#he’s confident and snappish and annoying when he’s with a man

[fireandiceland]

England turning into a blushing mess when Ukraine takes his hand and holds it in public.

[babbushka]

Thank you doing a sinday!!!!

From the physical affection prompts, kissing someone’s face all over, lifting them out of affection, and play wrestling. Mayb I please these with Flip? Maybe after not seeing each other for a few days because he was stuck on a case? Anything really, I just picture an excited, playful, sexy reunion, but anything you picture will be perfect!

(1.1k, no warnings, just fluff!)

Flip’s on his third cigarette, watching the board. His arms are crossed, his cowboy boot is tap-tap-tapping on the waxed floors of Colorado Springs Airport. Flanked by Ron and Jimmy, they scan the board to figure out where the hell they’re going to have to race to meet you. Huffing and puffing smoke, they wait and watch the board, until Ron’s hand smacks down on Flip’s shoulder and he points.

“Flight 4281 has landed in gate G!” He says like they’ve just won the lotto, and like a racehorse hearing the gunshot, Flip begins at once to move.

Jimmy has to grab him by the back of his Sherpa jacket with an exasperated chuckle and a cigarette puff of his own, and Flip gives him a dirty glare, wondering why the hell he stopped him.

“Calm down, she still has to get through baggage claim.” Jimmy explains, much to Flip’s dissatisfaction.

“But I miss her.” Flip grumbles out the understatement of the century with a frown, and it’s in that moment that both Ron and Jimmy realize they forgot just how annoying he could be when you weren’t around.

This was one of the rare occurrences where you left town on business, and Flip didn’t accompany you. And the only reason he didn’t accompany you was because he was stuck dealing with shit of his own; a case that under no circumstances could handle three days of absence. Just about every other time, he went with you, because if he didn’t…well, he was like this.

Irritable, impatient, snappish, sarcastic – but turned up to eleven.

“She left Friday, it’s Monday now.” Ron tries gently to remind Flip that it wasn’t in fact the end of the world, or that a year had passed, trying to figure out for himself how Flip dealt with his two tours in Vietnam without you (he can only grasp how miserable that must have been, by comparison of these three days of hell).

“So? A man can’t miss his wife?” Flip smokes and smokes anxiously, deciding that he doesn’t care if you have to go through baggage claim yet, he can meet you at baggage claim. So off he goes, with Ron and Jimmy hot on his heels as he continues under his breath, “Bad enough I have to sit in the station with you fuckers all day and miss her, but at least when I come home she’s there.”

“Aw what, we ain’t scintillating enough company for you?” Jimmy asks half-way jokingly, knowing what the answer is going to be so confidently that he could have bet money on it:

“No, not compared to her you aren’t.”

Flip doesn’t even bother to turn and look over his shoulder to deliver the remark, too antsy, wanting you back in his arms again. They’ve descended to the baggage claim area, and he scans the carousels for your flight number, holding lungfulls of nicotine to try and calm him.

Flip did not fly well. He doesn’t like it, doesn’t trust it – not after the shit he saw in the war. He prefers to be firmly planted on the ground, thank you very much, and not even a first class ticket like the one he set you up on was comforting enough for him. Flip wouldn’t be calm until he knew for a fact that you had both firmly on the ground too.

It’s Ron’s eagle eye once again that spots you, and much like with the board, he smacks Flip and points, letting out an excited, “I see her!”

Flip meets your eyes from across the crowded baggage claim, his height allowing him to look over a sea of businessmen and vacationers, and you throw up a hand that he meets with a big cheesing smile. This time when Flip bolts, neither Ron nor Jimmy hold him back, letting the two of you reunite after a weekend away.

“You know, we shoulda had a sign for her or something, like they do in the movies.” Jimmy says to Ron, who can’t help but think that there’s no point when Flip’s as tall as he is.

“(Y/N)!” Flip cups his hands around his mouth and shouts, running running running to you, pinching out his cigarette and throwing it out on his way, not once breaking speed.

“Philly!” You call his name right back, bright laughter and joy lighting up your whole face, as you run in your pretty heels straight to him.

Not one to abandon your nice matching set of luggage that Flip had given you for your birthday a few years ago, you wait until you’re only a few feet apart to drop it from your hands and be scooped up by your husband. Flip picks you up and twirls you around, smothering your face with kisses that have you laughing.

“There’s my girl, goddamn aren’t you a sight for sore eyes!” Flip hasn’t put you down yet, and he’s not so sure he ever will again, not with the way your arms are looped around his neck and you’ve managed to capture his lips with your own.

If anyone were paying any attention, they might’ve thought it had been months and months since you’ve last seen one another. It certainly felt like it, Flip thinks with a big sigh of relief, a gentle moan of satisfaction swallowed down by a chuckle of your own.

Eyes closed, the both of you indulge in a passionate kiss for a moment or two, and for a second, the airport slips away. Gone are the intercom announcements and overlapping conversations around you, the sweet hum of your happiness against Flip’s tongue replaced in its stead.

You’re the first one to pull away, simply for the fact that you missed him too, and now that you’re together again, you don’t want to waste any time talking to him.

“I’m so glad you’re here! I was about to go searching for a payphone but – ”

“Of course I’m here, you didn’t think I’d let you take a cab home, did you?” He kisses your cheek before picking up your luggage, smacking at your hand playfully when you try to beat him to it.

“I just thought you’d be at work still.” You explain, beaming up at him with lovesick eyes, nearly missing Ron and Jimmy altogether. It’s then that you notice them, and you greet them with kisses on the cheek, and it dawns on you that, “Oh my god, you’re still on the clock, aren’t you?”

“Bridges thinks we’re gathering intel.” Ron winks at you, making you laugh and shake your head, hoping that they don’t get in trouble for playing hooky.

“You’re all terrible, but thank you for the warm welcome home.” You can’t help but smile, before turning to your husband and winding an arm around his thick waist, winking at him with a little whisper, “Now take me back to the house and show me how much you missed me.”

[joezworld]

Fools in Love (2/10)

This, and all the stories after it, exist because I saw this post. Damn you @mean-scarlet-deceiver I was using my free time!

Thank You Donna Summer

1977

"I'm telling you, there's something wrong with me!" Bear protested as the workmen slammed his maintenance hatches shut. He'd been feeling unusual for some time - nothing major, but a niggling feeling of something being off. It was driving him nutty, and the men could find nothing wrong.

"Well boy-o," said Clive the foreman. "At this point the only thing we haven't done at this point is take you to pieces - and we aren’t doing that!"

"But it feels weird!"

"Tough. We'll deal with it during your next overhaul." The man said firmly, before following his men out the door of the shed.

"And people call Henry a hypochondriac." Muttered Gordon sleepily.

"He actually had boiler sludge and you know it!" The Hymek snapped as his crankshaft did another flip-flop. "And I'm not saying this just for attention - do you think I like having my hatches pulled every night?"

"Considering how often it's happened this month, I'd say that you must." Gordon sighed as he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Bear seethed for the rest of the night, and was still snappish when he was backed down onto The Limited in the morning.

"You are in a dreadful state today. Are you feeling all right?" The lead coach asked as the passengers boarded.

"No, I'm not." Bear scowled, and said no more.

"Right," the coach murmured. Hopefully nothing goes wrong today, or he'll be apoplectic. She thought to herself.

-------

Kellsthorpe Road

Predictably, things went very wrong.

Late passengers, late connections, a cow on the line, and a broken signal arm meant that the train was almost an hour late by the time Bear and his coaches staggered into Kellsthorpe.

To add injury to insult, something was now noticeably wrong with Bear.

In addition to whatever imagined maladies he had, there was a new shooting pain in his gearbox that got worse each time his driver changed up or down. 

As they set off from the station, there was a loud CRACK from Bear's gearbox, and an even louder shout of pain from his mouth as the train ground to a halt.

"I told you that there was something wrong!" Bear hissed as his driver slid underneath his front bogie.

He came out moments later, drenched in oil.

"Well, that's torn it!" He groaned as he wiped his hands. "A seal failed and all the oil is gone from your transmission. I'm surprised we made it this far before you disintegrated something."

And that was that. Bear couldn’t move under his own power, so a rescue engine was summoned while the passengers grumbled unhappily about the delay. Bear was also unhappy, but had passed the point of being able to speak without turning the air blue with swears, so he stayed silent.

"As much as I sympathize with them, they should be grateful that they aren't taking a bus!" The lead coach whispered as the signal arm dropped, indicating that the rescue engine was approaching.

Bear hoped it wasn’t James - he'd never hear the end of it if the red engine discovered a perceived weakness.

As the engine puffed into view, Bear's anger and frustration evaporated as he saw that it wasn't James, but instead Henry.

"Am I ever glad to see you!" He called out, eliciting a broad smile from his friend.

"What kind of an engine would I be if I ignored a friend in need?" Henry said as his crew coupled them together.

Bear smiled in return, ignoring the sudden resurgence of his nausea.

---

Talking seemed to help settle his systems - then again, talking with Henry always seemed to help his emotional state; conversation flowed between them with an effortless ease that Bear couldn’t really replicate with anyone else - and the trip to Crovan's Gate was filled with idle conversation about what had gone on since they'd last spoken:

James had once again annoyed a visiting diesel into apoplectic fury with an inane series of questions,

Douglas was still fuming over the officiating that cost Cronk's rugby team their match,

Thomas was still driving everyone on his branch crazy with ABBA - he knew the words, but had no singing ability at all,

And there was a new song that was sweeping the Island's record stores, to the point where a lot of the younger cleaners were bemoaning their long work days, as it meant that they couldn't get to the store before all copies sold out.

"I heard a bit of it in the sheds last week," Henry confided as he rolled tender-first towards Crovan's Gate. I think I'm getting old, because I did not like it at all."

"And yet you look just as dashing as you did on the day I met you."

"One of the perks of being made out of metal I suppose. It's the secret to my eternally good looks."

"But I'm made of metal, so isn't it my secret as well?"

"Gasp. I guess that it will have to be our  secret to eternal beauty then."

Bear's smile couldn’t cover the wince that accompanied another unusual feeling from deep within his frame.

"What's wrong?" Henry asked, his voice colored with concern.

"I don't know. I've been feeling unusual for a while now. They've gone through every one of my systems and they can't find anything."

"What does it feel like?"

"It's very strange - my driver says it sounds like indigestion. At some points I get this feeling of, like, like my insides are moving in a way that they shouldn't be, and everything feels light and fluttery... are you all right?"

Henry didn't answer. His concerned expression had suddenly turned into a painful grimace, while steam began pouring out of places it shouldn't be.

For the second time that day, The Limited ground to halt as Henry’s driver stopped the train and dampened his fire.

"I think this train is just cursed," he said as he poked his head in-between Henry’s wheels. "Something has ruptured, but I have no idea what."

Bear closed his eyes in frustration. "If Spamcan shows up as our rescue engine, I..."

He trailed off as Henry laughed.

--

More than an hour later, the train finally limped into Crovan's Gate. A very bemused Class 46 that had been summoned from the mainland was now towing Henry and Bear, neither of whom could stop laughing long enough to explain the joke.

As she shunted them into the Works yard, they finally were able to tell her why they were laughing. The 46 regarded the two with amusement in her eyes. "You two are a pair and a half, you know that?"

"I had an inkling." Henry said, grateful that he'd been laughing too hard to pay any attention to his ruptured steam line before the men dropped his fire. Now that there wasn’t any steam pressure, it hurt a lot less.

Bear, whose gearbox had gone numb, was still chuckling at the absurdity of this 'superb rescue'.

The 46 rolled away as the workmen arrived, and any further conversation was halted as they began pulling tools from cases.

--

That night

"Oh, that's right! I wanted to ask you," Henry said suddenly. "What did those feelings feel like? Indigestion?"

"Yes," Bear said after a moment. "Indigestion, crossed with a broken motor mount. It feels strange, like I'm being filled with helium and lead at the same time."

"This is going to feel incredibly strange, but I feel the same way." Henry said after a moment. "It's like I have an ache in the pit of my boiler, but at the same time I feel energetic - like I'm pulling the express."

"Does it change sometimes?"

"Yes it does. Are you going to tell me that sometimes you feel better and nauseous at the same time?"

"Yes! I feel that way right now as a matter of fact."

"As do I. " Henry paused to acknowledge the incredulous situation they were in. "What a pair we are - Miss Spamcan was right! We break down on the same day, and we have the same phantom illnesses."

"And we're both green."

"And we're both green! How could I forget that? If you squint hard enough, we're essentially the same engine."

"Will you two shut up!" Came a cry from across the works. Several of the workmen were clustered around a radio. "We're trying to listen!"

Turning back to the radio, the man turned up the volume knob, allowing a thumping bass line to fill the works.

"I think this is that song I was talking about earlier." Henry whispered to Bear.

Ooh it's so good, it's so good

It's so good, it's so good

It's so good

Ooh I'm in love, I'm in love

I'm in love, I'm in love

I'm in love...

--

The song was very long - apparently it was some kind of "extended club mix", and the workers were very enthusiastic about it.

Henry and Bear... were not.

"Honestly, I'm quite nonplussed." Bear remarked after spending a few moments searching for the right words. "It's just the same words over and over again."

"It's for dancing mate!" Said one of the men as he swept up. "You're supposed to feel the beat and get moving!"

"I can't dance." Bear looked down at the rails. And I can only really move forward and backwards."

"Maybe you could spin around on the turntable, and that would count." Henry chimed in.

"I think I'd just get sick."

"Perhaps."

"I cannot believe you two!" Cried a young cleaner. "That was an amazing song! How can you not like it?"

"It's repetitive and goes nowhere." Henry said. "It's repeating the same words over and over again. I understand that she 'feels love', but she never said what she was feeling. What does love feel like?"

That brought the entire works to a stop. The men looked from each other nervously. Henry was puzzled. "What did I say?"

"Nothing!" Said one of the men quickly. "It's just... uhh... oh would you lookatthetimegoodbye!"

He fled into the staff break room, followed by several of his co-workers.

Henry and Bear watched with bafflement as the shed emptied at lightning speed. Soon, only two cleaners were left - Karl, the senior cleaner who had been on Sodor since the 1940's, and a young man whom neither engine knew.

"Children, the lot of 'em." Karl groused as he cleared up a patch of spilled oil. "It's like they've never been asked a difficult question."

"What was the question?" Henry, Bear, and the young cleaner asked together.

"Seriously?" Karl looked up from the oil slick. "None of ye know what 'e said?"

"No."

"Nope."

"I have no idea."

Karl groaned as ge held his head in his hands. "Love, you great ignoramus! You asked about what love felt like!"

"So?" None of Henry’s confusion was lifted.

"You're an engine!" Karl said after a moment of shocked, silent, gesticulation. "Engines don't ask what that means!"

"Why not?" This came from the young cleaner, who cocked his head in confusion.

"I- I- you- it's just..." Karl trailed off, his boisterous shock deflating into a curious silence. "I don't know. Now that I think about it, I don't think it's ever happened before."

"Well it's happened now." Said Bear, now genuinely curious about the answer to the question. "What does love feel like?"

Karl looked like he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole. He turned to the young cleaner for help, and got none.

"Don't look at me. I'm still single. You're the one who married his childhood sweetheart."

Karl glowered for a moment before pulling himself together. "Fine. You lads want to know what love is? It's like a sickness. And you enjoy it. Just thinking about whoever you're smitten on and your pulse races, breath quickens, and you feel like you're going to vomit. Every time I saw my Maria before I told her how I felt, I wanted to run and hide, but never wanted to be more than more than a foot from her. She made me feel like shouting from the rooftops that I loved her, and I was fookin' terrified that she'd find out. It was awful!"

"What did you end up doing?" The young cleaner asked.

"I told 'er! It helped that I'd known her for years, but I just sacked up and told her how I felt." He paused, fiddling with his wedding ring as he did so. "And she said she loved me too. And then I threw up on her shoes."

He smirked slightly. "I was not smooth. But she still said yes! And that's all that matters."

Henry raised an eyebrow. "So you feel sick and that's love? That's what that song was about?"

"No! It's enjoyable! I wouldn't trade how I felt for all the gold in the world, and neither would Maria. We've been married for 38 years, and I still love her with all the strength in my body. I'd do anything for her."

He glanced over at the now-quiet radio. "That song is about how it feels to be in love, from a youngster's view - your emotions run hot, and you can't imagine anything but the object of your affections."

He turned to the young cleaner, caught up in the passion of his speech. "And you would do well to remember that it won't always feel like that, laddie! At some point, those emotions will calm back down, and you'll be left with a quiet set of feelings. And if you're stupid, ye might think that it's over, but it isn't! That just means that you've pulled the iron out of the fire, and it's cooled into a strong, solid love that will last the ages. You follow that advice and you'll stay a happy man!"

Henry and Bear watched in surprise. They'd both known Karl for years, and had never seen him this openly emotive before.

Karl blinked as he calmed down. "Well, I wasn't expecting that to come out, but yeah, that's what love feels like."

Glancing at the clock, his eyebrows raised into his graying hair. "Cripes, it's past quitting time. I've got to be home in time for dinner!"

He quickly packed up his cleaning supplies and dragged the young cleaner into the break room. In just a few short minutes, the works were empty save for Henry and Bear.

"Humans are strange." Bear said finally.

"That statement assumes that we are normal."

"What makes you think that we're not?"

"Fair point."

"Bear."

-

As the night wore on, easy conversation slowly turned into sleepy conversation, then yawning, before the two engines decided to turn in for the night.

About 15 minutes passed before Bear's eyes snapped open. The penny had just dropped, and it felt like the farthing wasn’t too far behind. 

"Henry?"

"Yes?" Henry evidently wasn't asleep either.

"Do you remember how we acted in 1971?"

"Why yes, I do. I also remember how we acted in 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, and 1976." Henry’s voice sounded calm, which meant that he was probably on the verge of screaming.

"Interesting." Then again, Bear wasn’t too far behind him on 'nearly screaming' front. "Do you also remember that the indigestion that we both seem to be suffering from -"

"Increases whenever I see or talk or think about you? Yes."

"Henry, are we feeling love? Right now?"

"Yes. I believe we are."

"Good. What do we do now?"

"I have no idea."

"Neither do I."

"Fuck."

[hesesols]

A Man of His Word

Day 23 of Ichiruki month 2020

Summary:

The transition from boy to man comes with inner peace. It comes with the realization that he doesn't have anything to prove, that a blade should only ever be drawn to maim and kill; and that Rukia will go to the ends of the world to hunt him down and end him herself if he was dumb enough to get himself killed.

"Now get going! I promised my wife I'll be home by the end of the week so get your asses on the move!"

Rating: T (for Ichigo’s potty mouth)

FF/ao3

.

It is universally acknowledged that Captain Ichigo Kurosaki of the Fifth Division, Hero of Soul Society is a powerhouse. He is the man who made the impossible possible, the feats he accomplished the stuff of legends.

Just ask anyone and they will gladly recount the most romantic story ever to grace the pristine city- retold and re-enacted for the public for as many times as the sun rose over the arches and columns of Seireitei and it still never gets old— the story of him rescuing the Kuchiki Princess from the Blades of Soukyoku or the time he spearheaded a rescue mission with his nakama from the Living World to infiltrate the depths of Hueco Mundo to save one of their own, defying official orders in favour of doing what's right.

The nobles will tell you with a haughty sniff that it's because of his bloodline. The noble Shiba ancestry renders him practically blue-blooded and his esteemed bloodline shines through and through even if one's father is disgraced and the rest of his clan equally uncouth.

The folks from the streets of Rukongai will tell you that he is a true man of the people for he champions causes dear to them. For the better of Soul Society, he led and spurred social reformations- speaking out against archaic customs, bullying and strong-arming indifferent nobles to his cause, championing better living conditions for all by way of schools, orphanages, clinics and roads being built.

Such a man to inspire such loyalty and following among so divided a crowd, to be so brave and bold in leading these reforms!

It's a no brainer then that he would be the ideal person to lead missions, especially dangerous missions into uncharted and unfamiliar territories for weeks or even months on end.

Think again.

Because Ichigo absolutely loathes being on missions.

Anyone who knows the man personally or have had the misfortune to go on such a mission with him will tell you in fact the man loathes doing anything that forces him to spend more than a day away from his wife.

.

.

.

Final year academy students shuffled nervously, sword arms shaking as they gathered behind the orange-haired Captain, one with a scowl so fierce that it seemed to stop Hollows dead in their tracks, paralysed them with fear before the man finished up the job with his twin blades.

Glaring at them, he barked harshly, "Don't just stand there like sitting ducks! Do you want to be eaten?"

They gulped as a collective before remembering their years of lessons and turned to face the horde, their zanpakutos drawn and gleaming.

It was their first foray into the Living World- a week-long field exercise that will count towards their final grade prior to graduation. Their academy instructor has reassured them with a beaming smile that it's all part of the new school curriculum. If nothing else, the experience would make sure that they're well prepared when they come face-to-face with Hollows on their own and made sure they blended in and behaved accordingly during missions, following procedures and obeying the direct chain of command once they're in the Living World.

The instructor even congratulated them on their luck as their accompanying seated officer for this particular mission was the one and only Captain Kurosaki.

Just imagine!

For the duration of this short excursion, they'd have the actual privilege of fighting alongside the legendary man, working under him even!

Well, thought Jun as she narrowly sidestepped a pincer from the disgusting-looking bug Hollow she was up against; it sure started off that way. For the first ten minutes or so every academy student was certainly gawking; stunned by the appearance of the tall, broad-shouldered man. His hair, they whispered, it really is as bright as the Sun; and the twin blades- they gasped; the only other person who's ever had the sheer gifted prowess is that of the Soutaichou!

The excited chatter was loud as expected. These bright-eyed Shinigamis-in-training would be lying if they told you that they didn't dream of being given the opportunity of working under such an esteemed man.

.

Jun would begrudgingly admit that she was one of those moon-eyed students, taken in for a split second by the legends woven of the Captain. She's one of the orphans- the first few actually who were taken in by the Kurosaki-Kuchiki Orphanage and she looked to him with as much respect and hero worship as one would expect.

That was until the man unceremoniously dropped them straight into the battle grounds. A dozen or so ugly Hollows snarling and growling away, hungry at the prospect of being fed. The infamous Captain then ordered them without a hint of preamble or motivating speech to fend for themselves or risk being Hollow-chow for the day.

The impact was jarring.

Seriously, she bit the insides of her cheek as she parried, what was she thinking? Wasn't there a Living World saying that says to never meet your heroes for they're sure to disappoint you?

Disheartened by reality, she tried her best, kido spells coming to mind as easily as breathing. Adrenaline pumped through her body, blocking and parrying as best as she could with her zanpakuto, trying desperately not to get herself killed.

Then, she slipped up.

In hindsight, it was the inevitable given the amount of thoughts swimming through her head- the fear that came with the self-doubt and she missed the killing blow.

She cursed.

The Hollow had no such qualms and made full use of the missed opening to dive in for the kill. Jun stumbled, upsetting her balance and the Hollow's gaping mouth loomed close to her face, enough for her to feel the putrid stench from its breath. She shut her eyes tight as she awaited the crush from the monster's jaw but the pain never came.

Instead what she heard was the annoyed voice of her acting Captain as he pushed her aside, overwhelming the Hollow's impending attack with sheer brute strength and in one clean slice purified the monster.

She fell flat on her ass on the ground, eyes wide in disbelief as she regarded her saviour. If he hadn't swoop in, she'd have been in a world of pain, possibly even made mincemeat and dinner by the Hollow.

"T-Thank yo-"

"You were distracted. That's your first lesson. Don't let fear cripple you. You can't give into fear during a fight! Now pick up that sword of yours and try again! I won't be there to save you every time."

With those parting words, the man shunpoed away; possibly to help out another classmate of hers, leaving Jun to her thoughts. She drew a shaky breath, getting up on her feet- the blade burning in her hands.

This time, she didn't miss; cleaving the Hollow's mask in two as she pivoted and that she realized, that was her first real encounter with the Captain Kurosaki.

.

.

Five days into her training, Jun has learnt enough to not be intimidated by the ferocity of Captain Kurosaki's scowl and know the kindness hidden deep and I mean- way deep behind his gruffness.

She was sincere and humble as she asked him for advice.

The Captain snorted, "Here's one: try not to get killed."

Jun pressed on undeterred and after much badgering, the taciturn man finally relented, addressing the group huddled around the burning fire. It's the closest they ever got to a motivation speech from their acting Captain.

"Alright, listen up 'cause I'm only going to say this once: it's meaningless to just fight. You fight to win! But even that's not enough. I'm not just fighting to win. I fight because I have to win. My advice to you is to find out what's your reason to win and hold true to it."

"Just like that?"

He rolled his eyes, mumbling something that sounded like amateurs under his breath.

"Believe me. It's much harder than it sounds. It takes courage to really dig deep and to know yourself. Finding out is actually half the battle. Once you figure it out, things will fall into place- bit by bit. I can't promise you that it'll be easy. But I can assure you that it can be done."

"What is your reason then?"

Someone in their group was feeling bold only to be mercilessly shot down by a snappish reply.

"That's none of your business!"

.

.

The excursion was eye-opening- expectations were met properly and Jun was given a real taste of what her future job role would entail.

By the end of the week, her connection and bond with her zanpakuto was stronger than ever, her confidence of her own abilities skyrocketed and rang in every strike that she parried.

She had also never felt so tired and bruised in her life. Her muscles ached and she needed a hot bath. Her bed, she never thought she'd say this but she missed her tiny quarters in the student dormitories.

Jun turned the corner, cutting through the bushes and passing through the backyard of some of the other barracks, eager to go to the Fourth Division to be cleared for her return back to her dorms.

She suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, making sure she's safely hidden in the shadows as she watched on. Realization dawned as she realized that she must be passing through the training grounds of the Thirteenth Division.

.

There was hardly another soul in sight and Jun had much trouble reconciling the fiercely scowling Captain she had served for the better part of a week with that of the smiling man standing less than six feet away.

Captain Rukia Kurosaki-Kuchiki, Captain of the Thirteenth Division, adopted sister of Captain Byakuya Kuchiki is a woman of short stature, demure and polite by all accounts but widely regarded as one of the most dangerous Captains among the ranks of Gotei 13. Powerful in her own rights, her Bankai is the stuff of nightmares, revenge is a dish best served cold as is absolute death striking her opponents down at the absolute zero temperature, her attacks so pretty that it's almost an honour to be cut down by her.

The other important thing to note is that she has the powerful Captain Ichigo Kurosaki at her beck and call. It's no secret that he adores her and will move heaven and earth if she so desires. People like to say that she's a lucky woman- the other half of a power couple, ushering the era of peace with her husband by her side.

In their ignorance, they forgot much of her humble beginnings, making light of her efforts; but Jun remembered. She remembered the kindness of the lady when she visited them in the orphanage. Those hands that pressed treats to her were just as callused as that of an experienced swordsman.

Watching them now, their Captain haori softly billowing in the winds. The woman's smile radiant and gentle; Captain Kurosaki's notorious scowl gone as he pressed the hand of the woman reverently to his cheeks, bending over to kiss her on her crown as the other hand rested tentatively on the barely-there baby bump. Of course, there were rumours that the two Captains were expecting their third. It's a girl this time, if rumours were true- Jun believed they were.

They were comfortable in the silence, soft in their gazes and warm in the arms of each other. Two- no, three children later, and they're still so obviously enamoured by the presence of each other and Jun realized, they were not lucky.

It's not the right word.

They were blessed- blessed to have each other, to have found each other and be able to hold on. That's the truth that they know deep within their souls as they brushed their lips chastely against each other.

She wisely crept away, careful not to make a noise lest the two became aware of her existence and thought that she was spying on them. She flashed back to the conversation by the fire.

It's clear to see what or rather who Captain Kurosaki's reason to fight and win at all costs, is.

.

.

.

FF/ao3

Another venture into the 'my babies are good parents' AU world. Happens before events that take place in The Good Life.

Review, reblog, comment, like or send me an ask to share a headcanon- alternatively reach out to me on the Seireitei Discord. I won’t bite I promise!

[gojoskikufuku]

Absolute Chaos | AO3

Okay guys, actually I intended to share this fic only on AO3 but I couldn't help myself^^. I will most probably post it on here, too. But it will take some time before I post first chapter because I have a Yuri On Ice fanfiction to be completed. You can find summary on my profile, if you want. Also, if you want to see detailed information, tags and so on, you can visit AO3 version: HERE.

And Spotify track list: HERE

WARNING: Rape/Non-Con (Past and implied), Graphic Depictions of Violence (Both of them are on the further chapters)

Words:1175

Hope you like this^^

Prologue

"Everyone knows that you retired because of an injury but you never said what it was. Can you elaborate it, Sousuke-sensei?" Okumura Eiji said while he was taking notes on his pineapple patterned notebook.

"Um," Yamazaki Sousuke paused a little, budging tremulously on his seat. "I don't think this is necessary. You know, it is a little bit personal issue, so I don't want people to know about this."

Upon hearing these words, Eiji stopped writing and looked into Sousuke's blue eyes. Raw pain and haunting regret were all he could see.

Not good, not at all. Something bad, very bad, must have happened to him. This is not just an injury. There is more and I want to figure out what actually happened.

But he couldn't. He was a reporter, yes, but he was working with ethical approach. He couldn't force him to tell about what actually happened as long as he didn't want to say something; especially under these circumstances. This retirement was fairly new and Sousuke never gave an interview about it nobody but him. Eiji was absolutely grateful for this and also pleased because Sousuke must have seen how he had worked really hard to take this interview among all those more experienced colleagues than him; he gave the interview to Eiji, after all. Sousuke let him in, confiding in him enough to talk about his before and after, so violating his privacy was the last thing Eiji want to do.

"Forgive me if I disquieted you, Sousuke-sensei. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Sousuke smiled softly. "Don't worry, Eiji-kun. You're just doing your job. This-"

Sousuke's speech was interfered with a bubble gum pop.

Eiji's eyes went wide just before he tried to flash a scary glance to Ash Lynx. Yes, just tried because he knew he couldn't intimidate him with a scary look. Ash was used to worse things. "Ash, what do you think you're doing? We are in the middle of a very, very important interview."

Ash looked literally unimpressed. "I've been doing nothing but sitting here, sipping my smoothie and listening to your interview about swim life, which is not my cup of tea, for nearly one and a half hours. Also my phone went dead, so there is nothing else I can do. I'm just trying to kill my time by chewing a gum, what's the big deal? Oh, by the way, don't forget that you dragged me in here with you in the first place."

After listening the blonde's reproach, Sousuke rolled his eyes dramatically and started to type a message on his phone, taking advantage of not being center of attention.

"I can't believe you, Ash! I just didn't want you to get bored when I am out, but look at what you've done! You are disrespecting Sousuke-sensei." Eiji said, switching to English. 

Ash was ready to answer in a devil-may-care attitude when Sousuke talked. 

"Guys, I'm sorry to interfere you but I think time is up. I have to go now."

Eiji watched the older man's packing his stuff and wearing his jacket with panicky eyes. "Bu-but Sousuke-sensei, I still have a few questions to ask."

Sousuke offered a bashful smile and rubbed his nape. "In fact, I've already told you everything I could. So, I really have to go because my friend is waiting for me out-"

"Sou! I'm here!"

Sousuke closed his eyes in a huff as Tachibana Makoto wrapped his arms around Sousuke's waist. "-side."

Eiji was in shock as he clutched Ash's sleeve firmly. Light brown hair, those green eyes and broad shoulders... "T-tachibana Makoto?"

Ash frowned. He had no idea about that boy. "Who is Makoto?"

"Just shut up. I'll explain later."

Japan's another swimming legend was in front of him, with all his vigorousness and brilliance. Perfect, he thought. Another Greek God is standing still in front of my eyes. 

"Didn't you read my message, Mako? I told you to stay outside." Sousuke said after flinging his friend away. He was frankly annoyed with his friend's manner.

"Oh, I just want to buy something to drink. Why are you so snappish suddenly, Sou-chan?" Makoto said with a pout.

"I'm not snappish," Sousuke sighed with embarrassment. "Whatever, buy your drink and then, let's go."

Eiji felt a little offended. Most probably, he didn't want me to see their relationship. Being a reporter, also a photographer, is pretty hard sometimes. But to be honest, Sousuke was right to worry because Eiji caught a break and he didn't want to miss the opportunity to ask a few questions to Makoto; in ethical frame, of course.

"Makoto-sensei, can I ask you a few questions, please?" 

Makoto flashed a big smile. "Oh, I thought you are here only for Sou, but... Sure, why not?"

He is a real optimistic. Look at how he changed his mood suddenly. He was pouting a few seconds ago; now he is smiling with enthusiasm.

"Mako, we don't have time. If we linger around, we will be late for cinema. C'mon, we are going," Sousuke said in a rush. "By the way, Eiji-kun, I hope I satisfied you with my answers. If you need help about anything, you can contact me every time. Thanks for interview. Bye!"

He reached his friend's forearm and hauled Makoto towards exit.

"What? Wait for me, Sousuke-sensei. You didn't give him even a chance to speak. Hey!" Eiji shouted and tried to pick up his bag clumsily. "God damn it, Ash! Move your arse, we need to catch them before they are gone!"

"Are you crazy? We didn't foot the bill!" Ash shouted after Eiji.

"So deal with it!" 

Ash sighed furiously. "You jackass!"

Eiji was about to get out from the café when he collided with someone. "Oh, I'm so sor-" 

His apologize was aborted when he raised his gaze to the person he crushed. 

"Hey! Are you okay? You seem really pale. Are you sick or something?" Silver haired, extremely handsome man asked in suspense, grabbing his wrist.

Eiji gulped hard and realized that he was trembling because of thrill. He had already let swimmers slip, but he had another shining diamond in his hands now!

"Is he okay?" 

He turned his head to the other voice's owner. Brown eyes, blue glasses, black hair and confused look.

Of course. Of course he is with him. Everybody knows that Victor Nikiforov and his beloved husband Yuuri Katsuki Nikiforov go together almost everywhere. I think I have two diamonds now!

"I-I'm okay. Brilliant, actually. Thanks." Eiji pulled his wrist back and murmured while familiar melody was filling in his ears.  

Ice ice baby

Ice ice baby

All right stop

Collaborate and listen

"Vitya, do you hear this? Ice Ice Baby is playing. What a coincidence!" Yuuri said with a soft smile on his lips, clinging his husband's hand and caressing it.

Eiji beamed just before pulling his pencil and notebook from his bag. Exactly, he thought. What a coincidence! Indeed... I love coincidences.

[lannisterslioness]

What I Need To Say

Summary: Because we all know just how stubborn Jyn & Cassian are and we know they would be reluctant to admit their feelings, Jyn more so than Cassian.

[Prompt from @scoundrels-in-love ] 

A/N: Rebelcaptain fluff time! I've been so caught up writing the angst I had to give my heart a break and just write something fluffy! Hopefully you guys will like it, and of course thanks again to the lovely Athelise ( @athelise  ) beta reading this. :3 

P.S. Send me more Rebelcaptain AU's, they are slowly becoming my weakness [the modern ones are especially giving me life omg].

Pairing: Rebelcaptain (Jyn x Cassian)

Rating: G

Words: 1,329

AO3: (x)

They were in a cantina, though Jyn couldn’t say when they ended up in here. They’d been trailing some Imperial officer on Tatooine, and after they lost him, Cassian was sure they’d pick up the trail again here.

They didn’t, or at least Cassian couldn’t find any of his contacts that could help them, so they just sat and drank instead. He’d told her often in her training with the other Rebel spies that sometimes missions involved a lot of waiting, but she figured him to be the type to let loose a bit. However, it wasn’t everyday that you received the report that the Death Star was destroyed.

If Jyn didn’t know any better, she’d almost say Cassian was glowing; he was smiling, laughing when he talked to her. A genuine happiness. And kriff, if he didn’t look damn good in the dim light of the cantina, his shirt half unbuttoned from the heat of the place. She wished she could stop thinking about him like that, but it was so different from anything she’d ever felt before.

“Is something wrong with it?” Cassian asked, gesturing to her drink with that damned smile still on his face, and it took Jyn a moment to actually focus on what he was saying before she understood him.

“No! No, it’s fine.” Jyn reassured him, reaching out and taking a sip of her drink.

“You sure?” He pried again, some concern in his eyes that Jyn almost hated bringing out in him, especially after he’d been so happy and carefree most of the night - at least as happy as he allowed himself to be.

“Yeah, I think I’m just gonna head back to camp. Our guy isn’t showing up and maybe your contacts will be here tomorrow.” Jyn faked a yawn, though something told her Cassian could tell and only worry even more.

She rose from her seat as quickly as she could, and grabbed her jacket off the counter and before shrugging it back on.

“I’m coming with you then.” Cassian instantly sobered from his jovial mood and went back to the stoic Cassian that Jyn knew so well. And if she were being honest with herself, fond of.

“You can stay and drink,” Jyn protested, “celebrate some more if you like.” She hated for his good time to end just because she couldn’t stand being so close to him without letting him know how she felt. Or maybe it was her own fear to let herself feel anything at all for him in case she lost him.

“No, I’ve had enough.” He stated, rising from his seat now and donning his own jacket.

Jyn was a bit annoyed by this. She thought most women would admire a trait like that in a guy, but she was different - when she wanted her space, she meant it. She liked to use it as time to think and regain control her thoughts, and all Cassian would do was cloud them. She turned on her heel and left while Cassian paid the barkeep for their drinks. At least she’d have a head start to think before he’d come barging back into her thoughts.

She was about halfway to the ship by the time he caught up to her. Jyn knew she could have made it all the way back if she really wanted to. Didn’t she want to?

“JYN!” Cassian shouted again, one of many attempts to get her to stop, but she just kept on walking. When one of his hands finally grasped ahold of her shoulder, she stopped, and the guilt settled in. “What are you doing?” He snapped, anger written all over his face and body language as she turned to face him. “You know how dangerous it is out here!”

“I can handle myself.” Jyn pointed out. “You know that!”

“Don’t do that again.” His tone was more fierce than she’d heard it before. He meant what he was saying, and of course that only made her spark of resentment grow, propelling her forward and getting ready to fight.

“You can’t just boss me around.” She countered.

“I’m your captain,” he bit, “that’s exactly what I’m supposed to do and what I’m doing right now.” Cassian said.

“Oh, so now you're my captain? Back there you didn’t seem to be my captain!” Jyn shouted.

“Because barking orders at you in the middle of that place would have been a little obvious, don’t you think?”

Kriff, Jyn thought, how did he manage to still look like something straight from the stars even when he was furious at her?

Jyn wanted to lash out at him, use her wits to disarm him before storming off, or even give him a solid right hook, but instead she marched up close to him, gazing up at him and still managing to hold onto her authority despite his eyes on her. She opened her mouth to say something snappish, but then she saw it: that look in his eyes that he gave her sometimes, a cross between the need to protect, and a more primal need to kiss her until all air left her lungs. She must have imagined it. At least Jyn tried to convinced herself of that because how could anyone look at her like that?

Her silent question was answered by Cassian’s lips on hers, disarming her before she could even spit out what she’d wanted to say. Jyn responded immediately, without hesitation or fight, because the moment his lips met hers she let herself be fooled, for just a moment, that this was something she deserved. A good man like Captain Cassian Andor, holding the daughter of an Imperial scientist, Jyn Erso, in an passionate embrace. It was a nice thought, at least, something to keep her kissing him back until he pulled away to catch his breath. Her own halted in her throat when she saw his eyes consumed with lust as the fell on her.

“Glad that’s out of the way.” Jyn mumbled as she quickly detached herself from him. Things could still be as they used to be, couldn’t they? If she kept him at arm's length as she had kept everyone else, it would be fine. He was her Captain and that was that.

Cassian grabbed her arm again as she tried to walk away; she tried her best to wriggle out of his grasp, but she hated to admit that just this once he had her beat - or at least she let him because she didn’t really want to leave him.

“I care about you Jyn.” He said it so quietly it could have faded into a louder night. But the stars above Tatooine wheeled lazily and peacefully overhead.

Jyn just stared at him, for the longest time it felt like, and she studied his every move, his unwavering gaze locked onto her, the way he held her so gently now. The truth of his words that let Jyn know that, yes, he did care - truly and deeply.

She didn’t want to say anything; the moment she did he would be someone to lose, someone to leave her behind, someone to die for her in the name of the greater good because that is how all the people in her life had left her before. She didn’t want Cassian to be one of them - and yet…

“Me too.” Jyn replied, louder and clearer than Cassian had said it, trying to project the confidence she sorely lacked in the department of caring and loving people.

When he smiled, it was as though all was right with the galaxy again, at least in that moment. Jyn felt lighter to have let something out after all her years of holding things in. She didn’t know what would happen now. They could die tomorrow or peacefully of old age, but all she knew was she wanted him by her side, and that she’d do anything to keep him there...

[speedyistheotherguy-blog]

Hotline Bling

Just a fun little one-shot for @melonithawne because we both are addicted to warm fuzzies:)

(Note: I imagine that this takes place just after Bart becomes Kid Flash. In the comics he seemed not to think about her as much after that transition, but knowing Bart I think he probably did think about her a lot and missed her a whole bunch even though he didn’t say it as often out loud.)

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

He just wanted to hear her voice again.

The first prototype he’d tested had blown up in his face. Literally. It turned out that recalibrating a Quantum-Entanglement Reactor to run on Speedforce energy wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Who knew? But Bart was nothing if not persistent. So he tried again. And again. And again and again and again until one day the machine finally broke through the spatial-temporal rift.

“YES!” Bart whooped happily, punching a celebratory fist in the air and grinning hopefully at the computer screen. “It’s finally ready!”

“What’s finally ready?” An annoyingly familiar voice demanded from the doorway behind Bart’s make-shift workstation.

“Wally!” Bart yelped, spinning around in his swivel chair a little bit too quickly to appear innocent. “I mean- how’s it going, cuz? I wasn’t expecting you to come by...”

“Really? You weren’t?” Wally replied skeptically, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms. “Because I gotta tell you, Bart- stealing the Cosmic Treadmill from the Flash Museum is a pretty good way to get my attention very quickly.” The other speedster accused, waving an arm at the room around them where machinery and wires hummed and buzzed like a living jungle. Bart had turned Jay and Joan’s empty garage space into his makeshift workshop. In it’s current state it looked more like the lab of a mad scientist than the place where his adoptive grandmother stored her gardening supplies. The Cosmic Treadmill itself had also undergone a complete makeover. Wires snaked out of the gutted front panel and wound around the room, connecting to three separate computer banks cluttered on the table and various arrays and generators scattered about the room, then lastly to an enormous satellite dish that Bart had mounted on the roof.

Bart bristled at his cousin. “Okay, I borrowed it, alright? I didn’t steal it. I’m gonna put it back when I’m done, I promise! I just- I need to use it.” He explained, turning back to the computer to run the diagnostic test for the tachyon amplifier one more time, his fingers flying across the keyboard irritably.

“Need to use it for what?” Wally repeated, zipping over to Bart and peering over his shoulder. “Wait- are those readings... is that from a Fermionic Regulator?” He asked, pointing to the screen. “And a quantum capacitor?” He went on, his eyes flitting around the room. “A tachyon amplifier? Bart, what are you doing with all this stuff?! Did you make all of this?!” Wally exclaimed.

“Yes, I did.” Bart answered irritably, annoyed that Wally was distracting him right when he was finally ready to put his creation to the test. “And if you stop freaking out for an microsecond then maybe I’ll tell you.” Wally looked slightly nettled by Bart’s snappish tone, but his curiosity got the better of him and he wisely decided to shut his mouth and wait for Bart to finish what he was doing.

“There.” Bart said a few seconds later, entering one last set of Heisenberg coordinates before flopping back in his chair and stretching his cramped back muscles. “It’s a cell phone!” He explained excitedly, turning to Wally with a proud grin.  

“Uhhh...” Wally drawled, his expression torn between disbelief and irritation. “What are you talking about?”

“This!” Bart said, gesticulating to the room around them. “It’s a inter-dimensional transmission system! Look, see? I’m going to use it to call my Mom!”

Wally was silent for a moment, his eyebrows furrowed. “But... isn’t your mom... I thought she was-”

“Trapped in a temporal paradox, yeah!” Bart interrupted, his unbridled excitement overriding his emotions and making him sound frenetically enthusiastic about the whole situation. Wally looked alarmed and quite lost.

“But I thought you couldn’t-” He began.

“-get to her by using the Cosmic Treadmill. No, you’re right. Nobody can get through because the time paradox deflects quantum energy from outside sources like the treadmill.” Bart explained, steamrolling over Wally once again in his excitement. “So, I figured if I can’t go there myself then maybe I could find a way just to talk to her. And soooo~ say hello to the Cosmic Cellphone!” He beamed, patting the nearest computer bank lovingly. “Instead of using the treadmill’s speedforce energy to punch a hole through time and space-”

“It uses quantum entanglement to transmit simple vibrational energy without the need for the massive energy burst that it would take to penetrate the temporal barrier.” Wally finished for him, his eyes growing wide as he connected the dots. “Bart, that’s actually pretty genius!”

“I know, right?!” Bart replied proudly, too happy to be offended by the surprise in Wally’s tone.

“So does it work?” Wally asked, zipping over to the treadmill and examining the modifications Bart had made with keen interest. All of his cousin’s previous concerns had apparently been laid by the wayside. Now, he appeared to be just as excited as Bart was to test the thing out.

“Yes! Er- well, no. I mean, maybe? I hope so...” Bart floundered, “Actually, I was just about to test it when you got here.”  

“Well then let’s get to it! How can I help?” Wally said, putting a hand on Bart’s shoulder. Bart looked up at him in surprise.

“Wait, you want to help now? I thought you were mad at me.”

“Look, Bart. I know that we don’t always see eye to eye, and I know that when it comes to encouragement- well, I haven’t always been there for you. But we’re family. And this thing you built? It’s amazing! And it could really work.” He said sincerely. Bart almost couldn’t believe his ears. Was this a dream? “I know what it’s like to lose someone important to you.” Wally went on. “And I know what it’s like to miss them. So if this ‘Cosmic Cell Phone’ of yours really can reach your mom, then I’m behind you all the way.” 

Bart simply stared at his cousin, unsure of what to say. After a moment, he smiled, laughing a little. “Y’know, your encouragement skills aren’t as rusty as you think.”

“Shut up.” Wally grinned back, punching Bart’s shoulder lightly before straightening up and looking around. “So what can I do to help this thing get a dial tone going?”

“It doesn’t really work that way exactly.” said Bart, “It uses a combination of quantum entanglement and our own speedforce energy to transmit the message. No speakers, no receivers, no cell towers. Actually, it’s more like telepathy than a cell phone, I guess? But anyway, if the system establishes a connection with my mom- er, when the system establishes a connection with her, we should be able to kind of ‘hear’ each other’s messages in our heads? I think? I’m not 100% on that part since I haven’t actually done it yet and there’s no real way to know until we try.” Wally raised an eyebrow, pausing for a moment as he considered Bart’s words.

“Okaaaay? Well, then- this should be interesting.” He replied finally, more to himself than to Bart. “Let’s get this party started!”

Bart nodded, looking around. “Hmm... I know! You can run on the treadmill! The whole thing runs on speedforce energy, so you can be like the generator.” He said brightly. 

“You just need me to run? Great! That I can definitely do.” Wally obliged, stepping up onto the treadmill. “What are you gonna do then?”

“I’m gonna be the operator.” Bart said, scooting his chair closer to the computer table in front of him and beginning to type. “Just start running when I tell you.” He instructed, starting the software sequence. He paused with his fingers over the keyboard, hesitating over the enter key.

“Bart? You okay?” Wally said after a moment, looking at Bart quizzically.

“Um, yeah. Yeah, I’m good.” Bart replied quietly, staring at the screen in front of him with an anxious expression. “It’s kinda funny, I just- I haven’t actually thought about what to say to her.” He admitted, looking up at Wally. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen her. What do... what do I even say?” Wally stepped off the treadmill and returned to Bart’s side. He knelt down on one knee so that they were at the same level and placed his hands on Bart’s shoulders, swiveling him on his chair until they were face to face. “Hey,” He said, meeting Bart’s eyes, “She’s gonna be so happy to hear from you. I know it. You’re her son, Bart. She loves you.” Wally assured him with a soft smile. “So how about you just start with ‘hello’?” 

Bart took a deep breath, then nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, okay.” He replied, his confidence restored anew. “Alright. Alright, let’s do this!”

“Yeah!” Wally echoed back with an excited whoop as he zipped back to his place on the treadmill. “Wait, before you start it- what kind of a data plan does this thing have? Because you’re gonna have one heck of a roaming charge.”

“Shut up, man!” Bart laughed, “Quit talking and start running!” 

Wally grinned unapologetically, but did as he was told. Sparks began to fly around him, climbing up the sides of the treadmill and making the overhead lights flicker as speedforce energy filled the room. Bart turned his attention to the computer screen. So far so good. He flipped a switch on a panel next to him to start up the klystron actuator. “I’m starting the connection! Just keep running!” He called to Wally, who nodded and gave him a thumbs up. It was getting increasingly difficult to hear over the humming of the treadmill. Bart watched the fluctuating readings on the computer screen with baited breath, waiting for just the right moment to establish a connection. And... there! As soon as the energy levels had reached full capacity he flipped another switch on the panel, activating the quantum regulator. Bart grabbed a headset off the table and slipped it on, adjusting the microphone in front of his mouth. “Just keep going!” He instructed Wally over the din, “It’s trying to connect! Should be any second n-” Bart inhaled sharply and closed his eyes. He’d felt something. A kind of pulling in his chest as if someone had reached their hand inside and started pressing on his heart. Then the pressing turned into shaking, rattling his very core and climbing up his nerves into his head. Someone was there. He could feel their confusion, the quickening beats of their heart. Or maybe it was his own heart? It was hard to tell. He couldn’t hear the treadmill anymore, nor the sound of Wally’s pounding footsteps or the speedforce crackling around the room. All he was aware of was the overwhelming presence of the other person around him. If he had to describe it, he would have said it was like seeing with his heart. He couldn’t physically see who it was that was there with him, but somehow he knew it was who he’d been looking for. Hello? Bart said, unsure of whether or not he was voicing the question out loud or in his mind. 

Bart? The answer was almost immediate. The emotions bleeding into his awareness switched rapidly from confusion to joy and disbelief and something else. Something so strong and so familiar that it drowned out the other feelings in an instant. It was love. Mom? Bart answered, feeling tears beginning to drip down his cheeks, wherever those were at the moment. He’d quite lost track of his body. Mom, it’s me! It’s Bart! I missed you so much! He said, frantic to tell her everything he could, yet lost for words.

I just wanted to tell you that I love you, Mom. He told her, deciding to give himself a rest for a moment to let her respond, but not before adding one last thought. 

I just wanted to hear your voice again.