#friendly reminder that once upon a time is my favorite tv shows of all times

[bluepenguinstories]

Remoras Full Chapter LXXIV: Baby, It’s Cold Outside

I just realized something: I underestimated my target.

Huh? ‘Target’? What do I mean?

It’s simple, my (personal) mission was to...was to what? What did I expect would happen, and if I expected something to happen, why have I been avoiding making it happen? Could it have been some subconscious guilt?

No. Doubtful.

Any guilt I feel would be conscious. I would know of it.

I already made the mistake of showing up with multiple purposes in mind, each of them clashing with the other. No, I already knew this much:

My purpose was a mistake.

I left those chicks behind. They always seemed to view me as an enemy; every time I went to feed them, they would peck at me, and not at the seeds I tossed down. Why I continued to feed those ungrateful beasts must have had to do with the fact that I too was an ungrateful beast.

I had a great job once, until I decided killing sucked all the life out of me. Most people fall out of love with their jobs at some point, but that doesn’t mean they just quit over it, right? Not to mention it paid well. So what if I didn’t have much freedom to live my life or make friends. When have I ever cared about such things, anyway? The friendliest I used to get was putting the ‘friendly’ in ‘friendly fire.’

No, that’s not even true, as I’ve tried plenty of times to wave to others, only to get dirty looks. Like, so what if I’m cold and you’re not? Does that really give them the right to judge me? Anyone would sour on people if they got nothing but dirty looks all the time, wouldn’t they?

Oh, but then we get to the two most important women in my sordid life: Juniper and Vesuvius. Such strange people, they were, and yet they desired to befriend me. Me, of all people. So what did I do? Kick the bucket like it was a game of football (the American kind or the European kind, it didn’t matter).

Then, I could have continued to have just been Rachel, yet I half-assed that.

I didn’t think hard enough about my new persona. I didn’t put in enough effort to leave that old life behind and allow them to move on.

Guess I should have moved on as well.

If I were to wrap up loose ends, the first thing I had to do was confront my target.

I approached the house, stepping atop the brown grass and the dry soil. Each step made crunching noises, just like my footsteps would have made were I in the snow.

When I entered the house through the creaking door which reminded me of the howling wind during a blizzard and the varnished wood floor which felt like ice skating, I noticed Juniper Bark: target #1. The main target. She sat upon the couch.

“Where’s Ves?” I asked.

When I last left the royal volatile beauty, she was at the dining room table. Now, however, she was nowhere to be seen. Usually, I wouldn’t have cared so much, but this was a delicate matter.

“She’s taking a nap. After you went to feed the chickens, she had a little breakdown,” Juniper explained. Her voice was dull. No cuteness at all, and she sounded rather annoyed that I talked to her at all.

She had her legs folded up on the couch, and her arm between her legs, with a television remote in her hand. My attention turned toward the TV: it was on mute, and the only thing on was crackling static.

The television turned off, which meant either that wasn’t Juniper’s favorite show, or she had already seen that episode too many times.

I slid down and sat to the side of the couch.

“You know who I am, don’t you?” I asked her.

“What do you think?” She asked right back.

Gee. I don’t know. Why do you think I asked you in the first place? Was what I wanted to ask, but god damn it, I had tact.

“How long?” I said instead.

“Since the moment you showed up. No, there was even that suspicion during the phone call.”

There was a sudden draft in the air. You know what that means.

“H-How? I thought I had the perfect disguise. I shaved my head, I changed my name. It’s not even a pun. Do you know how unbearable that part was?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Juniper just shrugged it all off, “your shiver gives you away.”

I shivered again.

“God damn it,” I cursed under my breath. It came out like an icy puff.

“Yeah, I’d say so,” Juniper agreed.

“What about Ves? Why hasn’t she caught on?”

“Oh, I’m sure she has, but she doesn’t want to admit it,” Juniper’s dullness turned to a groan before a heavy sigh, “honestly, it’s exhausting. Both of you.”

OK. That part sounded angry. Was she mad?

“Why doesn’t she want to admit it?” I asked. I could have asked the more obvious question, “why are you mad, though?” But that didn’t seem so productive.

“You really need an explanation?” She sounded even more annoyed than before. Yikes.

“Yes? Why would I ask if I didn’t want an explanation?” I was annoyed right back.

“You’re right. Sorry,” Juniper shook her head. “You’re you. I forgot things like emotions don’t come easy for you.”

“It’s not that I can’t detect emotions,” I corrected her.

“As I’m sure you’ve guessed, Ves doesn’t have any supernatural powers. She managed to get rid of the angel bit inside of her. The side effect being that for a while, it was difficult to get her to feel any sense of joy.”

“Amazing. And just as I said on the phone, it seems like she’s in a better place.”

She nodded, but she didn’t seem very pleased by that remark.

“On top of that difficulty and her tendency to dwell on the negative, she couldn’t shake off the guilt that came with your death. She’d start seeing you in everyone.”

“What, did she see me penetrating them?”

“Not like that!”

“Then like what? No, don’t tell me. Just keep going.”

“She’d compare others to you. When she met Remora, she saw her as a second chance to make things right with you.”

“What was there to make right?”

“You know, she never wanted you to die. She really wished we all could have been friends.”

Juniper lowered her head. I would have done the same, but how was I to get a good look at her if I kept my head down?

“That’s not a burden she should have bore. I told her already, it wasn’t her fault. It was my decision. Isn’t that enough?”

“You don’t see how your actions can affect others?”

I grabbed the hems of my jeans and clenched my fists.

“I was never meant to be known.”

“It’s too late for that,” Juniper waved her hand away. “You already left a strong impression on both of us.”

My ears perked up. If I was a ferret, or an ermine, or even a stoat, I would have rolled around in the snow hearing that.

“I did?”

“Of course. Hard to forget someone who tried to kill you.”

Just like that, the mood dropped like the temperature in a room filled with cool air.

“Can’t we just put the past behind us?” I asked.

“I’d love to, but the past is right beside me.”

“In that case...nice to meet you, my name is Rachel.”

“That’s not going to work this time,” she shook her head. Defeated once again.

“Why not? Why can’t it work? Why can’t I exist beside you guys as someone else?”

“Is that what you want? Then why drop all these hints about who you were, or still are, if you don’t want that part of you to be known?”

“I don’t want to be a ghost, and I don’t want to be forgotten. I had nowhere else to go. My wants may be a contradiction, but both are true at the same time.”

“So you thought this was your solution? You’re going about this the wrong way.”

“What other solution would you have come up with?”

“I don’t know, be honest? Ves and I probably would have understood if you were just upfront, instead of this tiptoeing that you’ve been doing instead. I swear, both of you think you’re doing the right thing for others without ever consulting the people you’re doing these things for. Yet for some reason, you think of yourself as the ‘rational’ one, whatever that even means. If you know communication is important, why don’t you do it?”

“Hey,” I shot back, “I don’t know what you’re scolding me for. You haven’t communicated with your wife about your jealousy. You want me to say what I mean? You should do so as well.”

“You’re right,” Juniper nodded.

What was it with people and not giving the expected reaction? Shouldn’t she have been more defensive?

“That’s why all three of us should discuss this tonight. Get it all out in the open.”

“What?!” I almost got up, I was so shocked.

“Keep your voice down. Our favorite volcano is currently dormant.”

“You could just say she’s asleep, you know.”

“I feel like I could use a nap, myself, and yet I’ve barely been awake today. It’s still morning, for cryin’ out loud.”

“Yeah, well, may as well sleep if you got nothing better to do,” I suggested.

“Nope. You’re not getting out of this one. I definitely have something better to do than rest, and that’s confronting you.”

I gulped.

“You say ‘be honest’ like it’s easy, but look at it from my point of view: if I were to be honest, wouldn’t that have stirred up bad memories? Now do you see why I believed what I was doing was right for the both of you?”

Juniper nodded.

“I understand where you’re coming from, and that’s also what you don’t understand: your presence would have stirred bad memories regardless of who you presented yourself as. You can’t fully hide yourself, and there’s always going to be those little things. It’s going to hurt, and maybe it’s supposed to.”

“Then should I not have come here?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. You, of all people, Ms. Assassin, should know that sometimes pain is necessary. That doesn’t mean we don’t like you or don’t want you here.”

“Okay, first of all,” I stood up and put one finger up, “I am not, nor was I ever, an assassin. My job and the assignments I received often involved killing people, but the correct terminology wouldn’t be ‘assassin.’ The closest thing would be a ‘garbage collector.’ I collected the trash and disposed of it.”

“People are NOT trash,” Juniper looked up and scowled.

“Some are.”

“Human lives have value.”

“Yeah, yeah. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. I get that.”

“What were Ves and I to you? Trash or treasure?”

“Vesuvius was trash, you were treasure. Until you became spoiled, and then you were trash as well.”

She continued to scowl. I suppose any normal person would have seen that as the point where a falling out were to occur and I was kicked out of the house, left to figure out another place to stay.

I’m sure, in hindsight, as honest and sincere as I thought I was, it only made sense for her to do so.

But for better or worse, Juniper wasn’t like that.

“Then why couldn’t you dispose of us?” She asked instead.

“Because it turns out I was the biggest piece of trash of all.”

“That’s not true, either.”

I stared down at her. Even with that fiery passion which seemed more fitting on Ves, Juniper was as kind as ever.

“I know,” I admitted. “It’s all a figure of speech. An analogy. Dehumanization to make the job more palatable. I understand, at least on some level, that people are more than just targets. Spending time with you two was probably the most dangerous thing I could have done.”

“Why is that?”

“Because...it made it harder to see you two as anything other than...something precious. I mean both statements in the most literal way possible: you two broke me, and I don’t know if I would have allowed myself to be broken by anyone other than you two.”

“You never know. But for what it’s worth, I’m glad we had such an effect on you.”

I nodded.

“It made me wish I could do the impossible: form a connection with someone. I really meant it before when I said it would have been nice if we could be friends.”

“It can still happen.”

“How? Not only are you two different people, but I should have never been in your lives in the first place.”

“Let’s consider that both of those statements are true: does that really prevent us from being close?”

“How should I know? I’ve never been close with anyone, and I wouldn’t have wished to be, were it not for you.”

“Looks like the great and powerful Rhea has a weakness after all.”

For the record, my weakness is cute girls like you.

“Hey! Don’t use that name when a certain someone is around. She could wake up at any minute.”

“You’re going to tell her anyway, aren’t you?”

I groaned.

“I doubt you’ll give me a choice.”

“You have a choice. But you’ll do it because you love us,” Juniper winked.

“Don’t use such frivolous words.”

“Heh,” she snickered, then leaped out of her seat and stood up. “Hey. Let’s go on a drive.”

“What?” Such a statement was made so little sense that it made me wonder if I heard it at all.

“Yeah. We need a few more groceries. Besides, I’m sure Ves could use some alone time, and by the time we get back, we can talk to her.”

I still wasn’t interested in this ‘talk’ that kept getting mentioned. Yes, it was necessary. But without it written out as an assignment in an organized manner, it just didn’t feel tangible.

“Do I have to? If I stay here, I can have some alone time to myself.”

“But if you go, you can have some alone time with me.”

Ugh...talk about a rock and a Juniper place. The age old question: “should I stay or should I go?”

If I stay, I get alone time with me.

If I go, I get alone time with Juniper.

Why must I be cursed with making such decisions?

“All right. If it’s for you,” I concluded after looking around the house.

Besides, if it’s between being alone with (an awake) Juniper and being alone with (a sleeping) Ves, I know which I’d pick.

“Heh. I knew you’d make the right decision!” She grinned.

Ack! She was too bright! Too cheerful!

“It’s only because I’m weak to your charm,” I admitted.

“Hehe,” Juniper was even more elated. The gall.

She slipped off her slippers and slipped on some sneakers. On a rack next to the door were car keys.

“Say, are you a little cold? Would you like to borrow one of Ves’s sweaters? Hers are about your size.”

“A ‘little cold’? Excuse me? I’m a tall cold.”

“Right. Well, it’s up to you. I’m going to be blasting the AC on the way there, as for me, it’s pretty warm outside.”

“Grumble grumble,” I grumbled as I trudged over to the bedroom.

It wasn’t too hard to be quiet in the presence of another, and I was able to slip inside, slip a sweater off of the sweater rack, and slip away.

All that said, for that brief window I was inside, I stole a glance at the bed and Ves, who happened to have her face firmly planted in the cushion of the pillow. Her resting face was, dare I admit, serene. The way the curtains let in just enough light to shine on the side of her cheek and illuminate her shoulder length, golden blonde hair with just a touch of orange streaks.

It was like watching a lemon and a tangerine sumo wrestling.

Yes, I could think of no better analogy.

Juniper had one of those tawdry white pickup trucks. Nothing fancy, and in fact, it looked the opposite of fancy; ready to collapse at any moment. Part of me wondered if Juniper just built it herself from scratch and expected it to run. But she did say she drove into town to the grocery store several times…

We got in.

Her in the driver’s seat, and I in the passenger side.

The car pittered and pattered about. Sputtered as well.

“Is this thing safe to drive?” I turned to her and asked while she was already driving it down the road.

“It might explode, but the more likely thing to happen is just that it breaks down and stops in the middle of the road,” she explained.

“That doesn’t instill any confidence.”

The whole time she drove, her eyes were fixed forward on the road. It just occurred to me that despite all the vegetation on our little crumb of the world, the surrounding area was something more of a desert. I believe I saw a few of those tumbleweeds roll across the barren fields.

Juniper must not have cared. Maybe she’s seen all the highway had to offer.

“This thing’s what they call a gas guzzler, isn’t it?” I commented while staring out the window. We did pass by little tree farms. No other houses, though. The sky was cloudy, but nothing to suggest a chill omen on the way.

“It’s not that bad. Besides, we don’t go far,” Juniper replied, with her usual cheer and smile.

Something told me the fumes coming from the back of this death machine was of no concern to her.

“If it’s not far, why don’t we walk?” I suggested.

“In this heat? No way. Maybe on a cooler day.”

“It’s plenty cold to me,” I shrugged, with my forehead stuck on the glass window. I was sure it would fog up the glass. That was proof enough I was cold, wasn’t it?

“Would it warm you up if you ran?”

“Maybe.”

“So if one day we need to go out for groceries, if you gave me a piggyback ride, you would run to the store?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“How would we carry the groceries?”

“With our hands? What kind of question is that?”

“What if I get thirsty?”

“Bring a water bottle. You’re so worried about the logistics, yet you drive a pickup truck when it’s probably not necessary to do so.”

“It was pretty important when I needed to haul wood and stuff. Who knows when we might be in the mood for building things again?”

“You can’t be serious. Isn’t there plenty at the house as it is?”

“Are you just complaining for the sake of complaining?”

I puffed my cheeks.

“I’m not just complaining. I’m making conversation.”

“All right. I got something I’m curious about.”

“What?”

“Did you fake your death?”

My face clenched. Out of all the things to ask, it had to be…

“Do you think I would go through all that trouble? I wanted to die,” I rasped, just to make the message clear.

Juniper winced and her smile soured, only to bounce right back.

“So what do you think happened?”

“As in?”

“You coming back.”

“I don’t know. There was the coma idea. It’s not like there was no basis for my boxing story. But something tells me it wasn’t just a coma. I was too fresh for it to be that.”

“What do you mean?”

I shook my head. Even thinking of that cold awakening was unbearable.

“The wounds. I was still bleeding out when I woke up. I was told it was a few years later, but if it was a coma, wouldn’t there be some sign that I was being treated for it? No. I woke up in the arctic. Far from where I had intended to die. Worse, such a cold place like that, almost as if I was being mocked by the universe itself.”

“Strange.”

“I’d say it’s easier not to think about it, but I won’t lie, it does bother me.”

“What if...say, you weren’t actually you, but rather someone who looks like you, and with your memories?”

What a rancid suggestion.

“The thought has crossed my mind. I’m not saying it’s impossible; it is. But rather, if I have all the hallmarks of me, right on down to mannerisms, to the point where changing my appearance and my name won’t change who I am, what use is it to consider that I’m anyone else but me?”

“You’re right. Sorry,” she said, and her lips turned all lopsided again.

Please don’t look that way.

“You have every right to ask me such things,” I tried what I thought would ease the mood, “the truth is, that’s still a possibility so long as I don’t know what really happened. That’s always going to linger in the back of my mind until I find the answer. If I can find the answer. But being here with you is all the ease I need.”

That wasn’t the whole truth. No one thing would give me all the ease I needed. Still, that answer should give me a few points in Juniper’s favor which I can hopefully cash in at a later date.

Her lips turned again, this time in the shape of elbow macaroni. It wasn’t the smoothest of smiles, but it was one nonetheless.

“I’m glad. I hope we can all bring each other ease.”

We soon arrived in what looked like...not a town, but more like one of those Wild West towns. You know what I mean? I hope so, because I couldn’t find another way to describe it. I didn’t see any houses for dwelling, just a few wood buildings on one end which housed small shops like ‘wood shop’, ‘candy shop’, ‘electronic repair shop’, ‘horse repair shop’, and ‘thirdhand goods shop.’ I’m guessing with the last one it was like a secondhand goods with one extra hand.

On the right end, the end we were pulling into, there was a large parking lot, then an alleyway, then the turbomarket (like a supermarket but more super, I guess).

The alleyway was just a blue painted wall which divided the parking lot from the supermarket (or turbo, I guess. Really, let’s go back to calling it a grocery store). It had a canopy up top and if I had to bet on what was in that little alley, I’d have said a dumpster and maybe some chairs for the employees to sit down and have a smoke or something. And I bet I’d win that bet, too.

As soon as we got out, a rush of freezing air washed over me and it was almost enough to knock me back.

“Air conditioning too high?” Juniper asked.

“N-No!” I shook my head with vigor, “I think if anything it’s the difference in temperature. I didn’t notice at all in the car, but it’s really chilly out here, isn’t it?”

Juniper extended her arm forward, with her palm spread out.

“Would it help warm you up if we held hands in the store?”

There weren’t many cars around in the parking lot, thank goodness for that, but there could have been eyes anywhere. In the bushes, or staring through the windows.

I looked around, but couldn’t catch the watchful eyes of anyone. Nor anything, for that matter. As far as I could tell, no spy cameras or the like.

“A-Are you sure?” I turned back to Juniper, but couldn’t quite look her in the eye. Not when her hand was so close to mine.

“It will be okay. I’m with you, remember?” Her voice was soothing, but it wasn’t her voice that reassured me, but that soft and radiant smile I was so used to seeing way back in my memories.

My arm shook as I reached out for her hand. At last, I grabbed it with a tight grip so as not to let go.

She swung our hands forward as we walked into the glass doors of the grocery store. Outside were displays of potted plants and other green vegetables.

The whole while we walked, my heart pounded and throbbed and I felt like I was about to break into a sweat and gasp for air. Worse, I started having such obscene thoughts:

I want to lock fingers with hers. I want us to play with each other’s thumbs. This is agony.

Inside was far bleaker, as the walls were some kind of murky blue and the lights above were dim to the point where I had to double check to see if there were any bulbs in there at all.

Between each aisle were baskets full of green things, like meter long zucchini and cucumbers, watermelons, and piles of cabbages.

Worst of all: there were other people. I could spy at least two people at each aisle. Some stood in line at checkout stands. Some worked the cash register at said checkout stands. Why did there have to be so many people? What if some looked at me? What if they tried to talk to me?

Juniper began to walk forward and with her free hand, pulled out some wooden contraption from her pocket which unfolded into a basket. As soon as she jerked us forward, I gasped.

“Aa...ah, right, it’s standard procedure to walk in the grocery store.”

Juniper turned to me and my face began to build up steam.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“Yes. I know the rules,” I said to reassure both of us.

“What are the rules?” She raised an eyebrow.

“We...uh...buy food here.”

“If it helps, you can close your eyes. Just try not to bump into things.”

I did as I was told. Anything to help Juniper.

It immediately fell apart as soon as I closed my eyes and started having thoughts of several Junipers jumping around on pink clouds.

“Aah! It’s too much!” I gasped and opened my eyes.

“Do you want to go back to the car?”

“No. I just need more time to get acclimated,” I declared. I felt so bold for it, too, even though in reality I must have taken deep breaths between every word.

The rest of the grocery shopping went okay. At one point, I tried closing my eyes again and bumping into someone. I opened them and saw a middle aged lady with brown hair in multiple buns stacked over each other in a purple cardigan sweater.

“Well, aren’t you going to say ‘sorry’ or ‘excuse me’?” She scowled.

I would have done so if she didn’t give such a dirty look. No one was asking her to do that. An accident should be obvious enough.

“You clearly should have known I had my eyes closed,” I informed the lady.

She turned her nose up and walked away.

What is with rude people? Even in such a small area as this, they’re everywhere. Yet I’m somehow seen as the bad guy.

Once that lady was a considerable distance away, Juniper turned to me.

“I know she had an attitude, but you could have still said sorry,” Juniper whispered.

“I was going to until she had an attitude. It’s her fault.”

“If I had to take sides, you know I would take yours, but sometimes we have to pick our battles.”

“What battle? I didn’t even punch her.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“I could have.”

“Don’t.”

We continued to walk around and I watched Juniper fill her basket. She had all sorts of things, like lentils, pears, and sliced bread. I even asked if we could add popsicles and frozen pizzas and she said yes.

Once we got to the checkout counter, it was fronted by some elderly old man with thinning hair and a nasally voice. He seemed harmless enough, but not above reproach if warranted.

“Good day, Juniper,” the cashier greeted.

“Hey there, Tilty. How goes it?”

“Oh, you know. The dogs help remind me to take my arthritis meds. How about you?”

“Just grocery shopping for the wife.”

“And who is this?”

“This is Rachel,” I heard Juniper introduce and already I felt like a block of ice.

“Well, nice to meet you, Rachel,” Tilty greeted.

“Don’t talk to me,” I replied without even looking his way. “I’m still annoyed with that rude lady from earlier.”

“I see…” His voice trailed off.

“Also don’t refer to me by name until you know me,” I added.

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Hey,” Juniper released her hand. “Just because someone was rude to you doesn’t mean you get to be rude to someone else!”

Now Juniper’s mad at me. Even now, things just don’t work well between people and I.

I walked out of the store.

It was clear the whole journey was a mistake to begin with. I was too hasty. I didn’t gather enough information and I paid the price for it.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Juniper called after me. Did it really matter what for?

In the alleyway was where I sat, right next to the dumpster. It stunk, but that was just part of the deal. At least the cold, concrete that I sat on welcomed my bum.

Ever since meeting you two, I lost my edge. Worse, I can’t get it back. Worst still, I have nothing to show for it. Even my rough exterior just comes off as pathetic now.

Across the street from where I sat was a wooden sign with small, black printed text. I couldn’t see what it said, even when I squinted my eyes. But the contents didn’t matter. It was all about the image.

I pantomimed having my rifle in both hands. I knew that was lost forever as well, so a pretend one would have to do.

I squinted my eyes as if I were trying to get a clear view for my target, then…

“There you are!” Juniper’s voice.

I didn’t even hear any footsteps. I was so caught up in the bliss of some faux-glory days that I didn’t even sense any sounds outside of my thoughts.

I looked up. She stood over me, but with the shade of the canopy, she cast little shadow.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“Daydreaming of a life long gone,” I answered.

“Right. You know, at the store, that clerk meant you no harm or offense. Everyone who shops around here tends to be friendly.”

“Except that one lady,” I pointed out.

“Yes, except her. Except she might have been having a bad day as well. I’m not saying she was, but it’s possible. Either way, you don’t have to be formal, I’m not even asking you to be nice, but can you please try not to be mean?”

“I was just laying out my terms and conditions.”

“Right. And you said how you were still mad with that lady from earlier.”

“Annoyed. And it’s the truth. Was I not supposed to say what I mean?”

“That’s not it. Look, I’m autistic, so sometimes these things are hard --”

I waved my hand away.

“I get it already,” I stopped her. “I know I’m not supposed to be rude to service staff and I even try to be friendly around strangers. I’ve tried saying hello to people only to get called a weirdo, and I’ve tipped people whenever I can, and I still get looked at funny for it. I’ve tried with people, but I don’t get the same treatment back. It only stands to reason that most people would make me uncomfortable.”

“I get there’s a lot of people like that, and may not give you a chance. I’m sure Tilty doesn’t hold a grudge, so you should be fine for a next visit, if you wanted to. But even if you’re nervous, it doesn’t give you the right to be an asshole.”

“No, but knowing how cruel people can be does.”

“No! Hate begets hate!”

“Sure, and love thy enemy is a nice sentiment until said neighbor wants to hang you or put several bullets in you.”

“I love you, though.”

“Stop that!” I leaned back and my face turned pale.

Juniper set down the basket of groceries next to the wall and sat down next to me. I panicked and backed away again.

“What are you doing?!” I demanded.

“I want to see the world the way you see it,” she answered.

“Well, that’s going to be rather hard with you sitting in front of me.”

“Remember way back when you said my kindness was a weakness?” She asked.

She wasn’t totally blocking the view. After all, she was shorter than me, so as long as I sat up, I could still see things just fine.

“Yeah,” I answered, “and I don’t think that’s true.”

“I think you had a point. I think you said that because of how people could end up taking advantage of me. I also know how cruel and cold the world can be, just as I knew then. But I still helped people then, and I know I’ve been taken advantage of before, too. I guess I’ve just been lucky that it’s always ended up resolving itself and turning out for the better. But I know not everyone’s so lucky.”

“I like your kindness, though.”

“Thanks. I also get that you’re more guarded and can be more cautious and even at times aggressive. The life you led couldn’t have helped, either. Not to mention, few people understand your condition or even wish to understand and just judge you for what they see. There’s probably a lot more than that, but I get where your worldview comes from. I don’t think it’s bad to be guarded, either, especially because sometimes caution is needed. It’s just important to know that while it may be hard to see it sometimes, there are kind people, too, and sometimes you need to be kind while also being cautious.”

“Can you show me an example?”

“Later.”

“Can I at least hug you?”

“Not unless you want the popsicles to melt. Come on, let’s head back home.”

“Ugh…”

Back home, I ran in and tossed the box of popsicle sticks into the freezer.

When I ran back out of the kitchen, Juniper stood next to the dining room table with the basket of groceries.

“Hey, you two, where have you been?” Ves asked, emerging from her room.

“We went to the grocery store,” Juniper replied, and pulled out a couple of pears.

“Yay! Pears!” Ves ran over to the pears and took one, then before taking a bite, gave Juniper several kisses across the face.

It was painful to bear witness. Was it because I wanted to be the one to kiss Juniper all over? Or...

Do I want to be the one being kissed all over by Ves?

I cringed at such a thought.

She wouldn’t even have to lean over that much like she does with Juniper. With Juniper it’s like she’s a hen and pecking at bird seeds on the floor.

“Are you okay, Rachel?” Ves asked, tilting her head as she did so.

“Yeah,” I said, while looking away.

It wasn’t that I was jealous, right? Maybe I was disgusted. After all, the very act of seeing people kiss was a fairly normal thing to be disgusted by.

Or maybe it’s just disgusting that it’s not happening to me.

“We ran into a rude lady at the grocery store,” Juniper explained.

“Oh no, is that so?” Ves asked.

“Yeah. But I didn’t punch her. So it’s okay.”

Juniper turned and fixed her gaze upon me. It was either a glare, or a reminder.

Oh, right. The talk.

“You might want to hurry up and eat the pear. You probably won’t have an appetite soon,” I suggested.

“Uh. What?” Ves gave a nervous chuckle.

“Yeah. Finish the pear. Then you should probably have a seat at the couch.”

Juniper then titled her head as well. Both of their eyes were upon me.

“Yeah. You might wanna eat a pear or something, too, Juniper.”

Knowing my recent string of luck, this will probably result in failure.

They both sliced through those pears with their front teeth, like a woodchuck with wood. After tossing them out back where the compost pile was, they went over to the kitchen. Both of them sat on the couch, toward the right end. Juniper sat in front of Ves. Which would have made Juniper closer to me. Any other time, I would have found that a treasure, but it was really the princess I wished to break.

I continued to stand. It felt better that way.

“So what is this about?” Ves asked.

“You know this kinship we’ve been feeling? It’s no coincidence,” I began.

“It’s not?”

I shook my head.

“You see, while I said earlier that my ‘death’ wasn’t your fault, and I didn’t mean to make you cry, it is true that you inspired it. You see, three years ago, I was in the area when you were still a therapist and hearing about you made me want to quit…”

I stopped after seeing Juniper’s jaw hang low.

I sighed. That wasn’t right.

“Fuck it,” I shook my head, “there never was any boxing.”

“There wasn’t? But okay, were you in the area? And how did you know I was a therapist? Also, sorry if you saw me around that time, I was going through a lot.”

“I know you were. And you’re damn right I was in the area. You were such a shitty therapist, and you know why? Because you were a fake. You were never supposed to be one in the first place. Somehow you thought such a job, which you yourself weren’t qualified for and had no idea what to say to others, would bring you happiness.”

“Now hold on a second. Where do you get off?” Vesuvius scowled.

It seems I struck a nerve. That wasn’t important. If anything, it was all a part of the procedure.

“I have every right to get off on you! You caused so much trouble at that time, not just for me, but for others around you. And sure, they may have forgiven you, and I get it was largely not your fault, but seriously? You can’t blame one of those celestials for every action you took. Some of that was on you.”

“Celestials? What? And what do you mean trouble for you? I don’t recall ever seeing you as a therapist.”

“Oh, but you did. Just under a different name, with a different set of hair. Does Clara Waters ring a bell? If not, that’s fine, it’s not one of my favorites. It was a fake name, just like you were a fake therapist. There was also Clair Skye. Do you see what I’m getting at here?”

“What? What are those names?”

“And you wanna say you’re in a better place, and that you moved on, but I heard about what went down between you and Remora. You were waiting for an excuse for your grief to be over that you tried to project onto someone else. Now, I know you’ve moved past that as well, but here you are: saying you’ve moved on still, yet willing to deny what’s right in front of you for the illusion of wellness. So now it falls on me, the ghost of Christmas past, to tell you, Mr. Scrooge…”

“Stop messing around, Rhea!” Juniper scolded.

“Right. I was so caught up in my rant I forgot what I actually wanted to say.”

Tears began streaming down Ves’s cheeks.

“What kind of sick joke is this?” She asked, at first soft, but then she continued, louder, “where did you hear all these things? More importantly, why are you saying such things?”

There was no need for me to plea for understanding or give such a pitiful pursed lip. If my stare wasn’t enough, I didn’t know what was.

“I know I don’t look like a zombie, but I figured the scar would be a dead giveaway. Considering it was a parting gift.”

“Enough!” She shouted and sobbed into her hands.

I stared for a few seconds, but couldn’t think of anything else to reach her with. The truth really wasn’t worth the damage.

“I’ll find somewhere else to go. Thank you for these past few days. Both of you,” I bowed, then walked out of the house.

Not even a few steps outside, and the clouds turned black as it started to rain. First a drizzle, then a downpour.

I continued walking in spite of how soaked I was. My destination was the highway. Where to? Wherever I could dry off.

As I neared the highway, I began to think of that reaction more.

It’s like what I was trying to avoid came true. What was it worth telling her anything? We could have stayed...what? I couldn’t have stayed Rachel. Not like I could ever keep the same name for very long.

Twice in the same day, I made that woman cry.

I made a scene at the grocery store and made Juniper mad.

All I’ve been doing was making life worse for the both of them. What delusions did I have? Some kind of silly fling? In this lifetime? No, not even in the next.

I’m pretty sure I began to cry as well. It could just be my eyes were strained from the rain getting in my eyes, but the drops, which I was sure fell from either my cheeks or my nose, tasted salty. Almost warm, or a little sweet.

This confused sense of warmth was the best I could ask for.

I shivered again. Was it just me or was the rain getting more intense?

Behind, I heard splashing and clicking sounds as if someone was running over. I turned back, and there Juniper was, running toward me.

She was just a few steps toward me when she tripped against some wet soil and almost fell. I caught her hand just in time and held her up.

“Thank you,” she huffed.

“What are you doing out here?” I asked.

“You need to get back inside!”

I looked back toward the road. I wasn’t far. It wasn’t like I was forced to go in.

“I really can’t stay,” I concluded.

“Rhea, it’s cold outside!”

“Yes, and it will be cold inside, as well.”

“You’ll catch a cold.”

“I’m already cold.”

She grabbed my hand tighter and tried to pull me toward her.

“Come on!”

“No. I don’t have a place here.”

“And I’m saying you do!”

“But what about Ves?”

“She’s still on the couch! She wants you back in!”

“What if she’s not?”

“You’re right. She might be in the bedroom getting blankets.”

“Then why would you lie?”

“I’m not! You’ll see!”

“Make sense!”

She stood up on her tiptoes and reached her hand up to my cheek, wiping away some of the rain (and possibly tears).

“Sorry. I’m not one of those ‘kissing in the rain’ types. Besides, I don’t think we’re done talking in there.”

“What will Murphy’s Law charge us with this time?”

“Would you rather speculate or find out?”

I guess I would rather find out, as I ended up following her back in.

Inside, the lights were warm with candlelight on the tables. On the couch was no Ves, however.

“I thought you said she’d be on the couch.”

“Look! Blankets!” Juniper pointed to a spot on the couch where a blanket was laid down and several other blankets hung off the neck of the couch.

I shook all the rain off of me, just like a dog would, then raced toward the couch.

Once I wrapped myself in all the blankets, I shivered about. So business as usual.

Ves emerged from the kitchen with a mug in her hands.

“Would you like some hot chocolate?” She asked. I noticed her eyes were red and puffy.

“Hot. Cold. Doesn’t matter.”

“Okay. Do you like chocolate?”

I glared at her. She glared right back at me. I wondered if my eyes were red as well.

“Yes,” I said at last.

She brought forth the mug and set it down at the coffee table not far from the couch.

She sat down across from me, back at the right end where she was before. She had her legs curled up.

“Sorry about my outburst. I didn’t mean for you to walk out,” she said.

“You’re forgiven.”

“Am I?”

I glared at her, then started to cough.

“What is with you and forgiveness? As if that’s the real issue here?”

“Well, what about you and all that rant about how I caused all these problems and I’m not actually all mentally well?”

“It’s all true.”

“As brutal as ever, I see,” she scowled.

“And you’re still stubborn as all hell.”

“You’re one to talk. We could have worked together on a solution, you know.”

“Same goes to you. I offered multiple times.”

“Yeah, but don’t you see those were bad solutions and wouldn’t have worked anyway?”

“As if you had any better ideas.”

She chuckled.

“It really is you, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, princess. It’s me.”

“How?”

“I don’t know how.”

She reached out and placed her palm on my cheek. It may have been warm. Hot, even. I was just too cold to tell.

“Part of me must have suspected. I felt a closeness with you in such a short amount of time, yet I just didn’t want to believe the possibility that you were actually familiar. I still love Juniper, and I think I have feelings for you as well.”

“Ah.”

“Ah? That’s your reply?”

“Um. Congratulations?”

“I have something to say, too!” Juniper hopped over and tracked mud all over the floor. She crouched down at the edge of the couch and peered up. “I love Ves, and I love Rachel...er, Rhea, as well!”

“Should I start my own cooking show?”

Juniper nudged me.

“Well, the truth is, I’ve had a crush on Juniper,” I admitted.

“That was obvious from the start,” Ves replied.

“No it wasn’t. Don’t just decide something’s obvious when it isn’t.”

“Can I lay beside you?” Juniper asked.

“Is there room on the couch?”

“You can squeeze in if you put one leg over Rhea’s,” Ves suggested.

Juniper crawled up next to me on the left side of the couch and laid to the side, facing right, with her right leg over me. Ves ended up doing the same, only from the left end. They wrapped their arms around my chest, as well, and rested their heads on each shoulder.

“Truth is, I also feel a closeness with Ves. So maybe the reason didn’t start the same as the reason with Juniper, but in the end, I think my feelings for both of you ended up at the same place.”

The room was silent for a while until Ves started rubbing her hand against my chest.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“You just feel so real,” she answered.

“That’s because I am.”

“Are you sure this isn’t a dream?”

“It’s not one of mine.”

“Not mine, either. I’m too aware for it to be.”

“Not mine!” Juniper grinned. I reached up and ruffled her hair.

“Then if it’s none of ours, whoever’s dream it is doesn’t matter. We’re real to each other,” I concluded.

They didn’t say anything to that, but that they rested soon afterward seemed to indicate it was a satisfactory answer.

[justlookatthosesausages]

If the Frozen Gang were part of Drizella's curse in Season 7, what would their life be in Hyperion Heights?

Well, the Fifth Dark Curse (goddamnit, there were 5 goddamn curses in Once Upon a Time, this is hilariously dumb!??!) was cast by Regina yet made in a context of revenge from Drizella, but not personally to the main characters... and I suppose that Drizzy didn’t know neither Elsa or Anna or Kristoff, as Arendelle apparently is far away from the Enchanted Forest. So in a realistic context, idk. I feel like their jobs and lives would be attributed randomly lol

But your question is fun, maybe we can pick some headcanons for them. Hmmm... Regina, a Queen, became a bartender; Hook, a pirate, became a policeman... It would be fun to have jobs and lives that really have nothing to do with Elsa’s, Anna’s and Kristoff’s actual lives, maybe even the opposite. Let’s see...

Elsa would have become an ice-cream seller under the curse, just for the irony of it all, with maybe the persona name of Iduna because Drizella was very in the I Hate My Mother mood. Also Iduna sounds a lot like Idina so let me roll in that headcanon alright lol

Anna would have been purposely cursed to live faaaar away from Elsa’s place - the dark curses are made to rip people’s happiness, remember? - to make sure they never meet and don’t break the curse. Maybe the other end of town.

Anna would have become a watchmaker or something like that, to underline how she lacks patience and precision and how most of her life had been marked by waiting, and named Joan under the curse (*shaking freezable fruit shapes* just becauuuse)

Kristoff would have become a security agent in a place that has a bad reputation, and hates his job because he doesn’t like to be just the muscles guy, and sometimes wonder how he even got to this job (*whispering* you got cursed bud that’s the whole problem), maybe his name could be Sven just for the fun idk

I’M VERY BAD AT SEASON 7 HEADCANONS SORRY 

[bonnymori]

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲

Word count: 2760+ (i'll try to keep bigger lengths such as this one!)

Synopsis: You meet a new classmate who's working along Nanami, you think he's fun to be around, it stands the same to him about you. Later, feelings unravel.

Contents/Warnings: (1) Itadori Yuuji x gn!reader (2) FLUFF, TONS OF FLUFF - and some comfort (3) With the small participation of... Ino Takuma!! I really like him too, that's why <33333 (4) This is pretty platonic, but also not? (5) Ending turned sorta cliché... but I liked it u.u

A/N: This boy made me run rampant... to fhe point it's not single attraction anymore I just wish him happiness (smh if only my parents knew...) also next post will be Toji's fic pt. 2! Y'all see the first part is almost reaching 100 kudos????? I'M SO HAPPY EHSODJWKDKSJD- thanks for all the new followers and the support!! <33

Ever since his fake death, Itadori has been training alone with the help of Gojo - and now, he works along a freshly new face, who belongs to a senior, founds out ex-salaryman named Nanami Kento. He's far a thousand times more strict than Gojo. Itadori doesn't really likes the change, because Nanami is a person he can't get along. This whole guy's appearance scream "work 4 life"; he has proved different, now he screams "work is shit - but I gotta do it because others won't".

They've just finished cleansing the outside of a movie theater off a few curses, when Itadori hears shouting from far behind them. Two figures approach, waving excessively. He quickly picks on Nanami's tired sigh beside him.

"Nanami! We figured out you'd be here! Our mission has been finished and we wanted to catch up to have lunch together!" A male clad in a full black outfit shouts, he has brown hair and a beanie on top of his head, looking quite content.

The other person simply trots next to him in silence, approaching with a friendly smile. They notice Itadori faster than the male, smile widening and quickly waving hello, suddenly eager to reach up to them. The gesture makes the pink haired boy perk up, curious to why the other person looked so joyful. His question is easily answered, when they tug on the man's sleeve and motion to him.

"Ino, we have a third buddy!" The dude looks at him with widened eyes. "So nice to meet you, I'm Y/N L/N! It's great to see new faces around!"

Itadori smiles at your energy, knowing already he would click with you very well.

"I'm Ino Takuma, sorry for not noticing you before! Your uniform looks cool." Itadori exchanges a few compliments with Ino, before the man turns to talk with Nanami, leaving him and you together.

"Yes! I'm Sukuna's vessel, Itadori Yuuji-desu! My type of woman is Jenn-"

You turn to him. "So, are you a first year?"

"Geh? Weren't you dead though?!"

"I was!- I am!- Please keep secret."

"Okay!"

"Ahem." Nanami coughs, drawing attention. "I requested you two to not come after me today. Itadori here is the reason why."

"That's no problem, we're very capable of keeping secrets." You threw your arm over Itadori's shoulder, him nodding along with you.

"Oh really, then remember to keep quiet about it. I'll let this slide." The group of students nervously at Nanami's intimidating tone. "But, I'll get to have my break alone."

"Gah!" Ino exclaimed, watching Nanami walk away; he also left the responsability of taking care of Itadori for you two, leaving without a word. "It really had to be today, when Nanami would take us to his favorite bakery..."

"Crybaby." You teased. "Itadori here can't go outside where anyone can see him, he's dead. So, we were to order food either way because he shouldn't be left out."

"Augh okay, it would be unfair."

"So, where are you staying Itadori?"

"At Gojo's state!"

"Whoa, I've never been there before." Ino commented, waiting as you sent a message to Ijichi to pick them up.

"He's my teacher, a very cool one!"

"I imagine! Ooookay, once we get there I'll get the food."

Itadori felt as his chest would burst of excitement, finally there was people around him again, he couldn't be less happy about it.

"Sharing is caring!"

Itadori laughed as you wrestled with Takuma for some fries, netflix long forgotten in the background, as watching the banter was way more entertaining. Most of the time, Ino rambled a lot about Nanami, while he rambled a lot about Gojo. The guy even showed him the cool scar under his beanie. He felt kinda upset after explaining the exchange was just temporary, his stay under Nanami's wing wasn't decisive, and therefore, he was more like a classmate than a partner.

Itadori also learned a lot about you. He was surprised to find out that you, although energetic, was the one to speak the lesser in conversations. His surprisement grew even bigger when you told him you're a exchange student from Kyoto, arriving Tokyo about the same month as him - thankfully, you were to say for good.

Conversations flowed easily in the air, until a voice from the doorway barged in.

"Yuuji-kun! Don't forget about your lessons! Hi kids! Bye kids!" Gojo said playfully, throwing the familiar punching bear to Itadori before leaving.

"What's this thing?" Ino asked.

"It's to help me control my cursed energy. So while I watch the movies, if I don't charge it with cursed energy it punches me square in the face. I thought I had mastered this thing already, but he insist I keep training with it." Itadori grumbles.

"At least it's cute." You commented, taking a sip of your drink.

"Until it punches you in your face without warning!" The pink haired boy barks.

The talks died down, the three of you eating quietly when another movie is played on the screen. Itadori didn't bother reading the title, it was a plain one about a zombie apocalypse that got him extremely bored, yet he kept watching still so the plushie didn't punch him in the face again; he's been keeping a record since all his last cursed energy training lessons were a sucess to this day. When his head started nodding and eyelids dropping Itadori can't remember well, about fourty five minutes of movie perhaps? Make it fifty, the second slumber took over his body completely.

When he awoke once again, it was near midnight, the clock on the wall told him so. He also noticed a soft and warm surface supporting his head, figures, it's your shoulder he's resting into, he feels an arm around his own shoulders and your cheek placed upon his hair.

"Hey, it's late." You immediately notices he's awake, calling out softly. "You should sleep on your room, or something, better to your spine."

He chuckles when you poke his side. "But I'm comfortable here."

"I'm surprised, you just met me today, and now is sleeping on my shoulder."

"I'm not, that happens often to me."

"Sleeping on people's shoulders?"

"No! Making friends quickly." Itadori likes your gentle warmth, your hug, everything makes him feel at home. "I met two more people before you for two weeks, but they can't see me, because I'm dead."

"So I'll keep you company, that's my new mission."

His eyes widen at that, a oh so little blush covering the tip of his ears.

"For how many time I slept anyway?" He asks.

"About two- no, three hours. You missed two movies, and this one is about to end."

"And you stayed here the whole time?" He motions to your shoulder.

"Yep. That reminds me I gotta pee."

Itadori grumbles, but quickly lifts himself off you, respecting your needs. That gives him some time to look around, he notices Ino is gone, and the plushie sits quietly at the other side of the couch, unmoving.

"Y/N! How did you manage to make it quiet down?" He's beyond bafflet.

"...que."

"What!"

"I said!" You arrive quickly at the doorframe, hands still wet from when you washed them. "I used my innate technique."

"Oh! How is it like?"

"It's kinda funny, gimme a moment." You left to wipe off your hands, coming back in a second. "So, just like Shoko, I produce reverse curse energy, but it's quite different than hers, I can't heal people. That's why we often call it positive energy instead. I can use it to soothe off negative energy, so the bear has no cursed energy right now."

"How does it works on people?" He felt very curious about everything, asking away like a kid.

"Since everyone has negative energy, it just makes you sleepy really. But when it comes to curses it's really practical, I can either weaken it or, if the curse is like grade three or four, I can slap them off existence completely by wiping all their energy." You were naturally proud of having a such versatile power, your own energy swirling with pride around you.

"That sounds amazing! Is it why I fell asleep though?"

"Nah, only if I did it on purpose. I guess you were just tired, hope you don't mind I decided to let you rest today."

"No way, it was a good nap."

You nodded. "By the way, Ino left to attend to a drinking party, he paid for our food."

"Drinking? Is he old?"

"Yeah, he's twenty." You chuckled, already expecting that kind of reaction.

"No way! He looks young just like us!"

"That's totally my reaction after I learned he's twenty!"

After that day, you started visiting Itadori weekly to daily, after exchanging numbers he made a little group with you and Ino, naming it the "Nanami trio". But really, he exchanges more texts with you in private, be them memes, cool images he wish to share, etcetera. Although, Ino wasn't left excluded, he ofter brough his xbox to connect to Itadori's tv room and you all would spend hours playing together; he just didn't spend much time with both of you as much. And that was okay.

For a few days, your connection with Itadori died down when he didn't reply to your texts. They would remain unread for some time, the longest being half a day, until he would spam apologies then move on with the topic. That became a routine until one day when you came over to check on Itadori unnanounced, needin to ease off your worries about the boy, only to find him sobbing in the middle of a hallway, staring ahead and beyond, his back to you.

"Ita-?"

"Egh!" Startled, he scrambled to wipe his eyes, turning to you. "H-hey, um, hi."

"What happened?"

"I- he-" His eyes didn't met yours, knuckles white in a death grip. You notice he has a few bandages thrown over his face and arms. The way his shoulders are drawn, as if he wants to shrink into himself is something you've experienced before.

"Something hard to talk about?"

He nods almost immediately, head still facing down.

"It's alright, come with me." You reach for his hands, grimacing slightly when his forceful grip is now on your hand, yet you don't comment on it. He follows you through the state wordlessly.

You two stop on the same tv room, sitting down on the couch. You then guide his head to your shoulder, gently massaging his scalp with the free hand.

"It's alright."

Those two words are chanted like a prayer for the next half hour, at some point, Itadori twisted his body towards yours and unknowingly caged you between him and the sofa arm. He embraced you with a force you didn't have in you, like he didn't want to lose one another. Painful or not, not a muscle moved on your body. He needed a shoulder to cry on.

Thirty minutes passed like seconds, you peered down only to find the boy confortably napping against your bosom; at some point you just became the cold side of the pillow to him. That's alright. It brings you joy to be the mom friend anyways. So you decided to join the sleepland aswell, arms still secured around his shoulders and the back of his head.

It feels like the nap hasn't been long, though, because you can feel Itadori's grip loosening and therefore, you're awake.

"Sorry if I broke any bones, in advance."

"Wow, and you only warn me now."

He laughs at your comeback, hands still secured around your waist.

"I'm surprised you let me uh, cuddle you for comfort - and sleep. I don't understand it? You just make me sleepy." He rambled, keeping eye contact with you while his head still rests on your chest.

"That's a piece of cake when you have younger siblings who seek for you every night they get a nightmare."

"Does that mean I can come to you again if I have a nightmare?" There it is, his togepi-kirby cutesy face.

"Are you four?"

"That's mean!" Itadori blushed, squeezing you on his arms. "I like the contact. It puts me at ease."

"Mm, do you want to talk about it?"

He gulped. "No, not really."

Your peach haired friend remained silent, and so did you. It seems he doesn't intend in letting you go soon, or he just really forgot to mention it. It gives them time to think, your younger sisted used to do that sometimes, back in Kyoto.

"Y/N, wanna watch anything?"

"Sure, have you watched Parasyte before?"

"No, let's give it a try then!" Itadori glances at the remote, then back at you - making you confused over his hesitation to move. He notices you noticed it, chuckling nervously. "To be honest, I don't wanna let go."

"It's hurting my back."

"SORRY I'M SORRY!" He jumped away from you like a cat would jolt away from a cucumber, making you snicker.

"It's okay, I just wanted to change positions."

And to tease you, but he didn't need to know that part.

He glared at you with a small pout, typing the initials of Parasyte on the search bar. Outside his line of vision, you were grinning like a idiot, his sweeteness took a tow on you. All the people of Tokyo you met really held a way different spirit from your classmates in Kyoto, Itadori being the nicest of all. It's surprising him being Sukuna's vessel to begin with; being honest, you felt drawn by it.

"Y/N, it's startiiiiing." He cut your daydreaming short, slumping on your side and propping his head on your shoulder.

"This again?" You throw an arm around his shoulders, very much like the first time he cuddled himself on you.

"Don't blame me, you're the one who wanted to change positions. Guess I'll just make some alterations since I'm awake this time!" One of his arms went behind your back and circled your waist, hand resting at your hip.

"It's definely different, since the other time you drooled on me."

"Hhgh, okay okay! Let me enjoy this." For perhaps the actual first time, you're able to watch without exchanging words with one another.

And this time, it's you who's head loll to the side, nose buried on his soft rose perfumed hair. Itadori doesn't comment on it yet, his free hand moves under your legs to lift your whole body up efortlessly when he senses you have fallen asleep.

"I remember you said it's bad for my spine, I wouldn't mind it... yours however."

The boy makes a beeline to the guest room, he sighs when there is no choice but open the door with his foot. Inside, he places you carefully in the soft bed.

Before he could leave, a hand reaches up for his sleeve.

"Itadori," He turned, looking at you. "Make me company?"

He giggles softly - you think it sounds like a highschool girl. "You should start calling me by my first name!" Itadori rambles as he climbs on the bed, arms wrapping around your waist in a motion you're familiar with.

"Yuuji, I'm tired, let me sleep."

"But I wanna talk more..." He pouts. "Also, are we, um, dating?"

You wriggle around, bringing his head down to peck on his forehead, teasing. "Correction, I want to date you."

"Uh, oh." A blush coats his face so quickly, you'd say someone dumped a bucket of red paint on his face.

"Is that a no?"

"No!"

"So it is a no."

"Christ, will you stop teasing for a second, I'm trying to talk here." He makes an angry version of his togepi-kirby face, you can't help but grin.

"You amuse me, but okay. I'll do it for you."

"Thanks." He blinks, the blush slowly fading away. "You know, I lied, not about the contact, I like the contact nonetheless-"

His hand moves to play with yours, such as tapping his tips against yours, or meassuring the palms.

"-it's you who brings me comfort."

It's also your turn to blush, that line was seriously charming.

"Yeah."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, we're dating now." You respond, a little eagerly. "Can I kiss you?"

"Please."

This is the best person I could ask for, Itadori thinks, keeping his eyes open as yours shut during the kiss, whom I won't change for anything else in this world.

When you both separate, Itadori feels drowsy and sleepy. His face fits perfectly on your shoulder as always.

"Goodnight, my favorite person."

[tedturneriscrazy]

Here's Eclipse Lake, an episode that has been highly anticipated! Will it top Knock, Knock, Knockin' On Hooty's Door?

I'll skip the pretense: No. It won't.

You'll see under the cut.

Hmm, that list of ingredients for the Grimwalker...I'll let other people theorize about this (like @sepublic ), but it sure looks like a thing

Guess the mysterious green goo won't cut it, huh?

Belos face reveal already?! Huh, didn't expect it so soon.

Oh, no, he's hot! (And I'm mad about it)

Still an ass, though

Now we know why Hunter was wearing a different outfit (because people fixated on that for some reason)

Amity with the clipboard gives me strong Dipper vibes

GHOST! My beloved!

I need a moment because CAT!

(Also, someone pointed out earlier that Ghost was based on Dana's cat, and that's super obvious in hindsight)

Raine?! Oh, wait, you mean rain. Sigh.

Eda gets training tips from DBZ confirmed

(Also Amity's face when reacting to Eda's explanation is priceless)

Oh God Eda's a weeb I need another moment

Damn, Amity just straight up calling Eda old

Oh, loopy Luz

(The abomination holding the tissue box is adorable for many reasons)

Yeah, don't want Luz to eat the McGuffin

I have several questions about those Tamagotchis that I'll refrain from listing here

Amity your Odalia is showing

Girlfriend counter: 1

(Yes I am introducing a counting gag, deal with it)

Was wondering if they were ever gonna reference the dissection incident. We've come a long way, baby!

Oh, so that's what everyone was looking at

Luz honey your enthusiasm is admirable but no

Luz burrito is quite cute, though

Girlfriend counter: 2

(Damn, still wild to think that that's the case)

Just occurred to me that "Boots" is probably shortened from "Bossyboots" from earlier

Guess the Luz hiss compilation needs to be updated again

Those tunnels ain't the only thing around here that's unstable, amirite?

Oops, guess Kiki was justified, after all

Maybe don't talk so loudly about your plans, dude

That is her son, get it right!

Serves you right for having that stupid strand of hair sticking out like that

Is this just the episode where everyone dunks on White Boy? Because I can totally get behind that.

Already mentioned this, but I am loving the parallels between Katara and Amity with that bottle of abomination goo. Insert obligatory "Two Nickels" meme here about Mae Whitman.

We really are just dunking on the white boy and I am living for it

Hooty had to get it from somewhere, I suppose

Nothing says mother-son bonding like shooting things at each other (see also: Separate Tides)

I'm sure the magic bouncing off the veins won't come into play later at all

Oh well, at least the echolocation looked cool

At this point Amity would kill Hunter for a Klondike bar

Wait why does Hooty need a chair

Willow with the galaxy brain ideas

"A bad but sad boy" Luz is a genius at succinctly summing people up

Kikimora continues to be unhinged. Ironically she's not wrong about Hunter.

Motherfucker stop acting like you know what that says

(Also, projecting much?)

Girlfriend counter: 3

Friendly reminder that Hunter is still an antagonist

Uh oh

UH OH

I know someone mentioned Willow having the brain cell, but honestly it seemed like Luz had it this whole time. And that's not good.

WHY IS FOOL'S BLOOD EVEN A THING

Aaaaand cue the getting screwed over

Further reminder that he's still an antagonist (Apparently there's a vocal segment who's Really Mad at him that seem to forget this fact)

You unhand Ghost right now!! And Amity too, I guess.

(I kid, she's literally my second favorite character)

For what she did to Raine it warms my heart to know Kiki has had zero peace of mind

Wait, the Abomatons are Transformers?! Okay, that's kind of awesome, actually. Alador might be a shit dad but he is a brilliant inventor.

Chucking kids off cliffs is a surpisingly common pastime in the Boiling Isles

Owlbert no!

Eda did spend literal decades fighting the Owl Beast within, so I guess she can't be blamed for not thinking to talk to it

Also hurry up guys I'm very concerned about Owlbert

Fuck yeah Harpy Milf!

Yay Ghost returns!

She's glad they're okay (I didn't need to take this, I just thought it was cute. Also this is surprisingly high quality considering I just took a photo of my TV screen)

Oh, so they do have video games in the Demon Realm. That or Luz introduced them.

Trailer shot!

Oh dear, we about to have a fight over the key

Wow, being so high ranking under Belos is really bad for mental health

Jesus Christ Belos what have you been putting in this poor kid's head?

Leave it to King to give radical recontextualizations

Amity, I'm glad you remembered/realized this about Luz, please don't let the sad white boy play you like that again

Also, I appreciate the gesture you're making, and it's a wonderful summary of your character development, but goddamnit he's gonna go for that key because he's STILL AN ANTAGONIST

"Being nice usually works for Luz!" A) Not always, and B) Amity I love you but Luz you are not. A valiant attempt nonetheless.

Ooh, cool fight scene!

Always lovely to see such superb animation

I was privately griping about not seeing Amity use magic for so long, and now I am fed

Don't think I didn't hear the glass breaking

Appreciate your ass from a hole in the ground, Golden Boy!

(jk I don't actually feel that strongly about him still. That kind of threat still isn't cool, though)

Oh so that's why it's the Common Mold!

It's kinda cute, actually. Or maybe it's just because it's Luz.

TIL Hooty is heat resistant

Apparently Owl Beast just wanted a snack

Girlfriend counter: 4

Also love how calling Amity her awesome girlfriend is literally the first thing Luz says to her upon returning.

Yesssss return the hug! You deserve it!

(I know there are higher quality versions of this screenshot, I just didn't feel like looking around)

King demands huggies, too! (And gets 'em)

Reminder that Amity is smart as hell. I knew that glass breaking indicated something!

So once again I've been had. I let the fandom trick me into thinking this episode would be way more intense. Guess that one screenshot was from the next episode.

Overall this was...fine. Some nice Lumity moments, Harpy Eda strutting her stuff, that gorgeously animated fight sequence; those were all lovely.

I do wish Willow and Gus had a bit more to do. And I'm still rather unenthusiastic about Hunter, to be honest. I've seen his type several times before, and the path they have for him is rather obvious. I may never share the fandom's love for him, and I guess I'll have to deal with that.

Anybody who says this was better than KKKOHD is a damn fool.

Mid season finale next week! I think Yesterday's Lie will finally bring the pain!

[ms-indifferwnt]

Clouds pt 1

Taeil

Boyfriend!Taeil x genderneutral!Reader

"Its your choice, pretend you don't know or go inside and confront them about this"

Warning: Cursing, Suggestive, Yelling, Angst, mention of mental harm 

Word Count: 5.4k

Note: Yayyy!!! 100 followers

Taeil and you probably take the cake for the most Clichè love story. The Best friends to lovers trope. Like seriously, you and Taeil have been friends since birth, technically, Your mom and his mom has been friends since college you see, met and gotten married to the love of their lives a year apart, gotten pregnant almost the same time and have birth a couple of months apart, so in reality, you and Taeil have been fated to be bestfriends 

When you were born six months apart after Moon Taeil, he and his family visited you and your mother in the Hospital while your dad was busy running around the hospital telling everyone he was a dad

Ofcourse you and Taeil had no memory of this but your mom’s were more than happy to introduce their children. Shipping the two of you since you were born

You were six years old, that was your first memory of Taeil, maybe because you always thought of him as the annoying kid that lives a block away who loves to pester you, you were playing with other kids when, your neighbor, Doyoungie (who you had affectionally nicknamed, bunnie at the time) had kicked the ball to your face you remembered that you cried as he said sorry. You were angry and hurt and Taeil was the only one who laughed at the scene but upon seeing your crying face he hugs you and holds your hand “Aww don’t cry, Y/n” he says happily “Lets go play more ok?”

Taeil’s first time thinking of you as someone more than the snotty brat he was forced to take care of was when you got lost, he didn’t have to take care of you then, but he thought he’d bring you along, he was five and you were turning four and he wanted to buy ice-cream,  you wanted ice-cream, so he took you along to that ice-cream shop by the corner. It wasn’t dangerous his mom was with you

He bought ice cream, two of them, knowing that you won’t be able to finish it so he can eat two ice-creams but the moment he turned he doesn’t see you. He panicked and started looking for you all over the shop, trying not to alert his mom but when all hope seemed lost, he started sobbing, where are they? are they hurt? They’re mom is gonna be so sad-

“Mooooom!” He cries and runs to his mother who holds the boy in her arms 

“Why are you crying what happened?”

“Y/n” He looks around “I cant find”

His mom smiles fondly at the boy “Are you worried?”

He nods “I’m supposed to protect them!” He cries and his mom coos gently carrying him and taking him out of the shop, placing him down

“ok, my strong boy” His mom says and kisses the top of his head, “look there” He obeys, with teary eyes only to spot you walking towards them with cotton candy in her hands and he pulled away from his mom to run to you

“Where were you?” He asked and held your face 

“Clouds” You claimed happily showing the cotton candy proudly to him

“You should’ve waited” He sniffled and you reached over to wipe his cheeks, he smiles, but didn’t stop you

“Sorry” You whisper and he nods opening his mouth so he can taste the clouds and you happily letting him take a bite

He looks up to see his mom and your dad grinning at the sight “Hi, Y/n’s dad” he waves and looks at you who was playing with the cloud on your hand “No, Y/n.” He takes it and bonks your head making you wince “you’ll get sticky-”

You and Taeil literally grew up side by side, He was there for you back in middle school when this girl bullied you because you and Taeil would always be together.

Taeil wasn’t happy the way that girl treated you but you always ignored her, she was just jealous that you were bestfriends with him, so you had a habit of holding him back whenever he was about to say something to her, or you try to anyway

“Taeil” you hissed and tugged on his shirt again once he stared down at her, of course you know Taeil is a big softie who cries over Hachiko, The dog that waited for his master by the train station despite his master dying, and that dog from I am Legend, so you know he really means no harm, its just, its his big brother instincts that make him fight anyone who attempts to harm you cause as he quotes “You’re an annoying little snot rag I had to take care of, So if anyone has the right to mentally harm you its me” and rewarded him with a kick to the shin “Lets just go, leave her be”

He looks at you and you smiled softly “We can go get clouds before we go home” you offered once he allows you to take him away, he raises an eyebrow at your words

“You’re fourteen and you still call them clouds?”

You roll your eyes “Cotton candy” you said in distaste “That is the most disgusting word I have ever heard of, Clouds on the other hand, sounds more magical”

He laughs “What about I start calling dumplings as meat pockets again?”

You made a face “What are you five?”

“I’m as cute as one”

“I hate Toddlers”

“No you don’t” He says and leads you to his bike, getting on it after handig you his backpack “You love kids”

You sat by the back, sitting on it with your legs to the side while you held on to his waist, pinching his side “No, I don’t”

He flinches and moves to swat your hands “Yes, you do, you love kids, you would play with them at the park whenever their parents are busy,” he points out and starts biking

“I have no idea what you’re taking about-”

“Look its Baby Yuri” he says saying the name of that child you were always so fond of

You perked “Where?” only to see that its an empty road and a laughter coming from him as a reminder that Baby Yuri’s house is far from here “Jerk” you glared at him and pinched him again, he swats your hand away “now hurry up and teach me how to read Morse codes” you said and held on to the back of his shirt

The time Taeil stopped thinking like you were his little sister was when you dated on your second year of high school. Yes, cliché, but, at first he didn't care, he congratulated you and helped look stunning, he wasn't bitter that you were trying to show off for someone else, or that you were nervous to go on a date with someone else (not true, he did care, he was bitter, he hated every minute of it)

Three months into your relationship, you were crying in Taeil's arms, cause, apparently you had a fight, cause you were to close to Taeil and your fight resorted to yelling and you attempting to kick them

So when you called him, but you didn’t speak, he just heard your heavy breathing he knows you were upset, he knows that you’re trying every thing to not cry, he knows that if you speak you just might, so, he spoke first “Yours or mine?” he stops about three seconds after the first choice so you can hum or grunt (whichever you had the energy to do), then he’ll know what your answer is

You grunted at his second offer, and he stands up from his bed to start cleaning up around the house, “Sure, come over, you want me to pick-” He looks at his phone and you declined the call, so you’ll be coming over yourself. 

He moves to get to work, cleaning up the mess and getting the snacks you like before you arrive, and when he was finished, there you were, on his porch, looking like you were about to kick his door in

He reaches out to hold your hand which you pulled it away and walked inside. He wasn’t offended, he knows why you don’t like the affection, he knows that you breakdown easily. The fact that you haven’t even teared up yet was amazing, but you aren’t outside, you aren’t alone, It’s Taeil, your bestfriend the boy that has been by your side all your life so he knows, you need a hug

He grabbed you by the arm to pull you into his chest, you gasped and attempted to push him away but he shushes you with a small affectionate kiss on your forehead, “its ok,” he whispers “I know you wanna be strong, so its ok, its just me, you did well, you’ve been so strong up until now” he holds you close that you tightened your grip on his shirt “Its just me, Let me be strong for you”

You cried into his chest that day, after his words. You would never admit it, but Taeil is probably the only one who has seen you cry, he doesn’t mind, he’s your Strength, he knows that, you know that, so when it gets too much Taeil lets you cry on him lets you take it out, he makes you feel taken care off And he wouldn’t have it any other way

He managed to calm you down, petting your hair and then he bonks you, making you look at him, tear stained cheeks, eyes bloodshot, he laughs as you rub your head “Feel better?”

“A bit, yeah”

He hums and pulls away “Go take a shower,” he moved to his cupboards and taking out a fresh towel, handing it to you, well actually he didn’t hand it, he fucking threw it to your face, and yeah it hurt, but it made you laugh and he smiles back “Go clean up, I’ll lend you some of my clothes” he sighs “again. Snotty,” He teases “You gotta return my clothes sometime today, the near future”

You smile “No, I like them, go buy new ones instead” 

He laughs “Brat, I need my clothes”

You pout and crossed your arms "You're gonna make me cry again, big brother" you called him that only when you want something, and yeah, it usually works, but something about being referred to as big brother 

He rolls his eyes and threw one of his sweatshirts to you making you yelp, “Shut up and go”

You obeyed, smiling softly at him. He stares at his hands, You haven’t called him Big Brother for a very long time and something about that made his blood boil

He just wishes he knows why. He’s been feeling like this for quite sometime, whenever you get to friendly or to close to someone, he has no idea if he should be angry at you or that person your talking to. 

He settled on the sofa with a sigh and looked at the tv, where the opening scene of your favorite show was paused, your favorite snacks on the coffee table. His ears perked when he heard the familiar sound of his bathroom door opening, you were done, he turned to see your figure disappear somewhere behind his house, he knows what you’re doing you were gonna hang the towel you borrowed, then you reemerged, hair still obviously wet (you didn’t bother to properly dry it, he guesses, again), leaving wet splotches on his sweatshirt. You went up the stairs, he smiles, he has a feeling you’ll get pillows from his room, he can hear the door of his room open, yup he is right.

He stood up to get the towel you hanged and walked back to the living room to see you eating the snacks while cuddling his pillow, He really does know you now. He throws the towel at you “Dry your hair properly, or shave your head” he points out and you sigh, doing as your told with a playful kick to his thighs

Once you were done he leaves to hang it again, when he returns and sees you, he smiles excitedly sitting beside you, and you play the movie

It was just a random movie that you accidentally started liking (he was ninety-nine percent sure you only like it cause Ewan McGregor, who you think is “surprisingly charismatic”, is in it). He wasn’t watching though, the movie wasn’t interesting, he was watching you, reading you body language and facial expression, checking if you really are feeling better

He didn’t realize how hard he was staring at you, ‘till both of your eyes met, he froze, you were so close, his heart skipped a beat, was it just him? or was your eyes always that sparkly?

You lift your hand and placed the snack against his lips, feeding him “take a bite so you’ll stop looking at me like a lost puppy”

He blushes and nods, taking a bite. Looking away, he held his hands. He is fucking screwed

You on the other hand found out you liked him around college. Unfortunately, you and Taeil have drifted apart over time. You don’t hang out as usual, he is studying a different major than you after all, it was only natural you both have other friends

You didn’t like it

Over time you and Taeil have been going through your own time, like getting your own apartments and campus that we want to be on, It doesn’t change, you and Taeil go to and from the Campus and Your houses around the same time since you are neighbors but when the two of you get to the Campus its like neither of you know each other 

Growing up with Taeil means, he was with you every waking moment and all of a sudden its gone, who will get used to that? He has been the person you grew with, who held yo while you were in pain and made you laugh when you were sad 

“I miss you” You whispered one time as you sat on to the passengers seat of his car when you both were heading home for the holidays “A lot” you whispered quiet enough so that he won’t hear but you were wrong

Ever since Taeil accepted the fact that he likes you he has become more insightful in things that upset you, and he can see (he doesn’t know why) but he can see how upset you were and hearing you say that, he didn’t mean it, but it gave him hope that you liked him too

That week Taeil climbed your window to wake you up, knocking on your window 'till you eventually woke up

You weren't exactly asleep, you were to busy looking at your hands, thinking about your Christmas dinner at the Moon Household, you and you're family was there except you and Taeil haven't even attempted to try and speak or approach each other and it only hurt you more when neither of you tried. You sat up and froze, seeing a shadowy figure by your window and your instincts went to overdrive and you opened your mouth to scream for your father

Taeil noticed your on guard position and he shakes his head, knocking against your window in a pattern that he wishes to every one holy that you remember

“Da-” you stopped midway once you hear the knocking looking at the figure, you realized it was Morse code, you listened as the figure tapped the glass, long tap, pause, That’s a ‘T’ tap, long tap, pause, And that’s an ‘A’ tap, pause, what is that one again? Tap, Tap, pause, I remember this one its an ‘I’ tap, long tap, tap, tap

You looked at the figure “Taeil?” you asked and opened the window, Taeil climbing in letting out a sigh of relief “What the hell are you doing here?”

He laughs “I was bored,” You frowned and sat on your bed, glaring at the boy making him raise both his hands in defense “I’m kidding, don’t hit me”

You rolled your eyes and lied sown on the bed “Yeah well, leave, I was sleeping” facing away from him

“We both know you weren’t”

“shut up”

He smiles and taps your thigh over the blanket “Scoot over, I had a nightmare, don’t wanna sleep alone”

You turned to look at him “What are you five?”

“Is that a no?” He asks with a sly smile, holding the blanket up so he can join you when you agree

You sighed, scooting to the side and he slides in beside you “Big baby”

He laughs, but covered his mouth to not wake your parents “I didn’t really have a nightmare” he whispered and moves to tuck an arm underneath his head as you copy his movements, the two of you facing each other “You were avoiding the at the party”

You scoffed “No, you were avoiding me” you huffed

“Are you ok?” He asked reaching up to swipe the hair that covers your face “You’ve been extremely quiet”

You yawned, you felt safe I his presence to even fall asleep to it, you couldn’t help but smile softly at the action “I’m ok” you lied, closing your eyes

“Don’t lie to me” he says, he has known you long enough to know when you lie and he won’t let it pass “I wanna help you”

“There’s nothing you can do”

“There will be if you tell me”

“Taeil”

“Y/n” 

You opened your eyes only to see him staring at you, with worry and care “I hate you”

He smiles, and you felt your cheeks warm up at the sight “No you don’t” You rolled your eyes and he nods “Tell me when you’re ready, but for now” he takes her free hand in a promise “I won’t leave your side, and don’t leave mine”

You looked at him, the at your hands, before nodding “Promise?”

He nods “Promise” He smiles as he watches you yawn “Get some sleep, ok?”

“Ok” you whisper and start to doze off “That’s all I ever wanted,” you whisper “I miss you” you whisper and fall asleep

Taeil’s heart was beating rapidly against his chest, miss him? what is that supposed to mean? was that even supposed to mean anything? And he was aware that your hands are still intertwined, he blushes, and holds it tighter, afraid of letting go. He watches you sleep this time, glad to see you peaceful, seeing you always made him happy, but sometimes knowing that you will never return these feelings, made him so weak that he wants to do nothing but lie in bed, he closes his eyes,  his finger tapping mindlessly on your pillow

L-O-V-E Y-O-U

You and Taeil are still very much a bestfriends. And you two hang out majority of the time since Lee Taeyong, someone from Taeil's group of friends, and Suh Johnny, the American exchange student you became friends with started dating

So bam! You and Taeil were automatically the third wheel, which was fun since you two were already friends, everyone was talking and playing around while you and Taeil were speaking to other people. Taeil looks at you as you fed Jungwoo the tart you ordered and Taeil had to bite his tongue from saying something to the innocent boy

He starts tapping against the table as he looks through his phone, hoping you could understand the Morse code despite how loud the surroundings were

You did. And you couldn’t stop smiling, Fid me 2, He spelled, Feed you? and you understood, you must tease the boy “Ew” you said aloud so he’ll hear and he huffs making you laugh

“Aww I didn’t know you guys can read each other minds” Yuta teases and kicks Taeil under the table 

Taeil shrugs “We’re that close”

You roll your eyes, feigning annoyance but you smiled at Taeil as he focuses on other people, joking and playing with them

“I’m hungry” Taeyong says making everybody listen to him, and Johnny nodding 

“What do you wanna eat my love?” He asks and you gagged, making him elbow you 

Taeyong chuckled and nodded “something sweet” he starts and hums

Johnny looks at everyone as they start suggesting food, Johnny and Taeyong turn down some till Taeil spoke “What about clouds?”

The whole room turned quiet and you stared at the boy in front of you, wide eyed while the room started to rumble with questions

“What the fuck is a cloud?”

“We’re talking about food Taeil”

“Taeil, are you stoned?”

“Since when can you eat clouds?”

You bursted out laughing once he starts to redden from your friends words before glaring at you “Y/n help me” You shake your head still too busy laughing, he growls “Its nothing, its an inside joke, you guys wouldn’t understand!” he huffs and lean against his chair, crossing his arms 

Your laughter died sown as you stared at him, his eyes meeting yours and you blushed, taking a bite of your tart, Why are you blushing? you asked yourself, Why is your heart beating so fast? you might pass out if it continues, surely you don't like Taeil, TAEIL of all people, not him

“Y/n did you hear me?” Jungwoo says making you look at him and apologetically shake your head making him chuckle “I asked when you started liking him”

“I don’t”

He raises his eyebrow “Oh really? cool, cause I have this friend who wants me to set them up with Taeil”

You glared at him “Do you wanna die?” you asked annoyed

He laughs and winks “I will once you admit of your feelings” 

You kicked him, then you hear the table buzz, looking up to see someone approach Taeil, shyly offering him a box, “I,” They smiles, cheeks painted red and you couldn’t help but glare at the new comer “I got you some chocolates, I hope you like them”

Taeil bows and takes the chocolates, and you look away, while Jungwoo looks at you, with a sly grin, and you point a threatening finger at him “Not a word”

Taeil and you confessed in the least romantic way possible, but you loved it all the same, granted you both fought, but it was cute and emotional all the same

He mindlessly played with the flashlight, switching it on and off against his wall, you were asleep on his bed cause you had a fight with your dad about a boy and you decided that sleeping over at Taeil's for the night wouldn't be that bad, so while you slept you lent hi your phone cause his was broken, why? easy, you threw it against the wall cause he wouldn't turn off his alarm "You dance to this shit Y/n" "I don't mind breaking your arm too"

So there he was switching your phone's flashlight on and off after he got bored spamming your gallery with his face. He was a little out of it, but he knows you're awake "You'll drain my battery" you murmured

"It'll charge" He mutters "My phone on the other hand" he says a bit snappy

You pout "I said I'm sorry, and I'm repairing it ok?"

He shrugs and continued going though your phone

You sat up and leaned your forehead against his back "I'm tired I wanna nap again"

"And I wanna date you, we don't get what we want"

You looked up at him so fast that you thought you'd have whiplash "What?" you’re heart beating against your chest

He smiled slyly, trying his best to not blush and moving away from you “End scene” He laughs and playfully winks at you, he chickened out, he hates how angry he has been these past couple of weeks, he hates seeing other people approach and flirt with you, he hates being the subject when you call someone your bestfriend or your older brother, he hates how he can’t push people who wanna keep you away cause he has no right. He hates that it was starting to hurt to look at you, to think about you, its not fair that he likes you and you’ll never be in his arms the way he wants you to. He hates how you’re seeing someone, and it isn’t him. He hates the fact that he loves you, why out of all people, he could love, why you?

“Taeil!” You raised your eyebrow and your voice “What the heck was that supposed to mean “You were kidding?” you didn’t mean it, but sounded so offended and sad, does Taeil really like you? your heart thumped at a quick pace when he looks at you, searching your face for answer

He gulps “why?” he asks facing you “What if I wasn’t?

You stared at him processing “Well-” He moves to tilt his head waiting for you to answer him, you retaliated by hitting him on the shoulder “You didn’t answer me asshole”

He looks at your phone not answering, not fiddling with anything except the morse code app you had in there, turning the sound and you can hear the message

-.-- . ... / -.-- . ... /-.-- . ... 

“What the heck is ‘yes’ supposed to mean?” You started as he starts pressing the app to send you another message and you groaned “just tell me”

.. -- / -.- .. -.. -.. .. -. --. / .. -- / -.- .. -.. -.. -- -. --.

“I’m Kidding?” You read aloud and scrunched your nose “What the heck is that supposed to be? Tell me Taeil!” you yelled and moved slap your phone away from him when he tries to type a new code “Tell me, do you like me or not?” he stares at you “Was it a joke or were you serious?”

He looks at you in shock as you angrily told him those words, why were the you taking this seriously? you don’t like him, right? then why are you so angry? why is it affecting you? “What’s it have to do with you?” 

“Taeil just tell me”

“Why do you need to know if its a joke or not?”

“Just tell me”

“Why? You’re dating someone right now right? why do you need to know?”

“Taeil I’m not..”

“No, tell me why” You opened your mouth when your phone on the floor of Taeil’s room started buzzing, speak of the devil, your phone flashed with his name and it mad Taeil’s blood boil even more when you stood up to take your phone, he grabbed it from your hands before you could answer and threw it to the side, grabbing your wrist and pulling you back on the bed, keeping you there, a hand on your wrist and the other on your waist “Tell me”

You glared at him gripping his collar “What the hell is wrong with you?” You asked angrily “You’ve been salty ever since I asked if I could stay over! You don’t want me here? That’s fine, tell me, you don’t need to let me stay when you clearly don’t want me here!” You’re chest heaved and he could tell you’re just starting “you wanna know why I want to know the truth from you? Cause I care for you more then what a friend, a sibling should do. I hate seeing you with Kim Kochan or Lee Robin those two flirt with you on a basis, you know that right? they cling and keep you all for themselves and I hate it! I hate how fast my heart beats when you smile or when you buy me snacks cause they’re my-”

He cuts you off with a swift kiss to your lips. How could he not, you just confessed you liked him albeit angrily, you still confessed. His lips moved slowly against yours and you froze, your mind on hyperdrive, ‘till he pulled away “I like you too but you’re really loud when you’re upset, we shou-”

You rolled your eyes and pulled his collar, making him crash into you, kissing him again, this time you slowly moved your lips against his, his hands snaking around your waist, to pull you closer, your arms wrapping around his neck

He licks your bottom lip, you groaned softly and he happily sticks his tongue in, gently brushing over your tongue, making you slightly whine and he grins, keeping hold of your as you both play tongue-sies

He pulls away, a string of saliva being the only thing connecting you both before he groans softly at the sight “I love you” he breathes before leaning to trail kisses down your jaw and neck making you tilt your head upward giving him more room. He smiles at the shudder before gripping your waist and pulling on it to make you go up and straddle him “Taeil” you gasped at how bold he was being and he chuckles 

“Say it” he whispers against your ear licking a stripe on it while a hand travels under your shirt making you gasp at the coldness of his hand and the heat of your body, and he smiles “Please? Need to hear you say it”

“Really at a situation like this?” You huff and he only grins at you making you whine “I’ll tell you later, ok?” You tugged on his shirt, in a silent way to command him to do something, and only met with a shake of his head “Taeil” You whined again “fine, I love you too you big dork”

He smiles and happily kissed you again, holding you close before taking your shirt off and giving you everything you asked, encouraging him with every tug of his hair, a gasp and a moan of his name. He was addicted, he never wanted to stop to make you so whiny and needy and putty in his arms

He was happy that night, well dawn, finally having you in his arms, your neck covered in nothing but his marks, and he can see from his position your bruised waist. Oh and his hair, it was in pain, from the way you would pull and tug on it but he loved it, only reminding him that it was all real, his arms and shoulders were bruised but he just smiles at the slight sting before tightening his hold on your waist and kissing the shell of your ear

“No more” you whined and pouted “Please? I am so tired” you begged cupping his cheeks and he couldn’t help it he kissed your palms 

“Stop” he bit his lip and looked at you all wide eyed, seeing your expression, your marks and looking absolutely fucked that he swung his legs over and kissed your nose “Just, just one more, ok? one more round”

“Dad!” Taeil grumbled “Are you serious right now?”

His dad nods “Yes” He points a finger at his chest “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t care if you are sleeping around, as long as you don’t get STD’s or have a failing grade” He reminds “But any other than that, you’re free to do anything you want. You’re mother and I back in college, we had out share of fun”

Taeil covers his ears “no! no no, I don’t need to know, I don’t need to know my birth story, I don't need to know how sexy mom was, I am seriously going to run away screaming”

“Stop being a baby” His dad says and hits him upside the head, “I’m just saying, when you would sleep with someone, you stay over their place not the other way around, so I was wondering who is that? My son’s special someone? and also, I heard everything lastnight so I’m pretty sure it is a special person, and I wanted to ask if they’ll stay the morning cause, It’s my turn to make breakfast and I wanna know if I should add one more serving”

All of a sudden an excited squeal leaves his mother’s lips as she excitedly ran down the stairs and tackled Taeil “I am so proud of you” She praises and kisses him on the forehead “So so Proud”

“What happened?” His dad asks and She spins to look at her husband 

“It’s Y/n”

He blinks and looks at his son then his wife, around the same time the mom clinged once again to Taeil, “I have been shipping you both since you two were in the womb, I waited twenty one years for the two of you to get together” she squeals and hugs him “Even better you both slept with each other, Honey, cook an extra serving for Y/n. And Taeil good job, satisfying your partners needs in bed is much more important, I approve”

“Mom!” Taeil groans 

“Do you think Their parent’s know? we should invite them , lets go invite them!”

Part 2

[iidascalves]

First Patrol Part 2 (hawks x reader)

Hey! Back with a part two. I’m actually having a lot of fun writing this so i think i might do more parts. Thanks for reading, I always look forward to your reactions :) Please send asks or requests anytime! Tags: @blue-peach14​

Part 1 is here:  https://stalest-bread.tumblr.com/post/623110622140383232/first-patrol-hawks-x-reader

I’m not sure if that’s how its supposed to be linked but I’ll figure it out eventually haha.

=================================

You were seated at a table in the back room of the restaurant. You thanked the waiter as he poured you a glass of water. “Get whatever you guys want. It’s my treat.” Endeavor said from behind the menu. Although it was probably intended to be kind, you couldn’t image anything on his face other than a scowl.

“Oh, we plan on it!” Hawks joked as he snatched your menu from you. “Kid, you’re trying the chicken. It’s the best in the city.” You just smiled and nodded in response. You didn’t think Hawks would be this sociable. But I guess he’s not a fan favorite for nothing.

Once the waiter retreated into the kitchen, Mirko started to introduce you to Endeavor and Hawks.

“Since you saw her in action, I’m sure I don’t need to explain her quirk. But she-“ Mirko was cut off by Hawks.

“I love your enthusiasm, buy why don’t we let her introduce herself, Rumi?” The three shifted their focus to you and you began to fidget with the napkin that was in your lap.

“So as I’m sure you know, my hero name is (h/n). My real name is (l/n) (y/n). I’m in class 1-A with Shouto and Tokoyami.” You hesitated, not sure what else to say.

“(L/n), that seems familiar. Were any of your relatives heroes?” Endeavor questioned. The way his emotionless eyes demanded an answer terrified you.

“Yes, my brother was but he was killed when I was young.” You took a sip of water as a way to break the tense eye contact.

“Oh. I apologize for bringing it up.” Endeavor really was kind of shit at socializing. God forbid he ever tried to comfort anyone. An awkward silence plagued the table.

“You’re friends with Shouto and Tokoyami, right (y/n)?” Mirko did her bets to carry on the conversation after the tense pause.

“That’s right. I heard Tokoyami mention you a few times.” Hawks turned to you and smiled.

“They’re two of my best friends at UA. We train together quite frequently too.” You finished your statement just as the waiter came in with your food. You thanked him and he retreated to serve his other tables.

“Tell me how you like the chicken!” Hawks looked at you excitedly. “Tokoyami never gives me a good enough reaction. Kid’s too shy”. You smiled and then tried the chicken. Hawks was right, it was really good. You smiled as you chewed.

“It’s great! Kind of reminds me of the place ten blocks from UA.” Hawks perked up when you said that.

“Holy crap! I love that place! I used to drag Mirko there all the time.” Hawks was smiling like a little kid.

“Yeah, I remember!” Mirko chimed in from across the table. “Guess how many vegetarian dishes they had? ONE!”

“Is that why you always stole my fries?” Hawks teased. You smiled at the positive and fun atmosphere Mirko and Hawks supplied. You almost forgot Endeavor was there since he hadn’t spoken since you mentioned your brother. With Hawks and Mirko engaged in friendly banter, Endeavor felt the need to entertain you.

“So (y/n),” You turned to look at Endeavor. “what are you currently working on in school?”

‘I guess at least he’s trying to make conversation.’ You think.

“I’m working on my long-range attacks and also strengthening my forcefields.” You watched as he nodded.

“While dealing with that villain, I noticed you made a vaulting platform for Mirko. That was a nice strategy.” A compliment from Endeavor sure took you by surprise. He seemed like the type of guy to be especially stingy with those.

“Thank you! It’s a tactic Tokoyami helped me perfect.”

“Oh! Speaking of Tokoyami,” Hawks interrupted. “he can’t intern for me next week.” He pouted art the thought and turned to Mirko. “Mind if I steal her for the day?” Your face grew warm and you watched Mirko think.

“Fine by me as long as you bring her back in one piece.” She took a swig of her drink and looked to you.

Hawks turned back to you. “Well, what do you think? Want to be my intern for the day?” You smiled back at Hawks.

“Yeah, I’d love to!” Hawks smiled and gave you a slap on the back.

“Great! I’ll meet you outside of Endeavor’s agency on Thursday at 7.” Hawks took a sip of his water and you noticed Endeavor checking his pager. “Its a night shift, hope you don’t mind.”

“No, its fine. I stay up late most nights anyway. “

“Hawks, we have a call.” Endeavor stood from the table after putting some money down. Hawks got up and followed Endeavor.

“Thank you for lunch. It was nice meeting you both.” You called to them as they left. Endeavor nodded at you and Hawks fired finger guns and winked.

After the two left you and Mirko continued with your surveillance and headed your separate ways. Upon arriving back at the dorms, Kaminari, Momo, Shouto, Ochako, and Tsuyu were gathered around the tv watching the news.

“Hey guys, I’m back.” You greeted your friends.

“Hurry (y/n), they’re talking about you and Mirko!” Ochako yelled from the couch. You dropped your stud at the door and jumped into a chair. You waited for footage of you to appear as you listened to the news anchor.

“Pro rabbit hero Mirko took in a new intern today. They patrolled Mirko’s usual territory until about midday when tragedy struck. The two rushed to the scene and apprehended a villain terrorizing a family.”

The news channel showed footage of you holding up the car as Mirko kicked the villain.

“Way to go, (y/n)!” Ochako praised.

“Wait, wait there’s more.” Kaminari quieted Ochako.

“Unbeknownst to much of the crowd, this altercation actually happened in Endeavor’s territory. The number one hero and his sidekick, Hawks met up with the two after they had taken down the villain.” Clips of you and Mirko talking with Hawks and Endeavor came up on screen.

“You met my father, (y/n)?” Shouto asked you from a chair across the room.

“Yeah, I did. He knew I was your classmate and he even treated us to lunch.” You saw Shouto’s unease with this and he remained quiet and turned back to the tv.

“With some impressive skills shown today, this seems to be only the beginning for this young hero.” You blushed as your friends congratulated you on being featured.

“Thanks guys! Oh, I’m also interning for Hawks later in the week in Tokoyami’s place.” You mentioned.

“Damn, throw my name out there will ya?” Kamimari joked.

“Its only for a night. It’ll be interesting for sure.” You responded as you rose from the chair and got your things from the floor. “I’ve had a long day so I’m off to bed, guys.” Your friends responded with a chorus of good nights and you showered and chilled into bed. Your heart was still racing from the excitement of the day.

Your upcoming night with Hawks will surely be equally exciting.

[sylvie-writes]

Summer Heat

Summary: in which the reader and her husband Andy go for a nice bike ride amidst the summer heat.

I’m making this a headcanon (My 1st at that) bc I have zero inspo atm

yeah, there is a shameful self-promotion in here if you see it. 

kinda unedited, so plz pardon any mistakes

Labor Day was right around the corner, signaling the ending of summer. Soon you’d be going back to work and now was the only time you could spend with your husband.

The weather was an enjoyable 70 degrees, perfect for a bike ride. One that Andy had suggested last night over dinner. 

“And tomorrow’s high will be 73 degrees, ideal weather folks!” The meteorologist then tuned off for a commercial break as you turned your attention from the tv to Andy. You could see the gears sharply turning in his head, pensive, as he mindlessly picked at the chicken. 

“Whatcha thinkin’ about babe?” Reaching across the table you lightly tapped Andy’s resting hand, his head popping up from his daydream.

“Huh? Oh!” Your words replayed in his head as he hadn’t heard them in the first place. “We should go for a bike ride tomorrow. Ya know before work starts, just you and me.” 

Andy looked up to you and held your hand that was once gently laying on his. A winsome smile stretched across his face. 

“Sounds like a plan, bestie.” Happy with your answer, Andy resumed his dinner, you getting up for some salad. 

For the bike ride, you wore some light denim shorts and a simple cantaloupe colored t-shirt, Andy wearing a red short-sleeve button down and grey shorts. 

While Andy removed the bikes from the racks in the garage, you situated two water bottles and both of your wallets and cell phones. 

Upon entering the garage, you stopped dead in your tracks to see Andy lifting your cruiser bicycle off of the rack, his shirt practically hermetically sealed around his arms, the buttons struggling to hold on. Once your bike was down, he went to grab his own, watching you out of the corner of his eye, making sure his movements were slow. 

The two of you always goofed around, whether that be making jokes or just teasing each other. 

“Muscle, baby, muscle.” Walking by, you dropped Andy’s water bottle into the holder, then tapping on his biceps as he laughed deep within his gut. Before you could walk away, his arms caught your waist, spun you around and pressed a short yet sweet kiss to your lips. 

Once the two of you had your things together, Andy closed the garage while you pulled out your phone, playing a Spotify playlist that you shared with your husband, a hodgepodge of many songs. 

Starting out on the street in your neighborhood, you realized there wasn't a plan for the day.

“Hey ‘Drew, where are we going exactly?”

The two of you rode side by side, making it much easier to communicate and keep track of the other. 

“Into town! I was thinking, ice cream!” A devious grin grew onto his face. Andy knew you wouldn’t say no and that’s exactly what happened. 

Turning out of your neighborhood and onto the sidewalk, your phone suddenly switching from “Don’t Stop Believing” to “Wannabe.” 

Visibly you cringed and shook your head, about to change the song suddenly noticing Andy... attempting to dance while biking, singing along to the words.

“C’mon babe! Sing along!” You laughed at your husband’s puerility. 

Ever the ham, Andy was doing this to embarrass you, to which your giggles would most definitely erupt. Your nervous habit. 

The man really didn’t care if any of yours or his friends drove by, you were his wife, someone he could be a total goober around. 

Finally you caved in and joined him.

“If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give.”

Eventually after a couple of nostalgic songs, you both made it into town and at the ice cream parlor. 

A bike rack was cemented out front of the shop, convenient for you and Andy to lock the bikes up there. 

Walking into the ice cream parlor, you both were met with a rush of cold air, or maybe it was just cold because you had been biking for quite some time now. 

“Hello.. Oh! Hi! Mr. & Mrs. Barber what can I get you?” The young girl’s personality lit up once she saw your faces. Everyone in the town of Newton pretty much knew who your husband was, also making you just as known. 

Returning a friendly smile to the girl, you ordered three scoops of mint chip, your’s and Andy’s favorite ever since college. (As mentioned here hehe) 

Taking two spoons, you sat at the table where Andy happily eyed the stack of ice cream sitting in the bowl in front of him. Handing him the spoon, you giggled as he immediately dug into the mint chip, looking at you utterly confused.

Mouthful of ice cream your man-child answered…

“Wut?” 

Some ice cream dripped down his bearded chin and you quickly reached for the napkin, dabbing his chin and dramatically sighing. 

“Why have a child when I have to take care of you?” 

Removing your hand from his face, Andy just shrugged his shoulders going back to mining through the ice cream scoops. 

Exiting the parlor, stomachs full, your arm was wrapped in Andy’s as you strolled to the bikes. Just as Andy was about to unlatch the bikes, you stopped him. 

Looking across the street you pointed to the little dress shop, the displays in the window shining from the afternoon sun.

“I need a dress for that charity dinner, that may I remind you, is the one you are dragging me to!” 

Andy’s work was hosting a gala for an extension on one of the buildings. 

You didn’t want to go, but your husband had to be there. Of course he didn’t want to show up either, yet he’d rather suffer with you and your jocular complaining, there to entertain him. 

Compliant with your request, you both crossed the street and entered the boutique, many rows of handmade dresses lining the aisles. 

Andy picked out two dresses while you already had two of your own in hand. Gladly, you took his picks and headed straight for the dressing room, a bench in front of it so you could showcase. 

The first dress was a dusty rose, A-Line, asymmetrical chiffon evening dress. It’s three-quarter sleeves, stopped directly at the elbow, perfect for the upcoming fall weather. 

The party was the first week of October but you wanted to get this shopping over with now. 

The second dress, Andy had picked out. A burgundy floor length gown, tank sleeves and a v-neck that was stunning. Along the left leg, a slit that ran up to your knee, presenting your legs and your future choice of heels. 

When showing that dress to Andy he looked up from his phone, absolutely stunned. You were always able to take away his breath, as cheesy as it sounds. 

The third dress, a navy blue maxi dress. Long lace sleeves that were surprisingly comfortable. 

And finally, the fourth dress. A grey cold shoulder midi dress, with some lace on the chest. 

All of the dresses Andy loved, which really didn’t help. You specifically brought him along for his opinion. 

So maybe you were a little indecisive on your own… 

After a few minutes of debating, you received an answer.

“I love the burgundy one.” 

And you agreed with him. 

At the counter, Andy fought you to buy the dress to which you stubbornly replied that you’d buy it yourself. 

It was a running game in your marriage. The two of you would always “fight” over who would pay. 

“Just save us from the knock-down drag-out and let me pay!” 

You both were really too good for each other, but in the best way possible. 

The lady at the shop had politely offered to hold the dress so you could come back and get it tailored tomorrow. Very helpful since you only had bicycles as the chosen mode of transportation.

By the time you had finished dress shopping, it was already time for dinner, the ice cream dissipating and no longer able to quench your hunger. 

The bicycles were still latched to the rack as you and Andy sat on the bench beside it.

“You hungry?” You nodded and Andy pulled out his phone looking for places to eat, you doing the same. 

Ten minutes later, Andy had found a pizza parlor about 3 miles away, an easy bike ride for you both. 

The pizza parlor chosen was your typical family-run restaurant, simple yet delicious food. 

After being seated, the two of you were starving, so hungry that when the waiter came for drink orders, you also put in the pizza order. 

For the twenty minutes that ensued, you and Andy shared a basket of bread, making conversation about work and such. 

When the pizza showed up on the table, it was like a saint had arrived. Your empty stomachs figuratively thanked you both at the first bite of pizza. 

Like ravenous animals, you both scarfed down at least two slices in a matter of minutes. Pausing, Andy looked at you and you did the same. 

Setting the pizza down, the two of you just started laughing at your messy guzzling, pizza sauce on both of your faces. 

The people around you were probably confused at your sudden outbursts. Then again who cares? 

Once again, you wiped Andy’s face, him doing the same to you. As you wiped the sauce from his beard, Andy caught your hand and kissed your wedding ring.

“You truly are my best friend, (y/n). I don’t deserve you.” 

Andy was most certainly your best friend and you his. 

Eeekkk im literally screaming. I looove andy. Sorry for the crappy writing, yet thanks for sticking through it.

[nataliedanovelist]

GF - All Star

Summary: A deep, dark secret about Ford is slowly revealed to his family, and he’s not ready.

For Skaleigh, wherever she may be...

~~~~~~~~~~

A few days after Weirdmegeddon, Ford was exiting the basement, taking a break from cleaning it out today. Stan had been recovering from his memory loss beautifully and so Ford decided to get a certain chore done on this rainy day. He could hear something, however, that made him freeze as a shiver ran down his spine and his race turned as red as his sweater.

“... start coming and they don't stop coming,

Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running.

Didn't make sense not to live for fun.

Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb.”

Recognizing who’s voice that was, Ford began to relax. The sweet smell of vanilla and sugar graced his schnoz and he followed the music to the kitchen. There, Mabel was in her little pink apron over her sprinkle-sweater, dancing around the kitchen as she mixed icing with food coloring in little bowls. The radio was playing on the kitchen table, a little dirty with flour, and the whole kitchen was a mess, but Ford couldn't help but smile at his beautiful niece as her hair flew everywhere as she danced and sang her heart out. When the chorus came, she banged her head and put the bowl of light-blue icing on the counter to dance more freely.

“Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play!

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid!

And all that glitters is gold!

Only shooting stars break the mold.”

At the words “shooting stars”, Mabel attempted a flip and fell on her face, just like she did at the dance party at the beginning of summer. Ford winced and made a move towards her, slightly emerging from his hiding spot at the doorway, but stopped when Mabel sprung up, unhurt, and declared to herself and the kitchen, “I’m okay!” Her eyes landed on her uncle and she grinned. “Grunkle Ford! Whatcha doin’?”

“I thought I would take a break from cleaning.” Ford explained casually with a shrug while Mabel turned down the radio a little so they could talk better. “Having fun?”

“Yeah!” Mabel pointed to the twelve cupcakes that were cooling on the stove and said, “I’m making everyone a snack. Want one?”

“I would love one, my dear. Thank you.”

“Ah, ah.” Mabel wiggled a finger at him. “You have to do something for it, first.”

Ford raised an eyebrow at her and held his cleft chin. “Oh?”

Mabel opened the drawer she knew Ford kept his apron in and pulled out his old My Other Oven is a Bunsen apron. “You have to decorate the cupcakes with me.”

Ford grinned and happily accepted the protective clothing against stains. “Well, I suppose it’s only fair that I help you if I’m going to have one. Do we have to share with Stanley and Dipper?”

“Nope!” Mabel giggled. “We can eat them all ourselves! Six each!”

Ford laughed alongside her and she gave him a small bowl of white icing to color however he wanted. He carefully added a few drops of green, seeing how Mabel had already made blue and red and was working on yellow, and she began to dance a little again and she jumped into song.

“Somebody once asked could I spare some change for gas?

I need to get myself away from this place.

I said ‘Yep what a concept,

I could use a little fuel myself,

And we could all use a little change.’”

Ford chuckled, mixing the icing, and he couldn’t help himself; he made himself jump in.

“Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming,

Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running.

Didn't make sense not to live for fun.

Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb.”

Mabel gasped in shock for a number of reasons. A) She had never heard Grunkle Ford sing before. 2) She didn’t think he would know this song, let alone the words. And D) His voice was actually very pretty. Mabel grinned and they happily sang together until the song changed to a commercial for Cam’s Camshafts and they began to decorate the cupcakes.

~~~~~~~~~~

Stan yawned as he stretched his tired limbs. He had been sitting out on the deck of the Stan O’ War II, watching the sun set, and he was now in a sleepy trance. Time to put on some warm, fuzzy pajamas and turn on the little TV in the kitchen.

Stan went into his shared bedroom and stopped when he accidentally walked in on Ford in a towel, his back to the entrance and unaware of the intruder as he dug through his drawer for new clothes. Stan was careful to be quiet and give his jumpy brother some space, planning on leaving him alone, but something caught his eye.

During the Stanswitch, Ford insisted on Stan turning away, uncomfortable with what his twin might see. Despite Stan’s insistence that it wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen before, Ford practically begged him not to look, so Stan went along with it until he had shed his suit, leaving only his dark pants and undershirt, and he turned to switch clothes, but he found Ford bent over, his back littered with dozens of ugly cars, trophies for surviving out in the Multiverse for thirty years. Stan had thought that this was the reason for Ford’s modesty and thick sweaters (and okay, sure, the guy had always been a little chilly), but maybe there was another reason.

Stan grinned. No. Way. He slipped away, deciding he would enjoy making fun of Ford when he would least expect it, and he immediately left for the kitchen silently and quickly texted Dipper and Mabel.

A few weeks past since Stan knew Ford’s secret and he had pocketed it away as his “secret weapon”; of course, Dipper and Mabel knew and Stan wished he could have seen the looks on their faces or heard them laugh, but oh well. The kids swore to keep it between the two of them, but Stan wouldn’t be surprised if all of Gravity Falls kenw at this point. Something to look forward to this summer.

Stan had half-forgotten about Ford’s secret until they were at a small shop in Liverpool, England and something jogged the old conman’s memory. A CD was sitting in a 50% off bucket and Stan could have sworn a beam of light from Heaven was shining on the little box. Stan snatched it and hid it in his jacket for later.

The next day Stan couldn’t wait any longer. They were gently coasting on the Irish Sea, the spring weather being warm and calm and pleasant. Ford was out on the deck, reading a map, and Stan sat their radio down, the disc already in place. “Hey Sixer,” It took everything in Stan to hide his snicker. “Mind if I play some music?”

Ford hardly looked up from the map. “Huh? Oh sure, Stanley. Go ahead.”

With the biggest grin Stan had probably ever made in his life, he pressed play.

SomeBODY once told me the world is gonna roll me,

I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.

Ford’s polydactyl hands clenched the map so tightly it nearly destroyed the papered material. He lowered it as his face blushed so furiously it matched his maroon sweater perfectly. Sweat was dripping from his forehead profoundly, his eyebrows were nearly hidden in his fluffy hair, they were so high, and his eyes were as wide as dinner plates.

Stan snorted, trying to contain his laughter just a little bit longer. “You like this song, don't you? Oh man, here comes my FAVORITE part!” And to make sure he could embarrass his brother as much as he could, Stan sang along.

“Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play!

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid!

And all that glitters is gold! (I like gold.)

Only shooting stars break the mold.”

And then Stan couldn’t hold it any longer. He busted into a huge fit of laughter, holding his ribs and wheezing as Ford sheepishly lowered his head into the map and hid in shame. When the song was over and Stan was slowing down in his laughing, Ford snapped and spun around, crumpling the map down and scowling.

“How did you find out?!” He demanded, still incredibly red in the face, even his ears were pink.

“I’m your twin, Genius,” Stan huffed, whipping his eyes dry of tears. “I’m bound to notice a couple of things when stuck on a boat with you. I gotta ask, though, why in Moses’ name…”

“It wasn’t intentional, I can assure you of that.” Ford said to try to preserve his dignity. “I had fought a battle alongside a tribe of octopus-armed warrior piglets since they shared their food and water with me. They were quite friendly, unlike the gang of penguin-finned lizards we encountered. It is customary for their tribe to have a grand party after a battle is won in which they all get tattoos. I had misjudged how… erm, intoxicated their drinks would make me, and when it was my turn to get a tattoo of my choosing, I had a certain song stuck in my head and sung it out loud, so the artist delivered my drunken request."

Stan burst into another fit of laughter, one that oddly sounded friendlier than the last one. Like, Ford was supposed to laugh with him. Ford, despite still being very red and embarrassed, couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, man! That’s gotta be your best story from out in the Multiverse yet!”

Ford saw that as a challenge and sat in one of the chairs to get comfortable. “I can think of at least five better stories.”

Stan quickly sat in the other chair like an excited child for a new movie and Ford dove into telling of some of the more fun-filled adventures he had experienced.

~~~~~~~~~~

Summer of 2014 was upon them and the Pines couldn’t be happier. The kids were joyous to be where they felt at home, and even though the old sailors were living the dream, it would be nice to take a three-month break and see their favorite pair of twins.

About two weeks after an emotional reunion, the kids were gently reminded of something they had on their Summer bucket-list.

Much like Stan, they planned their little attack carefully so they may truly enjoy their uncle’s misery. The gift shop was open, but slow. Wendy was behind the counter, Soos was reading a comic book and sitting on a closed barrel, and Dipper and Mabel were grinning like crazy on the porch, the screen door wide open. Mabel popped the CD in the radio and turned up the volume.

SomeBODY once told me the world is gonna roll me,

I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.

She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb

In the shape of an "L" on her forehead.

Mabel immediately jumped into rap-like singing, dancing around the porch. Dipper chuckled, hands in his pocket and tapping his foot, but Soos laughed, put down the comic, and took Mabel’s hands to dance. They giggled as they tried to sing along, and at the chorus they stopped dancing so they could sing the lyrics as loud as they could.

“Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play!

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid!

And all that glitters is gold! 

Only shooting stars break the mold.”

Wendy was banging her head, red hair flying everywhere. Stan suddenly showed up in his boxers and slippers, grinning, and said over the music, “I was awoken by the sound of mockery through pop music! I want in!” He bumped his hips against Dipper to make him move and he danced obnoxiously, making his nephew laugh and dance a little more enthusiastically. 

A little later, at the halfway point of the song, Ford stood at the screen door with a puzzled look. “What’s going on…?”

“Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play!

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid!

And all that glitters is gold! (I like gold.)

Only shooting stars…”

Ford looked like he had a sunburn on his entire face. He swallowed, making his Adam’s Apple bobble, and his jaw was tight. Stan laughed at his face and hollered, “THERE’S the man of the hour!”

“Come on, Stan Two, you love this song, right?” Wendy teased.

“Oh no…”

“C’mon, Dr. Pines, wanna dance?” Soos asked, still dancing with Mabel.

“Oh, here comes my favorite part…” Mabel chimed in.

“Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play!

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid!

And all that glitters is gold!

Only shooting stars break the mold.”

Ford slammed the door shut. The five were as still as statues, wincing a little. “Did we take it too far?” Dipper asked.

“Ah, let the big baby be mad for a minute if he wants to.” Stan said, ruffing up his hat. “I’ll go talk to him in a minute…”

But then the door was kicked open by Ford’s boot and his friends and family were startled to find him heavily armed with water guns. “ONLY SHOOTING STARS BREAK THE MOLD!” He sang, and then shot everyone with water.

Everyone broke into hefty laughter and ran for it. The old scientist was hot on their tails, but Mabel managed to slip away to the closet filled with emergency water-guns and balloons. She hurried back to the battle and tossed everyone some weapons, and soon it was a confused mess of soaked clothes, loud laughter, and exploding balloons.

At one point during the fun fight, he paused to take off his glasses and wipe the water from them. Mabel accidentally bumped into his leg and smiled sheepishly at him, expecting to be sprayed without mercy, but Ford hoisted her up in his shoulders and they worked together. Up three feet higher than she was used to being, Mabel could see things she normally couldn’t. Like a certain tattoo barely poking out of the turtleneck, only visible because Mabel’s weight was pulling the sweater down enough. 

She smiled at it, finding it very pretty, and in the midst of the chaos, considered the idea of one day getting one herself.

[thousandsunnywrites]

FILE 1: WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF SMILES

⤷ word count: 1,7k

⤷ a/n: there’s no major romantic shet here, but it’s like the foundation of what’s to come

[BLACK LIVES MATTER]

⤷ TRIGGER: mentions of pills & death

“Roronoa, check the mission board.” A stack of papers land right in front of his propped feet, waking him from his light nap. Standing in front of him was no other than the assistant chief, Law. “In two weeks, we’re raiding the SMILES House.” 

Yawning, he glanced over, doing as told. Law’s right. After extensive research, their department accumulated enough information to obtain a warrant to bust down this illegal business. Doflamingo is a smart man, he evaded the police’s eyes for years now despite his brother being the chief. His eyes skimmed through the raid team while taking a mental note — Usopp, Chopper, Law, and him, along with a bunch of other extra names. Supposedly, this ambush is the most difficult in the history of the New World Station, errr, at least that’s what Zoro hears in the coffee room. 

Chief Corazon-- the name everyone addresses him as, only a select few know his real name-- lead this station ever since the retirement of ex Chief of Police, Sengoku. You and Zoro transferred into this department not long after graduating law school. As Chief puts it, it’s a miracle how you never crossed paths with Roronoa during school-- maybe he just got lost while trying to do so-- because you complement each other so perfectly: you’re academically strong, while he’s strong physically. It’s no hair-puller to know why he’s constantly paired with you.

Zoro’s train of thoughts halts as a very loud, and jumpy girl emerges from the corner, latching onto his arm almost immediately upon seeing him. “Zoro,” you cooed like a little bird, expectantly. Prior to this day, Zoro wagered that it’s easy to drive around while patrolling the area because anyone can do that, and you took him up on his little bet. It was hard, knowing the shortcuts and hidden roads within the area, but it was easy when you get the hang of it. Unfortunately for Zoro, he was blessed with confusing right with left, north and south. Call it whatever you see fit, but you can’t deny it’s like taking candy from a toddler.

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” he sighs, bringing out the iconic Starbucks cup, filled to the brim with your favorite coffee, Venti-sized. “Expensive-ass woman. You know how much that cost me?”

“Oh hunny, I know, you’re lucky I’m not asking you to pay for my rent,” you take a sip as Zoro nods along. Yeah, he’s aware of the rent surge for your apartment. That landlord of yours, what’s his name, Bella… Belle-something was a big pain in the ass, charging twice as much to splurge on gambling. He’s heard this rant so many times, he can recite it word for word.

“Y’know if you’re having a hard time with rent, then just leave. Go somewhere else.”

A pout forms on your lips, hand waving animatedly to dismiss his suggestion. “Easy for you to say, you own a house. Besides, it’s the only available one in this area. I don’t wanna go outta town. It’s hard enough to wake up on time in the morning-- what more of waking up 3 hours earlier?” You pinch his cheek, earning a groan from the man. Remind him again why he puts up with you.

“Don’t forget about our first-not-fake-date tonight,” you wink, body shimmying out of excitement. Sometime last night, you concocted the perfect date with Zoro to flaunt in front of Sanji. Zoro is to take you to the nicest park he can find and do a surprise picnic-- not much of a surprise if you orchestrated it-- whilst giving you a necklace with his initials on it-- again, nothing special especially if you’re gonna buy it. Zoro wonders why he’s even letting you use him, but then again, you pay for the propaganda, and he doesn’t have anything better to do. No rent money worries, no girlfriend to tend to, no stress that plagues the average adult. 

“Doesn’t sound like we’re dating if you call everything we do a ‘not-fake’,” his lips downturn to a very displeasing frown that marred his big-tough-guy look, while he attempts to pry your clammy fingers off said face. He doesn’t know the first thing about love, but sure as hell he’s not a dumbass.

Law pulls you aside to escort you to the Chief’s office, leaving Zoro to revert his focus back onto his reports, overlooking the new cases. A killer clown running loose, gathering a circus to cause more trouble. Nothing more than clout for a rep. 

The Massacre Solider’s, as the media dubbed, killings suddenly halted.

The Revolutionaries protesting and planning a riot downtown against the government, led by the infamous criminal dubbed as Dragon.

Firefighter accidentally sets the workplace on fire after reheating meat for too long. Damn it, Luffy.

“Hey, Zoro!” The familiar long nose approaches him, friendly as ever. “We’re partners today for patrol! Thank god it’s you.” He sobs out the last part, body turning milky white while remembering the horrid flashbacks of almost being shot at by an angry woman for notifying her about her illegally parked car in a handicap spot. The world is a scary place.

Usopp let out a huffy sigh after seeing Zoro’s nose scrunch in distaste. “No offense Usopp but Y/n is and has been my partner,” his arms crossed, gaze not leaving the paper.

The persistent sniper slides next to Zoro, slinging his arm over his shoulder despite the other shoving him off. “Yeah but the chief said that he’s borrowing her for today.”

Great.

It’s not like Zoro dislikes Usopp, it’s not like that at all. It’s just he knows he’s going to babysit the scaredy cat. Amazing how he’s a coward, yet one of the finest sharpshooters he knows. Nobody doing it like him.

The hectic, sharp alarm lights the room red, causing the policemen to spring to action. The once-chattering room fills with the sounds of rapid footsteps, police sirens, incoherent yelling, and the urgent news.

Local wealthy landlord found dead on the street, SMILES cause of death, victim unidentified.

They made it through the yellow tapes and through the crowd with the help of Usopp’s directions, and Zoro instantly remembered that face-- really, how can he forget that face when you constantly bitched about him nearly everyday. That cocky smile never left that bastard’s face despite half of the pearly whites being gone.

It was Belle...

Belle-something.

It was Belle! 

He passes by him on the staircase whenever he visits you for nonsense. The medic hoists the mass onto the gurney, and drives off, leaving the remaining team to survey the area.

His colleagues told him that the victim OD’ed on SMILES, but the marimo knew better. Although faint, his sharp eyes can see the smudged trail of blood coming from another area. This isn’t a typical overdose. Belle was dead by the time the team got here. He was murdered somewhere else and dragged into the streets for a show. A declaration. A warning. 

In short, he was murdered. And probably from the same guy who started this whole SMILES addiction.

Meanwhile as the news blared in Chief Cora’s office, your heart sunk when the anchor broadcasted the victim’s face after receiving identification for a brief moment. It was Bellemy! Holy Gorgonzolas, that’s your landlord! Crap! As fucked up as it seemed, the only thought that initially crossed your mind was Does that mean I don’t have to pay for rent? More importantly, he’s dead! Not that you feel deep remorse... he did call you a whore last week and scoped your apartment without your permission.  

“It’s a message,” Cora puffed on his cigarette, the dim lighting of the room accentuating the smoke, “He knows we’re onto him.”

He ashed his cigarette in his heart-shaped ashtray, before relighting. Paper slid across the table, a confidential report wide open. Attached to the report was a headshot of a man with fancy, bird-eye-like shades. 

“His name is Doflamingo. Known as God of the Underworld. Dangerous man,” Cora said dryly, and straight to the point. “That kid that was on TV worked under him. Bellemy.”

Your brows furrow as you flip through the pages, examining the details with careful precision. “So the assets belong to this man?” 

“Legally. I didn’t find any contract that says that Bellemy shares this property with Doffy. Doffy must’ve not liked that one of his henchmen opposed his will. We can only assume that his death was the price to pay and to promote the SMILES. Other than that, Bellemy’s apartment lots are illegally owned, so we can also assume that it’s going to be confiscated when the police connect two-and-two together. You get where I’m going with this, right?” His eyes glanced over his shoulder, expecting you to catch on with the elaborative hints he dropped. It took a while, but it clicked.

“And now I’m homeless.” Hands thrown in the air, you sighed in defeat. First it was losing your bike in the walkway, next it was having to sneak in your own office like a burglar for a last-minute report that could’ve cost your job, and now it was being thrown on the streets because you lived and paid for an illegal apartment. 

Law interjected your whine with the clearing of his throat. “You don’t have to be.” He was silently watching the events unfold before him, taking in your reactions along the way.

“You can live with us,” Corazon proposed, cutting off whatever Law was going to say. That offer left both you and Law with your jaws hanging wide open. After a second, Law collects himself and musters a very confused what. 

“I was going to say to find someplace outside of town to live!” His disbelief coated his every word, and went unnoticed. “Are you sure?”

Cora simply nods, a thumbs up affirming his decision whilst trying to convince you to take up his offer.

“Please,” Cora’s hand found its way to your shoulder, lightly squeezing it. “It’d be beneficial for both you and us. You’re part of the brains of this operation so it’s better to keep you near us. And you did say you’re homeless now.”

He nudges you once more, after seeing your silence. “C’mon, beggars can’t be choosers.”

With that one line, you concede. 

You pull out your phone and send a simple text to your date, telling him you’re taking a raincheck to pack up your shit. He never responds. Had you known the consequences of agreeing, you would’ve stayed on the streets if that could mean that he’d still be here.

[literarytrashcollection]

A Bad Day

AN: This is pretty much just cutie-pie Thor doing his cutie-pie thing.

Thor x Reader

When I met Thor, I was immediately reminded of a gigantic puppy-dog, trying to act tough. Broad arms crossed over a broader chest, golden face settled into what probably would have been considered mean-mugging, but to me, just looked like he was lost in deep thought. Most of the Avengers paid no mind to the secretary all but running their lives. Natasha came to visit every so often and Tony made a point of knowing my name, my favorite food, and how I took my coffee. The rest? I was a background character.

Thor and I took to each other like fish to water. As soon as we were free of the observation of the rest of the Avengers, he seemed to melt. He asked me tons of questions about myself, my time on Midgard, my family. He was enthralled by my sheer mortality. I was clumsy, almost to the point of making Twilight’s Bella look graceful. He thought it hilarious, compared to the catlike grace of Natasha and Wanda.

“Y/N! Are you available for another of our amicable adventures?” Thor asked merrily as he jogged down the hallway to me. I’d just gotten off my shift. It had been a bad day. Tony had gotten in a fight with Pepper, so when he stormed in demanding this and that, my flustered fumbling only made him more angry. I’d had to deal with fifteen separate reporter’s assistants trying to set up interviews with any number of the Avengers, all very aggressive and pushy when I tried to firmly say “no.”

“I had kind of a bad day. I kind of just want to go home and binge watch TV and eat ice cream.” I mumbled, shouldering my purse. I sagged under the weight of it. I felt weak from the sheer amount of verbal abuse I had received that day.

Thor pondered that a moment, his puppy-dog face contorted as he thought about it. “Let me help make your day slightly better.” He finally offered, holding his hand out to me. He was clad in a dark red hoodie and blue jeans, heavy work boots in place of his warrior boots.

“How?” I asked, resting my tiny hand in his massive one. He moved my arm through his and patted the back of my hand on his bicep as he led me out of the tower.

“Worry not, by the end of this night, you will have a much brighter smile upon your face.” He assured me.

Mjolnir appeared in his hand and we were flying through the air, my body trapped against his as we flew. I didn’t know when he wrapped his arm around me, but I could tell from the steel grip around me that he wouldn’t drop me. I still tried to scream but the sound got caught in my throat, and suddenly we were on a cliff, overlooking the sea.

I stumbled away from him once we were securely on the ground, the horizon spinning like a kaleidoscope of sea green and flashes of white from the seagulls milling about for their next meal.

“Y/N, are you alright?” He asked, stepping with me, ready to catch me if I went down.

“Little motion sick.” I laughed, sitting down hard on the grass, my head between my knees. I was thankful for the slacks I’d worn that day, rather than my typical pencil skirt.

He laughed heartily, his whole body leaning back. “Yes, first time flyers are often made ill by it.” He wiped a tear from his eye, like that was the best joke he’d heard in years.

Once his laughing had subsided, he removed the magic from his body with a slam of Mjolnir into the ground. Lightning haloed the ground around him and in a flash he was in his Asgardian armor, complete with the blood red capes billowing in the wind regally.

He hauled me to my feet and while I dusted myself off, he laid his cape out for us to sit on, producing the horn of an animal full of Asgardian mead. He took a mighty swallow then offered it to me, a risk I dared not take. If it got him and the super soldiers drunk, then it would kill me.

“Y/N, might I ask what has soured your day so?” He leaned back on his arms, staring out into the sea as he spoke, voice thickened from the alcohol.

I vented to him. I told him about Tony’s anger and the six different people who called me a frigid bitch or some variation of it and the millions of appointments I had to make for every single different Avenger.

“Tony’s anger will subside. You know he believes the world of you.” Thor assured me with a bump of his shoulder against mine, nearly sending my tumbling to my side. “For all intents and purposes, you keep our lives in order with a smile on your face the whole time.”

“I know.” I sighed. “It was just a lot of anger today. I wanted to throttle some of those reporters though.”

He chuckled. “You would make a fierce warrior, were you not so new to land legs.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “It’s not my fault things keep moving into the way of my feet.”

“And yet, nothing ever seems to move.” He glanced over at me, his face stretched into a big grin. “Here, a punch from you would probably do me no harm at all. Hit me, let out your frustrations.” He stood, offering me his hand again.

“No, Thor. Friends don’t hit each other.” I waved him away, staring very pointedly out to the ocean, where waves were staring to pick up in velocity and aggression. I could see storm clouds brewing on the horizon.

He pondered that, before kneeling down in front of me, his face barely a breath away. “Where I come from,” he murmured, “it is an honor and a privilege to fight alongside the ones you care about. Sparring is meant as friendly practice. This would be no more than that, Lady Y/N.”

I stared at him for a long time, peering into the storm clouds of his eyes, mirroring the ones threatening to ruin our little spot. “I’m not from there.”

“Yet, I would be honored to bring you to my home and introduce you to my world. You would be a welcome member of the Asgardian family.” He said it proudly, like he planned on bringing me home with him, rather than hoped for it.

I huffed and clamored to my feet. “Alright. Teach me how to punch.”

“You do not know how to fight?” He asked, incredulous.

“Thor, do you really think anyone is going to teach me to fight when I can’t even walk in a straight line without accumulating bruises?”

That made him double over in laughter again. “While that is the most hilarious scene I’ve heard of in some time,” he panted, “I truly believe that everyone should know how to defend themselves. You are no exception. Besides that, the physicality of fighting is often beneficial to those with such gracelessness.”

I crossed my arms, waiting for him to be done.

“Okay, okay, I apologize, Lady Y/N.” He knelt down in front of me again, plucking one of my hands and kissing my knuckles lightly. “Let me teach you, and then you can hit me, for the anger of your day and the embarrassment of your clumsiness.”

I arched an eyebrow.

“I expect more punches than just today, I have no intention of easing up on the fun I make of you.” He grinned.

Then he stood behind me. With a hand on my stomach and the middle of my shoulders, he adjusted my posture. His skin against mine sent tingles down my spine. He adjusted my feet by way of my hips, fingers digging in slightly as he watched my feet shuffle around. He stepped around in front of me and helped me form my fists, teaching me the proper way to do it, then he showed me how to extend my arm for a punch. After a few practice hits on the palm of his hand, he spread his arms.

“Hit me, Y/N.”

I studied his hard chest. “Not with the armor on. I’ll break my hand.” The leather of his armor looked tough and unforgiving.

A devilish smirk graced his lips, so different from the pure happiness his smiles usually radiated. He shed his body armor, until he was down to his pants and spread his arms again. I felt heat travel up my neck and through my cheeks. My mouth dried out.

He was fucking stacked. His body seemed to glow against the darkening background of the sea, skin bright and golden. His muscles were defined deliciously, each line crisp and cut like a river from stone. Scars from previous battles marred his skin in a way that told a million stories of his life.

“Are you going to hit me, or just stare all night?” He asked, and suddenly there was a dangerous look in his eyes, daring me to pick the latter.

“And what if I decide to stare?” My voice came out stronger than I anticipated, braver.

His arms felt to his sides and he took a step closer, too close to punch effectively, but close enough to see the lightning illuminating his eyes as power seemed to surge through him. Thunder rumbled out over the sea. “I don’t believe that staring is all that would be done.” His gravelly voice became soft like satin. Warmth seemed to envelope me and all of the anger I had accumulated through the day seemed to melt away.

“Thor, are you saying—” I was interrupted with his mouth on mine. Thunder cracked again and I could hear the ocean raging against itself. Thor’s fingers gripped my shoulders tightly and his lips moved against mine confidently.

He tasted like smoke and ozone and campfire, warm and woodsy and natural. I couldn’t help my hands that slowly crawled over his hips, then his abs, around to the tight expanse of his back. At his recognition of my approval, his hands drifted to my face, my hair, down my sides and back up again.

I broke away first, the air in my lungs dangerously thin. “That’s…” I heaved a massive breath. “That’s not at all what I was expecting out of tonight.”

His arm wound around me, pressing me against him tightly while his free hand moved up to cup my face, thumb brushing my kiss swollen lips. “Nor I, Y/N. But I cannot say I am not pleased with the night’s progression.”

My face warmed up again and I tried to duck my head under his, hide my embarrassment.

“You can still hit me if you like. I understand if it was an unwanted advancement.”

I jerked back. “Unwanted?” His eyes were turned down, face fallen. “Not at all. I enjoyed it quite a bit.” I admitted. His smile returned at that and he all but bent me backwards, kissing me again, this time much deeper. His tongue danced across mine, sending electric sparks through my mouth and the rest of my body, like we’d both dumped Pop Rocks in our mouths before we came together.

We laid out on his capes after we tired of kissing while standing. Mostly, we looked at the stars and he told me all of Asgard and the other Nine Realms. I told him of the constellations I could see and remember, once the storm clouds dissipated. Then we kissed some more, hands roaming over each other lightly.

He flew me back into town well after three in the morning. We stopped on the way home and shared a plate of French fries at some 24 hour diner and he drank coffee while I had a milkshake. He walked me home from there, “daring not waste a single moment” with me.

As I climbed the steps of my apartment, his fingers drifted down my arm, slowly releasing me as I opened the door.

“Lady Y/N, should you ever have a day of such anger again, please allow me to make it better for you again.” He said, his voice small and almost sad.

I turned around and descended the stairs again, all but leaping into his open arms. He held me tight, one hand tangled in my hair while the other pressed me still harder against his body. “Of course, Thor.” I murmured, holding him as tight as my arms would allow.

He released me and pressed a chaste kiss to my lips, then nodded up the stairs. He left with a swat on my ass, my surprised face wasted on an empty stairwell when I whipped around. He was gone.

[moonlightmadnessreviews]

It’s Terror Time Again: The Benefits of Being a Scared Kid

Do you remember the first time you were frightened by a movie? Is the image burned into your mind? Can you still see it when you close your eyes to sleep? Many people who consider themselves fans of the horror genre make note of the fact that they remember being exposed to it at a fairly young age, often times thanks to cool parents. Though there may have been some sleepless night afterwards for both parties involved, it was all a result of family time spent together. For all its boogie men, and all the times we’ve triple checked under our beds at night, horror has long been a means of bringing generations together.

It should be noted that horror movies are not unique in leaving an impression on young children. It would be fair to say that those of us who grew up in households where movie night was a regular occurrence would grow up to be extra fond of those movies and often revisit them in later years. There are just as many people who have gone on to have a deep love for Disney movies, comedies or even Christmas movies when they grow up thanks to special memories they associate with them. I can still quote lines from A Goofy Movie, Forrest Gump and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but it was the fear and wonder that Jurassic Park sparked within me that has made it THE movie I associate most with my childhood. I can tell you where I was when I first saw it, who was there and even what part I started watching it from (this was during the “We’ll catch it on HBO.” era). Dinosaurs weren’t the only beasts giving me nightmares at a young age though.

My first experience with a true horror movie came in the form of Rick Baker’s amazing work in John Landis’ An American Werewolf in London. I can still remember silently making my way to the room of my older cousin that summer, as screams spilling out into the hall. I popped my head into the room just as the first transformation scene began. Not fully understanding what was going on, I was torn. I wanted to run back to the living room, horrified by what I was watching, but my feet were cemented to the ground. Watching David Naughton’s face distort and morph filled me with dread, and yet there was curiosity as well. As my jaw hung open, all I could think was “I know this is just a movie but... HOW are they doing this?”

Upon my return to school that September, the crazy werewolf movie I saw with my cousins was all I could tell my friends about. It has since become one of my favorite films, that astonishment from my childhood etching every detail, every scene, deep into my memory. The nightmares came shortly after that first night’s watch, the image of the enormous werewolf tearing Griffin Dunne to shreds haunting me. Every time I’d wake from a nightmare to frantically look around my room, I’d just hope I wouldn’t slip into the same nightmare once I got back to sleep. Despite this and other movies scaring me out of my sleep, I would still find my way back to them.

I would also consider myself lucky to have grown up in the era of kid-friendly, yet still very frightening, horror media. Shows like “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” were just as frightening as any horror movie you might catch in a theater in those days, the only major distinction between them being the lack of profanity and nudity. The episodes may have had some less than stellar performances by young actors, but the stories were just as frightening as anything available for adults. The “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” book series followed a similar template, one that knew children were intelligent enough to understand these other-worldly and frightening concepts and never made the reader feel as though they were being spoken down to. R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” series is perhaps the closest to “kid-friendly horror” from those days. The books and eventual TV show kept things fairly lighthearted while also trying to deliver important messages, yet they too felt like horror media that you could consume as a young kid or pre-teen without feeling like it was any less frightening.

I also owe a great deal of thanks to my dad for getting me interested in horror from a young age by way of his creative and creepy bedtime stories. He has the ability to tell stories in a way that paint a clear picture for you, and they would often leave me more frightened than I’m sure he intended. My dad would often take my mother to see horror movies when they were dating, so he’d love to tell me all about them when I was growing up. When I first watched Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, he told me how much the music reminded him of Return of the Living Dead and proceeded to convince me that acid rain would turn me into a zombie. On another occasion, just sitting in a car waiting for my mother to get out of the store, he managed to take me through the entire plot of The People Under the Stairs, one of his all time favorites. I’ll always be grateful for the interest, and fear, he instilled in me from so early on.

I tend to joke from time to time that when I finally have kids, I’m going to make sure I frighten them with movies like An American Werewolf in London, Return of the Living Dead and The Fly to make sure they turn out just like me. What I mean to say is, I feel it’s important for kids to be scared! I find that it helped to open up my creativity, and the search for things that frightened me became a life long passion. Children should be allowed to explore fear through different mediums, to an age appropriate and reasonable extent of course, as a way to help them feel more grown up and, to some extent, brave. I’m not saying we should torture our children in an effort to toughen them up, but if you expose them to different forms of horror and they’re receptive to it, it can now become a shared passion and part of quality time spent with them.

With the return of “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”, the upcoming Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark movie and even the sequel to Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, it’s the perfect time not only for those looking to relive a piece of their childhood but also for new generations to be indoctrinated into the cult of fear. When seeing material from our childhood adapted for the screen, some of us will be staring our nightmares face to face, trying not to flinch. Others will discover these monsters for the very first time, and they may even seek out the source material. Whichever one you are, just know that you’re part of something special. Horror doesn’t need to be a dirty word, because when it helps to bring generations together, it’s frightening just how much fun we can all have.

[filmfanatic82]

Read on AO3 (HERE)

Chapter 7: Raven (II)

Where the hell is Blake?

The question shoots through Raven’s mind for the umpteenth time as she’s forced to watch Clarke and Lexa pretend they aren’t mere seconds away from jumping each other’s bones. She runs her hands over her ponytail and lets out a heavy sigh.

After having spent the better part of the afternoon with Octavia, hiding out from the world underneath the school bleachers, Raven suddenly finds herself craving the younger girl’s presence much more than usual. Sure, she’s always had a soft spot for Octavia, sometimes preferring her company over that of anyone else that she knows. But lately…

Lately, it's been different.

Then again, everything has. Ever since that night a few months ago when Raven had drunk one too many cups of Monty Juice and found herself locking lips with a dark and mysterious junior name Echo.

It had started off innocent enough. Just a friendly game of spin the bottle between the usual delinquents and a few other randoms that went to their school. Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.

Not until it was Raven’s turn.

At first, thanks to the ever-growing effects of Monty Juice, Raven had thought the bottle had landed on Clarke. Which wouldn’t have been anything new. She had ‘kissed’ Clarke a million and one times before. Usually just a quick peck on the lips or, every so often, when Clarke had downed one too many tequila shots, it would be something deeper.  

And sure it was enjoyable… More enjoyable than any of Raven’s makeout sessions with Finn. But, she had always chalked it up to the simple fact that it was Clarke.

Who wouldn’t enjoy kissing Clarke Griffin?

But, it wasn’t Clarke who moved forward towards Raven. Is was an unknown girl, rocking heavy eyeliner and a ‘don’t fuck with me’ black leather jacket, that slowly made her way across the circle. Her rich hazel eyes locked in on Raven, causing a strange, electric shiver to shoot down Raven’s spine. And…

Shit.

Raven couldn’t move. She sat there, muscles frozen, fixed in the girl’s gaze like a helpless prey seconds before a predator pounces. Breathing wasn’t an option. Nor looking away. All Raven could do was watch as the girl’s red cherry lips inched closer and closer to hers and…

Then, it was as if someone had turned on a freakin’ floodlight within the depth of her brain, finally illuminating the obvious fact that had been there all along.

Gay.

The word flashed in blindly neon lights. A simple yet powerful revelation.

A truth, that up until this point, Raven had been struggling to put into words.

By the time the girl pulled out of the kiss, there was no turning back. Raven’s eyes had been opened and her world could never be the same. And…

It fucking terrified her.

“You okay, Rae?” Clarke questions. She stops drawing suggestive circles with her fingers on Lexa’s chiseled bicep and turns her attention toward Raven.

“Yeah. I’m good.” Raven straightens herself up in the bean bag chair and glances down at her phone once again.

Still nothing.

Raven fights against the itch to shoot off yet another text as her fingers wander upwards and grasp hold of the tiny metal crane that’s tucked away just beneath her soft heather gray t-shirt.

The necklace had been a birthday present from Octavia. A simple yet elegant origami crane on a plain metal chain that all but screamed Raven’s style. She had found it dangling from inside her locker on the morning of her birthday with a handwritten note that said ‘Saw this when we were on vacation and thought of you. Know it’s not a raven, but figured it was close enough. Happy Birthday, Rae. I know it’ll be a good one. Love O’

They had never talked about it nor did Raven ever mention the present to Finn, but it resided around her neck nonetheless. Day in and day out. A tiny reminder of her favorite constant human being in her tumultuous life.

Her Octavia.

Well… Not hers…

But maybe…

The far off sounds of the front door opening echoes throughout the basement, instantly snapping Raven out of her thoughts.

“Who’s that?” Raven asks.

“Not sure. Lex?” Clarke nudges Lexa in the shoulder, breaking Lexa’s intense concentration on the tv.

“Huh?” Lexa gives a hard blink, clearly not sure what was just said.

“The front door just opened,” Clarke responds.

“Strange. Doubt it’s my mom. She got assigned a big case last week and has been pretty much living in her office all week.”

“Maybe it’s O,” Raven offers up with a slight nonchalant shrug.

“Octavia?” Clarke asks, confused.

“Yeah. I invited her to tag along tonight. She seemed to be having a rough day and figured she might wanna join us.”  

“Rough day?”

“Dunno. Just something I picked up on.”

Clarke gives a bit of a nod signaling that she doesn’t need any further explanation. She gets it. “Thanks.”

“Always.”

The dull drone of the tv filters back in between the three of them as Lexa and Clarke zone back out, mindlessly spoiling each other with feather-like touches across the patches of exposed skin.

Raven let’s out another sigh and then, without another moment’s hesitation, gets up and heads up the basement stairs.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

“Yo, Blake. What the hell took you--” Raven trails off as she rounds the corner into the kitchen and spots…

Anya.

Anya freakin’ Woods. The older of the infamous Woods sister and the one human being on the face of the earth that can manage to throw Raven off of her game in a matter of milliseconds. Anya doesn’t talk. She spars. Verbally poking again and again, until she achieves what she wants.

“Reyes,” Anya says in a calm draw, not fully bothering to look up from her phone.

“Cheekbones,” Raven responds, matching Anya tone. She knows this game well. It’s one that they’ve been religiously playing since the very first time Raven step foot in the Woods house almost six years ago.

“Sexiled?”

“No. Just taking a break from the mad orgy down there.” Reyes makes her way to the fridge, trying her best not to pay Anya any more attention than she needs to. It’s a move. A deliberate and obvious one.

“Hairboy finally learned to share his toys with others?” Anya asks with the slightest rise of her eyebrows. Her classic tell. One that Raven has learned throughout the years to watch for. Anya has the itch to play. “Interesting.”

Raven visibly bristles at the mention of Finn’s name.

Shit.

A wave of instant regret washes over Raven. She doesn't need to turn around to know that a small but noticeable cherisher smirk is crawling its way across Anya’s lips.

“Or is Hairboy not in the picture anymore?”

Raven takes a deep breath as her hand grips tighter around the door of the refrigerator. A thick, suffocating silence settles within the kitchen. It’s her move. And she needs to make it before Anya catches on. Before…

“Hello?” Octavia’s voice cuts through the kitchen bringing an immediate sense of physical relief to every inch of Raven’s body.

“Thank fucking god,” Raven mutters under her breath as she grabs a bottle of water and shuts the fridge. She turns around just as Octavia make her way into the kitchen and greets the younger girl with one of her signature, cocky grins. “You made it. Was beginning to worry we were gonna have to send out a search party or something.”

“Sorry. I wasn’t sure about what to wear and--”

“And you dragged your heels for a good 25 minutes before deciding to raid Bell’s wardrobe?” Raven says finishes Octavia’s sentence with the greatest of ease. Her eyes can’t help but give Octavia a once over, pausing to appreciate just how perfectly Bell’s skinny gray jeans and faded Led Zeppelin henley exemplify Octavia’s nature androgynous features as her mind starts to head towards those ever-tempting thoughts. Thoughts that Raven knows she shouldn’t have. Especially about Octavia. But it’s practically impossible not to.

Not when she looks like that.

“Yeah. Sorta,” Octavia replies, shifting a bit from foot to foot, shoving her hands deeper into the back pockets of her jeans as she does. “Where’s Clarke and Lexa?”

“Downstairs.”

“Cool.” Octavia gives a slight nod and then without another word, ducks back out of the kitchen, leaving Raven once again alone with Anya.

The silence seeps back in between the two of them for a moment or two as Raven’s mind lingers on her Octavia fueled thoughts, then--

“Careful, Reyes. Your gay is showing,” Anya says with a strange underlying sense of knowing to her voice. She slips out of her chair, tucks her phone in her pocket, and gives Raven a parting wink before making her way out of the kitchen.

Checkmate.  

“Fuck,” Raven exhales once Anya is out of sight and races her hands over her ponytail in a burst of undiluted frustration.

Anya freakin’ Woods.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Crying.

Anya’s crying.

Anya doesn’t cry. Never. Not even when she accidentally broke her wrist in four places last summer at the Roadhouse pub.

Oh god… Why is Anya crying?

The question flashes across the blurred mess of jumbled lights and sounds within her mind for the briefest of moments, but before Raven can even attempt to form the words, a blanket of darkness falls upon her once again.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Lightning.

A bolt of freaking lightning.

Raven’s mouth opens to scream as every nerve in her body ignites at once but no sounds come out.

“Clear.”

“Got a pulse.”

“Good. Push another round of atropine.”

All Raven can do is helplessly stare up at the semi-blurry blob like images above her move in a strange, frenetic dance. Tears flow freely down her cheeks, cutting a clear definitive path against her olive complexion.

What the hell’s happening?

Why is her body on fire?

Raven’s mind gropes at the array of questions as they fly in and out of her consciousness, utterly desperate to hold onto one long enough to fully grasp the truth behind it.  

“What’s her name again?”

“Rae… Raven… It’s Raven,” Anya’s voice cuts through the sea of Raven’s fragmented thoughts, so fragile and broken.

“Okay good… Raven… Raven, can you hear me? Can you feel my hand? I need you to squeeze my fingers if you can hear me?”

Raven tries to locate the part of her brain that controls her motor functions but comes up short. Nothing seems to work. She tries again… and again… and again…

“Raven? Raven, stay with me… Shit. She’s coding again. Get the paddles ready…”

Raven battles harder against her failing body as the darkness starts to creep in, slowly invading every inch of her consciousness. She needs to give them a sign -- any sign -- that she’s still there. That there’s still life in her.

But the darkness continues to spread. Blanketing everything it touches with its dense nothingness. A black sea that stretches beyond infinity. It inches closer and closer, only milliseconds away from consuming the whole of Raven.

“Clear!”

Unable to fight it any longer, Raven simply gives in and lets the darkness swallow her whole.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

The steady beacon of sound breaks through the darkness of Raven’s mind, awakening her synapses once again. Unlike before, though, there’s a pedicular sense of clarity. As if the lights have been suddenly flipped on in the dark expanse and finally the stray bits and pieces merge together, forming one holistic picture. A terrifying yet decipherable picture. One that Raven needs no further explanation to understand.

They crashed.

Rapid images of glass shattering and metal twisting pop across her consciousness like fireworks lighting up a night’s sky. And then the screaming and followed by a tsunami of pain.

Just the mere memory of it is enough to make Raven want to fade back to the comforting warm of the darkness. But instead, though, she pushes down those memories with a hard swallow, allowing them to venture into the place where she stores all of her other life moments that she doesn’t want to have to deal with.

“I’m sorry.”

The words instantly grab hold of Raven, like a familiar hand reaching out and intertwining their fingers with her own. It’s comfort. A comfort that, up until this very moment in time, she thought was long gone. Only meant to reside in the now tainted memories of Raven’s past.

Raven blinks. Her eyes crack open and the world around her comes into focus revealing a glimpse into her surroundings. Cold and sterile.  A plethora of sickly green tinted curtains mixed with a small army angrily beeping machines. Although she can’t move, she can feel the constricting presence of the numerous wires and tubes, snaking their way into different parts of her body, some pumping her with a concoction of drugs while others reporting in on her vitals.

Raven blinks again and yet another layer of her current world reveals itself. There, tucked away in the far corner of the room, sits an amalgamation of someone she once knew and someone she has always secretly desired to meet. The human being who's solely responsible for the deepest of scars etched across Raven’s soul.

Sure, their clothes and undercut hairstyle are slightly foreign to Raven, but nonetheless, those hazel eyes are exactly the same. The ones that have the ability to bore through her rock-solid emotional walls with the greatest of ease and strip her down until there’s nothing left but the truth. Those eyes are the ones that until this very moment have plagued Raven’s dreams. A bitter reminder of all that could’ve been.

Raven attempts to call their name, but her voice is simply nowhere to be found. The mere effort causes another wave of exhaustion filled pain to wash over her, forcing her eyes to shut once again. It’s too much.

Everything is too much.

A whisper of a groan escapes Raven’s lips as she fights to remain lucid. It’s so faint that it should be lost amongst the chorus of the machines, but…

But it’s not.

Raven is suddenly aware of the familiar sensation of someone’s hand slipping ever so carefully into her own. Fingers interlacing themselves one by one, like a strong and comforting lifeline.

As darkness starts to seep in once again, luring Raven back into the land of unconsciousness, she can’t help but think that maybe -- just maybe-- after all these years of painful avoidance to the point of almost non-existence, that they can reside in each other’s lives once again.

Just maybe…   

[thatfairyfangirl]

True Colors Chapter 8

Weeks of quiet boredom passed as you slowly came to realize that being an Avenger was really for the most part just waiting around in shifts for the world to need your help, and training yourself to be ready for when that time arose. Things began to feel familiar, like your school days at Xavier’s all over again, but so very different.  At school you learned your mutant tallents. Here you were honing them to perfection. No school children running around clogging up the halls, at times when the others were away attending to their personal lives it almost felt too empty. If it wasn’t for Bucky you were sure you’d go mad in the vast emptiness of it all. Meals, though they were comunal were much less formal than you pictured. It had more grab a plate and be on your way if you want it, which for you felt much more at home. It was nice to be able to skip a meal at the tower to go out with Bucky for some alone time every now and then. Ever since the night of the party your friendship seemed to be flourishing.

As the two of you wandered the streets debating on where to go for lunch, leaves crunching under foot you began to spot the signs of the season fast approaching. Though the pumpkins remained they no longer wore carved faces. The leaves no longer needed your help in their vibrant shades. The day was growing a bitter chill that cut through you as Bucky wrapped his arm around your shoulders to keep you warm.

“Say Doll, do they still do that Thanksgiving parade in town?” He asked with a smile, his long dark hair clinging to his face, held down by a knit cap.

The light in your eyes grew as you looked up to him. “Oh Buck do they ever!” You turned, looking back to the tower, only a few blocks behind you now. “You know, I think the tower is on the parade route.” He chuckled as you beamed with excitement. “I’ve only ever seen it on TV oh this is going to be such a great Thanksgiving!”

~ ~ ~ ~

The sun wasn’t even over the skyline of New York as you jumped into Bucky’s bed, waking him with a start that walked the fine line between adorable and dangerous for your health. “My god Doll! Don’t do that!” He wide eyed held his hand over his heart as he tried to calm himself down. “You realize how close you were to dead there?”

You simply smiled as you crawled over his sheets to playfully poke at his face. “But you didn’t, now come on, time to get dressed for the parade.”

With a sleepy huff Bucky fell back into his bed. “No Doll, it’s 5:30 and the parade doesn’t start for another 4 hours and we live on the parade route. Remember?”

“But Buck, if we watch it from up here we won’t be able to hear anything,” you protested as you flopped onto the bed keeping your movements just exaggerated enough against his skin to keep him from falling back to sleep.

“Then we’ll just go downstairs.” He murmured as he pulled you in close to him, holding you still with his bionic arm. You wiggled under him, fighting to get free.

“But that’s why we have to go downstairs now.” You whined as you shook him gently.

~ ~ ~ ~

“What the heck is that?” Bucky asked with a scrunched brow pointing up to a giant floating Pikachu in a Santa hat. Clint and Natasha rolled their eyes at the tenth time Bucky had asked that since the start of the parade. Steve, however, he understood where his friend was coming from, he knew that was him just a few years ago.

“That is a travesty,” you answered with a half pout as you folded your arms over your chest. “To put Pikachu in a christmas hat on Thanksgiving Day! Ugh do they not have any decency?” With a wave of your hand the bright candy apple red of the hat began to swirl into a dull brown, something you felt to be much more fitting for the day.

“(Y/N) those balloons are expensive. Maybe we can not mess with the colors?” Steve half scolded.

“But Steve,” you whined, “you know as well as I do that the Christmas season doesn’t start until Santa rolls down 34th!”

“Change it back now,” Steve insisted as you did as you were told.

“What’s a Peek-at-chyou?” Bucky asked with a creased brow, watching the giant creature float by.

“It’s what Spectrum wants to do when we’re in the training room.” Tony teased as he sipped on his coffee.

“It’s a Pokemon.” You answered with a quick right jab to Tony’s chest.

“What’s a-” You just held your hand up stopping the question before it started, explaining to him, roughly, what a Pokemon was. You reminded yourself to get him a gameboy for Christmas.

Over the next half hour or so you wrapped yourself in Bucky’s arms for a friendly warmth that he was happy to lend to you as you explained every float and every balloon.  The rest of the team shared knowing glances to each other, evaluating the growing relationship you both refused to acknowledge was there. As the balloons and floats meandered down the street the familiar sound of When You Wish Upon A Star began echoing through the streets making you leap with excitement. Bucky couldn't help but smile as he watched your face lit up brighter than Bucky thought possible as a familiar castle came rolling past. Waving from the float was every Disney Princess. Bucky chuckled a bit as he watched you bounce in his arms. “Calm down Doll, it’s just a float.” He chuckled as you stopped, your eyes focused on Ariel...in a blue dress.

“WHAT THE-” Bucky’s hand clamped down on your mouth muffling the stream of obscenities as your eyes narrowed, growing all the more angry with each wave of her hand. “I can’t believe they changed her dress!”

“Didn’t Ariel’s dress used to be pink?” Clint asked with a sip of his coffee, only knowing such information thanks to his daughter.

“YES!” You heard a whistle blow indicating to the marchers that the cameras had gone to commercial break and it was time to wait for them to start rolling again.

“What’s the big deal?” Bucky asked. “So she felt like wearing a different color this year…”

Your eyes went wide as you turned to face him. “James Buchanan Barnes I’m going to ask you something, and you have to swear to answer honestly. What was the last Disney movie you saw? And not just a clip Tony or Clint showed you, like actually full on credits to credits watched?"

“Disney...that’s the guy who put out the movie with the princess and the little men right?” The sound of the whistle blowing telling the parade to move once more drew his eyes back up to see the princess in question. “Oh! Her! That one.” He pointed to Snow White with a proud smile so sure him seeing one of your favorite movies on his own was an achievement.

"YOU MEAN YOU'VE ONLY SEEN SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES?!” Your eyes went wide as you began defending your childhood. “DO YOU REALIZE THEY’VE MADE 55 MOVIES SINCE THEN? Well, including live action ones. But do people really watch those anymore? And they have a theme park. Well actually they have 6 different ones, and” ypur fingers dug up into your hair as you came to a very big realization “OH MY GOD YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO DISNEY WORLD!”

“Woah. Woah Doll. Breathe.” He laughed as he placed his hands on your shoulders in an attempt to keep your feet on the ground. What is it with girls and princesses? “You have all the time in the world to take me to Princess World or wherever-”

“Disney, Buck.” You corrected, cutting him off. “Like…” you let out a sigh realizing this was something he’d have to see, “nevermind.”

“We can go to Disney World after the holidays, but right now I want to know if Tony is really going to let Vision cook the bird for tonight.”

“Hey, he’s been looking forward to it. Besides, Wanda’s going to help him.” Tony interjected defensively.

“Well I can already tell you that it’s going to be wrong. That thing should have been in the oven last night to properly roast.” You quipped.

~ ~ ~ ~

“Hey Rainbow Bright aren’t you supposed to be making the yams?” Tony asked teasingly from the kitchen. You and Bucky had been settled on the couch for hours now having a Disney marathon...He still didn’t quite see the big deal about the princesses that you were making, they seemed to be the exact opposite of what women today stood for. At least, the women he knew. But the smile on your face and the dreamy look in your eyes was enough to keep him watching. Without a word you pointed to a crock pot with something closely resembling what might turn out to be candied yams. “Okay...And Robocop where’s the cranberry sauce?” Bucky reached into his backpack which he had left propped up by the couch, pulling two cans out, holding them high for him to see. “You two are savages.” Tony just shook his head.

“This coming from the guy that’s letting the actual robot cook the Turkey.” You quipped back as you settled back into the sofa, swooning over Ariel and Eric’s story. “You know...when I was a kid I dreamed my wedding would be like this.” You remarked absentmindedly as you reached for the popcorn you smuggled in past the turkey day food police called Tony.

“Hey kids...dinner time - OH MY GOD WHY ARE YOU EATING BEFORE DINNER?!” Tony called into the common room, suspicious of a romantic moment in the making. You glared up to Tony, staring daggers into him as a silent warning that if he ever interrupted a Disney movie again he’d be avenging in more of a rainbow than you. He knew the look all too well, somewhere in the back of his mind he knew to be at least slightly afraid of the girl with the rainbow tattoos. “Umm, whenever you’re ready.” He grinned before quickly retreating back into the kitchen, damage done. Bucky watched the exchange, never really sure what to make of you and Tony, the playful banter and conversations that seemed to happen telepathically digging awkwardly at him. He knew for a fact there was no actual history there, but it was obvious there was something special and deep between the two of you, something he just couldn’t quite put his finger on.

After dinner, the marathon continued with Rapunzel.  “So, I don’t get it. Is she the flower?” Bucky asked as he sat back down, handing you a plate filled with warm nutty gooey goodness, a nice thick slice of pecan pie. “There were only two choices for your pie, this or pumpkin. And I know you have that thing about pumpkin and it being the basic bitch of fall.”

“It's not that Buck, it's that pecan pie is like crack. It's my two favorite things- sugar and nuts.” You insinuated with a wink, stirring Bucky’s blood, he both loved and hated when you pulled out the playful flirting. On the one hand he did enjoy the attention, but on the other he knew in the back of his mind that he’d never end up with a ray of sunshine like you. With a smirk you settled back into that comfy spot in his arms, holding up fork-fulls of your desert for him to share. “And that's the fun of movies Sargent. You have to watch to find out.”

With desserts soon gone and empty plates abandoned you quickly found yourself snuggled in a blanket using Bucky’s lap as a pillow, watching with childlike wonder as the lanterns danced around Rapunzel and Eugene. With a longing sigh your eyes fixated on the screen, not realizing you were creating lanterns of your own around the common room, bringing the both of you into the scene. You could feel Bucky’s strong thick fingers gently brushing your hair behind your ear as you wished you could experience a moment like the one on the screen. Bucky, however, wasn’t watching the scene unfold on the TV, he was too entranced by the look in your eyes as you watched. All that he ever wanted out of this world he could see right there wrapped up in that blanket. All those blurred years all that stolen time seemed actually worth it to see you like this, right now, his own personal rainbow to light his world. With a small half smile his left arm drifted from the back of the couch down to your side, resting on your hip lightly. You could feel the cool metal through your clothes, but didn’t really seem to mind. Peeking through the door Tony smirked at the scene, noticing your hair had adopted a soft shade of pink.

Tag List:

@sillydecoy​

Announcement from the writer:

I am also on Patreon! You can find me on Patreon HERE. I know, I know, it sounds like I am expecting you to pay for my writing but fear not! I will only be charging $1 a month, and even that is voluntary. The majority of my fics will be available for free. The $1 subscription will be for access to the really adult content stuff I have been sitting on such as what I have been calling “Blind Date’s Deleted Scene” and access to my discord AND early access to fics! As a bonus for you guys since you have been with me since the beginning of Blind Date I will grant you free access to the discord if you shoot me a message here on tumblr and ask.

I will still post fics on Tumblr up until they are no longer welcomed by the staff, but patrons will be able to view them early.

For those who have trouble with hyperlinks on their device or find it hard to click a small word vs an actual link here is the full link to my new Patreon    https://www.patreon.com/fairyfangirl

[team-free-squiggle]

T.A.R.D.I.S. Chapter 1: Roman + Bored = The Best Idea Ever

~~

Warnings: language, innapropriate jokes, fight scenes, certain song lyrics, Sympathetic Deceit, mentions of fear and anxiety, mentions of weaponry near the end

~~

Roman sat on the couch in the commons area of the mindscape, stunned as he tried to process that he had just finished the show that had quickly become his new favorite thing ever. What would he do now? No more new episodes until next year?

Doctor Who would have to wait a whole year? No more watching Tricey chase golf balls, no more watching the 9th Doctor fall in love with Rose Tyler, no more being introduced to different species across space and time? What would Roman do with his life and time now?

Logan would think this silly, he would say to just rewatch the series if it meant that much to him. Roman, however, knew from experience that you only get to see things the first time once, and that the feeling of rewatching is never quite the same as watching it the first time around.

Patton would be sympathetic, but would remind him that there would be a new season next year. Roman was not okay with this, he didn’t want to wait a year to see more of the Doctor’s grand adventures!

Roman knew that Virgil would understand, and would just hug Roman because he sympathized heavily. Actually, Roman recalled with a small, fond smile, Virgil was the one that got him into Doctor Who in the first place.

Roman didn’t really want to see his boyfriends right now, as he needed time to emotionally process everything that his boyfriends wouldn’t be able to understand, so he got up from the couch. After turning off the TV and the lights, he went to his room, and from there into the Kingdom of the Imagination.

Roman, upon entering Thomas’s Imagination, stopped to take in the view from his balcony in the palace. Little children raced each other in the village below, some playing games like soccer or just relaxing and talking. Others in the village hung out with their friends, and walked around town just having fun. Roman couldn’t help but smile at the scene -  a happy, prospering village surrounded by a golden sunrise and lush green hills. A bright blue river babbled happily down from a nearby mountain into a small forest, which let in the light from the bright sun shining down over everything.

Roman felt himself ease into the familiarity of watching the sunrise, letting his creativity flow automatically into doing something worthwhile with his emotions. Roman never was one to laze around when he was feeling, because all of his emotions made his creative works that much better and that much more genuine.

Roman smiled at the handsome lords, gorgeous ladies, and stunning nonbinary royalty as he moved through the palace and they waved at him. He was friendly with everyone, no matter their supposed ‘status’ in his Kingdom. That’s why no one bowed, no one was too strict or formal - it was just a friendly, creative, supportive environment. Everything Roman needed to come up with a good idea.

Roman went to the theater. Modeled after the great William Shakespeare's Globe Theater, Roman always went there to stand on the stage alone and just think. It was a way for him to tap into centuries of creative energy, and to generate some of his best ideas. So he thought about Doctor Who, what he loved about it and what he wished he could do with those feelings about it.

It was during this time that Roman realized something - ‘What if I had my own adventures like the Doctor’s?’ Roman began to plan out loud - he would personally much rather travel through stories than travel through a universe that, while interesting, was much less appealing to him than the fantastical worlds he read about. He recognized the complication of needing a Tardis, however, and that’s where his creativity came in.

Roman channeled his emotions into a single thought, willing the object in his mind to become reality and to do everything he wanted it to do and more.

~~

Virgil, Patton, and Logan were looking for their boyfriend. Thomas wanted to discuss some video ideas with the Sides, and they definitely needed Creativity for that. They couldn’t find him anywhere in the mindscape, though, and were beginning to become worried.

Logan realized, luckily, that they hadn’t checked Imagination, which is where Roman was likely to be, especially since he probably wanted to create something. This calmed them all down quite a bit, especially Virgil since he was the literal embodiment of Anxiety.

They sunk down into Roman’s room, quickly making their way to his extravagant theater. They were greeted by the other royalty in the palace with great enthusiasm, and were suddenly reminded that they, too, were all Princes in Roman’s world of Imagination.

They were polite to them all, but did insist that they had to find Roman. The people in the palace confirmed their suspicion that Roman was, in fact, inside his theater. They thanked everyone and made their way to their boyfriend happily, glad he was already in Creative (albeit borderline Daydream) Mode, and walked into the theater to see Roman, on stage, staring happily at a British Police Public Call Box.

They all stopped, Patton and Logan stopping out of confusion. Virgil had stopped out of shock, before making a very high pitched, practically inhuman shriek of happiness and running towards the stage. Roman turned around, startled, luckily with enough time to catch Virgil who had literally leapt into his arms with an excited “OHMYGODROMAN!!!”

Roman laughed happily, kissing Virgil softly before opening the door to the Tardis. Patton and Logan moved slowly towards the stage, extremely confused as to why Virgil was so excited over a freaking blue box.

Virgil took his boyfriends’ hands when everyone was on stage, pulling them towards and into the box.

“Uh, Virgil, I don’t think we’ll all… fit…” Logan trailed off when he stepped inside the bigger-on-the-inside, hella magical box.

He and Patton wandered around, admiring the hexagonal walls. It was a clean, dark blue and silver theme while having accents of bright blues. The thing that Logan identified as a control panel, however, had all sorts of red and purple and gold buttons. It was a mix of all their colours, and yet maintained a specific style that Logan could only assume was from whatever Roman had based this off of.

Patton noticed the picture frames of the four of them scattered around the large room, and he too saw the colours that went with all of them. He sat in the light blue bean-bag he discovered in the corner, admiring the room as Logan sat in the dark blue bean-bag next to him. Virgil collapsed into a black and purple bean-bag, pulling a red and gold one out for Roman, who sat next to them.

“Babe you made a Tardis, and it’s like… like… for all of us!!! How!? What!? You’re fucking amazing!” Virgil nuzzled into Roman’s side like the black cat he is, smiling as widely as the day Patton had asked him, Logan, and Roman out on a date the first time. Roman blushed happily.

“Well, I finished the show, and had a lot of emotions that I decided to put into a positive creative energy that could be used to make the four of us happy,” he whispered, slightly embarrassed. Patton and Logan were still staring around the box happily and in awe, and also hella confused as to what their other two boyfriends were going on about.

Virgil, on the other hand, knew exactly what Roman was feeling and hugged him.

“I’m so proud of you, doing this… it’s amazing, Ro.” Roman melted into the hug, heart melting slightly as his boyfriend said those words to him, of all people.

Logan and Patton smiled at their boyfriends for a moment, before the two broke apart and Logan got to ask the question that had been banging on the inside of his head for the last few minutes, since he had first seen the Tardis.

“So what the hell is this thing, exactly?” He exclaimed, not wanting to be confused anymore.

Before Patton could reprimand him for his language, Virgil jumped in with an explanation.

“In the show I recently introduced Roman to, Doctor Who, the main character can travel through Space and Time using his Tardis, which looks almost exactly like this. It’s the machine that travels through Space and Time, Logan. It can go anywhere, anywhen. It’s freaking amazing.” The other three Sides couldn’t help but notice how Virgil’s eyes lit up as he spoke, and god, he spoke with such passion that the others couldn’t help but fall in love with him even more.

Then Roman spoke up.

“While all of that is true, I, uh… I made some modifications. Instead of travelling through Space and Time, this Tardis travels through stories. We can go through books, and movies, and TV shows, and maybe more. I don’t know. I just wanted to make this so the four of us could have some very interesting dates.” He blushed a lot as he spoke, almost stuttering as he was unsure of how his boyfriends would respond. He looked down at the ground at the end, ready to have them shoot down his ideas.

When they didn’t say anything after a short while, Roman looked up. He was not prepared for how each of his boyfriends was looking at him, having prepared for disappointment and to be told no.

How wrong he was.

Instead, Logan was staring at him in admiration and awe, with a huge smile and a proud look in his eyes. Logan had had no idea that Roman would ever make something that appealed to all of them. He was impressed with how Roman did this, and that emotions could make something that could become everything to all of them.

Patton was smiling too, absolutely proud of his Creatively inclined boyfriend. Patton didn’t know exactly what Roman had done yet, but he was proud nonetheless. Plus he was excited for the potential of something to do with stories. Honestly, he was just bouncing excitedly as he looked at Roman, the background being one of Roman’s amazing creations.

Virgil, too, was smiling, and he moved towards Roman in order to hug him. Roman could only focus on that wonderful hug after the smile, though, because this one affected Roman the most. He knew Virgil held the context of what he was talking about. Not to mention, Virgil’s smile always melts Roman’s heart. The way that his face just lights up, but he somehow manages to smile with his eyes too.

Then there was the way that he was able to hug Roman and convey everything they both were feeling - anxiety, nervousness, yes - but creativity and passion and pure, unfiltered love and admiration. Logan and Patton joined, and all of a sudden Roman could feel that they were all impressed and happy and that all four of them loved one another without fear.

The emotions were almost overwhelming, but none of them minded. It was perfect for who the four of them are together - a family whose fire can never die. And with that feeling in mind, Roman fired up the engine of his family’s Tardis.

“All the stories, the tales, the arts in the world. Anything ever written or that will ever be written. Where would you like to start?” Roman smirked at his boyfriends, all four of them ready for the best adventure they would have to date.

[me-myself-and-my-fos]

Navin Week Day 1: Thanksgiving

Pairing: Gavin Reed x Nic Blake

Summary: Nic goes on a trip down memory lane and brings Gavin with her

Word count: 2.2k+

From the moment they met, Gavin knew Nic didn’t get along with her family. He never met her parents, and didn’t push to unless she wanted him to. And from the start she made it clear that she was not in any way ashamed of him, but of her parents. When Nic moved to Detroit she only brought with her the memories she wanted, leaving behind practically her whole life. Sometimes Gavin felt guilty about this, and Nic would remind him she did it of her own free will. She hasn’t looked back since, so when she came to Gavin one afternoon and told him she wanted to visit her hometown for Thanksgiving, Gavin was taken by surprise. He loved his wife, he really did, but sometimes her ideas were questionable at best. But upon seeing the pleading look in her eyes, he agreed without question.

He took a week off from work since they’d be in Virginia Beach for a week. Nic seemed excited, she talked nearly nonstop on the flight about all of her old stomping grounds that she was going to take him to. The hotel they were staying at was right by the beach which Nic did purposely. By the time they landed she was practically vibrating in her seat. A taxi ride to the car rental office and they headed to unpack. It was much warmer than Gavin expected—he was only used to weather in Detroit. While it was still chilly, there was no snow which only slightly surprised him. By early November Detroit was normally covered in a thin layer of white but there was just a bitter cold that wrapped the city of Virginia.

Gavin noticed Nic’s driving was much better than it was in Detroit. He figured it had something to do with that she grew up on these streets and knew how native Virginians drove. The hotel was nice, Nic having booked them a room with a balcony that overlooked the beach (“We call it the Oceanfront, the Beach is the city. You’ll get used to the slang.” She explained as some point). It was only eleven in the morning so Nic eagerly requested that she drive him all the way to her favorite childhood bakery in the next city, Norfolk. It was at least an hour drive to said bakery, and upon arrival Nic was bouncing on her heels as she dragged him to the mud green, rusty exterior bakery with large words on the sign saying “The French Bakery”. His wife quickly explained how she had been going there since she was small and that she knew the owners almost personally. This reigned true as she opened the door, a small bell ringing and an older middle eastern gentleman coming from the back to greet the customers only to break out in a grin and calling Nic by an old name long forgotten. She smiled and once they reached the counter, she leaned over and hugged him as he exclaimed that it had been too long since her last visit. She introduced Gavin who was greeted just as warmly, however he felt out of place. Nic ordered two pastrami sandwiches along with a long list of desserts that Gavin knew would give them both stomach aches that night. In his opinion they spent too much money but the grin on his wife’s face made it worth it. As they drove back to their hotel, both eating their lunch and making a mess of the front seats, Nic went on to tell him how she was surprised to find the bakery still open and how she expected it be out of business. Gavin listened intensely, devouring his meal and coming to the conclusion that the expense was well spent.

They spent the afternoon unpacking and eating the desserts bought, and both went to bed with stomach aches. Nic said it was worth it.

The next morning Gavin woke up early and ordered room service, wanting to get an early start that day. Nic woke up at half past seven, and that was late in Nic’s opinion. She woke up to pancakes with blueberry syrup and a cup of coffee, and Gavin half soaked wearing nothing but a towel as he stepped out of the shower.

That day she took him to the golf course with a long winded story of how that exact golf course is where she had her seventh birthday party and she hadn’t played a game of golf since. Her inexperience showed as she lost the game, a score of 130 to Gavin’s 80. He still questioned how she managed to get such a high score on an 18 hole course. After the game they got lunch at one of the many restaurants that rested on the strip that was the Oceanfront. Many shops were closed, Nic telling him that they normally closed for the winter since there weren’t any tourists. Virginia was a tourist heavy spot during the summer, something Nic loathed in her youth. After lunch, Gavin was dragged to the many stores that stayed open. Some of them had useless souvenirs, others had neat collectibles or stones that seemed to interest Nic. She left Virginia at nineteen and coming back home after nearly a decade gave her a large wave of nostalgia. She wanted to show Gavin everything she enjoyed, although they only had a week which wasn’t enough time in her opinion.

That night, she dragged Gavin to her favorite barbecue restaurant. It was the best barbecue Gavin had in a while and he was disappointed that it’s so far away. He joked a bit that they’d have to fly down to Virginia again if he ever gets in the mood for barbecue. That night was the first time Gavin has also seen Nic so relaxed. She really seemed to be enjoying this trip on memory lane, focusing on all of the positives.

They went to bed that night in a pile of limbs as they cuddled, Gavin suggesting they come back again for her birthday.

The next few days were blurs as Nic dragged him to several different places, all of which held special places in her memory. At one point, Nic brought him to her old high school to visit her favorite World History teacher who happened to still be teaching at that school. They talked to the class, a mix of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, with a lone senior. Some of students seemed to be fascinated with Nic, asking mostly questions about college and studying advice since she had been in their exact spot. She was disappointed when it was time to leave, but she managed to catch her old English teacher as well last minute as they were leaving campus. He told her about the Holiday Thrift Shop the school held every year about Thanksgiving. Nic insisted to Gavin they go before leaving for Detroit. They did go, buying some trinkets such as healing rings that Nic insisted on using for her wrists.

The second to last of their trip was Thanksgiving Day, and Nic has something special planned for them. She drove them out for two hours, not bothering to tell Gavin where they were headed. The moment Gavin notices the sign with the word “cemetery” in it, he had a good feeling what was going on. They parked in the loop, walked through the crunchy, frost covered grass down rows and rows of gravestones. They finally arrived at the gravestone with two familiar names and dates. Those names and dates were tattooed on Nic’s forearm.

With hands stuffed in her pockets, Nic spoke quietly. “Hey grandma, hey grandpa.” She smiled softly, and Gavin saw tears forming in the corners of her eyes. “I know it’s been a long time… too long, honestly. But I didn’t forget about you. I didn’t forget about where I came from. I just needed a chance to find me.” She shrugged, giving a teary smile to the grave. “I found her. I had to lose a lot of family on the journey but… I think it was worth it. Besides, they wouldn’t like who I am now anyways. I know you two would though. Yeah, you were always proud of me no matter what.” Nic looked over at Gavin and held out her hand to him. He took it, tangling their fingers together as he rubbed his thumb over her wedding ring. “I want y’all to meet someone.” Gavin almost laughed. Her accent had gotten stronger since being there. “This is my husband, Gavin. He’s really good to me, and I love him a lot. I know if given the chance, y’all would have loved him too.”

He cleared his throat, not wanting to intrude in the moment but feeling the need to speak. “I promise I’ll take care of her.” He brought her hand up and kissed it. “Always.”

On the way back from the cemetery, Nic stopped by a small family owned diner. She ate there every time she would visit her grandparents’ grave and got to know the family that owned it. It originally owned by a lovely old woman named Ruth, and her husband. They have children, and two of their daughters worked in the diner alongside their parents. After the passing of Ruth and her husband, their oldest daughter took over the diner along with her sister, now both sisters and their children ran it. To say the diner was family friendly was an understatement. Nic insisted that Gavin get the clam chowder, her favorite soup of all time. He enjoyed it a lot more than he expected.

That evening, they went to the gift shop on the boardwalk and got some fudge. Nic got it every time she went to the Oceanfront and stated that it was the last thing she ate before leaving Virginia. She got half a pound of her favorite dark chocolate caramel sea salt fudge. Gavin got a pound which gave him the option to pick four different flavors. He picked peanut butter, red velvet, chocolate pecan, and white chocolate. The fudge ended up being their dinner, once again giving the couple stomach aches to nurse for the night.

Their last day was more intimate. They spent a good portion of it in the hotel room, watching tv on the crappy hotel television and listening to the waves. Come afternoon, Nic went out to the beach to have a walk. She was barefoot and in shorts, walking in the shallow part of the ocean where the water barely reached her ankles. Gavin joined her after a few moments, not wanting her to experience this alone. Hand in hand, they walked the length of the beach and back in comfortable silence. The waves and the cawing of crows and hooting of pigeons filled their silence. They watched the sunset, night blanketing the earth and making the air too chilly for their liking. They went back inside the hotel, opting to take a nice warm shower to combat the cool air.

Gavin sat on the bed, flipping through channels with the remote in an effort to fight off the boredom gnawing at his mind as he waited for her to get out. God, he thought, she always takes the longest showers. When Nic finally did, pajamas on and hair still soaked despite ten minutes of drying it, she sat down in front of Gavin, smiling softly. He shut off the tv.

“Thank you for doing this,” she said, taking one of his hands in hers and playing with his scarred, calloused fingers.

“It’s no problem,” he replied. “I had a lot of fun.” There was a pause. “If you ever want to do this again, just let me know. I’ll take off and we can fly down, whether just for a day or a week, or a month…”

Nic snorted. “I cannot stay for a whole month. I would go insane. Virginia gets pretty boring after a while.”

“With the places you took me, hardly seems like there’s a dull moment.”

She pressed a kiss to his knuckles. “Yeah well, I took you to the fun places.” Her smile dropped as fell into deep thought.

Gavin knew that look. “Uh oh. What’s wrong?”

“Just…” she sighed, going back to playing with his fingers, “thinking.”

“About what?”

“I’m not gonna lie, when I planned this trip… I wanted you to meet my parents.”

“Nico–”

“I decided against it on the flight here. I realized, I should focus on the things that make me happy, like you and fudge and buying stupid souvenirs that we are never going to look at again.” She laughed, and Gavin laughed with her. “The positive memories are what made me come back, the negative ones should stay in the past.”

“I know you tell me how happy I make you, and I don’t doubt you about it, but…” Gavin tried to think of the right words. He never was a words guy. Hell, Abby helped him with his vows. But Nic didn’t marry him for his words. He continued, “But this is the happiest I’ve seen you in a long time. Your smile? I haven’t seen that one since our wedding day. So, once I saw that smile that you only break out for the purest moments, I knew this would be good for you.”

Nic tackles him onto the bed, her chin resting on his chest. “You’re so sappy.”

“Only for you.”

“I know.” She grinned. “I love you.”

“I love you too, nerd.”

[thing-you-do-with-that-thing]

Love Lives On

Pairing: Jenneel

Squares Filled: Nurse!Jensen for @spnaubingo and Hospital AU for @spnangstbingo

Warnings: Cancer, cancer treatments, smut - not super explicit but it’s there, major character death.

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 3900ish

A/N: This done for @spnaubingo as well as @spnangstbingo and it’s a request from a sweet Nonnie Bunny. This is fiction and AU - absolutely zero hate or harm wished upon these amazing people. It’s a work of fiction and the challenge here was angst.

I cried writing this so ye’ be warned!

Thanks to my sweet Erin @blacktithe7 for betaing this for me.

***My fics are not to be saved nor posted on any other sites without my express written permission.***

SPN AU BINGO MASTERLIST - SPN ANGST BINGO MASTERLIST

There were always things that reminded him of her, but today she seemed to be everywhere he turned. The basketball game on the tv. The showing of highlights from this year’s NYC ball drop. The pregnant woman in the hall that he had actually thought was her until she turned around. Her voice in his head and the mirage of her sitting in the chemo chair.

Jensen felt as if he couldn’t breath as he rushed out the doors of the hospital. Misha and Briana had been checking up on him all day, and finally they had gone to Jared, who had decided to give Jensen a sick day. Normally he would have argued with his friends and co-workers, but Jared was his boss. Not that that normally would have stopped him, but Jensen knew they were right. He couldn’t be here today. Jensen knew where he had to be.

Everything was a blur as he drove to see her. It was a miracle he didn’t crash. His thoughts weren’t on his surroundings. They were with Danneel. He smiled when he remembered how taken he had been with her the moment he had met her. She was one of Jared’s patients, and she had advanced cervical cancer. Most patients Jensen met upon Jared telling them the news was screaming and crying. They would yell at Jared for something that was out of his control, or beg for him to rerun the results cause there had to be a mistake.

Danneel had done neither. She had taken a deep breath, sitting down in the chair she had refused to sit in moments ago, gathering herself before looking up at her doctor and nurse.

“So how are we gonna kick this thing’s ass?”

Jensen still smiled as he remembered her words. Danneel Harris had been one of a kind. She was courageous and ready to fight for the life she wanted. She had gone through surgery two days later, even if Jensen had seen the look of trepidation on her face when Jared told her what they needed to do. The surgery was robbing her of a dream. She would never have kids of her own, but she had trusted Jared when he told her it was the only way. She was ready to fight for her life and make any sacrifices she had too along the way.

Jensen wiped the tears away with the back of his hand as he remembered the first time he had held her in his arms. It had been a few days after the surgery, and she was recovering nicely. Jensen, the head nurse on the cancer wing, often worked closely with Jared and shared all of his patients. Danneel Harris hadn’t been any exception.

Jensen handed off Mrs. Williams charts to Briana at the desk with a smile before grabbing Ms. Harris’. She had quickly become one of his favorite patients, and even if the cancer had been advanged, Jared had managed to get most of it. There were no guarantees. There never were in these kind of things, but Jensen and Jared both hoped that with a few rounds of very aggressive chemotherapy Ms. Harris would be able to walk out of the hospital a healthy woman.

Today Jensen had to change her bandages and make sure the wound was healing nicely. He was reading over the notes on the chart Jared had put there last night as he walked down the hall and into the room. He didn’t notice her at first, not until he heard the quiet sobs, and his eyes immediately searched the room to no avail.

“Ms. Harris?” Jensen called out as he put the chart down on the table next to her bed, smiling a little when he heard her voice correct him from somewhere behind the bed.

“Danneel. How many times do I need to tell you to call me Danneel?” she grumbled, but the distress was still evident in her voice. Jensen walked around the bed, quickly kneeling down beside her on the floor where she was sitting against the wall.

“Ms. Ha…” Jensen started but thought better of it when her tearfilled eyes shot lightning at him, “Danneel, what are you doing on the floor? You’ll get sick.” Jensen worried, and Danneel laughed a humorless laugh.

“Really? What do you call this?” She pulled up her shirt revealed her bandages to him, and Jensen felt a pang in his heart. It hurt seeing her like this. The strong, stubborn woman he had come to know over the last few days was in tears before him, and honestly, she seemed like someone that was about to give up. Jensen wouldn’t let her.

“Your battle scar.” Jensen sent her a wink and a smile, which she returned reluctantly, letting her shirt fall in place and her head rested back against the wall.

“My little brother and niece were here earlier,” she started explaining, and Jensen moved to sit next to her. He still wanted to get her off the cold floor as fast as possible, but he had also come to know her well enough to know that there would be no moving her until she was good and ready. Instead Jensen decided to listen.

“I always wanted kids. I always thought there would be time. Seeing Valarie today, it hit me that I won’t ever have that.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks, and Jensen instinctively wrapped his arms around her. It wasn’t professional. He knew that, but Danneel wasn’t like his other patients. He had known that from the moment he first laid eyes on her. She was special. She wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest, crying against him. He closed his eyes trying to restrain himself from kissing her hair. He wished he could make all her disease magically go away. He wished he could make everything better and give her back the life she had once had. He couldn’t so instead he just held her, offering her some some sense of comfort.

Jensen didn’t say anything at first. She needed to grieve and he was going to let her. He knew that in that moment there was nothing he could say that would make the impact of her lose better. He was just going to be there for her as long as she needed him. There were other ways to become a mom, but Jensen knew the strong, intelligent lawyer in his arms already knew that. That wasn’t what she was grieving. She mourned the loss of never getting to experience a life growing inside of her, the excitement of telling her partner and bringing a life into the world.

A lot of people would call her stupid, telling her that she had more important things to be worried about. They would call her spoiled because she had the money and lifestyle to adopt a child, but not Jensen. He understood her pain, and she was entitled to it. A dream had been stolen from her, and even if another could eventually take its place, she had every right to be hurting now.

After that day, something had changed between them. Danneel made jokes that caused Jensen to flush bright red as he was changing her bandages, and her giggle when she saw it made his heart skip a beat. There were lingering hand touches and urges to kiss her that he pushed down. Whenever Jensen had a free moment, he found himself circling back to her room, even having lunch with her once or twice in her room.

Offcourse Jared noticed and pulled him aside. What Jensen had expected to be a reprimand on unprofessional behavior with patients had been a friendly talk. A talk that had made Jensen really realise how he felt about her the more he talked. Jared had offered his support, but also advised Jensen to be cautious. Just because her surgery had been a success, she wasn’t out of the woods yet. When it came to Danneel being a patient Jared knew his friend. He had known him for years, and he had never seen him happier or more drawn to someone. Jared knew Jensen wouldn’t take advantage of his patient, and nothing would happen unless Jensen knew Danneel absolutely wanted it too.

“You met at a party and referred her to me. You were friends before she came here. You told me about her,” Jared shrugged with a smile,.“If anyone asks that’s my answer.”

Jensen stopped at a redlight, letting his mind wander to the day she had been released from the hospital. She was going to be back twice a week for chemotherapy, but he was no longer going to see her everyday. She was no longer under his direct care.

“What are you doing here?” Danneel laughed, stuffing some of her stuff into her bag, only taking a break to give Jensen a puzzled look. “Cme to wish me goodbye and good luck on your day off? I’m honored nurse Ackles,” she teased.

Jensen nervously ran his hand behind his neck, giving her a nervous smile. “Actually, I came hoping you’d have lunch with me? Non hospital food lunch.” He sent her a small smirk, trying his best to hide his nerves, when he saw the surprise on her face.

Jensen was just about ready to start apologizing for his behavior when her face broke into a huge smile, and she nodded. “Well I kinda wanna go home and shower and dress in something that doesn’t smell like hospital. How about dinner instead?” she asked, and Jensen felt his stomach do a flip as he smiled so hard his cheeks started to hurt.

“Dinner sounds perfect. Can I give you a ride home, or is your brother picking you up?” Jensen asked hopeful, causing Danneel to giggle.

“No he had a business meeting. A ride would be amazing Jensen,” she assured him, kissing his cheek as she walked past him. “Thank you.”

Jensen’s eyes were closed, the feeling of her lips still clear against his skin. It was almost like she was right there next to him. Right up until a horn went off behind him and startling him to open his eyes. The light was green, and Danneel wasn’t beside him.

A tear rolled down his cheek as he put the car into motion, continuing towards his destination. He busied his mind, remembering how beautiful she had been in that red dress on their first date,. How shy she had appeared when he took her hand and asked her to dance with him. How perfect she had felt in his arms, and how at home he had felt when they’d shared their first kiss. He remembered the next few dates and the butterflies she had given him. He remembered her showing up at the hospital during his shift on New Year’s Eve and how scared he had been when he saw her.

“Dani! What are you doing here? Are you feeling okay?” Jensen rambled, looking her up and down, trying to detect what could be wrong with her, not even noticing the mischievous smile on her face before she pressed the silly hat onto his head.

“I’m good you dork,” she laughed. “I was just at my brother’s party, and I all of a sudden knew it wasn’t where I was supposed to be.” Danneel nodded towards the TV where the count down to the ball drop had begun.

“I wanted to be with my boyfriend when the ball drops.” She grinned, and Jensen felt the tears press against his eyes as he wrapped his arms around her. Danneel reached up cupping his face in her hands just as the last ten seconds started counting down.

“I love you, DeeDee,” Jensen spoke, softly telling her how he felt for the first time. Danneel smiled so brightly that the sun would pale in comparison. Her lips crashed against his just as the people around them started calling Happy New Year, and the fireworks went off on the TV screen.

“I love you too, Jay,” Danneel beamed when they broke apart for air, and Jensen kissed her again, not caring about his friends and co-workers cheering and whistling around him. He didn’t release her until Jared poked his shoulder, and Jensen looked back at his friends with a dazed, goofy grin on his face.

Jared rolled his eyes playfully still couldn’t help but smile. “Get out of here. I know your shift doesn’t end for another 2 hours, but I can’t stand that stupid smirk for that long,” Jared teased, and Jensen didn’t need to be told twice.

Jensen took her hand, and began pulling a giggling Danneel behind him. Her hand barely left his for the entire drive back to her place, and the second they reached her apartment, his hands were all over her.

He was kissing her against the wall, her legs hooked around his waist, her hands in his hair, and both of their shirts were already on the floor before he had gotten a hold of himself. It was barely two months since she had gone through surgery. He needed to calm himself down.

“Dee. We don’t have to do this,” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers, closing his eyes, trying to will his body to relax. It wasn’t easy. He wanted her, needed her, but she was too important to him. He wanted this moment to be perfect.

“I want too.” Dannel gently tugged his hair, urging him to look at her. “I want you to make love to me,” she begged almost shyly, and Jensen couldn’t deny her. He wrapped his arms tightly around her as he carried her towards her bedroom.

He gently laid her down on the bed before following her. His eyes momentarily searched hers for any doubts. When he found none, he kissed her. Sweet and innocent at first until her hands began to wander, and Jensen could no longer keep his still either.

Their hands and lips gently caressed each other as they slowly undressed. Her breath hitched when his kisses trailed down to her breasts and over her stomach, lingering over the scar from her surgery before finally settling with his head between her legs.  

Every gasp of his name falling from her lips made his length twitch with need. Every soft moan was music to his ears, and when she finally fell apart, squeezing her thighs around his head and making his ears ring, he swore he could die happy right then and there.   

“You okay?” Jensen grinned when she finally released him, and he moved to lie besides her, gently tracing patterns on her skin with the tips of his fingers, enjoying how it caused her to temper slightly.

“Never better,” she giggled, before turned her head to face him with a bright smile. “Wow. You’re really good at that!”

“If you need a break…” Jensen spoke softly, not wanting to push her in anyway, but Danneel just rolled her eyes at him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, almost pulling him on top of her, making Jensen laugh into her kiss.

“Bossy,” he mumbled, kissing his way down her jaw before sucking down on the spot  he discovered that made her arch into him every time.

“Jensen stop teasing me,” she whined, and Jensen grinned against her skin. He pulled back, looking into her eyes before reaching down between them and stroking himself a few times before aligning his length with her entrance.

“You ready?” he asked, and Danneel bit her lip in anticipation as she nodded.

“Please.”

Jensen and Danneel didn’t break eye contact as he slowly pushed himself into her. She gasped when he bottomed out, but she quickly relaxed, wrapping her arms and legs around him as he kissed her sweetly. He gave her all the time in the world to adjust before slowly starting to move. He set a slow, loving pace to match his kiss. A kiss that eventually, turned into breathing and gasping against each other’s lips as Jensen slowly brought them both closer to their end.

Danneel came a second time, calling out his name, and Jensen soon followed with an animalistic groan of her’s. They stayed close together that night. They could barely stop kissing as they held each other close, exchanging sweet nothings for hours before they dosed off to sleep with blissful smiles gracing their faces.

After that night, there hadn’t been a free moment that Jensen hadn’t shared with Danneel. He had taken her to basketball games, movies and ice skating on the days she had been up for it. On the ones where her body barely let her move, they had stayed in, cuddling on the bed or couch while watching old movies and eating whatever Jensen had been able to whip up for them.

He had visited her during chemotherapy when he was at work, and Misha, who had been her nurse through her care, had teased them both relentlessly everytime Jensen leaned into kiss her hello or goodbye.

“I think I missed that class in nursing school,” Misha grinned when Jensen gave Danneel a sweet kiss before getting up to get back to his rounds. “Oh well. I am a quick learner, besides, I’d do anything for my favorite patient,” Misha grinned, leaning in to pretend to try and kiss Jensen’s girlfriend, only to have Danneel hit him square in the face with one of her pillows.

“Try that again, and you’re gonna need a nurse and a few doctors,” she smirked, making Jensen laugh as Misha fake pouted.

“That’s my girl,” Jensen kissed the top of her head. “See you at home with pizza and ice cream.”

It wasn’t until Jensen put the car into park that he allowed himself to remember the last night he had been truly happy. It was the last time he had felt any hope. It had been the night before her meeting with Jared and the night she had tried to break up with him the first time.

“What’s this?” Jensen frowned seeing the boxes on her living room floor as he walked into her apartment after a 12 hour shift.

“It’s your stuff,” Danneel kept her distance from him, stepping back when he reached for her, making Jensen’s heart shatter into a million pieces.

“Did I do something?” he asked. “I’m sorry for whatever it was. Can we please talk about this?”

“There’s nothing to talk about Jensen,” Danneel spoke, clearly fighting her tears. “You’re amazing, but no matter what Jared is going to tell me tomorrow, you deserve better than me. I’m broken… Even if I make it through this. I’ll never be able to give you a family. I…”

“Dee stop!” Jensen raised his voice at her for the first time, and she instantly stopped talking.

He didn’t want to scared her. He just needed her to stop. Her eyes widened a bit in surprise, but she didn’t move this time when he stepped towards her. Her words from seconds before were still ringing in his ears. How could she not see how perfect she was to him? He didn’t care that she could never have a biological child. He didn’t care if she had months of treatments to go. All he wanted was her.

“Baby you’re my family. No matter what Jared is going to tell us tomorrow. That won’t change,” Jensen assured her, gently running his hands up and down her arms.

He hesitated for a while when she didn’t respond. “Dee please. Don’t do this. I love you.”

She didn’t even look at him, and Jensen felt the panic rise inside of him. This couldn’t be how things ended between them. He wouldn’t let it. His thoughts traveled to the shopping trip he had taken after one of her chemo sessions. She had been asleep at home, and Jensen had been watching her for a few hours before he had left for the store, overtaken by the feeling he never wanted to be without her again. He didn’t know what else to do in this moment even if this had not been his plan at all.

“Screw it,” Jensen muttered, kneeling down before her, fishing the box out of his pocket that had been burning a hole into it for weeks. He closed his eyes for a second hearing Danneel gasp before starting to protest.

“Jensen, you don’t have to too do do this…”

“I know I don’t have to do anything. Dee, I love you. I want to be with you. No matter what. And please stop worrying about not being able to have kids. We can adopt or get a dog. Whatever you want. I’ll be happy as long as I have you,” Jensen rambled, taking her hand in his as her tears started streaming down her face.  

“Danneel ,I love you with all of my heart. Make me the luckiest man alive and do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Jensen asked, hesitantly looking up into her eyes.

A huge smile spread across his face when she nodded through her tears, whispering a yes. Jensen quickly pushed the ring onto her finger before jumping to his feet, pulling her into his arms and kissing her breathless.

Jensen hit the steering wheel of his truck over and over again, as a scream that barely sounded human erupted through the vehicle. It wasn’t fair. The next day when they had walked into Jared’s office together, all Jensen had needed was one look at his friend’s face to know this was where things were going to end.

He had stayed strong for her that day, holding her as she cried. He hadn’t let her push him away when the first blood clots had occurred or when the vaginal bleeding had begun. He had married her on a beautiful summer day, surrounded by their family and closest friends. He had taken her on their honeymoon, carrying her to bed when she had been too tired to walk and staying by her side as she slept.

He had held her hand through the pain when the cancer slowly stole the life of the strong, smiling woman he had come to love. She stayed brave and filled with life right up until that morning when she just hadn’t woken up, and her skin had felt icy against his lips as he leaned in to kiss her good morning.  

Jensen had screamed out her name much like he had sitting in his truck alone today. The difference was that she had still been in his arms then. He had rocked her lifeless body and begged her to come back to him, even if he knew she was gone.

She was gone, and Jensen was now walking across the cemetery until he reached her headstone. He kneeled down in front of it, replacing the roses he had gotten this morning with the lilacs he had place on her grave just a few days ago.

“Happy Valentine’s Day honey,” Jensen choked back his tears. It had been a year today, and he still felt as if he could barely breathe without her. “I know you would yell at me for still coming here every day, but I just miss you so fucking much.” Jensen’s voice broke as the tears streamed down his cheeks. “I’ll always love you, Dee.”

Elta Danneel Ackles

03.18.1979 - 14.02.2009

Beloved daughter, sister and wife.

Gone too soon, but never forgotten.

Padackles Tag Team (Jenneel and Jarevieve)

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