gives him an offhand salute and goes back to fighting a thug twice his size.

    And then there’s Byleth. At first you don’t see her as the battle’s chaos swallows her and she disappears between moving bodies. But once your eyes catch up to her again, it’s hard to look away. Byleth moves through the enemies’ lines like an avenging angel on a mission. Her sword arm causes havoc as it conducts the tact of death’s complicated choreography and one by one the bandits fall to her deadly dance. Strangely, what describes it the best, you think, is divine.

    The battle is almost over. The last bandits fall or flee back into the woods as they abandon their comrades who lay down their weapons and yield. A miserable sound of relief escapes you when you see the end nearing with little casualties on your side, thanking whoever watches over you and guides your weapons in victory.

    That is until you see something, and at first you aren’t really sure you see it. Veiled by a red haze, a gruesome scene unfolds before you: As Byleth is focused on helping a soldier back up on his feet, a bandit strikes her from behind, wedging a dagger through her spine and into her heart. When you blink, the scene is gone and with it the red veil covering your surroundings.

    You don’t think twice. Jumping out of your hiding spot, you quickly recognise what will be Byleth’s murderer. Only he never gets the chance to approach her. With everything you’ve got, you charge into him and send him flying on the ground, you on top of him. The bandit groans, groggily turning on his back to see what struck him, and before you can start to fear for your own dear life, Byleth is beside you and rams her sword into his throat, silencing him forever.

    She looks down at you and you feel like she knows what just happened. Why you jumped in. It’s in those keen, piercing eyes that speak of a unimaginable wisdom. She reaches a hand out to help you up, and when you stand, the last bandits have been secured and the chaos finally settles. That is when the throbbing pain in your right eye doubles you ever, the pain akin to a pinprick of ice hammering into your skull. The pain makes you sick as stars explode behind your closed eyes, and the more they dance in feverish circles, the harder you press your hands against your eyelids, trying to smother the pain by pressure. It doesn’t work.

    Unable to breathe properly, your stumble, and when you move your hands, your fingers smear something warm and wet across your cheeks.

    Someone takes in a sharp breath. “Your eye,” Byleth breathes, a hand raised but remaining hanging in the air like she’s unsure if it’s okay to touch you. In the background you hear someone calling out you’re bleeding, and it takes a few seconds to understand where you’re bleeding from. Your right eye cries blood when the pain finally knocks you out, darkness falling onto everything.

[roseymess]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!! @stella-rra ,thanks for requesting 🥰

In BTS,I ship you with...

Jungkook

Tattoo artist Jk x college reader au

You were a beautiful girl,many had their eyes on you. New York seemed like a big place,but if your father/husband or you yourself, are in the multi-millionaire club,everyone knew everyone. Just like other rich kids,you also went to some elite college. Everyone out their wearing their latest expensive clothes,carrying elegant bags. And everyone had manners, nothing out of line. You were also wearing a black Gucci jacket,with a Prada bag in your hand. Beautiful,long straight hair,fair skin. Straight out of the anime world. You were admired by everyone. You basked in their attention.

But there was a secret. A secret you didn't want anyone to know. In deep,you were actually a conventional 'bad girl' . You loved tattoos,bikes,skater boards,going out at night,having beer, wearing your black boots,going on spray painting the walls. You loved it all. But you never tried to do this all. And also,you needed someone else to do all these dangerous things but no one you knew would do it. As you were thinking,you came face to face with your dad's best friend's son,Jeon Jungkook. He had worn a pink and blue jacket. With white shorts. Well, nonetheless he looked like a flower boy type of guy. He was also handsome. "What's up!" he asked, showing you his bunny smile. You reached over and pinched his cheeks tightly. "Ouuch!!" Jungkook screamed but you kept squishing his cheeks. Then answered, laughing, " Oh nothing's up Jk. It's just Monday. But seeing you makes my heart happy" you said and smiled. Hearing you,Jungkook felt blush creeping onto his face slowly. "Oh shut up Missy. Enough flirting with me. Wanna go to the facé with me later on?" he asked. "Hmm,not today. I have some place to be today actually" you said. " Oh really?" his face fell.like a sad puppy. But soon lightened up. "Alright, tomorrow then?" he asked. "Yeah sure Jungkook,see ya!!"

After the night fell,you went into your room. The walls were decorated with Jungkook and yours drawing. Jungkook is a really a good painter. You would often ask him to paint something for you. And he gladly obliged. Actually,even the tattoo you're about to get,is drawn by him. You know the place from where you'll be getting your tattoo done. It's a place you of from some people in the local bar,it's definitely in a Mall down the Times Square. Since finding a tattoo parlor in your neighborhood would be difficult. So you went in a cab wearing a hoodie and boots. You wanted the tattoo right up from your left hip bone to your left thigh.

You reached the place. There at the counter you had explained this was your first time. The did suggest a smaller one for first time but you were already determined. Seeing your Gucci Hoodie,they immediately appointed you with their best tattoo artist. So you sat at the waiting room. "Miss,you are up next,he is a very good artist. Has been doing it for years. And females feel comfortable with him. He is very polite as well" the lady said. You went up to the room and knocked. To your shock,a very familiar voice said " come in!" . You immediately opened the door. You came face to face with....Jungkook. He had tattoo all up his arms,black overall,spiked up hair. He looked....so hot. You couldn't believe it was Jungkook. He had his back towards you. "

Miss please sit down,your tattoo is very familiar to the drawing I drew for my friend you know" he said chuckling and turned around. But as soon as he did,he was stunned as well. " You??" you both asked at the same time. " Well, what's up Jungkook?! You are the well known 'flower boy type in our status'. You with tattoos??? And piercings??? Jeon Jungkook you better start talking" you asked surprised. Jungkook then went on to explain how much he loved art. Yes he did. But his father obviously wouldn't let him pursue a career as an artist. So he bribed the people in here to let him work. He explained how much he loves tattoos and art. Well,you certainly did not expect this bad boy side of Jeon Jungkook. He looked...so gorgeous. "Well,where do you want your tattoo? It's pretty big" Jungkook said. You slowly lifted your hoodie. You weren't wearing any undergarments as it would have been inconvenient. "From my hip bone to my left thighs" you explained. Jungkook also blushed,seeing your exposed skin. He slowly applied the cleanser on the whole area. Feeling your crush so close to your intimate place made you blush so bad. He then took the machine and started doing his work. "Ah!" you screamed. But Jungkook didn't stop. He looked at you,and asked " Hold my shoulders if you feel too much pain" . You did as he told. The skin stung like a dog. You gritted your teeth and bore the pain. Finally after a long time,it was done. Jungkook applied soap. Again,it burnt skin. You had tears in your eyes. Then cleaned the place slowly. He then wrapped a plastic sheet around the area. " It's done!! You did so well!!" he explained cheerfully with his bunny teeth.

You looked into the mirror,the tattoo sure looked amazing against your skin. Jungkook was also catching glances of it. You looked super hot. Damn the boy felt like taking you against the counter right now. "Control Jungkook,control" he said to himself. " Thanks Jungkook" you turned and smiled brightly at him. "Shit" he muttered. And you found yourself being pulled towards him slowly. So slowly,you didn't realise his lips were on yours. You were shocked,again. But you slowly closed your eyes,and kissed him back. His lips were so soft. After the makeout session,he pulled back. "I am so sorry that was out of context. I actually had a crush on you and I didn't know how to approach you. And you are just so beautiful.." he kept on rumbling with a huge blush on his face. You stopped him by kissing him again " I like you too Jungkook",you said " And if you are okay,would you,maybe,like to hang out tomorrow? Just us?" you asked shyly. " Um,like a date?" he asked. "A date" you confirmed. He smiled again,god his tattoos are in contrast to his smile. " Sure princess,but I need my payment for your tattoo" he said. " Oh yes,please wai-" you were cut off as " Not in money,I want you" he said as he pulled you towards him again, slowly locking the door of the room.

Hope you liked it. Hope I met your expectations. Thank you for requesting. You are free to request again🥰🥰Take care💜💜💜

[purplestrawberrywerewolf]

Namaari x Younger sister! Reader

Okay, I feel a tiny bit better so here you go

When you opened your eyes; it was daytime and it was raining. You looked around in confusion. You were in the forest, the leaves wet from the rain and you looked at your hands.

They were flesh, no longer stone but you couldn’t help but wonder how? How are she no longer stone? Where was ma? Where was Namaari? Was she okay?

So many questions ran through your mind as you walked down towards the Fang palace. Your face morphed into shock when you saw the state of it. Buildings were crumbled, the ground caved in. You looked around until you saw a familiar person.

“’Maari?” You called out. Namaari tensed, hearing a voice she never thought she would hear again. She slowly turned around, her mouth dropping in shock when she saw you.

“Y/N!” She exclaimed, running towards her. You ran towards her as well, and finally felt her wrap her arms around you. You cried into her shoulder and you felt her do the same.

“Oh my dragons,” she pulled away, looking down at you with a shocked expression. She cupped her cheeks, looking at you for an sign of injury. “I thought I was never going to see you again” she whispered, tears slipping out of her eyes.

You wiped your eyes. “I thought I was never coming back” you admitted. Once again, your older sister eveloped you in another hug. She held you tight, as if you were to disappear if she let go.

You opened your eyes and your eyes widenend when you saw a beautiful girl with long hair and a single braid on top. She was watching the scene with a confused expression on her face.

“W-who’s that?” You asked as Namaari pulled away from the hug. She looked over at her before waving her over. The girl obeyed and walked over to the both of you.

“Y/N, this is Raya. She’s the Heart Princess” Namaari introduced. Your eyes widened as you quickly formed a gem over your head and bowed. Raya chuckled. “You don’t have to. But uh, ‘Maari, I didn’t know you had a sister” Raya said as she glanced over at the Fang princess.

Namaari pursed her lips. “I know...It was just hard for me to talk about. She turned to stone about a year ago. That’s kind of why...I was also kind of a bitch.” She continued as she placed an arm around you. You leaned into her touch and laid your head against her chest, savoring the moment.

“After she turned to stone, I began to get more determined on stopping the Druun” she finished explaining as she glanced down at you. Raya watched the scene as the memory of her ba came back to her.

“No, I get you. It’s the same with my ba.” She said. Namaari and Raya gazed at each other with a small smile. However, as you watched a small smirk formed on your lips.

“Ahem, anyway. Raya, Namaari, why don’t you guys...hang around? I’m gonna go see ma” you said quickly leaving the scene as both princesses looked at you confused.

~*~

After your very emotional reunion, you went back to your room to change. But also, to plot on how to get Raya and Namaari alone together. You knew your sister. She may seem very strict and intimidating on the outside, but when it came to you or her Serlots, she was a big furball.

And you could see that it was the same with Raya. You knew about your sister’s obsession with Raya. Okay, obsession is a strong word.

Oh!

Sapphic yearning.

There you go.

You knew about your sister’s feelings towards the Princess, even when she would get angry and deny it when you would ask her. But you weren’t stupid. Yeah, you were younger than her, but you weren’t oblivious either.

The way they looked at each other is how your ma’s used to look at each other when you and Namaari were younger.

You quickly changed into a white Subai and brushed your h/c hair before heading out.

Everyone was planning on going back to Heart, to announce that they were Kumandra again. Plus, Raya was going to reunite with her ba. You left your room when you turned a hallway.

There, you saw Namaari and Raya talking. You panicked before hiding behind a pillar and peeking out.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little. I haven’t seen my ba in 6 years. What if he doesn’t recongnize me?”

“I’m sure he’ll recongnize you. You look exactly the same. Short as ever”

Raya giggled, gently pushing Namaari’s arm. “Shut up. I’ll see you later yeah?” Raya asked as she began to walk away. Namaari watched with red cheeks. “Y-yeah. I’ll see you later!” She said as she watched the princess walk away.

Namaari watched with a dreamy expression, not hearing when you appeared behind her.

“Awww, someone has a crush” you cooed in a mocking voice. Namaari sighed before looking at you, her brows furrowed in annoyance. You smirked. “Just admit it. You like her” you said crossing her arms.

Namaari rolled her eyes. “No, I don’t. She’s just-”

“A friend. Yeah, yeah. That’s what ma said about mama and then we were born” you teased. Namaari sighed closing her eyes.

“Okay, fine. So, what if I think she’s cute?” She admitted as she crossed her arms. You squealed in excitement. “Namaari’s got a girlfriend!”

“Shh!” Namaar hushed you as you giggled. “Shut up, binturi, people are gonna hear” she whisper yelled. You lifted your hands up in surrendur. “Sorry. Well, I’m gonna go talk to ma, you figure out your.... thing” you said before turning on your heel and walking away, feeling your older sister’s eyes burn a hole in the back of your head.

~*~

A few hours passed and you everyone else were on their way to Heart. The sun was beginning to settle when everyone arrived. You yawned as you got off your Serlot, patting his head as you followed your mom and sister.

You watched with a small smile as Raya and her ba reunited, remembering when you and your sister saw each other again for the first time. You glanced at said girl who was watching the scene.

She felt your gaze and looked down at you. You smiled as she wrapped a hand around your shoulder. Soon, everyone began to close in as Chief Benja looked in pure shock.

Sisu went up to him and explained what happened. Soon, everyone bowed and walked across the bridge into Heart.

~*~

You watched with a smirk on your face as Raya and Namaari talked, both their cheeks flushed as they shared a laugh. You took a bite of your food when you heard someone sigh next to you.

You looked to see Boun. “Oh, hey” you greeted. He smiled. “Hi” he greeted. You both stayed quiet as you watched both princesses talk. He sighed. “They’re so oblivious” he said. You looked at him in surprise. “You noticed it too?” You asked shocked. He looked at you confused. “Yeah. They obviously like each other they’re just either too oblivious to do anything or they’re...not the smartest people”

You laughed. “Nah. Raya is the most oblivious person ever, and Namaari is too chicken to ask her out” you pointed at them with your fork. Boun laughed. “Right? Like come on” you both shared a laugh.

You both stayed quiet for a minute when you noticed a woman from Talon go up to Raya. Your eyes narrowed as you watched her ask Raya something. The Princess smiled and let the Talon woman grab her hand, leading her to the dance floor.

“Wait, what’s going-”

“Shh” you shushed Boun as you watched them dance. Your eyes then trailed to your older sister who was standing by your ma and was watching with narrowed eyes.

You smirked. “She’s jealous. Quick, we need to do something” you whispered. Boun agreed before you both left your posts and went to your places.

“’Maari!” You greeted your sister. She glanced over at you. “What’s wrong?” She asked, a look of worry washing over her features. “Uh, why don’t you dance with Raya?” You asked, your voice going slightly higher.

Sadly, your sister knew you too well. She knew when your voice got high meant you were lying or stalling. She raised a brow. “Uhm...because she’s already dancing with someone else?”

You turned to see Boun ‘accidently’ spilling juice on the Talon woman’s dress, causing her to get embrassed and leave the scene. Raya stood there in confusion.

“Come on!” You pulled your sister’s arm, making her yelp as you dragged her across the floor. Boun grabbed Raya’s hand as well and soon they were both facing each other.

“U-Uh hi” Namaari stammered. Raya smiled. “Hey. Nice party right? My ba did a great job” she said happily, not aware at all of what was going on. Namaari gazed at the Princess in front of her with a small smile before she heard your voice.

She glanced back to see you standing next to Boun. “Dance! Dance with her!” You pressured. Namaari turned back towards the princess, tugging her bottom lip with her teeth in nervousness.

“Um...Wanna dance?” She asked. Raya smiled and slipped her hand in Namaari’s. Soon, a slow song began to play and couples from different lands danced together. You watched, sitting on one of the chairs as your sister danced with the Heart Princess.

“So, uh...wanna dance?” Boun asked shyly. You chuckled. “Nah, I don’t dance. But you can get me some juice, that’d be nice” you said. He nodded before walking off. You turned back at the scene but the moment was ruined for you when you saw a man from Spine come by and asked Raya to switch with him which she gladly did.

“Ugh. This Heart Princess is dumber than my sister” you muttered under your breath as you walked towards your older sister who watched in sadness.

“What the heck happened?” You asked crossing your arms. Your sister sighed as she watched Raya happily dance with different people. “I don’t know...maybe she doesn’t feel the same” she guessed.

You groaned. “No, it’s because she’s more oblivious than a fish.” You grasped Namaari’s tank top so she looked straight at you. “Go get your girl ‘Maari. Don’t let some Spine dude or Talon woman steal her” you pressured.

Namaari’s eyes trailed towards Raya who was laughing at something a Tail woman said. She sighed. “Okay” she said. However, she just stood there. You pushed her slightly. “Go” you pressured.

Namaari shyly walked towards Raya. Boun appeared next to you with a drink in hand. “What was that all about?” He asked. You took the drink from his hand before taking a sip. “Eh, teenage love. Now, let’s go terrorize someone”

~*~

Watching your sister fail at flirting and watching Raya get hit on by another person was torture. Namaari was horrible at showing her feelings thanks to your mother’s words of “We make smart decisions not emotional ones” which you really didn’t listen to anyways.

You sighed as you pretended to listen what your mother was telling you as you watched Namaari sadly sip her drink as some random person was flirting with Raya.

Does this girl not know she’s getting hit on? Of course not, she’s so oblivious it’s not even funny.

“Excuse me, ma. I’m gonna go check on ‘Maari she seems kinda sad” you excused before quickly sprinting towards your sister.

“You know, you moping around is ruining my mood” you commented, startling your sister. She glanced at you before sighing. “Why even try, Y/N? She doesn’t even know I’m flirting with her. She doesn’t even know they’re flirting with her! So, why try?” She asked quietly.

Even though you loved to tease your sister about being sad, you felt bad for her. You never experienced what she was feeling but you knew it hurt. Seeing the person you have a giant crush on dance with other people.

You sighed quietly as you watched Raya talk to her ba about something. Finally you decided what to do. “Stay here. Watch my drink” you said as you handed Namaari your cup who held it surprised.

You quickly walked towards the Chief and Heart Princess. “Princess Raya, Chief Benja” you greeted as you bowed. You broke your pose before looking over at the girl.

“I would like to steal Raya for a little bit if that’s alright” you explained. Benja agreed before walking away. “What’s up?” Raya asked as you proceeded to walk out the ball room.

Soon, you were both roaming the hallways, laughing and giggling at things you both said. She would be an awesome sister-in-law.

Soon, you both found yourselves looking out the balcony in Heart’s halls. “Um. So, I need some advice? I guess” you started. Raya raised a brow. “I’m the last person you should be seeking advice from but okay” she said as she leaned so she was looking at you.

You took a deep breath. This is for your sister. Your dumb, shy, scared sister. “Well, it’s not for me, it’s actually for ‘Maari” you said. Raya furrowed a brow. “Why couldn’t she ask me herself?” She asked. You shrugged. “Too shy I guess. Anyway, so Namaari...she likes this girl” you explained. However, you saw Raya visibly shrink at that sentence.

“She...she likes someone?” She asked, her eyes that were once filled with joy now filled with disappointment. You took this as a good sign. It meant Raya was aware of her feelings for Namaari.

“U-uh yeah. She um...she’s not from Fang though. She’s actually from a different land. And she doesn’t know how to ask her out. Everytime she’s around her, she gets all shy and flustered and is horrible at flirting” you explained. Raya listened with a solemn look on her face.

“And um...I thought, maybe you could help her?” You asked. Raya sighed. “Well, if she really likes this girl, then she should just...take a leap of faith. Ask her out on a date. Maybe she’ll say yes. And if she does well..” Raya trailed off as she drew an unknown pattern on the wood with her nail.

“She’s a lucky girl I guess.” She finished as she sighed. You smiled. “Cool. Now, come with me” you grabbed the Princess’ arm. “Woah! W-what are you doing?” She asked.

You glanced back at her. “Helping Namaari ask out her crush” you responded. You dragged the princess back to the ball room where you saw Namaari standing and talking to your mother.

“Go!” You pushed Raya towards her who looked at you confused. “How are you helping her ask out her crush?” She asked. You chuckled. “Raya, you kill me. You are the crush dumby” you revealed. Her eyes widened in realization. You waved as you walked back to Boun and dragged him towards the scene.

“Um...C-Chief Virana, can I speak to Namaari?” Raya asked. The woman nodded before walking away. Namaari looked over at the Princess. “Hey. What’s going on?” She asked. Raya took a deep breath. “Um...your sister told me you have a crush on someone” she revealed.

Namaari’s gaze then snapped over to you, her eyes narrowed as she glared. You only waved back happily as you took a bite of food. Namaari sighed. “Raya, don’t listen to Y/N, she likes to gossip and-”

“I know the crush is me, Namaari”

“ohh...” Namaari pressed her lips together. Oh no, what was she going to say? Was she going to tell her she didn’t feel the same? Was she going to reject her and then she’d be too embarrased to come back to Heart?

“Look, Raya I-”

“I feel the same” Namaari’s eyes widened as she looked at the girl in front of her. Raya had a small smile on her lips and a hint of pink painted her cheeks. “Y-you do?” Namaari asked. Raya laughed. “Yes! I know, I was being kind of oblivious all night. But...yeah. I feel the same.” She confirmed.

Namaari so badly wanted to kiss the Heart Princess but not here in front of everyone. She then smirked. “Let’s...let’s head somewhere private” she offered. Raya giggled as Namaari grasped her hand and dragged her away.

You watched in shock as they did. “Well, that escalated quickly” you commented. “What did?” Boun asked as he appeared next to you, a plate of shrimp in his hand.

“Nothing” you lied before stealing a shrimp and continued your night.

[wendip-week]

Prompt: Time-Travel

Prompt – Time Travel

It was another fine day in Gravity Falls. Squirrels were chasing each other, baby birds were chirping for food, and the local citizens went about their business, blissfully unaware of the rumored-weirdness that surrounded the valley.

In the town’s tourist-trap, the Mystery Shack, two young workers were sitting behind the register, looking bored. One was a short, scrawny pre-teen with shaggy, brown hair covered by a cap featuring a pine-tree. The other was a tall, lanky redheaded girl in flannel and sporting a trapper-hat. They were the best of friends (or partners-in-crime, depending on who you ask); and at that moment, they’d rather have been anywhere else.

“Ugh! Dipper! Why’s your uncle making us sit here? This place is half-dead! We’ve had, what? Sixteen customers all day, and maybe three of them wanted to buy something?” the girl said, laying across the counter.

“Yeah. Well, it’s Stan, Wendy. ‘Any potential sucker is basically a customer, and customers have money, so don’t miss an opportunity to get some!’”

“Nice one. But seriously, dude, I wish we could go on some adventure. Heck, I’ll take anything: scary or cheesy,” the girl said confidently.

“Really?” Dipper replied, looking at her. “You’d stoop to something out of our B-movie collection?”

Wendy paused, clearly giving this some thought. “Well…”

“The Crawling Deer-Demon-Duck is hiding in that condemned-house, Cassandara!” Dipper said in a low-baritone, his face pouting with mock-bravery. “What kind of brave seventeen-year-old slight bad-boy would I be if I didn’t go in there alone to try and stop it?”

Accepting his challenge, Wendy stood up. “Oh, Drewson! You can’t! It’s too dangerous!” she replied, adopting a terrible accent of a Southern-belle. She put the back-end of her hand on her forehead dramatically, while using her other to grab his sleeve. “I won’t let you go into that condemned house where the Deer-Demon-Duck is hiding!”

Dipper gently moved her hand away and faced her more directly. “But you have to let me!”

“Oh, Drewson!!!” Wendy lamented, now looking Dipper in the eyes.

“Cassandara…” Dipper did the same…

The two’s faces came closer and closer…

  Meanwhile, from two different ends of the Shack, a couple of thirteen-year-olds watched with interest. One, a fit-looking, freckle-faced girl with brown hair, stared with wide-eyes; she had her hands over her mouth as she barely suppressed a squeal. It was just too cute and hilarious! The other was a bulky young-man with copper hair. He just rolled his eyes and shook his head, chuckling.

  Wendy and Dipper’s faces were now inches from one another; neither breaking the act. Just as it seemed they were about make contact…

*FLASH!*

“Bwaaaahhh!!!” cried out a voice of pure-chaos.

…A white flash of light and a subsequent familiar-sounding snap caught them off-guard (and momentarily blinded the duo).

“Hey!” Dipper shouted.

“What the heck?!” Wendy replied, blinking to get her sight back.

“You guys! That was adorable!” Mabel, Dipper’s twin who sported braces, a homemade sweater, and thick, long brown cried out.

“Mabel?” said Wendy. “How long have you been there?”

“Long enough to hear all that!” the energetic girl told her friend while holding a photo-camera.

“W-We were imitating a scene from one of our movies!” Dipper replied quickly, his face suddenly a deep-red.

“Tomato-Potato! A smooch-scene’s a smooch-scene! Look!” Mabel told them, holding up an instant-photo. Looking closer, it featured Dipper and Wendy, inches apart and puckered up. “And I thought your only chest-hair was scrapbook-material, Dip!”

“Mabel, you better throw that away!” Dipper told his sister, while Wendy just shook her head, a hand covering her eyes.

“Nope! Scrapbook-ortunity!” Mabel opened her scrapbook and, finding a spot that was (relatively) empty, put the photo in. “Boom! Now, I just need some glue! Be right back!”

Mabel ran into the house to look around, leaving her brother and friend alone and little embarrassed.

Dipper looked at his redheaded crush. “Sorry, Wendy. She didn’t need to do that.”

“It’s whatever, dork. I mean, we were kind of cutting it close. That’s what happens when you play chicken.”

“Yeah… I’m gonna destroy it before she gets back,” Dipper said, reaching out for the scrapbook.

“No, don’t!” Wendy replied, putting her hand on his shoulder.

“Wendy, you know she’ll show people. What’ll our friends think? I don’t want you to get embarrassed,” the younger Mystery-Twin said to the redhead.

“Thanks, but if everyone starts laughing, we can just say we’re great actors. After all, I’d pick you over the lead in that cheesy-film any day,” Wendy reassured Dipper, a gentle smile on her face.

Not knowing what to say, the blushing twelve-year-old just awkwardly chuckled.

“Hey!” shouted a gravelly-voice from inside the house. “Can somebody help me with this pimple on my back! I don’t need it bothering me on my next tour!”

Wendy turned to look at her dork, looking a little nonplussed. “…We should probably run before Stan singles us out.”

“To the roof, you think?” Dipper asked.

“Nah, I’m starved. Let’s hit Greasy’s. There’s a great lunch-special if we hurry.”

The nigh-inseparable duo quietly rushed off, leaving the gift-shop completely unattended. With that, the two customers slowly approached the counter, awkwardly looking around.

“Well, that was adorable and weird,” the girl told the boy around her age.

The large boy shrugged. “Definitely right on the latter.” He turned to face the girl. “How has your day been progressing?”

“Uh, fine I guess?” she replied, not used to hearing a greeting in such context. “How about yours?”

“Can’t complain. So… the gift-shop’s abandoned, it looks like,” the boy said, looking around.

“I guess so. Someone could steal something from here and no one would notice.”

“True. Looks like the rumors of this place sparing every expense were true,” the boy said with a chuckle. “Are you planning on stealing something?”

“No! Of course not!” the girl replied with a huff. As the boy looked away, she discreetly took a glance at the scrapbook left behind.

“Well, that’s good. Lots of punk-teens wouldn’t think twice about robbing this place blind,” he told her.

“Fair point,” The girl replied. She reached a small hand out. “I’m May, by the way.”

The other teen answered by clasping it with a meaty-looking hand of his own. “Cool. That’s my sister’s name. I’m Danny.”

For a second, the girl called May’s eyes widened, before narrowing suspiciously. Danny suddenly realized she wasn’t letting go of his hand.

“No, it isn’t,” she replied curtly. “My brother’s Danny!”

As she said that, the other teen frowned before his eyes mirrored the girl. They stared momentarily before pouncing. May attempted to pull “Danny” toward her. Danny, however, was ready. He spun and pulled the hand still clasping his behind the girl’s back. With her momentarily caught off-guard, he pushed her into one of the aisles. He quickly snatched the scrapbook from the counter before racing out the door. May, after stopping herself from hitting a wall, turned to see no scrapbook near the register. She immediately rushed outside to find the boy.

Behind the Mystery Shack, Danny was going rummaging the somewhat sticky-pages of the book he snatched, careful not let anything besides some glitter fall out from between. Finally, his eyes settled on his objective. He was just about to take it when-

“Hey, you!” Danny turned towards an angry-looking May, her fist punching her other palm. “That’s stealing! I don’t know who you are, but I’m not letting you have that!” she shouted.

“Please!” he replied. “As if you weren’t planning on it. I’m smarter than I look, you know!” he accused the girl, who gritted her teeth at his comeback. “And for your information, I’m me! And you’re not you!”

With that, the two of them raced towards each other. This time, however, May slid between the large boy’s legs and got behind him. Before he could react, she grabbed him underneath his shoulders. With him successfully in a headlock, May reached for the book in the redheaded boy’s hand. Realizing what she was trying to do, Danny swung back-and-forth, trying to make May let go of him.

Caught off-guard, the strong girl actually lost her grip on one of his arms for a minute, though she quickly regained it by getting her arm around his neck. However, this wasn’t enough. He reached behind, and this time, he got ahold of May’s shirt, enabling him to throw her off, despite her attempts to hold onto his head. (She even grabbed and stretched his mouth in the process).

She landed with a thud but was quick to get back on her feet. And May was immediately shocked by the sight before her. Next to this guy’s feet was the scrapbook of Mabel, apparently dropped when she made him throw her off. But on the other side of “Danny” laid what looked like a rubber-mask of his face. The head on his body now sported something else: a head that she could only describe as resembling an oversized pistachio, but with red-eyes and sharp teeth.

The creature posing as a human, realizing he was exposed, quickly grabbed his mask and slipped it back on with a growl. Now indiscernible from a human, he wagged what May assumed was a false finger, clearly ticked by that. He charged at her, only for her to roll out of the way. She tried a roundhouse-kick, only for the disguised teen to catch her foot. When May tried to break out, she lost her balance, enabling Danny to catch her from behind the same way she had him.

However, May was ready this time. As this guy grabbed her underneath her shoulders, May somersaulted backwards and caught Danny’s neck with her shoes. With all of her might, she used her legs to throw Danny forward, headfirst! He landed with a loud thud, giving May time to grab the book and escape.

Danny, checking to make sure his mask was straight, raced to catch up to May. He went around the side and rushing in the general direction she ran, saw her carefully moving around a large hole not too far from the Mystery Shack. Taking off a hand-shaped glove, he launched a vine-like appendage and grabbed May’s leg, tripping her and pulling her back. At the same time, she dropped the book near the edge of the long drop. Danny rushed forward and picked it up.

Of course, by this time, May was back on her feet. She charged with all he had and slammed her shoulder into the creature’s costumed-midsection, making him drop the book again. “OW!” They both shouted after May made contact.

Danny rubbed the spot where he got rammed with one hand and pushed her back with his other. He then looked at the pained girl strangely. “That was… You tackle just like May does; only weaker. Who are-? Hey, you okay?”

“Do I look okay?” May was clutching her shoulder, and as the boy could see more plainly, it didn’t look quite right.

“You’re hurt.” Before Danny could say more, the edge of the hole he was standing by gave way. He fell and, because he was still holding onto May, ended up pulling her in, too.

They both fell, screaming all the way down, only realize that they didn’t seem to be getting there anytime soon.

“Wait… I know what this is! We’re in the Bottomless Pit!” May said in realization.

“Oh, yeah! Haven’t seen the inside of this I was five…” Danny thought out loud.

“So you say!” May snapped. “Stop pretending already and tell me what the heck you are! Running into you is like crashing into a tree-trunk! What the heck?!”

Danny paused. “Okay, seeing as you look like you’re hurting, and I’m not, I’m going to call a truce. I’m willing to talk if you are, but I’d rather check your arm first. Is that cool with you?”

“Fine,” May grumbled, seeing no options at the moment. She was at a disadvantage, and if this monster could reach her, she’d be in trouble.

“Alright. Now, stay calm and try not to freak out.” Danny took a hand-shaped glove off and from where it was, slowly extended a vine in May’s direction. It gently went around the teenager’s midriff and pulled her towards him. It was plain to see she was suspicious. “Let me see…” Using his other hand, he poked May’s shoulder.

“Augh!” she grunted.

“Yeah… Looks like you dislocated your shoulder,” Danny assessed with a shudder. “You meatbags and your weird bodies.”

“MEATBAGS?! Look who’s talking!”

“Hey, it is basically what you are. You’re like, mostly water, aren’t you?”

“Well, yeah…” May admitted awkwardly. “But that’s still rude.”

“Right. Sorry,” he apologized sheepishly. “Look, we can’t do anything until we come back up, so we might well as chat and find what the heck is going on here; maybe why you want that scrapbook so much.”

“You took it first,” May replied. “What about you? Also, would you mind letting go of me?”

“Can do.” Danny retracted his vine, allowing May to freefall on her own, then slipped his glove back on over his branch-like hand.

“Okay, so… who the heck are you? I’ve lived in Gravity Falls all of my life; I know that names being alike isn’t some coincidence.” May said.

“Agreed. I’m Danny Pines,” said the strange-teen. “And I’m assuming you’re May Pines.”

“Yeah. May Pines: daughter of Mason and Wendy Pines,” May stated proudly.

“Those are my parents’ names,” Danny replied, an eyebrow raised.

“Weird. My brother’s human, and he doesn’t look much like whatever that costume is you’re wearing. Are you being honest that you’re who you say you are?”

“Yes, I am,” Danny replied, starting to sound annoyed. “Look, I’m a plant-person, okay? So is most of the family, along with the half-the-town where I’m from. We wear disguises to blend in with humans… And what’s wrong with the way I look?”

“Well, for starters, my Danny’s not built like you. He’s muscular, but like the lean-kind. And he’s tall. You kind of have a build like my uncles on Mom’s side of the family. Plus, your face kind of looks like Aunt Mabel’s. He’s got more of one that looks kind of like Grandpa Dan,” May said thoughtfully.

“Huh. Go figure. I never actually wondered if my disguise was accurate… As for my height, I can safely tell you I’m taller than I look. I basically slouch in this costume,” Danny told her. “And my May’s costume doesn’t have you so good, either.”

“Really? Why?” May asked.

“Well, her mask has red-hair and no freckles. And your nose definitely isn’t Mom’s.”

“Oh. I always wondered how I’d look with red hair…” May thought out loud. “Uh, so… why the heck were you trying to take that book?”

“Why do you need it?”

May sighed in resignation. “Look, I’m looking for an anniversary-present for Mom and Dad. I remember Aunt Mabel told me about some cute picture in her scrapbook that went missing. It was that little scene with Mom and Dad from a little earlier. Apparently, it disappeared. It’d be a good gift, and I thought maybe it was me taking it after Blendin Blandin loaned me his Time-Tape that caused it disappear. Now, I’m wondering if it vanishes because you steal it.”

“What a coincidence. I was planning on getting that as an anniversary present for them, too. Well, my version of Mom and Dad.”

“Yeah… How’s that work again? I’m already assuming this is probably one of those Other-Dimension/Universe deals. Or maybe even another timeline,” asked May

“Really? How would that last one work? New timelines always replace old ones, right?” Danny replied.

“I don’t know. I don’t do this for a liv-Oh! We’re coming back up!”

About a minute later, the two thirteen-year-olds found themselves back outside the Bottomless Pit, not a minute gone by since they fell in. Immediately, they stepped away, quick to attend to more important matters. Well, besides the picture in Mabel’s scrapbook, anyway. (Danny quickly picked that up).

“Alright,” Danny said after making sure no one was around. “I’m not an expert, but I’ve been taught the basics of human-skeletons. We’ve gotta fix that arm.”

“Right. Uh, one sec.” May used her good arm to pull a coin-purse out of her pocket. From there, she pulled out a piece of wood with some bite-marks and stuck it in her mouth. “Do your worst.”

Danny put one hand on her forearm; the other on her shoulder. “This is gonna hurt. I’m going to count to five. Got it?” May nodded, and Danny counted. “One… Two… Five.”

A shrill, girly scream echoed through the valley. A scream rivaled only by those who were unfortunate enough to stick an appendage into the infamous “Pain Hole”.

“You okay?” Danny asked, concerned.

“Yeah,” May grunted, rolling her shoulder a couple of times. “This actually happens more often than you think. I’ll be fine in a couple of days.

“Well, I guess that’s one thing you humans have over us,” the boy said, shaking his head. “Your broken limbs don’t have to stay broken. We need to regrow ours. It’s pretty rough.”

“I guess… So, is your time like that lizard-people timeline or something? Dad and Aunt Mabel said something like that happened or was talked about when they were hunting for treasure one time.”

“I don’t remember either of them talking about that,” Danny said, shrugging. “All I know is that my version of Mom and Dad were turned into plants outside of Gravity Falls, and that there was time-travel involved. Come to think of it, I wonder if maybe Time-Wishes have something to do with this.”

May raised an eyebrow. “I don’t follow.”

“They’re paradox-free, but what if they don’t line up with the future. And they can’t be part of a time-loop, either. That’s another paradox. But splitting timelines might make for a good technicality, especially if they lead to the same futures or something.”

“…You read a lot of science-fiction, don’t you?” May deadpanned.

Danny shrugged. “When I’m camping. Yeah.”

“So… you think maybe we come from different branches and that this is a shared-moment in the past?”

“In a nutshell. No pun intended.”

May shrugged. “Anything’s possible. So, how are things in your timeline? Is the Shack still standing?”

“Yeah. Uncle Soos is doing a great job with it.”

“Nice! Does Arctica exist in in that time? Do you like-like her?” May asked in a sly voice.

“N-No! I mean, uh, yes… and no!” Danny replied quickly.

“Oh my gosh! I knew it!” May said, almost squealing. “Everyone knows! Me, our parents, our friends! Aunt Pacifica sure approves! So does-!”

“Wait! Pacifica… She’s alive in your time?” Danny asked, looking a bit shocked.

“Yeah. Is she not…? Oh, man! What happened?” May replied, looking very concerned.

“She just got sick. Last year, I think. That kind of thing’s one drawback to being human, I guess. Still, everyone was there, so I think she was comfortable, at least,” Danny told his sister from what might be an alternate-timeline.

“Shoot…” May thought out loud.

“Sorry to bring the mood down. So, does Chaz still try to keep his distance from you and your cooties?”

“As if! He’s just intimidated by my tackle!”

“Sure… No doubt that’s why he and Drake Jr. tried to discover a vaccine for them,” Danny said with a chuckle. “Dad thinks they might be onto rediscovering the Philosopher’s Stone instead.”

“So, Aunt Mabel married Uncle Drake in your timeline, too?”

“Yep.”

“Great… Two versions of our uncle to pass on his terrible driving skills two different versions of our cousin,” May said in exasperation.

“Don’t forget our siblings…” Danny added.

“Siblings? What siblings?” May asked.

“…You’re kidding, right?”

“No. Seriously, we have them? What are they like?” May said with interest. “Younger? Older?”

“All of the above. Dang. I wish I had my special phone-glove so I could show you pics. Too bad I didn’t want to accidentally leave it.”

“Shoot! Lucky!”

Danny laughed. “Keep telling yourself that.”

May smiled, then looked at her aunt’s scrapbook. “That photo’s still in there.”

Danny rummaged through it and found the page with said photo. The siblings from different timelines both stared, admiring the young versions of their parents doing that corny, mock-romance scene.

“What do you wanna do?” Danny asked her.

“I don’t know… I want it, but you’ve got as much right to snatch it as I do,” May replied. “I wish we both could take it with us.”

“You know, maybe we can,” Danny said after a minute.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Doesn’t the Shack have a magic photocopy-machine in this time?”

“…And Mom and Dad are gone, so we might be able to pull this off!”

//

Meanwhile, Mabel was in her and Dipper’s room in the attic, which had basically been torn apart in a futile-search.

“Come on, Mabel!” The sweater-loving preteen said to herself. “Where’d you put that extra glue?”

//

The Mystery Twins of different timelines slipped through the currently-unguarded gift-shop of the Mystery Shack with ease, only to run into an elderly, bespectacled man in a fez, faded-white tee-shirt, and boxers in the living room, who was sitting on the couch, watching tv. The man turned to face them.

“Hey!” he said gruffly. “No exploring the house unless I’m leading a tour! Back to the gift-shop with you.”

Danny approached him, a hand behind his back. “No. Back to sleep with you.” Danny brought his concealed hand out from behind him, a large flower blooming from his wooden hand. He blew what looked like pollen into the old man’s face. The man was out in an instant, drooling all over himself.

May took the tv remote and flipped through a couple of channels. When she was satisfied, she abandoned the remote and joined Danny, though not before laying a soft kiss on the scary-looking man’s temple.

“Love you, Great-Grunkle Stan,” May whispered. She turned back to rubber-suited variation of her brother. “Let’s go.”

The two kids wandered down the hall towards the back, where they found a beaten, worn-out copy machine with words like “Danger” and other warnings on and around it.

“So… if I remember correctly, Dad said this’ll clone whatever you put into it,” May said. “It’s how Great Grunkle Stan made copies of the Journals that triangle-dude ruined.”

“Right,” Danny replied. “Seems straightforward. I think I’ll make two. This way, we don’t have to steal anything.”

“Sounds good. Let’s just remember not to get either wet.” May stepped out to check the living room.

//

Meanwhile, a heavy-set young man in a cap and a shirt with a big question-mark stepped into the living-room. “Hey, Mr. Pines. I just finished fixing-Oh, cool! You’ve got anime on!”

Soos Ramirez sat down on the couch, his gaze focused entirely on the tv-screen. He didn’t notice the teenage-girl peering around the corner, nor the bright and completely-noticeable flash from down the hall. He also didn’t notice two teens step back into the gift-shop, the boy holding three identical-copies of what looked like Mabel’s scrapbook.

//

In the Mystery Shack’s gift shop, May sat the scrapbook back down on the counter where she and Danny found it.

“Alright! Are we good to go?” May asked Danny.

“I think so. I made whole scrapbooks that we can maybe use for Aunt Mabel sometime. I bet she’d like to see her old pet-project again,” Danny replied.

“Great idea. You know, if it’s not us that steal the photo, I wonder what happens to this one.”

“Beats me. But no time to find out. Someone’s bound to come back any time now.” Danny said, handing one of the copies to May.

“You’re right… Hey, I’m sorry I kind of jumped you when we ran into each other. I thought maybe I violated some time-bureau thing and you were an agent or something,” May replied with sincerity as the two of them walked out of the entrance.

“That’s alright. No harm done. I’m sorry you hurt yourself trying to hurt me,” Danny replied to the girl.

“It’s fine,” May told her… sibling. “You know, it would be cool if we could hang, but with whatever this is, I don’t see how that’s possible any time soon.”

“You’re right,” Danny agreed, almost regretfully. “I don’t know how time-travel works, and I don’t Blendin’s inclined to tell someone who got the drop on him.”

“Huh?!”

“Nothing!”

The two stared at each other, not knowing what else to say. Finally, May broke the ice: “Awkward sibling-hug?”

The Mystery Twins embraced, awkwardly patting each other’s backs before separating.

“So, before we go our separate ways, can I ask you a weird question?” Danny asked sheepishly.

“Sure. What is it?” May responded.

“What’s like having a nose? A real one, I mean…”

//

Meanwhile, Mabel Pines had just come back downstairs. “I can’t believe I forgot I have one in my sweater’s inner pocket. What a silly-Mabel I am!” she said to herself, chuckling.

She stood by her scrapbook on the counter and tried to work the cap to the new glue-bottle off.

At the same time, a customer, who had come into the empty gift-shop just before the girl came down, went to approach Mabel and ask about getting rung up. Unfortunately, there was a snowglobe left on the floor by some child earlier that day. The man suddenly tripped on it and fell forward, only to stop himself by catching a fan. Said fan immediately started blowing on high, blasting Mabel’s hair all over her face and blowing a certain photograph into the yard, where an odd-looking goat caught in his mouth and ate it.

That was a dark day for Mabel Pines… who immediately planned to try to convince Dipper and Wendy to reenact that scene again.

//

The Pines twins from alternate futures faced each other, holding out their respective Time-Tapes (with the tape pulled out appropriately) and holding tightly onto their respective scrapbooks. The two got one last look at each other.

“Bye, Danny,” May said to her secret monster of a brother. “I love you, and I hope Mom and Dad like your gift.”

“Likewise, May,” Danny said, looking a bit sad. I wish you could see the others… I’d have liked to see their reactions meeting you.”

May gave him a soft smile. “Hey, I got to meet you, at least.” Danny smiled in response.

The Mystery Twins let the tape on their devices retract. There was a flash of light, and it was like they had never been there.

[yikesharringrove]

a recreation of the jancy scene w murray (how he analyses the shit outta them)but with harringrove 😳

“Oh no, we can’t.”

Steve covered his glass with one hand, looking at Billy.

“Yeah, I’ve gotta drive.”

“Drive? What, tonight?” Murray was looking at them with a confused grin.

“Uh, our parents-” Steve didn’t want to say my parents won’t give a fuck because they’re in the Virgin Islands, but Billy’s dad hits him when he misses curfew.

“Would be proud if they knew what you were up to.” Murray cut Steve off. “Just tell ‘em you’re at Eric’s, or Bobby’s, or whoever’s, and take my guest room.” Billy looked at Steve.

“I mean, do you want to stay?”

“It is pretty late. Will that be, okay?” Billy just gave him a half smile, turning back to Murray.

“Could I use the sofa?”

“Okay, I’m confused. What’s going on here? Lover’s quarrel?” Billy’s eyes went stony as Steve stiffened in his seat.

“We’re not together. We’re not, like that.” Billy spat the words.

And Murray just fucking laughed.

“You’ve told me a lot of shockers today, but that, that is the first lie.”

“It’s not a lie.” Steve tried to laugh it off, meet the crazy bastard where he was. If he, if he had noticed the way he looks at Billy, the way he finds stupid ways to touch him, if he tells Billy, Steve is as good as fucking dead.

“Why not? You’re young, attractive. You’ve got, chemistry, history, plus the real shit. Shared trauma.” Billy crossed his arms, sitting back in the couch. Murray turned to him. “Trust issues. And extreme rage. Am I right? Something to do with your dad. I’m guessing, abuse? Physical, verbal, mental, whole nine yards. He pushed away your mother, the one person who is supposed to love you.”

“What? No. I mean, my dad’s-”

“An asshole.” Billy glared at Steve. He just shrugged. Murray hummed.

“It is a curse to see so clearly. You,” he turned to Steve. “You’re harder to read. Probably, like everyone, afraid of what would happen if you accepted yourself for who you really are, and retreated back to the safety of-name! Name!” He snapped at Billy.

“Nancy.” Steve slapped his leg.

“Oh, Nancy. We like Nancy.” He put on this high voice, taunting Steve.

“Yes!” Steve said it like it was easy, made Billy grind his jaw. He fucking hated the Wheeler bitch. Hated that she had Steve, this beautiful, perfect person, and tossed him aside like fucking garbage.

“But we don’t love Nancy.”

“What? No. I, I mean, I-I do.” He stammered through the sentence, scrunching his eyes closed. Murray pointed at him.

“There it is, ladies and germs. The second lie of the evening. You’ve got something deep. Something that gives you a very low self image. Abandonment. Neglect, maybe. You take care of everyone in your life, because no one has ever taken care of you.” He took another sip of his drink. “Well, apart from a rotating cast of nannies and housekeepers. And here you are, clinging to Nancy for dear life because you think that’s easiest. Settle down with a boring old wife. At least then you’d never be alone.”

Steve choked on thin air. His face was red. His eyes were bright.

“So! How’d I do?” Billy was trying really fucking hard not to deck this asshole, right here, right now. Murray snorted. “My goodness. You two are adorable, aren’t you?”

He leaned forward, slamming his glass down and taking the rest of the vodka as he stood up.

“Listen, there’s a pull out sofa in my study if you want it.” He was behind them now, climbing the stairs. “But if I were you, I’d just cut the bullshit, and share the damn bed.” He left the room, leaving the two boys on the couch.

Steve was staring at the ground, pointedly not looking at Billy. Billy sighed.

“I’ll take the pull out. Goodnight, Princess.” He retreated to the study, just barely caught the little goodnight, Bill.

-

Billy swore when he finally figured out how to get the pull out to actually pull out.

He slammed it on the ground, ripping off his clothes.

He put on a pair of sweats, didn’t wanna bother with a shirt when he was so white hot, so fucking mad.

This guy had pretty much outed him to Steve. 

They had always skirted around the issues with his dad, but Billy wasn’t stupid. He knew Steve knew.

And this guy had said all that shit, had told them to fuck.

And yeah, Billy wanted to. Of course he did, just look at Steve, but he was,

He was not going to admit to being scared, but he was.

Scared of rejection, scared of getting hurt. He thinks that getting hurt by Steve would probably just crush him.

He flopped around on the mattress for a moment.

“Trust issues? Trust issues?” He was getting antsy, getting like he did when he wanted a fight, wanted to bust his knuckles open and scream.

Usually talking to Steve helped.

Plus, he guesses he needs to clear the air, go up to Steve and no homo a couple thousand times.

-

Steve was sitting on the guest bed, his mind still reeling from what had happened.

“Afraid. I’m not afraid.” He slammed back into the bed, but he couldn’t get comfortable. Couldn’t get his brain to shut up.

Is that what everyone saw when they looked at him? Could everyone see how entirely fake he is? How he brings his empty heart home to an empty house each night? How he doesn’t want to mess things up with Billy, because then he’ll leave, just like everyone else does?

He sat up sharply.

“Retreat? I don’t retreat.” He steeled his back, going to find Billy to talk, to set the record straight.

He opened the door softly, finding Billy already coming towards him in nothing but ratty sweat pants.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” Billy wasn’t really looking at him, sort of looking past him.

“I just, um. I just wanted to say that-”

“No, don’t. He’s so drunk.” Steve dug his nails into the out Billy just offered.

“Wasted.”

“I mean, he knows us for a couple of hours, and he’s got us all figured out?” Steve forced a laugh.

“Exactly. God, okay, yeah. I feel-I’m glad you feel the same way.” Billy shrugged, his shoulders staying stiff around his ears. He crossed his arms over his chest, made his biceps bulge. Steve pointedly didn’t look at them.

“Yeah. Yeah, it’s fine.” Billy’s words were clipped.

They stood for a moment, awkwardly staring at one another in the sitting room. Steve had never been good with uncomfortable situations.

“Uh, so goodnight, I guess.” Billy stared walking back towards the study.

“Yeah. Um, ‘night.” Steve watched as he practically bolted back into the study.

-

Billy tried to settle back onto the lumpy pull out.

Steve had looked so lost, so nervous, the way he always did when his mind was racing out of his control.

But he also looked beautiful, in his faded t-shirt and old, short, basketball shorts.

And Billy couldn’t resist.

What the fuck am I doing? What the fuck am I doing? What the fuck am I doing?

He was staring at the double doors, marching closer and closer.

He was there, was about to knock, and then,

One opened.

And Steve was in his space, hair messy like he’d been tuggin’ on it, eyes wide.

And Billy didn’t think, just pushed him against the other door and kissed him.

Steve pulled off, his big eyes wild as he studied Billy’s face.

Billy felt his heart sink.

And then Steve was there, was kissing the daylights outta him.

And so Billy continued not to think.

He pushed Steve into the room, closing the door behind him as he shoved him onto the bed.

-

They were sitting across from one another the next morning, trying not to make direct eye contact.

Murray made a big show of sitting down at the table, taking both of them in.

He made note of the dark hickies on Steve’s neck he was trying to hide in his hoodie, and what looked like a scratch mark on the back of Billy’s shoulder, visible in the cut up tank top he had thrown on.

He decided to strike.

“So. Billy. How was the pull out?” Billy choked on his juice. Steve dropped his fork.

Surely he couldn’t, couldn’t be asking about that. About how Billy had said wanna cum on your face and did just that.

“Uh, sorry?”

“The sofa.”

“Oh yeah. Yeah it was, it was good.” Murray smirked at him.

“I bet.” He went to take a bite, the egg flopping off his fork and landing with a plap! on the floor. “Oops.” He laughed at Billy, trying to look nonchalant.

Good for them.

[wiypt-writes]

Leave No One Behind

Ch4- Not So Little Problem Co written with @icanfeelastormbrewing​

Episode Summary: Ari deals with the aftermath of his conversation with Hannah the previous night, and the resort has some unwelcome visitors

Episode Warnings: Bad Language words.

Episode Pairings:  Ari Levinson x OFC Hannah Horowitz

Leave No One Behind Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 3

“I’ll be there to comfort you, build my world of dreams around you, I’m so glad that I found you.”  I’ll Be There by the Jackson 5

19th March 1971

“Oh Mama!” Hannah beamed at her mother as the large chocolate cake was set in front of her, complete with candles “Did you make this?”

“Of course I did!” her mother smiled “I’ve made you every birthday cake you’ve had, naturally I would make your 21st one!” “It stops here Han!” Sammy grinned, leaning back in his chair. “Mama ain’t made me a cake for the last 7 years.” “You’ll get one on your 30th.” Mama Navon narrowed her eyes “That is if you cut your hair. What on Earth makes you think it looks good?”

Ari let out a snort at that point and Sammy gave him a punch on the arm. “It’s a mullet, Ma, it’s fashion”

“Fashion, really?” Ari asked.

“You’ve no room to talk…you had that dodgy mop top for years.” Ari shook his head laughing, running his hand through his newly shorn hair, careful so as not to disturb the side parting he’d spent ages ensuring was pristine.

“Yeah, you’ve gone from George Harrison to George Lazenby.” Hannah winked at him and Ari grinned back.

“Whatever, get those candles blown out, I want some cake.” Sammy grumbled.

“Yeah, Han, make a wish!” Hannah’s friend, Amira instructed. The rest of the table began to join in, and with a grin she leaned forward, pulling her long bouffant pony tail back out of the way. She glanced over the table, looked at Ari before closing her eyes and blowing her candles out.

“Speaking of Bond…” Sammy spoke as their Mother began to slice the cake up. “The new film is due next month.”

“Connery returns, thank fuck!” Hannah nodded “Because Lazenby is shit.”

“Yeah, hear that, shit…” Sammy nudged Ari who shrugged.

“Hey, the fact that Firefly think’s I’m like James Bond is good enough for me.”

“Well you are an agent so… “ she shrugged, before she grinned wickedly “Although I’m not sure he would wear white skinny Levi's...” she gestured to his pants and he looked at her, his eyebrow raising.

“Erm, I’ll have you know that these are Sta-Prest and happen to be the height of mod fashion” he scoffed.

“Whatever.” she shrugged, before she smirked again “At least you don’t look like Rod Stewart. Mama’s right, that mullet needs sorting Sammy.”

“Can everyone stop taking the piss out of my hair?” Sammy glowered.

Once the cake was eaten, they all had another drink each before the meal came to a natural close. At this point Hannah’s mother wished them all goodbye and headed off home, the rest of them heading to the club across the road.

They headed straight to the bar and then Sammy vanished to go and find a couple of American Green Berets who were on a secondment into Mossad for 6 months, pending a potential formal recruitment following a successful mission a few weeks back.

They all placed their orders, and Ari took a quick check over his shoulder before he moved behind Hannah, bending over to speak into her ear.

“You know, you should be careful what you wish for, it might come true”

Hannah took a breath before letting it out slowly, and turning her head to look at him “What are you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about Firefly…” he arched an eyebrow at her.

“So you think you know what my wish was, Levinson?” she asked, coyly, looking up at him.

“I think I know, yes” his voice was loaded.

“And are you gonna make it come true Lobo?”  her eyes were suggestive as she bit her lip and Ari smirked a little. He wasn’t an idiot, he hadn’t missed the signs Hannah had been giving him for the past 3 years since her 18th. He’d been trying to ignore it, due to the 7 year age gap but in the 4 years he had known her he had watched her turn into the amazing, gorgeous young woman stood in front of him, and now, well, it was getting increasingly hard to come up with reasons as to why he should be ignoring her, especially now she was 21.

Before he could respond, Sammy returned interrupting their little moment, slapping Ari’s back.

“Let me introduce you to my little sister, this is Hannah, Hannah meet Andy and Max.”

Ari didn’t miss the way Andy’s eyes travelled up and down Hannah’s form and felt himself bristle a little as the man took in her outfit. He couldn’t blame them though, she did look good in her blue and purple paisley print mini dress and knee high white boots.

“Nice to meet you guys!” Hannah smiled at them both.

“Pleasure is all mine” Andy grinned.

“Sammy say’s it’s your 21st” Max looked at her “Happy birthday” he grinned, kissing her hand.

“Thank you” she smiled

“Yeah, congratulations.” Andy grinned, bending over to kiss her cheek. .

Ari shifted on the spot, reaching for the scotch that the bar tender had set in front of him. He took Hannah’s Campari and Soda, handing it over to her, her fingers brushing his slightly as she took it and he saw that adorable pink tinge appear on her cheeks.

“So if it’s your birthday why you hanging bout with these 2 morons?” Max asked, jerking his thumb in Sammy’s direction.

“I’m not, they’re hanging with me.” Hannah shrugged, taking a sip of her drink through the straw.

All of them laughed, and Max looked at Sammy, then Ari, then back to Sammy again. “I like this girl.”

“That’s my sister for you.” Sammy shrugged, turning to the bar tender to place his order.

“Yeah, be careful, she looks like a Firefly but can bite like a mosquito.” Ari looked at Max before he glanced at Hannah.

She winked at him and then turned to Andy and Max. “Well, seeing as you guys are in town for a while, come with me and I’ll introduce you to a few of my friends”

Ari watched as she led them over the light up dance floor, tapping Amira on the shoulder. She started to talk to the rest of the her group of University friends, and he saw one of them, a red head, Abigail, lock eyes with him and he smiled politely before looking away.

“She giving you the eye again?” Sammy smirked, nodding to Abi and Ari shrugged.

“Got my eye on someone else.” he said simply. For once Sammy didn’t pry.

15 minutes or so later, the band was in full swing running through a number of hits from the 60s through to the present day. Hannah seemed to be having a good time, and as the opening bars to Sweet Caroline struck up she grinned over at Ari and Sammy. Ari, done with observing from a far, downed what remained of his drink and jerked his head towards them. Sammy nodded and followed him over to the group where they joined in the dancing and singing and laughing as they all chanted along, When that finished it morphed into another song, then another, then another… they were dancing for a good half an hour to hit after hit, and then Twist and Shout by the Beatles started. Hannah gave a cheer at this point before her and the girls launched into some kind of dance routine, twisting on the balls of their feet, dipping to the floor, laughing as they did so.

It was the perfect opportunity for Ari who moved behind Hannah, giving her a hug from behind. No one paid them the slightest bit of attention as they were too busy dancing themselves so he took it upon himself to pull her back closer into him, his hands falling to her hips as he swayed with her to the music, grinding up against her, his face resting against her neck, the short whiskers of his beard scratching at her skin. Taking her hand in his he spun her out, then back to face him, his spare arm curling around her, hand splaying on her back.

She glanced up at him as the music faded into “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson 5. The song was slow enough but not too slow, so he could keep her in that hold and it looked perfectly innocent. Just two friends enjoying a dance, even if the electricity between them was crackling…and then she leaned up to whisper into his ear.

“What were you saying about making my dreams come true?” she purred, her eyes locked onto his, a sultry look on her face as she blinked slowly.

Ari swallowed and glanced at Sammy, who was fooling about with Max, Andy and a few of Hannah’s friends and he felt himself hesitate. Was he doing the right thing? Was this really appropriate? It was an unwritten rule that you didn’t touch your best friends little sister, especially when she is 7 years your junior. And then there was the whole thing about was he good enough? She was a bright, young, clever woman...with a huge career as a doctor ahead of her which was almost unheard of for a female... Fuck! He had been so sure before but now it actually came down to it, he was plagued with doubts. Subconsciously he loosened his hold slightly and Hannah, as perceptive as ever noticed.

“Are you backing off, Levinson?” she looked at him, reading his face as always.

“Hannah, you look amazing, you are amazing but..”

At that point she rolled her eyes and pulled back slightly “Oh just don’t…”

“Firefly…” he began to protest but she stepped away, shaking her head.

“I need the bathroom”

And with that she headed off over the dancefloor.

Ari watched her leave, groaning as he ran a hand through his hair, grappling with himself once more. He wanted her, like he had never wanted anyone before, and he knew that there was something there on her side too. But was it right? But then again, how could something that felt this good be anything but?  

With a last glance at the group, he strode after her. Positioning himself outside the women’s bathroom he leaned against the wall, trying not to look like too much of a pervert. It took her a little while but when she emerged he reached out, grabbing her hand.

“Ari?” she asked but he didn’t say anything, simply laced his fingers between hers and dragged her outside.

Once there he spun round, backing her against the wall to the left of the door, placing his hands lat against the concrete either side of her head, looking down at her

“You’re driving me crazy.” he looked down at her as she bit her lip, her eyes wide, suddenly her demeanour was all coy. He chuckled and shook his head, “Don’t play innocent with me now, Han. You want me as much as I want you.”

“Well, sometimes we don’t always get what we want do we, mi Lobo hambriento?”

Fuck that nickname! It did things to him, inappropriate things and he gave a little groan as he looked down at her.

“You can have what you want Firefly.” Ari’s voice was low as he looked at her “I’m all yours, but I think you already know that…”

Her breathing became deep and Ari could tell she was turned on but he wasn’t going to do anything until she had given him a sign. He was ensuring she had the power, that this was her decision. Her eyes bounced across each of his, as if she was searching for something, making sure he was absolutely telling the truth. Which he was. He had come clean about his feelings it was up to her now. As he watched, her gaze flickered down to his lips and then back up again and she took a deep breath that was almost a gasp.

“Ari it’s almost midnight…” her voice was soft, almost a whisper. “And I’m pretty sure birthday wishes are supposed to be granted on the actual day…”

Ari grinned, arching his eyebrow slightly “Better not keep my girl waiting.”

His hands moved to her face, cupping her cheeks gently before he leaned down and kissed her. It was soft at first but quickly became heated as her hands slid up to his chest, clutching fistfuls of his black sweater. He kissed the life out of her. It was raw and heated as they both poured out 4 years of fucking frustration in one another.

Eventually Ari broke the kiss, more to breathe properly than anything, pressing his forehead to hers, both of them breathless.

“Were you serious?” Hannah asked.

“About what?” he frowned, and he watched as she bit her lip and looked down before she glanced back up at him.

“About me being your girl…”

“I thought I just made myself perfectly clear…” he said, his eyes boring into hers.

She looked at him, a smile playing on her lips before she shrugged, her hands sliding up round his neck, pulling his face back down to her.

“Hmm, maybe you better show me again…”

******

Ari woke up when the first rays of sun seeped through the latticed window above his bed. When he opened his eyes he was hugging his pillow for dear life and it took him a couple of seconds to adjust to reality, the memories of that night slowly retreating to the back of his mind where they had been kept for nearly 9 years now. He yawned and stretched and pulling his bed sheets away, he sat up on the edge of his bed and rubbed his eyes.  

He groaned when he looked down and his eyes focused on his erection. Fuck, he thought. He tried to remember when the last time he had had a wet dream was but couldn't even recall it. Being around Hannah and stirring old feelings and painful memories was surely having an effect on him. An effect he had to sort immediately if he wanted to impersonate his role as the owner of this God forsaken hotel in front of the group of Germans that had unexpectedly arrived the previous evening. 

Once he had got rid of his, not so little, problem in the shower of the small bathroom attached to his hut and after pulling on a pair of black shorts he headed out in the scorching Sudanese sun.  

He went round the side of the building and he met Max leading some kind of class to a group of tourists, apparently Tai Chi. He saw Max turn to him standing on one leg and give him a wave, and so did the tourists mimicking Max movements. Ari waved back, an astonished smile on his face. He was surprised Max knew Tai Chi, a trained assassin and sniper giving an ancient soothing martial art class clad in what looked like a pair of pyjama pants. And to make it more surprising he had stopped eating to do so, seeing as he, for once, didn't have food in his hands. 

Ari watched him for a second before looking down and giving a huff of a laugh. He decided then to head towards the main building with the intention of getting a cup of coffee. He stopped again as he saw Rachel walking from one of the jeeps, carrying a load of what looked like new bed linen, followed by a member of the staff carrying a box of groceries. Ari wondered where the fuck had they got all that, but then concluded they must have gone shopping as he spotted a load more boxes and baskets in the back of the open trunk of one of the jeeps.

And just as he turned towards the doors of the main building he saw Sammy walking from an outhouse with a basket of laundry and a blatantly grumpy expression on his face. He didn't stop, but gave Ari a stare instead of a good morning greeting.  What was wrong with him? Ari wondered if he would still be pissed at him for the incident during the mission the previous night. Whatever. He shrugged and headed inside the main building.

He entered the kitchen and grabbed a mug. The kitchen and the reception area were deserted at this time of the morning. As he poured some coffee he noticed there was still no sign of Hannah, or Jake for that matter, and he thought it was probably for the best given the way things had gone last night and his damned dream and issue that morning when he woke up. Moreover, he wasn't quite sure how he should handle himself around her. She would probably be upset at him if not mad. Or maybe she simply wouldn’t give a damn, which would be worse because that would mean she didn't care anymore about their.... past. But then again it had seemed like she cared last night. A lot if you asked him, she had even admitted she had been in love with him back then.

Sighing slightly he grabbed his coffee mug and headed out to the seafront part of the building only to find Jake led on a sun-lounger in a very tight pair of red speedos. And, Damn it!, he spotted Hannah next to him in another lounger. She was lay on her stomach, her chin resting on her folded arms, and her head turned towards Jake who was explaining something to her, probably some of his exotic diving adventures.

Ari then noticed she was wearing a red bathing suit which had cut out panels on each side of her waist. She hadn't worn it before, Ari thought he would definitely remember if she had. Her hair was piled on her head in a messy bun and her eyes were covered by her Aviators. Ari couldn't help but check out those damned legs and curves, and that ass and he was suddenly glad he had jerked off in the shower that morning, though he still felt something stirring in the pit of his stomach.

He hesitated but he then decided to approach, watching as Hannah turned half her body to Jake and resting on her right elbow, her head  on her hand just a moment before the two of them burst out with laugher. With the green eyed monster in the pit of his stomach groaning, Ari walked over to them and saw Jake had matches between his fingers and thought that would give him the perfect opportunity to engage in conversation and see where that would lead.

"What's with the matches?" he asked Jake.

Hannah lifted her head to face him. Ari couldn't see her eyes, hidden as they were by her shades but her demeanour didn't appear angry or stiff…just passive which was what he feared the most. Had someone asked him how to handle her, the answer would have been no fucking idea.

Jake looked up and then at the matches, which fell out at the motion of his hand moving his shades up his face, before answering which gave Ari the perfect opportunity to steal another glance at Hannah. A very appreciative one, now that he could take in the curve of her breasts and her cleavage.

 “It's the only way to spread the tan evenly.” Jake answered.

 "That's the stupidest thing I ever heard." Ari replied.

Hannah snorted at Ari's comment and Jake looked at her slyly before saying “You won’t be laughing at the tan lines you'll get from that thing.”

She frowned and looked down at her body. As did Ari, and Jake.  Ari looked at Jake a second later and caught him checking her out. Not that he could blame him. He himself had been doing the same thing since he had spotted them both, but for some reason it pissed him. Then Hannah spoke bringing him back from his thoughts.

“Not like anyone’s gonna see em Loop.”

Ari swallowed hard and brought his coffee mug to his lips to conceal his raising uneasiness. Ok, so now we are on pet name terms. Fuck my life.

“You never know Red…” Jake winked.

Hannah laughed before retorting “I should be so fucking lucky…”

What in the name... 

Ari tried to divert the attention and looked around him before asking Jake "What's going on here?"

"Well, your brochure mentioned the daily relaxing Tai Chi class. Irving" he said nodding at Max. "Liam is doing laundry because he lost a bet." he continued.

Ari looked down back at Jake, a dumbfounded expression on his face.

"He bet Rachel that Max didn’t know how to do Tai Chi…stupid bastard, not like he ain't known Max for 9 years or anything…" Hannah explained rather harshly.

“Are you mad at your brother?” Jake asked turning to look at her.

“Damned right I am.” Hannah snorted. Jake looked at her, raising an eyebrow but she said no more so he looked at Ari who shrugged. It was clear to him that he was not getting a reason why.

Ari shifted position and put his left fisted hand inside his shorts' pocket as he knew all too well what the reason for her bitterness against her brother was. He suddenly felt uncomfortable and looked behind them both, seemingly interested in the Tai Chi class while Jake continued his report of the chores assignment at the resort.

“Angela went shopping after giving a massage to a hairy Nazi. And now I'm giving a diving tour…”  and at that he looked at his diving watch as he stood “which starts in exactly 12 minutes…” Jake informed, giving Ari a look “as per your fucking brochure.” But before leaving he glanced down at Hannah.

 “You coming sweetheart?”

“Hell yeah…” she replied taking the hand Jake was offering her to help her up, but she then stopped.

"You promise I'm not gonna get eaten by a shark?" Hannah asked.

"Don't worry, I'll look after you." he chuckled. "Come on."

They both started to walk off without any more explanation before Jake turned to Ari. “Care to join?”

Ari looked at them for a moment but didn’t answer, he simply scoffed and drank his coffee. He was taken by surprised. He hadn't expected Jake and Hannah to hit it off and become so close in such few days. The green eyed monster now stopped groaning and started growling. He decided to shut it up by finishing his coffee and going to call Ethan and Isaacs to debrief the previous night successful mission in the privacy of his the outhouse where they kept the diving equipment.

***** Ari got back to the main building after the call to Tel Aviv and sorting a misunderstanding with a German couple who had been assigned separate rooms by mistake. Ethan and Isaacs had been giving him a hard time about the radio failure issue, Ari was willing to bet Ethan hadn't believed any of the excuses he had improvised. And seeing the turn the conversation with Isaacs had taken, he wouldn't like to be in Ethan's shoes and having to deal with Isaacs in person.

By the time he entered the main dining room Hannah and Jake had already come back from their diving tour and Hannah was gushing about the marine life, and how Jake had been amazing on the tour, showing everyone where to go and what to see. Max, Sam and Rachel listened carefully to her colourful account of Jake's expertise in the matter while Jake leaned back casually on one chair smoking and brushing off Hannah's flattering comments.

Honestly all Ari wanted to listen to was the sound of Jake's jaw breaking from his punch.  But he faked interest as he sat on one of the free chairs and lit a cigarette after brushing his hand over his hair, an equally fake smile on his face. Rachel then suggested it would be nice if they all took a trip that afternoon after lunch seeing as they would be dismissed from their chores by then. 

So for the second tour of the day, the entire team bar Sammy, who allegedly had a phobia of fish no one knew anything about and so offered to stay in the boat as spotter, decided to take a dive.

Later that day, when all the equipment had been checked and the tourist taking part in the diving tour were all settled in the boat on the way out, Sam sat next to Hannah who shifted in her seat. 

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” he whispered. “You’ve been avoiding me all morning and now you’re looking at me like I murdered someone…”

“Not someone…” she replied without even bothering to look at him and shrugging. 

If Ari could have turned himself invisible he would have, but seeing as that was impossible he was seriously considering throwing himself overboard and getting eaten by a shark instead. But chances were there wouldn't be sharks in the Red Sea, given his luck lately.

"What do you mean?" Sammy asked a bit taken aback.

Hannah shrugged again not looking at him. She still was undecided about how to confront her brother about his big fuck up many years ago, but it surely wasn't gonna happen in a boat in the middle of the sea with a group of chubby sunburnt tourists and Ari fucking Levinson nonetheless.

"What have you done to her, man?" Max chuckled.

"The fuck I know." Sammy groaned, looking at him

"Time of the month cracker?" Max asked Hannah, grinning.

 “Seriously?” Rachel groaned.

"Like, that’s the one thing I never understand, why men assume when a woman is a little moody that they’re on their period?" she huffed.

"The one thing I never understand is why lesbians use dildos or strap-ons. I mean they either like cock or not." Jake thought out loud.

Ok, I might as well give a chance to the sharks, Ari thought.

"Maybe they like cock but just can’t be arsed dealing with the 6ft useless ball sack attached to it…" she offered before cursing in Spanish "Maldito cabrón." (Fucking asshole) Ari noticed Sammy rolling his eyes, clearly understanding whatever curse she had just spoke. Then a middle-aged German woman laughed and said something to Hannah in Spanish.

"Con quién estás más enfadada?" (Which one are you most angry at?)

Hannah laughed and glanced at Ari, Sammy, Max and lastly Jake.

"Ahora mismo, con todos." (Right now, all of them)

Sammy turned at her giving her a questioning look, but he couldn’t blow cover in front of the tourists so he bit back the urge to ask her what the fuck was going on.

Ari rubbed his face. Suddenly this boat trip was taking too long for his liking and his wetsuit felt far too tight.

Everyone remained silent, lost in their own thoughts. Silence only broken by sound of the waves and the lively chatter of a pair of overexcited German youths.  Once they had reached the diving spot, Jake helped Hannah as she tumbled backwards into the sea before helping the tourists to do the same. Then it was Rachel and Max. Ari was the last to go. 

"When did those two become so close? Is Jake hitting on my sister or am I imagining things?" Sam asked Ari, who merely shrugged before he tumbled backwards into the sea effectively determined to have his date with destiny... and sharks. Thanks, Sam.

God. Hannah had been right. The bottom of the sea at that spot was gorgeous. Being there, underwater, diving through the crystal-clear waters among all that rich variety of fish was simply overwhelming. Ari could recognise butterflyfish and clownfish along with sea turtles and some eels, and then a school of an unknown to him species of fish came swimming off a breath-taking  coral reef when the group approached it. And just when he thought he couldn't be more amazed, Jake led them to a rather ghostly ship wreck. 

The experience was as amazing as Hannah had described it, yes. But it would have been even better if Ari hadn't had to put up with her and Jake diving close together the whole time and him guiding her instead of the tourists. He would be lying if he said he wasn't low key pissed at them, had he a reason or the right to be or not. And he might or might not have not voluntarily kicked a school of fish with one of his fins. And to make things worse, that tight short legged wet suit she was wearing was doing nothing to help.

Just when he had decided to dive a bit more inside the ship wreck in order to keep his mind and his eyesight away from the pair, he felt a tug on his line. He swam up a bit and saw it was Sammy pulling so he heading up to the surface. He bobbed at the side of the boat gripping the boat side handle with his right hand and pulling his mask off with the left one.

"What's up?" he asked Sammy catching his breath.

Sammy just nodded towards the shore and said "Turn around."

Ari turned around and saw a bunch of armed guards all stood along the beach.

"Shit" he cursed. "Ok, I’ll go down get the others."

A few minutes later he had warned Jake and they all had gotten the tourists back in the boat and headed back to shore. Ari trying to keep calm so as not to scare the tourists and to reassure his team at the same time. Everyone more or less succeeding in keeping up appearances till they got to the beach. 

When they descended the boat, Ari saw a man in an army uniform, with his hat on his head and a pair sunglasses covering his eyes. He quickly guessed it must be Colonel Ahmed of the local force, the one Kabede had warned him about.

"Hello." Ari greeted walking towards him, followed by his team.

"How can I help you?" he asked reaching his hand out to the Colonel, who looked back at him seriously as they shook hands.

"There's been an incident last night, and we wanted to make sure that all of you in the hotel are safe." Ahmed informed in his thick accent.

Ari looked back at his team, trying to buy some time, before turning back to the man.

"What kinda incident?" he asked faking a curious expression.

"Smugglers."  Ahmed replied as he turned and walked back towards the hotel, all of them following.  "They drove through one of our roadblocks last night. Nearly killed two of my soldiers." 

The team exchanged glances as the soldiers began flanking them as they walk, guns held in their hands.

 "I heard there's a smuggling problem up and down the coast, I hope no one was hurt." Ari offered casually.

Ahmed stopped in his tracks and turned to look at him. He inspected Ari's expression carefully before smiling an ample white toothed grin. He then nodded and continued walking, heading straight for the trucks parked at the left front side of the main building.

Ari had to put his quick thinking skills to the test before Ahmed started suspecting he didn't want his trucks inspected. He stopped as Ahmed walked to the trucks and leaned against the bonnet. He removed his glasses and gave Ari that inspecting look again before speaking.

"My soldiers shot the trucks. So the trucks from last night should have bullet holes in them."

Ari kept his face passive. Behind him Max and Jake both move nearer to Hannah and Rachel in a protective mode as the soldiers started circling the group. Tension was rising fast.

Ahmed resumed his walk round the side of the trucks towards the rear of them "There's no reason why your trucks should have bullet holes, Mister..."

"Thomas. Guy Thomas" Ari offered, walking after him.  "And no. No reason."  he admitted laughing a little with the last two words, as if he found it all ridiculous.

Ahmed didn't spare him a glance and proceeded to check the trucks, pushing at the wooden panels. Ari stood there watching. Then he looked at Ahmed whose face had fallen as he hadn't found the bullet holes he was sure he would find. 

Overtaken by frustration Ahmed then barked something to his soldiers in Arabic. A second later a soldier ran up, saying something back as he nodded and Ahmed looked at him, before looking at Ari and returned to check the truck again. 

Ahmed comes back a few seconds later and said something to his soldier, his voice steely, before beginning to make his way back down the side of the truck to his troop. Ari lowered his head with relief and in a bold move, encouraged by the rush of adrenaline, he chimed

 "I hope you come visit us again real soon." 

Hannah looked at Max and hissed "Seriously?" once the armed men had jumped back in their trucks. “I hope you come visit us again?” she looked at Ari, “You’re such a dick…”

Ari frowned as she turned away and with a shake of her head waked back down the sand and took a right towards the boat that they had occupied little over 10 minutes ago which were now moored by the launching ramp near the diving centre part of the resort. Max looked at Ari, gave him a shrug and then shouted after Hannah.

“Cracker, wait up…”

She stopped and turned, allowing him to catch her and Ari stood with his hands on his hips as Max tossed an arm round her, gave her a squeeze and they fell into step with one another walking down the soft sand.

“Come on, let’s get the gear away and we can talk.” Ari said, tearing his eyes way from Hannah’s back and nodding to Jake. Between them they all grabbed various bits of equipment and began hauling it up the beach to outhouses. It was hot work, the boys all undoing the tops of their wetsuits in an attempt to keep reasonably cool, but as Ari felt the sweat dripping down his back he could think of nothing better than getting out of the damned thing.

Once the last oxygen tank was placed on the floor by Jake, he let out a loud breath and wiped at his brow then his chest with a towel. Ari saw Hannah look at Jake and smile and that damned green eyed monster stirred in his gut again.

“Like what you see Red?” Jake teased with a wink and a smirk as he gave a little twirl.

“Well, there’s not much left that I ain’t seen, Loop, thanks to those fucking speedos.” she shot back and he gave a laugh, as she unzipped the front of her wet suit before she paused and then stopped when Max broke the silence.

“Smugglers huh…”

“Well they weren’t wrong.” Hannah mused “Just not smuggling the types of things they expect…”

“I almost shat in my wet suit.” Jake said, with a chuckle.

“Yeah, if that soldier hadn't been too scared to admit he'd missed, we'd all be locked up right now.” Sammy spoke, shaking his head.

Hannah’s attention flicked to Ari who wasn’t listening. Instead he was leaning against the wall, looking out of the window at the guests on the beach, one arm folded across his bare abdomen, the other playing with his beard and she could tell from the look on his face that an idea was forming in his head.

“Come here.” he spoke to the group as he pointed out of the window, his hands falling to his slim hips “What do you see?”

With that he turned and looked into the hut. Hannah, who was stood closest to him stepped up beside him, following his gaze to the tourists who were sat out on the sand, a few of them drinking beer from a cool box. Sammy moved to stand next to her and raised an eyebrow.

“Unsuspecting collateral damage?” he huffed a sarcastic laugh.

Hannah rolled her eyes and give him a filthy look as she shook her head, her hands falling to her hips. She shared a glance with Rachel who smiled at her, clearly they were both on Ari’s wave length.

“Best cover we could ask for.” Hannah said. Ari turned to look at her, smiling as she met his eyes her face almost smiling back.

“Imagine if the Germans hadn't been here when Ahmed arrived.”  Ari looked at Sammy before he turned back to the window, folding his arms again.

There was a moment’s pause as the group stood looking out of the window for before they glanced round at one another, Max, Rachel, Hannah, Jake and Ari all grinning. Ari turned his attention back to the tourists, the idea was genius. Operate as a fully functioning hotel! They had the staff, and it was the perfect damned cover should anyone come sniffing around. Granted it might slow things down, they’d need a good few months to get it fully operational, and then there was the task of getting Ethan and Isaacs on board but he was confident he could sell it, especially with all the team’s support.

Well, almost all the team that is.

“You're kidding, right?” Sammy deadpanned.

“Yeah, coz this is one big fucking hilarious joke Sammy.” Hannah snarked and Ari turned round everyone’s attention focussed on her “Ari has a point…”

“What a surprise, you’re backing him up, again!” Sammy rolled his eyes.

Ari gave a sigh and stepped forward a little “Hey, hey come on…” he placated but Hannah ignored him completely and glared at her brother.

“Oh fucking grow up Sammy!” she shook her head, before she barged past him, shoving into him with her shoulder before she stormed out of the group.

“Oh fuck this…” Sammy grumbled, following her out.

Hannah stormed down to the sea front, Sammy hot on her heels.

“Hannah! Hannah, STOP!” he yelled, “What the fuck is your problem?”

“You really wanna know?” she rounded on him, her eyes blazing.

“Well I’d appreciate it if you told me instead of the snidey, bitchy comments and looks!”

“Would you appreciate it if I came round to your apartment one morning and punched you in the jaw…sound familiar?”

Sammy’s eyes grew wide and Hannah shook her head at him as the realisation spread across his face.

“How did you…” he started to ask but Hannah cut him off.

“Fuck you Sammy, how could you? You had no right to interfere in my life!”

“Hannah, you were my little sister…”

“I was 21 years old….a fucking adult.” she shook her head.

“I just…” Sammy sighed, and shrugged “I was trying to protect you.”

“From what? From Ari?” she shook her head “He’s your best friend Sammy, I mean how bad do you really think he is?”

“I know what he’s like Hannah.”  Sammy shook his head “He’s a great guy but he’s reckless and arrogant and selfish…” “He wasn’t…” Hannah swallowed “He wasn’t like that with me.” “Look at what happened with Sarah.” Sammy sighed “That would have been you.” “Well, funnily enough neither of us has a husband now do we?” she shot back.

“Don’t say that.” Sammy looked at her.

“Why not?” she shrugged. “It’s true.” “You were 21…he was 28…”

“And?” “You had all your training to do.” “You had NO RIGHT!” she screamed at him “You had not right to decide what was best for me…I fucking loved him Sammy!”

At that Sammy’s face fell, and he looked down, shaking his head. “Hannah, I-“ “I loved him…and you took him away from me.” she sniffed “Why you would do something that you knew would hurt me so much?”

“I was trying to stop you getting hurt.” Sammy shook his head

“I mean, was it jealousy, is that it?”

“Don’t be ridiculous Han.” Sammy scoffed.

“You were scared I was gonna take your best friend or something?” she looked at him

“I didn’t know how serious it was.” Sammy looked at her “I didn’t know you’d been together for any amount of time…” “Hang on…” Hannah frowned “You didn’t know, so what? You just saw us at the party and then decided you’d punch him in the face?”

“I…I never saw you together.” Sammy looked down.

Hannah stopped dead and looked at her brother as he raised his eyes to hers “What? Then how did you-“ “I never saw you Han.” he repeated “Someone else did and they told me.”

“Who?”

“Hannah, does it matter?”

She snorted, remembering how Ari had said the exact same words to her the night before and let out a sarcastic laugh.

“I’m getting sick and tired of people telling me what does and doesn’t matter. I want to know. WHO told you?” “Hannah, don’t do that to yourself.”

“What the fuck does that even mean?” she said loudly “I have the right to know, tell me Sammy who told-“ “It was Andy!” Sammy yelled back “Ok, you happy now?” At his words Hannah visibly recoiled, stepping backwards on the sand. It felt like someone had just slapped her round the face.

“Andy?” she whispered.

“Yeah…” Sammy sighed

Hannah looked at her brother again, before she took a deep breath and turned and headed back up the sand towards her hut, the tears stinging her eyes. Her husband had been the one that had caused Ari to leave her. She didn’t want to believe it, but she knew her brother wasn’t lying. It felt like a double betrayal, from both of them, and it hurt. It physically hurt.

“Cracker?” Max stepped into her path, his voice gentle as he gently laid his hands on her shoulder

“Just...leave me Max, please…” she said, the tears pouring down her cheeks.

“I can’t leave you like this….” he said softly “What’s wrong? What are you and Sammy fighting about?”

“Hannah?” Ari asked softly as he appeared and Hannah groaned inwardly. She really didn’t need this. All she wanted to do was go and lie on her bed, curly up and cry. “Firefly, what happened?”

It didn’t take a genius to work out what the siblings had been arguing about. Ari watched her as her chest heaved with sobs, debating whether or not to hug her but he stopped himself, not sure exactly how well it would be received.

“He…” she started to talk and shook her head, taking a deep breath before she turned her beautiful blue eyes onto his, they were shining with tears “It was Andy.” Ari felt like the rug had been pulled from his feet, he knew instantly what she was referring to but couldn’t quite believe it.

“Andy?” he repeated, looking at her and she nodded.

“Andy saw us that night, and he was the one that told Sammy…” “Aah, shit…” Max sighed, and both Ari and Hannah turned to look at him. “That isn’t exactly what happened”

“How do you…how do you know what we’re talking about?” Hannah frowned.

“Because it was me. I saw you.” “What? Hannah whispered as Ari let out a groan and turned away for a moment to gain some composure.

“I saw you and Ari outside Cracker, and I made a joke to Andy because he liked you….and we knew Ari had some secret girlfriend he was refusing to tell us about and…”

“God, Max!” Ari spun round to look at him, shaking his head.

“I didn’t know he was gonna tell Sammy, or that he did…I swear.” Max finished, apologetically “I’m so sorry.” Hannah looked around at Max, lost for words.

“Cracker…” he said but she simply shook her head.

At that point Sammy approached and that was it, she’d had enough.

“You….” she pointed at Sammy “Had no goddamned right to interfere…” she turned to Max “You should have kept your mouth shut…and you…” she looked at Ari, wanting to scream and shout and rail at him for walking away and not fighting for her, but as his eyes locked onto hers, she saw the sadness behind them and even now, with the anger and hurt coursing through her veins, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Instead, she simply turned and stormed into her hut, slamming the door behind her.

**** Chapter 5

[living-on-the-virge]

SEPTEM

Word Count: 1193 Summary: (BASED OFF OF 'SEPTEM' BY HAZEL HAYES, A SHORT FILM ON YOUTUBE.) Emile, Roman, Remus, Deceit, Logan, Patton and Virgil all decide to apply for a deadly gameshow who's rules change every episode. This episode the rules are simple. Someone must take the pill on the table, or everyone dies. Pairing: Roceit (Roman x Deceit), Intrulogical (Remus x Logan) Warnings: Unsympathetic Patton, manipulation, depression, blood, self sacrifice (Sort of). Note: I actually really love this one. [AO3 LINK]

“’In front of you is a pill. Within the next twenty-five minutes, one of you must take the pill. If after twenty-five minutes nobody has taken it, you will all die. Survivors will win their share of fifty million dollars. Good luck.’”

Emile Picani was the one to read the note out loud for everyone to hear. The rest of the game’s players stared at the open, gold box in front of them where a small white pill sat, staring back. The game was simple.

Emile looked up and around at the other players. “W-Well then. I don’t quite think that’s what we expected today!”

He seemed unusually cheery for someone who’d just been told they might die, if you were to ignore the shake in his voice. He placed the notecard back down next to the pill and bit his lip. “We don’t have long. Maybe we should introduce ourselves and go from there?”

The other players all nodded. Emile decided to start.

“Well, my name is Emile Picani! I love cartoons and helping people. I’m a therapist! I thought coming onto the show would be an interesting way to make money that I can use to make my office more comforting for my clients, and to help one of my friends with his coffee shop.”

He turned to the player next to him, a tan male with wild, dark brown curls and a spark in his eye.

“I’m Remus~” He said, shooting a flirty look at the serious looking man at the other end of them table. “I was bored. That’s it really. I applied to be on the show because I was bored.” He sat back in his chair, plucking one of the grapes from the bunch on the table, throwing it up into the air and catching it between his lips. He winked at the serious man, who just rolled his eyes and looked away.

“I’m Roman, I’m Remus’ brother,” The next man said. The resemblance was there, although Roman’s look wasn’t quite as wild as his brother’s was. His hair, while dark brown and curly, was highlighted with streaks of red and pink. “I joined the show to make sure Remus doesn’t do anything stupid.” His eyes moved to the dusty blonde man sat on the other side of him. “And I know him, too. We went to school together.”

The blonde man sat up straight, his fingers locked together, a slight smirk on his face. The left side of his face was covered in what could only be assumed to be a birthmark, one that upon a closer look seemed to resemble scales. He raised an eyebrow when attention moved to him. “Oh, it’s my turn?”

Emile nodded and smiled. “Your turn!”

Deceit let out a small sigh and shrugged. “My name is Deceit.”

“And?”

Deceit leaned back and crossed his arms. “And that is all I’m sharing.”

“Oh, come on, everyone else is talking, you can’t just refuse,” Whined the pale boy in the purple hoodie, who had yet to introduce himself.

“There are no rules to follow besides the rules about the pill,” Deceit said. “I don’t have to do or say anything.”

The pale boy groaned and looked away. The guy next to him just smiled instead. “You’re right, kiddo. No need to share if you don’t want to!”

Everyone’s attention then turned to the guy who’d just spoken.

“I’m Patton,” He said with a grin. “I work as a babysitter and I volunteer at local animal shelters when I have free time. I came here in hopes to win money to help out my favourite shelter.”

“Virgil,” The pale boy spoke up, although his voice was muffled by his hand as he bit his nails. “I’m just a student. I’m studying literature.” He shrugged and looked away. “I don’t have much to say.”

The last man, the serious one that Remus had been sending flirty looks too, finally got a chance to speak.

“My name is Logan, I’m a math teacher in a small high school. I spend my spare time learning about new things that I find interesting, as well as trying to educate people on important topics about the world. Did you know that-“

He was cut off my Patton.

“Ok, that’s everyone! So, how are we gonna decide who takes the pill?”

Everyone fell silent again. They didn’t have a lot of time to decide, and one of them had to do it. How were they going to pick? How do you decide the value of a life? There was no way a decision could be made just within twenty-five minutes.

“I suppose it would be best if we all voted, and if everyone votes for the same person, they take the pill,” Logan suggested. “It’s either that or someone volunteers to do so. Although I doubt anyone would jump at the chance to do that.”

Everyone gave out a mumble of agreement.

“A-Alright, so… We’ll take a vote now, and then have a little break, and then vote again? Is that something that works for everyone?” Emile asked, although it was clear that he was starting to panic a little bit more.

Logan nodded. “I’ll take the votes. Does anyone want to vote for me?”

No hands were raised.

“Emile?”

No hands were raised.

“Remus?”

Emile raised his hand.

“Roman?”

No hands.

“Deceit?”

Virgil, Patton, and Logan raised their hands.

“Patton?”

Remus and Roman raised their hands.

“Virgil?”

Deceit raised his hand.

Logan nodded. “Alright. That’s one vote for Remus, three voted for Deceit, two votes for Patton, and one vote for Virgil. Would anyone like to defend themselves?”

Roman shot a glare towards Emile. “Why did you vote for Remus?”

“I- I don’t know, I’m sorry. I just- I don’t really want any of you to die, but I had to vote for someone,” Emile stuttered, nervous about the look he was receiving.

Roman didn’t seem convinced but dropped the subject.

Patton looked at the two brothers. “Why did you guys vote for me?”

“Don’t really like the vibe you’re giving off,” Remus shrugged. He grabbed another grape before turning his attention to something else on the table. Patton sighed.

Deceit looked around the table. “So, why did I receive the most votes?”

“You shared the least information, dude. At least I said what I do with my life,” Virgil said.

Deceit raised his eyebrow again and stared at Virgil. “Oh, I’m so sorry, do you want me to pull out a sob story for all of you strangers to pick apart? You’re just going to use what I say to decide if I should live or not. What’s fair about that? I’m not going to throw myself out there for nothing.”

“Maybe we should take a quick break, guys,” Emile suggested quietly.

Everyone agreed.

Patton stood up and headed towards the small table in the corner with drinks on it. Virgil quietly followed behind him, the two talking quietly about something or another. Roman and Remus stayed close to each other. Logan picked up the notecard and stared at it as if studying it for clues. Emile stayed quiet, beginning to shake. Deceit just sat by himself, eyes focusing on Roman. They’d been friends during school. He wasn’t sure why they’d ever stopped talking.

When everyone sat back down again, things seemed tense.

“Should we take another vote? Maybe speak some more?”

Patton looked at Deceit. “I want to hear what he has to say,” He said.

Deceit rolled his eyes. “I thought you said I didn’t have to, hm? Change your mind?”

“Well everyone else did. It’s not going to be a fair choice if we don’t have everyone speak.”

Deceit let out a quiet hiss. “Fine, whatever you say. I came from a quiet, poor little family, I was an only child. I put myself through school. I worked hard every day to get to where I am now. And now I study law. I came here because I was tired, and because the money reward is big enough to help me out of the situation that I’m in. Is that all? Or do you want to hear about the fact that I can barely hold a relationship, or that my parents died, or that I spent years battling depression and now I’m finally fucking better. Are you happy now?”

Everyone was silent.

Patton just smiled. “So why don’t you take the pill?” He asked.

Deceit’s head shot up. “What?”

“Well, if you’re situation is so bad, if you’re depressed… Why don’t you take the pill?” He continued. “You’re tired, right? You said so yourself. Why else would you come to this twisted gameshow in such a state?”

Deceit’s mouth opened and closed but nothing came out.

“Patton, I think that’s inappropriate-“

“No, it’s not! He could save all of us! He said he’s tired, that he’s in a bad place. Why else would he be here?”

“I- I-“ Deceit couldn’t form a sentence.

Roman’s eyes shot between Patton and Deceit before he spoke. “I think we’re ready for our final vote. Logan?”

Logan nodded. “Alright, I’ll follow the same order as previously. Would anyone like to vote for me?”

Nobody raised their hands. Deceit fiddled with the hem of his gloves. There was no way he’d get out of this one. They all hated him.

“Emile?”

No hands were raised. Deceit squeezed his eyes shut.

“Remus?”

Deceit didn’t want to look.

“Roman?”

Silence.

“Deceit?”

Deceit kept his eyes closed, refusing to look up. He didn’t want to know.

“Patton?”

Deceit raised his hand but kept his eyes glued to the floor.

“Virgil?”

More silence.

Deceit finally looked back up, eyes glued to Logan.

Logan sighed softly. “Patton, take the pill.”

Deceit sat up in shock. Patton? Deceit finally looked at Patton, who was staring around at all the guilt-filled faces that surrounded him with a look of betrayal and disappointment on his face.

“No.”

Roman finally burst.

“You can’t just say no! You were voted for, that was what we agreed on!”

Patton sat back and shook his head, folding his arms. “No. I’m not doing it. I’m a good person! I volunteer, and I look after kids, and I’m useful! Why me!?”

“You were voted out, Patton-“

Logan is once again cut off by Patton yelling. “NO! Pick someone else! Deceit refused to play along with the rest of us! Remus doesn’t even have a reason for being here! Pick one of them!”

Between all the yelling, Roman stood up. The clock in the corner showed there were only twenty seconds left. He didn’t have long. He had to do something. He looked down at the golden box in the middle of the table, looked over at his brother (Who still hadn’t noticed he’d stood up), looked at Deceit (Who was yelling at Patton with everyone else), and grabbed the pill. He popped it into his mouth and swallowed it before anyone could stop him.

Deceit noticed and shot up, running to grab hold of him.

“Roman! Oh, you idiot. Are you ok?” He asked, terrified.

Roman nodded. “Y-Yeah, it’s fine. One of us had to do it, right?”

Deceit wrapped his arms around Roman. “Y-You’re such an idiot!”

“I’m fine, Dee. I’m fine, It’s ok, shh.”

There was a coughing from behind him and he turned to see that Virgil had begun coughing up blood, red covering the plate sat in front of him. Patton’s eyes darted between Virgil and Emile – Who at this point had his head on the table, a growing pool of blood surrounding him.

“W-Wait a second-“ Patton stuttered, standing up and stumbling back. “No, no! This can’t be happening!”

Logan, who’d been watching all of this happen, caught on. “If after twenty-five minutes nobody has taken it, you will all die,” He whispered before looking up at Roman. “The pill. It was an antidote.”

Deceit suddenly felt a lot heavier in Roman’s arms. He looked down to see that Deceit too, just like the others, had begun spilling blood from his mouth and nose. Roman gently sat him down, muttering ‘no, no, no’ under his breath to himself. But it was too late.

Remus stood up from his chair, stumbling over Patton’s fallen body and towards Logan, who was struggling to breathe.

“H-Hold me?” He asked, quietly.

Logan nodded. There was no point anymore. They were all dying anyway. Remus collapsed onto the other man, the two clinging to each other in their final moments.

Roman felt tears fall down his cheeks as he watched Deceit’s eyes start to close, a small smile on his face.

“I’m glad it w-was you who survived…” Deceit whispered. He gave one final gasp of breath, and a loud cough, before falling limp against Roman’s chest.

Roman looked around the room, crying as the sound of cheers filled his ears.

He’d won, but really? Was there any real winner?

[radioactivepeasant]

Fic Prompts: Star Wars Wednesday

It was truly a testament to the sheer chaos of his surroundings that he didn't realize there was a Sith present until it was too late.

Of course, his progress in using the Force to identify threats hadn't exactly progressed as far as picking out specific individuals. He'd just sort of had a constant buzz of impending danger and people with harmful intentions since he'd landed. It was a city with known Black Sun ties, after all.

Luke was just glad that his part in the mission was over. He'd made contact with a spy looking to leave the criminal organization, escorted them to the city, and kept cover even after passing them along to Rebel agents who would smuggle them offworld. Now he just needed to casually make his own getaway in a city district where everyone outside was looking at him like a potential threat or a potential target.

The "ambush" didn't catch him off-guard. For a boy who had grown up closer to Mos Eisely than he would've liked (even the other side of the planet would've been too close for most), spotting someone following him was almost second nature. So when the hulking human grabbed his shoulder from behind, Luke twisted out of his grip before he had a chance to shove his blaster into his back. He shoved the man, hard.

"Hey, I don't want any trouble," he said, in the warning tone of one who would start trouble if he found it necessary. "Just take it easy."

[[MORE]]

His attacker grinned, showing unnaturally white teeth. "Don't want any trouble? Well that's too bad, isn't it? You're trespassing on Black Sun property, kiddo. So unless you paid the toll, you're gonna have a bad time."

Luke grimaced. He'd heard better threats, in his experience. But the intent to harm rolled off this man clearly. He was probably just looking for an excuse to fight. Luke had dodged a lot of impromptu clashes between Black Sun supporters and smaller, local gangs who resented their presence. It had kept the local Imperials very busy, which had worked to Luke's advantage during the mission. But this was far less convenient.

There was a commotion down the street behind him, and the distant sound of blasterfire, but Luke ignored it when three other men joined the one harassing him. Three against one wasn't exactly good odds -- Han would tell him to forget the odds, Luke bet -- but Luke could hold his own in a gunfight. The problem was, this was much too close range. Finding cover would be difficult. And using his lightsaber here would draw the wrong kind of attention.

Luke was not eager to repeat his experiences on the smugglers' moon.

He felt a surge of warning, as if all his hair was standing on end. His chest felt tight, and he assumed it was just anxiety as he dodged the grasping hand of one of the attackers and jumped back several steps.

The four men halted so abruptly that they seemed to freeze in place. With a shaking hand, one raised a blaster and fired. But not at Luke.

The bolt streaked past Luke, high and to the left. The shooter dropped his blaster to clutch his throat, gasping. He dropped an instant later.

Luke had a bad feeling about this.

The man who had initially stopped him pointed his weapon directly at Luke's head.

"I think this guy's a Rebel!" he shouted, "Don't worry, I got 'im!"

Luke moved on instinct. In the half second between the gangster speaking and squeezing the trigger, Luke had brought his lightsaber up and into a guard position. The bolt bounced off the blade and straight back into the man's chest. He stared in disbelief at the wound for a moment, then fell.

"Your skill with the blade has improved, young Skywalker."

Luke came to the sudden, horrible realization that the Force hadn't been warning him about the gangsters. He turned slowly, too apprehensive to even think about the risks of turning his back on the other two men. Just as he'd feared, Darth Vader stood just a few meters away, with two stormtroopers.

This time, Luke wasn't going to rush in blindly the way he had on Cymoon. Not that he thought that would save him this time.

"You can blame your buddy, Kreel, for that," Luke croaked in an effort to sound defiant and not terrified.

Vader tilted his helmet slightly to one side -- a jarringly disarming gesture -- and made an unidentifiable sound. "Yes. I had hoped that he would at least further your knowledge beyond whatever dismal attempts Kenobi made."

Something cold and fearful twisted in Luke's gut. It slithered up his spine to wrap around his heart. Darth Vader...wanted him to learn lightsaber combat? But he had destroyed the Jedi! He had killed Luke's father! What was he trying to accomplish?

Vader took a step forward, and Luke stumbled a step back, despite himself. Behind him, he heard the last two men shift, and something metallic clicked. The Force swirled around him, warm in warning and yet at the same time colder than anything Luke had ever felt.

In front of him, Vader made a gesture with his hand. Behind him, there was a loud crack, and two thumps. Luke didn't have to look to know the men were dead. To his shock, the two stormtroopers with Vader dropped dead just as the gangsters did.

He killed his own men? Why?

Luke stared down at the bodies, then slowly raised his head to look at the Sith lord. He couldn't understand why he was still breathing. And then, as unexpectedly as everything else, Darth Vader spoke.

"At our first meeting," he said slowly, with no apparent need to rush, "You accused me of killing your father."

Luke remembered all too well.

"You don't even remember," he snapped, "You've killed too many fathers to know the difference."

"No."

That one word brought Luke up short. He tensed, trying to regulate his breathing with little success. His heart felt like it was going to just break out of his chest and make a run for it at this point. He raised his lightsaber with shaking hands. It wasn't much of a defense, but it was better than nothing.

With barely a twitch, Vader snatched the hilt from Luke's hand and switched off the blade. He clipped it to his belt and stepped closer.

"I spoke flippantly then, as I was not aware of your identity at the time."

There was something very dangerous in those words. An undercurrent of an old anger, and an imminent threat. Luke would have run if his feet hadn't been rooted to the spot. He tried and failed three times to speak before the words crawled out.

"Why does my identity change anything?"

As if a Sith and an Imperial would tell the truth. As if Vader wasn't about to murder him and ensure the death of another potential Jedi.

But Vader did not kill him. He was silent for three, nerve-wracking seconds before taking one final step towards Luke. He was inches away now, blocking out the fading light.

"I have killed many fathers, young one," he said in an unusually soft voice, "But not yours."

The ground seemed to fall out from under Luke's feet. Vader...hadn't killed Anakin Skywalker? He had to be lying. Because if he wasn't, then Obi-wan had been wrong. Or lying.

Without really knowing why, Luke asked shakily, "W- what do- what do you even want?"

He flinched as a hand, heavy as lead, dropped to his shoulder in an iron grip.

"To complete your training," Vader answered simply, "And to take back what is mine."

Luke stared up at him, horrified and bewildered. The Dark Side. He had to be talking about the Dark Side! Luke wouldn't turn. He couldn't! Which meant that he was probably going to die shortly.

Vader shifted and, almost tentatively, touched his other hand to Luke's forehead for an instant. "You have no reason to fear me," he said. The words sounded stiff and unpracticed, coming from him. "I do not wish to harm you. So long as you do not cause any harm in return, I can hide your existence from the emperor."

Luke trembled. If he was taken prisoner, everything he knew about the Alliance was in jeopardy. Compartmentalization protected a lot of those secrets, but he knew things about Leia most others didn't. And he didn't want Vader even speaking her name after what he'd done.

"Thought you killed Jedi," Luke managed, barely audible now.

Vader considered this, then began to walk. His grip on Luke's shoulder drew him along unwillingly and stumbling over his own feet.

"The Force is with you, young one." Vader sounded almost amused. "But you are not a Jedi yet. You do not yet understand the scope of the lies you have been told. But you will. Soon."

Luke had a very bad feeling about this.

[amarauder]

chapter one - percy jackson x reader

| percy’s journey to the top of the world

-

A/N; I am really really really excited to share this all with you! I have actually already wrote the whole thing and I am just editing it now as I post the chapters. I feel like I have finally perfected Percy's personality, damn that took way too long. But I feel like this is definitely my best writing piece yet.. So, I hope you enjoy and I apologize in advance for Thalia's personality. I kept re-writing everything she did but at the end I never felt like it was right and it was taking too much time so I just left it as it is. Thank you for reading! :)

-

It was Leo's idea to go to the fair, and with much credit all of his spastic and vociferous pleadings, he managed to annoy everyone else into agreeing to tag along. Percy's mostly going because Luke is going, and Luke is mostly going because Thalia said she might make an appearance. Typical, Percy thinks, watching his best friend glance around in what he believes to be a casual way.

It's not that Percy hates fairs—he loves them, really; he delights in the bright lights and the laughter that seems to push at his ears from all sides. It's a happy place, or at least somewhere people go to be happy, and it's the kind of atmosphere Percy would stay in forever if he could. There are few things Percy loves more than happy people, and the variety of fried food at his disposal is nothing if not a plus.

Never let it be said that Percy doesn't like the way fairs make him feel. But let it be known far and wide that he won't touch those rides that shoot up a million feet in the air, nor will he mess with the ones that spin in circles so quickly, he feels sick just from looking at them.

Percy and the guys lap the fairgrounds twice before they decide to start out easy with the Pharaoh ride. Percy doesn't like that one—doesn't like the sensation of flying anymore than actually flying—so he decides to stand near the exit holding two big jackets and one watered down Mountain Dew. He almost regrets coming. He's never been a huge fan of fair rides save the Ferris wheel and Tilt-A-Whirl, but it's better than spending his Friday night doing the homework due Monday, he guesses.

The guys get off the ride, all of their hair sticking up in a few different directions. Luke ruffles Percy's hair up for good measure, then they all dash off to the Ring of Fire.

Percy stares up at it, contemplating; it would be totally safe to drape all of their belongings over the fence surrounding the ride, of course, so there doesn't have to be a man left behind every time they ride something. Not to mention the fact that Percy bought the unlimited riding wristband alongside everyone else, even if most of the rides are far too dangerous for his taste.

"You coming?" Luke questions, a few steps away. Percy opens his mouth and closes it, and even though he doesn't say anything, his best friend still understands somehow. "Hey, if you're not up to it, it's fine. I know you get a little... you know."

Percy, predictably, feels like a loser—like the one teenager in all of the park who doesn't want to do something reckless, who doesn't like the way wind feels on his face. "I think I'll go get something to eat. Meet you guys after?"

Luke smiles kindly and pats him on the shoulder. "Of course. I'll make sure we ride the Ferris wheel before the night's over, too. I know you like that the most."

Percy gives a short nod, seeing a few more people saunter up to the Ring of Fire. "You better hurry before all the seats are filled."

It takes him a while to find a place that has any hot chocolate left, since it's past eleven and most families have already come and gone after consuming the majority of the fair's supply of warm drinks. It's not much, just chocolate mix poured into some hot water, and the marshmallows have already melted into little white dots of foam, but it cheers Percy up anyways. After all, he's drinking hot chocolate while all of his friends are upside down on a death trap of a ride.

Someone bumps into him from behind and Percy hears a chorus of laughter before he turns. His hand hurts a little, since some hot chocolate spilled upon the collision, but it's not something he can't handle.

"Sorry," the person says, their head turned away from him. Their presence feels familiar—like maybe he's been around them before, like maybe he's heard their voice or their laugh. "My friends are a little... pushy."

Percy smiles at what might or might not have been a pun. "It's fine," he answers, taking a sip of his hot chocolate. It's still boiling hot. His unintended assailant turns away from their friends to look at him, finally, and Percy nearly spits.

"Oh, Percy," Y/N says, pleasantly surprised. "Haven't seen you for a while, partner."

Percy's chest hurts a little, and he's not sure if it's from the scalding hot chocolate or the h/c haired girl in front of him. "Yeah, it's been a while since—"

"Since chemistry, sophomore year," she interrupts, and Percy nods. "Yeah, that was a fun class. I always liked chemistry." He must make a face, because Y/N laughs at him, pretty pink lips parting to show white teeth. Percy is momentarily entranced. "I can't remember you liking it half as much as I did."

"Was a little miserable," Percy admits, though it's an understatement. He was awful at chemistry, barely scraping by with Ds. The only good thing about the class was Y/N—smart, wonderful Y/N who helped him through the vast majority of the worksheets that might as well have been in another language, for all of Percy's understanding of the subject.

"Well, at least you passed, so it's over and done with now," she says, a small smile still tugging at her lips. Percy watches as she zips up her jacket, conscious of the fact that he left his in his car. He kind of wishes he didn't, just so he could have something to tuck his face into, or at the very least serve as a distraction.

"Guess I have you to thank for that," he replies, smiling back tightly when Y/N beams. He's seen her almost every day at school for the past four years, and the only time he's ever talked to her is when they were chemistry lab partners for what might have been the best 40 weeks of his life. There was the occasional hello when they ran into each other during assemblies since, but other than that, Percy hadn't gathered the guts to make it abundantly clear to Y/N that he wants to be her friend. (And he does want to be her friend—Y/N's a good ally to have, for one, and he also feels both smarter and less intelligent just by standing near her. She gives him good vibes. Percy's always loved people like that.)

It looks like Y/N's about to say something, and Percy's prepared to hang onto every word she utters, but one of her friends clears their throat without a hint of subtlety. "Oh, right," Y/N says, like she can't believe herself for being so rude. "This is Percy, guys. And that's Piper, Annabeth, Hazel, and—"

"Thalia," Percy says with a knowing smile, eyes catching on the shortest of the group. "Luke is looking for you."

"Of course he is," one of the girls says, but Percy isn't sure who. Thalia blushes a little, tucking a chunk of her short, dark hair behind her ear.

"I was actually about to go find them, if you want to come with?" Percy was mostly directing the question towards Thalia, but all of the girls take it as an invitation. They begin to walk; Y/N stays closer to him while the other girls drag a little behind.

"So..." Y/N clears her throat, and Percy wishes he would paid attention during his mom's silly romantic comedies on movie night. Maybe then he'd know how to talk to a girl. "Having fun?"

Percy nods immediately, swirling his hot chocolate and carefully stepping over a bundle of thick cords stretching across the walkway. There's a lot of things Percy wants to do in front of Y/N, but most of them involve impressing her and not tripping face-first into the cold, wet grass. "Yeah, I guess. You?"

She shrugs and her elbow hits his. Percy tries his best not to grin at that, but he's never been one for success. "I'm not a huge fan of fairs, personally, but I was physically dragged from my home tonight by them." She tips her head back, gesturing to her friends, and Percy smiles a little. "What?"

"Nothing, nothing," Percy says, raising his eyebrows at her. "Just—no parties to attend? Dates to run off on? Family dinners to sit through?"

"That was sophomore year," Y/N says on a sigh. It sounds mostly relieved, but maybe a little wistful, too."I'm a little more boring now. I read a lot."

"That's—" Percy searches for a word. "Um, that's good. Reading is good for you."

Y/N sends him an amused look. "Do you read, Percy?"

He knows she's teasing him, and he can feel his cheeks heating up. "A—sometimes. A little."

"What's your favorite book?"

"I—" Percy wishes he had a title in his mind—something impressive, something that would make Y/N look at him like she's surprised, but happy he said something. "Um, The Edge of Us?"

Y/N raises an eyebrow, directly translating to an unspoken are you messing with me? Percy keeps a straight face. "By whom?"

"Sally... Jackson," Percy says, admitting defeat.

Y/N snorts, her eyes closing briefly as she laughs at him. "Your mother's book? Really?"

"Well, I didn't have a proper answer!" Percy says, laughing with her. "I figured I could at least promo my mom when I had the chance."

"Unbelievable," Y/N says, pressing her lips together to keep from smiling, and holding his gaze. Percy breaks it first, idly scratching his chest and staring down at his toes. Y/N's no less blinding than she was two years ago.

"There you are, Percy," Luke says appearing on Percy's other side. He leans past him, waving at Y/N. "Hey, you. Doing alright?"

Y/N nods, hair falling to cover her eyes. She shoves them out of the way with a hint of frustration, and Percy has a feeling he's not supposed to find that somewhat cute. "And you? I heard you were looking for a certain someone."

"I absolutely was not," Luke says, though not without a less than amicable clap on Percy's back. Percy smiles serenely at his best friend, nodding to Thalia as if to say, go get 'em, Tiger. "I'll talk to you two later."

He goes to Thalia, after that, and Percy and Y/N share a smug smile. They always were a good team, even back in their chemistry lab days. "They're going to date, aren't they?" Percy questions quietly, watching Luke shrug off his jacket for Thalia as she rubs her arms to warm herself up.

"Of course they are," Y/N says, a little fond.

"Hey, guys, we're going to go hit the Double Shot," Leo calls from where he stands between Hazel and Annabeth, arms reached out to wrap around both of the girls' shoulders. They both look vaguely annoyed but mostly indifferent to Leo's lady-killer antics.

"I think I'll pass," Percy says, at the same time Y/N says, "I hate that one."

"Right, well you two can wallow in your utter lame-ity," Jason says, sending them a smile to let them know that he doesn't mean it. "We'll catch up soon."

"Lame-ity isn't a word, Jason," Y/N informs him with an eye roll, her cheeks a little pink from the cold. Percy looks away, letting his eyes fall on the nearest spinning ride to distract himself. "Call us if you need us."

"Will do," Jason replies, saluting them before he jogs ahead to pounce on Leo's back, nearly making him, along with Hazel and Annabeth, fall. They laugh, and Percy smiles at the group.

"It's been a while since we all hung out," Y/N notes, and Percy nods. Sure, they've met up in pairs and trios here and there, but it's been a long time since they had the whole gang.

"Would have been the year before the last, right? During that trip to the museum." The trip where we got lost because we sneaked off to the Greek and Roman section while everyone else stayed on the tour. You talked us out of getting in trouble with our teacher.

"That was a fun field trip," Y/N says, glancing up at him. She doesn't say so, but he knows she remembers wandering off together just as much as he does.

"Really fun," Percy agrees, pointlessly. He remembers Y/N reaching out to touch a marble statue of Athena, and he remembers not bothering to mention that they weren't allowed to touch the exhibits, just because Y/N looked so full of curiosity.

"Are you still going to go to school for that?" Y/N asks now, just as curious as she was at the museum. "I know it means a lot to you."

Percy shrugs shyly. "Might minor in it."

She smiles to herself, shaking her head. "You do realize that you almost never speak in full sentences, right?"

"Didn't realize," Percy says, then he gives a sheepish smile. "Oh. Guess I do. I mean, I guess I do."

They both laugh for a second, falling quiet just quickly enough to make Percy feel awkward. He wishes he had more to say, if only to keep Y/N from regretting she stayed back with him.

"How are you?" Percy asks, after a while, when they've stopped to watch a ride as it spins in rapid circles, eliciting screams from those on it. He's heard that a lot of fair rides make people feel alive—give them a rush. They really just make Percy feel sick.

"I'm alright, a little cold. Aren't you cold?"

Percy shrugs. His sweater is thick enough, for the most part, and he's wearing another long sleeve shirt underneath it. "'S fine. But, uh, how are you overall? Not just right now, but in general?" I remember you had a tough time with your parents sophomore year. I hope it's worked itself out.

"I'm... Better." She nods to herself, raising her eyebrows when a particularly high-pitched scream interrupts her. "Mom and Dad got divorced the summer of sophomore year."

Percy's heart sinks for her, and he drops his eyes to the patchy grass, digging the toe of his shoe into the dirt. "That—That really sucks. And I'm sorry that you had to go through it."

"It's not your fault, Percy," Y/N says, nothing but genuine. "Thank you, though."

There's a lull in the conversation, and Percy feels like he's dampened her mood, like Y/N's whole night might be ruined if he doesn't do something about it.

"You like the Ferris wheel?" Percy finds himself asking, without really thinking too much about the implications of the words.

"I can't say I'm the biggest fan of heights," Y/N says, almost apologetic.

Percy nods immediately. "I know the feeling, believe me. Nearly died of fear when I first got on a plane." He gives a little self-deprecating chuckle, remembering the irritated sighs of the woman beside him, the stewardess who hovered by his side for a good portion of the flight, making sure that he didn't get sick on other fliers. "Like the Ferris wheel, though. Good view."

"Riveting as your sentence fragments are," Y/N says with a smirk, "I'd really like to get some cotton candy."

"I'll walk with you," Percy offers, half because he doesn't want her to go alone and half because he doesn't want to be alone.

"Thanks," Y/N replies, pushing her hands inside her jacket pockets. "It sucks to be alone at places like these, I'd think."

Percy hums like he agrees, though he isn't really sure what she means. "It would be lonely."

"You're a man of even fewer words than I remember." She sounds a lot teasing and a little something else, but Percy has trouble pinning it down.

"It was chemistry," he tries to explain. "I had a lot of questions. And I was a sophomore, which means I was at least double the amount of annoying I am now. Probably talked your ear off."

"Either you didn't, or I didn't mind," Y/N responds, nudging him with her elbow. "There's the guys, over there, if you want to join them. I can walk the rest of the way myself."

Percy opens up his mouth to tell her that it's fine, that he doesn't mind spending a few more minutes by her side, but then he realizes the nearest food stand is maybe five feet away and he might come off as a little, well, stupid. He nods. "Alright. I'll see you."

He comes up behind Luke and shoves his cold hand beneath his best friend's collar, laughing when Luke jumps a good foot in the air. "You fucker," Luke says, distrust in his eyes.

"It was just an excuse to fondle you, simmer down," Percy jokes, rolling his eyes at his friend. "How was the—what was it, Double Shot?"

"Absolutely terrifying," Luke says with a manic little grin. "But, that's the fun in it, I guess. Not knowing when you're about to plummet to the bottom of the ride. Nothing gets the blood pumping like the potential for death."

"Someone's feeling morbid tonight," Thalia says mildly, giving Luke a bewildered look. He shrugs, offering up an explanation of marathoning scary movies with Nico the weekend before.

"The fair closes at 1 AM," Jason announces to the group at large. "We can probably hit, like, three more rides with all of the lines."

"Ferris wheel last," Percy suggests. "That's all I care about."

"Yes, Percy, we know about your weird obsession with the lamest ride here."

Percy frowns at Leo. "It's not lame—"

"Just clichéd," Y/N puts in, appearing next to Annabeth. Percy narrows his eyes at her while she innocently pulls off a little cloud of cotton candy. "It's not a bad thing; it just is."

"At least my ride has a lower death rate," Percy grumbles, and either no one hears him or they don't believe it deserves a response.

Someone drops a mention of Gravitron, and it's only a few minutes before their group stands before the spaceship-like ride, chatting among themselves while they wait for their turn. Percy watches the ride spin with nauseating rapidity, eventually turning to watch a guy throw rings at bottles in an attempt to win some cheap stuffed animal that'll probably start threading in a week.

The child at his heel squeals in delight when she gets one of the smallest prizes available, the man only managing to land one ring on a bottleneck, and Percy can't remember being that grateful as a child. She's got to be a good kid, one of those that people never mind having around, regardless of age and whether or not they like children at all.

"What are you thinking about so deeply over here?" Y/N says from somewhere behind him. Percy glances over his shoulder, and when he looks back to the booth, the man and his kid are nowhere to be seen.

"Nothing, just didn't want to look at the ride anymore. It was making me kind of dizzy." Percy nearly smacks his palm to his forehead, feeling weak and idiotic for admitting that he's pretty squeamish, as far as fast moving objects and heights go. Pop in the goriest movie you can think of, and Percy will barely blink an eye, but threaten to push him on the Ring of Fire and he'll probably faint before you can even escort him to his seat.

"It's actually fun, I promise," Y/N says. "You don't really feel the spinning because you're going so fast."

"Ugh," Percy mutters, rubbing his eye with the heel of his hand. "How do people get a kick out of this stuff, honestly?"

Y/N hums in agreement, glancing at the line to make sure their group doesn't go on without her. "I've gathered that Luke is a bit of an amusement park junkie?"

"He is." Percy remembers the eighth grade field trip to Busch Gardens, and the swim team trip to Universal Studios. Luke certainly has a thing for adrenaline. "I think the feeling reminds him of performing."

"He performs?"

"Yeah, like, in a band."

"Oh." Y/N scuffs her foot on the ground. "Who else is in the band?"

"I was, originally," Percy mentions off-handedly. "But that was a long time ago. It's just him, Nico, and this college drop-out Luke now. They're really good."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing. I just decided I didn't want to be in it anymore, since I didn't contribute a whole lot. I still help Luke with songwriting here and there, though."

"I meant, like," Y/N gestures like she isn't sure how to word what she's saying. "Did you play an instrument, or...?"

"Oh!" Percy coughs even if his throat doesn't have an itch, pulling his long sleeves down until they're about mid-palm. "Mostly guitar. Sang a teensy bit, but not much more than that. Luke is better at guitar than I am. And, well, you've heard his voice, I'm sure. Sounds like a damn angel. But, like, a manly, sexier one." Oh, God, Percy thinks, in absolute dismay. What am I even saying?

"A manly, sexy angel," Y/N muses. "An apt description. I had no clue angels had access to so much hair dye."

Percy laughs so hard, his ribs hurt a little. Y/N laughs, too, but mostly she just looks happy that she made him laugh. Percy finds that it's easy to remember why he wanted—wants—to be Y/N's friend as bad as he does.

"You'll miss your ride," he says after his chuckles have mostly died out. There's still a small smile that won't leave his face.

"I've been on it before," Y/N responds with a one-shouldered shrug, seemingly unconcerned. "I'd much rather talk about manly and sexy angels."

"What have I done?" Percy asks, rubbing his forehead, pretending to be a lot more regretful than he really is. Percy doesn't really mind when Y/N teases him, or, at least, he doesn't mind as much as he should. "I'm not going to live this down, am I?"

"Of course not," Y/N says easily. "Where would the fun be in that?"

-

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