#he needs a hug or to bite of his counterparts head
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tmntforeverinmyheart · 29 days ago
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Quick sketches of the new @imagionationstation Wendybirds AU crumbs I just ate
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I decided to sketch two ways that Leo smiled at the end.
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Hope you like!! Can’t wait for more!!!
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shadowcatzone · 1 year ago
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a fistful of headcanons for renheng/ xingyue.
PART 1, SFW;
Xingyue:
-very romantic. Can find them kissing almost all times of the day, much to the hcq's dismay.
-dan feng cannot stay unsupervised in the kitchen. Usually, yingxing would cook, dan feng would never make anything on his own. Read; ei skills of cooking, drastically improves when he does with yingxing.
-have at least a dozen pet names for one another. Will chain them if nobody stops them. (Most often jingliu or jing yuan)
-they watch the moon once a month. Sometimes invite the other hcq but by now, everyone knows it's obligatory and not to go (alone)
-eat out once a week
-sparring. They're both good fighters, they usually go all out, and the winner patches up the loser (including a kiss on every dressed wound)
-stupid work interrupting their honeymoon (which lasted over twelve years by this point so rather short for xianzhou standards (keep telling themselves that))
-dan feng picking up yingxing from the artisanship commission when he believes he's overworking himself
-yingxing kidnapping dan feng from the preceptors when he believes they've been overworking him
-xingyue cuddling, kissing. Dan feng purring. When dan feng feels particularly mischievous, he will bite, or hit yingxing with his tail. Tail sometimes ends up unfairly (of course of course) held by yingxing, tightly.
-think of a cat that shows it's stomach for you to pet, only to sink their claws into your arm. That's dan feng. And yingxing lives for that.
-yingxing can and will walk around the house shirtless (he worked hard for that physique!!). Dan feng calls him an arrogant heathen. Yingxing retorts but i'm your arrogant heathen. Dan feng melts (into yingxings abs, probably)
Renheng:
-might kiss after long times of not seeing each other. Also if they're just in the mood for it, like under the moon.
-dan heng cooks fast food meals. Blade cooks fast food meals or orders out. If they're together, they will cook, but alone, dan heng doesn't see the point, and blade cannot move his hand. So only if they're together.
-blade nagging dan heng to eat healthier meals. Dan heng, in retaliation, taking supplement pills. Blade tossing the pills and making dan heng cook, literally standing behind him, looking over his shoulder.
-they call each other by their names. Someone (march) suggested they pick pet names for each other and renheng looking at her like she suggested to eat snails.
-they go on dates more frequently than their xingyue counterparts.
-might go with march when she invites them, then they ditch her at the first opportunity.
-blade correcting dan heng in a lot of things. Comes up behind him, holds onto his hands and shows him how to properly cut vegetables. Corrects his stance when they're sparring. Showing him how to do basic house chores. Dan heng may or may not pretend to be worse at them around blade.
-blade ALWAYS coming up behind dan heng. Wether to correct him or just to hold him. Took him a while to get used to it. (He would just- fight( or flight) the man, then apologise, the first few times)
-blade picking up dan heng whenever he feels the need to be close. (Much to the astral express crew's dismay)
-dan heng doesn't usually, but the day he ever shows up unannounced in front of blade is not the day he will be denied. (Hence elio trying to foresee if blade or dan heng could possibly get to one another safely)
-march taking pictures of them and handing them to blade. Blade keeping the pictures on him until they're literally too many to keep on his person, so dan heng tells him to store them at the archive and only hold on to one or two.
-dan heng also keeping a few of them but the day he will let anyone find out is the day he will willingly go back to the shackling prison--
-also, holding onto blades leg with his tail when they're just. Spending time together. Hugging. Cuddling. Getting tangled with one another.
-blade massaging dan hengs head, neck, shoulders. Dan heng purring.
-if blade does somehow slightly hurt or pinch dan heng, he will bite in retaliation. Just a nip.
-neither of them walk around any form of naked, save for when they're coming out of the shower/bath. Dan heng will not, no comment, and blade knows he has a lot of scars.
-dan heng will occasionally steal and hide blades clothes, if only to see his muscles a bit longer.
-blade claims dan heng knows where his clothes are. Dan heng purrs no.
_____
Part 2 will be nsfw
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naivesilver · 2 years ago
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The @turtle-tot-tournament is open! Me and @probably-not-a-rutabaga are on for Round 1 - may the silliest tot(s) win 🥰
(^・ω・^ )
"Alright, kid," Raph mutters conspirationally, pulling his younger counterpart close, "ya remember what I said?"
The snapper nods, grinning that sharp, babyish grin of his. "'M the best Raph."
"That's right. Don't let 'em forget that, buddy."
And they sure need a reminder, the older turtle thinks morosely as he sneaks a glance at the children's opponent, being tended to by his own red-banded ninja a little further away. Nothing against the kid - he looks as spunky and bitey as baby Red here, which normally are qualities Raph would endorse in a little one - but he's being raised by the wrong guy, honestly. Raph's nothing if not competitive; besides, there's only one alternate version of himself he can tolerate, and it's the one currently smearing cookie crumbles all over his lap.
Never mind that, though. They need to get their head back in the game. "And what else?"
"Don't lose Mikey. An'- An' don't bite first."
"Yeah. Don't go around biting people, 'cause Master Splinter's gonna have my head if he finds out, but if they bite you first, let 'em have it. Got it?"
The boy nods again, this time even more vigorously, so Raph grins back at him and pats him on the head, earning himself some pleased baby churrs. "That's what I wanna hear. Now go and give em' hell, Red."
He expects little Raphael to toddle away enthusiastically, as he often does when he's distracted by something new; instead, the tot wraps his own arms around Raph's outstretched one, giving him a clumsy, one-limb hug. "Bye Raph," he says, giggling at his own antics. "Say bye Apree. An' Daddy. An' Casey."
Raph snorts derisively, but there's a certain degree of fondness in it that he can't ignore completely, and the nudge he gives the boy to send him on his way is as friendly as it gets. "Yeah, sure, whatever," he scoffs under his breath, watching Raphael stumble back towards his brothers.
"Don't worry, kid. Everyone's cheering for you just fine."
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everlark777 · 1 year ago
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holding you is like the new past
next | previous
chapter five
“I usually know more than my counterpart” i mocked armin to mikasa for the fifth time in the past twenty minutes.
we were back at our dorm and i was yelling about armin again. we were both up to our necks in homework and were taking a break to recharge before we retreated back into our bedrooms to continue.
mikasa threw her hands up.
“i know he bothers you but you have to work together, if i have to hear this for the rest of the semester i will move out.”
mikasa considers her words.
“no, i would make you move out.”
i playfully hit her arm with the arm with the pillow i was hugging which sent titan running across the floor.
“mikasa, i know” i rubbed my hands over my eyes. “that’s what makes it so much worse. i know i have to work with him.”
but i had complete grounds to complain about armin when all mikasa did was talk about eren. around the dorm these days we could never pass the bechdel test.
“guess who i ran into today?” mikasa perked up, changing the subject.
“taking a wild guess i would have to say eren,” i shook my head, what could it be this time.
last time mikasa came home running to tell me eren held the door for the person in front of her. which does in fact mean he didn’t hold it open for her, whether he purposely didn’t hold it open for her or not i would never know. especially with the unique ways she has for spinning things.
“so, you know how i signed up to give tutoring because i need some extra cash?” mikasa started to fiddle with her coffee mug in her hands like she had been up to something.
i tried to wrack my brain, so she didn't mean eren…
“i’m not sure i follow,” confused or concerned, i wasn't sure.
“first, i want to say that I can't control who i tutor. well, i mean, besides i can choose if i don’t want to work with them, but i really did want to work with them so,” mikasa was having trouble spitting out her words. she took a long sip from the mug she was holding.
“okay, spit it out!” i sat up crossing my legs on the couch, swiping titan from the floor to put in my lap.
“so, it’s eren. which if you’ve noticed i haven’t not been talking about him because you’ve been blabbing about armin,” mikasa finally choked out.
“is your point? that i’m being even worse than you?” i questioned, fake shock crossing my face.
“no, no, it’s just,” mikasa looked down, “he’s kind of an actual person in my life right now and i don’t want him to know i had a little crush on him.”
my mouth hung open.
“a little?” i gasped.
“okay, massive. massive!” mikasa placed her coffee cup down and put her head in her hands.
“it’s so weird, i used to dream about what he was doing but now he tells me how his week is going and thanks me for helping him out.”
“mikasa this is huge, you might even have a shot,” i playfully pushed her arm.
“but that’s the thing, i kind of just like having him around? like being friends with him is just fine. plus he kind of asks me about girls so i don’t think he’s interested.”
mikasa’s face remained the same but i could tell that she had been hurt over this. i felt bad that i had no clue that this situation had been going on.
“i’m so sorry, i had no idea.”
“it’s fine. really. i’m not looking to settle down anyways and how could i ever give him up? Have you seen his hair?” mikasa stared off into space imagining eren for a second but brought herself back to reality quicker than usual. she must have been practicing.
—-
“okay, class today we are going to be breaking off into our partners so you can both plan more on your project. i expect each of you to begin meeting outside of class as well to be prepared.”
i sighed. today was the day. no more brief conversations. i had to talk to him today. i successfully ignored him at the beginning of class but i just had to be brave.
I shifted my weight towards him. he looked calm, like he might not bite my head off immediately. i could do this. i took a deep breath, going to speak but armin cut me off.
“we already have a bit of a headstart because i completed the rest of the research,” armin reached in his bag and pulled out a folder with a sticky note again in his perfect handwriting, “peace offering”.
“figured it was my way of saying i’m sorry, plus you already did a decent amount.” he looked softer than normal, almost shy. i caught myself staring. there was something different.
i reached for the folder in his hand and our fingertips brushed, and i quickly pulled back.
“oh, thanks,” i sputtered out.
“i work at the coffee shop beside campus most nights so we can always meet there before or after my shifts.” armin reached in his binder and handed me a piece of paper.
“this is a copy of my schedule for the next two weeks, classes and time for my other schoolwork are included. you can just shoot me a text whenever you’re free.”
my head spun, he had just loaded on so much information. his schedule was color coordinated. it even included his meal times. i considered myself an organized person but who has the next two weeks of their life scheduled out completely?
i contemplated everything he said. we were ready to start planning our experiments. most people had just begun their research. maybe we would work well as a team. we could meet up a do our first test run in just a few days. this was all going to work out. except one thing.
“wait, i don’t have your phone number?” i looked up from my mental planning to find him confused.
“did you get a new number because i haven’t?” armin questioned.
“um, no” i said. he was starting to confuse me. was this a long joke, I didn't know the punchline too? my nerves stood on end and i wanted to sink down in my seat. he had made me put my guard down.
“oh, of course,” armin cleared his throat, “let me give it to you.”
armin tried to change his expression quickly, but i thought i almost saw disappointment cross his face.
that was it? if armin wasn’t going to infuriate me, he was going to confuse me. i shook my head in annoyance. as armin handed me a piece of paper with his name, address and phone number.
“this is a good way of getting killed,” i remarked.
“got any killer plans this weekend?” armin raised a brow at me.
“i don’t know? i’m thinking i might be walking from the coffee shop to barkley dorms at seven o’clock on friday with a knife,” i said looking down at the schedule he gave me.
“oh, cool cool. by the way i think i gave you the wrong schedule, that is actually the schedule of my twin brother who is much weaker and very easy to frighten, so if he were to say run and scream that wouldn’t be me.”
i felt the corner of my mouth go to lift and i stopped it. he didn’t deserve a smile from me, not yet.
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wakaoujisenhime · 4 years ago
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Hello! Lots of love to you. 😘 can I request GoM+ Takao thinks reader is going to breakup with them but is actually not. It can be funny misunderstanding or angst anything really. Happy ending.
A/N: Lots of kisses for you my dear anon! 💋 I tried to keep them all the same length, but guess what?? I failed (✌︎ ՞ਊ ՞)✌︎ Hope you’ll enjoy these nonetheless!! <33
Tags: GoM and Takao x reader ✅ SFW ✅ fluff ✅ angst ✅ jealousy ✅
image/art source: Takao -> Pixiv (by もいさま)
━━━━☆ ━━━━☆ ━━━━☆
Kuroko:
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Being in a relationship with Kuroko was filled with nothing but tranquility and love. The two of you rarely had any type of conflict with each other, but one very urgent problem you’d always had in mind was the lack of communication. Because your boyfriend was so silent and barely complained whenever something was amiss, you tended to misunderstand each other…
One morning after you’d entered Seirin’s school building, you immediately caught a glimpse of your blue-haired boyfriend, and just as you were about to go up to him and greet him with your usual hug, he wordlessly turned his back to you and disappeared in the crowd. His behavior was quite unusual, but you figured that he just didn’t see you and went on with your day.
Unfortunately, the young man kept showing you the cold shoulder on that day, and by the end of his team’s basketball training, he’d even gone back home before you.
“Did something between you two happen?” asked Kagami as soon as he saw your dejected reaction to the unexpected news. Your grip on your school bag’s rims tightened and you simply shook your head.
“Not that I’m aware of anything…”
“Then why don’t you just ask him?”
His teammates stared daggers at the tall young man who had once again said something insensitive, but to you, it was a simple summary of the constant problem between your lover and yourself, so you couldn’t help but giggle at his question and nod.
——
Just where have you hidden yourself Tetsu?!
Annoyance had distorted your usually calm facial features and was chasing away any of your classmates that hoped to approach you for whatever reasons. After Kagami had given you the necessary push you needed, you made it your mission to find your lover and confront him once and for all, but he was nowhere to be found. No matter who you asked, where you went, what you did, it was as if he never came to school. At times such as these, his low presence proved to be pretty useful and a damn nightmare for you, but you stayed vigilant and even decided to make use of some…unexpected tactics.
During the second break, you sprinted to your lover’s classroom, knowing fully well that he was already gone, and called for his partner, who only very reluctantly agreed to accompany you during your search. The plan you’d forged relied entirely on Kagami’s strong presence that - according to his teammates - was so strong that even the people who saw him daily couldn’t help but stare at him. You knew that Kuroko was more or less immune to this and preferred to look down at his book, so you were positive that with this plan you’d find the odd one out of the crowd pretty easily.
Luckily for you, the plan was a success and after just a couple of minutes you’d caught sight of the familiar blue hair, but when you locked eyes with your loved one, a sharp pain ran through your chest. Kuroko looked heartbroken and had to bite his lip to hide his anger and tears.
“(Y/N), this is your chance! Go! Run!”
The unexpected encouragement from the man next to you managed to wake you up from your trance and not even a second later you were running after your lover. Fortunately for you, he wasn’t that quick and on top of that, you were convinced that he ran extra slower than usual because somewhere deep inside of him he wanted to talk to you as well.
“(Y/N)…I-”
“We can’t continue like this Tetsu,” you began and intended to take a small breather before you continued, but the anxious face of your counterpart made you reconsider, “what I mean to say is, that we can’t ignore our constant misunderstandings due to miscommunication. I love you Tetsuya and whenever I am with you everything is nearly perfect, but we need to do something about your aversion of expressing your opinion and my reluctance to speak up about it.”
You couldn’t blame him for being so surprised that he couldn’t answer instantly since you surprised even yourself with how direct you were. Just as you were about to break the uncomfortable silence between you two, Kuroko unexpectedly wrapped his arms around you in a hug.
“Thank god…I thought you wanted to leave me for Kagami-kun.”
“Excuse me, what? Why would I-” you stopped for a moment and remembered the scene he saw just a couple of minutes ago before you corrected him, “…I needed his help to find you, since all of my earlier attempts were futile against the legendary Phantom Sixth man, you know?”
And with that small joke, you both chuckled, kissed each other, and decided to spent the rest of the break hand-in-hand, while you resolved the small thorn in your relationship.
Kise:
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Being Kise’s lover was pretty tiresome and restricting. Since he was a famous model a lot of rules had to be followed by not only him but you as well.
Any selfies you took are not to be shared with anyone and not to be published. Bragging about him as your boyfriend was out of the question. Public dates? I think not.
When his manager had first thrown all of these at you, you were pretty stomped and ready to burst with anger, but he stopped you and after your talk, Kise reassured you that you would still do the majority of the things “normal” couples do, but you’d simply have to be more careful and aware of your surroundings than others. You trusted him of course and he didn’t lie, in fact, he made an enormous effort to provide you with a proper love life, one that you deserved. Much to your surprise, everything was working out just fine and you got used to the abnormalities of some situations pretty quickly, but as we all know life can rarely be filled with nothing but sunshine and rainbows…
-` EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MODEL №1 KISE RYOUTA ´-
That was the headline of one of the many magazines your boyfriend was featured in. You always made sure to show your support for his career by buying almost every issue that had a section dedicated to your blond lover, that and the fact that the photographers and designers always made him look hotter than he already was. With a big grin on your face, you browsed the magazine until you found the corresponding pages and began reading yet another interview.
At first, the questions were pretty standard and tame, asking the young model what his future plans were, how he manages school, basketball club, and modeling without being stressed out at all, and many more similar questions such as these. Being his significant other, you caught a few lies of his that he had to make up in order to keep your relationship a secret and even though it didn’t sit entirely right with you, you brushed it off since you knew that he couldn’t help it. With mixed feelings, you read on until one particular question and answer caught your eye.
-` Q: A lot of your female fans have been constantly speculating about what type of boyfriend you’d make, what’s your take on that subject?
-` A: (laughs) Well you see, I hate to break it to everyone, but I like the type of women that don’t tie me down. I just can’t imagine myself being with the same person every single day, it’d be quite suffocating, you know?
You stared at that answer for a while, hoping that the words would just merge into something that didn’t sound so…ruthless, but to no avail. Just as you were about to continue your lecture, the front door to your apartment opened and the familiar voice of your lover echoed, filling your home with more life than before. While the blond removed his shoes and jacket you quickly hid away the magazine and forced yourself to smile, hoping that he wouldn’t notice…
——
“You damn idiot, what were you thinking?!”
“Oh (Y/N)…what do you even see in him?”
“I have never been more pissed off to be in the same team as you…”
The moment Kise had entered the gym to participate in today’s training all of his teammates had surrounded him and had begun reprimanding him for something he couldn’t quite understand because of how chaotic everyone was. It took a while, but when they became more or less calm he used to chance to find out just what’s got them so pissed off.
“Isn’t it obvious you imbecile?! That over the top answer of yours is what we’re so mad about”
“Kasamatsu-senpai I can’t quite follow…what answer are you referring to?”
After being kicked down by the shorter man and lectured yet another time, Kise finally understood just what this fuss was about. You’d been quite out of it since his latest interview got published, so the guys decided to find out what had you so bothered and the answer was, of course, Kise…who else?
“B-But I didn’t mean it! It was just for show an–”
“Does (Y/N) know?” interrupted Moriyama with an unusually serious tone. Your lover intended to answer fully confident that you were aware, but a small voice inside of his mind stopped him in his tracks. How were you supposed to know that he didn’t mean it when he never explained himself? What if the reason you’d been so absentminded these past few days was that you were planning on leaving him?
N-No…I can’t let that happen…i-if we break up then what am I–
“Excuse me, is Kise here?”
At the unexpected sound of your voice all of the members instantly shut up, turning to you, but before anyone could answer you, the blond took off sprinting right towards you and wrapping his muscular arms around your body.
“Please forgive me (Y/N)-cchi, I…I figured we’d been over this and that you know that no matter what I say to the press, I never really mean it. It’s all supposed to be a façade to make me more attractive to the public, b-but you know me, right? The real, insecure, weak, and ambitious me…the one that’s no good without you…”
Even if he’d taken you by surprise with his sudden hug, his words rendered you pretty much immobile and left you with no choice but to listen to his desperate apology. He held you tighter and buried his face in the crack of your neck. The moment you felt something wet drip down on your clothing, you wrapped your arms around him protectively, gently caressing his head, and kissing his temple all the while he whispered one apology after the other, begging you to never leave his side.
“I won’t ever leave you, Kise…I promise”
Midorima:
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“…and with that, we’re coming to today’s last and unfortunately most unluckiest signs of all…Cancer!”
At the sudden announcement, Midorima flinched, grip tightening on his iPod, as he continued listening to his daily horoscope. His sign being the unluckiest out of all was quite the rarity and that alone was worrisome, but the fact that today’s misfortune was predicted to be in his love life made the man the more afraid. Usually, he’d ignore any prognosis that went beyond his career, but the moment you had become his girlfriend, Midorima couldn’t help but lend an ear every time the presenter of his favorite show mentioned the word love.
Your lover’s flame for you has been near extinction, I suggest breaking up with them before they do, or else this pain will haunt you for eternity…
With heavy steps, the green-haired man made his way to his school, lucky item in hand and a never before experienced fear deeply rooted in his heart. If possible he’d try to avoid you as much as possible today, so that you couldn’t break things off with him. He was aware that his behavior was quite over the top, but that was his way to cope with the anxiety of losing you - his most important person. In Midorima’s eyes this was a solid plan, but putting it into action was harder than expected.
Every time you jogged up to him with your angelic smile, your big and beautiful eyes that sparkled the moment you saw him, the energetic way you waved to your boyfriend when you spotted him across the hallway were so adorable and heart-warming that whenever he had to act extra cold towards you, it felt like his heart was being torn apart anew every single time. While he was beating himself up over his behavior, you simply shrugged it off and figured that he was on his usual tsundere trip for some reason and decided to ask him about it after basketball practice.
“Shin-chan sure is acting weird today, huh?” asked Takao with a hint of amusement in his voice as he sat down next to you on a bench in the courtyard. You simply looked up at him and nod with resigned smile on your face as you answered: “I’m somehow used to his antics, but something must’ve happened for him to act so…distant.”
The boy next to you studied your expression and despite his usual enjoyment of watching a misunderstanding between the two of you unfold, he could see how much the green-haired man’s behavior was weighing on you, so he broke his silence and told you about Midormia’s plan that he’d schemed following today’s horoscope.
——
“Midorima Shintarou, we need to talk…now!”
Your loud and sudden order startled the young man in gym clothes, who was mere movements away from throwing his umpteenth three-pointer, as well as his teammates. If it weren’t for the serious tone in your voice, he would’ve come up with some kind of excuse to dodge the upcoming conversation.
Now that the two of you were outside of the gym you didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point: “Are you seriously avoiding me all day because of Oha Asa’s words? Is that how little you believe in me and my feelings for you?” Your boyfriend never quite knew how to deal with such straightforwardness and seeing how with each question you uttered, the tears in the corners of your eyes grew, pushed him even further into a corner until he couldn’t handle it anymore and just needed to shut you up. Out of nowhere Midorima took a tight hold of your shoulders, seizing your frantic movements, and pressed his lips firmly to yours, kissing you in the process.
“…now that I finally have your attention, allow me to explain myself, will you?” he asked and waited for your nod before he continued “Look…I know I overreacted and to be honest, my behavior bothered me more than you think. I was just…j-just so afraid to lose you. Up until now everything Oha Asa said came true, s-so–”
Before he could finish his sentence, it was your turn to kiss him on the lips and use his moment of confusion to stop the train of negative thoughts that were about to overwhelm him. “I love you Shintarou…more than any horoscope could ever hope to calculate and sure, every time you listen to this show it all comes true, but did you forget that my sign is on that show as well?”
Your sudden question caught him a little of guard, but the moment you pulled something small out of your pocket he couldn’t help but smile to himself as a light blush spread across his cheeks.
“Unfortunately for you, today is my lucky day and your beloved presenter advised me to be more assertive than what I’m used to, and show my lover just how much he means to me.”
Aomine:
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With quick steps, you neared the basketball club’s gym while frantically looking around for your boyfriend, who’d once again decided to ditch today’s training and laze around somewhere.
“Captain, we might have a problem!” you shouted out the moment you entered the building, ready to break the unpleasant news to the young man in glasses, who looked surprisingly relaxed, even though one of his best players was missing yet again. But before you could even say anything he simply put his hand up, motioning you to look behind him with his head, and there you saw the wanted man, crouched down while reading something.
With a heavy sigh, you joined Imayoshi and Wakamatsu, who was looking at the power forward with hopeless and annoyed expressions. After explaining to them that you couldn’t find him at his usual spots, you asked how they got him to join practice that quick.
“Oh you know…the usual” the blond said as he tapped a few times on his mobile phone, searching for something, and the moment he found it, he showed you the typical photo with which they always managed to catch Aomine: one of his favorite gravure magazines being held above a candle’s flame. You eyed the image a tad longer than what the men next to you were used to and then replied drily: “I see.”
The two players you were standing next to, were quite surprised by your reaction and couldn’t tear their eyes from your back as you walked towards the bench where their coach and manager were seated. They wanted to brush it off at first but the moment you had sat yourself down, your sad expression managed to guilt-trip them to such an extent that they immediately walked to the dark-skinned young man to lecture him.
“Aomine, you idiot, stop reading these things already!”
Said man didn’t even flinch at the sudden scream from the blond and continued looking through his magazine. Wakamatsu was already agitated enough and ready to throw punches at his sitting teammate, but the captain stopped him with an unobtrusive head-shake and took his chance not short after: “Ya see…your cute girlfriend’s over ‘ere and she looks mighty disappointed at the fact that ‘er boyfriend gives some random women more love ‘n attention than ya give ‘er. If ya keep that up, then who knows what could happen.”
It didn’t take much to annoy or upset your boyfriend and if you were as tactful as Imayoshi, you could do it whenever you felt like it, but this time he intended to make the man before him aware of what seemed to be a minor problem.
The two of them watched as Aomine finally closed his magazine and stood up, a terrifying glare fixated on the wall before him, and hissed out: “My relationship with (Y/N) has nothing to do with you, so don’t even butt your noses where they don’t belong.” He turned and just as he was about to leave and enter the practice match, he stood beside the man with glasses and stared at him with the same amount of bloodlust he had whenever he faced a strong opponent, and whispered: “Call her cute one more time and see what happens, captain”
——
What the hell is going on?
With a furious expression and gritted teeth, Aomine’s eyes followed your frantic movements in annoyance. He watched how you held Sakurai’s hands and whispered something to him to calm him down, how Wakamatsu ruffled your hair as thanks for bringing him a bottle of his favorite drink and a towel, and how Susa and Imayoshi patted your back while praising you. Today was the first time he actually noticed this, but now everything was making sense.
Since the beginning of this week, Momoi told him that she’d be away for two weeks and couldn’t manage the team in that timeframe. Her childhood friend wasn’t interested, so he didn’t ask any further details such as why she going away or who’d take her place for the time being, but now he wished he would’ve.
During her absence, he didn’t receive any of those dreadful SMS and for the first few days, he was living his life, skipping every single practice day. He did ask you a couple of times whether you wanted to ditch your class and come hang out with him, but he got rejected pretty quickly. Additionally, he rarely asked you out himself so the lack of messages from you wasn’t surprising to him, of course until he heard some of the substitute players comment something about how well you were doing your job as temporary manager.
“So that’s why you were so busy, huh?” he asked in his typical monotone voice the moment you had come back to the bench where he and the coach had taken place. Without sparing him even a single glance you took your clipboard and began explaining something to the older man. Seeing how you ignored him, paired with your cold attitude made Aomine involuntarily remember his captain’s words.
If ya keep that up, then who knows what could happen.
Your conversation with the coach was quickly wrapped up and not soon after just the two of you were left sitting on the bench. Your boyfriend’s deep blue eyes glanced briefly at you and observed how you were writing something in a small pink notebook that most likely belonged to Momoi. He never considered the fact that you would actually lose interest in him or perhaps even break up with him, but your recent behavior change matched exactly that and it scared him more than he let on.
The moment you finished writing and intended to pack everything up, a big hand took a gentle hold of your wrist. Slightly startled and taken aback you looked at the man beside you, who was covering his lower face area as he murmured something that only you managed to hear and understand.
Please don’t go…d-don’t leave me
A small smile slowly adorned your lips as you took his hand in yours, intertwining your fingers, and squeezing it ever so slightly. You figured that the reason he was hiding his face was because of the blush that had painted his cheeks in a shade of dark red. An unusual but very welcome sight as well as a great reward for the plan the entire team had come up with alongside you. The goal? Teaching your lover a small lesson that he’s surely not forgetting that quick.
Mission accomplished…
Murasakibara:
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“Hey Atsushi, my friend told me they’d be opening a new store in–“
“Mmm…I don’t wanna go (Y/N)-chin”
You were stunned at the sudden refusal of your boyfriend even before you’d finished your sentence and couldn’t help but giggle to yourself as you looked at his slightly annoyed face.
Of course, he’d say that…
And with that prompt rejection, the conversation between you two died down and you wordlessly continued watching the movie you’d put on for tonight, while gently caressing the purple head of the large man who was using your thighs as a pillow.
——
“Eh? You rejected (Y/N)’s invitation again?” asked the black-haired young man while he handed his gigantic friend a tissue for his sticky fingers. With a slightly annoyed glare, Murasakibara snatched the handkerchief from him and hurriedly removed the honey residuals from the snacks he had finished a couple of minutes ago, before answering: “Of course I would…I’m not in the mood to go shopping for hours in this heat.”
The man’s laziness never failed to surprise Himuro everyone who has ever talked to him was aware of his quirks and despite it all, no one has ever left his side. The same goes for you as well. Since the first time you’d seen him, your heart already belonged to him. It was easier to pursue him than you’d expected since his team liked you very much and always helped you out by telling you about his schedule or when he’d come to practice. He was pretty cute once you got to know him better and unbeknownst to you, he had also fallen in love with everything about you. Your smile, the adorable way you tried to follow his basketball practice, the way you panicked when he told you that he didn’t like the type of candy you’d picked out, and everything else about you made his heart thump hard against his chest.
“You know Atsushi…if you keep your indifferent attitude up, your relationship might end pretty soon.”
“W-What do you mean…?”
With a perplexed expression on his face, Himuro took a glance at his friend who had panic written all over him, and reluctantly explained how you could feel neglected by him, or even think of leaving him because he seemingly doesn’t want to spend time with you. The purple-haired young man opened his mouth, wanting to protest but anything he said was immediately rebutted by his friend who told him that he was the wrong person to tell this to, and with that, Murasakibara sprinted out of the room. His destination: your home.
——
You were just out of the shower and preparing yourself to go to bed, when suddenly the doorbell starts ringing furiously, scaring you in the process. With a thumping heart and silent steps, you made your way to your door and took a glance at your peephole, needing less than a second to recognize just who had decided to spontaneously visit you this late at night.
“Atsushi, what are–”
“I’m sorry (Y/N)-chin, please don’t leave me! I-I promise I will go to that store reopening with you a-and to any other event you’d like, I’ll even do it without you having to buy me over with sweets, just–”
Thrown aback as you were, you took a tight hold of Murasakibara’s arms, squeezing them while you screamed at him to hold on and stop talking. Despite your reassuring words it took him a good while to calm down, so you made use of it and prepared some soft drinks, and put a couple of his favorite snacks in a rotating multi bowl set. After putting everything down on the small table in your living room, you got your boyfriend his favorite blanket, covering him with it, and finally sat down next to him.
“Now then, I’m almost afraid to ask you this, but…why are you pleading with me to not leave you?”
With his big and almost puppy-like eyes, he looked at you and asked with a slightly trembling voice: “S-So you really w-want to l-leave me?”
“Heavens no! Who even gave you that idea?”
The moment these few words left your lips, the tension finally left the young man’s body and he slumped back on your couch with a relieved sigh, whispering a silent thank god before massaging his closed eyes. You had never seen your lover being as worried as tonight and you figured that whatever has been bothering him must’ve been quite serious, and that made you in fact even more curious than before. Despite that, you figured you’d wait for him to start his explanation, or at least that was what you’d planned, but after a couple of minutes of nothing but silence, you decided to speak up and reassure him first.
“I’m not quite sure what happened, but it seems like you’re feeling bad for refusing my invite from some days ago, and well…I was kinda disappointed about not being able to go with you there, but I’ve known you for so long now and truth be told, I was prepared for such an answer so I’m not pissed off or anything, you know? You’re just the type of person to prefer staying indoors while lazing around…that’s just how you are and how I love you, so…”
You got embarrassed after a while and the young man’s missing reactions didn’t make it any better, so you eventually stopped mid-sentence and called out to him.
Silence.
“Atsushi…?”
You put your hand on his shoulder and gently shook him, causing his arm with which he was covering his eyes to fall to the side, revealing his slightly puffy eyes and sleeping face.
D-Did he…fall asleep…?
Who would’ve thought that your reassurance alone would have such an impact on him and cause him to fall asleep?
You giggled to yourself and gently caressed some strands of his hair away from his face, giving him a soft kiss on his cheek as you silently wished him a pleasant nap. A few seconds passed during which you contemplated whether you should go to your room or snuggle up to him, you picked the latter and as carefully as possible, leaned your head on his shoulder, closed your eyes, and missed the small smile that adorned Murasakibara’s lips.
Akashi:
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Akashi usually isn’t one to get jealous of other people, since he is quite confident that there is no one better suited for you but him. And yet whenever he sees how you talk to Mayuzumi he can’t help but feel a tight pain in his chest and notice how his mood instantly drops. He’d immediately turn away from the sight of the two of you and go somewhere else, preferably the gym where he can either let his frustrations out on the ball or on some of the unmotivated basketball club members. When you were close to him during one of his bad days he was prone to behaving rather rude and harsh and even though he regrets it seconds after opening his mouth he just can’t stop himself. One day though, he truly lost it.
Everything was seemingly going well and then he saw both Mayuzumi and you come in the gym together, hand in hand, laughing, and worst of it all: you were blushing. The red-haired young man watched how his upperclassman helped you sit down on the bench and the way you two looked at each other made the captain feel sick. That’s when a certain thought entered his mind.
What if (Y/N) is planning on breaking up with me for….
While you laughed alongside the older member of the basketball club, you noticed out of the corner of your eyes the way Akashi approached you two and immediately sprung up to calm him down. “S-Sei, please calm yourself down!” you pleaded as you held onto his wrists, but no matter what you said he wasn’t listening, he only had eyes for the man behind you.
Out of desperation you wrapped your arms around the slightly trembling body of your boyfriend and began whispering how nothing was going on between the two of you, how Mayuzumi had only helped you reach the gym since you had sprained your ankle on the way, and how he had teased you for loving the captain too much. As if released from some sort of spell, the young man came back to his senses and returned your embrace in slight confusion. While you were quick to forgive and forget the sudden snap of your boyfriend, the grey-haired man behind you wasn’t in the mood to just forget how the first-year would’ve stabbed him with a ballpen if it weren’t for you. Luckily the other main team members came to calm their teammate down, while you excused yourself, took Akashi by the hand, and went out for a walk to help him calm down.
——
Holding tightly onto your boyfriend’s hand you dragged him off to a more remote area where you could properly talk to each other and resolve any type of doubts that seemed to sprout inside of his already restless mind as a sudden and unexpected whisper caught you off guard. You halted mid-step, turning to the young man behind you, and asked him to repeat what he’d just said.
After a short moment of reluctance, he nodded and did as asked. “I’m sorry for losing myself back there.” His sudden apology caught you quite off guard and made you forget your initial plan. The Akashi you knew rarely showed such enormous remorse for his actions, he might have finally found inner peace with himself and his insecurities, but that didn’t mean that he was now a completely changed man who’d thrown his entire pride away. Not being able to hold back your curiosity, you asked why he felt the need to apologize.
“The way I was ready to lash out at someone older than me, in the same way, I did with Kagami back then was uncalled for…not only that but your expression,” he paused, softly caressing your cheek and continued with a silent voice “that fearful expression you had when you saw me…I-I don’t want to see it ever again.”
Now I get it…
A sad smile adorned your lips as you squeezed his hand tighter. You were secretly thankful for his small outburst right now because it showed you not only that he indeed loved you as much as he usually told you, but also that despite his perfectionism he was very much flawed. He was afraid of losing you and equally afraid of you hating him for expressing these worries. Without saying anything you wrapped your arms around him in a hug and held him tightly as soon as he’d returned your embrace.
“Seijuro…please don’t try to tackle every worry you have on your own. That’s why we are a couple, right? Anything that bothers you, no matter how trivial or serious it is, please share it with me instead of tackling that burden on your own, ok..?”
His sharp yet beautiful eyes looked directly into your own before he leaned his forehead on your shoulder and murmured: “I know, it’s just…I’m still not used to having someone so dependable as you by my side, offering me so much support that I don’t know what to do with it.”
You giggled at his statement and kissed his head, thankful that you had more or less resolved one part of his issues, but more than anything you were happy that from now on he’d involve you more in his worries and problems.
Takao:
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Everyone from Shuutoku warned you multiple times that being lovers with Takao would cause you to have severe trust issues and you didn’t believe them at first, but after a couple of weeks, you finally understood their warnings. The lively young man was surprisingly a jokester and tended to take certain things not serious enough for your preference, but since it was a part of his personality, that you’d fallen in love with, you decided to overlook it for the majority of the time.
Usually, his jokes were kinda misplaced and sometimes even more sympathy-inducing than fun, but they never failed to make you crack even the smallest of smiles. But lately, though his jokes started focusing on love and were constantly dealing with the topic of breakup or cheating and it made you quite anxious and hurt that he took these two so lightly without considering your feelings.
Day after day you put up with them until you just couldn’t take it anymore and interrupted him, saying that he should just stop talking for a moment. You were so agitated that you failed to notice his taken aback expression.
“Hey (Y/N)-chan, you do know that I’m just joking, right? There’s no need for you to take it seriously!”
There he goes again with the same excuse…
The young man attempted to take your hand in his, an usual gesture he made every time he upset you, but right now this was the last thing you needed. When his slender fingers brushed yours, you slapped his hand away.
“Not this time Kazu-chan…I’m sorry” you whispered and hurried off, leaving your boyfriend behind who was blown away by your reaction.
——
A few days passed since your little outburst and you’d been avoiding Takao ever since, afraid of being confronted with what you’d told him. You felt bad of course for treating him like that, but you were just not ready to talk to him yet and needed some time to come to terms with your thoughts first.
“What’s with you two always gluing yourselves on me whenever you have some kind of problem?” asked the green-haired young man who you’d forced to stay by your side since then. You responded with a giggle and told him that thanks to his confident behavior and direct words you felt placid and could sort your thoughts in peace. He simply sighed and looked at his lucky item for today, a silver ring with a small green jewel, which he’d once again gotten from his captain, who told him that it was yet another merch of his favorite idol.
“You shouldn’t avoid Takao so much. We both know that he makes jokes to hide away his insecurities and weaknesses and what do you think might happen if he sees us right now?”
He’s…right
You bit your lower lip and slumped forward, leaning your elbows on your thighs as you nodded a couple of times. Nothing good would come out of you brooding over this on your own and having Midorima with you wouldn’t make your little “fight” with Takao just disappear. Seeing you so lost in thought, the young man behind you had an idea, one that he didn’t entirely like, but right now all he wanted was to make you feel better, so he swallowed his pride and handed you the ring.
“Take it…i-it’s not like I’m giving it to you forever s-since it’s not mine and all…b-but Oha Asa said t-that Scorpio might need some k-kind of symbol o-of…love so” he stuttered as he held out his hand, the fragile ring between his bandaged fingers. You were at a loss for words at his gesture and all you could do was whisper out his name in surprise.
“Shin-chan! What do you think you’re doing?!”
Suddenly someone took a hold of your slightly outstretched arm and tugged on it, causing you to stand up and fall against their chest. You looked at the face of the person and it was none other than Takao who was glaring at his friend through glassy eyes. As if bitten by a bug Midorima jumped up and began protecting himself, but all you could focus on was the man who had his arms wrapped tightly around your body. While the two men insulted each other and bickered you realized just how stupid this entire situation was and couldn’t help but smile.
You placed your hand on your boyfriend’s cheek and turned his head, so that he was now facing you, and kissed him, shutting both of them up almost instantly. It took the young man a shot while to return your kiss, but when he did he also took the opportunity to properly embrace you.
“I’m sorry for overreacting Kazu-chan, it’s just that I-”
“No, don’t apologize (Y/N), I know I went too far this time. You know I love you more than anything else in this world and that I’ll never think about leaving you.”
The smile that adorned your lips widened as you nodded energetically and reassured him that your love for him is also one that will most likely last forever.
While you two made up, smiling at each other, the green-haired young man looked at the ring and grinned to himself.
I knew it…Oha Asa is never wrong
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yostresswritinggirl · 4 years ago
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Hedonists
@kookieyachi, you little biiiitch, you know I'm damn weak when it comes to youuuu *proceeds to strangle* Here's my drabble for a spicy mfm action with Red and Green Xiao, yes, it's legit them this time.
Pairing -> Red Xiao x Reader x Green Xiao
Word Count -> 1774
Themes -> Spicy, nsfw, go away please
Series -> I'm putting this in Sojourner
Credits : Header by @geeeee_ss from Twitter
Warnings -> MINORS BEGONE
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The appearance of this... crimson version of Xiao was an anomaly beyond world's comprehension.
In all honesty, you and Xiao had zero clue on how to deal with this doppelganger of him, but there was only a slight bit of suspicion and not actual hostility between both parties. Perhaps it was because Xiao himself can tell by soul and spirit that this person was truly a copy of him.
From unknown origins. And he doesn't seem to be going back, no one knows how he would even go back at this point.
So, now there are two Xiaos in this world. To avoid confusion, Red Xiao (which was an awkward way to address him, despite the ease) offered to be called Alatus. It was a name bane to Xiao, but this version of him seem perfectly fine with it.
He resembles the public gentleness your Xiao seldom shows, with a permanent soft smile on his person no matter who he meets. Human contact is also something he's not avoidant to and more times than not, you were the victim of his assaults.
Even if Alatus was different in actions and appearance, he still resembles your lover and his soul. Perhaps it was no surprise that you'd gotten to like him, and that he had fallen for you.
"Xiao," you murmured as you turned to the teal one, his eyes lingering at the form next to you before meeting yours. He heard his other's confession and you expected him to lash out, to pull you away, and yet the gentleness seeps through.
You were taken aback as he let out an amused laugh, a sliver of a smile ghosting his lips.
"I am not suprised that even myself from another universe had come to fall for you."
And that was how you'd come in between the love of two adepti, you're thankful that they get along well to the point that they even dare fight back to back when duty calls.
And that's how you find yourself in this predicament.
Upper half of the body bent almost parallel to the floor as you clutched at the wall, gloved fingers interlocked between your right ones as it pins your hand to the wall. Alatus' other arm loops around your waist, clutching it tight so that your back end would meet his crotch in every thrust.
Through hazy vision from pleasure and unshed tears, you can see your tiptoes barely reaching the ground in the height he wants you to be.
Your unending moans had caused lewd drops of drool to drip down to your chin, saliva joining the small pool on the floor with the patch of sensual juices forming below.
His girth grazing against your walls makes your toes curl, pushing you closer to the edge as his pounding becomes more erratic, his grip on you tightens together with growls.
You barely remember what your prior objective was when coming here just an hour ago. And your train of thought is interrupted again as you felt your feet lower down to the wooden floor as Alatus leans down against your back, biting at your neck as a muffled growl travels from your skin to your spine.
You almost stumble when your shaky knees was suddenly tasked to hold your weight. Quickly the Yaksha's free hand finds its way to your stomach to push you back to him, "Mmm, careful, it seems your stamina has been depleted."
His hand pushed up against your stomach had also moved your walls against his length buried inside you, making it graze a sensitive spot you didn't know existed, enough to send you coming undone suddenly.
Your whimpers matched his feral growl as he climaxes in you, spurred on by the convulsing walls from the aftermath of your own orgasm.
"Good, good, darling. You did so good."
"What's going on here?"
A gust of wind sends your half-naked self into shivers as you were pulled up straight against Alatus' chest, the cold forcing you to hug yourself and press you legs together to shield the wetness below.
Coming back from eradicating another camp near the marsh, this was not at all what Xiao was expecting to see.
He'd known about his other self's desires that day before you arrived but he didn't expect the intercourse to happen at the balcony just by the walls of the Inn.
Xiao shoots a glare to the red one, who undoes his arms around your waist to raise it in mock surrender.
This caused your still recovering body to stumble to Xiao, whose aggressive words died down as he catches you in surprise- you felt his hand grip at one of your bottom's cheeks before he quickly moved his hand to grip at your hips instead. The action caused you to groan against for how sore your bum was from the earlier assault.
"Perhaps, some quality time between us three comes sooner than I expected. It's an opportune right now as our darling craves more." Alatus comes up behind once again to give you a gentle hug, slightly leaning you back for Xiao to gaze at.
Perhaps it was the dazed, flushed face from intoxicated pleasure or the way your collar was propped loose to show a portion of your skin and collarbone. Maybe it was also the hint of your familiar scent emanating from below, but his amber pupils dilated in arousal at the thought of taking in this way.
With another man.
He's heard of similar arrangements that mortals participate in, and he cannot deny that the thought had crossed his mind once or twice ever since the three of you entered this polyamory.
His gaze shifted from the mischievous smile of his counterpart to yours, inching closer as he swipes a gloved thumb under your eye, "Is this what you truly want?" Xiao asks meekly as your eye shuts from the contact, instinctively nuzzling into his palm.
Inside him aches from the adoring sight painfullt despite himself. And you simply nod, embarrassment manifesting on your cheeks that puts you to silence.
Soft yet chapped lips found yours almost instantly as Xiao worms his arms around your waist, the forceful kiss easily turning into a passionate one as his tongue pries your lips open. Although Xiao was not fond of touches normally, he's come to be an expert when it comes to conveying his love through kisses.
His tongue with a sweet aftertaste so familiar to your own found its way below, licking the underside of your tongue that coaxed out a muffled moan out of your throat.
Another set of lips came to assault your neck this time, humming against your skin as his hands crosses over, tugging at the cloth and accessories hanging by Xiao's waist to try and pull it down.
The action caused Xiao to pull away with a grumble, pecking your lips one last time before he summoned his polearm. Willing the winds once more, he sends a gale that shuts the doors to the balcony before throwing his spear behind him, the pole accurately fitting through the wooden handles - effectively locking it.
"We don't want any interruptions," he regarded with eyes low and shaded, already pulling off his garments as Alatus works to rile and wake you up to absolute consciousness. His hands roaming over your waist and thighs sends tingles of electricity over how sensitive you still feel, his length pulsing between your cheeks as if rejuvenated by the thought of doing it with all of you.
A mess of limbs later and you found yourself situated on his lap as he sat down at while Xiao supported your weak leg by the thigh to keep them open, the other held up by Alatus. This position felt so scandalous that it had you reeling in embarrassment. Your desperate attempts to hide making both of your men chuckle and pull your face out of hiding.
A light-mannered yet sultry voice coos by your ear, "Beloved, there's no turning back now from your own decisions, enjoy it with us," ending his statement with a bite to your earlobe as he pulls at your limb to spread your hole wider.
The hand that grips your jaw forces you to meet Xiao's golden gaze, "There is no need to hide, we love every part of you. Believe in my words, got it?"
And with an affirmation from you (Xiao is really careful with consent), the first onslaught of movement came.
There was searing pain in the way you're being stretched beyond what you were used to, and both of them did the best they can in being careful, hyperaware of the pained whimpers and rolling tears the sensation produced. The wetness from before and the initial stretch did little in helping, taking a moment longer than you wanted before it became comfortable, pleasurable.
Their precise movements rocked your hips and you're soon overwhelmed by the sensations, their members pushing against each others as they continue to stretch your walls. Grazing against it as it sends your spine into delicious shivers, Xiao's more dominating thrusts pulls you farther down to Alatus', to the point that he's bottoming out behind you easily as the mixed pre-cum coats and spills past your hole.
An unoccupied hand pulls at one of your nipples, experimentally rubbing the sensitive nub between its fingers as you threw your head back, moans reverberating against the wall of the inn before it was eaten by a kiss by Xiao.
"Don't be hngh,, too loud now."
His hand finds it way over your sex, thumbing your most sensitive spot in circles and calculated rubs, pressing down as your knees bucked.
It was so overwhelming, intoxicated by lust as each touch and thrust within you sends the heat in your belly rippling. And soon enough your hole tightens eagerly around their lengths as you cry out your climax, hips snapping and back arching as you ride out your high.
And not even a split second passes as another heat builds up inside you as they both speed up their ministrations, letting the tightness squeeze the pleasure out of them as they practically grind against it.
The pool of thick, transparent juices under you three grows as more wet splotches joins it.
The heavy scent, combined moans and pantings, and the unrelenting thrusts the both of them keeps up tells you that the aching in your legs would persist more than a day.
But as you came a second time at the sensation of their hot seed spilling inside and out of you, you realized you didn't care that much.
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Sike, get cock blocked, bitches hehehe
@zelos-simp @legionqueensav @snackgod @rxsalinee @cala-ran @wind-wheel @lilydewi22 @yellowflowre @traveler-lumine @nonniechan @creation-magician @hanniejji @gojos-baby @just-some-stars @volleybloop @kookieyachi @xiaophilia @bunniesrorange @anormalguyreader @scarletroseneko
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leggerefiore · 3 years ago
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Erin’s skitty needs to have a little hat to match his fathers.
is this good enough anon? though, this skitty keeps seeing an apparent evil spirit.
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“Emma!” Erin grabbed the end of his cousin's sleeve with big eyes. She stared down at the younger boy. What could he want? Usually, he preferred to go to an adult, but she supposed she was a teenager. That, and she bore a slightly uncanny resemblance to his father. Now that she actually gave it some thought… He came to her quite often.
“What is it?” she asked. His hand pulled out a pokeball and stared at it for a moment. Did he want to battle? She wasn't opposed, but he didn't seem deeply interested. “Can you make hats?” he asked her. Emma nodded. Did he want a hat? That was cute! She actually couldn't make one all on her own, but she could certainly edit a base one however he'd like. “I want Skitty to have a hat like my dad's! She'd be cute! I think she could be a station master to help with them!” he explained further. Emma giggled with her expression staying frozen into a frown.
“Aw! Okay, Erin, I'll definitely help you.”
She was squeezed into a tight hug by him.
She couldn't breathe.
~~~~~~
“Dad!” Erin called out as he stumbled into Ingo's and Emmet's work office, “Dad! Look!” The older man's eyes broke from the form he was filling out to see his son standing in the doorway with a pink fluff mewing happily in his arms. Upon her head said a black cap, except with a Skitty paw print instead of the pokeball symbol on his. A small cape imitating his coat was around her body. “What is this?” he asked with a gentle, curious tone.
“Station Master Taffy!” Erin chirped out while wandering over to Ingo, with the kit purring loudly. The Dad cocked a brow up. Had a new position been created for such a fluffy creature? The Skitty was placed in his lap, where she proceeded to curl into a ball and purr even more. “I don't recall hiring her,” he joked, “But I suppose she's capable for the job.” Erin nodded while beaming up at him. His heart buzzed with affection for the boy. How did such a sweet child come from his awful circumstances? The boy didn't have a clue he was created in another space and time…
“Taffy, you're hired!” Erin stroked her soft fur lovingly. A small mew came from her.
~~~~~
“Ingo. Cat,” Emmet said blankly while pointing to the kitten curled up on their couch, somehow managing to ignore the napping boy beside her.
“Yes, what about her, brother?” Ingo asked while tapping a pile of documents together to straighten them out.
“How come I don't get a cute cat in my uniform,” he whined before sitting down at his desk, “My girls are verrrrry mean! Emma is all about her fashion and contests, while Inka bit me for hugging her. She looked so cute with her Galvantula…” Ingo could only let out a sigh at his brother's fathering pains.
~~~~
Emma dropped off a Joltik in a white cap and small cap in Emmet's lap with determined eyes. He examined the small creature who chirped at him and nuzzled into his palm to steal his static electricity. “Uncle said you were said you didn't get a pokemon counterpart,” she explained while sitting beside him, “I made you one.” He turned to stare at his daughter adoringly. Cute! Emmet hugged her tightly, and she immediately reciprocated the affection.
“Now, papa,” she dared, “Did Inka actually bite you?”
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ichigoromi · 4 years ago
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𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 | 𝐆𝐨𝐣𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐮 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧 | 𝐉𝐮𝐣𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐮 𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧🔞🔞🔞
Gojo Satoru is one sexy man. His arrogance may be annoying, but I must say a confident man is sure charming.
I don't normally write 🔞headcanon because my page is normally a fluff blog with a tiny bit of angst, but I want to try something new once in a while.
This is going to be a 🔞headcanon, so I'm going to bold my warnings.
Pairing: Gojo Satoru x fem reader (using she/her pronouns)
WARNING (S): SUGGESTIVE LANGUAGE, MINORS DNI, CONSENSUAL UNPROTECTED SEX, LOTS OF HORNY GOJO, I WARN THE MINORS OF MY PAGE, DO NOT INTERACT. M18. SOME FLUFF. SMUT.
Okay, 18 and above, please proceed.
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Gojo Satoru
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It was meant to be only a one night stand.
But this little steamy rendezvous between you and Satoru has been ongoing for a little too long, like maybe a few years?
You two were perfect for each other, just looking to fill each other needs and no commitments.
Only Shoko knows about you two because she accidentally walked in on Satoru going down on you in the infirmary.
You were mostly out for missions, but when you are in town, you are in Satoru's apartment or his room whenever you two are free.
Using the spare time you two have, you guys go at it for hours.
When you are gone for a little too long, the sex usually is better because he is more desperate and hornier.
The higher-ups were suspicious that you and Satoru have a relationship, so they send you away for overseas missions for three months.
Oh, those three months were agonising for Satoru the most, somehow, he got addicted to you, and other girls just don't satisfy him anymore.
Plus, you make delicious desserts that he can't get enough other you.
It was not easy for you, but you two would facetime or call whenever you can and have phone sex or facetime sex.
Shoko was there to pick you up when you came back from your missions early.
She sends you to the hospital to collect your birth controls since you ran out, so she booked you an appointment for you.
It was rather quick since you are going to get a refill of your previous prescription.
Once you are done, you two head back to Jujutsu High.
You went and report back to the higher-ups about your missions and submitted all the written reports.
After you finished the administrative matters, you went to take a shower in Satoru's room and head down to the kitchen to make a strawberry shortcake.
When Satoru is back from his mission, he noticed that a certain blue shirt from his closet is gone, and the familiar flora scent is back.
He took a shower and head down to the kitchen, and there you were.
Making desserts looking like a whole 8-course meal.
He swiftly makes his way to you and wraps his arms around you from behind.
You almost drop it but set it down so you can properly greet him with a kiss.
That kiss leads to a full-blown makeout session on the kitchen counter.
You had to pull away from him so that you could put the cake in the fridge to chill so that you two can enjoy it later. You put a note on the cover to inform them to not touch it.
After that, Satoru carried you back to his room to take that sweet body of yours that he missed dearly.
He couldn't even reach the bed, and you two starts kissing, with him pinning you on the door.
Satoru easily slips his tongue into your mouth and playfully sucks while you were getting really horny.
He loves your whines and your moans. It's like music to his ears.
You palm his bulge through his sweats, and he moans in your ear, and you sneakily slip your hand into his underwear, man. You defeated the poor man.
He humps into your tiny hand, forcefully took out your hand, and rips off the blue dress shirt you were wearing.
You wore matching black lace lingerie and officially broke Gojo Satoru.
He expertly unhooks your bra and yeet that shit away. Satoru dives down to your plump bosom and sucks your nipples depends on it.
Sensing that you were getting a little uncomfortable in the position, he carried you to his bed, and that is where the real fun starts.
You slip out of your panty with his help, and man, he is hungry for some pussy juice.
He sucked the soul out of you and did not waste a single drop.
You had to return the favour.
Grabbing one of the hair ties by the bedside table, you wrapped your hair in a bun and went down on him. It starts with slow strokes and deep sucking; oh, he loves deep throating you until you choke on his cum.
Satoru was going to do you until the sun rises.
He was leaving no mercy for you, and you almost choke on his cum, but you manage to breathe.
Satoru pin you down and slides into your wet ass pussy, and both of you moan in bliss when he enters you.
He is pistoning in and out of you like a machine gun, but when he was about to pull out, you told him to cum in you.
Babe, he is not done with one round. Bless your legs and your pussy tomorrow.
You and Satoru went on it for hours, non-stop coming, and you couldn't stop yourself; you want to go over your limit.
For the last round, he let you ride on top, and you were giving your all, and he too was looking forward to marking you and overstimulate you.
While you riding him, you felt him sucking on your skin, marking you all over, but you couldn't care less; now, it's about you and him. Who cares about little love bites?
After you two are done, Satoru pulls out and carries you to the bathroom so you can wash up first, and he can put on new sheets.
You run a warm bath, cleaning all the fresh cum and dried cum off your body and massaging your sore muscles as well. That was one intense workout.
After cleaning up yourself, you head to the bed, where the bed was cleaned already. You head to bed first while Satoru goes to wash up too.
Satoru immediately cuddles you after he cleans up, and you two fall into a deep slumber.
Gojo felt two tiny hands squished his cheeks together, and he opened his eyes slightly to find the adorable and sexy friend of his pouting at him.
The shirt that he lends her was sliding off her shoulder, revealing her collarbone marked by him. Then he smirks, remembering last night.
"You idiot! I'm going to kill you!" You grab his collar and starts shaking him.
"Doesn't it look pretty?" He smirks smugly at you, and you almost strangled him.
"PRETTY?! GOJO! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
...
Shoko held in her laughter as you and Gojo enter the conference room at the same time. You sat down beside her, and she smirks at the turtleneck that you are wearing.
The Kyoto counterpart were all there, and it was a surprise to them to see you coming in with Gojo. You two were known for being not having the best relationship since you guys were teenagers.
You fanned yourself slightly since the weather wasn't the coolest, and Shoko gawked at the love bites.
"Damn, you two went hard last night, huh?" She commented, and you glared at Gojo, who just smiled widely at you.
You focus on the meeting, and everything went smoothly until Gojo decided to display some affection openly.
He wraps his arms around your waist and pulls you close to you as you two made your way to the cafeteria. Obviously, nobody expected that, and then they noticed the love bites on your neck when Gojo pulls down your turtleneck.
"Can you stop? These are going to last for months on my beautiful, flawless skin! Months I say!" You frowned, and he leaned his chin on your shoulders as he hugs you from the back.
"Hmm, should we start dating? We have been together for three years already; shouldn't we be counted as boyfriend and girlfriend?" He asked you, and you turn around to face him.
"Eh? Are you asking me out? The mighty Gojo Satoru is asking me out?" You pull on his cheeks, and he pulls down his blindfold so that you can see his eyes.
Those very eyes that you hate and love.
"Hmm, I have to think about it. See you!" You pecked his lips and ran off.
"Think about it? I have been waiting for three years, and you still want me to wait? Oi, come back, baby!"
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Oh my gosh! I still can't believe I wrote smut... I mean, I'm legal but why does it feel so illegal? I hope you guys had fun reading this headcanon! Thank you for reading!
Stay safe and healthy!
With love,
Rosalie🍓
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willwriteforhugs · 4 years ago
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just a sniffle!- hwang hyunjin
boyfriend! hyunjin x reader- one shot !
word count: 1.6k
genre: fluff, domestic scenario
synopsis: after your boyfriend comes home from a long day, you swear you can detect a scratch in his throat... but he insists he’s fine. fast forward 12 hours, and hyunjin is practically bed-ridden with fever. and now what...
warnings: sickness/a high fever (obviously), minor cursing
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a/n: this prompt was requested by an anon!! i hope i didn’t take too long to put this out- it takes me forever to edit when the fic in question is a request, because i just want it to be perfect :’) anyways, to my lovely anon: thank you for the request, and i hope you enjoy!
- - -
earlier, when hyunjin had told you he’d be able to get off early, you’d been over the moon- it was a rare occurrence, after all. your boyfriend has- as many idols do- an extremely hectic schedule, with practices often going late into the night. so when he’d said the two of you would be able to spend the evening together, it had taken all your self-control not to start cheering right then and there. but you had managed to stay calm- and still devise a thorough, detailed plan of how the night would go.
you would make dinner, and it would be ready by the time hyunjin got to your place- because who doesn’t love being welcomed by a warm meal? then, after you eat, hyunjin can run and get cleaned up while you do dishes. when that’s all done, the two of you can get down to business by binge watching all the drama episodes you’d missed. (you never watched them without him, even though you usually fall way behind in the show, due to his lack of free time. he insists that you shouldn’t wait- but you love to watch them with him, so you always let them pile up...)
now, in the moment, you scurry aimlessly about your apartment. dinner is ready, waiting to be served in the kitchen, so you walk around your front room. you know that everything is clean- this is the fourth time you’ve checked. but still, this isn’t an everyday thing, and you want the place to be tidy for your boyfriend. (you also know he doesn’t really care all that much- but it’s the thought that counts, right?)
your train of thoughts ends abruptly when a knock sounds from the front door. already smiling, you rush to answer it- and sure enough, there he is.
hyunjin stands in your front entryway, tilting his head as he looks at you. a smile toys at his lips, and he extends an arm. fighting your own glee, you lean into his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent.
“hey,” you say into his chest. he hums in reply, and you stand there for a moment, simply appreciating each other. after a beat has passed, you speak up again. “let’s go inside.”
the two of you enter, hyunjin closing the door behind him. he’s wearing a casual outfit, made up of just black sweats and a hat. you assume he’s already showered, too, because, well- you won’t lie- he usually doesn’t smell that great after a long practice. but he seems clean, and all for the better- that just means the schedule gets sped up, and more time for the two of you! 
as he usually does, your boyfriend wanders into your bedroom to set down his things, not lingering. he meets you back in the kitchen as you begin to serve the food. you see him smile at the spread, and finally he speaks: “wow, babe. that’s a lot of food.”
at the sound of his voice, you start a bit. it’s much lower than usual, and you detect a bit of scratchiness in it. without looking up, you make your inquiry: “are you feeling well? you sound a bit froggy.”
hyunjin snorts at your description. “froggy? you really are something...”
you smile, bringing two servings of food to the table. as you begin to eat, the two of you settle into comfortable silence. 
as the meal continues, though, you feel yourself begin to frown. despite his obvious attempts to hide it, hyunjin seems to be having trouble swallowing his food. with every bite, you see your boyfriend flinch just a bit. 
not being able to take it any longer, you set your chopsticks down. “really, hyunjin-ah. you don’t seem well, are you getting a cold?”
your boyfriend makes a mocking pouty face at you. clearing his throat, he responds: “i’m fine, y/n. i really am, so don’t baby me.”
you give a half hearted glare. “fine. but if you wake up tomorrow feeling like shit, don’t say i didn’t warn you.”
- - -
you had been right, of course.
and, for the record, you had warned him.
it’s 6:48 in the morning, and both of you were awake. you lean over in bed, switching on the light. laying in a pathetic lump on your other side, hyunjin groans loudly. you turn back around to face him. “hyunjin-ah, seriously. let me feel your head, you’ve been coughing all night!”
the lump that happens to be your boyfriend shifts to face you in bed. you frown once you can seem him clearly- his face is red, and his eyes are watery from the coughing. you place your own cool palm on his forehead, and almost jerk back in surprise. “babe, you’re burning up!”
flinging your blankets away, you spring out of bed. “hyunjin!” you groan. “i knew you sounded off, why wouldn’t you say anything?”
he coughs again, finally managing to clear his throat. in his raspy voice, he manages: “i didn’t want to ruin your night. i knew you were excited.”
you sigh, knowing the feeling, and hating the understanding. hyunjin was overworked, truly. he shouldn’t have felt the need to lie just to spend time with you, no matter how excited you were...
“c’mon.” you say nudging him in the hips. “sit up, i’ll get you some painkillers and water. are you hungry?”
he grunts in response. when you don’t move, he finally mutters into his pillow: “i don’t know.”
a smile tugs at your lips at this. “that’s alright. i’ll get you a bit anyways.”
you know that hyunjin’s dramatics are probably a conductor to this situation, but a tiny part of you is excited at this opportunity to spoil him, even if it’s at his expense. 
in the kitchen, you dig around for the promised medicine and some snacks, then pour a glass of water.
when you re enter your bedroom, you see hyunjin has managed to sit up. his tall figure is slumped as he leans against the headboard of your bed. nonetheless, he smiles as you enter the room. “you’re so pretty in the mornings,” he mumbles.
you gently smack his head as you set down the water glass. “oh, shut up. at least take the meds first so you’ll be able to defend yourself later on.”
at this, he chuckles- but the joy quickly dissipates as the laugh turns into a pained cough. you use your palm to rub circles over his back as he regains his breath. the fit passes, but the tension in the air doesn’t. 
in perfect unison, the two of you sigh.
hyunjin breaks the silence. “i’m so sorry, y/n. i should have just told you i wasn’t feeling well last night... maybe we could have caught it before it got this bad.”
you give him a bittersweet smile. “your pride can be a weakness, my love.”
at this, hyunin puts his hand to his chest in fake shock. “i can’t believe you’d say such things to me. and while i’m ill!”
“it’s just a cold, your highness. take the tylenol and see how that helps.” you pause, knowing that he is probably in more pain than he’s letting on- you can tell because he was covering it with humor, something he rarely does. “do you- do you want a washcloth or something? an ice pack?”
your boyfriend’s expression is warm. his voice is still uneven, and he responds in an almost whisper: “is that alright?”
your heart stutters at his demeanor. “yes, that’s alright.”
when you return with the cold washcloth, hyunjin has slid down a bit- now only half sitting up. his eyes are closed, though you suspect he isn’t asleep, at least not fully. but you can tell he’s exhausted from being up all night with his sneezing and coughing... maybe he really is asleep...
you make your way to him, and pause to admire his peaceful face. he truly is beautiful... you reach over and gently sweep his long hair away from his forehead, allowing your fingers to linger. he’s still very warm to the touch, and you can’t help but worry for him. after a moment, you swap your hand for the washcloth, draping it gently across his already damp forehead. 
you aren’t really sure how to properly care for a sick person, but a cold compress seems to be what all the dramas suggest. so you sit back down and hope for the best. 
a few minutes pass- hyunjin breathing peacefully in the bed, and you in a nearby chair watching him. suddenly, your counterpart’s eyes flicker open, deep brown eyes meeting your own. “y/n-ah?” he rasps.
you almost launch out of your chair. “yes? are you alright?”
hyunjin gives a half-hearted snort as his eyes drift shut again. he continues to speak without seeing you. “i’m fine. but- will- do you mind sitting with me? over here?”
you stare at him for a moment, processing. then you smile. “yeah, i can do that. as long as you don’t get me sick.”
“no promises.”
and with that, you crawl back into bed with hyunjin, his back to you. you scoot up a bit, positioning yourself so you can hug him from behind. you’ve never been the big spoon before- but honestly? you love it, and you bury your face in between his shoulder blades, filled with an overwhelming rush of affection.
“y/n?” comes hyunjin’s voice again, very quietly.
you don’t move, answering into his back. “yes?”
“i love you.” 
and with that, hyunjin slips back into sleep, this time nestled in your arms.
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pasteljeon · 5 years ago
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core pride (m)
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❥ summary: ot7 where you’re rich and lonely so you adopt 7 hybrids. chaos ensues.
❥ genre: hybrid au, wolf!namjoon, tuxedo cat!yoongi, golden retriever!hoseok, tiger!taehyung, calico cat!jimin, bunny!jungkook, honey bear!jin
❥ warnings: brief description of assault/violence, panty sniffing, sub jimin, sub jungkook, ur once again the meat in the jikook sammich, bathtub sex, lotta angst, some fluff
❥ length: 6.6k
❥ notes: tis my first ever attempt at a hybrid au. please be kind :( let me know what you think <3
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.
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Winter, Year 20XX
The car beeps quietly, the sound piercing the stillness of the night as you glance up, watching as the powdered flakes flutter silently onto your coat. They sparkle in the muted glow of the streetlamp, soaking your hair and tickling your eyelashes.
Snow crunches beneath your boots, your steps freshly printed upon a new layer as you make your way to the door.
It is pointless to try and enter without perforating the peace. There are no lights on, but that is only because they do not need the artificial shine to recognize your silhouette. The sound of the tires pulling into the driveway, the slow beat of your heart, the steady rising and falling of your chest, the smell of damp clothing, the sweet touch of your shampoo and something indescribably you. They know it is you.
“Noona!” The faint, rapid thumping fades as his strong arms wrap around you, ignoring your muffled protests and burying his face in the crook of your neck. Another pair of arms circle your waist, a shiver whispering through your body at the feel of soft lips against the top of your ear.
“Hello, boys,” you sigh, the weariness weighing heavily on your limbs as you sink into their embrace. “You’re getting yourselves wet …”
“We missed you,” the one behind you disregards your weak attempt at chastising them, tail curling around your arm as he scatters featherlight kisses onto your jaw.
Jungkook says nothing, hands fumbling with the belt of your thick coat. He helps you shrug it off, hanging it on the side to dry.
One hand in each, they lead you to the master bathroom, carefully guiding you in the absence of light. As you pass the living room, you notice another body peeking from the corner.
Slitted eyes linger in the pressing darkness, raking over you once, and disappearing on your next blink.
The candles flicker, the lavender scent soothing and casting a warm yellowed glow to the room and you stop to touch Jungkook’s cheek. He exhales shakily, nuzzling your hand. One ear droops, covering the left side of his face, as if to hide his insecurity.
Jimin walks forward respectfully, twisting the knob to adjust the temperature until it is deemed appropriate and waits, perched on the porcelain, for the tub to fill, before dropping a rose bath bomb into it.
“Oh, bunny,” you murmur, watching sadly as he sniffles. Jungkook scrubs his eyes furiously, almost angry at his uncharacteristic show of emotion.
His body sags, arms clutching your waist tightly as he kisses you back hard, tasting salt and copper.
“Sorry,” he whispers, forehead pressed against yours. He dips his head to suckle the bite on your lower lip, running his tongue over it lovingly.
“Take off your shirt,” you say in response. He obeys, lifting his arms as his shirt comes off, fluttering to the ground. He arches at the feel of your hands running down his front. The deep ridges of his stomach are thrown in sharp relief in the shadowed light. This is what he has been working on, you realize, as your fingers dig into the defined v-lines that dip into his sweats. Jungkook whines at the pressure, body jerking as he staggers onto you. His skin is hot, and a shudder ripples down his spine when your palm meets his pectoral to steady him.
“Get in the tub, baby,” you say. Jungkook moves as if underwater, lethargic in the heat that knots his stomach. He kicks his sweats off, nothing underneath, and sinks into the hot water with a lewd groan.
“Kitten.”
Jimin rises at the sound of your voice, shirt gone in the next instant as he sinks to his knees before you. His gaze is reverent, tender, his touch gentle but firm as he strips you slowly. Covering every inch of bare skin revealed with his lips as he unbuttons your blouse, unclips your bra and unzips your skirt. His nose presses against your panties, inhaling deeply as his tongue flicks out to scent your core. The sight is obscene, so dirty it is enough to make you blush, if you were new to Jimin’s obsession with your taste.
“Smell so good,” he pants, suckling your clit through the soaked fabric. The bulge in his boxers is mouth-watering, and you can already feel the weight of his cock pressed against your tongue. His tail twines your ankle, and you stifle a moan at his feverish licks.
“In the tub, love,” you say softly, tugging at his black locks. Jimin mews and nods, shoving his briefs off before settling in the water next to Jungkook. They watch with hungry gazes as you step out of your panties and sink into the bath leisurely.
They wait, unmoving and hardly breathing, as you close your eyes, body loosening as the heat soaks into your sore muscles.
When the ache lessens, you stand, the water line edging just below your breasts, them greedily consuming the sight of the droplets sliding down your shoulder blades and perked nipples as you make your way to him.
Jungkook watches with half-lidded eyes, expression dazed and thoroughly fucked out already despite the minimal stimulation thus far. Your bunny, so easily tamed and pleased, with a sex drive so intense you could scarcely surface for a moment’s rest.
“Nnng,” he gasps when you flatten your palms to his pecs, raking your nails over his nubs. His chest pushes out to seek your punishing touch despite his furrowed eyebrows and cherry-bitten lips as if unable to decide if the stimulus was welcomed or not.
His cock, still impossibly hard, nudges your entrance from below the water. Jungkook has the audacity to blush when he feels it. “I—I’m—mmf,” his apology is swallowed by your kiss, his eyes rolling back as he keens into your mouth.
An arm snakes around to cup your right breast, thumbing your nipple. “Ahh,” Jimin hisses, biting back a needy whimper when you grip his cock.
He presses himself against you, the heat of him bleeding into your back. “My pain slut,” you coo as you release Jungkook. The bunny hybrid slumps back, lips slick with drool as he grinds desperately against you, gaze unfocused.
Your collective sounds echo delightfully in the wide expanse of the room, water splashing over the edges of the tub as the movement of their hips push waves swelling over the surface. They cannot resist the innate urge to brand evidence of their devotion onto your skin, the marks blooming and scattering like the wind over your thighs, stomach, and neck. Between two hard, hot bodies, they grip you with strong arms and you throw your head back, a faltering gasp caught in your throat as Jungkook ducks his head, dark locks plastered to his forehead, to sear a new constellation on your collarbones. Jimin’s sharp teeth are coaxing another violet flower to bloom across your jugular.
Your legs tremble when you finish, exhaustion seeping deep into your bones. The two seem to exchange silent conversation, and Jimin sets you down gingerly before allowing Jungkook to scoop you up. He steps out of the bath, the water a quarter of its initial level.
You open your mouth to protest, but Jimin kisses the pad of your finger. “It’s okay, noona, I’ve got it.”
Jungkook carefully helps you into the shower, the tiles cool against your burning skin. You lean heavily against him, smiling as he rubs your nose with his affectionately. Reaching for the shampoo, he works up a gentle lather, massaging your scalp soothingly. You sigh blissfully, closing your eyes briefly before stretching for the soap, running it over his abdomen.
The frosted glass opens quietly as Jimin steps inside, having finished draining the water. Jungkook rinses your hair, and you turn to Jimin to drizzle some on his while the younger scrubs at his curls. A faint thumping sound can be heard again when you rub Jungkook’s ears. He flushes hotly at your soft giggle.
By the time you are all finally clean and properly bathed, you are feeling slightly more refreshed and awake.
“Thank you. My good boys,” you whisper, kissing the crown of their heads. You smooth over their fringes, smiling fondly down at them. They are sharing the same room tonight, too tired to fight over who would warm your bed. Jimin purrs sleepily, and Jungkook merely blinks up at you tiredly, doe eyes soft and sweet.
“Sweet dreams.”
.
.
.
“Hey. Sorry I’m so late.” He stirs at the sound of your voice, hushed and melodic, eyes remaining closed even as his ear flicks. The mattress sinks slightly under the added weight.
“They were really worried,” he rumbles, raspy from the drag of sleep. “I know.” You stroke his hair, and he chuffs happily, melting. It has been three months already, and yet you have made little progress with some, while others still suffer from severe anxiety whenever you were away for too long. With your chosen field of study, that adjustment was difficult. Today has likely been one of the worst. You know because you are almost six hours late, and there is a stratum of palpable tension that lines the atmosphere of the house, one only slightly weakened by the physical announcement of your return.
“Tell us next time,” Taehyung murmurs, tail winding around your bicep. “Please. They were almost beside themselves. It took hours to calm them down. I worry about you.”
“I will. I’m sorry.” He accepts your chaste kiss as an apology, fatigued as he is. He is already drifting off, hugging the pillow close to him as you shut the door quietly behind you.
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.
Namjoon is on the balcony when you find him. Like his counterpart, he is almost immune to the cold, with only a shirt and shorts. He is gazing at the stars, or what little of it is visible through the smog of the city. His ear twitches when you enter, but he makes no other indication he is aware of your presence.
You draw your shawl closer to your body, moving to stand a few feet apart, knowing he is still wary of you. It has not been easy, this tentative truce. The two of you are still fostering trust. Such a fragile concept, you think. So gruelling a task to establish, yet so easily destroyed.
“I was wondering if I needed to tell the others to pack again.”
“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” you answer, smile crooked. You know he is trying. It is a joke, if you ever heard him utter one.
He finally looks at you. “Okay,” is all he says. His dimples crease, so you know to read between the lines to hear he really means; good.
“Good night, Namjoon.”
“Good night, owner.”
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.
.
“I’m glad to see you’re okay.” Seokjin offers you a small smile, the one that makes his cheeks plump up like a loaf of bread.
“Thank you.” He lays back down, still watching you cautiously, as if to ready himself in case you struck. Your heart twinges a little, but there is not much you can do tonight. Tomorrow is a new day. You will try all over again tomorrow.
“We really like it here,” the hybrid blurts suddenly. He coughs, embarrassed, as his honeyed skin reddens. You laugh, the ache softening just a bit.
“I’m happy to hear that.”
.
.
.
“Don’t. I don’t care. I was just checking if it was burglar or some shit,” the older of the two grumbles without even turning to you. He is a lump in the dark, curled up in the middle of his bed.
Hoseok simply rolls over.
You take a breath. Tomorrow. You will start all over again tomorrow.
Tonight, you just want to sleep.
.
.
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“Good morning, noona!”
You smile as the two bound over to kiss either side of your cheek. The mixture of maple syrup, butter and batter must have woken them up, and if they are up, it is likely the other boys are just moments short from trickling in.
“Sleep well?” You place two plates on the table, clearing your laptop and files to the coffee table. One is heaping with pancakes, the other is reasonably stacked.
Jungkook finishes one in a single gulp, and beams. “It’s really good!” You squeeze his hand in gratitude before returning to the stove to finish making the rest just as the boys begin filtering in.
Seokjin, Hoseok and Yoongi take their individual seats at the table patiently with their phones in hand.
“Hi, beautiful.” Taehyung slides an arm around your waist, brushing your locks back as he smiles, kissing you softly.
Namjoon trails in, shuffling toward the fridge as he yawns. “Ah—” He fumbles with the tall glass and you watch in slow motion as it falls and shatters on the tiled flooring of your kitchen.
“Are you okay?” You exclaim, switching off the stove immediately and rushing over. Taehyung stops you from picking up the pieces, grabbing the sweeper as you gesture at the hybrid to step to the side with you.
Namjoon is frowning down at his hand, and upon spotting the cut, Seokjin, miles ahead of you, moves to pull the first aid kit in one of your cupboards instantly. The wound is already spewing a fair amount of blood, and you would have been more concerned had he been a man with solely human DNA.
“This will sting a bit,” you warn, but Namjoon does not even flinch as you gingerly wipe the gash with white alcohol soaked in a cotton ball. You wrap a bandage around it firmly, and tell him not to press on it before it fully heals. He mumbles a thank-you.
Out of the corner of your eye, you spot Yoongi standing.
“Wait, Yoongi!” You call, hiding the hurt that flashes across your face when you see him roll his eyes. 
“What?”
“I have something for you. Please, eat, and I’ll show you.”
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.
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Yoongi trails after you reluctantly as you lead him into the right wing of the mansion. It is scarcely used, furniture mostly curtained off with a thin layer of dust coating the surface of the covers. When they had first moved in, you explained it was because the place was big enough without the extra space. There was nothing interesting within, just more hallways and empty rooms.
It was not entirely true.
“My father always preferred the right wing. There’s more sun here, better views. I spent most of my childhood here,” you begin. Yoongi’s mouth tightens, but he does not protest. It is the first you have spoken about yourself beyond the niceties of your job and how your fortune came to be. He listens attentively, even as his tail swishes agitatedly.
“After they passed, I couldn’t see the place the same. I couldn’t live there anymore. The memories haunted me, I suppose,” you continue. “But out of it all, there is one thing I regretted closing off. I think you might be able to find better use for it.”
There is no door, just an impressive awning that leads into what appears to be a ballroom. Each step muted on the polished floors. You keep this room clean, he realizes with a jolt.
Yoongi skids to a stop, heart fluttering at his throat when his gaze falls upon the clothed bulk in the middle. He could recognize that form anywhere, and his face twists when you pull back the silk fabric. The impact frees a stray piece of hair, the lock falling over his eyes. He makes no move to push it back, face paling in horror and anguish.
“Yoongi? Yoongi? Hey, are you okay?” He refocuses to find your worried expression staring at him, your hand shaking his shoulder gently.
Immediately, he jerks his arm out of your hold, baring his teeth as he hisses. “Don’t fucking touch me. I don’t want that shit.” He hurls a venomous look your way, the fur on his tail fluffing out in alarm as he bristles.
“I’m … I’m sorry, I thought—” You are taken aback, hand falling limply to your side as you recoil.
“You thought wrong. You’re better off burning that shit,” Yoongi spits. The anger radiates off him, his ears flattening as he turns on his heel and stalks out.
Snapping out of your stunned daze, you hurry behind him, struggling to catch up, but he has always been lithe and quick on his feet. Yoongi storms through the living room toward his room, startling the boys still loitering in the area when he slams the door loudly. Hoseok gets up immediately and races after him.
They all swivel their attention to you when you arrive moments later, and your expression drops when you realize Yoongi has already disappeared.
“Bogum said he used to play the piano,” you say after a beat, voice small as you stare at your feet. You should be used to the rejection by now, but it still hurts, still makes your heart throb, the disappointment and continual failure swells in your chest like a tumor.
“I have the next three weeks off for the holidays. Let me know if there’s somewhere you’d like to go or something you’d like to buy,” you say flatly, avoiding Jungkook and Jimin’s mirrored concern as you trudge toward your own room.
“___—” You only shake your head, lips pursed. Shame crawls up your spine as you roughly wipe away the tears welling in your eyes. “I’m fine, Tae. I’m just tired. Please wake me at five so I can make dinner.”
Taehyung freezes, hand pausing where it is reaching for you, frown deepening as his heart clinches painfully when he scents the tint of salt in the air.
You shut the door quietly behind you right as your knees give out, collapsing into a heap against the wood. It has been months now, and if anything, your relationship with Yoongi is deteriorating. At some point you think he was starting to tolerate your presence. Hoseok still refuses to so much as acknowledge your existence.
You are just so tired. But Taehyung had begged you, the day you decided to take them in, he had begged you not to give up on them. That they all had personal baggage, trauma enough to drown anyone else. He had asked you to be their lifeline, and you are starting to wonder if you are in over your head after all.
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.
.
“I wish you would give her a chance. She’s serious about us, you know.” Yoongi snorts, pulling the covers further over his head. “Go away, Taehyung.”
“She’s the one. I know it.”
“She’s just going to toss us on the streets when she’s had her fun. That’s all they do, these rich, bored humans,” Yoongi mutters. He picks at a frayed strand of the quilt he has been meticulously unravelling.
He hears the tiger hybrid sigh, and Yoongi stretches out, resting his head on his arm as he closes his eyes. “Just … please try. She’s a good person. All she’s ever done is try to help us.”
Yoongi grunts, rolling over.
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You flinch, nearly cutting off your finger, when Yoongi takes a seat next to you after a week of tensed silence. Life had carried on as usual, with the three that seem to genuinely like you, the two that accept you, and the two that abhor you. You wanted to take them skiing at the alps up north, but Hoseok had dug his heels in and practically growled at you when you tried to suggest it. The youngest had looked so crestfallen you pulled him aside and hugged him, promising you’d take him next year instead, with or without his hyung. You would have gone without him this year, except all your friends had left the country for the holidays and you didn’t want to risk asking a stranger.
“You can’t woo me with gifts,” Yoongi coughs. He is looking away, chin propped on a hand.
“I … wasn’t trying to,” you say slowly, returning to your chopping. You pour the vegetables into a bowl, setting it to the side before you move to the stove, drizzling oil onto the pan.
Yoongi turns to watch you, for the first time a little uncertain as to the way you seem to shy away, avoiding his gaze. You seem almost resigned.
“I’m … sorry.” He cringes at the words. They sound too forced, too cold. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. I just … I haven’t played in a long time now.”
You make a noncommittal sound, and Yoongi’s nose twitches at the delicious smell of kimchi stir fry.
“I’d like to maybe … give it another shot. Or something,” he mumbles, rubbing the inside of his wrist absently. It’s one of his anxious ticks.
Your heart leaps, your movements stuttering in surprise. Are you allowed to be hopeful? You want to be.
So you say, “Okay.” And set a bowl before him with a small smile. His lips quirk, head inclining in gratitude.
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.
.
It is a bit jarring, the way Yoongi lets you sit next to him on the bench. He does not move away, even as his body stiffens.
He’s … trying. He thinks you don’t notice the way his fingers tremble as they are placed on the keys, the way his tail sways restlessly. His ears are flattened to his head, the mere act of sitting at the piano taking a toll. You don’t need hybrid senses to know he is struggling to keep face.
“Hey. Don’t force yourself,” you say softly, Yoongi’s hand jerking when you hesitate in reaching for him. “I … I’m fine. It’s time, anyway.”
Then, he takes a breath, loosens his shoulders and presses down on the keys.
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.
.
It gets a little better. Yoongi takes the days as they come. He rediscovers his love for the instrument, the first he’s ever played. His first love, if he has ever experienced such a concept.
With it come the memories of loss and grief. He cries for a long time the night after his first performance with you. It was cathartic, almost. Like he could be reborn from the ashes of his sorrow, like the awning hole inside of him could begin to heal, finally. And in some ways, it does.
He finds your company reasonable. Comforting, if he had the balls to admit it to himself. You rarely speak when he plays, just listening, and sometimes he catches you with glistening eyes that you hastily scrub away. His pieces are often melancholic. They were angry at first, full of rage and pain, until that too, was swept by the currents of the storm. He was always so exhausted after each session.
Now he has begun composing something new. You would stand, thanking him in that sweet voice of yours, sometimes quivering and other times a mere whisper. You never pitied him, he knew, but your sadness told him it was time to let go of the past.
He ignores Hoseok’s disapproving gaze every time, opting to pat the space next to him. “This one is a duet. Play with me.”
You look so bewildered he stifles a chuckle. “But I don’t know how to play.”
“I’ll teach you. Come.” You do, and he urges you to relax as he guides your fingers over the correct keys for the first line.
He hasn’t played for the other boys yet. For whatever reason, this feels sacred to just the two of you. It’s peaceful. He wants to keep it this way, just for a little while longer.
.
.
.
“It’s Christmas in three days. Would you guys like to celebrate?”
They look so excited. Even Hoseok glances up from his laptop to consider your proposal. In the background, Seokjin sneezes loudly. You throw his room a sympathetic frown. The eldest hybrid had fallen sick from the snowball fight from two days ago with the maknaes. You’d left his room after feeding him some congee and checking his temperature.
“Great! I’m going to the market for some supplies then. I’m going to pick up some medicine for Jin as well. We can all go pick gifts once he’s better. Would anyone like to come along?” You ask distractedly as you search for your car keys.
Yoongi growls in exasperation when Taehyung nudges him expectantly. Jungkook and Jimin both beam so eagerly the pianist grits his teeth and drawls with great reluctance, “I’ll go.” Namjoon doesn’t protest, only shrugs as if to say do what you want.
You stop in the middle of buttoning your coat in pure shock. He’s been surprising you a lot lately. “Uh … okay, let’s go.”
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.
Yoongi stares up at the sky, streaks of fuchsia fading rapidly as the evening set in with chilly winds. His ears prick uncomfortably beneath the beanie he sports, unused to the compression. He’s waiting outside the pharmacy, leaning against the brick walls, bags weighing on each arm as people pass, laughing and chatting, without a second glance. Hybrids aren’t gawked at, but those without an owner at their side were held with suspicion and likely a dial to the hybrid protection services (read: hybrid prison). It is illegal to be wandering the streets alone.
Yoongi turns when he hears your familiar footfalls exit the store. Wordlessly, he takes the small brown bag you’re holding. He starts walking toward your next destination before you can object.
“Wait, Yoongi—ah,” you dig for your phone, the ringer making him cringe. He does, moving to the side with an audible sigh. You give him an apologetic look before answering it.
“Oh—hi, Bogum! Yes—yes. Ah, about that—I have a draft written up and I was wondering if you could take a look at it sometime soon. Mmm, I know, but it’s important it’s done as quickly as possible, I need it for when I’m gone,” you’re facing the other way, talking animatedly with the cell resting against your ear as you dig for a pen in your purse. His breath stutters, stomach dropping instantly.
“What is he talking about? What do you mean, when you’re gone?” He says sharply, and you glance up to see him right in front of you, eyes narrowed and teeth bared.
“What?” You ask, putting a hand over the receiver. Yoongi sneers. “I always knew it was too good to be true. I’m done.” He drops the various bags onto the snow, and you shrink back in confusion and fear when he leans in to whisper, “Go fuck yourself. I’ll make sure you never see any of us ever again.”
“Don’t bother coming back. We’ll be long gone by then,” Yoongi tosses over his shoulder as he leaves. He relishes in the way your expression contorts in horror. He’s much, much faster than you, and he knows this market by heart. It’s not far from your house and he can easily beat you by foot.
“Yoongi!” You cry out, but you know it’s useless. Tears blur your vision as you blubber a quiet I have to go, I’ll call you later to Bogum who calls your name worriedly on the other line before pocketing your phone. You kneel, trying to gather all the bags at once. One is crushed at the bottom and you open it gingerly to find a smashed fruit cake oozing out of its packaging. You can still make out a crooked Merry Christmas Eve! scrawled lopsidedly at the edges.
You won’t make it in time. Muffling a sob, you sink to the ground, ignoring the way the snow seeps into your leggings. You really are pathetic.
.
.
.
“Please! Stop!” You pause, head cocking as you shut your trunk. Were you officially going crazy? Peachy, you scoff inwardly. You wouldn’t be surprised.
“P-please, let me go!” A scream tears across the parking lot. You glance around wildly, and no, you are not crazy because people duck their heads at the sound, whispering to one another as they scurry toward their vehicles. Yoongi is likely already home, and you know he’s smart, careful and capable of caring for himself.
So you grab your phone and a can of pepper spray and head toward the sound. You can’t be like them. You have to be human.
And you think your knees will give out, the pure heartbreak you feel when you round the corner of the street to find a young snake hybrid curled in a fetal position on the ground, three much older, scrawny men circling him, jeering and kicking.
He can easily overpower them, you realize, but he doesn’t want to. If he does, it’s only another reason for HPS to lock him away for good. He would rather suffer this moment than be chained forever. It’s enough to make your lip curl in distaste, fury building at the sheer injustice.
“Hey! Leave him alone,” you shout, marching up to them. The men stop, one squinting at you briefly before bursting into loud guffaws.
“You? What is a little lady like you going to do?” He crows. The last word is caught in his throat as you punch him in the stomach.
“I said, back off!” The other two look at each other, flabbergasted, and the man screams at them to do something as he’s on the floor, clutching his belly in pain. They charge at you, but you only roll your eyes at the added layer of sexism on the list of hell ridden crimes they are already guilty for. You’ve taken many, many lessons as a child, including mixed martial arts.
It can’t even be called a fight. They’re rolled onto the curb in the next heartbeat. You kneel next to the wounded hybrid, who tries to get up. He wobbles, and you coax him into leaning into you for support.
“Thank you, miss,” he croaks. “You didn’t have to, but thank you.” You wipe the blood on his lower lip gingerly. “Where’s your owner?”
“He went to get the car,” he answers softly. You give him a knowing look. He glances away guiltily.
“Yuto? Yuto!” Distinctly, the two of you turn at the sound of a new voice. Headlights sear your eyes for just a moment before someone hurtles out of the driver’s seat. “Holy shit, what happened?” The man cries, clutching at the injured hybrid. Yuto (?) winces, allowing the newcomer to sling an arm over his shoulder.
“I got jumped,” he whispers. “She saved me.” The man looks halfway into tears, reaching over to take your hand. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t here.”
You accept his gratitude with an awkward smile, patting his hand gently. “You shouldn’t leave him alone on the streets, especially at night.”
“It’s not his fault,” Yuto protests immediately. “I insisted.”
His owner shakes his head furiously. “She’s right. That was stupid of me.” He turns to you again, eyes shining. “Thank you so much. Truly.”
“Not at … all.” Huh? The world suddenly tilts, and you look down at your hands. There’s something dark dripping on your jacket, staining the fabric and you swipe at it lethargically, bringing it close. Oh. It’s blood.
The pain sharpens, and you gasp aloud at the fire spreading through your veins. Your knees do give out this time, and you can finally make out the sounds of a hiss, a piercing scream and someone calling for you before your body drops to the ground with a muted thud.
The last thing you are thinking is how you’d inevitably failed them after all.
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Yoongi shoves his hands in his jacket pockets, the next gust nearly pushing his beanie off his head altogether, and he finds himself wondering if you were cold.
He violently shakes the thought away before opening the door. He sits down to unlace his boots, when Namjoon comes barrelling toward him. The other boys follow in suit; even Seokjin is padding around swaddled in a blanket. He scents the rising panic and anxiety in the house and he straightens instantly, alert.
“Yoongi, where the hell have you been?” Their leader bursts out. Yoongi has never seen the wolf hybrid so frazzled before.
“At the market?” He doesn’t know what kind of answer Namjoon was expecting, but it certainly was not the truth because his face twists in anger.
“Listen, Joon, she’s planning to leave us—” Yoongi goes on, and Jimin steps forward to slap him. The crack of the impact has his head jerking to the side, the sting setting in quickly.
“What. The. Fuck.” He says lowly.
“No. Where the fuck were you?” The typically soft-spoken and sweet hybrid screams. Yoongi stares in shock, flinching at the sound. Hybrid senses were heightened enough to hear the tiniest whispers, and his ears ring at the blow.
“If you mean ___, she’s probably on her way back,” Yoongi answers slowly. “That’s why I left, I found out that—”
“She’s in the hospital, Yoongi.” It’s Taehyung. His voice is hoarse, and he’s standing in a shadowed corner. His tail drags the ground as he moves, bangs hiding his expression.
“What?” The words taste like ash.
“She was stabbed while helping another hybrid,” Jimin seethes. He clutches his wrist, hand throbbing but he can barely feel it. Only registers the adrenaline and fear rushing through him.
“We’re waiting for Luna to come pick us up. She’s ___’s friend.” Jungkook sounds so small, so fragile when he speaks.
Yoongi’s legs buckle and he collapses, unblinking as he gawks at the floor. What did he do?
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“There you are. Take it easy, now.” You groan, eyeballs burning as you pry them open with difficulty. It takes great effort to move your arms, and you stop when you feel a sharp tugging into your inner elbow.
“Fucking IVs,” you croak, and Luna’s smile focuses as she leans down to steady you. “How long was I out for?”
“A few days. It’s Christmas. A miracle, some believers might say.” She presses one of the buttons at the side of your bed, and a nurse appears shortly after.
“Your vitals are good. Doctor will be in momentarily,” the worker says, checking the equipment and making a few markings to your clipboard.
“You scared the shit out of them. You scared the shit out of me,” Luna informs you. Taking a glance around, your room is crowded with vases upon vases of your favourite flowers and several handmade art pieces you know are from Jungkook and Taehyung.
You lean back with a sigh. Your abdomen aches, and you know the scar this time isn’t going to fade.
The doctor walks in before you can reply. He gives you a full diagnosis of your condition and declares visits can start as early as tomorrow morning. Luna leaves with him, kissing your cheek and warning you not to overextend. You can only nod, sinking back into your pillow.
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.
.
When you open your eyes again, the clock at the side notifies you it is just past ten.
And sitting by your side is Yoongi, face buried in his hands.
“Oh, Yoongi,” you breathe. He’s visibly shaking, ears flat and tail unmoving.
“I should’ve never left you alone. I’m an idiot. I’m sorry,” he rasps. He chokes on the words, rubbing his eyes furiously. He doesn’t have the right to cry. He pushes the chair away and gets on his knees, ignoring the strangled sound that escapes your throat. His forehead touches the ground and he doesn’t care that the floor is probably gross and full of viruses and bleach and disinfectant and a million other things. “I’m—so—sorry.”
“Yoongi,” your voice breaks.
“No, no,” he looks up, blinking away the tears as he fixes his gaze on you. “Don’t—don’t cry. I’m sorry.”
“Come here, silly kitty,” you whisper. His lower lip trembles and he lets out a sob. It’s loud and ugly and he scrambles to climb onto the bed, carefully weaving through the various cords and he curls up next to your injured side and he stuffs his face in your shoulder and he cries and cries and cries.
He cries until he’s empty and he falls asleep like that, eyes swollen and red, snot running down your hospital sheet, tail twined over your wrist, engulfed in your warmth.
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“My original owner was an old man.” You can barely make out the words, so soft and unsure. He’s speaking into his pudding. Lunch came and went, and you roused him gently, knowing he likely hadn’t properly eaten since the incident.
Hospital food is hardly luxury but it’s food and the poor hybrid had already begun to look malnourished, complexion pale and cheeks sunken in. It was the stress and guilt that ate away at his ability to function.
“I was abandoned on the highway. The runt of the litter, I suppose. I didn’t come from one of those fancy breeding places. I was a bastard child. He found me, digging in his trash.” You stroke his hair, and he finishes the pudding in one bite, setting it down before snuggling back into you.
“He took me in. He was kind, and taught me how to play the piano. He was a retired pianist, and his wife had died the year prior. His son had been in the military. Died the first year out. He taught me to love the piano, to love music. Gave me a light and purpose when I had none. He gave me to the shelter when he passed. I had a lot of pent up anger. I ran away a lot. Didn’t know how to deal with the grief, I guess. He was all I knew. So I started picking fights to work through it, and Bogum would always be the one to drag me back to the shelter. Nursed me back to health every time. He never punished me, and I think the disappointment was what really broke me. I was ready to die. I picked a fight I knew I would never recover from. Hoseok was the one that saved me then.” Yoongi’s wet lashes tickle your jaw.
“Hoseok was also a different man then. He smiled a lot, laughed a lot. He was like sunshine personified. Maybe that’s why I was so drawn to him. He taught me to control my anger. Through him, I met the rest. Jimin taught me to understand it. Namjoon taught me to release it through alternative channels. Like composing. I wrote a lot of songs there. Things were good for a while. Then they came.”
Your eyebrows furrow. “Who—”
“Sorry, but visiting hours are ending.” Yoongi lifts his head to find your nurse smiling at the two of you apologetically. She checks your vitals once more before exiting to give you privacy.
Yoongi untangles himself from you reluctantly, nuzzling your cheek.
“Come back tomorrow, mmkay?” You squeeze his hand.
He nods, unable to meet your gaze even as his own cheeks flush lightly.
“Promise?”
Yoongi shakily takes your hand and kisses your ring finger. This time he does look at you, eyes ringed with gold as he says, “Promise.”
6K notes · View notes
watevermelon · 4 years ago
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Fate | Kageyama Tobio x Reader (One-shot)
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✧ Summary: For years you watched Kageyama grow - from his time as king of Kitagawa Daiichi to the seemingly aloof setter on Karasuno. Your lives were a set of near misses; distant friends, but never getting any closer. You figured that once you entered Shiratorizawa High that it would be the end of your friendship. Thankfully, it was only the beginning.
➳ Tags: Slight Oikawa x Reader; Fluff with very minimal angst; Reader transfers from Seijoh to Shiratoriazawa so there’s drama; I love Oikawa but oooF this is not a good fic of him ➳ A/N: Captain-Sama! In the groupchat is the username for the female captain of Shiratorizawa and do you know da wae is the reader’s lmao
Navigation
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As much as Oikawa complained about him, you understood Kageyama Tobio to a certain extent.
You spotted the setter during your shared time at Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High, him being one year your junior. There was no doubt the genius and pure talent that was coursing through his veins - he was surely going to make whichever high-school he attended proud.
You had the same position as him on the women's volleyball team and served as vice-captain in your second-year, alongside a third-year who held their head just as high.
There was nothing more scary than the thought of looming talent, creeping up on you until you were rendered absolute. Oikawa, you were sure, had felt that since the moment Kageyama was placed as an alternate setter during his first-year. It was a daunting feeling, to work on something at all hours of the day and know that there was someone who could easily render it all worthless.
But that did not mean it was fair to treat the poor first-year that way.
Iwaizumi was the senpai Kageyama deserved, but the blueberry held a strange respect for the setter two years his senior. No matter how much of a jerk Oikawa proved to be, through his biting words or taunting nature to the other setter, that did not change how amazing of an all-around player Oikawa was. And that made Kageyama respect him even more.
You respected Kageyama's genius, even helping him personally with his jump-serves, but there was no doubt that he heavily relied on Oikawa's example.
You wondered how long that would last.
Oikawa progressed to Aobajōsai High School at the end of the year. And, to everyone's surprise and obvious disapproval, you did not advance to the white-and-blue signature colors of the school that most Kitagawa Daiichi students went to.
The vice-captain and later full captain of the women’s Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High volleyball team was not going to Aobajōsai.
You would be branded a traitor by the lesser students, people who served as your other teammates that you were not close to. But your friends around you knew just who much you worked hard and aspired to have this academic achievement. You, in the depths of your hearth, admitted that you wanted to be on a team that almost guaranteed victory, with teammates who you could conduct and control the game with.
Unlike what many had hoped, you were going to Shiratorizawa Academy.
Your grades were well above average, actually landing you in the top five in your class among your entire graduating year. What stood you out among the endless crowds of talented setters, beyond your unending potential, was your already rounded ability as an aggressive server. Your jump-serves were better than the other first years in your newly minted class (an ability that came as a perk of being a certain Oikawa Tōru's friend).
Given both an academic and sports scholarship, you flashed a blinding smile at your junior high graduation, parents and friends clapping at your achievements.
You felt blessed to have such supportive parents, ones who, despite their busy work schedules, still attempted to attend your major volleyball games. And had vocally voiced to you their approval of your wanting to go to Shiratorizawa, offering to pay for it out of pocket if you had not received a scholarship.
You could not ask for better parents than these.
Shiratorizawa Academy handed you a new ass - giving an entirely new meaning to practice and torture. 
You accepted the position as alternate to the regular setter with a smile, happy to just be on the bench and not cheering from the stands. If anything, the first few months of Shiratorizawa showed you that you had so much more to learn.
But you were eager for the challenge.
A particular practice match with the women's team from Itachiyama Academy solidified your need for much more training. You wanted to be a reliable pillar to the team, for whatever role you needed to sub into for the game. Whether it be just as a pinch server or when the regular setter was sick, you wanted to demonstrate the winning attitude that came with being a student to a school of absolute victors.
You spent your first-year training nonstop, your fellow first-year students surprised at your youthful vigor and unending stamina. But you had to prove yourself better than reliable, that you were going to uphold the Shiratorizawa standard for setters and more if you wanted to be a regular.
You related to Shirabu and Kawanishi, fellow students in your year who were keen on becoming regulars to the men’s volleyball team. Both you and Shirabu had not attended Shiratorizawa Junior Academy, instead coming from separate junior high's that were considered lesser. Because of this, you two came in ‘brand-new’ with no friends or experience with the school personally. Shirabu grew to have an obvious close relationship with Kawanishi, but you found yourself gravitating toward them every once in a while, as well.
The rivalry between your school and Seijō took the back-burner during your training. You would see some of your previous friends when there were practice matches between your schools and you made an effort to text and even hang with some of them if given the time, but volleyball man. 
It was hard to manage your academic workload alongside giving more than one-hundred percent in your sport.
When the Interhigh-Preliminaries rolled around, you watched from the stands as second-year Oikawa Tōru had already taken the helm as vice-captain and regular setter of the Aobajōsai volleyball team. You were silently proud of your brunet senpai, despite how gaudy and annoying he could be, there was no denying Oikawa’s obvious skill and love for the sport.
The rivalry between specifically Ushijima and your previous senpai ran bone-deep and it was easily palpable to everyone watching the match, even more so to you, who sat at least a hundred feet away but knew both young men personally now.
After the game, you went down and put a comforting hand on Oikawa's shoulder, who gave a small grimace at the motion before fully standing to look at you. It was easy to morph your appearance and identity with the other students adorned with purple tracksuits, (since not matter who, they all annoyed the hell out of him) but Oikawa remembered your face personally from Kitagawa Daiichi.
The two of you were not especially close during junior high, but definitely friends that would often converse on a daily basis. Since you were the vice-captain of the women's team while Oikawa was captain of his, you often shared your personal woes and experiences. 
You even had a shared extra-curricular class in some science-related subject (you knew he was a closeted nerd, no matter how much he denied it). He was definitely a friend of yours, but you never truly knew what was going on in that head of his.
Oikawa’s eyes widened at recognizing your face, before dropping down the bold font of your school's name at the front of your jacket.
"And here I was, wondering if you had moved or died." Oikawa started with a small smirk, "This is much worse."
You lightly punched at his shoulder and then sighed, "Believe it or not, even though you're such a nuisance, I missed you."
Oikawa smiled, but then held a hand over his heart in feigned offense. "Nuisance?"
"I missed you, big oof." You put a loose arm under his and wrapped it around his middle in a side-hug, surprising the brunet who quickly returned the action. "I'm proud of how far you've come.
He rolled his eyes and attempted to pull away, "I don't need you to baby me."
"I won't." You stated in a firm voice, "But I do know you will continue to do whatever it takes to destroy my school."
Oikawa looked at you, fully peered at your countenance as he soaked in your words, before nodding in affirmation. You shared more words of conversation, catching up between friends who had not seen each other in a whole year, before he returned back to his team.
Like the previous Seijō captain, you were relentless in your training during your first-year. You wanted nothing more than to be the regular setter on your team. It was not enough being the sub, even as a first-year, you wanted to prove your abilities on the center-court in an official game.
The regular setter was a third-year, with graduation looming around the corner. Both you and your second-year counterpart were eyeing the position with eager eyes, but your work ethic did not fail you.
GroupChat: Caw Caw SHIRATORIZAWA ୧༼ д ͡༽୨
07:57   From: Not-my-libero-Yamagata ( ´ ▽ ` )             welcome aboard (L/N)!!
07:57   From: Captain-Sama!             congrats (L/N)!
07:57  From: do you know da wae            aw thanks! But it wasn’t without the help of the team (✿ ♥‿♥)
07:57  From: do you know da wae            also congrats to shirabu and kawanishi!
07:58   From: Not-my-libero-Yamagata ( ´ ▽ ` )             i ship it
07:58   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)            thank you and you too
07:58   From: Captain-Sama!             but there’s three of them
07:58   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩            thanks b + you 2
07:58   From: the most tender Salami             ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
07:58   From: the most tender Salami             Also yah congrats but im watching you
There was no question that every eye of both the men’s and women’s volleyball teams were now scanning the shared groupchat with narrowed eyes. The newly formed regular positions were just released this morning and everyone was eagerly anticipating to see their names announced.
You were thankful that the women’s captain was so friendly, offering congratulations for your achievement, unlike many other envious third-years who were now sitting on the bench.
You were pronounced as the regular setter in your second-year, your older senpai inwardly sneering at the pronouncement. Nothing was set in stone and no player was ever safe in their position, (unless of course you were Ushijima Wakatoshi), but your older teammate knew better than to waver in their own training.
Which is why you were not personally offended when the kind-hearted, Semi Eita, did not add to the numerous amounts of congrats to you and the two other second-year boys. You were grouped together with Shirabu and Kawanishi, newly minted second-years now inaugurated into regular positions on a renowned team. There was no doubt that there was a hint of envy and competition within Shiratorizawa now.
07:59   From: Captain-Sama!             don’t be rude salami this is a congrats thread
07:58   From: Ushiwaka-sama             You will all surely be assets to our team
7:58     From: do you know da wae             Thank you!! ❤⃛ヾ(๑❛ ▿ ◠๑ )
08:00   From: Coconut-head            congrats to all the second-years! 
08:00   From: Coconut-head             ໒( ♥ ◡ ♥ )७
You saw the multiple indicators that someone was typing, suddenly come to a complete stop. 
Goshiki Tsutomu was the rare case of a student abounding with natural talent and enthusiasm. Yes, there were tons of students blessed with a general aptitude for volleyball. But what set him apart was his humble attitude and willing manner to learn and keep being molded. He was growing to be the product of all his older teammates, since he had no previous sense of style to retain.
Goshiki Tsutomu would surely grow to be Shiratorizawa’s ace. 
But right now, he was an enthusiastic first-year trying to overcome the overwhelming shadow of Ushijima Wakatoshi.
It undoubtedly set off the tempers of multiple (now) third-years. You even felt the crawl of envy at the young man. You were only granted a regular spot in your second-year. And yet this first-year had already overcome your personal feat. You knew, in the more comprehensive parts of your mind, that Goshiki earned his role and there was no excusing your petty behavior.
So, with a deep sigh, your fingers swiped across the keyboard.
08:05   From: do you know da wae             Congrats to you too, Goshiki-kun! (♥‿ ♥ ) ~
08:00   From: Coconut-head            thank you senpai!!
The captain of the women’s team, along with Yamagata and Ushijima, added in their own forms of congratulations to the growing thread on the chat. But there was no doubt that the atmosphere was suddenly even more tense with the addition of Goshiki’s words. You could not blame anyone; you knew first-hand how much you worked and literally slaved for your position on the starting block.
Every regular on the team worked their way to their position – that was a fact no one could ignore.
But they had to learn to live with it.
You spent most of your time getting integrated with your fellow teammates, thoughts of Kitagawa Daiichi taking a much further backburner than before. You heard the distant yet familiar names of Oikawa and Iwaizumi often make their way into conversation. There was no doubt that you loved your friends, but they were your rivals now. 
And you had no hesitation in recounting their abilities and weaknesses when both Reon and the infamous Guess Monster had asked you.
It also helped that you were once the captain of the women’s team and knew them better than anyone had before. Which also helped you exploit their weakness – another additive that the coach had taken to account when putting you on the starting block.
But there was another label that, in particular, stood out as you approached your second Interhigh-Preliminary as a student of Shiratorizawa.
Freak quick duo.
You were familiar with the several different nicknames that promulgated the Miyagi volleyball scene – great king, guess monster, little giant, super volleyball idiot (but that was more of an inner joke between Shiratorizawa students).
It was strange to you, that Kageyama had not yet made an appearance at Shiratorizawa Academy. He surely had the volleyball forte and physical ability to be the most skilled setter in the Prefecture, but you chalked it up to his grades or brisk personality that may have weighed him down.
But when Kageyama was not even present for the practice match between Seijō and your own school, it made you wonder if he had dropped off the face of the planet. For students who were seriously pursuing their sport, it was not a surprise for them to travel abroad to train. But you doubted Kageyama of all people would do so, his English was terrible.
Usually students from your junior high would immediately accept the invitation to Aobajōsai, a private school seconded only by Shiratorizawa. The few unique instances against this was yourself, but there was no sight of Kageyama at your school. 
So where on earth was he?
Both of Seijō’s teams, men’s and women’s, were coming for the match and the annual start of their explosive rivalry. It was strange for you, to now experience both sides of the Oikawa and Ushijima relationship. You had been on Oikawa and Iwaizumi’s side not too long ago, seeing Ushijima’s brute words that you had taken, at the time, as sarcastic and extremely biting. 
It was funny how now, knowing Ushijima personally, you knew the poor spiker only had volleyball in his heart and mind – oblivious to how offensive his words could really be.
09:34   From: the most tender Salami           enemy spotted Attached: brunet.jpg, ihatethisguy.jpg
09:34   From: Ushiwaka-sama           He should’ve gone to Shiratorizawa
09:34   From: the most tender Salami           lmao he can’t hear you waka-kun
09:34   From: Ushiwaka-sama           That does not make it any less true
09:35   From: Captain-Sama!           Wait
09:35   From: Captain-Sama!           WAIT
09:35   From: the most tender Salami           ????
09:35   From: Captain-Sama!           wait Attached: screenshot.jpg
09:35   From: the most tender Salami           WHAT
09:36  From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)           That’s literally just a zoomed in version
09:36   From: the most tender Salami           um that’s SHIRATORIZAWA’S (F/N) with the enemy
09:36   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩            I mean she did go to Kitagawa Daiichi
09:36   From: Not-my-libero-Yamagata ( ´ ▽ ` )            wait she’s Oikawa’s student ???
09:37   From: Captain-Sama!            and now it all makes sense
09:37   From: Ushiwaka-sama            even his student has the good sense in coming to Shiratorizawa
09:37   From: the most tender Salami               LMAO you have no chill
09:37   From: Ushiwaka-sama            it’s almost summer, why would I be cold?
09:37   From: Captain-Sama!               the top 3 ace in the entire country, ladies and gentlemen
You opened the chat after the last message from your captain. By then, you had already greeted the visiting teams from Aobajōsai and were leading them to the gyms that were being used to the practice matches. It was strange, seeing the friends that you had spent more than three years with, wearing rival colors to your own.
“I’ll never get used to seeing Shiratorizawa-clad you, (F/N).” One of your old close friends commented, pointing at your purple tracksuit.
“Honestly, me too.” You admitted, looking up toward her before going back to your phone. You briefly showed the last few texts to Oikawa himself, who rolled his eyes at Ushijima’s words.
There was always something strange about Ushijima when it came to the Aobajōsai setter. It was mixture of respect and something, that always motivated Ushijima to voice his desire for Oikawa to go to Shiratorizawa. He had explained on one occasion that Oikawa was a setter unlike any in the prefecture, including his current team as well.
Oikawa was the type of setter who could bring out the absolute best of anyone, orchestrate his team to their full one-hundred percent, molding them toward his personal interest and control of the game.
And as a setter yourself, you knew that despite his gaudy style, Oikawa was well above the rest.
Ushijima often voiced that Oikawa deserved a team that would help him grow, rather than a team that require him to win – a team he had to drag by his fingertips.
You had explained to Oikawa once before how Ushijima explained it to you, of course with better words and ones that the brunet would less likely take offense to, but the setter simply scowled and muttered that Waka was still an asshole anyway. When you had told Ushijima about the bonds that Oikawa upheld, Ushijima simply narrowed his eyes and said nothing.
It was strange, their relationship. The feelings seemed to run bone-deep, neither male listening to the other side or even simple reason. But you learned not to question it anymore. It went against logic.
You flipped your phone back open to the groupchat and typed.
09:38   From: do you know da wae             I wasn’t his student, I was his babysitter
You typed in, Oikawa looking over your shoulder as you texted, immediately reaching over you to grab your phone the moment he had realized what you conveyed. You could almost feel the loud laughter of Tendou as he bellowed out at your text.
“Why must you taunt me like this (L/N)-chan?” Oikawa pouted, crossing his arms and looking away from you. Iwaizumi had a small smile when you showed him your words, Makki and Mattsun laughing in response since the true personality of the intimidating setter was coming to light to the other Shiratorizawa students.
“It’s time everyone learns the truth.” You teased, rubbing your shoulder against Oikawa’s as he continued to pout. There was no one quite like Oikawa, you admitted inwardly but never to the face of the already proud setter.
They unloaded their things into the visiting school’s locker room and when you returned they had already shook hands and were warming up before the start of the practice match. You tilted your head at the line-up, now a visual confirmation that Kageyama was nowhere in sight.
“Who are you cheering for, (F/N)?” Tendou asked you with a pointed finger in your direction.
You simply rolled your eyes, “Myself. I have my own game in an hour.”
It was to no one’s surprise that your school had dominated both matches, for both the men’s and women’s team. You spied the score-board when you looked over to the men’s match: 25-22 and 27-25. The gaps were not huge and it was obvious that the teams were close in ability, but Aobajōsai had yet to win a single match from your school in three straight years.
You had an unfair advantage of already being closely acquainted with many of Seijō volleyball players – you were once their captain and had to help them individually with their own routines. To your captain’s glee and the third-years’ utter dismay, you proved yourself to be the integral cog that led to the team’s victory – your position as a regular was obviously here to stay.
There was no denying the evident vigor in Oikawa’s eyes after the match, even more so since he had personally requested from you the digital recording of his practice match. An exchange of two orders of milk bread from the bakery across Aobajōsai and you had emailed the brunet his request.
You offered to walk the Seijō students to their bus, since you had a personal question in mind. “Did Kageyama move or something?” You asked toward Oikawa, who scowled in response.
“He went to Karasuno High.” Iwaizumi answered instead, elbowing the brunet for his rude behavior.
“Why do you care so much, (L/N)-chan?” Oikawa taunted, “You already have me and I’m the best setter you need.”
You rolled your eyes along with Makki, but decided to say nothing after his words.
Karasuno… 
You remembered the name of the school distantly. It was still within the prefecture, but you do not recall the school being particularly outstanding when it came to volleyball or any sport for that matter. The school was not anywhere near the list of high-schools you had applied to when you were in junior high, so why would Kageyama, who had unending potential, go somewhere else?
You had voiced this outwardly and even asked if there was an offer from Seijō to Kageyama.
Makki shrugged his shoulders, but the younger student behind him, one that you did not recognize, visibly tensed and the frown on his face grew. He said nothing to you, but it was obvious that Kageyama’s name alone had an effect on the first-years.
Ushijima was already standing at the buses; perfect posture and his hands were naturally down by his sides. You could tell the Seijō students were ready to fight, tensing immediately at the sight of your fellow schoolmate, Oikawa and Iwaizumi moving to stand at the very front of their group. You fought down the urge to call Tendou or Semi, hoping that the situation would not progress further and requiring the help of the other third-years.
“Let today be a testament, Oikawa. It’s never too late for you to come to Shiratorizawa.” He uttered before walking away, right through the center of the group and back to the school grounds.
You spotted Oikawa’s tense smirk, one that he was attempting to use to hide his obvious frown. Iwaizumi was not hiding his scowl and Mattsun looked ready to fight.
You put your hands up, unsure what to say. “I don’t get it. He’s only ever like this with you guys.”
“Don’t defend him, (F/N).” One of your old friends on the female team stated, “You’re one of Ushiwaka’s friends now, you wouldn’t understand how it’s like to be on the losing side anymore.”
You bit your lip but said nothing, there was no reasoning with them when the snide venom from their defeat was still a fresh wound in their minds. You were better off not trying to say anything to them, but with Oikawa’s scowl only increasing you knew you had to do something.
Oikawa kept his eyes trained on Ushijima’s retreating back, before motioning for the younger students to load up their things into the bus, giving his own pack to someone else.
“Oikawa-senpai, please don’t let him get to you.” You put your hands on his chest, seeing the tight fists at the brunet’s sides. “Ushijima doesn’t mean it in a douchey-way, he just comes off like that by accident.”
The brunet took in a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second, before putting his hands on your shoulders and looking you full-on with his piercing hazel eyes.
“Take that Waka! (L/N) still views me as her senpai – her ability hand-picked and trained by me.” Oikawa stated with enthusiasm as he looked over your shoulder and toward the school. Your smile was now a straight-line, there really was no end to their rivalry, you inwardly mused.
You jabbed your elbow into his stomach, making Oikawa release his hold on you. He groaned and bent-down, low enough for you to lightly pat the top of his head and tell him that you looked forward to the milk bread that he owed you.
He countered, saying that you really could not resist seeing your senpai again, and was about to continue if not for the extremely fast volleyball setting loose right on the brunet’s head.
You flashed a quick thumbs-up toward Iwaizumi then waved goodbye. Walking back toward the dorms, you were ready to shower and take a nap after a day like this.
It was strange that two schools that held such an intense rivalry would often hold practice matches between one another. You chalked it up to Seijō’s innate ability to get better as the duration of a match continued, their batch of third-years in particular were good at planning and strategizing on the fly during official matches. It only made sense that they would want to play against the top school even more often.
Your first official Interhigh-Preliminaries as a regular and you watched the competition with guarded interest. You saw the name Karasuno on the first-day, surprised that the school Kageyama had chosen was in the bottom bracket. The women’s team were obviously subpar in terms of volleyball, incapable of even stopping the average serve from their opponents. You frowned, neither team on the court would prove to be a worthy challenger to Shiratorizawa, so you simply walked away from the match.
Maybe his test scores were really bad, you inwardly joked.
Shiratorizawa was exempt from the first few days of matches, giving everyone ample time to watch and gauge their future rivals.
You decided against watching the match of Karasuno vs Dateko, hearing that the Iron Wall had crushed the team only a few months prior. Rather, you chose to watch a match between Johzenji and another, since you wanted to watch for yourself the extremely aggressive style that had you wondering just what was going on inside their heads.
But when a crowd had exclaimed in surprise over by Karasuno’s court, you chose to maybe just walk over and see what the fuss was about.
You took a seat farther from the rest, hearing distantly of a freak quick that not even the school who specialized in read-blocking could keep up with. You knew, first-hand, how fast and aggressive Kageyama was with his setting, it could be a surprise to everyone’s who was seeing it. Even the spikers on his own team in junior high were constantly surprised, you could imagine how it was now that he was using it in a more public setting.
It was confirmed now, before your very eyes, that Kageyama was now attending Karasuno.
Donned in a uniformed of black and orange with a huge indicator of his number nine, Kageyama was still same in appearance from when you had last seen him. Sporting an unintentional scowl with eyes that shone with a certain determination, you could spot Kageyama in the sea of volleyball players. A part of you was proud to see your, now much taller, kouhai on the court.
Your eyes followed the game, watching as Karasuno attempted to get around the Iron Wall that Dateko was infamous for.
A lucky save from a blocked spike, Karasuno’s libero was quick on his feet and you distantly recognized the short male. You blinked, seeing Kageyama’s perfect form and unable to personally decipher where the first-year was going to set to. You saw the older looking man, one who was surely in his twenties. Or the balder looking one, watching the setter from his place in the back line.
You blinked, a second passing as you tried to figure out who was the next attacker.
Your eyes could barely keep up with the orange flash of someone as the figure ran toward the net, without regard to the set, and spiked the ball before anyone on the other side could react. You felt yourself physically reel back in surprise, what the hell was that???
This was the freak-quick duo that everyone was talking about.
It was not just another name, rather it felt like an extreme understatement to what you had just seen for your yourself. You had not spotted any visual signals and wondered just how much Kageyama had worked on his precise pin-prick setting – he was a monster now, that was for sure.
You were not able to watch the rest of the match, your team calling you since it was getting closer to the time that your group was leaving. You had your own matches to deal with, and as curious as you were about how much Kageyama had changed since you last saw him, you had your own pressures to deal with at the moment.
The women’s team of Shiratorizawa won their matches the next day, overwhelming numbers in your favor since your renowned school seemed to always carry the best ace in the entire prefecture. You took in your victories with humble stride, knowing that nothing was set in stone until the final with your rival school - Aobajōsai. Rather, you finished your stretches and attempted to get the tail-end of the match between Seijō and Karasuno.
You watched with bated breath, unsure of who to root for in the final points, as the freak quick nearly disabled the second-best school in the prefecture. You could not help but bite your lip as the shortest middle blocker you had ever seen, rose above the net, only to be blocked by your old friends.
There was no stopping the apparent heart ache you felt at seeing a team you barely knew, dejectedly fall to the ground with their heads hung low. Oikawa was hollering in victory; there was no doubt in your mind that this match extended to a much more personal level, like that of his games with Ushijima. Within seconds, the brunet was yelling out commands for his team, likely getting ready for the next match as Karasuno lagged behind with depressed visages.
It seems Kageyama is finally beginning to trust other people, you inwardly mused when you reran the last few plays within your mind.
You stood at Aobajōsai’s side of the stands, waving to Oikawa with a smile when he spotted you, lining his team up to bow at those who came to watch the match.
Oikawa made a point of smirking and pointing a finger-gun at you, making many heads turn towards your direction as he did so.
You felt the instant pang and vengeance of a thousand fangirls, making the third-years of Seijō roll their eyes as you tensely motioned a slash across your neck toward the brunet. Other Aobajōsai students, those cheering from the stands, lifted a brow in confusion and curiosity – wondering just who this Shiratorizawa student was and what connection you had to Oikawa.
“At this rate, you’ll be branded a traitor, (L/N)-chan.” Tendou joked, making you tense up at the voice. You spotted him, along with three other students from your school sitting a little farther back from the Seijō crowd.
“I can’t be interested in some of my old friends?” You teased back, walking up to where they were sitting.
“Just don’t cry when I demolish your boyfriend.”
“He’s not-!”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Tendou interrupted, turning back to the court as Karasuno neared the Aobajōsai side of the court to bow and offer their own thanks. “Besides, why be interested in him when we have cuties like this one?”
Tendou quickly grabbed at Shirabu’s cheeks, forcing the setter’s frown into a puckered fish-face for a quick second before the brunet nearly mauled his fellow teammate. You rolled your eyes at the antic, but said nothing to acknowledge the question.
You turned back, watching as Kageyama’s distant eyes never wandered higher than eye-level, obviously devastated that this was the result of all his training.
“Kageyama!” You yelled, hoping that the setter would hear you over the applause.
He had, looking up at the stands and seeing you wave at him. There was no hiding his surprise and it looked like he wanted to yell something back, but was instructed by his captain that it was time to head back to the coaches. Kageyama simply waved to you and then ran back to join the others.
“Or is it that one, all along?” Tendou asked in a low voice, eyes following the Karasuno setter before they slide over to you.
You hadn’t heard the red-head, turning back and going out to where the teams were convening downstairs. You attempted to look at the Karasuno crowd, but your own team was assembling for some strategy concerning your own final, the very next day.
After three games, the Shiratorizawa women’s team was pronounced winners of the Interhigh-Prelim. Everyone was aware of your school’s name, it’s reputation – how a win like this was simply expected of you.
But absolute winner did not cover the fact that your face ached from a receive to the face, unable to raise your hands in the visible route of the insane spike of your friend. Or the fact that one of your middle blockers was now actively sporting a limp, pain exploding in her ankle after having a bad landing in an awkward spot after successfully cutting off their ace. Or the fact that one of your regular wing-spikers was now benched, an ice-pack on her knee after her old-injury was sprouting after having to be used so many times.
Or the fact that you nearly cried with joy when you heard the immense crowd of Shiratorizawa cheerleaders and students chant your name, after you performed a setter dump.
None of these details really mattered in most people’s eyes. 
You were Shiratorizawa – winners to the core. They had no sympathy for your story or the hard-earned journey you made to the top, many just expected it with no empathy, and it made you scowl.
You and your team lined-up after the match, the cheering growing to a loud uproar as the cheerleaders, alumni section, and just immense crowd of students chanted the victory screech for Shiratorizawa.
You waved with both hands at your parents as they cheered your name even louder.
This was your second-year in Shiratorizawa, but your first time as a regular on the team. Your friends in Seijō were seeing your skill first-hand in the match, from start to finish, as your team had utterly demolished their hopes in progressing to nationals. You were a skilled setter before, but your time at the Academy had honed you better than you ever were. You gained experience from playing other powerhouses from around the country, even some local colleges who were willing to challenge you.
You were on a completely different level than where you were as the captain of Kitagawa Daiichi.
Your friends had accepted long ago your association with Shiratorizawa, but actively putting your face and actions to their defeat obviously strained their feelings toward you more and more.
You made sure to smile at them before the match, attempting to placate the tense feeling of fighting against your friends, but it was obvious that their friendship with you was getting harder and harder to maintain. After the game, they had completely ignored you – your current friends in Shiratorizawa advising you that it was just the heat of the match. 
But you knew better and simply kept walking away as they ignored you.
The men’s team was able to defeat Aobajōsai in only two matches – Oikawa’s bitter glare and Iwaizumi’s tense frown being sent directly into your own heart.
In the end, everyone deserves to win.
But there was only one winner in the end – you mused. Taking one last look, Oikawa not greeting you this time when he saw you at the line-up, you walked away from the match and back downstairs to the lobby.
It was just too much for your heart, all at once.
You sent a text to both third-years the next day: I’m proud of you guys! Don’t let Ushijima get you down. Iwaizumi answered within minutes, thanking you for the encouragement and even complimenting you on your jump-serve, since he caught a glimpse of your game.
Oikawa never answered.
Back at school, the coaches for both the men’s and women’s team allowed a rest-day on Friday’s holiday – Family Day – claiming that everyone needed to take a breather and that they had earned it from their win.
GroupChat: Caw Caw SHIRATORIZAWA ୧༼ д ͡༽୨
11:23   From: Captain-Sama!             congrats to all !! ✿♥‿♥✿
11:23   From: Captain-Sama!                           may your crops be watered and your skin is clear
11:23   From: Coconut-head             thank you!! And for you as well ٩(♡ε♡ )۶
11:23   From: Ushiwaka-sama!             thank you I am checking my plants now
11:23   From: do you know da wae             I have exactly one succulent
11:23   From: the most tender Salami           lmao thanks b attached:oikawameme.jpg
11:23   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)            why must you call plants that @doyouknowdawae
11:23   From: do you know da wae            y
11:23   From: do you know da wae            are you jealous of my good succc ??
11:23   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩            LMAOOO
11:24   From: the most tender Salami              holy shit
11:24   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)            fight me
11:24   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩              ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
11:24   From: the most tender Salami            (f/n) gives me hope for our meme legacy :’)
11:24   From: do you know da wae            i gotchu bby boo
11:24   From: do you know da wae            maybe I’ll even bring you back food from break
11:24   From: Captain-Sama!            am I the only one staying on campus for family day? :’)
11:24   From: Not-my-libero-Yamagata ( ´ ▽ ` )            myself + Shirabu are staying as well
11:25   From: do you know da wae            aw guys I’ll bring some of my mom’s oyakodon when I get back!
11:25   From: Not-my-libero-Yamagata ( ´ ▽ ` )            thank you!!
11:25   From: the most tender Salami            my food is now forgotten :’)
11:25   From: Captain-Sama!            you live closer to Karasuno and Seijooo, right?
11:25   From: do you know da wae            yaaaas
11:26   From: Captain-Sama!            ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
11:26   From: the most tender Salami            ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
11:26   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩              ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
11:26   From: do you know da wae            「(゚ペ)
11:26   From: Captain-Sama!            don’t think we didn’t notice your little exchange with one of the freak quick kids
11:26   From: do you know da wae            oh
11:27   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)           ��(f/n) cant have other friends ??
11:27   From: the most tender Salami            oh come on we all know they shared
11:27   From: the most tender Salami            the look attached: hearteyes.jpg
11:27   From: Not-my-libero-Yamagata ( ´ ▽ ` )            oh no the matchmaker is back in business
11:27   From: Captain-Sama!            oikawa then kags are you hiding any other setters ??
You were lounging on your bed during common hour, hesitating in your next answer and trying to decide if you were either going to mess with everyone or just end it there. But, you always loved sowing some seeds of discord with your favorite volleyball nerds. Typing in…
11:28   From: do you know da wae            im actually in love with one of the miyas
11:28   From: the most tender Salami            gasp
11:28   From: My only Okaasan/Eita            he can jump up his own ass
11:28   From: Ushiwaka-sama!            he is a good setter
11:28   From: Captain-Sama!            but a complete douche
11:28   From: Not-my-libero-Yamagata ( ´ ▽ ` )            I do not approve
11:28   From: the most tender Salami            that’s how you know he’s that bad, yamagata doesn’t ship it
11:29   From: Coconut-head attached: ???meme.jpg
11:29   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)            \|  ̄ヘ ̄|/
11:29   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩           who the fuck
11:29   From: the most tender Salami            third from left attached: InarizakiHigh.jpg
11:29   From: do you know da wae            tbh didn’t expect anyone to know who that was
11:30   From: the most tender Salami            lmao sweetie we live and breathe vball
11:30   From: Captain-Sama!            also unfortunately he was at a vbc camp with some of us
11:30   From: the most tender Salami            I’d rather approve of you with oiks
11:30   From: do you know da wae            lmao nah
11:30   From: Captain-Sama!            these RECEIPTS would beg to differ Attached: oinkawa.jpg; jointpractice.jpg; bakawa.jpg
11:31   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)            holy
11:31   From: the most tender Salami            I knew it was true love 11:31   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)            where is everyone’s chill ???
11:31   From: Ushiwaka-sama!            you will be a nice Shiratorizawa couple
11:31   From: the most tender Salami            LMAO
11:32   From: do you know da wae            why does this keep happening
11:32   From: do you know da wae            only kenjiro understands me
11:32   From: My only Okaasan/Eita            ive known waka forever and even I don’t know why he’s like this with Oikawa
11:32   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)            its bc we’re the only normal ones
11:33   From: Ushiwaka-sama!            I’m not with Oikawa, he doesn’t even go to Shiratorizawa
11:33   From: Ushiwaka-sama!            a mistake in itself
11:33   From: Captain-Sama!            IM SCREAMING
11:33   From: the most tender Salami            wakanda forever
11:33   From: do you know da wae            LMAO I was thinking that too but decided against texting it
11:34   From: the most tender Salami            wait a second
11:34   From: the most tender Salami            kenjiro x (f/n) >.>>>>>>
11:34   From: do you know da wae            lmao don’t even
11:34   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩              lmao well
11:35   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩              ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
11:35   From: do you know da wae            we all know that if that if kenjiro’s girlfriend hears this she’ll literally shank me
11:35   From: the most tender Salami            lmao true
11:35   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)            she doesn’t even like me
11:36   From: do you know da wae            what a lie
11:36   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩             hard retweet
11:36   From: Captain-Sama!            we all know the alpha ship
11:37   From: the most tender Salami            oikawa x (f/n) x kags
11:37   From: Captain-Sama!            LMAO
11:37   From: do you know da wae            end me pls
11:37   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩             oof didn’t know you were into that
11:37   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)            they can definitely do that for you
11:38   do you know da wae            …
You rolled your eyes at their antics, conversation on constant haywire. But you would not have it any other way. Most people would look at your school, the simple name and already have connotation to others. Yes, you were a powerhouse school. But that did not change the fact that you were all teenagers, just like everyone else. And with it came the continuous antics of meme-lovers.
Throwing your phone back on your bed and turning to look out the window, you were happy to have a day to yourself to finally make sense of everything happening. You were proud of your win at the Interhigh Tournament, no matter how bitter or lost your friendship had become with the people you were once the closest to.
Your texted your parents about the three-day break for Family Day and they had immediately pushed for you to come back home, where they would hold a celebratory dinner along with some other families they were close to and invited. You told your roommate about it and how embarrassing they were, but she countered that it was a sweet gesture, since she held a close relationship to her own parents as well.
“They’re just proud of their little girl, that’s all!” She teased, grabbing your head into a small nuggie. She was much taller than you, a middle-blocker who was still serving as an alternate.
Most of the other members of the team were also heading home on Thursday night, eager to visit their homes and parents and finally have a home-cooked meal after being away for half the semester. You personally looked forward to your mother’s cooking and said goodbyes to your teammates after your last class on Thursday.
Your dorm at Shiratorizawa was much farther than your home, actually sitting between Karasuno High and Aobajōsai. You considered jogging the entire way, but it was a rare break and decided to give your body one as well (at least just for the weekend, of course). Coming off the train, you spotted the street sign pointing to the aforementioned high-school and heavily considered visiting the old-time friend and setter that you had yet to have a formal conversation with in a good two years.
You had some time to kill and decided that maybe it was not such bad idea.
You neared the school and heard the tell-tale sounds of sneakers and volleyballs being tossed about.
Standing in the already open doorway, you spotted several faces that you recognized from the Interhigh game still training. They wore serious expressions, studying their abilities very carefully and working to fix the kinks in what they planned to bring to the table.
“Japan!” You heard someone shout over the others, the owner of the voice pointing at you as they looked at you in surprise, before they ran over to where you were standing.
You waved at the orange-haired middle-blocker, smiling as you did so. “I remember you. Good spikes, little dude.” You complimented, patting the top of his head as he blushed at the physical contact.
You turned back to the gym, stopping the blush crawling to your cheeks as every male looked at you in genuine curiosity. You kept scanning, until finally seeing the setter you were looking for.
Kageyama was already walking up to you, smacking the head of the still sheepish middle-blocker and muttering hinata boke, before he greeted you in a neutral voice.
“(L/N)-san.” He stated simply, inclining his head as he did so.
“Kageyama-kun, didn’t expect us to meet again like this.”
You felt the looming presence of two behind you and turned to see two males peering at you with open interest. One of them, that was the taller of the two, asked toward you, “Eh, Kageyama. How do you know Shiratorizawa’s setter?”
You smiled at the two looming boys and answered, “We went to Kitagawa Daiichi together.”
The two held their hearts with open euphoric expressions, happy that you were even gracing them with a response.
Kageyama fought the urge to slap them on the head as well, before adding. “She helped me with my jump-serves when Oikawa had refused to.”
You just kept on smiling, unsure what to say or add when the boys before you had yet to say anything at all as well.
“You give me too much credit.” You countered, “You were a monster on the court the other day.”
Asahi silently studied your figure, distantly remembering your sharp jump-serve that he had gleaned from your match, it was something you were personally known for after all. A setter who was capable of shutting out the team from making any offensive plays to begin with – you really were one of Oikawa’s students after all.
“Nice to meet a senpai to our little monster.” The captain teased, offering his name – Daichi.
“What are you doing here?” Kageyama asked you, trying to keep his voice leveled.
“Both volleyball teams were given breaks until Monday, consider it a blessing for winning Interhigh.”
“Wah! I remember you.” Hinata, you recalled from earlier, stating. “You did that thing that Oikawa did to us. He went pow and was about to set and then boom it was a spike!”
You nodded, surprised on how truly enthusiastic and just all-around pure the small middle-blocker was proving to be. This was the same volleyball player who was part of the freak quick duo you had seen for the first time not long ago. Eyes shining with determination and an indescribable aura, it was a complete change to the young man jumping with joy in front of you now.
You turned back to Kageyama, “I wanted to see how you were doing. I saw your game and was just wondering…” You trailed off.
Kageyama hesitated, a small frown still evident on his visage. “We have practice now.”
You dropped your sports bag to the side, “Sure. I don’t mind helping out with jump-serves or something if you guys need it.” You paused at the silence, “It feels weird not having practice during the week anyway.”
“Jump-serve? Shiratorizawa?” The coach asked with a finger on his chin, before it morphed to a smirk. “Better make the most of it!” He directed to the group.
You felt the evident hesitation in the air, several of the older looking men simply looking at you with no words coming out. But that did not stop the little orange to bound up to you without restraint, eyes gleaming with anticipation at whatever question was being held behind those wide orbs.
“Do you mind showing me your jump serve?” Hinata asked with hands held up to his chest, excitement apparent through his lack of restraint.
“Don’t crowd her, boke.” Kageyama bit out, but you waved him off with your hand and a relaxed grin.
Offering a small smile, in hopes of softening some of his reserve, you took the ball that Hinata was offering you and glanced up toward the rest of the group. The moment your eyes came to, the older (you assumed) third-years, were ushering other members to get back to their own practice. A man with silver hair was pushing his younger ones to their previous positions, but it was obvious that their eyes were following you as you walked across the court.
“Stand back, little dude.” You motioned with your free hand as you paced further back past the line.
Holding the volleyball out with your dominant hand, you took a deep breath and launched it up into the air above you. Examining it with keen eyes, you smashed it forward, close to the outer corner of the other-side, but within the bounds.
“Uwah!” You heard his cheer of excitement from the side and turned to see a bright and eager smile.
It seemed that all the other commotion in the gym had stopped as you readied to serve, silence now much more evident as they took a full gander at you – the one capable and widely known for your monster serve. You felt eyes peering at you, but they quickly averted as you timidly looked around the room for yourself.
All but two pairs of eyes, both of which you were sure were burning into your head.
“Allow me to receive your serves!” You heard the voice from behind you, turning to see a male who was a shorter than you, with two-toned hair.
“Sure.” You muttered, surprised at the humble request of a libero you had heard so much of before.
This continued until the next rotation, a strange smile on your face from being on the other side of practice. Your coach knew better than anyone your strengths and definitely exploited your weaknesses when it came to your own practice. You distantly remembered having to do a cursed number of jump serves and, even though it was your forte, there were tears in your eyes for just how much you ached.
“Here.” An older man inclined a water bottle in your direction. “My name’s Asahi.”
“Thanks. Nice to meet you.” You nodded back in appreciation, slightly intimidated from his tall stature and rugged appearance.
Forcing yourself to steel your spine, you recalled how you were previously incredibly apprehensive around Ushiwaka, who turned out to be the biggest volleyball idiot on the planet.
“Something up?” You asked with a raised brow.
“Do you mind, walking me through your serve?” He hesitated in his request, making you inwardly surprised that a man so big and bulky, was coming to you so humbly.
Again, Karasuno seemed to surprise you.
You walked home with Kageyama after practice, floors mopped and nets neatly stored away. You were so used to your dorm at Shiratorizawa, the walk home felt familiar and yet distant – it was strange to you. The both of your homes were only a few streets separated from one another, you remembered from the walks home you would have together before in junior high. And you decided on spending the beginning of the walk together in comfortable silence.
Or at least comfortable for you.
Kageyama was inwardly struggling to say literally anything.
He remembered you as the type of person who hung around Oikawa and Iwaizumi, two people who often had no qualms in engaging in conversation. You had a bright smile, unlike his own. 
And yet here you were, simply gazing ahead to the commute in front of you without a single word uttered. Kageyama had to stop himself from the physical nervous tick in his fingertips.
“I can’t explain it, but there’s just something different about you.” You stated, slowly moving your gaze over to the setter at the end of your sentence.
It was clear that Kageyama had no idea what to say, sputtering but no actual words coming out.
“It’s not a bad thing, not at all.” You raised your hands, waving them in defense. “Don’t worry, Kageyama-kun.”
“How can I not…” You heard him mutter under your breath, making you lightly chuckle at his words.
“It’s definitely a good thing.” You complimented, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder and making him instantly shy once again. “Why are you so shy, now?”
“What do you mean?” He raised a brow.
“It’s just me, no need to feel so tense.”
Kageyama hesitated, “Thank you.”
“For today? No worries, a small part of it was selfish since I wanted to see you.” You admitted.
You could hear his breath hitch, before he added okay.
“You’re such a blueberry, Kageyama-kun.” You laughed at his disposition.
“What does that even mean?! Boke.” His apprehension was quickly pushed aside at his frustrated words, making you chuckle at him even more.
You reached Kageyama’s home first, a sight you had not seen for yourself in the past year. Even when you returned back home, this was a little out of the way from your usual commute. But this was strange, it seemed completely the same no matter how much time had passed. It always just seemed…
… Empty.
You turned to Kageyama, “Are you spending family day alone, Kageyama-kun?”
“Yeah.”
You gauged his reaction, despite his rough exterior, Kageyama did not exhibit a hint of a frown or sadness at the answer. Rather, his response was rather plain – as if this occurrence was normal and not even disappointing to the setter anymore. This realization hurt your heart, having such comforting and supportive parents of your own, Kageyama deserved just as much.
Kageyama was used to spending his time alone, that much was evident.
“Would you like to have dinner with us tomorrow, for family day?”
He looked at you fully, apprehension palpable, but stated anyway. “Sure.”
You exchanged phone numbers as a formality, but saw that both of you had your previous numbers saved in each of your phones. It made you slightly happy, that Kageyama decided on keeping your phone number despite your time apart at different schools.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Kageyama-kun.”
“Boke, I’ll walk you.”
You tilted your head and pointed in the direction of your home, “It’s not that far–”
“It’s dangerous, you never know.” He interrupted, brisk words in evident contrast to his sheepish strides in front of you.
You just kept on smiling the way home.
“Would you like to come in?” You offered to which he nodded. You slid the door open and greeted. “Mom, dad! I’m home, I have Kageyama with me.”
“Come in sweetie, I’m in the kitchen!” You heard your mom’s voice, the sweet smell of her cooking fliting through the room and to your growling stomach. “Your dad is still picking some stuff up for tomorrow.”
You settled your bag at the end of the stairs before making your way over. “Hey.”
“Look at my favorite swan!” She wrapped her arms around your shoulders and then lightly squeezed your cheeks, “Now an official winner, too!”
“Mom, stop.” You grumbled, wrestling your face away from your ongoing embarrassment.
“Kageyama, good to see you too!” She greeted. “You’ve always been so tall – look at you now, all handsome.”
You laughed at Kageyama’s reddened face, no worries coming out of his goldfish expression.
Your mom continued, “I meant to stop by your home last week, I still owe your mom thanks for the calla lilies.”
“Oh. They’ll be back next week.”
Your mom paused, turning her head in question as she looked at the young man. With a newly determined face, she glanced at you and then toward Kageyama, “Would you like to join us for family day, then? We’re having a few people over and we would love to have you as well.”
“I already invited him, mom.” You stated, taking some dough off the table to eat as a small snack, which resulted in a large smack on the back of your head.
“Perfect.” Your mom assured, “I’m still cooking now, but you’re welcome to join us for dinner tonight as well.”
Kageyama backed-up with his hands raised, “I couldn’t barge in on (F/N)’s first night back with her family–“
You interrupted, this time. “Nonsense, Kageyama-kun.”
“Here, Kageyama-kun can help me with this little bit. (F/N) unpack your things upstairs and then come help set the table.”
You nodded, taking her orders without delay as Kageyama settled into the rhythm of your family.
“You were such a stern boy, back in Kitagawa Daiichi. I’m glad to see you’ve lightened up.” Your mother commented, passing the young setter some greens over the kitchen table.
By now, the meal was ready and the four of you, with the new addition of your father, were enjoying a quaint dinner to celebrate you finally visiting home after so long.
“Lightened, that’s a good word for it.” You added.
“There’s definitely a difference.” Your dad observed, “I was glad to see you’re still enjoying volleyball – still as gifted as ever.”
Kageyama paused, “You’ve seen me play?”
“Of course. There’s no denying the shock we still have when we see you serve. And that quick toss, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you do it like that before.” Your mom replied, “We saw your game against Aobajōsai, there’s no doubt in anyone’s minds that you’ve grown as a person.”
“Game nearly gave me a heart attack – I’ll never get used to your brunette friend.”  You dad pointedly stated toward you before turning to Kageyama, “But I’ll be honest, even though we’re closer to the Oikawa’s, I was rooting you.” He winked.
“Honey.” Your mom lightly slapped his shoulder with a smile.
“Of course, the highlight of the tournament for us was cheering our daughter on to her first official tournament win.” Your father continued, waving off her light admonishment with a grin of his own.
“Wait.” You saw the little hamster running in Kagyeama’s mind, “You watched the last few days of the tournament?”
“I wasn’t about to miss my daughter become champion!” You father bellowed, putting a comforting hand on your shoulder. “Even if I have to use my vacation days at work, I would hate to miss something so important to her.”
Kageyama continued staring, eyes never leaving your father. There was no doubt that Kageyama lived and breathed volleyball, he loved it more than anything else really. But, his parents had yet to even begin to understand the dedication he had toward the sport. Kageyama could not remember the last time they had attended one of his games or even tournaments.
The expression on Kageyama’s face was so far-gone, it made you want to do something to comfort him.
Apparently, your parents thought the same way.
“You’ll definitely get ‘em next time.” Your dad motioned toward Kageyama. “Seriously, that quick attack you have – I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“We’ll be rooting you on again.” You mom reassured Kageyama, offering a plate of meat toward the setter who was staring at them with wide eyes.
He took the plate with hesitant hands. That’s how you knew Kageyama was so surprised, the fact that he was even wavering to eat meat – his king of food.
“Don’t look so surprised.” Your father joked before turning to Kageyama fully with a serious expression, “We’re proud of you.”
You smiled at their words. 
You knew your parents well, just as they knew you, but here they were being entirely honest. Your parents did everything they could to have you in a loving environment – and this required being honest with what they wanted and what all parties were feeling. Meaning, they were not dressing up their words to the silent setter.
They really were proud of him.
You put a comforting hand in the crook of his elbow, since he was sitting beside you. That seemed to snap Kageyama out of his stupor, his glazed eyes turning to you and then between your parents.
“Thank you.” Kageyama paused, “Really.”
This was probably the extent of his social ability, you inwardly joked before offering the plate back to your parents. The poor dude was close to exploding, you could tell, and tried to steer the conversation away from the setter before that happened.
It was strange to Kageyama, the effort your parents took in spending time with you or even just what you were interested in. Your parents commented that they always downloaded your games if they were broadcasted on television, eager just to see how you were doing or wanting to send you an encouraging text about something you had done during the match.
Kageyama really felt the love in your family.
Your father walked him to the door, once dinner and dessert was done. Offering a goodbye and a literal see you tomorrow. Kageyama felt guilty, even in the face of your whole family telling him it was no issue, leaving your mom no choice but to task him with bringing a small cake for the gathering tomorrow.
Kageyama put a hand on the gate to your house, looking back with a small smile before continuing on his walk back home.
You spent the next day preparing for the small gathering that night. You only hoped that your parents would not embarrass you later. Kneading dough and humming along to the song through the speakers, you spent the calm morning alongside your mother in the kitchen. Your dorm only had a microwave, since you were still an underclassman with no privileges to a kitchen yet. It was a great change to finally have a cooked meal.
You greeted the first family with a smile, unaware of the feelings of one in particular.
“Hey, glad you guys could make.” You started, turning to the side for the new guests to enter. The parents smiled at you, inattentive to the tension between you and their daughter.
“Good to see you, (F/N). Congrats on your win, as well.” The father greeted as he passed you.
You turned to your friend, “I haven’t really seen you in a while.”
“Our last two sets was three days ago.” She bit out, glancing at you briefly before walking into your home.
You had always worried about this. 
You loved your friends; your time at Kitagawa Daiichi held a special place in your heart – but that was nothing compared to the continual animosity they held for your school. The rivalry between Shiratorizawa and Aobajōsai was not a surface level problem, it was one that was seemingly burning to the core of each blue-clad student. They wanted nothing more than to absolutely destroy you, even if you were their friend. And the fact that you were a forerunner in the women’s team’s defeat, it made them dislike you even more.
You could not withhold the long sigh that escaped you.
Your parents were always the type to participate in fundraisers or school events and, being a previous member of a strong school like Kitagawa Daiichi, meant that they were in constant association with other parents to kids just like you. You loved it at the time, since it was obvious display of their support for you and the sport. 
But now, after leaving the life-track of your Kitagawa Daiichi friends…
It’s not that there were no other parents that yours could connect with at Shiratorizawa. But it was harder for your parents since most of the others knew each other from Shiratorizawa junior high – meaning they already had their tight knit clique of parent association friends. It was not like your parents did not try either, but they were just closer to the friends they made at Kitagawa Daiichi. It also helped that your home was closer to the schools as well. Which meant that…
Some of their closest friends were parents from your time in junior high.
Meaning most of those invited today were probably now attending Aobajōsai.
You had to stop yourself from slapping your forehead against the door.
Your home was littered with various families containing your friends – or ex-friends? They had never actually confirmed anything to you verbally – making you want to literally throw yourself out the window and down the street into the river and hopefully float down back to Shiratorizawa.
If not for your parents, you would have had no problems walking back to school today if it meant avoiding this.
Opening the door after the telltale sign of the doorbell, you nervously smiled before the caustic eyes of the Oikawa family. Tōru, along with his parents, older sister with her husband and son, greeted you at the door as you stepped aside for them to enter. The older Oikawa dragged you into a hug, claiming you’ve grown way too much and that she was proud of your recent win. Takeru handed you a flower and you recognized it from the nearby park.
You were most nervous of Tōru – his reaction to you after the Interhigh Tournament was unlike how he had ever treated you before. Even as a newly minted Shiratorizawa student, he still took the effort to catch up with you and even text you back. But since the tournament he had been ignoring you. Iwaizumi reassured you that it was nothing personal, it was just your school that inflamed him.
But it just made it all the more awkward to be inviting Oikawa into your home now.
The rest of his family made their way into your home, but Tōru took his time in taking off his shoes and stand in the foyer area alone with you, hazel eyes locking with yours and never turning away.
“You’ve always been an amazing setter, I hope you know that.” You started.
He blinked slowly, eyes making their way from the bottom of your shoes all the way up to your face. It felt like you were being examined, his intense stare and uncharacteristic quietness raking through every detail of your body – no wonder your fellow students at Shiratorizawa found him to be intimidating. Oikawa really could be if he tried and it hurt your heart that you were now placed at the completely other side of a friendship.
Hazel eyes narrowed when he reached your face, “I don’t need your pity.”
You grabbed his elbow before he could walk away, “It’s not. Tōru, you need to know that. You’ve always been an incredible setter I look up to and that will never change.”
Oikawa looked at you but said nothing. At least his expression was more neutral, rather than its previous hints of resentment.
“Take away the names, the labels, the stupid school colors – you’re an amazing setter. And you will always have a place in my heart as my first mentor.” You admitted, watching as his eyes slowly widened with each word.
You continued, “Which is why I hate to see you beat yourself up over this. You mean so much to me, to so many people – I just want you to treat yourself right.”
Oikawa closed his eyes, seemingly taking in all of your words and letting it process one more time in his mind. When hazel eyes were peering at you one more, he had a slight smirk on his face, but you could tell that it was morphing into a genuine smile.
“Thank you, (F/N).” He tugged on your hand his time, free arm coming around your waist to bring you into a hug.
You felt his head lean against the top of yours, relishing in the moment that you could be there for your older senpai, one that had taught you so much when you were first starting your beloved sport. There was so much you wanted to convey to him and your really believed in your heart that Oikawa deserved to go to nationals – but you were just happy that he was not mad at you anymore.
“I really mean that much to you, huh?” You could hear the telltale signs that Oikawa’s teasing voice was edging back and you lifted a brow as the setter spoke, “I knew Shiratorizawa couldn’t take you away from me. You really must love me.”
You rolled your eyes, Oikawa was coming back to you.
He lightly pushed at your shoulders, one arm still around your waist but the other holding you a good enough distance so that he could peer down at you.
“Please wait for me, for marriage.” He winked.
Immediately you were pushing his arm away and turning to hammer your elbow into his ribcage. Oikawa back away immediately, muttering a curse and yelling at your violent nature.
“You’re lucky Iwaizumi’s family left for vacation or you would’ve gotten a real ass-whooping.” You stated in a dead-pan voice, making Oikawa sigh at you and mutter true.
You were happy to have at least keep your friendship with Tōru, even if your relationships with your past female friends were nothing short of a complete garbage fire at this point.
The brunette led you by hand into the living room, where many of the others were already socializing. You could literally feel the gossip spreading already, prolonged stares at where you were joined at the hands with Tōru, the whispers between the older parents, and even his own damn sister taking one look and then winking at the both of you.
You attempted to flick his hand away, but Tōru simply chastised you for being a brat.
You had to fight the urge to kick his shins.
He took out his phone and the two of you posed for the picture, joined hands visible from the angle. You wondered if this would be worth the sudden death via Shiratorizawa’s roasting if Oikawa posted this to Instabook, but you figured he would not since you were still on tense relations with literally everyone (sans Iwaizumi) from his team.
Your savior came in the form of the doorbell, immediately springing away from the hazel-haired setter and to the last awaited guest. He still followed you over, leaning his side against the doorway as he waited for you to open the door.
“Glad you made it, Kageyama-kun.” You greeted, taking the box of food from his hands so he could take his shoes off.
“Thanks again, for inviting me.”
“No problem. Make yourself at home.”
Turning back to Oikawa, you could see he was standing at full attention now - posture haughty, narrowed eyes, raised chin, and a small scowl on his visage.
You wondered if there would be a fight today.
Kageyama lost to Oikawa and your friends lost to you.
What the hell were your parents thinking????
You led Kageyama back to the living room, the both of you standing awkwardly as the current Aobajōsai kids talked amongst each other. Oikawa stood the side, surveying the situation before tsking, then walking over to you and leading you to sit in the empty armchair while he leaned on the armrest. He placed a lazy arm across the back and you fought the urge to say a sarcastic remark.
It immediately became silent, parents conversing on the other side of the dining room, unknowing to the tense situation in the center of the living room amongst the young teens.
Tōru was making it pretty obvious that he was draping his presence all around you. First leading you by the hand and sitting very close to you, even encompassing himself around you via his arm.
“Since when are you so chummy?” One of the girls asked toward you.
“We’re just friends!” You immediately raised your hands in defense. Oikawa said nothing as he raised a brow.
Another one of them sputtered, “You’re friends with Oikawa, but you don’t even try with us?”
“That’s not true. I tried talking to you and you ignored me.”
You could tell she was growing agitated as she bit back, “Why should I even try? All you do is beat us – practice matches, official games, tournaments.”
“Well, I’m playing to win.” You said with a raised brow, unsure where they were going with this.
“But why couldn’t you even try to play to win with us?” She huffed, “I get it. You wanted to be on a team of absolute winners and obviously that does not mean us. You’re the one who walked away because we weren’t worth it, right?”
You tried to get a word in, but she raised her hand for you to stop. Turning her head away from you, it was clear that no matter what you said, she was not going to listen. You looked at the other friends you had from Kitagawa Daiichi, most frowning before averting their eyes from you.
One of them took one hard look at you, keeping your eye contact, before she got up and walked away.
You felt the pain pinprick behind your eyes, the small sign of indication that tears were building on your visage. Not wanting to show your weak state to people who obviously hate you at this point, you quickly stood up and made your way to the back-porch area. Oikawa attempted to stop you, but you finagled your hand out of his grasp as you left.
You leaned against the wooden railing, wondering just how fucked up the situation grew and how different it could have been.
It hurt even more knowing that her words were true. You tried so hard, your last year of junior high, to pass the entrance exam for Shiratorizawa. That was your main goal the entire time, get into your dream school and that will make you an absolute winner. You had never, once, considered going to Aobajōsai as something desirable. It was not your second choice and honestly not even your third (Itachiyama and Fukurōdani reserved those spots). Aobajōsai sat as your last choice, something you did not actually want to do since it was inferior in your view.
But for your friends, it was their main and only choice.
You would never regret going to Shiratorizawa, it was your school and just because they resented it, did not mean that you did not deserve the title of winners.
But it still hurt that they hated you thusly.
You fought the urge to scream at the sky, when you felt an awkward, but comforting hand on your shoulder.
“They hate me too.”
“They don’t hide it well, Kageyama-kun.” You turned to him fully, a wistful smile on your face.
“It seems… Oikawa still treasures you.”
“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong, he can be a complete asswipe.” Kageyama smiled at this, “But he’s still a brilliant setter and someone I wish the best for.”
Kageyama leaned his arms against the rail, eyes still trained on you. “Why do you care so much about people who want nothing to do with you?”
“I hate that I care so much.” You admitted, “But they were my friends – I held a leadership position for two years, even as their captain goddamnit. My time with them meant so much to me and it just hurts that it obviously didn’t have the same impact.”
Kageyama looked at you fully, a wondering expression on his visage.
“Was it worth it? Going to Shiratorizawa?”
“If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing.” You stated. “You?”
“I would still go to Karasuno.”
“Really? King of the Court?” You teased and watched the angry tick form at his forehead, “You wouldn’t come to the school of swans and absolute winners?”
Kageyama had a grim smile, one that indicated that he was thinking hard. “Now, probably not.”
“Wait, really?”
“No.” He hesitated, “I think I can really grow with Karasuno.”
“That’s great to hear.”  You smiled,  “Then let’s continue to live without regrets.”
“I try, but I understand.” Kageyama replied.
“Oh?”
“I remember what it’s like to turn around and no longer see a team.”
You felt your heart sag, recalling the headlines of Kitagama Daiichi’s loss. “But that won’t happen on Karasuno, right?”
Kageyama looked down and smiled, “No. It won’t.”
“Good, ‘cause I’m still rooting for you.” You said as you winked, causing Kageyama to flush red immediately.
The two of you stood in comfortable silence until the screen door opened.
“Never thought I’d see you two together like this.” Oikawa observed from the doorway.
“It’s not like that.” You waved your hand to casually dismiss his statement.
Oikawa walked toward Kageyama, stopping only at an arm’s length from him. “Good, I’ll have you know (F/N) is waiting for me for marriage.”
You actually tried to punch him in the stomach, like a full-on solid right cross on the annoying brunette, but Oikawa nearly growled and maneuvered you instead. Now, your arm was twisted behind your back and you felt Oikawa’s chest against your spine. You were about to tell Kageyama that Tōru was joking and would get a formal ass-whopping from Iwaizumi when you let him know, but you heard another voice call from just inside the house.
“Oh, this is where you all were! We’re starting dinner, come inside!” Your mom urged.
The other students said nothing when you joined them this time, probably only since you were now in the presence of parents and real adults. Kageyama sat on your right while Oikawa was on your left, you attempted to include both of them in conversation, but it was obvious that anything either setter said would immediately set the other off.
“Kageyama, would you like some more meat?” You asked, turning to him with a hopeful smile.
“Why don’t you pass me that plate instead, (F/N)?” Oikawa immediately countered before he could even answer.
Oikawa snapped another picture at dinner, one with you alongside him and flashing a peace sign at the camera and Kageyama munching away in the background as he listened passively to the others.
After dinner you returned back outside to the patio with Kageyama, now joined by others as they flit through the house.
“God, I’m sorry this is so awful.” You stated as you stood alongside the porch, shoulders touching side-by-side.
“It could be worse.” Kageyama offered, “Thank you for including me.”
“Always.” You replied, “I know we weren’t exactly close, but I did miss you for what its worth.”
Kageyama hesitated, “You don’t have to say that.”
“Why do you say that?”
“No one missed me in junior high.”
You poked him in the chest and demanded his whole attention, “Well, I did.”
The both of you lingered there for the night. Catching up on lost time and for the various woes you had in high school. Kageyama was still quiet as ever, but still offered words not unkindly throughout the conversation. 
It was nice to have one-on-one time with the setter. To think that even being from the same school, the times you were able to do this could be counted on two hands. You hardly ever sat down and had a serious talk with him in the past and any insight into the misunderstood setter had you hanging onto every word.
It was no surprise later that the Karasuno setter was the first to leave. You did not blame the pour soul since he was literally the most far removed from the families present (the next probably being you).
Walking Kageyama out the door and to your front-gate, you started. “I don’t know what it is with Oikawa and you. He’s almost as bad as Ushijima when he’s with Oikawa.”
Kageyama raised a brow, unsure just how the proper Ushijima could be anything but.
“Anyway, don’t listen to Tōru.”
He cracked a smile, “I never do.”
You lightly pushed his shoulder, “We both know that’s a lie.”
Kageyama just kept on smiling, not saying anything as he looked up at the night sky.
“Thanks for coming over. Sorry that literally everyone hates us.” You joked, “I don’t know when I’ll see you again, but stay in touch, okay?”
The little awkward bean nodded, but you could tell that this goodbye was incomplete. He offered a handshake, but that seemed too formal considering your friendship. You took the hand for a second, before pulling it and wrapping an arm around him into a hug.
“Get home safe, Kageyama-kun.” You murmured against his chest and felt the deep rumble that signified his affirmation. His other hand curled around you hesitantly, unsure in his actions as he tried his best to reciprocate the hug.
“Thank you, (L/N).”
Waving one last time, you saw Kageyama make his way down the street before he turned fully on his walk back home.
“I don’t remember the two of you being that close in junior high.” You heard Tōru’s familiar voice from the doorway. It seemed the brunet was constantly walking in and spying on your interactions with Kageyama.
“Maybe your judgement is always clouded around a certain blueberry.” You stated as you walked back into the house.
Oikawa rolled his eyes then placed a lazy arm around your waist, guiding you back inside.
“I don’t feel comfortable seeing my fiancé alone with my annoying kouhai.”
“Don’t you dare say that in front of the real adults.”
Oikawa chuckled at your vernacular, but his hand on your body only tightened. You looked at him with an inquisitive stare, then pointed to the offending limb.
“Are you going to be like this all night?”
“Why? Can’t resist me if I continue?”
You sighed before moving to poke him on the forehead.
He grabbed your hand quickly and pulled it close to his bodice, pushing you forward to lean further into Oikawa’s chest. Surprised at the action, he leaned his forehead against yours, eyes closing from the comfort of the close proximity. One arm was around your waist while the other was in your hair. 
You and Oikawa had always joked around, but never had you actually flirted. But feeling his large hands on your body and the soothing beat of his heart under your own, it was strange.
Oikawa whispered against your forehead, “I’m glad Shiratorizawa hasn’t changed you.”
You leaned back to look him fully in the eyes and returned in a similar tone of voice, “Don’t let it change you either.”
Oikawa had a small smile at that.
“Don’t stop on my accord.”
You jumped in surprised and tried to spring away from the brunet immediately, who slowly let go of his hold and allowed you room to stand next to him, arms still touching.
“It’s nothing like that.” You started, but Tōru’s sister just smiled and walked away, muttering about young love.
The rest of the night was thankfully uneventful, Oikawa giving you space to converse with his fellow schoolmates and you spent time playing with Takeru, his cute little nephew. You made sure to keep your words guarded around the other parents, when they commended you for your recent win at the tournament. It was weird, to say the least, to accept the compliments and praise of parents who had kids on the losing side (and they were present too! oof). At least, if it seemed your Kitagawa Daiichi friends were about to spite fire at you, Oikawa was quick to intervene and even stand by your side.
You were sure to pass out once everyone left the house, helping your mom in some light cleaning but saving the shore of it for future you.
Turning to your phone on the nightstand, since your mom utterly refused for you to use it when guests were around, you spotted dozens of missed texts and fought the urge to groan aloud.
You scrolled all the way back to the first message.
GroupChat: Caw Caw SHIRATORIZAWA ୧༼ д ͡༽୨
23:11   From: Captain-Sama!           what the fuck attached: instabook.jpg; screenshot.jpg;
23:11   From: the most tender Salami            looks like (f/n) actually took our advice and went with oiks and not miya
23:11   From: My only Okaasan/Eita            wait but what if they’ve been related this whole time?
23:11   From: Captain-Sama!           yeah it is family day
23:11   From: the most tender Salami           …
23:11   From: the most tender Salami           then that would mean an Oikawa actually does go to Shiratorizawa
23:12   From: Captain-Sama!           LMAO
23:12   From: Ushiwaka-sama!           this is not what I meant
23:12   From: My only Okaasan/Eita           we know, waka
23:12   From: the most tender Salami           but how can we confirm it
23:12   From: Captain-Sama!           (・_・)
23:12   From: Captain-Sama!           @kenjiro @kawanishi pls respond its urgent
23:12   From: the most tender Salami           @kenjiro @kawanishi help ive fallen and cant get up
23:27   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)           they are not related
23:27   From: Captain-Sama!           I KNEW THEY WERE DATING
23:27   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩           lmao no way
23:27   From: the most tender Salami           I need more receipts
23:27   From: Captain-Sama!           I think my ship is sailing (´∀`)♡
23:28   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)           i don’t think so
23:28   From: Captain-Sama!           but they’re hOlDiNg HaNdS
You caught the gist of their conversation and scrolled down to the bottom, unwilling to read everything since you would have a whole hour to catch up to and with your sleepy eyes that just won’t do.
Without regard to whatever the last text was, you started:
00:57   From: do you know da wae           oiks is an old family friend
00:57   From: do you know da wae           my parents keep in touch w/ a lot of my ex-friends parents from Kitagawa
00:57   From: Captain-Sama!           oof sounds awk
00:57   From: do you know da wae           you have no idea
00:57   From: Kenjiro (`へ´*)           wait your celebratory dinner was w/ the ex-friends you just beat ??
00:58   From: do you know da wae           yeah…
00:58   From: Kawanishi ✩꒳✩           oof
00:58   From: do you know da wae           oikawa was the only one from Seijō willing to talk to me without the need to shank me
00:58   From: do you know da wae           and even then they made sure to verbally roast me at every opportunity
00:58   From: the most tender Salami           wow
00:59   From: Not-my-libero-Yamagata ( ´ ▽ ` )           we love you (L/N)!
00:59   From: Captain-Sama!           just know that we’re always here for you! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)
You smiled then and offered thanks, before shutting off your phone and finally getting a good nights rest after such an awful day.
The next day at breakfast, you just smiled and complimented your parents for their thoughtful dinner and how it was a success – saying nothing about the tension between you and the friends you used to have. It was your final day home and there was not a single thing you wanted to do.
Most of the people who lived around this area went to either Karasuno or Aobajōsai and then was no point in meeting up with your current friends at Shiratorizawa just to have to go back home and then head back to school the next day. You cherished the meal with your parents, but both your parents had plans later in the afternoon. Your mom sensed your anxiousness and tasked you with small chores.
You finally were interested when she directed, “(F/N), Kageama-kun forgot his leftovers yesterday. Mind bringing them over?”
With a quick nod and changing into your outdoor shoes, you headed out the door and a few streets over to the Kageyama household.
The windows were shut and no signs of light were seen. Kageyama seemed like the type who would do anything to keep himself in top form and you wondered the possibility if he was out jogging or something.
Ringing the bell, you heard some movement inside until the setter finally opened his front-door in surprise.
“(L/N)-san?”
You lifted the container of food into his point of view, “You forgot to bring some food home last night.”
“Oh, thanks.” He took it from you and paused, “Would you like to come in?”
You nodded at his polite gesture and greeted with a familiar sight. This was not the first time you were in his home, but it surely seemed the same from the last time. Kageyama seemed like a clean, tidy sort and undoubtedly his parents were as well.
You noticed his family picture displayed proudly on the center coffee table, an innocent smile on Kageyama’s face as he was nestled between his two parents. It looked like a picture-perfect family, reflecting only questions as to what happened to them now.
“You know, I can’t believe that I have never met your parents.” You commented, looking at the picture and him following your gaze.
He hesitated before replying, “I’m not surprised.”
You looked at Kageyama fully, “What do you mean?”
“I don’t think they’ve ever watched me play.” He admitted, eyes on the floor at the sad realization.
“I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah.” He had a tense expression on, “But I like your family.”
“Thanks, they’re pretty embarrassing.”
“I..” Kageyama was hesitating in his words a lot, concerning this subject, you noticed. “There are no words to say how thankful I am toward your parents, for what they said and do.”
“Don’t worry about it.” You comforted, putting a hand on his shoulder. “They really are proud of you. And so am I, really. Believe me, great things are in store for you.”
That, in your mind, marked the notable shift in your relationship with Kageyama. Even after the weekend break for Family Day, you still were able to keep in contact with the setter. Previously, you were unsure where you stood with the King of the Court. But now with shared numbers and daily texting with one another, you were glad to have held your friendship with the blueberry.
Everyone was training for the Spring Playoffs, everyone’s distant goal of nationals constantly in mind. As the reining champions of your Prefecture, this was the time of year to prove once again why that was so. You were defending for three years straight, Ushijima standing tall as the prime representative of your school.
As the regular setter, you knew better than anyone the massive amount of pressure and training it took to get to this stage. And you made sure to prove it during the official matches.
You felt your heart physically break when Karasuno faced off against Aobajōsai. A school that even you had remembered as a fallen-powerhouse was now over-powering a longstanding rival of your own school.
Oikawa did not cry at the end of the game, but your connection to the older setter was enough to feel the pure anguish and annoyance that was raging in his heart. You wanted to just say something to the brunet, but when Ushijima rushed Oikawa after the match, you figured that it was probably not the best timing. (You also did not want to risk the wrath of the others).
You waited behind a pillar, listening to Oikawa and his unusually intimidating voice. Both alpha males turned and stalked in opposite directions and you fought the urge to call out to the setter. Rather than leaving it to another moment, one that would be much easier for him to ignore, you ran behind him and wrapped your arms around his waist.
He squeaked out in surprise, “Wha-”
“You deserve the world Oikawa and I know you’re meant for more than what this prefecture has to offer.” You interrupted before walking around to be face-to-face to him, “You’re going to stand on an international stage. And no one will be able to stop you there.”
He stayed quiet, eyes hard as they examined your own, as if he was trying to gauge how honest your words were.
“Besides, I wouldn’t marry a man who wasn’t prepared to take over the world.” You joked.
He cracked a small smile then, and slowly wrapped his arms around your waist. “Thank you.”
You smiled brightly, a hand on his chest while the other was on cheek, to full look at him. “I just want you to be as proud as I am about you.”
Oikawa looked away, turning to the side before returning his gaze back to you. “Why couldn’t you come to Aobajōsai?”
You were internally taken aback at the question and you were sure it showed on your face.
“I never asked before, I just accepted that my counterpart on the women’s team was on a completely different track.” Oikawa explained, voice a small whisper. “And it made me wonder how someone like you, who tried so hard against Shiratorizawa in junior high and still lost, did not even try to fight them.”
His voice was hard by the time the last few words came-out and this felt like an incredibly different Oikawa.
“You claim so hard that you care about us, about me.” Oikawa bit-out, “Then why didn’t you even try to fight for us?”
“I, everyone knew from the start-“
“You were the pillar of the team, the cog that made it run. You gave them strength and you knew that and you still left.”
You were sure this was something Oikawa had been waiting to get off his chest, a thought that had lingered for years apparently now, and were unsure what you could say to placate the remnants of your friendship with the setter.
“The fact of it all is that we cared to keep our family together even if meant not being an absolute winner.” Oikawa stated, a bruising hold on your waist now. You could not find it in yourself to push him away, “Which obviously, didn’t matter as much to you.”
“Oikawa, please.” You whispered out, unsure what you were asking for.
“Please what? To stop saying the truth or making you finally realize it?” His gaze was a predatory-kind, one you had spotted multiple times on the court and one that displayed an intimidating anger. “Are you really supposed to refer to your fiancé by his last-name?”
“Why are you being like this?” Your voice came out weakly and you barely recognized it.
“Why were we your last choice, (F/N)-chan?”
You pushed at his chest, but his hold did not budge and you were sure that your face demonstrated the absolute fear you had toward your friend of five years.
“That’s enough.” You heard the comforting voice of someone familiar along with multiple footsteps.
When you looked over Oikawa’s shoulder to see Semi’s confused one, it immediately hardened at seeing you so scared. He did not hesitate to push you two apart, standing as a shield in front of you between you and Oikawa as Kenjirō put a protective hold on your shoulder and Kawanishi scanned you up and down.
“What happened here?” You heard Iwaizumi’s voice as he rushed down the hall.
His best-friend, who knew Oikawa almost better than himself, saw the raging anger in the setter and for once and only once – it was aimed toward you alone.
The brunet took one last look at you, hard and piercing despite the addition of multiple people, before her turned away and walked back toward his team.
Iwaizumi did not leave immediately, looking at you with an apologetic disposition before following behind his friend.
“Are you alright?” Semi asked once both boys were out of eyesight.
You reassured them you were fine, but your voice could not even convince yourself.
“Oikawa might’ve been your friend, but he’s our rival now and he is trying to shake you before your final, don’t let him get to you.” Semi explained.
You nodded meekly, allowing Kenjirō to guide you back to the Shiratorizawa area. The others were quiet as you approached and you wanted nothing more than for the others to forget this ever happened.
“If only we could crush him tomorrow.” Tendou stated with narrowed eyes as he looked at your rosy nose and distraught eyes.
“Thanks, Salami.” You attempted a small smile.
“Ugh, I hate seeing you like this.” Tendou commented before putting a comforting hand on your shoulder and ruffling your hair.
Oikawa was right, to an extent. You and him had started on the same track, leaders of each respective Kitagawa Daiichi volleyball team and one of many victims to the Shiratorizawa streak. You had both felt the pure anguish of utter defeat, the fact that you had both tried your best and it still was not enough. And instead of following Oikawa’s track, you had chosen to attend the school that often broke your heart.
You wondered how long Oikawa had thought this but said nothing.
You were sure the bitter defeat was a large impetus to how he just treated you. But it still stung to know that was some pure honesty and truth in his words. You wanted the ground to swallow you up, to take away the memories of the last hour and stop yourself from seeing one of your close friends because one of your now many rivals.
Goshiki sat with you on the bus and made a point of keeping your mind off of what had just happened. It was obvious that everyone knew by now, from your captain’s reassuring stare and Yamagata putting a comforting hand on your shoulder, they were thankfully trying to keep their words guarded, at least. You smiled at the first-year, appreciative that he was trying so hard.
You saw from your peripheral that Kenjirō would often turn in his seat to check-in on you (it’s not like he was trying to hide it anyway). Yamagata offered you his spare juice box and Ushijima offered to pickup ice-cream for you on his usual night jog. It made you laugh at the offer, but accept it nonetheless since this was a rare occurrence.
Why do you care so much about people who want nothing to do with you?
Kageyama’s word rang in your mind and you thought, maybe, it was time to let Oikawa and the others go. Your heart ached at the thought, but you doubted that they shared the same sentiment about you. They weren’t staying up at night, losing sleep as they thought about you.
No, they hated you.
And when Iwaizumi texted you the next morning, you just said you were fine and it was probably for the best.
Besides, you had other things to worry about rather than people who cared nothing for you.
The next night was the finals between the men’s teams, Karasuno bringing Shiratorizawa to a full five sets, one that had you watching with baited breath. The crowds themselves seemed to have their own battle, cheering with their whole hearts to the point that you were sure you were rocking the stadium. You wished Kageyama good luck before the match, his face erupting in a rather obvious blush as his grey-headed senpai smiled and just patted him on the back. You did the same with Shirabu and Kawanishi as well.
Shirabu just smirked and Kawanishi patted your head.
Assholes.
But now you were seeing more emotion on each second-years’ faces than ever before. Yes, Shirabu and Kawanishi were salt squad and had no qualms using biting words or sarcasm. And yet the setter was much more expressive, displaying even fear and surprise as the game went on. You felt your heart surge when you saw Kawanishi get a serious face on, eyes narrowing as you saw the little hamster in his head run at full speed, guess-blocking working at it’s peak form now.
Kageyama was no exception, acting as one of the main conductors of the game and even having to sit out from his diminishing stamina. His jump serves were much better than during the Interhigh, you wondered if you should give yourself a pat on the back or kick your own ass for helping him against your own team. 
But there was no doubt in anyone’s mind, while the team of Karasuno was strong through their constant attacks and teamwork – it was Kageyama who was standing out the most during this game.
Hinata and that blond middle-blocker were interesting players, but your eyes always gravitated back to Kageyama. From his jump-serve that had even your powerhouse school on their toes to his resilient efforts to keep playing despite exhaustion, Kageyama kept your attention for the entire duration of the game.
You wondered if Kageyama’s parents were present.
You were not sure who to cheer for. Ushijima proved his unending stamina, earning point after point even when it was obvious that it was getting tiresome. It made your own shoulder hurt just looking at him. Tendou showcased the true power of the guess-blocker, eyes roaming the shorter setter with keen eyes.
All of this came to a crashing end.
21-19
The absolute winners were retiring.
Everyone was tasked with one-hundred serves, even the women’s team who had their own finals in a few more days.
Shirabu and Kawanishi were tenser than usual, you noticed during class and again during lunch. Shirabu’s not-girlfriend attempted to placate his mood with ice-cream, but she later iterated to you that in the end he just needed a long hug. You tried to do the same to Kawanishi, who simply took it in pure silence as he reciprocated the gesture.
Tendou was seemingly placated when you gifted him a home-cooked meal from a recent care-package from mom, but you knew the third-year well enough that his dark paradise was a hole in his heart that could never be replaced. Ushijima was hard to read, but nonetheless thanked you when you had given him a small cactus.
The men’s game put your nerves more at odds, despite how much you were trying to hard it with a strong face. Karasuno, a team that rose from nothing to become the team heading to nationals, they were able to beat the indomitable champions of Miyagi. It made your stomach churn at the possibility of losing to your long-term rivals at Aobajōsai.
The day after the game, everyone could observe your anxieties and had decided that maybe you needed some good luck help from home. You used to always have a ritual when you were particularly nervous and that involved a certain dish you mom made as a charm before big games and it also helped to have the words of your parents affirm your confidence. Your coach agreed to this idea, spying your shaky hands and unsure moves in practice.
Before home you stopped at the Kageyama’s, Tobio answering the door for you.
“Just wanted to say congratulations.” You greeted before taking something out of your bag. “I remember you used to love these milk cartons in junior high, so consider this a celebratory gift.”
“Thank you.” He had a small smile, one that you were sure he was not even aware of. “I’m glad you’re not mad at me.”
“Why would I be?”
“Shiratorizawa...”
“Is just a school.” You interrupted, thinking back to your ex-friends from Aobajōsai, “We all love volleyball and it’s time we all accepted there can only be one winner.”
He nodded at your explanation.
“Besides, you should come watch me win our spot to nationals.” You winked, “Me versus Seijō. It’ll be one hell of a game.”
“I know you’ll do great.” Hearing a compliment like that from Kageyama, it was strange. But you smiled anyway. “What are you doing in the area?”
“Ah. I’ve been getting nervous from seeing your game, honestly. So I was allowed to go home tonight for a good luck charm and to help calm myself.”
“Nervous? But you’re not playing us.”
“I know that!” You rolled your eyes in amusement. “But Shiratorizawa has always been considered as the winners. And no offense, nobody saw your win as possible. But you did it anyway. And the same thing could very well happen to us.”
Kageyama lightly poked on your forehead. “Boke, focus on the fight in front of you. You’ve always won against them, right? In practice matches and last tournament, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then use it to your benefit, but don’t get complacent.”
You paused and smiled, “Thank you.”
“Would you like to come in?”
“As tempting as that is, I have to get home to my parents and then head back to school.” You looked at his house once more, “Are your parents home?”
“No.” You frowned, but said nothing and waited for him to continue. “Neither of them have been, for a few days.”
“Have you heard from them?”
Kageyama turned away, “They don’t even know I’m going to nationals.”
You put a small hand in the crook of his elbow, “Would you like to join us for dinner?”
“Sure.”
Since then, the match between Karasuno and Shiratorizawa was spurning you on, the thought of further rivals exciting you rather than scaring you now. You could not deny the fact that seeing both your parents and Kageyama had lightened your spirits. 
And, not for the first time, you pondered over your strange relationship with the young setter.
You were not as close to him as you were to Oikawa in the past. And yet Kageyama was the one who tried just a little bit harder to hold onto you than your brunet friend. You could not deny the slight attraction you felt toward the blueberry as well, his shy and blunt nature something you were akin to. If anything, you knew better than most how much Kageyama had changed in the last few years.
But you had bigger things to worry about now.
Like going to nationals.
You relished in the slight burn in the palm of your hand at your untouched jump-serves, success rate higher than usual. And when you stood on the court itself, the name Shiratorizawa echoing as it cheered through the stands, you felt pride course through your veins.
When both Shirabu and Kawanishi wished you luck before your match, you felt the need to knock their heads together like coconuts. They tried to do it in the chillest way possible, muttering it to you with their hands in their pockets. You watched Tendou roll his eyes from behind Shirabu. Instead, you tugged them both into a hug before either could be too cool to refuse it.
Ushijima patted you on the shoulder and reiterated the tips he had given you in the gym the day before – it seemed Waka was actually watching you intently and you thanked him for his observance and helpful advice. Goshiki offered you a thumbs-up and Tendou patted you on the head for the nth time, but you smiled at both. Semi and Reon stood to the side with genuine smiles, since neither were particularly close to you, but you appreciated their presence anyway.
You were placed in the front line, your team’s starting position opting for the most attack options in the front row. The women’s team for Aobajōsai was similar in that it was a complete team, but a team not as good as Oikawa’s. 
The synergy and trust between the setter and Iwaizumi was not something that could be replicated, only earned through more than a decade of true friendship. Rather, the women’s team lacked the power necessary from their ace and it was easy for a team as skilled as yours to pick up their serves defensively. Shiratorizawa relied on the power of their ace – and for a team with the best volleyball players in the Prefecture, it was a winning strategy.
Once you were rotated to serve, the entire stadium was separated from you mentally. It was just you and the game in front of you, not the loud shouts of Seijō or the pressured looks from your older captain. You let it lose, scoring with a single touch on your serve.
A no-touch service ace – a feat only you were capable of throughout the entire game.
You relished at the cheer of your name, the powerhouse clout proven when seemingly the entire stadium erupted in your name. It was a skill you had alone, not even your older senpai’s capable of scoring on a no-touch ace. And yet you did it multiple times. You spotted the clenched fists of your previous friends and their glares in your direction. But that did not deter you from your goal as you served with your entirety.
You glanced at the scoreboard, only one more point and you would be the reigning victor.
A deep breath.
In only three sets, it was over.
You were going to nationals.
Everything after that was hazy – you remember your ace literally picking you up. She was a good ten centimeters taller than you and built like a complete brickhouse, so that definitely helped. You remembered bowing to both your current and previous friends, but not a single one of them took your hand to shake at the lineup.
If you were still unsure of your relationship, it was quite clear that they hated you now.
The men’s team, sporting their similar tracksuits, clapped along in the stands as you thanked the audience. Your star-struck facial expression must have been obvious, since your fellow teammates kept poking at your cheeks and teasing your appearance.
“No touch service ace!” Your ace yelled aloud, grabbing you in another hug and lifting you like a trophy for the second time in the last ten minutes.
“You are an absolute monster, (F/N)!” Your captain commented as she laughed, arms in the air as she celebrated as well.
You felt the congrats and praise of everyone around you – your stoic coach even smiling in your direction (a small act of praise, but that was probably the best you were going to get). You felt the murmurs of the crowd around you, an immense audience that had just watched you singlehanded slam a ball away from an entire team.
It was liberating.
You along with a few others walked out from the courts, wanting to get some air away from the ruckus at the center of it all. Some wandered to the bathroom and others wanted to immediately run to their significant others.
You wandered out in the hall and the first non-teammate you ran into was a familiar brunet, running and hugging him from behind.
“(F/N), I will break your bones and make a chair out of them.”
“Shirabu, take me out to dinner first.” You joked, arms never leaving his middle even after he turned around towards you. “Come on, I just won. Grant me this?”
Shirabu rolled his eyes, but did eventually return your hug, ears suddenly red at the endearing gesture. “You serve well.”
“Thanks, maybe I’ll give you some private lessons.” You winked, earning you a push to your face immediately, putting a good foot between you and the other setter.
You laughed, the sound echoing through the hall and earning a small tsk, signaling that you two were not the only ones in the near-empty hall. You saw Shirabu tense in your peripheral, before he stepped in front of you between you and the other man with his one arm raised as if it was a protective wall.
He had his chin-up, arm on his waist as he regarded you with narrowed eyes and a dangerous expression.
“Oikawa.” You started.
“Congrats on your win.”
“Thanks.”
“Five points in the last set were yours alone, meaning twenty percent of the win was just from your serve.” Oikawa started explaining and you were unsure where he was going with this. “That’s without counting sets to the ace.”
“I suggest you leave.” Shirabu interrupted Oikawa’s external train of thought.
The brunet ignored him. “And who did you learn that jump serve from?”
You swallowed lightly, “From you.”
“And yet it was greatest weapon used today.” He narrowed his eyes, letting it travel your form as you stood there with a tight expression. “If only I had known then.”
“Let’s go, (F/N).” Shirabu stated, eyes never leaving Oikawa.
“Go ahead. I hope you think of me each and every time someone praises you on your jump-serve.”
“That’s enough.” Another voice cut in from the other end of the hallway, “She won today and not even you can take that away from her.”
Oikawa narrowed his eyes at Kageyama’s appearance before turning to you, “Of course, this is the one you actually care about.”
“Tōru, stop.” You bit out, voice stern at this convening of setters.
“Oh, cut that out. I played a part in who you are today, you and I both know that.”
“Of course, I know that!” You exclaimed as you move to stand right in front of him, “The part you played in my life will always mean something to me, but you are not the same Oikawa I grew up with right now.”
Oikawa tsked before biting out, “Good luck at nationals.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Of course I do, dear fiancé.” Oikawa emphasized the last word, shrugging as he turned to leave the way he came.
“Whatever, it’s not like you can relate to nationals anyway!” You yelled as he walked away, watching him physically hesitate at your words, but never uttering another word toward you.
Kageyama’s eyes followed him until he was completely out of view, before he turned to you. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, that was nothing.”
He looked as if he did not believe you, blue eyes hanging onto your appearance for a second longer before turning to the quiet Shirabu. The brunet was examining you also, eyes trained on your blank expression as if you were trying hard to convey that you were okay.
“I should freshen up or something before the ceremony.” You started, “I’ll see you in a bit. Thanks for coming Kageyama, in case I don’t see you later.”
You fought the urge to bite your lip as you ran in the direction of the bathrooms. This was supposed to be your day. The culmination of all your hard-work as you finally earn your rightful spot to nationals, it was supposed to be a day where you cheered and were happy at being at the frontlines for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
And yet.
You opened the door to the women’s bathroom and came face to face with the vice-captain of Aobajōsai. Or as you once knew her in junior high, she held the same position while you were the captain.
“This isn’t over.” She immediately snarled.
“I know.”
“I hope you know that I hate you.”
“I know.” You stated in a low tone, pushing past her and into the bathroom. She huffed, silently observing you as you washed your face in the sink.
“Then do something!” She yelled, “I hate you so much I feel like I can just rip you limb from fucking limb! You were my best-friend for years and you still felt the need to leave!”
“I know. And I was wrong to diminish your feelings like that.”
“I… What?” She was still huffing, despite the confused expression on her face.
“You’re right. You guys were my closest friends since I first started school and I just… left.”
“Why are you saying this?”
“Because you’re right. I don’t regret going to Shiratorizawa, but it wasn’t fair of me to disregard all your feelings. I thought it was because of the rivalry between our schools, but it was because of me.” You sighed, “I’m sorry. I should’ve considered the fact that we were a family, but I’m not like Oikawa.”
She clenched her jaw but said nothing.
“I didn’t choose to stay with my friends, I chose for my future. And that was selfish of me, but I won’t change it.”
She sucked in a deep breath and stated, “I hate you.”
“I know.”
With a long-hard look, she huffed yet again. “Good luck at nationals, you bitch.”
You could not help the chuckle that escaped your lips, but she had already turned to leave out the door by the time you turned back to where she was. At least you had said your peace, there was nothing left for you to do if they could not accept even that.
The prefecture ceremony was a blur, names announced and cheers erupting at each team-member. You remember looking over to Aobajōsai on multiple occasions – it seemed they were all looking at you. No matter what was happening or who was being called, you could almost guarantee that a good amount of them were glaring in your direction.
It was liberating that you could brush it off, no longer as affected as you would have been even a week ago.
“Congratulations, (F/N).” Ushijima commended as he stood towering over you.
“Thank you.” You bowed, “Your advice really helped.”
He nodded, before turning to speak to other members of your team.
“Congrats again.” Shirabu greeted with a smile.
Kawanishi said nothing as he wrapped his arms around your middle for a quick second before backing away. “You earned it.”
You rolled your eyes, unsure if he was referring to the game-winning victory points or the ‘hug’ he had given you just now.
But you loved them all anyway.
They were your family now.
Your coach started practice the same as any other day, as if you had not just earned your way to nationals seemingly the day before. You wondered if you had just dreamed up the last few days, the real match taking place soon which is why you were training so damn hard. Your ace raised a brow as you were all instructed to do more jump-serves but did not grumble aloud unless face with another consequence.
When the entire team had finished their round, the coach gathered everyone into a circle to address them.
“Hopefully, the last few days have taught you the importance of the jump-serve.” Her eyes travelled the group until they landed completely on you. You felt multiple eyes of your teammates do the same. “You could completely shut-out your opponent with this attack, stopping them from ever connecting and letting them simply suffer defeat without ever touching the ball.”
You raised a brow at her morbid description but kept on listening.
“There is no doubt why (F/N) was named MVP of the match. But do not rest on your laurels, enjoy your break but don’t get lazy.”
The reaction was instantaneous.
“We have a break?!” Your captain exclaimed in obvious excitement.
“I’ll see you all on Monday.” Your coach stated vaguely, before turning and walking away.
“Hell yes!” Your captain yelled, “Let’s clean-up faster so we can get homecooked meals, yes?”
You felt the air of amusement and laughter in the gymnasium, happy to finally go home on this warm Friday evening, without the worries of practice over the weekend. Maybe your coach was not that bad after all.
And when you woke up mid-Saturday morning in the comfort of your home, guessing maybe around ten, you stretched and relished in the rare enjoyment of sleeping-in. Waking at nearly five in the morning every day, just to jog of all things, was taking it’s toll on you. You had to learn how to enjoy life more, you mused with a small smile.
Your mom knocked on your door before entering, “You have a visitor sweetie. I suggest you freshen-up. I’ll make breakfast for the two of you, but then I have to leave!”
“Ughisdfhis.” You murmured into your pillow as your rolled over.
“Or maybe I should just invite Kageyama-kun to your room so he can see how you really are.” She teased.
Immediately you were up, springing out of bed at the aforementioned name. You grabbed an outfit you packed the night before, rushing into your bathroom to brush you teeth and look presentable before the young setter.
By the time you headed downstairs, you were as clean and crisp as a bloomed daisy.
“Good morning, Kageyama-kun.” You greeted, “To what do I owe this visit?”
He greeted you in kind and explained, “I wanted to congratulate you like you did to me before..”
You walked over to him and suddenly a box of avocados were thrust into your view, quickly grabbing hold of it as Kageyama rushed in into your arms.
“I’m sorry! You gave me milk and I remember in a magazine you said you liked avocados! I thought…!”
You laughed at the sentiment, happy that he had thought about you but amused that he had resorted to the secondhand words of a magazine of all places. “Thank you, Kageyama-kun. I love it.”
“Are you sure? Because I can –”
“Stop worrying so much. It’s a present from you, of course I’ll love it.” You put the box on the floor and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Thank you so much.”
“No problem.” You were openly staring at him, eyes trained on his flushed appearance as he shyly attempted to look away from your strong stare. “Boke, stop staring at me.”
You chuckled, turning your gaze to the side before back to him. “There’s just something about you that I like, Kageyama-kun.”
It seemed as if he stopped breathing, expression similar to a fish out of water.
“Like, like-like?”
You chuckled, “What? Am I not allowed to?”
“No!” He seemed exasperated, hands raised as if to stop you. “No… I’m just surprised.”
“Why?”
“Oikawa…”
“Has only ever just been a friend.” You quickly finished the sentence for him.
“Or Shirabu…”
“Has a semi-girlfriend who would literally kill me.”
“Oh.”
You had a brow lifted, already expecting this surprised and unsure reaction from Kageyama. He was always socially stunted and did not hold it to him that he had yet to actually respond to your confession. Kageyama stood, wide-eyed and barely blinking, staring straight into your eyes as if looking for a hint of farce.
“I like you, too.” He stated plainly and if not for the seriousness of the situation, you would had chuckled at his solemn tone of voice.
“That’s reassuring to hear.” You responded, smile on your face widening.
“Are you sure you like me?”
You chuckled lightly, “For someone who claims to like me, it seems as if you’re pushing me away.”
“No!” Kageyama urged, “Just making sure, boke.”
You rolled your eyes, smile still prevalent at his words. This was the same Kageyama who was labeled as King of the Court – and for good reason too. He was relentless and exuded confidence in the one medium that barely anyone could match his all-around skill. There were times, as you watched him on the court, that you were utterly impressed with his abilities. And yet now..
It was clear that Kageyama was one thing right now: unsure. And you found the need to somehow reassure him, to let him now fully and transparently that he was the complete object of your affections.
So you stepped toward the now shy setter and took his hand in yours. Widely smiling, you were about to ask him something before he suddenly interrupted.
“Would you like…” He paused, looking to the side before turning back to you. “Would you like to date?”
“I would love to.”
He smiled back, tightening his hold on your hand. It was quite clear that the entirety of your own could fit in his palm – it was a nice feeling. Unlike the multiple times that the situation called for being your hand held, like with Oikawa being an ass or the occasional Shirabu (like when he was dragging you away due to embarrassment), this felt right.
“How about today? Are you free right now?” He asked, mustering more courage now knowing that you would most likely say yes.
“Sure, just let me get ready and we can get brunch.”
Your mom was not at all surprised when she returned, seeing you getting ready for your first-date ever. Kageyama was still waiting in the living room, hands clenched at the top of his knees while the television played ignored in the background. It was evident from the expression on his face that his mind was reeling over the past hour and over the implications of the next one. You were not the only one nervous, but this was Kageyama of all people, you understood him. If only there was a way for you to convey this to him.
Kageyama overheard your mom’s declaration of happiness at the situation and fought the urge to blush, was he that obvious? Your mother, uncaring of the rather uncomfortable setter sitting in her living room, walked out of the kitchen to shoot him a thumbs-up and ink. When Kageyama only blushed harder, your mom laughed and held out her hand, your father slapping an annoyed twenty bucks into her expecting palm.
“Don’t make me regret trusting you, boy.” Your father warned, a pointer finger in Kageyama’s direction as he was dragged away and out the house by your mother for ‘privacy.’
You shoved the door closed behind you as they left, back against the wood once both were gone. “Don’t mind them, they’re embarrassing.”
Kageyama smiled, then stood and hesitantly took your hand in his. “No, don’t worry about it. I love your family.”
You felt your own expression widen as it matched his, giving his hand a gentle squeeze in yours. “Thanks. Where to?”
Kageyama nodded, saying nothing as he guided you out the house and down the street. You had good idea about where you were headed, Kageyama was a man of routine and rarely strayed from his likes unless necessary, so simply entrusted your walk to him.
You peered up at his handsome visage, black mop of hair sitting naturally with a small rosiness dusting his cheeks. He was Kageyama obviously, but much different from the one you went to junior high with. This was a man weathered and you appreciated his journey from dictator to kind blueberry, happy to have seen his growth.
You lifted a free hand to push some of his longer bangs back behind his ear, the feeling unnatural to the poor setter, who immediately froze at the physical contact.
“You’re so cute, Kageyama-kun.” You complimented, before turning back to your route and lightly tugging on his hand to keep walking.
“Boke.” Breaking his stupor, Kageyama looked to the side and muttered in a low voice. “You’re the cute one.”
You fought the urge to laugh, but wanted to do something to reflect your feelings. You knew that a kiss would nearly cause the setter to explode and debated it as your stared at his lips and later at his cheek. Your train of thought must have been obvious, since Kageyama’s eyes widened unsurely.
Knowing you did not want to implode this poor boy’s heart, you took his hand in yours and placed a harmless kiss.
He was red the whole day. 
625 notes · View notes
poeticandors · 3 years ago
Text
Cut to the Feeling Part 4
Poe Dameron x F!Reader (Babysitter!AU)
Summary: After graduating college and needing to have some cash in order to survive while doing an unpaid internship, Y/N decides to take up a babysitting/caretaking job. Little does she know that she ends up working for a familiar face.
Warnings: None!
A/N: Well, damn! It has been a long time but I’m back! Thanks for waiting patiently. Hopefully you enjoy this chapter. 
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
GIF by @damerondjarin
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Ah, the weekend. Plopping on the couch, you planned for a day of doing absolutely nothing. You were finally able to relax after a long week of observation hours for your internship as well as driving Eva Bey to and from school, to her dance lessons and soccer practice, and whatever errands Poe had you running for him such as trips to the store. 
A few months have passed since you’ve started working with Eva Bey, and you seemed to have gotten into the routine. You got along great with Eva Bey, who was an absolute sweetheart, and Poe was nice as well. There have not been any issues thus far, and you were hoping that it would stay that way. 
Eva Bey really was one of the easiest children you have had the pleasure of working with. She enjoyed any activity you had planned for her, and she had the biggest imagination. If she did become upset, it wasn’t hard to redirect her into another activity or to get her to tell you what was going on. You adored her the more you’ve gotten to know her.
As for Poe… things have been going well. There was never any miscommunication between you both, and you would go as far to say that it was as if the incident never happened. It also made it easier that you would really only see and talk with him at the end of each day when you would be leaving, so conversation was limited. But… you secretly wondered if he ever thought back to it such as you have. 
Shaking your head to stop you from thinking anything further, you grab the remote to your TV and flip on Netflix as you try to find some movie to distract you, only for your phone to ring. Grabbing it, you see Poe’s name flashing on your screen as you furrow your brows. You hoped something didn’t happen with Eva Bey, so you quickly answered. 
“Hello?”
“Hey, I am sorry for calling on your day off. But, is this a bad time?”
“No, I was just trying to find something to watch on TV.” You sit up. “Is everything alright?” 
“Oh, yeah! I am actually calling on behalf of Eva Bey’s request— oh, okay here she is.”
You hear the phone being passed on the other end as well as Eva Bey and Poe’s whispers to one another. 
“Hello?” Eva Bey’s sweet voice calls out, which instantly brings a smile to your face. 
“Hey, Eva Bey! Is everything okay?”
“Yeah! Um, I asked my dad to call you. I have a question.”
“Alright, what is your question?”
“Can you come swimming with us? My daddy said he would take me, but I want you to come too!”
“Oh, um… I mean, I wouldn’t want to ruin your time spent with your dad—“
“But I want you to come. Please?” 
Biting the inside of your cheek, you ponder for a moment until you let out a soft sigh. “Eva Bey, can you give the phone to your dad?”
“Yeah!” 
You hear the shuffling of Eva Bey handing Poe the phone back. “Hey.”
“Hey, um… are you sure it’s okay if I join you guys? I wouldn’t want to be a bother and interrupt any father-daughter time.”
“Oh, no. It’s totally okay with me. Eva Bey was the one who wanted to go swimming since the community pool just opened this weekend. She would really want to see you.”
“Oh, well…” You try hiding the slight disappointment in your voice, internally reprimanding yourself why you thought Poe would be the one to want to see you. 
“And please. Don’t think you’re a bother. You could never be one.” 
Something in the way Poe says that makes your heart flutter in your chest. And because of that, you are almost hesitant to decline— to come up with some excuse. This would be your first time being with Poe outside of professional settings, definitely not counting the first ever encounter between you both. But, if Eva Bey really wanted you to be there and it was her idea…
“…Tell Eva Bey that I am packing my swimsuit right now.”
Poe does so, and so you hear the excited little shrieks from the little girl as you both laugh.
“Just meet us at the house, we can all drive together and it gives me time to get us situated.” 
“Of course, Bye, Poe.”
You hang up, soon getting up from your couch as you head to your bedroom to begin packing up for a nice, relaxing day at the pool. Totally professional, totally just to spend time with Eva Bey. 
Totally.
++++++
Hoisting your bag up, you knock on the door as you wait for Poe to let you in. Packing for this trip was a little stressful for you as you searched thoroughly for a swimsuit and then came to the realization you had no sunscreen, so you had to make a stop on the way. Then, you figured to grab a few snacks for you three while you were there because why not? You even decided to pick out a sea turtle floating toy for Eva Bey simply because you couldn’t resist. 
The door opens up and you smile, taking in Poe’s appearance. This was the first time you had seen him in anything other than a suit and tie, and he looked… nice. His hair was slightly disheveled, probably from getting Eva Bey ready for the day, and he looked comfortable in his t-shirt and swim trunks. 
“Hey, thanks for coming along. Sorry if you had plans or anything.” Poe scratches the back of his head.
“Oh, it’s no problem. You saved me from an entire day of just binging Netflix, anyways. Thanks for the invite.”
Poe smiles, and before he can speak, you hear your name being shouted as Eva Bey rushes over to hug you tightly. 
“Hi, Eva Bey!” You laugh as she pulls back, grabbing your hand. She pulls you inside, as Poe closes the door behind you. 
“My dad says I can wear my new swim suit today.” She beams, as you set your bags down. “It’s blue!”
“Well, I can’t wait to see it.” 
“Do you think you can braid my hair the way you do? My dad doesn’t know how to do it.” 
“Hey, in my defense, it is more complex than the braids I usually do for your hair.” Poe chuckles. “You might have to teach me how to do it.”
“Well… I guess I could teach you. But, I must warn you that these lessons come with a fee,” you tease. 
“A fee, huh?” Poe raises a brow as you shrug your shoulders.
“If you’re good at something, don’t do it for free.”
Poe grins, before Eva Bey begins tugging his hand. “Can we go now?” 
“Yes, Eva Bey. Let’s just get everything packed in the car, okay?”
“Yay!” Eva Bey exclaims, as she looks up at you. “I have my own swim bag packed already!”
“Great! But, I think you might be missing something,” you discreetly pull out a box from one of your bags. 
“What is it?”
“I thought why not bring a big pool floatie with us?” You smile as you show her the turtle, and she jumps up from excitement. 
“You didn’t have to get that,” Poe glances at you. 
“It’s okay,” you wave him off. “I thought it would be fun. I also brought some snacks so you don’t have to pack any.”
Poe slowly nods. “Huh… thanks”  
“It’s nothing.” 
Poe stares at you for a moment, a comfortable silence building between the both of you before clearing his throat. “Let’s get this filled with air, okay? Then we can go.”
“Sounds good. Come on, Eva Bey. Let’s get everything else packed up.”
Eva Bey nods, taking your hand as you both walk outside with your bags while Poe searches for a vacuum to pump up the floatie.  
++++++
After arriving at the pool, Eva Bey practically pulled your arm off while dragging you through to a table in the shade as she set her bag down. You sat in the backseat with her on the ride there, braiding her hair as you sang along with her to plenty of her favorite Disney songs. Poe didn’t even get out of it, as he was asked to sing plenty of the male counterparts in the duets. You and Eva Bey definitely got a kick out of it when he sang along to Gaston, trying to match his deep sounding voice.
It was quite warm today, so you were glad there was at least an open area that was well shaded. A group of children screamed and laughed from excitement jumping into the pool, while parents chased after a few others to try and convince them to wear more sunscreen. 
When Poe set down the floatie and bags of snacks and water bottles, he looked over to Eva Bey. “Let’s get some sunscreen on you, kiddo.” 
“Okay, Daddy!”
Eva Bey stands in front of Poe as he squeezes some of it on his hands, and begins rubbing it all over her shoulders and arms before turning her around. You watch as he carefully rubs it on her face and neck, before setting the bottle down. 
“Okay, you’re all set. Where is your life vest?” 
“Umm… Daddy, I want to try and swim without it today.”
“Oh?” Poe raises a brow. “Are you sure?”
Eva Bey nods, and you can see the slight nervousness in her eyes as she does so. You knew that Eva Bey didn’t know how to swim completely, but also didn’t expect her to want to try to learn right away. 
“Okay, kiddo. But only if you’re sure.”
“I am,” she says more confidently, then turns to you. “Will you help me, too?” “Of course, Eva Bey. Just let me finish getting ready, okay?” 
“We can go ahead and get in the pool while we wait, Eva Bey.” Poe takes her hand, as you begin stepping out of your cover, and put sunscreen on yourself. 
What you don’t see, however, is Poe glancing back at you, slightly freezing. You don’t see how his gaze moves down, observing each and every inch of your body. Poe suddenly has a flash to that night so many months ago, of him touching and kissing along those curves of yours, as well as the sounds he managed to hear from you that tend to patronize his dreams most nights. Poe stops himself from gazing any longer, and he shakes his head as he leads Eva Bey to the pool. 
When you finish getting ready, you make your way over to the steps of the pool that Poe and Eva Bey stopped at. You look down at the little girl, seeing her eyes scan cautiously along the water as Poe steps into the pool, shivering slightly from the chill of the water. 
“You ready, Eva Bey?” Poe holds his hand out, only for her to take a step back slightly.
“Um… I don’t know…”
Poe glances up at you, and you nod slightly as you kneel down next to her. 
“It can be a bit scary, learning how to swim at first. But you know all the first steps to swimming by yourself, don’t you?” 
She shakes her head as you smile, and take her hand. “Well, one of the first things you need to remember is that when it comes to swimming, you can always ask for help. Would you like me and your daddy to help you?” 
“Yes…” 
“How about we take the first step into the water?” 
Eva Bey nods, as you both step into the water, and goosebumps cover your skin as you shiver lightly. Eva Bey also jumps from the cold, as you chuckle. 
“It’s chilly, isn’t it?” “Yeah!” She forces out a nervous laugh as you both take another step, the water feeling more manageable. 
“Alright, we’re in the water,” you look down at her. “Now, this is another important step so I need you to pay close attention. An easy way to keep yourself afloat in the water is to just lay on your belly and keep kicking your feet. Can we try that?” 
Eva Bey looks at Poe, as he smiles. “You got it, baby.” 
You step further into the water, and hold your arms out to her. “I’m right here, okay? I’m just going to hold you. Can you lay on your belly in my arms and fly like a superhero?” 
“Okay…” She moves into your arms and lays down as you smile. 
“You’re a natural! Look at you! Can you kick your feet for me and make some splashes in the water?” 
She does so, and you begin moving her around in a circle, and look up at Poe. He gets the hint, as he holds his arms out, and you pass Eva Bey over to him as she continues kicking. You clap your hands, and Eva Bey gives a toothy smile. 
“Look at you! You’re already a professional!” You laugh softly, as you move over to her. “Next step since you have already mastered lying on your belly and kicking: blowing bubbles.”
“I can blow bubbles!”
“Can you? Well, let’s see!” 
Eva Bey puts her face slightly in the water and she begins blowing bubbles for a few seconds before quickly lifting her head back above the water. Poe holds her up, and you give her a high five. 
“Eva Bey, that might’ve been the best bubble blowing I have ever seen!” 
She grins, looking back at Poe as he nods. “It really was the best.” 
“Okay. Now, this next step might be a little scary, but I promise you that me and your daddy will be there to help you, okay?” She gives you a slight tilt of her head, nervous. “We are going to do all of these steps underwater, okay? The flying like a superhero, the kicking, and the bubble blowing— it’s all going to happen while you are under.” 
“Do you want to practice going underwater, first?” Poe looks down at Eva Bey.
“Yeah…”
Poe turns her around, grabbing under her arms. “I’ll hold you the entire time, okay?”
“Don’t forget to blow your bubbles!” You give her a thumbs up.
She returns the thumbs up, before Poe begins to count to three, and they both go under the water for a few seconds. Poe and Eva Bey come back up, and Eva Bey wipes the water away from her face as you begin to clap. 
“Awesome! That wasn’t so scary, was it?” You flash a comforting smile, as she giggles, shaking her head. “Are you ready to try to swim by yourself? Or do you need some more practice?”
“I… I’m ready!” 
“I like the sound of that,” you chuckle, as you hold your arms out to her. Poe hands her to you, as you begin to take a few steps away from Poe. “Alright, now remember, when you need to breathe, just lift your head up out of the water, take a big breath, and then put your face back in the water. Think you can do it?”
“I can do it.” 
“I know you can.” You give her an encouraging smile. “On the count of three, I’m going to go underwater with you and push you, and you’re going to swim to your daddy. Ready? One… two… three!”
Eva Bey immediately begins kicking as you push her away from you underwater, and you break the surface as you begin cheering her on. 
“Go, Eva Bey!” “C’mon, baby, almost there!” Poe holds his arms out, as Eva Bey moves closer and closer to him, before she finally makes it. 
He pulls her into his arms as she looks at him excitedly. “Daddy! I did it by myself!” 
Pride fills Poe’s eyes, and he kisses her cheek. “I’m so proud of you, Eva Bey.”
You quickly swim over to them, as Eva Bey wraps her arms around your neck, hugging you tightly. 
“Did you see? Did you see me swim?” “I sure did. You are amazing! A professional already!” 
“Thank you for helping me.” 
A gratifying feeling fills your chest, as you hug her back, and Poe can’t help but smile at the two of you embracing. You manage to catch Poe staring at you, returning his gaze as you flash your own smile at him. 
Something lingered in that moment as Poe kept his eyes on you. He couldn’t bring himself to look away or keep himself from moving closer to you. There was a tenderness, one that seemed to continue growing the longer he stared at you. It was something that Poe told himself over and over not to pursue.  
Poe just can’t seem to push that fondness away. Whether it was just the heat of the moment, he knew that there was something there for you. Seeing Eva Bey— the most important person in his life— interact and become so comfortable with you, someone that Poe has only grown more trusting with each passing moment, fills Poe’s heart with something he never felt before. 
But he couldn’t act on those feelings. 
Not only that, but he shouldn’t. You worked for him, you took care of his kid… the boundaries were put up for a reason. The night that plays over and over on repeat in his head would never happen again. You both agreed on that, and that was final.
Poe clears his throat, finally breaking the gaze as he pulls Eva Bey from you, and grins at her. “How about we celebrate with a snack break?”
“Okay, daddy! But I want to swim to the steps by myself.”
“Well, if you’re sure.” Poe gently pushes Eva Bey to the steps, and you both watch as she swims towards them by herself. 
“She’s amazing,” Poe hears you say, and looks down at you as you keep your gaze on Eva Bey.
“Yeah… she is.”
Poe quickly looks back, watching as she finally makes it to the steps, and holds her hands up as she stands. “I did it!”
“We’re so proud of you, Eva Bey!” You clap, smiling brightly.
“You both have a beautiful daughter.” 
Looking up, you both see an elderly couple smiling as they stand on the deck, and a slight awkward feeling fills the space between you and Poe. 
“Oh, uh…”
“And I see she gets all her looks from dear old dad, doesn’t she?” The woman chuckles. 
“Actually… we’re not…. I’m not her mother. I’m just her caretaker.”
“Oh! I am so sorry for assuming. How silly of me!” 
“It’s alright.” Poe waves them off politely. “But thank you for the compliment about my daughter. She really is.” 
They only nod in response, before they walk off. You look at Poe, clearing your throat. 
“Well, uh… yeah. I’ll just… help Eva Bey get her towel.”
You quickly swim off, getting out of the pool as Eva Bey takes your hand, and leads you away. 
Poe can only follow, trying to clear his racing thoughts of you as he walks towards your area, and begins to pull out the snacks as you wrap Eva Bey’s towel around her. He can only smile, hearing Eva Bey chatter excitedly about the fact she finally knows how to swim, and suddenly becomes all for trying out for the swim team after discovering it.
++++++
After a fun afternoon of swimming, Poe finally decided it would be best to head home after seeing Eva Bey’s energy begin to dwindle. Poe finished packing up the car as Eva Bey settled in her booster seat, before you both got in the car quietly. 
Poe looks in the rearview mirror as he begins to drive back to his house, seeing Eva Bey begin to doze off. He chuckles lightly as you glance at him.
“Someone had an eventful day,” he nods at the reflection as you peek back, smiling. 
“Oh, this is too cute.”
“Here, take a picture so I can send it to my dad along with the videos I took of her swimming.” Poe hands you his phone, keeping his eyes on the road. 
You snap a picture, before turning back, and setting the phone down in the cup holder. Poe continues driving, the radio playing music at a low volume as a comfortable silence settles between you both, until Poe mutters something.
“Hm?”
“I said thank you. For helping Eva Bey learn how to swim.” “Oh… it’s no problem.”
“It’s a big deal, though. I know she’s been nervous about it, and anytime we would get close to trying she would get scared.” Poe glances at you as he stops at a red light. “Seeing her overcome her fear, becoming so excited, and you helping her… that means a lot to me. Thank you.” 
“Of course. I would do anything for Eva Bey.”
“I know you would.” 
You stare into Poe’s eyes, and the tension only grows in that small space that separates you from him. It was true what you said, that you would do anything for Eva Bey. The young girl had come to mean so much to you the entire time you’ve gotten to know her. She meant so much to you, and you wanted to be there to continue helping her in anyway possible. 
But you also know you would do anything for Poe, too. 
Sure, you knew you would not be able to pursue any feelings beyond that for the sake of professionality and Eva Bey, but you would still do anything you could for him. Part of you thinks he knows that, but you couldn’t outright say it to him. 
Still, something seems to bring you both closer to each other, despite a voice in the back of your head warning you not to cross that boundary. Another tells you that you should cross that boundary, to explore what it could offer and what might blossom between you both.
But you continue to listen only to that first voice, because right now it’s the only one that is keeping you from ruining this. 
The light turns green, and Poe only begins to drive when a car behind him honks, and you look away. The rest of the car ride is quiet, and Poe finally pulls up to the house. Eva Bey stirs awake from the movement, and smiles tiredly. 
“Are we home?”
“We are, Eva Bey.”
Getting out of the car, you grab your bag as Poe helps Eva Bey. She hugs your legs, looking up at you. 
“Thank you for coming swimming and teaching me how to swim!” 
“I had so much fun with you. Thank you for inviting me,” you smile as she pulls back.
“Can’t you stay a little longer?”
“Well, I would. But I have to get home and I’m sure your daddy is tired and wants to spend the rest of the weekend with you.”
“Oh… okay…” She does nothing to hide the dismay in her expression, as you poke her cheek.
“But I will see you on Monday, okay? I have some water beads I thought you might enjoy playing with. Is that okay?”
Her disappointment soon fades away as she smiles, nodding excitedly. “Okay!”
Glancing up at Poe, you give him a small wave, before finally walking off. Poe watches until you drive off, looking down at Eva Bey as she tugs on his hand to lead him inside. 
“Let’s get you ready for a bath, okay? Then I’ll cook us some dinner.” 
“Daddy, do you like Miss Y/N?”
Poe stops, before setting the swim bag down. “Well, of course I do.”
“I think she’s very nice, and very pretty. Don’t you?”
“I… why don’t you go pick out your bubble bath, okay?”
“But—”
“And then we can FaceTime Papa Kes to talk about how you swam by yourself after I make mac and cheese?”
“Fine,” she replies with a hint of attitude that Poe can only laugh at, and she heads to the bathroom.
Poe shakes his head, running a hand down his face as he lets out an exasperated sigh. He pulls his phone out of his pocket, looking through the videos of Eva Bey swimming to you as she pushes off the wall cheering each and every time without fail. Poe looks at your smiling face, and can’t help but pause the video for a moment. 
He did, indeed, think you were very pretty. 
Poe pulls up the messages between you, and begins typing before suddenly stopping himself. Biting his cheek, he decides ultimately to delete the message, and puts his phone down instead.
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bukojuiice · 4 years ago
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you fell from the sky into my lap  — katsuki bakugo
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ೃ pairing: (uni student bakugo! 𝐱 shy uni student fem! reader)
ೃ warnings: smut. full-blown smut. lots of frickle frackle. explicit.
ೃ genre: smut 
ೃ my ongoing bakugo x reader smau (please do give it a read if you have time!) my writing masterlist (if you want to see more from me! c:
)ೃ this is my first time writing smut, so there will be errors here and there. hope you enjoy still and happy holidays! 
ೃ here’s a fluff counterpart to this smut drabble, if you guys would want that instead or would also like to read it. qwq 
ೃ word count: 1,034 words
ೃ  song inspo: the whole positions album by ariana grande
ೃ You and Katsuki become one as the two of you get in the mood with the music on his Spotify playlist.
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Bakugo comes home to you dancing in the kitchen in your underwear.
It's not an unfamiliar sight to Katsuki (what with all the porn that pops up on his twitter all the time especially because of the weird and explicit things kaminari retweets (for the memes) but it's unfair.
You got your hair up in a bun, swinging your hips to Say So (you're going through his playlist on Spotify) as you’re wearing Bakugo's favorite underwear (cheeky shorts that are black with red lace), and his tank top.
He feels hot all over.
You jump around to the beat and your (his) tank top bunches around, exposing your smooth stomach and a peek of your breasts and Bakugo needs to take a breather because this girl will be the death of him.
The song ends and you lean over to play the next song, which is his chance to sneak up on you.
His hands settle on your hip bones, thumbs rubbing them, and his whole body plastered against you back, and your blonde explosive boyfriend may or may not be getting more aroused.
You jump a little, going back to the shy girl he first met, before calming down, you wrap your arms around his neck.
Katsuki kisses the spot under your ear as one of his thumbs dip into your underwear and the other hand trails up, bringing your shirt up with you.
The blonde opens his eyes, sees you shaking and your mouth open as his hand that's in your underwear goes lower. He looks at your chest, notices how white the tank top is, and sees your nipples perking; Katsuki feels a hunger rip through him.
He stops.
You whine, turning around to face him, pressing up to the hand rubbing you, claws at his arms, kissing his collar when you stop, too.
You shy away, your hands fidget, pulling the tank top down as you blush.
He smirks deviously and brings his thumb to your cheekbone, dragging it to your lower lip and his eyes darken. You look at him before taking in his thumb, sucking it. Katsuki bites his lip and closes his eyes as you gently press yourself against him again, more gentle, less frantic.
The two of you have all the time in the world.
"Shit. (Y/N)." He whispers in his usual gruff tone, opening his eyes. You looking up at him, gazing at his fiery passionate orbs with love and lust as the two of you hold each other before you suddenly grinds against him and oh,
Oh.
You lean over back to the laptop to play 34+35 by Ariana Grande and he chuckles as you hop onto the counter, dragging him closer by wrapping your legs around his waist.
You're not the shy girl he used to know as you practically tear his shirt off, feeling his sculpted and well-defined chest as you kiss him rough.
He presses closer to you, hands digging into your hips. He pulls away from the kiss, licking a stripe up your neck while his hands pull you (his) shirt up, sending kisses down your chest, you moan above him. you clutch his back as he stops over your underwear, a hand on your hip the other on your inner thigh.
Katsuki looks up at you with love and hunger in his eyes and you nod. Your face flushes red as he continues to kiss you from all over.
He pulls your underwear down and licks you, you mewl in pleasure, pulling his head closer to your heat.
He licks more, kissing your thighs, massaging your breasts. The song drags out as he gets more relentless, teasing you, giving you heat kitten licks.
A hand on his head and he stops and looks up, mouth glistening and eyes too distracted.
You looked gorgeous and that was all that he could think of. "Suki-kun." you whisper as you bring him back up to kiss him, hand in his hair while the other works his jeans.
You get the zipper down and grab for his cock through his boxers. He moaned obscenely as he helped you pull the rest of his jeans and boxers down.
Your eyes are dark as you jack him off, your thumb swiping the head, twisting your wrist. He throws his head back and his knees almost buckle in.
The song stops.
So do you. But, Bakugo's hand is on your wrist. You knew he was about to come.
He leans back over his jeans, and looks for the condom and the lube.
You bring him back in, your heart beating furiously like always whenever he’s about to do it.
He's got 3 fingers in your mouth when he reaches for the laptop and plays a new song. Earned it by The Weekend.
Your boyfriend pulls his fingers away and you look hungry for them but he kisses you when he puts a finger in.
You cry out, arching to his finger. He puts, one, and two more until you're practically crying out for him to fuck you.
He always listens.
He puts the condom on, tries to slick it up as much. You edged the kitchen counter, legs around his waist with his hands around you, pulling you off and slowly sliding you onto his cock.
You squirm, face scrunched, and he tries not to arch into the heat. He waits for you until...
"Suki-kun… you can move now.”
He arches and then grinds which makes you claw at his back and moan out. Soon you're meeting his thrusts, grinding down a little from time to time.
He sets you on the kitchen island as you lie back down and he plasters your fronts. His thrusts are getting weaker as you lean up and kiss him, whispering sweet little nothings and comes.
He rides out his climax, throws the condom and licks you again. you mewl, swatting him and giggling.
"Stop, i'm too sensitive now."
He laughs, (his sexy laugh that you barely hear), hugs you tight and kisses you again. “Let’s do it another time then.”
Bakugo brings you a blanket as the two of you move both to the couch, not getting dressed while he shows you what's on his twitter and you shyly smile back as the two of you bask in the afterglow.
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jtargaryen18 · 4 years ago
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Hot Girl Bummer: Halloween Party
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Masterlist
Pairings:Jake Jensen (Best Buy) x Reader 
Word Count: 2.1k
Warnings: Groping, sex in a hummer, spanking
Summary: Not the last chapter. Just a holiday extra. 🎃👻🦇
~~~ 
The Halloween party for the Petunias and their families? A brilliant idea on Michelle’s part. Her husband, April’s father, and Jake took the girls out trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. The other two dads who showed up went with them. The rest of you, the Petunia moms, got started on the Halloween celebration. Spiked punch with baked goods and candy as far as the eye could see.
“What’s in this punch?” Samantha asked, her face skewing up as she took a drink from her cup.
There were two punch bowls. One was fit for a princess, all crystal and pink. The other was enormous and murky green. It was officially the adult punchbowl.
You’d just finished your second cup. Yeah, it didn’t look very appealing. But whatever it was, it was very potent.
Michelle’s sigh was long-suffering. “God only knows. My brother did that.”
You snorted. It was a loud, unladylike sound to be sure. But you felt amazing.
“Jake did this?” you asked, giggling now.
Michelle’s grin looked a lot like his and she shook her head. “Yeah, he did… Are you okay?”
You nodded. You thought you were. Okay, whatever was in that punch had gone straight to your head. Maybe if you ate something?
Michelle braved it, having some of the punch and joining you while you were mostly successful in peeling off the paper of one of the cupcakes you made. Her smile stayed in place as she looked you over. How did you not notice until now how much she and Jake looked alike? Dressed as a queen in a lovely green gown, Princess Aurora’s mom, she was just as gorgeous as he was.
“Has Jake seen you yet?” she asked.
Of course you’d just taken a huge bite of the cupcake at that moment but you did manage to shake your head.
You’d just gotten home from work when they’d met at Michelle’s house. You didn’t want to hold anything up, so you told Jake and Charlie you’d catch them when they got back from going around the neighborhood.
Charlie was dressed like Belle in her lovely little yellow dress and Michelle had styled her hair for you and helped her get ready. Jake had dressed as the beast. You’d laughed at him the other night when he’d ripped the padding out of the costume because, well, he didn’t need it. For the life of you, you didn’t know how he would put up with the headdress for that damn costume. The beast’s head was huge and looked heavy.
But you also knew he wouldn’t let Charlie down. No matter how miserable, he’d wear the damn thing.
You’d thought about dressing up as Mrs. Potts but wearing a huge felt teapot costume didn’t sound all that appealing. You’d opted to be the featherduster instead. You hadn’t gone full-on French maid for the costume. The top was a little revealing but acceptable for a mom. The skirt ended just above your knees and you had your featherduster prop. The fishnets had been on sale in the Halloween store, so you added those with cute little heels.
You were hoping Jake would like it.
You’d helped hand out candy with Michelle, the neighborhood was jumping, when the lot of them came up the walk. April was Aurora, the blue version of the dress, and her father in his kingly outfit looked more like Prince Humperdinck from The Princess Bride than her animated counterpart.
Charlie looked amazing and you smiled at the yellow ribbons Michelle wove into her hair. Her eyes rounded when she saw you and she made a beeline for you, hugging your legs. “Mom! You look good.”
Hugging her back, you twirled your daughter to see her look. “Not as good as you. Did you get a lot of candy?”
“So much!” She pointed at the two buckets Jake was carrying, stopping when he reached the steps. Setting them down, he pulled off the huge costume head and you laughed to see his glasses fogged and crooked on his face.
The girls grabbed the buckets and darted into the house with April’s dad and the others.
His grin was pure mischief as he gave you the once over. “A French maid?”
“I’m the featherduster,” you pointed out, still feeling the punch you’d had.
You led him into the house, into the party. His hand slid over your ass as you crossed the threshold.
The kids were all excited and digging into their candy. The dads were enjoying the swamp punch and Jake joined them, but he never really took his gaze off you as you chatted up the other moms, talked with the girls.
You and jake helped April keep the table full, got things to help out. Well, you were helping out. Jake managed to grope you every opportunity he could do so without being seen.
He’d crowded you at the sink in the kitchen after your third cup of punch, one hand pulling up the side of your skirt as quickly as he could while you struggled to react.
“Jake, stop,” you whispered only your warning really didn’t sound very warning.
“What’s under here?” he whispered hotly in your ear.
While you tried to get his hand out from under your skirt, those clever fingers plucked at strap on your garter belt, sliding down to feel the top of one stocking.
“Jake,” you whined, trying to get away from him before he embarrassed you both when someone walked in. His hips held yours there, grinding his cock into your ass as his fingers slid up to make another discovery.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Jake was a little loud. His fingers slid into your heated folds, unobstructed and yeah, you were more than a little worked up between the punch and the fact that he was struggling to keep his hands off you.
“No panties?” he whispered, nipping at the shell of your ear with his teeth. “We’ve gotta go.”
“Charlie—”
“Will want to stay with April,” Jake went on, his other hand under your skirt now and you were trying in your tipsy state to get him to stop for now.
“But Michelle—”
“Wants her little brother to be happy.” His tongue teased your ear, one finger circling your clit while you hung onto the counter for dear life.
When April called out for you, Jake moved back from you with a speed that was a little scary. Still facing the sink, you didn’t miss him sucking you off his fingers as you greeted his sister.
The party was winding down. The two of you helped Michelle and her husband take care of the biggest part of the party setup. The girls were already tucked under a blanket, still in costume, on the couch watching The Nightmare Before Christmas.
“Charlie, you ready to head home?” you called out to her after you found your purse and featherduster.
“Mom, can I stay here?”
Oh, they were both giving you puppy eyes and Michelle’s glance at you and Jake was knowing. “It’s fine with us. I am going to hit you up to keep April a weekend next month because it’s our anniversary.”
“You got it,” Jake told her before flagrantly throwing you over one shoulder and heading out the door with you.
The girls’ delighted squeals erupted behind you and you got to watch their delighted little faces in the window as they waved to you, thinking you getting hauled off caveman style was the funniest thing they’d seen.
Jake unceremoniously tossed you up into the hummer and you were off. You shook your head at him, looking all too pleased with himself as he drove along, and reached for your seatbelt. You didn’t get a chance to throw it on.
Jake pulled off down a narrow dirt road, stopping when he came to what looked like a small parking lot next to the river. No one else was there and the moon was full and bright, its light glittering off the water.
No sooner did you have that thought than Jake literally tossed you into the back onto the cold seat. The hummer was still running and locked, the heat on.
Jake almost frantically pulled the coat and shirt from the beast costume off, popping stitches in his haste. He pushed you back on the seat. Your skirt was thrown up and your thighs pried apart. Jake pressed his face into your wet, aching flesh without delay because he could. His moan was a deep rumble that you felt all through your lower body.
You hung onto him, the alcohol buzzing in your brain, running through your veins like electrical current. Your fingers slid into his hair as you circled your hips in his face, wanting more, needing more. His tongue was a wicked torment, focusing on your clit with a ruthlessness that had release riding you hard.
Choking back a sob, you felt it coming on. When he worked his fingers into you, you were a goner. You muffled your cries behind your hands as Jake kept at you, drawing out your pleasure until you didn’t know your own name.
You flailed wildly, your head still spinning as he manhandled you. You found yourself panting on your knees, fingers digging into the leather seat as you felt his heavy thighs behind yours. Freeing himself of his pants, you felt the hot, swollen head of him a beat before he pushed into you in one long, sensuous slide that had you fighting to be quiet.
Jake stuffed you full, he always did, and he gave you little time to get ready. His hands gripped your hips tightly, pulling you back onto his cock and fucking you hard as tried to be quiet.
The stinging slap on your ass got your attention.
“Want to hear you,” Jake demanded, the huff his breath matching yours as he pounded into you. “Want you to scream for me, Sugar.”
And oh, you did.
Another swat on your ass made you louder, made you clench around his driving cock. And Jake was a fast learner. He lit up your ass as he fucked you, using just enough force that you had to work to stay in place for him, to stay upright.
“No panties the entire party,” he muttered as he moved in you. “Wanted to fuck you over the sink… so fucking bad.” Smack. “Wanted to pull you into… the bathroom.” Smack.
When that hand smoothed over your heated cheek, his cock not letting up, it slid down to where your bodies joined. Where you were weeping all over his cock, your thighs.
Dropping himself over you, Jake’s lips were soft by your ear. “Oh, that’s working for you, isn’t it, Sugar?”
His fingers teased your clit, sliding easily on all your juices. His thrusts were hard, unrelenting. Your core clenched around him hard. You needed to come so bad.
Smack.
“You like this?” Jake whispered. “Like me fucking you like a beast?”
Smack.
Your sob was loud.
The rhythm of Jake’s hips picked up. He went at you harder, faster.
Smack.
“Your pussy is so wet,” he taunted you. “Grabs me like a fist…” Smack. “Every time…”
Smack.
“Gonna ride you… until you can’t walk tomorrow,” his voice was low and dirty, his hot breath pelting your skin.
Smack.
You didn’t know how the fuck he was holding on. When his tongue slid into your ear, you were lost. Screaming, crying out, clenching around him like a vice though you couldn’t hold him in place, couldn’t make him stop driving into you as the world spun before your eyes.
You heard him deep and guttural behind you, pulling you back onto his cock in a frenzy as he came, his movements powerful enough to rock the enormous hummer.
The leather was softer than it looked beneath you and you were warm. Jake had pretty much dropped over you but somehow, he wasn’t too heavy, wasn’t crushing the breath from you.
When he realized you were awake, his fingers swept your hair back from your face. “Hey, there…. You okay?”
And there was your adorable dork. You smiled. You just couldn’t help it.
“I’m wonderful,” you whispered.
“That wasn’t too much?” The note of worry in his voice had your heart clenching.
You shook your head. “It was perfect… I just need to go to bed now.”
Your thighs were sore, your ass was still burning. You could feel his release seeping out of you.
“How about a bath together when we get home?” he offered. His hands gentle as they roamed over you.
“I like that idea, Best Buy.”
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bosmermage · 3 years ago
Text
Whumptober Day 6
Touch and Go (Bruises, Touch Starved)  Characters: Green, Blue, Grandpa Smith, Vio  
But they didn't notice. Well. That was a lie. Blue noticed. But Blue noticed everything.
They should have known something was wrong when the bruises started to appear. They littered up and down his arms and legs like freckles, peeking out in the evenings from under his nightgown. But, after all, he had been training harder and a few extra bruises were hardly anything to pay any mind to.
They should have known something was wrong when his tunics seemed to get a little snug and then suddenly too loose again. He was so busy though, always running around. Everyone brushed it off as a natural consequence of being a knight. He'd surely gain it all back on his summer break, right?
They should have known something was wrong when, on quiet nights when everyone else slept soundly, they would find him in the morning curled around his pillow like a life line.
But they didn't notice. Well. That was a lie. Blue noticed. But Blue noticed everything. He noticed how Red would get careless with the cooking fire on rough weeks, always seeming to be nursing some sort of burn. He noticed how Vio's eye bags were slowly creeping across his face, and his hair was becoming unkempt and long from his many study sessions littered through the week.
He noticed how Red had become so close with the princess, and how his hair had begun to shift to match hers and how he spent more and more time at the palace. How excited the king was to have a son. He noticed how Link's father doted on him for things he didn't think were all that impressive, with the air of expectation that he should eventually “come home” from Grandpa's house. He noticed how Vio withdrew from society, preferring the company of the minish, eventually even retreating so far that the only time he saw the others was for weekends.
Not that Grandpa seemed to mind too much. He noticed too.
He noticed how Link's father hardly ever spared a second glance to Green. And he noticed how Green put everything he had into his facade of normality and cheerfulness and left nothing over for himself. And he noticed how Green really didn't seem to spend much time with anyone, always busy, or kept home with studies. Hollow eyed and doll-like when he did move his ass to hang out. Always preforming perfection.
And it frustrated him.
The strain on their friendship was intense, they were constantly snipping at each other. Well, Blue had started it but he sure as hell wasn't going to finish it. Green, patently (stupidly), refused to ask for help. He wouldn't bend his dumb-ass pride for a single second to reach out or even just vocalize that there was anything wrong to begin with. It had been hard for Blue too but you didn't see him moping about it! So if he wanted to be a big baby about whatever the fuck was making him so unhappy than that was fine by Blue. He was too busy dealing with his own shit to play mind reading games with the miserable crew.
Of course, it did all eventually come to a head. It came to a head on a mid-july day when he came home to find Green curled up in bed, clutching at his pillow with his face buried in it like it was his girlfriend or something.
“Hey would you quit that it's gross,” Blue stuck his tongue out at the dozing figure. Green mumbled into the pillow in response and Blue rolled his eyes.
“I said cut it out geeze Green,” Blue snatched the pillow away and Green contracted into himself.
“Hey, give that back, I was trying to take a nap,” Green reached up pitifully and Blue held the pillow away.
“Why do you even do that Green, it's fucking nasty, why not just go get a plushie like a normal person?”
“Shut up Blue it's none of your business.” Green pouted at him “And anyways that's mine so give it back already.” Finally Green got up to his feet.
“What's the big deal anyways? Huh? It's just a stupid pillow, you have two of em.”
“Just leave me alone! What have I ever done to you??” Green swiped for the pillow again and Blue rolled his eyes at the display.
“Stop being such a baby!”
“If it's just a pillow then why not leave it be?” Vio's voice cut in from the doorway, heartless as ever. Blue didn't have to turn around to know that the stupid prick was glaring at him with his little hypocritical holier than thou act plastered all over his face.
“Shut the fuck up Vio like you know so much about precious things.” Blue barely got the words out before Green was stomping on his foot. He let out a yelp and dropped the pillow that was promptly snatched up by the other colour. He noticed the tears threatening to spill down his face, and the way he shook while he clutched the dumb fucking pillow to his chest.
“Okay, what the fuck ever,” Blue threw his hands up and stalked out of the room, determined to go do something, anything, else to get his mind off it.
“Hey, are you okay Greenie?” Vio's voice was soft and even as he came closer, very practiced, and Green nodded through the panic welling up in his chest, winding him like a spring.
“I'm fine, I just, I want to sleep,” Green sighed, and Vio searched him with his gaze. He hated how perceptive their violet counterpart was at times. He knew he shouldn't be standing there lying like a hypocrite, and he knew Vio knew, but if Vio kept standing there the panic was going to bubble out into the world and then he would have to pick up the pieces.
Vio, blessedly, nodded, moving out of the room and Green let out a shaking sigh as the tears began to pour out of his eyes, in pain, and embarrassment at the way Blue had dragged his childishness out of him like that. He curled back into his bed, pulling the cover up over his head and letting the tears flow freely. He hated how pathetic he felt, how poor of a substitute his pillow was for a real hug. But it'd have to do, after all it's not like any of the others wanted to hug him, and why would they? He was the most boring colour after all. The ugliest. The others were like flowers and he was like dirt. Something necessary sure, but plain, only begrudgingly accepted. Never anyone's first choice. He was glad he couldn't hear yelling, he didn't want to have to drag himself out of bed to break up yet another disagreement gone nasty between the two others.  
He didn't hear Grandpa enter the room and when the man sat on his bedside he jumped so hard he smacked into the bottom of Blue's bunk, flinging himself back and hissing in pain as he settled into a crouch, ready to pounce. What a sight he must have been, squinting through the pain, tears dripping down his cheeks, hissing like a frightened animal at his own grandfather. He blinked through the remaining tears and settled down on his knees, ears drooping shamefully at his shoulders.
“Hey there sweet-pea, I didn't mean to frighten you,” the words stained Green's cheeks a burning shade of red and he nodded into his lap, mortified, But Grandpa's face settled into a mask of gentle determination. Grandpa snapped his fingers and Green refocused on his hands, brought out of the downward spiral of his mood by the action/
“Vio told me you and Blue had a fight. Do you want to tell me your side of it?” Grandpa's sign was gentle and soothing, but it still sent a spike of fear through Green's stomach. He nodded dutifully, and took a deep breath to steady his shot nerves back into alignment.
“I was trying to take a nap since it's my day off and then Blue came in to pick a fight, and I.. he got me riled up cause he stole my pillow and wouldn't give it back. I know it was childish but I got angry at him and made him give it back. I'll go apologize.” Green's eyes flicked down, sign nearly as frantic as the sound of his own heartbeat in his ears. Grandpa's hands stilled his own and his world narrowed down to the point of contact, he had to bite back the tears again when he pulled away to speak.
“Green, I'm glad you're being mature about this, but I'm not upset with you for being “childish”. You're still a kid, remember? I just want to help you two work it out,” Grandpa scootched closer and Green paused.
“Honestly? I usually forget,” the words slipping between his fingers like a gust of wind before he could stop them, eyes going wide with shock enough to match the sorrow that glinted in Grandpa's eyes. “I mean, it's just. I'm expected to be the Hero and keep everyone working together all the time and be the leader and be mature and just deal with it and not let anyone see weakness. It's just, it's hard to not work like that all the time.” His foot was already in his mouth, might as well get it off his chest. He sighed again, shoulders rising up to his ears.
“I'm sorry, it's just really hard and I don't want to let anyone down,” he was wiping away tears again. All he really wanted was a hug.
Grandpa shifted closer again and Green fought down the urge to collapse into his chest, “Oh sweet pea why would you think that?”
“It's just, everyone else gets to fall down and need help, and drop out and leave the public eye and be themselves. But I have the same favourite colour as Link so everyone expects me to be him and act like him and be the hero and be the leader. I don't want to ask the others for help 'cause I'm the one they all come to when they need help, and, I don't want to ask father 'cause he always looks so sad when he sees me, and I don't want to ask anyone else 'cause I don't want to burden them when they all have so much on their plates already and I don't want to be selfish but I don't know what to do anymore.” Green rambled on as everything he'd been damming back flooded out. Grandpa brushed the bangs out of his tears gently before pulling him into a hug. Green melted into the contact, dripping tears turning into desperate sobs as he clung to his grandfather's forge-warm tunic.
Eventually, after his tears had dried out, Grandpa pressed a kiss to the top of Green's head, making him promise to come and ask for help when he needed it before tucking him back into bed. He was dozing in moments, and he'd nearly drifted off when he heard a quiet knocking at his door.
“Hey Green,” Blue's voice was much quieter than it usually was and Green looked over balefully swallowing the urge to ask if he came to steal his blanket this time too.
“Um, I'm sorry, about earlier. I didn't want to hurt you, I just got really frustrated cause I could see there was something wrong and I didn't know how to get you to talk about it, and I know that's not an excuse for being mean,” Blue was nearly mumbling into his boots, but Green could hear the hurt in his voice.
Green considered him for a moment before scooting back up from bed and launching himself into Blue's unsuspecting arms.
“It's ok, I forgive you,” He mumbled into the hug and Blue's startled laughter, before the air was crushed out of him when Blue returned the favour, lifting him up off his feet with the force. He'd never felt better. Okay maybe he had, he winced with a yelp when Blue caught a particularly nasty bruise on his side, cursing the wooden sword that had given it to him.
“I'm proud of you,” Green's feet hit the floor to the sight of his Grandpa beaming in from the door, “both of you,”
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myenterpriseisparked · 4 years ago
Text
The Voyager Bunch
Or, Rascals: Voyager Edition
-----
Based on this post
This is dedicated to @jellybeansarecool @bizships @emilie786 @joyful-voyager and @subtle-spock for providing ideas, encouragement, and for generally being really awesome people. Also they are the nicest folks ever. Go follow them.
This ain’t my first fanfiction rodeo, but it is my first Star Trek fanfiction rodeo so I beg for your patience. Also, I am perfectly aware that there are some plot holes in here. This is because I am an animal scientist, not a Starfleet physicist/biologist/whateverist. Swiss cheese also has holes and swiss cheese is good so please consider that.
Click here to read on AO3, if you prefer. Thanks for reading!
-----
Despite having only been a captain for a few years, Kathryn Janeway had seen more unusual occurrences, courtesy of the Delta Quadrant, than most Starfleet captains combined. Some days, she felt a little overwhelmed by the summary of the last three years of experiences. Other days, she was grateful for the callouses such challenges had built over her nerves, preparing her to face even the strangest incidents without panicking.
Today was a day to be grateful, because without having seen everything she had seen, the prospect of her Chief Engineer, Chief of Security, Head Helmsman, and most brilliant Ensign being reverted into child-like versions of themselves would have launched her straight into a spiral of panic.
“How-” Janeway paused for a moment to pinch the bridge of her nose, “how exactly did this happen?”
“Well, ya see, ‘Lanna and Harry and I were in that shuttle and then this big black thing showed up and we flew into it and there was a big flash and-”
Janeway held a hand up, cutting off the shockingly fast string of prattle. “I think I understand that part, Tom, thank you.” She spoke as gently and patiently as possible. “What I don’t understand is how Tuvok got into this.... predicament.”
She turned toward the tallest of the four children, who stood with his hands behind his back in a way that would have been exactly like Tuvok, if the pre-teen boy weren’t fidgeting with the hem of his shirt and looking around the bridge, open mouthed and starry-eyed. “Tuvok?”
The Vulcan turned toward her. “The shuttle was stuck in the anomaly and the tractor beam wasn’t working, so I rammed my ship into theirs to dislodge it.” Tuvok nearly smiled, which was jarring to see on his features, no matter how much younger he looked. “It worked, but I got sucked into the anomaly too. When we came out the other side, we looked like this.”
He motioned to Tom and B’Elanna, who were standing next to him, both of which appeared to be around the age of 5 or 6. Harry, who looked to be about a year old, was currently tucked into Chakotay’s arms, playing contentedly with the rank bar at the large man’s throat.
Janeway looked the group over, ignoring the humored smiled playing at her first officer’s lips. With a sigh, she turned to the members of her senior officer team that were not currently under the age of 13. “I’m open to suggestions.”
“I would like to run some experiments first, but I am wondering if I can age their DNA back to the correct age in a process similar to the one I used to turn you and Mr. Paris back into humans after the, ah, Warp 10 incident,” The Doctor said.
“That might put their bodies back at the right age,” Kes said, brow furrowing, “but their minds appear to have reverted to their new biological age as well. Will the DNA reversal process fix that?”
The Doctor tilted his head. “I’m unsure. I need more time to research and run simulations.”
Janeway nodded. “Get started on that right away. In the meantime,” she turned back to the children and her commander, “let’s get you four something to eat.” 
Neelix jumped to his feet, practically lighting up the room with his enthusiasm. “I’ll fix you kiddos up something real nice!” He dashed over to the door with a wild grin. “Give me ten minutes, and I’ll have the best grilled cheese sandwich you’ve ever smelt!” He saluted the whole room and practically bounced out the door.
Janeway glanced over at Chakotay who, for the first time since he had picked up baby Harry, looked nervous. His worried glance met her own and he tilted his head.
“Well,” Chakotay sighed, “hopefully these guys aren’t as picky of eaters as I was.”
-----
As unappealing as Janeway found Neelix’s cooking to be, it was, apparently, perfect for kids, as evidenced by the unrestrained glee with which Tom, B’Elanna, and Tuvok devoured their sandwiches.
The captain couldn’t help but smile as Tom downed the second half of his sandwich in a few bites and think how the older version of Tom would have been appalled to see himself eating Neelix’s cooking with such enjoyment.
As the older children ate, Janeway found herself spooning some kind of mashed vegetable mix into Harry’s waiting mouth. At first, she was a little uncomfortable with the idea of feeding one of her best officers, but, once she was able to get past the strangeness of the entire situation, she found herself enjoying the funny expressions and eager attitude of the baby in front of her.
“Gosh, he’s such a cute baby.” She said with a grin for the fourth time.
Chakotay leaned over, his shoulder brushing hers as he smiled at Harry. “I’d like to agree with you, Captain, but you keep hogging him so I can’t get a good look.” He turned to look her in the eye, raising his eyebrow teasingly.
She shoved him playfully with her elbow. “You got to hold him earlier in the conference room. It’s my turn.”
“I think your turn ended about ten minutes ago,” he grinned.
“I think I can find something else for you to do if you’re going to take Harry away from me, Commander.” She returned his grin.
“Fine,” Chakotay shook his head with a chuckle, “but I get him later.”
-----
Several hours had passed since lunch and, much to Chakotay’s disappointment, baby Harry was still firmly in Janeway’s possession, perched on her hip and looking for all the world like he belonged there.
Chakotay tried not to think too much about how naturally Kathryn had taken to caring for Harry as he watched her pace the bridge, checking on various scanner readings and flight paths, from his position on the floor by their command chairs. Beside him, Tom and B’Elanna rolled a ball back and forth between them, excitedly chattering about... well... everything.
“Do you think the whales were really THAT big?” Tom spread his arms out to the side.
“Yeah they were!” B’Elanna exclaimed loudly enough that the entire ship could probably hear it. Despite Chakotay’s best efforts to get her to lower her voice, the young girl seemed to only have one volume. “I saw a big fake one in a museum once and it was HUGE!”
“Whoa!” Tom’s eyes widened. “Bigger than this ship?”
B’Elanna tilted her head. “I don’t know, but it was definitely bigger than me!”
The two kids laughed, rolling the ball back and forth faster.
“Hey Tom?”
“What?”
“You’re my best friend!” B’Elanna suddenly reached forward and gave Tom a hug.
Chakotay glanced up at Kathryn to exchange a look of awe before he turned back to the kids on the floor. “But B’E, I thought you just said a few minutes ago that I’m your best friend.” He raised an eyebrow, hiding his smile.
The young girl gave him a look that he had seen far too many times on her older counterpart’s face whenever he said something particularly dumb. “I can have two best friends, duh.”
He laughed. “Fair enough.”
Suddenly, he saw Kathryn’s purposeful walk stop out of the corner of his eye. 
“Chakotay,” her voice was even and tense, “where’s Tuvok?”
Eyes widening, Chakotay glanced around the bridge. Tuvok was no where to be seen.
“Chakotay to Tuvok.” He stood as he tapped his commbadge. “Tuvok, please acknowledge.” They waited a moment and, upon receiving no response, moved simultaneously toward the turbolift. 
“It’s possible he hasn’t figured out how to use his comm.” Janeway tucked Harry closer to her side as they stepped into the lift. “Computer: locate Tuvok.”
“Unable to comply.”
Janeway gave the ceiling a glare. “Why?”
The computer did not respond.
“Maybe the de-aging effect has made it difficult for the computer to locate him.” Chakotay rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure he’s alright; he’s probably just exploring the ship; you saw how amazed he was by everything in the conference room earlier.”
She nodded tightly. “Let’s hope so. Where do you think he’s gone?”
“Maybe to the holodeck?”
“Or his quarters.”
“What about the mess hall?”
“He just ate.”
They both paused, mulling it over.
“Alright.” Kathryn straightened. “I’ll check holodeck one and his quarters, you check holodeck two and the mess hall.” She turned back to the lift door. “Holodeck one.”
Chakotay swallowed around the lump in his throat, trying not to think of all the ways a small child could get hurt on a spaceship like Voyager. As the turbolift began to move, Janeway’s badge chirped.
“Kes to the captain.”
Her brow raised as she tapped the emblem. “Go ahead.”
“I think I’ve found something you’re missing.” Kes’s usually lighthearted tone was even lighter, clear amusement seeping through.
Kathryn turned to look Chakotay in the eye, a hopeful smile brightening her face. “I’m on my way.”
-----
Honestly, Janeway was a little ashamed of the fact that she didn’t think to go looking for her best friend among the orchids and other plants in the aeroponics bay, considering his horticulturally-related hobbies. As she and Chakotay stepped into the room, smiles crept onto both of their faces as they watched Tuvok carefully transfer one of Kes’s sprouts to a bigger pot. After patting the soil around the plant firmly, he wiped a hand across his forehead, smearing dirt on his face to match the dirt on his uniform.
Kes smiled up at the command team. “He came down and asked about a hundred questions about our system and then offered to help me with my work while we talked because its ‘more efficient to talk and work than simply talk.’” 
Janeway chuckled at Kes’s approximation of Tuvok’s speech pattern. “Thanks for letting us know, Kes.” She reluctantly handed Harry to Chakotay, who flashed his dimples, and crouched next to Tuvok. “Hello there.”
Tuvok glanced up quickly before resuming his work. “Hello, Captain. Did you know that these Talaxian green beans take only a week and a half to reach maturity?”
“I did not.” Janeway raised a brow and tilted her head. “That’s very impressive.”
“I thought so too when Kes told me.” He patted the soil around another plant and set it aside, retrieving another sprout.
“Tuvok,” the captain reached forward and rested a hand on his shoulder, “I’m glad you’ve found something to do, but you have to tell someone where you’re going before you wander off. We didn’t know what happened to you and Chakotay and I were really worried.”
Behind her, Chakotay’s heart flipped. There was something rather... intimate about the way she had referred to both of them being worried about a child.
“I’m sorry, Captain.” Tuvok nodded his head. “It won’t happen again.”
“Good.” Janeway smiled and stood. “Why don’t you help Kes down here for a while and then come back up to the bridge when you are ready?” She looked at Kes. “That is, if Kes is alright with that.”
The young woman smiled. “Of course, I’d love some help.”
Janeway nodded and turned back to Tuvok. “Be sure to let us know when you’re on your way back up.”
“Of course, Captain.”
She patted him one last time on the shoulder and turned back to Chakotay. They fell into step beside one another and entered the elevator.
As the doors whooshed closed, Janeway turned to Chakotay with the intention of reclaiming Harry, but stopped. A smile grew across her lips as she watched Chakotay bounce Harry gently, allowing the little boy to palm his tattoo in curiosity. Even as one of Harry’s chubby fingers poked him in the eye, Chakotay simply chuckled and took the tiny hand in his own.
He finally turned to look at her. “What?”
Kathryn just shook her head, grinning wider. “I was going to take Harry from you, but I can’t bear to break up this cute little arrangement.” She motioned to the two of them with a long finger.
The corner of Chakotay’s mouth kicked up a little higher. “Captain, did you just imply that I’m cute?”
Her brow arched, but her smile didn’t diminish. “It would be hard for anyone to look unappealing with a cute baby in their arms.”
Her heart stopped suddenly as she realized what she had just said. From the look of Chakotay’s face, he had caught it too. Implying that he and the baby were cute was one thing; calling him “appealing” was another. Before she could say anything else she might regret, Kathryn turned back to the lift door, schooling her features back into the face of the Captain.
If she had turned but a half-second later, she would have seen a wide smile break across Chakotay’s face.
-----
“I’m sorry, Captain, but I need more time. I won’t deactivate myself until I have a solution, but this situation is very delicate and I can’t risk rushing my tests. You’ll need to find somewhere for the children to sleep. Hopefully I’ll have a solution tomorrow.”
Kathryn nodded. “Of course. Thank you, Doctor.”
With a grim smile, the feed from sickbay switched off, leaving her to look at her dark reflection in the black screen. Something like relief swept over help alongside a touch of regret. On one hand, she could really use her senior officers back in functioning shape. On the other hand....
Her eyes drifted back down to Harry, who had pulled a bit of her hair out of it’s ponytail and was curling it around his tiny fist in unbreakable fascination. A smile tugged at her lips as she cuddled him a bit closer. 
She could get used to this.
The thought struck her before she even knew what she was feeling and, as soon as she admitted it to herself, she took that feeling and shoved it as deep into the recesses of her mind as she could. She was the captain of a ship that was constantly in danger and she shouldn’t dwell on things she couldn’t have.
Kathryn sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “Well, Harry, looks like we need to find you a place to sleep.”
Turning back to the computer, she moved to set him down so she could use both hands to search the crew quarters layouts for a suitable place to keep the children overnight. As soon as Harry’s feet touched the ground, a wail rose from the back of his throat and his face scrunched.
Kathryn quickly scooped him back up. “Harry? What’s wrong?”
The boy’s cry of protest faded into whimpers and he buried his head in her shoulder, clinging to her tightly.
A warm feeling washed over her. “Ah,” she smiled, “I see.”
She pulled him closer and turned back to the computer, tapping buttons with one hand. “You can stay up here with me, then.”
The door to her quarters chimed.
“Come in.” 
Before she could turn to greet her guest, mischievous giggles rose from the door. Eyebrow raised, she whirled around to find Chakotay standing in the doorway, a stack of PADDs in his hand, a tiny engineer on his left leg, and a tiny helmsman on his right.
He stepped forward with far less difficultly than she would have expected, given the extra weight on his legs. He crossed the room quickly and passed the PADDs to her. “The crew reports you requested.”
“Thank you.” She smiled, glancing down at the still giggling forms. “Not to alarm you, Commander, but it would seem that you have a couple of lifeforms attached to you.”
Chakotay’s eyes grew wide in mock surprise. “Really?” He turned his head and shuffled around, as if to look at his back. “Where?”
Tom and B’Elanna’s laughter grew. Suddenly, Chakotay leaned over and scooped the two of them off his legs, lifting them both up over his shoulders as their shrieked in delight.
He turned back to Kathryn with a wide smile. “Not to worry, Captain, I’ve apprehended the life forms.” 
She smiled back with a soft chuckle. “We need to find a place for the life forms to stay tonight.”
Chakotay’s smile faded into a more serious, but not displeased look. “The Doctor doesn’t have a solution yet, then?” He lowered Tom and B’Elanna to the ground. They scampered off to the viewport, excitedly chattering about the stars.
“No, he needs a bit more time.”
Chakotay nodded. “Maybe I could take them for the night, that way someone is there to keep an eye on them.”
Kathryn shook her head. “I have no doubt in your babysitting abilities, Commander, but four children is a lot for one person to watch alone and your quarters are not big enough for Trouble 1 and Trouble 2 to run around in.” She gestured to the kids at the window. 
“Fair point. Maybe I should take Harry and Tuvok then, and you could take Tom and B’Elanna?”
She turned Harry away from Chakotay. “Trying to take my boy again, are you Chakotay?” 
He chuckled and shook his head. “Do you have another idea, then, Mom?”
Her breath caught in her throat, but she managed to smirk at him and continue speaking without any indication that his previous sentence had impacted her. “My quarters are the largest on the ship. If we set up cots here in my living room we could easily both keep an eye on the children overnight.”
“Sounds good to me.” He glanced up at the clock on the wall. “How about I go collect Tuvok from aeroponics and some food from the mess hall while you get the cots set up?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
He gave her one last lingering smile, which she returned, before heading out the door and down the hall.
-----
Apparently the lunch they had shared earlier that day had been misleadingly easy. Supper was, to put it lightly, a challenge.
“B’Elanna, eat your own food and stop taking from Tom’s plate,” Kathryn said firmly.
“But Tom isn’t eating it!”
“I was going to eat it! I’m just a slower eater than you are!”
“Well eat faster then!”
“B’Elanna!” Chakotay set down the spoon he had been using to feed Harry and fixed her with a stern look. “That food isn’t yours, and Kathryn already asked you to stop taking Tom’s food. You won’t be asked again.”
B’Elanna mumbled out an apology and stuffed another bite of her own meal into her mouth.
Kathryn shot Chakotay a grateful smile and turned to Tuvok, who was holding up one of his vegetables to the light. “Tuvok? What are you doing?”
“I’m looking at the xylem and phloem of this plant.”
She bit back a smile. “I appreciate your curiosity, Tuvok, but I need you to stop studying your food and start eating it.”
The young Vulcan turned to her and nodded. “Of course.” He politely chewed and swallowed his food and turned back to the captain. “Did you know that this particular plant is a distant cousin of Terran broccoli? You can tell by the-”
Chakotay smiled as he watched Kathryn listen to Tuvok’s fourth lecture of the evening on plant biology. Neither of them were certain of what he was talking about most of the time, but his enthusiasm for the subject was nearly infectious and neither of them minded listening.
“Chakotay?”
He turned away from the scene across the table and looked at Tom next to him. “Yes?”
“After dinner, will you read to us?”
“Of course.” Chakotay smiled and ruffled Tom’s hair. “Anything particular you want to hear?”
“I want to hear about your missions with the Maquis!” B’Elanna bounced in her seat, all of that barely-contained Klingon energy starting to spill over. 
“Or perhaps you could read to us from a classic story,” Tuvok raised a brow. “I’m fond of the works of Tolkien, maybe Tom and B’Elanna would like ‘The Hobbit’ too?”
“What’s a hobbit?” Tom’s face scrunched in confusion.
“Maybe,” Kathryn interjected before Tuvok could give a detailed recounting of the beloved childhood book, “Chakotay could tell us a story from his tribe.” Her eyes met his across the table. “He is pretty good at recounting ancient legends.”
Heat crept up the sides of Chakotay’s face as he held her stare. “Maybe.”
“Nah,” Tom’s voice broke through the pleasant tension between them. “I wanna know what a hobbit is!”
Chakotay chuckled. “Alright, ‘The Hobbit’ it is.”
-----
It took some time to get the older three to settle into bed, but finally, they began to yawn and snuggle deeper under their blankets. As their heads grew heavier, Chakotay wrapped up his story telling and the command team began to tuck their young companions in for the night.
As Chakotay wished Tom and Tuvok a good night’s rest, Kathryn carefully extracted B’Elanna from where she was snuggled into her side and took her over to her cot. As she got the small girl settled, she suddenly reached up and captured Kathryn in a tight hug. Surprised, Kathryn’s eyes widened, but she returned the gesture in earnest.
“Kathryn?”
“Yes, B’Elanna?”
“You’re my best friend.”
Kathryn blinked and pulled back to look B’Elanna in the eyes with a small smile. “I thought Chakotay and Tom were your best friends.”
“I can have more than one best friend.” B’Elanna’s voice was filled with deep confidence, despite how sleep-laced it was.
“Fair enough,” Kathryn chuckled, pulling the blankets tightly around the girl. “Goodnight.”
She met Chakotay in her bedroom, Harry still in his arms.
“Any time I try to set him down he starts crying.” Chakotay grinned sheepishly. 
She grinned back. “I had a similar experience earlier today.” She reached up and brushed hand over the boy’s soft, black hair. “Its a good thing he weighs next to nothing.”
At Kathryn’s gentle touch, Harry stirred. His dark eyes found Kathryn’s and he reached out for her. With a look of mock hurt, Chakotay transferred the boy to his desired location.
“I’m trying not to be offended right now, Harry.”
Kathryn simply grinned and bounced the baby in her arms gently. “It’s alright, Chakotay. He has excellent taste.”
Chakotay shook his head, dimples flashing. “I suppose I can’t argue with that.”
She turned toward the bed and settled herself on one side, her back resting against the pillows and Harry resting against her chest. “Let’s see if we can get this one sleepy enough to not notice if we set him down.” She looked back at Chakotay, who was still standing, rather awkwardly. She patted the bed next to her with a smirk. “Come on, Commander. Get some rest. We’ve has a big day, wrangling the kiddos.”
He smiled and crossed the room to the other side of the bed, gently sitting next to her, his legs stretched out. “It has been a long day,” he said with a sigh. “But, I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed it.” He tilted his head to look at Kathryn, who was already looking up at him.
“Nor I.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Suddenly, Chakotay was very aware of how close their faces were. He watched as Kathryn’s eyes slid down to his lips. Before he could do something he couldn’t take back, he took a deep breath and turned away.
“Well,” Kathryn cleared her throat, sounding more like the Captain now, “it’s been fun but we should get some sleep. I’ll keep an eye on Harry here and take him to his cot in a few minutes. You should go ahead and rest, Commander.”
“Of course.” He tilted his head and gave her a small smile. “Goodnight, Kathryn.”
She grinned back. “Goodnight, Chakotay.”
-----
Apparently, Kathryn didn’t stay awake long enough to take Harry back to his cot, as evidenced by the weight on her chest as she stirred awake the next morning. She slowly became aware of her surroundings and the previous day’s events came flooding back to her.
She also became distinctly aware of the warm, comfortable presence beside her. As she opened her eyes, she realized that her first officer’s arm was settled around her shoulders and that his shoulder was currently her pillow. His head rested atop hers and the hand that was not draped around her shoulders was resting on top of Harry’s back next to her own.
The situation was all rather snuggly and, were it not a violation of every professional barrier Kathryn had erected between her and the commander, she would have had no issue in savoring the moment.
Then again.... maybe she could allow herself just a few moments to pretend that the baby in her arms wasn’t her star technical officer and that the man holding her close wasn’t her XO and that this was a perfectly normal situation.
Before she could get too far into her fantasy, however, Chakotay stirred next to her, his dark eyes fluttering open to find her own.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice huskier than her own as sleep clung to it.
“Good morning.” 
They looked at each other for a moment before Chakotay carefully extracted himself from her side, helping her up so she could carefully place Harry in his cot in the living room without waking the boy or the other children who were still sleeping. Without a word, they quietly prepared breakfast and coffee, steeling themselves for another day of handling the kids.
-----
“I’m afraid I’m a bit.... stuck,” The Doctor ground out with obvious difficulty.
The captain raised an eyebrow. The EMH admitting that he was struggling to solve a problem was a rare instance indeed. “How so?”
With a huff, The Doctor turned back to his desk, flipping through experimental results from a stack of PADDs. “Kes was right; the DNA reversal process I initially thought might work will not account for the de-aging of the officers’ brains, so I decided to look at the type of radiation that might have caused this and, to be completely honest, Captain,” he turned back to look her in the eye, “I have absolutely no idea how this even happened. There’s no evidence of radiation, the temporal energy around them is unidentifiable, and I can’t figure out how their cells and their minds were reversed.” He lowered his head. “I’m unsure of how to even proceed from here.”
Kathryn nodded, taking the emotions that were beginning to tumble in her chest and stuffing them as far down as she could. “Very well, Doctor. Take a rest and we can all come back to the issue later once we’ve had time to think.” She rested a hand on his shoulder, causing him to look up. “Don’t despair yet; there’s a lot of other brilliant minds on this ship besides your own. We’ll figure it out together.” She smiled and gave his shoulder a squeeze before heading into the turbolift.
As the doors slid open, she found Tuvok waiting in the lift for her. She smiled down at him and stepped inside, calling for the bridge.
“Chakotay to the captain.”
She tapped her badge. “Go ahead.”
“We need you on the bridge, there’s a bit of a situation.”
She raised a brow, glancing down at Tuvok, who was gazing at her intently. “On my way.”
-----
“So they want to.... interview us?”
“They want to interview you specifically.”
“To see if we are worthy of going through their space.”
“Something like that.”
“And going around their space isn’t an option?”
“It would add another 7 months to our journey, so this interview is our ideal option.”
“No pressure, eh, Commander?” Janeway shifted Harry from one hip to the other with a long sigh. “Alright. Hail them.”
After a moment, a blue and red humanoid alien appeared on the screen.
“Greetings, Ambassador.” The Captain flashed a polite smile. “I’m Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager.”
The alien woman inclined her head. “Hello, Captain Janeway, I’m Ambassador Tel Parah of the Doonian Delegation.” Her eyes swept the bridge. “You’re ship is heavily armed, which, according to the laws of our people, requires that we do a personal interview of the commanding officer to ensure that violence or other manners of chaos will not be instigated as you pass through our space.”
“Of course, I understand.” Janeway smiled again. “What questions may I answer for you?”
Over the course of the next 30 minutes, Janeway was grilled on their purpose in passing through Doonian space, the types and numbers of weapons they carried, and the journey they had made so far. Just as Janeway thought there wasn’t possibly anything more she could tell them, Ambassador Parah paused and looked up from the computer device in her hand to study Janeway. After a moment, she spoke again.
“Just one more thing, Captain Janeway,” a slow smile slipped onto her face, “What’s your son’s name? He’s absolutely precious.”
Janeway raised her eyebrows in surprise and glanced down at Harry, who she had nearly forgotten was still in her arms. At some point, he had removed her combadge and was currently turning it over and over again in his tiny hands, taking a moment here and there to bite parts of the object he must have found particularly interesting. Kathryn exchanged an amused glace with Chakotay, who shrugged off screen, before turning back to the ambassador. 
“This is Harry.” Janeway smiled, turning the boy so the ambassador could see him better.
The other woman smiled widely. “How adorable. He has the brightest eyes.”
“He does.” Kathryn smiled back down at him.
“You know,” Parah leaned back in her chair, “I usually don’t allow anyone through our space that isn’t from a system or planet we are already know and trust and so I wasn’t planning on letting Voyager pass. However, when I saw your baby and how well-cared for and happy he seems, I felt that I could trust you somehow.” She smiled again. “We value children highly in the Doonien Delegation. Children are often a reflection of a parent’s character. I can tell by Harry’s disposition and curiosity that you are of a fine character, Captain.”
Janeway cuddled Harry a little closer, heart warming. “Thank you, Ambassador, I take that as a high compliment.”
“As you should.” Parah leaned forward again. “You may pass through our space. We will have you stop at three checkpoints on your way though which I will send you the coordinated for in a moment. Have a safe journey.”
The screen went blank and Kathryn turned to Chakotay.
“Should I feel bad that I let her believe Harry is my son?”
Chakotay chuckled, stepping close enough and lowering his voice enough that the rest of the bridge could pretend not to hear him. “Are you saying he’s not?”
Her gaze grew softer. “I guess he’s sort of been like a son to me since we got on board.” She looked back down at him. “I feel very protective of him.”
Chakotay rested a hand on her shoulder. “I know.”
They smiled at each other again. Chakotay opened his mouth to say something more but, suddenly, there was a tug at Kathryn’s elbow.
“Captain? Now that the negotiations are over, I think I have an idea about how to fix Tom, B’Elanna, Harry, and me.” Tuvok’s eyes were bright and eager.
“Alright,” Captain Janeway smiled down at him. “Let’s get The Doctor up here and we’ll hear your idea together.”
-----
Chakotay exchanged glances with The Doctor and the Captain over the table as he bounced both Tom and B’Elanna on his knees. “Could that really work? It seems almost too easy.”
“Well, if this is a phenomena that’s inexplicable and is tied only to the anomaly the shuttles passed through, I feel like sending the children back through isn’t our worst idea.” The captain rubbed the back of her neck. “Doctor?”
The holographic man continued typing into his PADD for a moment before stopping and reading. “I- I honestly think this could work.” He slid the PADD over to Janeway. “It’s hard to predict, since we have no idea what exactly caused this, but if we send the shuttles through the anomaly opposite of the way they first went through, I think it just might turn them back to their usual ages.”
“How do we know it won’t just make them even younger?” Chakotay watched as B’Elanna slipped off of his knee, pulling Tom along with her to go play in the corner.
“We’d have to run some tests to be sure that they don’t. Perhaps we could send a plant through first, or some other organic life form.” The Doctor took the PADD back and made a note.
“We would also have to make sure that, if the tests show some promise, Tuvok can take the shuttle back through the anomaly.” Janeway turned to the boy sitting at her right. “Well, Tuvok? Do you think you could pilot the shuttle?”
He shook his head. “Since I don’t have my older self’s memories I don’t think I could.”
“We could use the tractor beam to send the shuttle through,” Chakotay said. “If we give them enough of a push to go through the anomaly, they should be able to pilot themselves back to Voyager once they get out the other side and have returned to their normal ages.”
Janeway raised her eyebrows. “Well, it’s worth a shot and I don’t have any better ideas. Commander, set a course for the anomaly. Doctor, prepare the experiments.”
-----
Tom and B’Elanna seemed to sense that something was up as they suddenly became even more clingy. The whole trip back to the anomaly, B’Elanna shared the captain’s chair with Kathryn, insisting with all of her Klingon passion that the older woman tell her more stories from earlier in their journey through the Delta Quadrant. At the helm, Tom hung on to Chakotay’s arm, watching the stars go by and asking Chakotay a hundred questions about piloting starships. Tuvok sat in Chakotay’s usual seat, interjecting with questions of his own here and there, and Harry sat on Kathryn’s knee, chewing on her jacket sleeve, her combadge still clutched tightly in his left hand.
After they reached the anomaly, it took a couple of hours for The Doctor to complete his experiments and, once he had declared that plants that had gone through the anomaly twice were returned to the same age the started as, they began preparing the children to enter the anomaly themselves. 
“Will it hurt?” B’Elanna asked in the smallest voice she had ever used in her life as Kathryn tucked the small Starfleet uniform that she had come through the anomaly with around her shoulders.
“It won’t,” Tuvok said. “It didn’t hurt when we came through the first time, did it?”
She shook her head, but didn’t look very reassured.
“It’s okay, ‘Lanna!” Tom grabbed her hand. “I’ll be right beside you.”
Kathryn stood and took a step back, feeling almost as if someone had filled her chest with some of Neelix’s heavy stew. She had to let them go, of course, this wasn’t the way they were supposed to be, but she was certainly going to miss seeing the level of innocence her officers had now. B’Elanna was unburdened by trust issues, Tuvok was passionate and bright, and Tom - well, she supposed he hadn’t changed all that much, but at least he seemed to be genuinely happy, not just putting up a front of humor to protect himself.
It would be hard to see them go back, but maybe, now that she understood how the world and time had changed her friends, she could help them.
She was shaken from her thoughts by a tug at her collar. She looked down to see Harry pulling at her pips, completely enamored by the gold metal.
“Oh, Harry.” She nearly choked on his name. Since he was so young now, she didn’t have any insight into his personality after having seen him as a baby, but she was going to miss his innocent curiosity and familiar weight on her hip.
Before she could think too much about it, she handed Harry over to Tuvok. The younger boy scrunched his face up and whimpered at the change of hands, but Tuvok bounced him gently and he settled down, reaching for the pointed tip of Tuvok’s ear.
Kathryn took a step back, feeling Chakotay step up behind her so that they were nearly touching. “Best of luck, you four.” She gave them her most reassuring smile. “See you on the other side.”
She and Chakotay hurried up the bridge and gave the go ahead for the ensign who had taken over Harry’s post to begin using the tractor beam to move the shuttle out into the anomaly. They stood side-by-side on the bridge and watched the shuttle go through. At come point, they grabbed each other’s hands and squeezed each other tightly.
There was a flash as the shuttle passed through the anomaly. After a few terrifyingly quiet moments, the shuttle came bursting out of the other side and a voice crackled over the comm.
“Cochran to Voyager,” confusion leaked through Tom’s voice. “What the hell just happened?”
Kathryn and Chakotay smiled at each other in relief. “What’s the last thing you remember, Tom?” Chakotay asked.
“B’Elanna, Harry, and I were coming back to Voyager when we- wait a second, how did you get here, Tuvok?”
Janeway laughed. “Why don’t we get you four back on board and then we’ll explain everything.”
“Copy that. See you in a few.” Tom’s voice grew quieter, like he was leaning away from the comm. “I have a feeling this is going to be one heck of a story.”
-----
After everyone had been debriefed and left to process the last two days of strangeness, Chakotay found Kathryn in her favorite spot; on her couch and staring wistfully out at the stars as they drifted past. She had shucked her jacket and taken her hair out of it’s clip, leaving her in her grey turtleneck with her hair falling around her shoulders and face.
“Got a lot on your mind?”
She turned to smile at him, a note of sadness in her eyes. “It’s been an interesting couple of days.”
He settled on the couch a ways down, turning to face her. “It sure has.” He was quiet for a moment. “I’m going to miss our kids.”
“Me too. It was fun having little ones around, playing at being a parent.” She fidgeted with the seam on the couch. “It was different and they sure did give us some challenges,” she chuckled, “but I loved it.” 
“Have you ever thought about having kids of ou-” he coughed, “your own?” 
Her crystal blue gaze caught his. “Yes.” She smiled and looked out the window again. “I always thought someday I would be a mother.” With a snort and a smirk, she continued; “Of course, I never thought I’d be mothering my helmsman, security officer, engineer, and technical officer.”
Chakotay laughed softly. “I think you were mothering them before they were turned into actual children.”
“Perhaps.” A pause. “What about you? Did you ever think about being a father? Outside of the whole instance with Seska, of course.”
He nodded. “When I was in the Maquis, no. My life was too fast-paced to be a proper father. If I was going to be a dad, I wanted to do it right and I couldn’t have done that from a Maquis ship.” He took a deep breath. “After joining this crew, though.... I’m in a better place now, and I think I’d be thrilled to be a father.” He looked over at Kathryn to find that she was already looking at him with something like wonder in her eyes. He held her gaze for a moment and, finally finding a bit of courage, he said: “I’m more at peace.”
A smiled played at the corners of her lips, and her eyes looked a little like they were silver-lined, though Chakotay couldn’t quite tell for sure in the low light of her quarters.
“You were really good with the kids. You would make an excellent father, I have no doubt.”
He smiled. “You would make an excellent mother. You’re a natural.”
“Thank you, but I barely felt like I knew what I was doing.” She chuckled.
“You could have fooled me.” He grinned for a moment, before his countenance grew more serious. “I hope you get your wish someday, Kathryn. I hope you get to be a mother.”
She was quiet for a moment, and Chakotay suddenly felt his chest tighten. Had he said too much.
Before he could fall too far into his panic, her hand slid over to his, giving it a squeeze. He looked up into her eyes, which definitely had tears in them now.
“I hope you get to be a father too Chakotay. Someday.”
He squeezed her hand back and they both fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying the view of the stars outside Kathryn’s window.
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