#feels bad I've only made Jean's and her son

[sp-growingpains]

Hey. My Stan lovelies.

What do we think?

[lunarspiral1127]

X-Men 97 episode 8 *SPOILERS*

Bastion

Not gonna lie, I busted out laughing when I watched his origin story. This is the second time an antagonist had to wait for a couple to make a child and use said child for their plans. Nimrod was lucky that the guy he infected was in a relationship. Plus, I thought it was gonna make Bastion sympathetic due to his childhood flashbacks, but nope.

So, he made a Utopia for humans, but the mutants are enslaved. Saw old Polaris and the Phoenix. But, what bugs me is that he claims that many of the humans consented to be turned into Prime Sentinels without knowing all the details and won't have any memory of being turned. I find it hard to believe that every single one of them would've consented, especially his elderly mother. Dude omitted many details and I'm pretty sure he turned some of them without them knowing. Plus, I'm still mad at him for killing Gambit.

Cameos of Dr. Doom and Zemo (hydra n@zi Zemo, not the MCU version). Wasn't expecting to see them being members of OZT.

Mr. Sinister's just in it for the mutant experimentation.....y'know what? I shouldn't be surprised with that reason why he "teamed up" with Bastion. More test subjects.

Summers Family

Not gonna lie, I was really annoyed with the drama between Cable and Scott. If this was comics Scott, I can understand why Cable's giving him the cold shoulder. But, this Scott didn't wanna abandon Nathan like his dad did to him! It was Madelyn that gave him to Bishop. So, if Scott was there with her, things would've been cool?! God, I'm so sick of this drama. Thank goodness that it didn't last long and that Jean stopped them from escalating it further.

Summers family vs. Prime Sentinels was pretty cool. I like that father/son fistbump, which means things will get better between the two.

It's funny that Jean's being the mom at Cable who's like this big man in his 50s.

Also, Jean and Scott's relationship is getting better which is a relief.

Nightcrawler

Once again, precious boy and MVP. What he said to Jean was really nice. He's always been there as someone's shoulder to lean and cry on. When he talked about Mystique, I felt so bad for him. Honestly, I hated what she did to him just because he was born that way. In the 90s show, she did feel guilt for what she did when Nightcrawler talked to her. But, I still didn't like her for what she did to him. However, with all the words and hugs he's given to others, I hope he has someone who'd give him words and hugs too. He also needs a shoulder to lean and cry on too.

SWASHBUCKLING NIGHTCRAWLER HELL YEAH!!! I've been waiting to see him use swords and it was worth the wait. Him teaming up with Wolverine was really cool. Plus, seeing how his teleporting works was cool too. Love that he was protecting his sister, and I'm glad that we got something with him and Logan cause we haven't had anything like that since he first appeared.

Beast

Why the hell would he let the reporter stay in?! Even if she's not doing her job, she's shouldn't be involved! It has nothing to do with her, plus, I'm pretty sure he revealed a lot of classified information that only the X-Men should be allowed to hear and see. Dammit, Beast. And, dammit Morph for letting her in too.

*sigh* Anyone else think, he's been done dirty in this episode? Cause having her stay in there got his butt kicked. Sure, he didn't know that she was a Prime Sentinel, but they do know the possibility that any human could be one, right? Now, Beast is knocked out along with Rogue, who hasn't woken up still.

Jubilee and Roberto

Okay, so they are gonna be part of the main plot, good. I was worried that they were gonna be sidelined, especially Jubilee.

His mom is a beech. She sold her son out to the Prime Sentinels and didn't believe him and for what? Her reputation?! Man, f**k this beech, she sucks. Poor Roberto though.

Finally using his powers more than once! I counted four times in this whole series so far of when he used them. It's also something that annoys me about the character. He said that he was training in the Danger Room to surprise Jubilee, but why couldn't we have seen that?! Why couldn't we have Roberto training with one of the X-Men's help and see him develop his abilities?! Hell, have Jubilee be there to train him! That way we could've seen more of his abilities and see him grow more and have him interact with other characters, bonding with them. Not just Jubilee. Maybe have him open up to when he first awakened his powers and why he wants to hide them, instead of just telling us.

On the plus side, they should be okay thanks to Magneto's magnetic EMP ability. Speaking of which....

Magneto

I'm glad he didn't get turned into a Prime Sentinel, but I still don't understand how Bastion and Mr. Sinister got his hands on him from Genosha. That blast should've killed him along with the Morlocks. I don't even think it's gonna be explained how they captured him.

His prisoner numbers....yeesh. 😬

The one good thing that Cooper did. Letting him go and realizing that he was right. Aside from that, f**k her. Seriously, was the only good human (regular human, not enhanced) shown in this was Moira?! Cause that's what it feels like.

Now, I was confused at first with what Magneto did, but I think he went to the North or South Poles and used the Earth's magnetic field which is strongest there to cause a worldwide blackout, disabling all the Prime Sentinels. Not killing them, mind you. All while in his underwear, too.

Honestly, I wouldn't blame him if he wages war. He tried to be good. He tried to respect Xavier's dream. But, look what happened. So, I wouldn't blame him if he did this.

HOWEVER! I like that Magneto was good. Part of me doesn't want him to go back to his old ways cause that's gonna be more conflict between him and Xavier. Plus, only Logan claimed that Magneto waged war. If he did, he would've killed the Prime Sentinels, but he didn't. If anything, he'd be waging war on Bastion since he's the one responsible. But, yeah, I'm sorry Xavier. You're cool and all, but Magneto was right.

Cameos

I mentioned Zemo, Doctor Doom, Future Polaris and Future Phoenix. But there were much more.

Omega Red and the Silver Samurai, but one that made me so excited to see......SPIDER-MAN!!! I was so happy to see 90s Spider-Man. I know many would want a sequel to the animated series, but we'll have to wait and see.

The rest I wanna talk/rant about

Professor X shows up finally, but I got miffed when he said "I hope I'm not too late". CHARLES! YOU ARE VERY VERY LATE!!! I know space travel takes time, but COME ON! He better do something real quick to help stop all this crap that's been happening. Dunno how, but it better be something good.

By the way, I'm still annoyed with that black hole excuse. Why couldn't he just contact Scott and the others and stay in touch with them right when he was fully recovered or was well enough?

WHERE THE HELL IS STORM?!?!?! I know she's with Forge, but you'd think the moment she heard about Genosha, she'd head back home flying. She'll probably show up next week, but it's been like two episodes since she got her powers back. Is her not being there sooner a choice the writers made cause if she was there, the fight with the Prime Sentinels would've been over quicker? *sigh* I just wanna see one of my favorites come back and kick some butt like she used too.

I dunno if Forge is gonna come back with Storm, but I hope he does. I want him to help with this Bastion mess. Plus, he did take a photo with him, which has me worried that he was connected somehow but I hope not. It also would be cool, if he contacted the rest of X-Factor and meet up with the X-Men and team up. But, I don't think that's gonna happen.

So, Bishop is definitely out of the picture for the rest of this season, which is bullcrap. It would've been cool to have him and Cable work together again like before along with the X-Men. But, instead, the excuse was they got separated from the time stream. So, we don't even know if he's okay or if he's lost again, or if he actually made it back home. God, I feel like his character's purpose of the show was to help create another characters origin.

Okay, I think that's pretty much it. It was a good episode, even though I did rant on a lot of stuff. We'll see how parts 2 and 3 play out in the next two weeks and hope that the finale will stick the landing.

[its-still-cuppi-cakes]

I have a few personal hcs of Guy that I'd like to share

(Some I have adopted from others that I've found on here, but I will have my opinion on them)

Guy is a huge starwars and avengers nerd. He probably has many action figures, clothes and merch of the characters in his room before honey and him started dating. I feel like the terrible roommate they had once messed around with them as a "joke" and Honey called her out on it and made her apologize for it. And pay for any of the damages she caused.

He. Needs. To wear. Glasses. But he doesn't like wearing them because of how they feel on his nose so he wears contacts. He does wear them when he's writing though! And he looks good too. He probably has those ones where it's prescription and bluelight. And an all around black frame.

He's a lego builder! He also collects Starwars and Avengers lego sets. And some other types of sets that he thinks looks cool.

He has a caffeine addiction. He drinks so much caffeine Honey has made it a rule where he can only have two cups/cans of caffeine each day. Which is a lot better than 5.

Has hair ties/hair clips for himself because his hair gets in the way when he's looking down to write, type on his phone or work.

Has pins on his apron for work. One says "My pronouns are he/him" and anytime someone comments about it, he just says "Well I am an English/creative writing major so pronouns are important to me." Just to make them mad.

Is called "Son" by Max, his boss. Idk why but I feel like Max loves him like his own. Has called him "Dad" by accident. Now him and Rosa call him "Papa Max" as a joke.

I feel like he forgets his lunch a lot and Honey brings it to him, claiming they're gonna stop and let him starve, but never actually does stop because they like seeing his face when they have his starwars lunch box at hand as they walk through the door.

Has bad acne that Honey helps him take care of. They definitely have skin care date nights. They do have matching skin care headbands.

Can be very stylish. But chooses not to. He likes wearing tshirts and jeans all the time.

Reads before bed. Reads to Honey to help them sleep. Reads. (Someone plz draw Guy reading the hobbit)

Thank you for coming to my ted talk. I'm so normal about Guy. Goodnight.

[elen-aranel]

This season of Picard has been so disappointing to me. I usually prefer to cut my losses when it comes to media; I know not everything is for me, even if it's something I wanted to enjoy. But these are characters I've cared about for my whole life, and I really feel like this story has let them all down.

I know that after thirty years people change but...

The way Beverly intentionally kept Jean-Luc away from Jack.

The way everyone was fine with her doing that despite how close they'd been.

The way Riker seemed to have forgotten his daughter and gotten wrapped up in grief for his son again. I know from experience that grief isn't linear, but it seemed weirdly written to me, and not a plot point there was really time to do justice to in a ten episode season.

The way that Deanna promised Jack she was there for him and then freaked out so completely when she saw what was on the other side of the red door, and abandoned him right when he needed her.

And I know that Starfleet is often the unwitting enemy in Star Trek, but these Frontier Day shenanigans seem especially clumsy. Like, you really don't have any frontiers anywhere that opponents won't take advantage of? Really? And the whole name-checking Janeway only to undermine who we know she is? She would never have been fooled by Changeling Tuvok, and she would never allow herself to have a layer of flunkeys between her and Seven of Nine.

I wasn't a Shaw fan, especially, but he deserved better than the 'oh you're Seven of Nine not Annika' death.

The Borg were all last season. I know they were weird semi-alternate universe Borg but it seems so weird to bring them back as the big bad now and not reference Jurati at all...? And there's a secondary collective still defending the Federation from... something?

Nostalgia, old ships, and clever cameos aren't enough. And I feel like this iteration of Star Trek seems to have lost the hope that I love from the Star Trek universe. I know, bad things happen, bad situations happen, there are complicated consequences to the best decisions we could've made at the time and we have to work through those... but apart from a couple of moments this has all felt so bleak to me.

And it's frustrating, too, because I think that it could've been so much better! But it wasn't.

[sohemotional]

Can you write a oneshot with single mom Santana or Brittany, I know you did this with grumpy cat and I thought it was a really cute dynamic?

Thank you, Anon and sorry for the delay. I have several ideas I've been developing for Brittana single parent/baby!fics. Some of these might get developed into multichapter fics. Anyway, I hope you like this snippet:

Are You My Other Mom? 

Summary: Brittany’s a single mom with a six year old son who can’t stand any of his mommy’s boyfriends and girlfriends. Now that she’s dating “mommy stealing” Santana, he’s determined to drive her away but Santana has other ideas. 

Read more on AO3

“How can she be your mommy if she has blue eyes and blonde hair?” Some girl had asked loudly at school, pointing at the tall woman who had arrived to pick him up from kindergarten. “Your mommy has eyes like a cat. Are you both cats?” 

It made him mad that people always asked his mommy if he was her son and he knew it hurt her because of the way she’d stop smiling and that familiar sparkle would disappear from her blue eyes whenever she heard it, even though she made jokes when they said that stuff. What kind of question was that? Maybe they looked way different but his Mommy had shown him all of the million pictures of her with a big smile, holding her round belly when she was pregnant with him. 

Then there were the ones of her holding a little blond, curly-haired and dimpled baby in her arms with big black eyes that Mommy said was him. He couldn’t believe he had ever been that small or that blond. There were all of the other videos of her dancing with him when he was a toddler. His mommy never stopped dancing. She was the only one who could calm him down when he was upset about anything, she never got mad at him even when he was really bad and she was his best friend. There was no doubt that Brittany S. Pierce was his Mommy.

The boy with golden skin watched warily from the swing set, narrowing his dark brown eyes as his mom wrapped her arms around another woman who had long, dark hair that was almost black. The woman was wearing a cool looking black leather jacket and black jeans, in contrast to his Mommy's bright pink sundress. He didn’t recognize this stranger even though there was something oddly familiar about her voice that he couldn’t figure out. 

The two adults continued to talk excitedly and Val pouted, noticing the way his mommy’s face lit up when she was looking at the stranger, allowing the dark-haired woman to put her hands all over her shoulders then her waist as she giggled. They were hugging for way too long, in his opinion. He got a bad feeling.  

Uh oh. He knew that look on his mom’s face and that giggle. It spelled danger. It was the look that meant she was going to tell him she was in love. Again. He also knew that lovestruck expression on the stranger’s face. The worst part of it was that he had never seen her so happy around someone before. Love was so annoying. It just meant he had to protect his Mommy from even more bad people.

The boy hated this “in love” thing because it always meant that Mommy would go out on dates all the time and he would be spending more time at Grandma Whitney’s house. He loved Grandma and Grandpa but he hated the thought of his mommy being alone with those monsters while he wasn’t there to protect her. His mommy was a really pretty lady and he knew it. The bad thing was that other people knew it too.

In fact, she was the most beautiful, innocent, perfect being on the planet as far as he was concerned and it was up to Valentino to protect her because no one else would. Everyone seemed to want to steal his mommy away from him! He understood why they wanted her but they needed to go away forever and just leave them alone.

His mom’s boyfriends always left eventually, either because he threw so many tantrums that they got fed up with him and stormed out or Lord Tubbington put too many mice in their shoes (Val thought it was hilarious when their cat did this and kept rewarding the fat tabby whenever he created trouble) or for other reasons he didn’t know of.

Everytime that happened, he would hear Mommy crying alone in her bedroom even though she closed the door so he couldn’t see her then he’d feel kind of guilty. He never wanted his angelic mommy to cry again. He'd try extra hard to be a good boy after those incidents.

Val had been through a bunch of pretend dads in the six years of his life that he couldn’t stand, a few pretend moms (thankfully each of them didn’t last long) and now it looked like he might be getting another pretend mom…

“Tino, Sweetie, come over here please. There’s someone I want you to meet!”

He reluctantly dragged his feet over, forcing the scariest scowl he could come up with onto his face as he hoped to drive the newcomer away. The last thing he wanted was to have to share Mommy's attention with someone else again.

“This is Santana, Baby Kitten,” His mommy smiled at him, running her hand through his wavy brown hair affectionately and using her familiar nickname for him. “She’s an… old friend. Santana, this is my son, Valentino.”

Santana’s eyes met his and she looked completely startled. She watched him nervously as he continued to glare at her as threateningly as he could, wrapping his little arms around Brittany’s waist tightly. Sometimes if the boy was mean enough to them, the mommy stealers in the past would be too scared and never come back again. He hoped this tactic would work on this treacherous Santana too, even though she looked fiercer than the others.

He growled and Brittany giggled, pulling him into a sideways hug for a moment.

"He's my little protector."

“V-Valentino? Hi, um nice to meet you, Kiddo,” Santana said awkwardly, running a hand through her black hair. Val didn’t understand the way the stranger kept staring at him, as if she was seeing a ghost. He pouted, furrowing his brows and she looked taken aback. “Whoa! He looks just so much like… What I mean is, he’s incredibly beautiful, Britt.”

Santana looked like she wanted to say a lot more to his mommy but didn’t. Val smirked, proud of the way his glaring at Santana seemed to be working because she did seem very scared. Then to his surprise, she put her hands on her hips and stared him down, in a way that struck fear in him in a way that had never happened to him before, rolling her neck like a cobra just like he himself always did. He gulped, taking a step back.

“Everyone always says that,” Brittany giggled, her eyelashes fluttering in a familiar dance Val knew too well, although she was really laying it on thick this time for this Santana. “He's a little devil. His personality reminds me of… someone.”

“Who?”

“Oh nevermind. I’m just being silly.”

She trailed off, looking away. as Santana watched her curiously. Val narrowed his eyes, watching the exchange. 

“I look like my Mami, right Mommy?” Val piped up. “That’s what Mommy always says.”

This made the adults fall silent and that Santana’s face went white. Val had seen his Grandpa Pierce faint once and that was what he thought was about to happen to Santana. She sure was a weird one. His Mommy was unusually silent as well.

Sometimes his mommy was silly and weird too. Okay, most of the time. She said lots of strange things that made no sense to him but he didn’t mind because she was so pretty and perfect. 

His mommy always used to tell him about his Mami. She told him he was so much like her in personality but unfortunately grown up things happened and his Mami couldn’t stay with them. She always said she wished Mami would come back one day. Then a few months ago, his mommy got really sad and she hadn’t talked about Mami for a really long time. 

Sometimes he would mention her and her sky blue eyes became watery as if she was in pain. She told him she couldn’t talk about Mami anymore because she missed her too much and it hurt. Val didn’t want to ever make her cry so he tried not to ever mention her. He felt guilty for talking about Mami because Mommy looked like she was going to cry again. 

"I'll be right over there by the benches, Tiger Cub." Brittany leaned down and kissed his cheek before walking away with the evil mommy stealer much to his irritation. He puffed out his cheeks and she just stroked his hair again. He pretended to play in the sandbox not far away but he was really listening in on the adults.

That devil lady had the nerve to put her arm around Mommy's shoulders again as the blonde rested her head on her shoulder. All he heard were some muffled fragments of what they were saying. It all got very emotional and Val was confused when his mom kept glancing in his direction worriedly.

"My middle name's Valentina. Dark hair, dimples...his smile and pout, his chin, his cheeks, his entire face... Brittany, I can't ignore it anymore. Is he... ?"

"Santana, please, I can't do this... We shouldn't talk about this here."

"Britt... just tell me you never stopped loving me."

Val was completely stunned when the two of them kissed and even dropped the toy car he was holding. They actually kissed on the lips the way it happened in movies! Why would anyone want to do that? He didn't have any idea what they were talking about or why his mommy got so upset, yet she was kissing that woman and holding her tight in her arms. How dare that Santana kiss his precious mommy and on the lips too! He had to get to the bottom of this.

Read more on AO3

[otakween]

One Pound Gospel - Episode 7

More wacky shenanigans with Kosaku and Angela. My opinions on this show have been up and down, but at this point I'm generally thinking pretty favorably of it. There were some truly awful scenes with Kosaku in the middle of the series, but he's switched to "noble" mode and they're focusing way more on background characters (kinda like the Naruto style of story telling lol).

Notes:

I was looking forward to this one. I haven't seen a lot of live action portrayals of host clubs yet, so I thought it might be interesting.

Ueda's dad obviously sucks and they played it all for comedy. I hope he learns to love his son unconditionally in the end (or Ueda drops him outta his life)

I thought Angela's reaction to the host club was a lot more snarky in the manga. Live action Angela feels more polite and subdued which is too bad.

IDK why Ryuusei immediately revealed he lied to Angela in the host club where she could have made a scene. I guess everyone else is in on the scheme so they don't care lol

Once upon a time I would have thought trying a host club might be fun, but I've since learned that they're scammy money pits and now I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole. Maybe if I could get some kind of tour without actually being a customer...

The visual kei style that the hosts sport is soooo mid 2000s. I thought it was a fun departure from the manga that Kosaku attempts to be a host too (as an indentured servant, Ouran much?)

In 2024 Angela's 500,000 yen debt is only like 3k something USD. Put into perspective, it doesn't seem that crazy. Her 3000 yen allowance is crazy tho 💀 even in 2008 I doubt that could get you very far...(maybe some 500 yen meals)

Katsumi has been reduced to "kid who reacts incredulously to everything." I wonder if his arc is completely over?

Ryuusei being vaguely sexist toward the Chairman?? Aw helll nawww. This means war!

Even though Ueda's dad was kinda awful, I still couldn't help but feel sad when he realized he'd been deceived. Cute, sad old people are a weakness of mine 😭

The bond between all the guys at the gym seems really healthy and wholesome. I liked the scene where they all comforted Ueda.

I was a little taken aback when Ryuusei called Ueda an "old man." I'm very bad at judging ages and didn't really realize he was older than everyone...(though in retrospect that's pretty obvious)

Chairman's attempt at being a good mom was sweet. It feels like we're getting some natural progression with her healing her relationship with her son.

Ryuusei looked a lot better with his hair slicked back and sans makeup. I didn't even recognize him actually.

I didn't realize they were wearing crotch guards until this episode. Kurenai's looked pretty goofy on top of his jeans (like a white diaper). Glad they're being safe tho

Annnnd we've gotta two parter! There's only 2 episodes left so either it will be a 3 parter or the final episode will just be some fluff (or a really rushed standalone plot)?

[mvpfoolish]

01. || first day of school.

last chapter || next chapter

word count : 1379

Edith was awakened by that stupid default iPhone alarm, she groaned before picking up her phone and looking at the time.

6:47 am

She sighed before pulling herself out of her bed and wrapping her comforter around her body. She dragged her tired self over to the windowsill before kneeling right in front of it.

"Good morning Rex," Edith smiled opening up her chameleon's enclosure. She gently picked up the pet and walked into her bathroom down the hallway.

She set Rex on a small tree planted in a pot right next to the towel rack. He became yellow indicating that he was excited, this was like a daily routine to him.

Edith finally tore the comforter from herself before wetting her toothbrush and applying toothpaste to it.

2 and a half minutes later she finished, continuing with her morning routine which included washing her face, changing into clean clothes, and most importantly feeding her beloved chameleon.

"Good morning sweet pea," Edith's dad poked his head through the mudroom doorway. "Excited for your very last first day of school?"

"Total, can't wait to be the loner of the year!" The girl looked up from her bowl of cereal.

"Just like every other year." Her brother Sapnap spoke.

"Oh be quiet, be nice to your sister." Allie, her stepmother snapped at the boy.

"She's not my actual sister mom." He replied.

"Excuse me? Go get your brother and leave before you guys are late for school." Allie raised her voice at her son.

"Thanks, Allie." Edith half smiled placing her empty bowl in the sink.

One of the young men came running down the stairs, Basketball and Regular backpacks in hand. "Come on Edith, you had like 40 minutes to put that stupid lizard away yet you choose to do it now, right before we have to leave?"

"I'll be quick I'm sorry," Edith picked up Rex from yet another plant in the kitchen, walking up the stairs and into her room. "I'll be back later, love you." She kissed the chameleon's head before setting him back in his home.

"That's disgusting." Edith heard a whisper from the hallway, of course, one of the infamous boy who hate her for no apparent reason, Clay.

"You're acting like you don't say shit to your cat Clay. I've never said anything to you, I don't understand why you have to be so rude to me." Edith grabbed her school bag, throwing it over her shoulder before pushing past Clay and running down the stairs.

"Love you, Edith, have a good day at school." Her Dad yelled at her as she ran out of the garage door into Sapnap's Truck.

Edith wasn't a very affectionate person. She had a hard time talking about her feelings, along with even saying those stupid 3 word sentences to her father. Though of course she never had a problem saying it to Rex. Then again she didn't feel as if he could judge her anything since y'know, he is a chameleon after all.

"We're picking up George, you'll have to sit in the bed of the truck once we get him," Sap spoke looking over at Edith.

"You're joking, right? Do you not see what I'm wearing? That bed is disgusting, you haven't cleaned it this whole summer."

"Sucks, I already told George we would pick him up."

"You're a piece of shit, I don't know why you guys treat me so bad when I've been nothing but be nice to you two," Edith spoke before crossing her arms against her chest.

A few minutes go by before the three siblings arrive at George's house. Clay hopped out of the truck letting Edith out and letting George in.

Stepping up on the tire, making sure her jeans wouldn't get caught on anything, she threw her leg over just as George walked outside.

"Why's she sitting in the bed?" George asked walking through his front lawn.

"You know my truck is only a 3 seater George, she's fine, get in," Sap yelled out the sunroof.

George and Edith made eye contact as Clay pushed his friend inside the car.

"Are you sure she's okay out there? She doesn't even have a sweater on and it's 38 degrees out guys," George spoke looking through the back window at Edith's back.

"You're right, don't go yet." Clay hopped out of the car, taking off his jacket and offering it to his stepsister.

Edith looked over her shoulder and into the truck before taking the jacket from Clay. "Thank you."

Getting back in, he buckled his seatbelt before Sapnap began driving. "Why do you care if she's cold or not George? Got a crush on her or something."

"What no? I could never, she's not my type. Just thought it would be nice."

Edith's heart sunk. She had to admit. George was pretty cute and was the nicest friend out of her brother's friend group. How could she be such a fool? Of course, she's not George's type. She's got dark brown hair, light brown eyes, acne, scars from her past, horrible eye bags that circled her whole eye, making it look like she always had black eyes, and last but not least, she wasn't the skinniest. The only girls she has ever seen George date were beautiful blonde and blue-eyed girls.

What if she were to just jump out of the moving truck, would it hurt? Do you think she would die? No no no Edith shook those thoughts out of her head as they pulled up to the school. Her stomach began to hurt. Maybe she should've gone online as her father suggested. No no that was silly, she can do this. It's only one last year before she can move away and leave everything behind. Just like her brother did. She missed him, a lot. Maybe too much.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Clay yelled at the girl to give back his jacket. "Edith, Edith! Are you deaf?!"

"Stop yelling at her you stupid bitch." One of Ediths friends, Tina, defended the girl, pushing past the boys and slapping Clays' shoulder. "Edith are you okay?"

"What? Oh sorry. Yes, I'm okay." She apologized before slipping off Clay's jacket and handing it back to him. She jumped out of the bed, while Tina grabbed her hand.

"You don't have to apologize, Edith, It's not-" George was interrupted by Alex making his way over to the truck.

"Sup fuckers." Alex hugged' the brothers.

"God all of you are so annoying." Tina groaned pulling Edith away from the group of boys.

"Tina!" Alex called after her.

"What do you want Alex," Tina turned around making eye contact with her brother.

"Don't forget about tonight."

"What's tonight?" Edith looks at Tina.

Tina pulled the girl along while she spoke. "Don't be mad at me please,"

"Why would I be mad?" Edith pulled her arm away from Tina.

"I'm leaving, not like leaving leaving but I'm going to Mexico for a little while."

"What a little while?"

"Like a month or two.." Tina shrugged.

"A month or two?! Tina, why didn't you tell me? I mean I'm not upset, I'm happy you'll be able to see your family again. I just wish you would've told me sooner." Edith wrapped her arms around the girl.

"I know and I'm sorry, that's why I came today so we could spend some time together,"

"We don't have any classes together Tina what do you mean?"

"Listen I know, and that's why we will be skipping school today." Tina smiled grabbing both of Edith's hands.

"Tina what? I can't skip school. My dad will kill me."

"No he won't E, now let's go,"

[arcadiasfiction]

Can the Son of a Villainess Ever Be Happy? Ch 1 Pt 2

~This is an alternate universe fanfic where Adrien's deceased mom was the notorious villain, Mayura.

---

"Claws off! I'm exhausted!"

Adrien landed in his room and threw himself on his bed.

Plagg busied himself with a piece of Camembert that he had stashed under the bed. Adrien scrunched his nose at the smell of the cheese and rubbed his hands over his face.

"Today's akuma wasn't the most powerful one we've faced, but it was crazy hard trying to out-think him. My brain is burned out."

"That's why you should think more about cheese.”

There was a knock on the door, and Plagg hid himself. Adrien sat up.

"Come in."

Adrien's father cracked open the door and peeked in.

"I'm not interrupting your studying, am I?"

"Uh--No, Dad." Adrien glanced around, hoping there were no signs of his outing. "I'm just taking a break.”

"Good. You need to do that more often." Gabriel sat on the bed next to him.

"And so do you."

Adrien had no clue if his dad ever took a vacation from creating designs for his self-named luxury fashion brand, Gabriel.

Even after marrying Nathalie, he insisted on postponing their honeymoon until next year, after he finished his latest collection. Nathalie, being Nathalie, insisted that a honeymoon was unnecessary and that she would be happy with assisting him as always.

Sometimes, Adrien wasn't sure what to think of those two.

Gabriel ruffled a hand through Adrien's summer blond hair. "I need to get better. I've been teaching you bad habits."

"I think you might be too late."

Gabriel wanted to enjoy Adrien's banter, but he could only think of the gravity of their situation. "Nathalie and I saw the news about the akuma attack today, and we wanted to check on you."

Adrien's heart grew warm at the words. The loss of Adrien's mom was very tough on his dad, and he struggled to let her go. But now, he was gracefully moving on. Having Nathalie as part of the family seemed like the most natural thing. 

Adrien gripped his knees, rubbing circles into the fabric of his jeans.

"Night Moth has already stolen the Butterfly and Peacock Miraculous that belonged to Mom. I'm not letting him have her ring too.” 

Gabriel placed a hand on his shoulder. "The ring. Do you have it secured?"

Adrien paused for a moment, not sure of how much he should say. He spoke slowly.

"It's under Cat Walker's care." 

Saying the name of his alter ego in front of his dad felt strange. Adrien looked up into his father's blue eyes. 

"Is it ok that I put the ring under the watch of someone else for a little while?"

Gabriel gazed into the distance and nodded. "That's a smart move on your part. Next time anyone asks, we can simply say that we don't have it. And Cat Walker is a steely young man. Anyone who wishes to take the ring from him will be in for a tough time.

Nathalie and I have been discussing your schedule, and we feel that right now, you need some space. I've cut back on your modeling gigs. As far as Chinese class, fencing, rock climbing and parkour training, that is up to you. But we would prefer it if you took a break."

Adrien sighed. He really didn't want to cut back on anything. Not being out there taking action in some form made him feel like he was falling behind. Behind on what? He wasn't quite sure.

"Okay. I'll take a break from everything else but fencing."

Gabriel gave Adrien a firm pat on the back.

"Will do. With an itinerary like that, are you sure you aren't planning on becoming an action film actor?“

“No way, Dad,” said Adrien with a laugh.

"Just making sure. You know I'll support you with whatever you want to do. Remember, you do not have to handle things alone."

Gabriel had spent so much time obsessing over fixing the broken Peacock Miraculous, alone. But then Nathalie came along and helped him to not only repair the priceless magical broach, but to see that the most precious things were already in front of him.

"Trying to handle everything alone nearly destroyed me. I do not want that for you."

Adrien understood. His voice came out softly.

"Yes, sir."

Gabriel crossed his arms and exhaled.

”And Adrien, I'm sorry I wasn't able to help your mother.”

He felt it was impossible to apologize enough. He couldn't imagine what it must be like for Adrien to face every day knowing that his mom, despite having a career as a gifted actress, became Mayura, one of the worst villains Paris had ever seen. Gabriel wanted to give Adrien something so much better than this.

“Dad, don't blame yourself. You did the best you could.”

Gabriel sighed.

"Regardless of what happens Adrien, keep in mind that your mother's mistakes are not yours.”

He looked into his son's soft emerald eyes. He was so much like her, and that worried him a little.

"I'll try to remember that.”

---

Next is Chapter 2: The Start of a Crush

Marinette rolled over in bed, hugging her pink cat pillow. All night, her brain kept playing on repeat the glint in Cat Walker's eyes as he glanced back at her over his shoulder. As she mentally rewound the image again, she let out an exasperated sigh and pulled another pillow over her face…

Click here for the next chapter and archive of this story.

Click here to read my much shorter fanfic, Chat Text

[chickensarentcheap]

NSFW snippet

@youflickedtooharddamnit @munstysmind @muchadoaboutcj @thesirenrealm @residentdormouse @secretaryunpaid @mrsmungus @themaradaniels @tragiclyhip @asirensrage

“There are other things,” she reminds him, as her fingertips -still under the waist of his jeans- slide around to his stomach. “We just can't have actual sex.”

“I told you. I won't be able to stop at just other things.”

“Get it together, Tyler. You're almost forty one. You're more than capable of stopping at the other stuff. Please?” her mouth is against his ear; breath warm against it. And his entire body shudders when she traces the outer edge with the tip of her tongue. “I just really miss you. And I really...really...really need you to  get me off.”

“You can't do it yourself? I've had to do it myself. For three months.”

“I could. But I want you to do it. Because I miss you and you're so good at. So very, very, very good. Please?” her teeth scrape against his earlobe. “Pretty please?”

“Esme....you know this is a bad idea...”

“How can something that feels this good be a bad idea? We're not having sex. We're just making each other feel good. Wouldn't you rather me do it for a change? Instead of having to do it for yourself?”

“I would actually,” he admits.

“Then...” her lips are on his neck now; kissing, sucking, biting. “...what the hell's your issue?”

“No issue. I just...fuck...” he groans, when her tongue finds that scar on the side of his neck. “...maybe we should go inside.”

“Let's stay here. I can actually make noise out here.”

He grins, then reaches for the ties on the front of her pants. “Very good point.”

Her eyes close and she gives a long, content sigh when his palm comes in contact with her pussy, and he finds her hot and wet; her entire body shuddering when he presses the tip of his index fingers against her clit. She won't last long. He can hear it in her ragged breathing, feel it in the way her entire body tenses, and how her greedy, frantic fingers pop open the button on his jeans. And he groans against her neck at even the simplest of touch; painfully hard and leaking precum, hips jerking against her hand when her thumb brushes over the engorged tip.

It's like being a teenager again; frantically making out, hoping to get off before being caught, lasting just as long. Only a handful of minutes before she's demanding that he kiss her as the orgasm hits, all noise muffled by his mouth against hers. And when her hand tightens around him and picks up pace, he's coming as well, face buried in her neck as he issues a long drawn out “Fuck��.

Neither of them moves of speaks for what feels like hours, and eventually Tyler rolls over onto his back, a forearm over his eyes, his chest heaving. He'd missed it. Missed her. But it wasn't until now that he realized just how much.

She snuggles into him, an arm across his stomach, head on his chest. And he drops a kiss on the top of her head and softly strokes her back.

“Thank you,” she sighs, and then giggles, and he can't help but laugh.

“No. Thank YOU,” he says.

She raises her head long enough to place a kiss to his chin.

Pushing a  hand through her hair,  he lets it fall to the space between her shoulders. “I love you.”

“So that's what it takes to get an 'I love you',” she teases.

The words come easily to him now, but the first eight months of marriage had been a struggle for him when it came to saying them. His first foray into being a husband hadn't ended well; he'd broken her with his decision to leave while their son was dying, but not before she'd broken him by cheating multiple times while he was stationed overseas. It had made falling in love difficult, but had made expressing it even more so. Now he says it all the time. Never missing the opportunity to tell her. And vice versa.

“I do you know,” he says. “Love you.”

“I know you do,” she rubs his stomach softly, smiled up at him. “I love you too.”

He kisses her temple, then tightens his hold on her. Wishing they could stay like that...lying on this beach...forever.

[slickshoesareyoucrazy]

Needless Guilt and Validating Neglect

Yesterday, J and our son and I went out and bought a new car. It's meant to primarily be my car. It's so nice. It's an electric car, so it's very quiet, and it never smells (except for that new car smell...it still has that). It never needs gas or an oil change. It's a pretty color and it has a feature that automatically starts my Spotify queue when I get into it. But I feel guilty about having it.

I feel like I didn't/don't work enough to have this nice, new car; I feel like I shouldn't have this when other people can't afford to have it. I worry about the money. I worry that I don't deserve it. Even though I've driven the same car for 14 years prior to yesterday, I think I do plenty of valuable work in my home and family, and I just started working outside home again too. I still feel...guilty for having something nice.

I went out shopping with my mom today too, something I've done probably over 1000 times in my life. I only spent about $95, and I bought 8 shirts for my new job and a pair of jeans for my son. That averages to just over $10 an item, and it was things we needed, and under $100 total, and I feel indulgent for spending it. I'd feel that way without the recent family drama involving my brother and his wife, but that mountain of shit just makes it worse...more layered and complicated, and I feel frustrated with myself for letting that situation add layers and complications to my already needless feelings. My brother and his wife are hugely in financial debt, and unlike a lot of people in general, particularly a lot of people in their age range, they arrived that way entirely from reckless spending and other behaviors. There's no addiction, no crushing student debt, no expensive medical or legal emergencies, no accidents, no unfair pay for their work (no more than other working people anyway), no crazy raised rent (no more than other working people anyway). It really was just a lot of buying whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it, without considering any consequence. Now my parents and J and I are involved to help them dig out of the giant hole they've made for themselves. Which they resent some. And it's so repetitive and remedial, going over such basic, elementary finance, that it's even annoying our teenage son. So while we were out, my mom said, "I've got one taking me out shopping in a nice brand new car and the other one is worse than flat broke."

I think she meant it to make me feel good; she meant it as some kind of compliment to me. But all I could think about when she said it is that she very deliberately raised me to know that I couldn't depend on her (and therefore anyone, really) for anything, and to not have any needs or desires. She raised my brother in such a way that he knows she'll always be there to bail him out when he fucks up and that he deserves and should just go get whatever he wants, as much as he wants, whenever he wants it. So in this odd way, now she feels like how she raised me was the 'right' way. That she was right to not meet my emotional needs and shame me for wanting anything and making me be an almost pathologically independent person who is accommodating to and responsible for other people in the extreme. My good life now with J is validating her neglect. She thinks it's good that I can't enjoy my new car and I feel bad that I bought a lot of new shirts for myself today.

[maehara-san]

━━ 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙗𝙚 𝙤𝙠𝙖𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪

Being a scout was always a risk.

There was never a doubt in those who chose to give their lives in order to save humanity and their loved ones. No one will ever understand the hardships of losing a son, daughter, cousin, friend, or even a parent during battle.

Everyday people died, that much you were willing to come face to face with.

"Y/n!" Jean yelled out. "Are you almost done with the chores?" He jogged over to the corner where you stood cleaning.

Pulling down the white handkerchief from your nose, you replied. "Not yet, I still have to do the bottom shelf."

"Seriously?" He whined. "I'm starving, I thought you'd be finished by now."

You shrugged, "You can go ahead and eat if you want. I shouldn't be here for long, I can catch up later."

Jean shook his head. "No I don't want to leave you alone here."

"I've been alone on expeditions before. I think if you left me here by myself nothing bad is going to happen."

"Yeah... still-" Before he was able to protest, a sound of footsteps were heard.

"What are you two still doing here?" Your heads turned to see captain Levi standing there in the doorway.

Jean turned his head and raised an eyebrow at you. Your eyes widened, "Jean." You warned.

"You promised." He whispered.

Shaking your head fast, he stepped forward and nodded at you. Meanwhile Levi stood back seeing your heads shaking from one direction to another, along with a list of eye signals that he had no idea what they meant. He sighed for the fifth time again today, "I don't have time for this."

You both stopped your silent bickering hearing Levi speak.

"I asked you a question." He sternly spoke.

Feeling your cheeks burn with embarrassment you decided to answer, beating Jean to it. "I-I still need to clean the bottom shelf. Jean here was just leaving to go eat."

Levi turned to look at him, "Is that true Kirstein?"

Swallowing, he nodded. "Y-yes, sir."

"I see." Levi said, "Then get going you're holding your comrade from finishing her duties."

Jean excused himself but not before tilting his head and pointing towards Levi. Before you were able to say anything else he escaped from you.

"After you finish make sure to go eat, then head to my office Erwin wants to talk with you."

"Yes, sir." He gave you a slight nod, turned on his heel to head out when you called out to him again. "Captain Levi!"

"Hmm?" Levi turned his to look at you.

"I-I..." You looked down at your feet then back up at him. "I need to tell you something, sir."

"What is it y/l/n?"

Taking a deep breath, you grabbed onto the confidence you still had with you. "I know we have a very respectful relationship between a cadet and a captain." You began, "However these past expeditions that you allowed me to be part of made me open my eyes, even more than I thought they already were."

He crossed his arms in front of his chest as he stood there quietly listening to what you had to say.

"Some mistakes happen and you helped me realize that some things are out of control while there are others that have a solution. I've come to admire everything you have done for the scouts and me. You took me under your wing, never treated me like a clueless scout like Kitz did." You chuckled lightly, "With time... those moments started to be important to me in ways I never thought."

Swallowing down the ball of nerves you had, you decided to rip it off like a bandaid. "I like you, Captain Levi."

He held is breath.

"I fell for you these months and the more time we spend together the harder is became to ignore it. Believe me the last thing I ever thought of happening was falling for someone..." You sighed. "Yet if I kept quiet... it would only hurt me more in the process than being rejected by you. I don't want to die knowing I did not tell you how important you are to me."

Levi looked down at the floor, he has gotten countless of confessions when he joined the scouts. Every time he rejected them due to the fact that he never thought about anyone that way. He knew being a scout meant coming back dead, he already lost his friends, there was no telling what would happen to him if he lost the person he loved the most.

You did not rush him. Ever since you became part of the survey corps you heard the stories from upper comrades about the tragedies that Levi had gone through. Levi may be cold at times but when it comes to his teammates and fellow comrades, he cared. He may be one of the few people with the biggest heart.

After some time he finally looked at you. "Why did you decide to tell me even though you knew I might not accept your feelings?"

A small smile formed on your lips. "Like I said one day you can close your eyes for a moment then the next be dead on the floor. I didn't want to go with the feeling of regret and even if it does not go the way I wished it did, at least I said it."

"I admire how far you've come, y/l/n." He began, "I have come to respect you for being on alert not only on your surroundings but also keeping an eye on your fellow cadets. I can't return those feelings and I hope one day you find someone that will."

You nodded slowly feeling your heart break apart.

"I may not see you as a partner but I see you as an equal on my team and out on the battle ground. I hope I can keep counting on you."

"Of course." You smile weakly, "Thank you for the trust." blinking rapidly you tried to stop the tears from falling.

He noticed your red eyes, a feeling of guilt ran through his heart. "A-are you okay?..."

"I-I'll be fine, sir. I need a minute is all." You replied.

Something inside of him wanted to stay and comfort you. There was nothing more horrible than being alone when you were hurt. Countless of times he wished someone was there for him, it was a bitter life after all.

However he didn't say anything all, only nodded, knowing he had to respect your space. "Alright, let me know if... um you need something."

All you could do was nod, it was painful that he still cared despite not returning your feelings.

Once he was gone your tears rolled down your puffy cheeks. A sob escaped from your throat as you started to feel the pain in your chest. You could accept that this job came with risks but it felt on the same level with getting your heart broken.

People fall for others all the time, you wondered how did they ever piece themselves back when they got rejected. It looked easy to be okay the next day, you weren't sure if you'd be able to pretend like nothing happened when you had to face him again.

But this was what you wanted, you knew the low percentage of him feeling the same way. Now you had to move on with it or else you would swallow yourself in a dark place.

"Y/n?" a voice spoke, you weren't able to make out their face due to blurry vision, all you were able to make out was their deep voice. "What happened?" they crouched down looking at you.

You launched yourself at them, wrapping your arms tightly around their neck.

"I got you." they whispered and you buried your face into their neck wishing for this painful heartbreak to disappear.

After recovering both physically and mentally, you were able to act normal around him, despite the little flips your heart would make whenever he was close.

Levi was impressed with your professionalism which made his respect for you to sky rocket. The last mission not only impressed him but also Erwin, due to that, he decided that you were capable of leading your very own section for the next expedition. Resulting in one captain to oppose Erwin's decision.

"I'm not understanding why you can't let me do this!" You exclaimed. "I've proved myself before you know I can lead my own squad!"

"When it comes to training you can, but it's very different once you are outside those walls."

You tried keeping calm yet each passing second became troublesome. "Help me understand why you aren't letting me do this."

"I'm not letting you lead your own squad and that's final. I don't care about Erwin's orders you're under my squad." He raised his voice. "You follow my rules."

"You do not get to decide that for me!" You yelled feeling all frustrations rising up to the surface. "I've been training for hours on end for the same reason! I know if I go out there on my own to lead I'll be able to do it!"

"I'm done talking about this, y/l/n." He sat down and looked at the papers on his desk ignoring your cold stare.

"You said it yourself that you saw me as an equal, Levi." his movements stopped as he heard you call him by his name without the formalities. "That you admired how I kept my eyes on the surroundings and looked out for my comrades safety."

"I did." He mumbled.

"Then? What's stopping you from giving me the chance of a lifetime?!"

"I'm not going to let you go out there and get yourself killed or worse your comrades. There's no need to explain that to you again, now unless you have anything else to talk to me about then go." He stated looking at you coldly.

"Fine, but know I'm not going to stand by at the first chance I get." you walked out slamming the door on your way out not caring if it annoyed him.

Levi ran his fingers through his hair filled with frustration. A beating in his chest told him to deny your request. Never did he deny someone the chance to move up the ranks but now that it came to you, it was different. He slammed his hands onto his desk.

"Damn it!" He muttered, "What the hell am I doing?..."

Thoughts of you getting injured or worse killed, ran through his mind. Since when did he start feeling this way? He knew deep down this was going to kill him.

"Is he letting you?" Jean questioned.

You sucked in your lips, shaking your head.

"You should listen to him." He said. "He is captain for a reason."

"His title doesn't matter to me, he could be the king and I'd still go against it." You looked at Jean, "I understand you are worried but I know I'm ready and I am not going to play by his rules this time."

"Alright, what should we do then?"

"I think I know who, come on." You grabbed his hand and ran down the narrow corridor.

"So you want me to back you up? Even though he was strongly against it?" Section commander Zacharius questioned, looking at you both.

"I know it's a long shot and defying Captain Levi will be trouble-"

He shook his head, "I have my own squad I run. I can talk to Levi about the making you part of the next expedition."

"I appreciate the offer but I want to have the chance to run my own squad. Erwin trusts that I can handle this, all I am asking is if you can help me convince him." You explained.

Zacharius looked at you uncertain, Levi would never deny anyone the chance to get experience nor defy Erwin's order.

"She won't be alone in the expedition." Jean spoke up, "I will be there along with Reiner and a few other of our friends. Commander Erwin set up this squad especially to make sure everything runs smoothly, sir." placing a hand on your shoulder.

With crossed arms in front of his chest, Zacharius nodded. "I will talk to Levi."

You let out a breath of happiness. "Thank you so much! I promise the expedition will be a success."

"I know it will." He said, "I've seen you out on the battlefield and you have helped me more than once. My squad is set to go out as back up that day as well, I will be counting on you to lead."

"Yes, sir!"

The expedition was officially tomorrow. You were helping Connie gather some supplies along with Reiner and Eren. Loading up the wagon was a bit hard but having someone as strong as them definitely helped.

"So what do we call you tomorrow then? Section Commander Y/n?" Connie teased.

A blush crept up your cheeks, you shook your head. "There's no need for that. All of us are friends... plus adding the first part feels too formal and weird."

"I think it's kinda cool getting to be called Section Commander." Eren spoke, "It's so cool how captain Zacharius helped you out."

"I agree with Eren." Reiner said loading the crates filled with weapons. "It has a nice ring to it, don't you think? You've earned the right to be called that."

You bit your bottom lip trying to contain your smile as you put the extra gas and swords down. "Y-you really think people will think it's cool?"

Reiner nodded smiling at you. "It does, Section Commander Y/n."

"Reiner you really know how to-"

"Y/l/n."

Your body froze, Reiner turned around to see the captain standing there in front of the doors to the stable. No one made a movement, the three of them stood there looking at him, while your back was turned.

Eren stepped forward, "Captain Levi, we are almost done loading up the-"

Levi looked at every one of them, his stare said everything. "I need to talk with, Y/l/n."

Reiner spoke up. "Captain Levi, go easy on her. She didn't do anything-"

"I said to leave."

Slowly you turned around to face him. Eren looked over your way, you gave him a nod in reassurance. The three of your friends left, leaving you and Levi alone.

You knew what was going to go down, it was obvious that the big elephant in the room was never going to go away. This situation was getting more annoying as it dragged on. Never did you understood why he was so against you leading your own team. Since you joined the scouts all you ever did was train and become the best even if you didn't end up in the top ten.

Anger was slowly bubbling inside your veins. All he ever did was stand there looking at you with what seemed to be anger and disappointment.

"I'm not going to stand here and argue Captain." You took a deep breath, trying to really control yourself. "I know... I just know if I go out there everything is going to be fine."

"You're really that confident?" He scoffed.

"I am." You stated. "You know why? Because I have a team full of great fighters who I know I can trust and depend on. I can lead that team, I know I can do this. I have the best in the scouts with me, sir. Tomorrow that mission is going to be successful and I will not come back without each and every one of them."

"Are you willing to die to rescue them?" He raised his voice. "Are you willing to sacrifice everything for territory that we do not know will be good of use or not?! You do realize going out there means death."

"I do!" You walked towards him, "I don't care about me dying. I can care less if I'm the last one fighting off the group of titans so my family can get away." stopping five feet away.

Levi looked away, his hand formed into a fist. "It's easy for you to talk when you haven't seen your own friends die in front of you."

"They may have not been my friends but they were part of the regiment. Losing a single cadet in the scouts is always heartbreaking and you know that well enough, sir."

He turned to look at you, "Then you understand why your squad isn't qualified to go out there alone."

"We are." You said, "Tomorrow we won't be alone. Commander Zacharius is going as back up as well, Erwin made sure to add people who were capable of getting it done."

No matter how hard you tried to explain it to him it's like he wasn't going to budge. The person you fell for and still cared about, did not trust you. It hurt when it came to Levi, it was always different and you hated yourself at times when it affected you.

Clenching your jaw you spoke again, "I don't understand why you won't trust my skills."

"This has got nothing to do with your skills." Levi said.

"Then? What does it actually have to do with?" You questioned looking at him." "Because it hurts knowing that my- I-I mean you Captain Levi doubt what I'm capable of doing."

"You're not ready to go out there..." He softly spoke, "You are part of my squad you are under my watch... I already lost too many cadets. I don't want you... and them to be part of that list."

Your gaze soften at him for a moment, he cared. It was written on his face even if he did try to hide it. However your mind was made up. As much as you appreciate him, relying on him for everything will only hinder your progress.

"I'm going to come back alright? I need this to improve my skills and be seen as reliable. Tomorrow everything is going to be fine. I just need you to trust me, Captain Levi." He looked at your back as you walked away from him. As much as he wanted to protect you, he knew you were right.

Colored flares kept going off, one after another.

Your mind was racing with possible scenarios of your friends being injured or even dead.

"Please be okay, Sasha." You mumbled to yourself as you made your horse go faster. "Please be okay."

When you arrived to her aide you saw she was surrounded with three titans all staring her down, trying to reach and grab her.

"Y/n!" She exclaimed, "I was trying to set up the cannon b-but they kept coming."

"Don't worry, focus on the cannon! I'll deal with them." Getting off of your horse you used your gear to fly into the sky as the grapples needled themselves into the titan's nape. They were abnormal midsize titans, meaning not difficult to take care of. One after the other they were taken down with ease.

"Done." Sasha spoke as she landed down next to you. "I was terrified for a second... I'm sorry I wasn't able to handle them."

"That doesn't matter right now, all that matters is that you're okay." You placed your hand on her shoulder giving her a gentle squeeze. "I need you to go and help Connie with the wagon. He'll let you know what to do."

She nodded, bidding you goodbye as you both head in opposite directions. Since the mission began things have been going south but you tried your best to keep your head clear and focused. Your hands trembled despite acting calm on the outside. You let go of the reins and quickly shook your hands before holding them again.

"Y/n!" Eren yelled as his horse got closer to yours. "We secured the west side of the territory all titans were killed."

"Good then that means we can go forward to meet up with the Commander." You said, as you got closer to small hill you saw Armin kneeling down with Bertholdt beside him. A sudden flash then showed up in between you and them, thunder roared in the skies as the yellow overpowered your eyesight.

"Armin! Bertholdt!" You and Eren yelled, quickening your pace. The titan showed up, it was one you had never seen before. It roared and in a mere second you could hear the rumbling of footsteps.

"Eren can you transform?!" You exclaimed.

He gritted his teeth, "I still have some energy in me left but I don't know how long I'll be able to hold them off."

"Do it as much as you can. I'll help Bertholdt." You ordered, "As soon as there's an opening take Armin with you and run."

"What about you-"

"Just go! I don't want you to comeback you hear me?" Without any words left to say you got off your horse and flew in the air to slice off their napes. One after another kept showing up. It was never ending.

You looked over at Bertholdt, you could see fear in his eyes. "I need you to stay calm okay?!" You yelled out him. "We will get back home together I promise."

He nodded, "R-right!" as he flew beside you getting the Titans from the right.

You looked out into the field seeing your squad leaving in the opposite direction with no titan running after them. You made sure to count the wagons that transported some of your friends.

"Y/n!" Armin screamed from down below, "We have to go. There's not enough gas left in your gear, if we don't retreat now we'll get taken alive!"

"Where's Eren?!"

"He fell unconscious after transforming but we managed to get him out." He replied. "You need to get Bertholdt and follow us back!"

You looked over at him, you saw the last of his gas spurting out in the air. Your mind was racing with thoughts, there was no clear answer. Dying was the last thing you had planned, but yet there were many discoveries and materials that could help out the scout regiment.

"Bertholdt!" You sliced the nape from the titan as you made your way over to him.

"Did the others get away?" He asked.

"They did! I need you to do the same." You flew up into the air before spinning and using both your swords to cut the titan's eyes then nape.

"I-I just can't leave you alone here! There's too many of them for you to fight off by yourself!"

"I won't accept no for an answer!" You retorted, "Go while you still can! They are going to need you if titans come across your path again."

"Y/n-" Bertholdt was hesitant, guilt build inside of him knowing he could help out.

"Go!" You yelled again, clenching his jaw he followed your order. He landed back on the ground running towards the wagon where Mikasa and Armin were.

"Bertholdt!" Reiner yelled, as he extended his hand out to help him get on. "Where's Y/n?"

He looked away from him, "S-she told me to leave... I told her we could come back together but it was impossible. More titans kept coming and I couldn't even-"

"Damn it." Reiner cursed, "I should go help her." before he was able to leave Bertholdt pulled him back.

"You can't go... it will look suspicious that the armored titan is rescuing her."

"We can't just leave her there!"

"I know, Reiner. But we have no other choice." He said.

A heavy feeling was inside your chest. 'This is the end... maybe I should have listened to Levi after all.' You chuckled to yourself, as your eyes turned glossy. "I really need to listen to him next time."

'If there was a next time.' you thought as you landed from one titan over to another. Your blades were getting shorter by the minute and the last gas tank you had ran empty. Landing on the ground you decided to make a run for it.

Beads of sweat ran down the sides of your head, your legs were tired. You tried your best to conserve your energy but as you looked back you saw how close they were.

"Shit!" Your foot went in front of the other causing you to trip. You placed your palms wide open to stop the impact from hitting your head but it was too slow. Your head connected with the ground too fast, your vision became blurry.

The titan got closer to you, closing your eyes you prepared yourself to be devoured. "Please... make it a fast death."

Within a second the titan fell down onto the ground with a loud thud. You tried your best to make out the figure that stood in front of it but your vision started to give out on you.

They quickly went towards you, holding you in their arms. "Hey, I need you to stay awake alright?"

"I-I can't..." A weak smile covered your lips. "If I do the captain is going to kill me when he sees me..."

"I'm not going to kill you, brat." He said as he held the back of your head but stopped, feeling his hand get covered in red dark liquid.

"Captain?" A tear slipped from your eyes. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to make the mission a success. I was an idiot huh?"

"You were too cocky." He answered, "But you did fine."

"At least I was praised one last time by you, Levi." You cupped his cheek weakly, a shiver ran down his spine as he felt your cold skin against his bloodied face.

"It won't be the last time, stop talking as if you were dying."

"No one knows what might happen..."

He shook his head standing up, carrying you while he flew through the open fields. His grip on you tighten as he tried to quickly get you back to the walls. "You're not dying and that's that."

Your head rested against his chest as you felt the wind hitting your face.

"Levi!" Hange yelled from down below. "When did you get here?!"

"Hange!" He yelled back ignoring her question as he made his way back onto the ground carefully. "I need your help."

She looked at him confused until she saw you in his arms unconscious. "Y/n... where is she injured?..."

"She has a wound on the back of her head, apart from losing a lot of blood. I'm not sure where else she could be hurt." Levi answered as he placed you down on top of a wagon.

"I'm going to need to get her stitched up, she's already lost too much blood."

"Is she going to need a blood transfusion?" Levi asked.

Hange felt hesitant about answering, she saw the worried his eyes carried. "I don't think so."

The rest of your friends looked over to them both seeing what was going on until they saw your body.

"Y/n!" Sasha yelled running over to you followed by Connie, Eren, Reiner, and Bertholdt.

"Is she okay?!"

"I need you to stand back and let us work. You can see her after I patch her up alright?" Hange said.

"But-"

"Didn't you brats listen?!" Levi yelled, "Go back to what you were assigned to do you are only holding us off from saving Y/l/n."

Hange gave them a reassuring nod, each of them left with worry in their minds. Silently praying that you'd make it out alive.

By the time they were able to treat you, the others were already in a deep sleep after tonight's events. Your squad had taken turns guarding the camp site while Levi stayed up watching over you.

Your eyes were still close since operating on you hours ago. There had been no fever which was a relief, indicating everything was going well.

He couldn't stop looking at you, even if you were injured you still took his breath away. His mind kept going back to that day where you had confessed to him. Since then he never thought he would develop feelings for you.

You were right, spending time together made things change. Now he was on the verge of crying realizing how important you were to him. His thoughts were interrupted with the sound of you coughing.

Your body ached, you immediately sat up seeing you were in some part of the forest.

"Hey be careful or you'll tear those stitches apart."

You recognized the voice immediately, "C-captain... Levi? W-what are ow ow... you doing here?" holding your stomach.

"I got here just in time or else you would have been dead."

"Did everyone get back safely?!" Biting your lip you groaned feeling the pain as you stood up from the ground.

Levi did the same."Hey hey calm down. Where are you going?"

"I'm going to check on them-"

He walked over to you and held your shoulders making you stop. "They're fine, alright? Everyone made it back alive."

You looked at him, "R-really?..."

"Yeah."

A sigh of relief escaped from your lips, "Oh thank goodness... I was so worried that they had..."

"You scared the hell out of everyone you know."

"What?"

He let you go, his hands falling at his sides. "You passed out when I went to rescue you. There was blood coming out from the back of your head and you had a-..." Closing his eyes he tried to keep his composure, "A large wound on your stomach..."

"I guess this is the part where you scold me right?..."

A sigh escaped his lips, opening his eyes he looked away from you. "You could have died out there..."

You nodded looking down at your bandaged stomach. "Yeah.. I guess I could of had. How come you came?... I thought you made it clear you weren't going to 'come save my ass even if I was dying' "

He clicked his tongue against the back of his teeth. "I had a feeling something happened. You may be given a different title but that doesn't stop you from being my cadet."

"Your cadet... Huh?" A sad smile formed on your lips. "I know you're serious but it sounds nice..."

A silence roamed between you two. Levi was a complete mess, he did not know if it was the right time or place to say everything he wanted. You on the other hand were afraid of what happened, if it hadn't been for Levi right now your body would have been covered with a blanket on the wagon.

"You should lay back down, you need to rest." He said, "Come on." standing behind you and placing his hand on your arm, leading you back to your sleeping bag.

Your cheeks flushed, his hand was warm against your skin despite the cold weather.

"I don't want to sleep right now." You said, sitting down on the ground and resting your back against the tree.

"You're not going to be able to heal unless you sleep." He said.

"I'll be fine." You reassured him, "You should sleep Captain, you look tired and have done more than enough. You should rest."

Levi sat down next to you, leaving a bit of space between you. His gaze focused on the ground. "I'm not going to sleep... it's my turn to keep an eye on the camp."

"Then I'll keep watch with you then."

He shook his head, "I told you, you need to rest-"

"And I told you I'm fine and I don't feel like sleeping yet... plus I know I owe you an apology."

"What are you talking about?" He turned to look at you.

"You were right..." You mumbled, "I-I shouldn't have gone out on my own... leading a squad is a whole different thing. You need to know how to strategize. How to keep calm in difficult situations, how to go to them if a problem does occur." your eyes started to become glossy.

A sigh escaped his lips. "You did everything you could at the time..."

You wiped away the tears that slipped from your eyes. "I-I didn't do enough... I almost got myself killed. A-a good Captain knows what to do, while I was just thinking about holding them off without knowing the consequences. This was supposed to be a chance to prove I was capable of leading my own squad... to show I would be able to handle my ground." A shaky sigh escaped your lips. "A-and... y-yet I was lousy... I'm never going to be able to become like Captain Erwin... o-or you."

Levi sat quietly, didn't know quite what to say. He was angry at himself for holding you off and treating you as if you were helpless. He couldn't help but wonder if the words he said to you could have made you lose focus.

"There will be a time where none of us will be alive anymore to help you through difficult missions. Everyone is different when it comes to leading a group of soldiers." He looked into the flames as he spoke. "No one will be perfect enough to lead a big mission the first time."

"That was my mistake in all of it." You mumbled.

"But that doesn't mean you did such a bad job." Levi turned his head slowly to look at you. "Seeing you risk your life to save them even when you're retreating away, is much braver than what I ever have been able to do. I've been on millions of missions no one has ever gone back for a soldier even when they were told to retreat and leave them behind."

"I thought that it was my job to save each one of them." You admitted. "I've seen the damage it's caused every time, including you. I wanted it to be different this time. I did not want my soldiers, friends, to feel afraid. I wanted them to see that I had their back, no matter what."

"That's more than what any other person has done in years, Y/n."

Your heart skipped a beat, seeing from the corner of your eyes that he was looking at you. Your head tilted down, looking at your lap. "I still have so much more left to improve... this was probably my last chance I would ever get to do this."

"If you really want to become a captain to your own future squad... then I can help you out."

Immediately your head turned to look at him, making him look away from you with a flushed face. "Really?..."

"Y-yeah..." He cleared his throat. "I'll talk to Erwin about training you if you really do want to lead your own squad one day."

"It would mean the word if you were able to help me, Captain Levi."

His stomach did a flip, it felt like a long time since he had feelings for someone. "That doesn't mean I'll be going easy on you."

With a wide smile, you chuckled. "I wouldn't be learning otherwise, Captain."

"Levi."

"Huh?" You asked.

He turned to look at you. "Call me, Levi. It's seems easier instead of having to say the world thing."

Your eyes widened, in surprise. "A-are you sure? Usually it's only with people you trust-"

"Now you're one of them, L/N."

"Then you can call me just, Y/n." You said. "It's gotta be fair for both, don't you think, Levi?"

A low chuckle escaped from his lips. "Right, Y/n."

There was a moment of silence, the sound of the fire could be heard crackling. It wasn't the moment you had predicted would happen with him, but it was more than you dreamed of. Being next to him, was more than enough even though, it hurt it was comforting in a way.

Levi on the other hand wanted to say everything he felt. Seeing you unconscious on the ground, battered and and bruised, made him realize those feelings he had, went far more beyond than just missing the captain and cadet relationship you had. Slowly but surely he started to miss you as the days went by, today's events only made it clearer to him.

He tilted his head back against the tree's trunk, closing his eyes as his adam's apple was exposed to you.

You looked over at him, admiring how beautiful he looked. Often at times you would wonder how life would be beside him. Would your relationship be kept a secret or out in the open for everyone to know?

"Look... I know this isn't the best time..." He began. "...but I didn't want you to go on this mission outside of the walls alone."

Your body tilted back in surprise, you wanted to ask him why but it was best to let him continue.

Levi opened his eyes moving his head back down, noticing your quietness he continued. "I know I acted like an asshole towards you, I apologize if it made it seem as if I didn't have confidence in your abilities. That was never my intention."

"Then why did you?..." You whispered, feeling hurt by his lack of trust. "I thought you trusted me to be out on my own..."

"I do." He breathed out, focusing his attention onto you. "As biased as it sounds... I always thought you were the best out of everyone on the scouts."

A small smile formed on your lips. "How come you didn't trust me enough to do this?..."

"I-I... did it for you..." There was hesitation in his voice, it was hard for him to admit it. "I wanted you to be safe... seeing you in such a bad shape, made me realize how much in denial I was." His moved on it's own, stopping mid way in case you would pull away, noticing you didn't he gently rested his hand on top of yours. "Because... I care about you, Y/n... more than I thought I would."

A feeling of relief spread through your chest, along with uneasiness. Levi became too far important to you, that if you were to lose him you didn't know what you would do. Your friends were like family to you but he was different.

"You have no idea how long, since the day I confessed to you, I've been waiting to hear those words, but..." A tear escaped from your eye, making him worry. "...now that you did... it makes me feel afraid..."

Gently he cupped the side of your face with his free hand, "Afraid to lose one another?..." using his thumb he wiped away the tear.

"H-how did you know?"

"I feel the same way... I've lost to too many people in my life."

You reached out holding his wrist, "I care about you too much to disappear one day and cause you pain. You've already been through enough, Levi-"

"I know I have." He looked deep into your eyes. "In this world filled with Titans, nothing is ever certain. But I decided to be honest with you because I don't want to regret not telling you."

Tears fell one by one. "I want you to be happy..."

"And I will... as afraid as I am to fall for someone, I want that someone to be you, Y/n." Using both hands he cupped your cheeks, "I promise to do everything to make sure you're safe." he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on your forehead.

"I will do everything I can as well to protect you, Levi." You assured him, "I won't make you worry again like today."

"God, please don't." He said, making you chuckle. "I don't think I'll be able to handle another one."

Your arms wrapped themselves around his waist. "I promise."

"Thank you." Pulling you into his chest, he held you tightly, feeling secure in his arms.

The worries melted away for the time being, but even now it gave you both a bigger reason to end the threat that was to humans.

Hanji couldn't stop smiling eagerly at you two, as you started to load up the wagon to head back home.

"I knew it!" She exclaimed, "I freaking knew it! Didn't I tell you Moblit?" she smirked.

"Come on section commander, I think it's too early for the teasing." He said trying hard to hide his smirk as well.

"Who knew that Captain Levi, would end up liking Y/n, huh?" Eren said.

Jean rolled his eyes, putting the wooden box onto the wagon. "You were far too dense to pick up anything, Jaeger."

"T-that's not true!" He retorted. "I knew they liked each other."

"You were the only one who kept on asking questions about them, Eren." Armin said, making Jean burst out laughing.

"S-shut up!" Eren exclaimed.

You were folding the blanket when Hanji walked up to you. "So? Who confessed first huh?" She teased. "Levi screwed up the first time didn't he?"

"I-I uh... no not entirely-"

Levi stood behind you both, staring daggers into her. "If you keep bothering her four eyes, I'll make sure to tell Erwin your little research project is off."

"I wasn't even bother her!" Hanji exclaimed. "Right, Y/n?"

"Section Commander, Hanji, Miche needs to talk to you." A cadet spoke.

"Ugh." She grumbled, "Out of all the times he could have called me..."

"I swear if I knew that she was going to turn into such a-"

"She's just happy that her friends finally found someone." You said.

"Still she's going to become even more annoying than I can usually tolerate." He mumbled. "But yet it had to be her to be the one who finds us."

Smiling you wrapped your arms around his waist, resting your head on his shoulder. "At least we're both now together... don't you think babe?"

His cheeks flushed, hearing you calling him babe. "I can't argue with that... beautiful."

[obsidiancreates]

I first got into this in my Turtles In Time 2012 episode liveblog, most of it is copied from that. This is a no-ninja-no-stakes AU.

So basically I created this idea of them within the concept of “One of those tropes where the heroes are put into a Perfect World dream and have to help each other escape” and Donnie’s would be them all as normal humans. But it was so good I made it a normal They Just Humans AU as well.

So they’re all Japanese, Splinter is a single parent of 5 kids. He’s got his biological daughter, Karai (named Miwa at birth but she’s goin' through a Rebellious Phase right now so she changed it) and his four adopted sons. He’s a trained martial artist, but he never felt a need to train his children very heavily in it, because they live pretty peaceful lives. They know enough to defend themselves if needed, but they’re not ninjas.

They’re quadruplets, but not identical. Splinter finds it curious how they all have varying eye colors but are definitely all blood related. He adopted them sort of by accident, meaning to just foster them for a while when they were babies, but well, they just claimed his heart!

Leo is very into yoga and zen sort of exercise methods. He’s a total nerd, of course, and goes to cosplay conventions pretty regularly. Mikey usually helps him make his homemade cosplays, with extra flair like lights and stuff added by Donnie. He’s decently well-liked in school, except he tends to be a bit of a snitch and a hypocrite at times. He lets his hair grow out the most and wears mostly baggy shirts and plain jeans, very Chill Guy vibes (basically if Leo didn’t have to worry about saving the world all of the time). Editing this from the future: I've now seen all of Rise and this Leo isn't the same Chill Guy Vibes as Rise Leo, this one is more like... like you can sit in a long car ride with him in silence but the silence will never feel awkward or uncomfortable.

Raph is following in his older sister’s footsteps and entering his Rebellious Phase. He’s in therapy for anger issues, and uses sports as a release. He’s on the school football team, still very short but stocky enough to be a good player. He’s a little more balanced thanks to being able to actually go to therapy, so he lashes out less. It’s well-known around school not to mess with The Hamato Siblings, because both the older sister (who’s been known to carry knives around on her) and the short football brother have no issues Pummeling People Who Mess With Their Siblings. Raph tends to wear t-shirts and gym shorts, but sometimes he goes for an all-out Punk Badboy look. Only when he’s really feeling it though, because it’s a real hassle to put the look together in the morning. He keeps his hair pretty short, not buzzed though.

Donnie is willowy and lanky, though surprisingly not wimpy. Splinter makes sure all of his kids exercise regularly, so he’s got lean muscle, but much less than any of his other siblings. He usually doesn’t need glasses, but when he needs to make sure the smallest detail possible is perfect, he has a pair of them. Otherwise his sight is… passable. He’s the kid everyone hopes to be paired with on science projects, because he’ll inevitably end up doing the whole thing himself and be happy to just let you sit there and watch. He likes to tinker with electronics and chemistry, but he’s already planning to go into some field of Biology as a career, possibly something medical. His gap tooth is just because, when that baby tooth fell out, there was no adult tooth to replace it. Genetics, what’re you gonna do? It’s actually what got him curious about biology, so he doesn’t mind it. He prefers sweatshirts usually, or anything easy to toss on in the morning, because he has a bad habit of staying up way too late reading or tinkering. Yes, he is neurodivergent, of course. He usually lets his hair grow out a little, not on purpose, just because he forgets to make the barber’s appointments.

Mikey is a gymnast and an artist! He’s really good at gymnastics and wins competitions pretty often, and would be captain of the school team if he could just get his grades up a little more. He only just got diagnosed with ADHD and is still getting his medication and therapy regiment set up, but he feels good about how things will go once that’s done. He’s also the artist of the family, in that he draws the most. Raph is actually better at the technical aspects of art, but he doesn’t really do much art beyond sometimes going out with Karai to do some graffiti. Mikey however is always doodling and drawing, their house is covered in old wall drawings form when he was small. He has a million fidget toys. He likes to layer up, usually a long sleeved shirt with a jacket, one of the kinds where the torso is denim but the sleeves and hood aren’t, is the minimum he must have every day. He draws on all of his jeans (Donnie actually does too, but he writes down notes to himself and formulas and idea, while Mikey just doodles train-of-thought style). His hair is short and oddly poofy, and always gets in his eyes. How he does gymnastics so well in spite of that is a mystery to all.

Karai is very protective of her brothers, because she’s had one too many people say something about them “not being her real brothers” and it makes her Furious. She’s gotten into a real rebellious phase, because while Splinter is a good dad he can be a little too strict sometimes, and she got tired of it. She got piercings at a friend’s house, started doing the graphic liner, decided to get a big leather jacket and spiked gloves… she loves it, and loves feeling very powerful and badass. She actually isn’t super happy about Raph following in her footsteps so early (she’s a couple years older) but knows he won’t just Stop Doing Stuff, so she usually offers to let him tag along with her trouble so he’s supervised and not out spray painting places alone.

April met the Hamato Clan in freshman year of highschool, she was trying to find her class and they were all arguing in the hallway about where to go. Donnie broke away from the argument and helped her out. She knows he has a crush on her, but he’s a lot less creepy about it in this AU, it’s mainly just he blushes around her a lot and gets self-conscious when they’re alonetogether. But she doesn’t want to make things weird by telling him no, or yes, she’s not sure, so she pretends not to notice. The other brothers basically adopted her as another sister, which Karai also eventually came around to. She’s into things like astrology and tarot cards, but on the downlow, she’s a little embarrassed about it.

Casey was friend with Raph first, both of them trying out for the hockey team at the same time. Raph didn’t end up making the cut, but they stayed friends. Eventually Casey and Donnie realized they both like tinkering and making little gadgets and they became friends, and then Casey was talking about his graffiti art and Mikey joined in and they became friends, and Leo warmed up to him when Raph asked Leo to take over a video game fight for a bit while he went and got some snacks. He thinks Karai is really cool, and Karai trusts him to take care of Raph or the others if Casey convinces them to do some mischief with him.

Splinter tries his best to be a good dad. It can be hard, and he makes lots of mistakes, but he tries. He was raised in a very Traditional household, but all of his children are very much the opposite of that, and he struggles with breaking away from how he was brought up to do things for the sake of not stifling his children. Still, he seeks counseling so he can do his best, especially once Mikey was diagnosed (Donnie hasn’t been diagnosed yet but Splinter has his suspicions) as neurodivergent. He’s still strict, usually, but has been known to soften up sometimes and allow a bit more excitement into their lives and home.

So yeah, that's my 2012 Humans AU!

[coffeebeans18]

She Can Stay

Finally wrote something that's not porn.

Summary: When you show up to the Winchester palace in jeans and a sweat shirt, John decides that you're not a good fit for his son.

Pairings: Sam x Y/n

Warnings: John Winchester.

I'm on my way to Sam's place. I still feel kinda weird about wearing jeans and a sweat shirt, but Sam said to dress in whatever made me comfortable. He knows I don't do dresses and shit like that. So I think he's got a pretty good idea of what I'm wearing. My only real worry is John, Sam's father. He's got this weird image in his mind that all women in the kingdom are supposed to "act like women". Whatever the hell that means. I know that means he's not gonna be pleased to see me. He never is. I've heard him telling Sam that I'm not good for him. But Sam's told me not to worry about his dad. He likes me just the way I am and that's all that matters. Once at the palace, I see Dean, Sam's brother, outside working on his car. We've met a few times and he seems nice.

"Hey, Y/n. You here to see Sam?"

"Hey. Yeah. Is he here?"

"Yeah, but my dad's here, too. You sure you wanna go inside?"

"I think I can handle your dad."

"I can't even handle my dad. If he gives you any trouble, I'll be here."

"Thanks, Dean."

I nods and I walk to the gate. Before I can even open it, John's yelling about how bad I am for his son.

"Look, I'm only here to see Sam. I'm not here to argue with y-"

"You're not gonna be here much longer if I have any say in the matter! Why'd you even come here dressed like that?! You look like a guy!"

"And you look like a sexist, entitled son of a bitch! I'm not here to argue with you, John! I'm here to see my boyfriend!"

"Women like you aren't to be seen with my son!"

"Women like me?! What the hell's that even supposed to mean?!"

"Dad, what the hell are you doing?" Sam calls as he walks over to the gate.

"Son, you're not bringing this women in my castle."

"And why not? Did she do something wrong?"

"Look at her! Look at what she's wearing!"

"So? She's comfortable."

"Women don't need to be comfortable! They only need to serve-"

"Dad!" A voice yells from behind me.

I turn around and see Dean.

"Dean, I'm not in the mood to argue right now."

"You don't wanna argue with me, but you wanna argue with an innocent girl who just wants to visit her boyfriend? You wanna say rude and sexist things to her, just because you don't like what she's wearing? But you're not the mood to argue with me?"

"Look-"

"No you look. As your oldest son, I'm next in line for the castle. That means that when you're gone or if you leave for whatever reason, the castle will belong to me. And I don't appreciate you trying to throw out my future sister in law."

Sister in law? I like the sound of that.

"So either she stays or we're all going."

I knew that he and John didn't get along, but I didn't know it was like this. They'd really leave their castle behind for me? I've only known them for a year and a half. And they'd leave their home for me?

"Fine. She can stay." He says with a huff.

He storms passed me and Dean, then gets in his ugly ass truck and drives away. I turn to face Sam and Dean, who look happy to see their dad leave.

"He's not coming back, is he?" I ask while looking up at Sam.

"I guess we'll find out." Sam says to me.

"But if he doesn't, that's ok. We can have the castle to ourselves and we won't have to worry about him."

It's nice to know that Dean would let me stay in his castle, rather than John. I guess with John gone, it's Dean's castle know. I guess that makes him the king now.

"Y/n." Sam calls to me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Hm?"

"You ok? I know you don't like yelling and we were all-"

"I'm ok. Just a little shocked. That's all."

"You two should go inside. Have some privacy."

"But first"

He steps closer to me and takes a small box out of his pocket.

"Since Dean dropped the "future sister in law" thing. I guess it's time."

"What? Time for what?"

He gets down on one knee and looks up at me.

"Sam?"

"Y/n Y/m/n Y/l/n, will you do me the honor of making me the luckiest man alive. Be my bride and become Y/n Y/m/n Winchester. Will you marry me, Y/n?"

He opens the small box to reveal a ring. Holy shit. Sam Winchester just asked me to marry him. And I'm just standing here like an idiot.

"Are you sure? I mean, me? You wanna marry me? Even after seeing all the weird shit I do? I'm weird and I say weird things and I don't even dress like a woman."

"That's why I wanna marry you, sweetheart. You're smart and you're funny and you're absolutely beautiful. And you dress in jeans and sweaters rather than dresses and heals. Not many women in this kingdom do that. You're not like everybody else, Y/n. And that's what I love about you. You're one of a kind and I want you to be mine."

Not many men are willing to look my way, but Sam, he wants to marry me? He wants to spend the rest of his life with me? Me? ME? I might be dumb, but I'm not dumb enough to pass up such an amazing opportunity. I have the chance to spend the rest of my life with this man. And I'm taking that chance.

"Yes. I'll marry you, Sam."

He slips the ring on my finger and I look at it for a few seconds before wrapping my arms around his neck. He hugs me back and I think I can see Dean starting to tear up. I might've had to face John Winchester, but it was worth it in the end. Now I'm gonna marry the love of my life.

[paganminiskirt]

OC song challenge

Thank you to @adelaidedrubman for tagging me!

Tagging: @henbased @snake-in-the-garden @amistrio @icannotsit @aceghosts @broken-balance-baby @quentinbecks

Step 1: create your oc(s) in this picrew

Step 2: list 5 songs that inspired (or capture the feel of) your oc. if you chose multiple, feel free to pick your favorite or do songs for all of ‘em!

NORA JEAN KINGSTON - FC5/FC:ND/FNV

1. Tales of Dominica - Lil Nas X

in this broken home, everyone becomes predictable / I’ve been living in my lowest, it's safe to say, hope my little bit of hope don't fade away / I've been living on an island made from fate, can't go running back to home, I can't face her face / finally grown, ain't nothing like I hoped it would be, out on my own, I'm floating in an ocean-less sea / could I be wrong, was everybody right about me, scary things in my head, I can’t dream, and I just-

2. The Saint Of Lost Causes - Justin Townes Earle

I'm a bad dream / I’m not a nightmare, I'm too goody for that / let's just say I'm the last thing you wanna see coming, I’m the reason they say watch your back / but for so long, I was like a wounded hound, backed into a chain-link fence / just pray to the Saint of Lost Causes

3. Mary Jane’s Last Dance - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

she moved down here at the age of eighteen, she blew the boys away, it was more than they'd seen, I was introduced and we both started groovin', she said, "I dig you, baby, but I got to keep movin' on" / last dance with Mary Jane, one more time to kill the pain / I feel summer creepin' in and I'm tired of this town again

4. Django - Luis Bacalov, Rocky Roberts

have you always been alone / have you never loved again / love will live on, life must go on, for you cannot spend your life regretting / you must go on

5. The Middle - Son Little

living in a world, so cold, so crowded / don’t need no good friends, just one bad friend will do / you know when I'm drinking, all I need is a drink / good lord have mercy, no more shaking in my shoes, so goodbye to misery, man, that's yesterday's news / can’t abide a lie, but you sure can't stand the truth / but when I’m drinking, don’t need nothing but a drink

CAROLINE SEED / MARGARET “MAGGIE” VAUGHN - FC5/FC:ND

1. In Every Dream Home A Heartache - Roxy Music

every step I take takes me further from heaven / but home oh sweet home, it’s only a saying / penthouse perfection, but what goes on, what to do there, better pray there / all of its comforts seem so essential / disposable darling, can’t throw you away now / I’ll dress you up daily, and keep you till death sighs, inflatable doll, lover ungrateful / oh, those heartaches! / dreamhome heartaches!

2. Katie Cruel - Karen Dalton

when I first came to town, they called me the roving jewel / now they've changed their tune, call me Katie Cruel / through the woods I go, and through the boggy mire / straight way down the road, til I come to my heart's desire

3. Mind Is A Prison - Alec Benjamin

sometimes I think too much, yeah, I get so caught up, I'm always stuck in my head / I wish I could escape, I tried to yesterday took all the sheets off my bed / and they put me back in my cell, all by myself, alone with my thoughts again / guess my mind is a prison and I'm never gonna get out / I won't give up on hope, secure another rope, and try for another day

4. When The Night Is Over - Lord Huron

tell me where did you go? I've been searching high and low / I have only 'til the night is over / in every window I pass, your reflection in the glass makes me wonder if my mind is going / shadows shifting in the rain, slowly driving me insane / by the stars above, I know we were in love / I have only 'til the night is over / when the night is done, you'll vanish in the sun, will I hold you when the night is over

5. She Doesn’t Sleep - Anthony Amorim

I think there's something wrong with a friend of mine / she’s wasting away all her time / looking through the past for something / she sits across the room from an old TV, with just her mind, she controls the screen / she’s waging a war on the weak, she’s opened the door to your dreams and turned them into nightmares, a life she's gonna keep / can you feel her, do you fear her, all she wants is for you to be near her

FAITH ESCAJEDA / SEED - FC5

1. Lady May - Tyler Childers

now, I ain't the sharpest chisel that your hands have ever held, but darlin' I could love you well, til' the roll is called on high / I've seen my share of trouble, and I've held my weight in shame, but I'm baptized in your name, lovely Lady May

2. Babooshka - Kate Bush

she wanted to test her husband, she knew exactly what to do / a pseudonym, to fool him, she couldn't have made a worst move / she sent him scented letters, and he received them with a strange delight, just like his wife

3. Marcy Me - Jay-Z

we know who we are, yet we know not who we may be, so maybe I’m the one, or maybe I’m crazy / I’m from Marcy Houses, where the boys die by the thousands, back when Pam was on Martin, yeah that’s where it all started

4. Danger & Dread - Brown Bird

I've heard you wake up crying from the evils lying under our bed / you say there's no use trying to protect you from the danger and dread / though this world is made of fearsome beasts that bark and bite we were born to put these creatures through one hell of a fight / may we feast upon the flesh of any fever that befalls you tonight

5. Blown Away - Carrie Underwood

there’s not enough rain in Oklahoma to wash the sins out of that house / shatter every window 'til it's all blown away / every brick, every board, every slamming door, blown away / 'til there's nothing left standing, nothing left of yesterday

BONUS: FAITH ???, MOTHER OF THE EDEN’S GATE CULT, WOMAN OF THE APOCALYPSE - FC5

1. Gassed - Bobby Krlic

no, no, no, no-

2. My Least Favorite Life - Lera Lynn

this is my least favorite life, the one where you fly and I don’t / a kiss holds a million deceits, and a lifetime goes up in smoke / this is my least favorite you, who floats far above earth and stone / the nights that I twist on the rack is time that I feel most at home

3. Once Upon A Time - Michael Abels

instrumental

4. Didn’t Leave Nobody But The Baby - Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch

your mama's gone away and your daddy's gonna stay, didn’t leave nobody but the baby / she’s long gone with her red shoes on, gonna need another lovin' baby / you and me and the Devil makes three, don’t need no other lovin' baby / come and lay your bones on the alabaster stones and be my ever-lovin' baby

5. The Devil’s Trill Sonata - Giuseppe Tartini, David Oistrakh, Lev Oborin

instrumental

[cheelduh]

How to bet your way into someone’s heart. (Highschool AU)

Pairing: Childe x fem!reader

Warnings: Fake weed. Poor Signora smh. Oh yes, lots of swearing. UNEDITED ASF IM LAZY BYE.

Synopsis: Childe is being an infatuated idiot, Lisa has eyes for vending machine chocolate, and Kaeya is desperately in need of a pencil. With all these distractions, there’s no way in hell you’ll be able focus on the task at hand.

This is crack.

I don’t have time.

You think as you race down the hallway, shoes slapping against the floor as you expertly dodge multiple students in your way.

Bullet. You're as fast as a bullet, because everyone around you is a blur and you don't stop, can't stop, not until you meet your target.

It's funny how one can accomplish many challenges and feats they were unable to, merely due to pressure. Pressure is a twisted ugly thing that can gnaw its way into the pit of your stomach and grow like a parasite. Pressure is a parasite that can either bring the best in you, or the worst, but at the cost of one's peace of mind.

"Move it Signora!" You shouted a warning at the senior blocking your way. There wasn't any time for you slow down at that point, and you'd risk bumping into the breakfast club's stall if you swerved to the side, sending juice flying everywhere.

Signora's eyes widened momentarily, getting the gist albeit her anger, and choosing to back up flatly against the locker.

Her lipstick nearly slips from her fingers as you swerve past, a thick gust of wind in your wake.

It messes with the hair she woke up two hours early for.

Signora plots her revenge. You still don't have time.

You nearly kick the door to your home room down, but you can't risk the perfect image your teachers have of you. So you pat down your t-shirt, take five tempting deep breaths, and tentatively knock the door.

The door opens and you're met with a young man, familiar amber pupils welcoming you.

You try not to huff and puff at the cost of your stamina. Thinking back, there's no way in hell you could have physically been that fast.

"Good morning Y/N," Your homeroom teacher gives you a small smile, moving aside to let you in. "Class is just about to start."

You check your watch, then turn to him with an apologetic tone, trying not to crack under the eyes of your classmates. "I'm so sorry Mr.Zhongli, I slept through my alarm."

Your idiot ass forgot to set one because you studied till four in the morning.

"You're like thirty seconds late, cut the shit." Beidou boos from the back, causing your stance to stiffen.

"I don't wanna hear it Beidou. If anything, you're two periods earlier than usual." Ningguang calls her out for you, but you have a feeling it's more so on behalf of a personal vendetta.

Ignoring the two bickering, Mr.Zhongli gives you the handout. "Take a seat. Do not fret over such minuscule things dear."

Relief washes over you. Your impeccable attendance is not on the line.

Childe tries to flag you down next to him but you send him a pointed glare and sit next to Lisa instead.

"You should give him a chance you know." Lisa doesn't even have to open her eyes to know what's going on.

"Please," You scoff, digging through your bags to collect your notes. "As if I have the time to fool around with a shady kid like him."

Your friend sighs in disapproval, and makes no move to take out her own notes as Mr.Zhongli begins the lecture on the Archon war.

"You should really pay attention." It bothers you that she doesn't, but then again it's not your place to tell her what to do or not to do.

"I don't need to." She yawns, blinking an eye open towards you. "I have you after all."

"I'm tired of saving your ass." You groan and pull a pen out of your pocket to get started on the exercises as Mr.Zhongli talks in the background.

The course outline contained all the topic, and you made sure to teach yourself as much as you could before class to stay ahead.

Immersed in the worksheet, you blinked away your sleep and tried to answer as many questions as you could at the moment. You didn't hear the slight shift next to you, and the change of breathing, or the rate of which time went by.

A familiar scent makes its way into your nostrils.

"Lisa. Why do you smell like mango juul juice." You know the scent from when Signora blew a mango flavoured fog in your face yesterday at lunch when you said you were hungry.

A chuckle erupts and you freeze in place. "That's because I'm not Lisa."

You blink. Once, twice, and then crane your head to the side to meet a pair of teasing cerulean eyes.

Fingers loosening in shock, the pen drops on the desk with a short thud.

You whisk your head towards the front of the classroom, and Mr.Zhongli is nowhere to be seen.

"There's no saving you now." Childe's smirk widens, and he scoots closer to you. "Mr.Zhongli had to get something from the staff room. The staff room is near the cafeteria."

"Which is also near the merch stall." You grumbled, bringing both hands to massage your temples as a headache is beginning it's reign.

"Tsk tsk. Smart girl. I'd like to add that he's forgotten his wallet in his office as well, which is in the south wing."

"Son of a..." You mutter underneath your breath, and opt to scoot further back, but your efforts are futile because your desk is in a corner.

Your next beacon of hope is Lisa, so you scan the room full of chattering students, only to find her pestering her crush, Jean.

Shit...there's nothing getting you out of this one.

"What did it take?" Is your only question, the despair starting to brew. How much did it take for your best friend to betray you?

"A dollar and fifty for vending machine chocolate."

You take a moment to breathe, calming your nerves and burying down the urge to screech. "What will it take?"

"For what?" Childe replies back innocently, and you can't believe how fast he can change masks. You almost give in.

"For you to leave me alone."

"Aww come on girlie," He whines, closing in the distance. "Don't be so cold."

What did your mom tell you that one time? Oh yes. That if you were ever backed against a wall, then just break the damn thing down.

Too bad it's figurative. You're just about ready to sock him in the face if you didn't know he was into that sort of thing.

"I'm serious about you," He says, and it sounds so real, so genuine, nearly makes you sputter. "See? I've even bought school supplies.

He unzips his light backback and spills the contents on the table.

A lone piece of paper flies out, a lighter, and a mechanical pencil with no lead that follows straight after. There's also a pocket knife that you choose to ignore.

You're not the least bit surprised.

"First of all, how the fuck are you passing this class. Second, do you really think I'm into nerds?"

"Well, considering that you are a nerd—"

"You're making things worse."

"My bad, my bad." He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. "But on a serious note. I'll do anything."

You cross your arms. "I'm not just another one of your conquests Childe. It's not like I have the time. There are better things to do."

"You need to relax." He says so simply, with complete disregard as to what you are trying to say.

"I am relaxed." You reply, picking up your pen to continue your work. If he's going to annoy you, then you might as well get shit done while he's at it.

You're not wasting any more time.

"When was the last time you got a full eight hours of sleep?" His voice is soft, too soft, and it's not at all like the Childe you know.

Your pen stops momentarily, but you will yourself to continue writing. The words look fumbled, but you don't care. The best thing to do is get your work done and ignore the idiot next to you.

"C'mon, Zhongli won't be back for another half an hour at least. Let's go." He kicks the bottom of your chair to urge you.

The pen shakes in your hand, and you narrow your eyes at the paper, digging holes into poor question eight. "I'm trying to work here. Let me work." You'll say anything to get him off your back.

"Fine fine fine..." He raises both hands in mock surrender. "I'll stop bothering you."

Your ears perk up at that, and you turn to him so fast he has to hold in his laugh. "Really?"

"Yeah," Childe nods along, bringing your hopes up. "If you win a bet, that is." And they're back to ocean level.

You roll your eyes. There's always a catch. That doesn't mean you're any less interested.

"What's the bet?" You ask curiously, all your focus now on him. Just as he longed for from the very start.

He flicks a thumb towards the door, leaning closer to whisper next to your ear. "We bet when Zhongli comes back."

"Are you kidding me?" You aren't bothered at all at the close proximity, mainly because you're too tired and only care about the freedom that will come with your win.

Childe, however, is a completely different story. His heart is beating a thousand times a second, but his face doesn't show it. Not one bit.

Kaeya leans in from the seat behind you two, interested in what's going on. "Ooooh secrets."

"Shut up Kaeya." Childe and you monotonously drone in sync, still having your little staring contest.

The captain of the skating team smiles, about to ask—

"No. We don't have an extra pencil. Even if we did we wouldn't give it to you." Childe finally breaks his gaze to scare off Kaeya.

Kaeya raises a smug brow, and leans back in his chair like the jerkwad he is. "Then don't let me keep you two love birds."

That's all it takes for him to earn Childe's unwavering respect and loyalty for as long as he lives.

After the two are done creating an elaborate handshake as a mark of their newfound friendship, you decide to just forget about the handout. It's not like you're getting anything done anyways.

"Anyways, back to the bet." Childe says, resting his cheek on his fist as he stares at you dreamily. You try not to break under his gaze.

"If I win, you have to go on a date with me."

"No way in hell—"

"Then I'll bother you for the rest of highschool."

Highschool is eternity. You don't want to live through an eternity of this.

"Fine." You answer, and for the first time he sees genuine fear in your face, it makes him waver slightly. Not enough for him to pity you.

"If I win..." You trail, thinking loud and clear as you ignore the excited chatter of your classmates. "I want you to pay attention to class."

"What?" He exclaims incredulously, blinking in disbelief. "I thought you'd get me to stop talking to you altogether."

"If you're paying attention in class, you don't bother me as much and your grades go up." You grin smartly, and oh archons it livens his entire day up, and it's only nine in the morning.

"You care about my grades?" Childe bites back a smile.

"Not at all." You lie, and quickly look away. Woah the floor tile looking trippy.

He decides it's better to get on with the bet without causing you any more distress. After all, you've given him such cute facial expressions today. He's feeling quite generous.

Pulling out his cracked-as-shit latest model phone, he unlocks it and tinkers with it a bit before turning the screen towards you.

"We'll be using this to time both of our predictions at the same time. Whoever has the closer time to when he finally swings by is the winner." The rules are simply put, no room for error.

You tilt your head in confusion. "Why am I seeing a slime review?"

"SHIT!" Childe fumbles with his phone, aggressively tapping on the screen. He lowers his head and voice as if he's been through fifty consecutive hits in the face. "It's uh, Teucer's account."

"Yeah...okay." Is all you can say.

"Ok what do you bet?" He changes the topic to unfuck the situation.

Putting a finger in your chin, you think for a minute, calculating the average of all the times Mr.Zhongli has left the classroom for a considerable amount of time.

"Fifteen minutes." You're sure of it. It's like clockwork every day.

"Hmm..." Childe crosses his arms, seemingly in deep thought. "Five minutes." He places his bet, and both timers start simultaneously.

Five minutes?! Is he serious?

You laugh inwardly. This challenge is in the bag.

The sense of victory you feel dulls when your ears pick up the echo of footsteps nearing the classroom.. Both your heads snap up to the doors.

There's something scary about Childe once his competitive side comes out. "Looks like I've won." He turns to you, eyes darkening evilly.

"What? There's no way in hell a ginger is right." Your palms are clammed up, eyebrows furrowed in panic. You calculated every single variable, how could this be?

You race to the front, Childe right on your tail as the entire class clamps up. The footsteps get louder, causing even whispers to become total silence.

Then it hits you. The shitty music about getting bitches and bars playing on the other side.

The door is swung open by Childe, and you're face to face with an idiot sophomore with a speaker in his pocket.

Childe’s grin is long gone, and you sigh in relief.

The false alarm encourages the class to return back to their idle chatter.

"Scaramouche?" Childe spits, narrowing his eyes at the unamused boy. "I thought it was Signora's shift today."

By "shift" he means being a complete dickwad and scamming fake weed to students in return for their souls. It only really works on the freshmen.

The only reason the club still runs is because Signora threatened the principal with some sus pictures she snapped of him and his assistant.

"Apparently she had an emergency." Scaramouche explains, lowering the volume on his outdated beats pill. "Something about a hair appointment because she got ran into by a, and I quote "lecherous imbecile.""

You steer clear of the conversation, finding the whiteboard far more fascinating and worth your while.

A loud cough is heard from behind the kid, and you're met with a crestfallen look on your beloved teacher's face.

You go through a whiplash of emotions, becoming completely numb towards your loss.

"They were out of slow cooked bamboo shoot soup." He sighs, handing a stack of papers to Childe, who is wearing the fattest smirk on his face at his victory. "Please hand these out to your classmates Childe, and we will begin shortly."

You check down at the timer despite knowing who’s won. Five minutes and twenty five seconds. Somehow, you don't feel as dejected as you thought you'd feel.

Maybe the date will be fun. Maybe Childe isn't so bad. Maybe...you do have time to indulge in these sort of things. If he’s so hell bent on getting your attention, perhaps it’s possible that you can make some room in your heart for him.

However, all those thoughts fly out the window when Childe hands you the new worksheet.

“I hope you're ready for our date tomorrow. We'll be sparring till sundown, and after you’ll be feeding me with chopsticks." He winks, and it makes your heart flip even though all you want right now is to go to the bathroom and barf your guts out.

Feelings are complicated.

You smile back at him nauseously, tight lipped and all, then you pull out your phone, go on maps, and search for the closest cliffs to jump off of.

After he's done, Childe slouches back in his original seat with a different kind of enthusiasm, and opens up his messages. He texts Zhongli a "thank you <3".

[itsthestutterforme]

Firecracker 3/? (Dark!Ari Levinson)

Summary: Your friend dragged you out of the house for a girls night out until Y/F/N came across a scammer getting beaten up by some men in the mob. You knew that it wasn't any of your business but Y/F/N insisted on helping him and now you're in big trouble.

Notes: GIF is not mine, mentions of assassination, mentions of child abuse, insinuations of sexual assault, mentions of child death

--

Ari and you walk down the street towards the city park while you were holding hands. And for a moment, you felt like a normal couple. You reach over and fondle with the gold chain of your name was plastered on his collarbone. If he can tattoo his name on your thighs, he sure as hell can have your name on his gold chain.

You were on your way back from eating dinner and Ari didn't feel like going home just yet. "You like it?" "At least it wasn't as painful as this," you snark, smoothing a hand over your thighs. "Oh please, you know you love it." You roll your eyes and a guy bumps into you as he walked by.

"Are fucking serious? Apologize to her right now or I'll gouge your eyes out." Ari snaps, pulling away from your hand. You turn around to face the guy too and that's when your blood ran cold in your veins.

The thinning, greasy hair with wrinkles and moles litering his face. The black polo and jeans. And the disgusting musk of aged cheese.

"So this is who you're with now?" He asks. Heat creeps up the back of your neck and settled in your cheeks. "You son of a bitch. You have no fucking right to talk to me or my company."

"You run a company now? Hm, thought the only thing you were good for was laying on your back." He says.

"That's it," Ari made his way towards him and you pulled him back by his arm. "Don't," "Why not? He's just a useless waste of space," "This piece of shit is my father, and killing him would be a mercy." You say. "We're leaving," you add before turning your back on him. "Have you visited Y/B/N recently?" He asked.

You spun around and without a second thought, your fist came into contact with his jaw. Your lips twitched when you felt a crack beneath your fist. "Don't you dare say his name, you fucking murderer." You grit your teeth as you watch him fall to the floor.

You stand over him and saw your dying brother replaying in your mind. You grab your father's collar and wind your arm all the way back to punch each time. Your knuckles grew slick from his blood and your shoulder muscles were sore from the force of your punches.

"Y/N, stop. You'll kill him." Ari says, pulling you off him. You lunged forward and nearly knocked Ari off balanced. Wow, she's really worked up. Ari thinks to himself.

He huffed before picking you up and throwing you over his shoulder. "Vaughn, I need you to pull up to 22nd Street now. Y/N is having a fit. She just beat her father to a pulp." Ari explains.

"God, okay. I'm coming around the corner right now." The tires screeched as the car came around the corner and Ari tossed you in before hopping in the passenger seat.

"Headed home boss?" "Yeah," "What the hell was that? You were going to kill your own father," Ari scolds. "I don't expect you to understand, Ari."

"Then help me understand because if people catch wind about it then it could be bad for business." "What? And it wouldn't be bad for business if you would have socked him?" You snark. "Socking him and beating him to a pulp are two very different things."

"I'm done talking," you say, looking out the window. "The fuck you mean you're done talking? You're done when I say you're done! This is not a cute rebellious act, Y/N." Ari yells and Vaughn speaks up. "Boss, she probably doesn't want to talk with me in here. Just give her some time to diffuse." He explains.

"You're right, you're right. I've just never seen her act like that before." Ari whispers to Vaughn. The entire ride home was silent and Ari would occasionally look at you but your gaze never left the window. As soon as Vaughn pulled into your driveway, you rush out of the car and right into the house.

Ari was hot on your heels and you knelt down for your six month old puppy, Atlanta, to run into your arms. She rests her head on your shoulder and you take a deep breath. Some tears escape your eyes and Ari smooths a hand over your back.

"I'm sorry that I yelled at you, firecracker." He apologizes and you pulled away from Atlanta before standing. "I don't know what I was thinking. I was so stupid than to think that I could being your wife and somehow forget where I came from." You wipe away a few tears and Ari tries to comfort you.

"Don't," "What do you want me to do?" "I don't know, but I just need some space to think." "Come on, Atlanta." You add before walking upstairs to go to the balcony.

You finally left the balcony after you think Ari is asleep. But little did you know that Ari was wide awake in the living room scrolling through the news articles about your assault from earlier. The news sources don't know who it is because the video footage was barely legible. Good.

His attention is peaked when he hears glasses clanking. He looks over the top of the couch to see you pouring a glass of whiskey. "Okay," he says before walking into the kitchen. You down the whole drink in two gulps and move to pour more when Ari places a hand on your to stop you.

"Come on, baby. Just talk to me." He whispers, kissing your shoulder. "I'll break down if I do." You whisper back. "Then I promise to piece you back together. I'm your husband after all. It may have started out rough, but it's real to me." He explains.

You sigh and rest your arms on the counter as you bow your head in shame. Ari turns you around and lifts your chin to meet his gaze. "Ari.." you trail off when he kisses all of your face, making sure to linger on your forehead and chin.

"I love you no matter what you tell me, alright. You're perfect for me." He cups your cheeks and you sobbed softly into his chest.

He settles a hand in your hair and you wrapped your arms around him. "When I was younger.. I had a younger brother. It was just me and him against my parents. My dad would do things to me when no one else was in the house and.. my mother knew a-about it but chose not to do anything." You lifted your head away from his chest and smoothed your hands over his toned chest.

"My brother knew about it and he decided to take matters into his own hands. He tried to pull my father away from me and h-he shoved him. Oh God, I can't do this. I'm sorry." You tried to get away from him but he lifts you on the counter and pulled your face into his neck.

"Say the word, and he'll be six feet under." He says after a few moments of silence. "Like I said, killing him would be a mercy." "I could make it messy, brutal." You shake your head no and gasp when you notice your bloody knuckles.

"Oh God, what if they find out I did it?" "They didn't. The video footage was fuzzy beyond recognition. But if they find anything else, I'll handle it." "Ari, I--" "Stop blaming yourself. Your emotions are valid. Now, let's get this this blood off huh?"

**

You were in the middle of typing up a report when you were sent an email from an unknown user with the heading "YOU'LL BE JOINING HER SOON".

You were taught never to open any emails from anyone unknown as it could be a virus sent to invade and infiltrate sensitive information about GB from your computer.

So you decided to click out and log out of everything before going incognitio mode on your computer so your databases were under lock down from you and anybody else.

Her, they must be talking about Y/F/N. If something happened to her, you don't know what you'll do with yourself.

Your finger hovers over the mouse to click on the email and your hand started to shake. You close your eyes momentarily and you clicked on the email.

A shriek leaves your lips when your eyes settle on Y/F/N on the floor of a house with bullet holes litering her face and body. You stand up from your chair and Vaughn comes bursting into the room with her gun in his hands.

He scans the room before asking, "What happened?" You turn your face away from the gruesome images and faced the wall.

Vaughn rounds the table and tucks his gun into his holster. "My God," he says to himself. He closes the computer and gently touches your shoulder to hug when.

You wince at his touch and said, "Don't touch me. All of this wouldn't have happened if you didn't take me away from her! Protecting her is my responsibility!"

You turn around to face him with mascara running down your cheeks. "Y/N, I'm sorry. We thought she would be safe with-" "I don't care what your excuses are. I'm going home." You push passed him and grab your purse before leaving the room.

Vaughn follows you and takes your keys from your purse. "I'm driving," you scoff and jump into the car while he wiggled into the drivers seat. He spends some time using the mechanical button to extend the seat far enough for his legs to fit.

Any other day and you both would be laughing but this is not any other day. You got an incoming call from Ari and silenced your phone.

Vaughn pulled into your driveway and Ari opens the door to greet you. You push passed him and Vaughn quietly explained to him what you were emailed.

Ari wipes a hand over his face and sighed. "It had the Beauchamps written all over it, boss. But she blames us for getting Y/F/N involved with the mob in the first place." Vaughn explains. "How is she holding u-" Ari was cut off by your yells and glass shattering.

You were holding back your emotions the entire ride home and you just had to let it go. You grabbed the nearest painting and tossed it against the wall.

Ari and Vaughn burst into the room with their guns cocked. Their eyes widened as they watched you toss the heavy bed frame on its side and scatter the papers and paperweight along the floor.

"No!" You shriek and grab more paintings from the walls before shattering them against the desk. You punched through the vanity mirror and started to punch the wall with all your strength. That's when Ari and Vaughn exchanged a look before advancing towards you.

Your wrist bent the wrong way and snapped your right forearm. You yelp out, not fully feeling the pain yet because of the adrenaline coursing through your veins.

Ari holds you from behind and presses your arms to your chest, careful not to apply too much pressure. "No, let me go! You got her killed! You killed her." You croak, but the anger started to fade into sadness.

Your body goes limp against his. "Boss, I think her arm is broken. She has to go to the hospital." Vaughn says, gently taking your arm that was bent at an odd angle. "Oh God, okay. Get the car ready." Vaughn leaves the room and Ari lifts you into his arm effortlessly.

"This is all your fault," "I know, I'm sorry." You spent hours in the hospital between the x rays and waiting for the doctor to come in and put your arm in a cast. To say the entire process was painful was an understatement. It was nighttime by the time you came home from the hospital with Ari and Vaughn.

You walk up the stairs and locked yourself in one of the guest rooms. You were about to climb into bed with you heard Atlanta whining and scratching at the door.

You huff and open the door wide enough for her to come through. "Y/N," Ari starts. "I don't want to talk about it," you say before locking the door again.

Atlanta sits on the edge of the bed and waits for you to lay down on the bed. You slide underneath the covers and hugs a pillow to your chest. Burying your face into the pillow, your aching body shook as you cried. Atlanta whines and lays her head ontop of your after she licks away your tears.

Ari sits down on the ground next to your door with his back against the wall. It physically pains him to hear you cry. Especially when he knows that it takes a lot of pain to take you there. You started to cry harder into the pillow and Atlanta sniffs and licks your cast.

Ari wraps his arms around his knees and tucked his head into his lap. He didn't stop the tears from leaving his eyes. You're right. None of this would have happened if he just left you alone. If Y/F/N didn't mind her business.

But he didn't want to take it all back. He couldn't. That would mean that he wouldn't have met you. You became his world in just a few days.

And the fact that he might lose you, scares the hell out of him. "Boss," Vaughn starts and Ari shakes his head. Not now. Ari says in his head. "I'll come by tomorrow morning then,"

The days started to blur together for you and Ari. He hasn't left your side since you locked yourself in the room. You spent the entire days sleeping. You barely had the energy to get up to go to the bathroom.

The next day, you started to spiral. You made Vaughn buy you some bottles of Royal Crown tequila. The tequila made matters worse to say the least. You said plenty that you didn't mean. After a week in bed, you finally get up in the morning to make coffee.

You walk passed Ari sleeping on the couch in his black sweatpants and white tank top. His hair covers his forehead and eyes and soft snores leave his parted lips. He has a newspaper in his hand and you gently take it from him.

Your heart breaks all over again when you see that he was looking at Y/F/N's obituary. It has the date and place of her funeral in bold letters on the very bottom.

You look back at Ari and sigh deeply. You knew that he feels guilty. He tried to keep quiet but you knew he was outside the door waiting for you to come out. And now he sleeps on the couch close by. You all had a part in Y/F/N's death. You shouldn't have pinned it on all him.

You round the couch and brush his hair away from his face to press a soft kiss to his lips. His eyes had dark circles under them. When he slowly peeled them open, you saw how sunken they look. You did that to him. "Y/N," he croaks. "I'm so sorry," you whimper.

"You didn't do anything wrong. "Don't do that. Don't make me out to be the saint here. I said and did terrible things. I-" "You were greiving," he pulls you into his lap and cupped your face as you shake your head no.

"I'm sorry," you lean forward and pressed kisses all over his face, lingering on his eyes. He sighs softly and said, "I was worried you would leave me,"

He buries his face into your neck. "I'm not going anywhere. Just lay down and go back to sleep." You say, pushing on his shoulders gently. He lays back down and you follow him to lay on his chest.

The arm with your cast rests off the side of the couch as you lay your head next to his. "The funeral is in two days," he says, breaking the silence.

"I know, I read the newspaper you had." "Did you want to go?" "I don't know if I can face them. They probably blame me for not being there to protect her," tears threaten your eyes. "I doubt they think that, baby. You're human, you can't be everywhere at once." His hand smooths over the back of your head.

"She saved my life, Ari." "And you saved hers," another silence fell over the living room and Atlanta jumps off the bed in your room to sit next to the couch. "Why didn't you leave when I said those things? Anybody else would have left?"

His boiling hot body flushed against yours as another silence fell. "Because I love you," he finally says.