#he's never gonna cry in front of his daughter. it's all pent up in him. he's frustrated but really he's sad.

[satowooo]

i. imgonnagetyouback

The one and only son of the Gojo clan had fallen quite hard, completely and utterly, to a lowly woman who came from the dirt, and got his heart broken by her. Years had passed, he was still as angry since the day you left, but he only wanted you back.

contents. modern au, gojo satoru x reader, angst, not proofread.

Whether I'm gonna curse you out or take you back to my house, I haven't decided yet but I'm gonna get you back

next chapter

It was pathetic. The sight of Gojo Satoru, a well-respected son of the Gojo clan, was down on his knees right in front of you, begging you to stay, a daughter of a mere servant.

It made him look pitiful and weak, a miserable prince who had his heart shattered by a low class woman like you. But he didn't really give it that much of a thought, ever since he first laid eyes on you. He didn't care what people might've said from the very first time, and he proved it to you a million times as he stubbornly and desperately showed you how much he loves and adores you. So, begging down on his knees is not that much of a deal now, no?

“Stand up, please.”

But you were firm, closing your eyes as you let out a shaky breath. You hated seeing him like this, but you were left with no other choice. Your love for him could risk even the dangers of your life, and you were sacrificing him to save him.

“I do not wish to be with you any longer, Young Master.” You said, uttering his title in a whisper. “What we had was wrong. It was a mistake on my side. And I thought I was in love with you, but it was just a pathetic infatuation and I realised that another man best suits me, and it's not you.”

Your words were nonstop, every single thing that you uttered was shattering his heart into pieces. But Satoru furiously shakes his head, his hands trembling on your lap as his forehead falls on your knees.

“T-that’s not… T-that's not true…”

You remembered everything from that day. Every little detail, every word, every touch, every action, of what had happened stayed forever in your mind. It never fails to shatter you. To make you cry every single time that you thought about him as you lie in the confinements of your small room.

“I have done what you asked for. What else do I need to do–” A whimper escaped your lips as a hand flew over your cheek. Breathing heavily, you felt the sting on your skin as you looked back at the person who had been the cause of your pain.

“Pack your things, and never show your face again.”

Gojo Satoru haunted your dreams and nightmares. He managed his way in your heart, and refused to leave. He was the ghost of your tragic love story, you could only wish that you never should've picked up the pen. It's already been two years since you left, and even until now, your heart only beats for one man and it will always be for Satoru.

So what are you going to do when he comes up at your door, claiming what used to be his?

It all happened so fast that your head can't fathom how you ended back to the place of your nightmares. The Gojo clan's mansion. The place where it all started between the two of you.

Every corner of this place was filled with memories of you and Satoru, all the good and bad. But what you remembered most was the torture, the consequences you had faced for falling in love. You felt like all your scars were slowly tearing apart, opening the wound that was almost healed as you looked back to the man who stood in front of you.

You never should've been back in this place.

“I expect you to work immediately.” Satoru's voice was different. It was laced with authority and demand, not the sweet ones that you remember back when he was yours. “Remember, your family is in the palm of my hands. Try to escape, and you'll face the consequences.”

His eyes looked at you with anger, a pent up emotion that he bottled up all these years. His hands were balled on a fist by his sides, almost trembling, but he wouldn't let you see just how much you still have an effect on him.

Right now, all he feels is anger and hatred for what you did. For leaving him. For running off with another man. For loving him only to break his heart. For letting him hold on to your empty promises.

For those two years, he only loathed you and he's not going to be a forgiving man, he'll make sure you regret. He'll make you beg on his knees, the way he did for you.

“I expect you to be in my office in five.”

Now, you're back to square one. Working as his maid was already bad enough back then, so what's going to happen now that you're back to serve him again?

You can't help but notice how much he changed. Somehow, you can tell that he was still the same, only that he was only mad at you. It was obvious already how he's showing indifference only to you but not to anyone else. His bubbly personality that used to welcome you with warm embraces is now replaced with an angry demeanour of a man who cold-heartedly took you away from your family and took you back to the house where you suffered.

How unfair.

This was not your Satoru.

As soon as Satoru turned around and left you standing, he heaved out a breath that he didn't know he was holding. His heart felt like it was trying to escape from his chest. For the first time since you left, he finally felt his heart beating again.

All throughout those years that you were gone, he relentlessly looked for you. Trying to search your face in unfamiliar places, sometimes getting himself into trouble when he mistakes someone for you. Everyday, he was turning angrier and angrier when you never showed up, while all he needed was proper answers and explanations. He hated all the memory that you had left, and how it tore him to pieces that all of it was just a lie.

He couldn't believe you had the nerve. A woman like you with no name for herself, telling him that a relationship with him was just a mistake as you sought another man. Gojo Satoru was everything anyone could have asked for, so how dare a woman like you? How dare a woman he loved…

Everything comes crashing down into his mind once again. From the first time he saw you and how you've caught his eye. His heart starts to beat frantically, his breath caught into his chest, his tongue tied together. Satoru slumps into his chair as he closes his eyes, letting the memory sink in.

“Who is that woman?” Satoru asked an older servant, seeing your unfamiliar face walking around the garden in a maid uniform as he stared down at you from his window.

“That's [M/L/N]’s daughter. She's here to take her place while her mother is recovering.” The servant answered as she poured him tea.

Satoru watched as you walked quietly, your movements looked calculated and careful. He watched your finger touch a ragged cloth, gracefully cleaning the dirty tables.

From afar, he can see how your skin looked soft and pale. You were a bit thin and looked weak. He can only assume that he could break you with one twist.

Your face didn't have any emotion in it which intrigued him. Even your lips were downturned, like you hated every second of working in his place. You caught his attention in a matter of seconds, a curiosity growing inside him while he watched your every move.

He noticed the way your mood changed when his family's dog, a small golden retriever, came running to you. A smile formed into your face and he swore he could feel all the flowers blooming all around the place. Everything seemed to have lighted up, his heart began to drum in his chest as you kneeled down to the dog, petting and rubbing the cute animal between your hands.

What's so fascinating about you?

He swallowed hard. Satoru felt like a teenage boy realising that he was staring a little too hard. He felt like a stalker for watching you, shivering at his thoughts.

But he wanted to meet you. Something was pulling him to be close to your presence. A magnetic force was drawing him to come near, and it was the very first time that he ever felt like this.

But he'll take his time first. For now, he's going to settle on just watching you from afar, memorising every detail of you, until he is ready.

A knock on the door woke Satoru back to his senses. He straightened up on his seat, erasing the memories out of his head as he coughed. “Come in.”

But how can Satoru completely forget?

You walked inside in your maid uniform, the same dress that you used to wear, and it only took Satoru a matter of seconds for all your pasts to remind him of how much he loved you. He felt a pain in his chest, and for a moment, he wanted to fall back on his knees and beg for you to love him again. But even you had changed.

Satoru was also back to square one. He looks at you, reminded of the first time he had seen your face. The lack of emotion, the frown, the gaze that used to intimidate him, and the wall you had built between the two of you was palpable.

“Take a seat.” Satoru gestured over the chair in front of his table.

He watched you carefully as you stepped inside his office, striding forward with a sense of hurry as you obviously refused to seat. You stood in front of him, an emotion in your eyes that he can't seem to read.

“I have to get back to my family–”

“They are fine.” Satoru immediately cut you off, his voice ringing over your ear. He looked at you with a glare, venom laced in his voice as he says, “You are bound to stay here, as I said so–”

“You can't keep me here!”

Your scream shocked the both of you, but Satoru kept a straight face as he stood up slowly. He chuckled with malice, staring at your helpless state.

“What makes you say that I can't?” He smirked. “I own you now. Every single thing that's yours is also mine, even your family.”

Your eyes fell to the floor, your hands trembling at your side. Your knees felt weak underneath his gaze, burning and crushing your soul.

Everything he said was true. You were in so much debt ever since you left the Gojo mansion, your family almost falling apart if he didn't show up to take you. And now he's claiming every single bit of what's yours, not leaving a single piece behind.

Satoru made it clear when he took you here. He'll pay for everything to save you and your family. Your mother's hospital bill, your father's gambling debts, your brother's education, their food, house, electricity, and all their livings, because you couldn't pay them off by yourself.

So now you're trapped. He's got you wrapped around his fingers.

“You need me, Y/N.” You closed your eyes at his voice, shaking your head in denial. “You can't afford to live without me, and that's the truth.”

It was the truth, Satoru taking her away from her old life.

You were doing just fine when he was gone. But now you don't know anymore.

this is the part 1 of my mini (?) gojo series! i hope you'd like it and anticipate for what's next to come 🥺🫶🏻 [M/L/N] also stand for "mother's last name" in case you didn't knowww ^.^ I also hoped you understood the flashbacks and such.

this is just a prologue of the main story, sooo the real story starts at part 2.

[britneyshakespeare]

the sad news is that my grandmother has had a very, very bad week and i may have to attend my third family funeral in the last 2 months

[imaloserbbyxoxo]

Dabi as a dad. That's it. That's the post.

please keep in mind i suck at writing so im sorry if this his terrible i'm just trying to make myself feel better

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

It was late at night. Dabi wasn't sure what time it was, but he could only assume it was around two in the morning. He was unbelievably exhausted and worn out. So much work had to be done lately for the league and Shikaraki was running him ragged from all the orders and tasks he was assigned.

So much work had to be done, that he hadn't been able to sleep for the past day and a half. His body was starting to shut down, but he knew he had to keep on until the jobs were completed.

People in the league were the only ones that knew this secret Dabi had. He had a whole other life ever since three years ago. He had become a father. He never knew it would happen, he never even planned it. Honestly? He never really wanted to be a father, but ever since she was born, he was in love. A beautiful baby girl. Who would have ever thought? A son, maybe. But a girl? Whoa. That's a whole knew level.

Dabi and Y/N had been together for 2 years before the birth of their daughter. He really did love Y/N, but for some reason unknown to him, having a little girl made the love go even deeper. He never imagined he could love anyone, much less Y/N. His whole world was steadily changing around him, and he was doing all he could to cope with it.

The one thing hard about everything going on, was he had to be away from home. Away from his girls. Y/N knew he was in the league and everything that was going on in his life. She knew when they got together. She didn't mind it, really. Just as long as Dabi was safe. But she knew he would be. He was a really tough and tedious guy. He was constantly careful, no matter how big or how small the task.

But Dabi couldn't' help but stress about the girls at home by themselves. He had become so protective over them the past few years, and hated that they had to be alone most of the time. Nothing made him more relaxed than hearing their voices and laughs. It melted him, in a good way.

----

After walking down this street Dabi found himself on, he cut down an alley. Once he walked down it a few feet, he leaned his back against the cold, stone wall of a building, and slid down it until he collapsed on the ground. Automatically, his eyes started to feel heavy. He needed to rest so bad. Maybe just a few minutes wouldn't hurt. Leaning his head back against the wall, he slowly started to drift away into sleep.

Time had passed and he hadn't moved. It only felt like a few minutes, but apparently it was about an hour of him napping. He was awoken by a tune on his phone. Normally, he would have ignored it, but this particular tune was set to only Y/N's contact, so he quickly pulled it out of his pocket.

Before answering, he glanced at the time. Four in the morning. What was she doing up? Dabi's heart started to race. He couldn't help but think that something was wrong. He hastily answered.

"Hey, is everything okay?"

"...daddy?"

"Yes, baby? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I had a bad dream."

Dabi hadn't noticed, but his muscles were tense. Once he heard the words 'bad dream', he softened. Everything was okay. He knew it was, because even though it's unfortunate, nightmares were almost a daily occurrence with his daughter. From the trauma of his childhood, Dabi had aquired nightmares and night terrors of his own. Unfortunetly, his daughter picked up that trait. On a positive note, he knew how to deal with them more than Y/N did, so whenever this happened, he was the one to go to. Thank goodness the kid hadn't had any actual night terrors. Yet. Just bad dreams.

Rubbing his eyes to get the sleep out of them, he tiredly smiled and spoke. "You had a bad dream, huh?"

"Yeah. It was about you this time."

Dabi's smile faded. Most of the girl's nightmares where just simple things that kids fear, but the ones about him and Y/N were becoming more and more frequent. It was becoming concerning, but he just had to shrug it off. For her. He was still knew to this whole father thing, but one thing he did know was that you shouldn't' show worry in front of a kid, or they will start to worry. So he did just that. He blew off the worry in his mind for now and just had to focus on the kid.

"About me, huh?"

"Yeah! You had died in it."

"Is that why you're calling? Where you scared?"

"A little."

Y/N shouted from the background. "Don't let her lie! She woke up crying."

Dabi scoffed and smiled. "My poor kiddo..." he thought.

"You? Scared? I thought you weren't scared of anything, just like your daddy."

"I wasn't scawed! I am just like you daddy! Big and strong!"

His heart melted in a mix of good and bad feelings. He hoped she would grow up strong willed like him, but...not how he truly was deep down. All the trauma, all the pent up anger, all the troubles he has caused.

"Be strong like me, but kind like your mother."

"Okay daddy. I will!"

"Okay, baby. Can you hand the phone to mommy, please? I love you. Go back to bed and don't be scared. I'll be home soon, okay?"

"Okay daddy! I wub you!"

Dabi smiled. "Love you too, kiddo. Good night."

"Night daddy."

Shuffling noises were heard on the other end of the line. A different voice came on.

"I'm sorry to bother you while your working, babe. She wanted to talk to you and wouldn't take no as an answer."

"It's alright, doll. I wasn't busy right now anyways."

"Are you doing okay? Staying safe?"

"Yes, of course. You know that."

After a few more minutes of talking, Y/N said her goodbyes. She had to put the girl to sleep now and try to get some rest herself. Dabi said his goodbyes in return, saying I love you, and hung up his phone. He stood up from his resting position, and gathered up the strength to continue his work.

"Alright, back at it I suppose."

He lazily walked out of the alley

and back around the corner. He was met by a familiar face.

His boss, Shigaraki. His silver hair was long, down to the base of his neck, and he was wearing his trademark coat. They all had been working so much lately, that they didn't have the time to take care of themselves. Shigaraki specifically. His scratch marks were getting worse from his scratching due to stress. His hair was getting to long, because he didn't have the time to take care of it. Dabi knew better than to say anything though. Shigaraki had been on edge lately, and probably wouldn't hesitate to take care of Dabi's attitude in his own way.

"What are you doing here, dusty?"

Shigaraki scratched his neck a little, looking up at Dabi. "I followed you to make sure you were doing your tasks. You were the last stop before going back to the base. I've already checked on everyone else."

"Save the best for last, huh?"

"Whatever, patchwork. I couldn't help but over hear your conversation."

Dabi looked at him with tired eyes. "Oh yeah?"

"Do you miss them?"

"Well, duh. Of course I do." He changed his tune to a sarcastic one. "But you have to have these missions done, right?" It might have been the exhaustion talking, but damnit Dabi just wanted to go home. He missed his bed. The way the house smelled like candles because Y/N had an obsession with them. The way his little girl would run to him when he would walk in the door. He missed cuddling both of them in bed, as his daughter would drift to sleep watching tv. He missed it so much, he couldn't put it into words. He wanted to go home more than anything right now. But work had to be done.

As Dabi was in thought, his face contorted into distraught and exhaustion, and Shigaraki noticed. Maybe it was something in the weather this early morning, but he actually got a kind bone in his body.

"Go home, Dabi."

Dabi looked at him in shock. "But I'm not done-"

"I'm not gonna tell you again. Go home. I can tell your getting exhausted, and I don't need you passing out on me. I need you at your full potential. So go home and rest. Take as much time as you need." Shigaraki started to walk away. "I know you'll be back when your done resting so I'm not worried."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Again, I am so sorry if this is bad. Also, I'm sorry for that ending. it's kinda shit, but I'm kinda afraid of writing more because I might ruin it. Anyways.... OTL;

@dabiboy @deviousspleen @toyas-wife

<3 IF YOU WANNA BE TAGGED JUST LET ME KNOW <3

[mingkii]

LOVE AGAIN ─✎ 송.민기

❖❳；Pairing; Song Mingi x Fem!Reader (ft. P1h's keeho, itzy's ryujin, and wooyoung)

❖❳；Genre; Greek mythology au, angst, reincarnation au.

❖❳；Words ; 6.2k

❖❳；Warnings; Mentions of death.

❖❳；Synopsis; A mission to find your lover who was reborn in the mortal world became a mission for heartbreak as you watched him fall in love with someone else.

❖❳；A/n; I honestly don't know what happened near the end, very disappointing but oh well. Not very proud of this so im sorry and don't get your hopes up.

❖❳； Note; My entry for @/sleepylixie and @/delicatewerewolfsoul 's hamartia collab. This might contain inaccurate representations of greek gods but for the sake of the story, just go with it. Slightly modernized as well.

The sun rises on the horizon, casting light all over Olympus, waking the gods in slumber, reminding them of the work they need to do. However, you wanted to fight the sun for rising so early. The rays piercing through the depths of the ocean, just enough to peek through the windows of your room.

You stir under the covers, not wanting to get up. The light blinding your closed eyes, preventing you from going back to sleep. You were honestly hoping you won't wake up the next day. You didn't want to wake up in agony knowing there's nothing to wake up to. You still picture his crescent eyes when he smiles, his laugh that echoes in your ears as if he is there with you. His hands that felt soft and warm left a mark on your skin, reminding you of how he held you in his arms.

Every night you see him in your dreams— for a while at least. Your heart was hurt, it wanted to remind you of all the things you could've done, but it knew that if you kept dreaming about him, you would have died grieving years ago.

A loud knock on your door suddenly erupted, a groan escaped your lips. You rolled to the other side trying to bury your head under the covers to drown out the sound. Then, your door busted open, making you sit up in surprise.

"What the fuck," you furrowed your brows, watching your father fix the dislocated door hinge.

"Don't use such language on me, young lady," he leans his trident beside the door. "You have a very important schedule to meet your suitors today."

Your eyes widen, "Suitors?!" You shrieked, your father's face contorts.

“Father, I think this has gone long enough for you to know that I am not interested.” he let out a sigh. He’s well aware of that.

"Look, I understand, but I will not have you sulk for the rest of your life just because that good-for-nothing son of Athena died," your blood boiled at his words.

"No father, I don’t think you do understand," You said with resentment.

You tried to bury the tears back down, not wanting to cry in front of your father. The pent up anger made you want to lash out like what he said was the last straw but your pride was much stronger.

"It's rude to keep them in line, they've travelled far just to get here, so I suggest you make yourself presentable and be there as soon as possible," his last words before shutting your door closed behind him.

The knick-knacks on your shelf shook as your father slammed the door shut. He wasn't mad, he was just….strict, as your father and god of the sea, you are under his territory thus, giving you no choice but to follow him.

You laid back on your bed, pulling the covers, letting out a muffled scream into the blanket. Only kids get treated like this, he acts like you aren't already a hundred years old.

You didn't want to meet another batch of mermen with plastic smiles and fake personalities. They were only after you because of your title, daughter of Poseidon, god of the sea, with a legacy that soon passes unto you. You had sisters and brothers, you didn't understand why it had to be you, but Poseidon himself already had it all planned.

You swam near the big stadium-like structure, with large pillars that were carved so intricately in quartz.  The end of the stadium planted Poseidon's throne where he sat so elegantly. You hid behind the pillars, spotting the men that were seated to the side, waiting for your arrival, but you already decided you weren't going to attend. Not this time.

You took the longest route to Olympus, making sure no one spots you, escaping the suffocating vast seas that used to be called home.

=

"You know one day I could get killed by your dad," Wooyoung set the teacups filled with hot liquid on the dining table where you sat.

It's been a while since you set foot on land, you didn't miss it, the painful after-effects of walking for too long did make you wonder how land dwellers live.

"He won't since I made him promise it," your cheeky smile made him roll his eyes.

"But won't he easily find you here?"

"He will but he couldn't be bothered to travel all the way here," you took a sip from the cup, hot liquid running down your throat.

"I'll be home by sundown, can't have him wash Olympus just to find me," you force out a laugh, wooyoung giving you a sympathetic look.

He knows you are still mourning. Deep inside you are still in pain, but you try to keep it hidden.

"You know, it's been years and he is still bringing me these men I barely even know and he wants me to pick one to marry?" You planted your forehead on the table, hiding your face in frustration. "It's getting annoying." After those annoying years of having to pretend you are ok and just sitting pretty in front of dozens of merpeople, making yourself look like a prize in a glass box waiting for a winner to take you home.

But of course, it's still your choice and you chose to be with none of them.

"Were any of them attractive at least?" You hear the familiar charming voice. You look up to see Wooyoung's mother— aphrodite— adorned in her usual attire, laced with gold sequences, a headpiece in gold, and jewellery that complimented her skin.

You shook your head as you gave her a soft smile, "They always have this forced appearance to look strong and the wide creepy smiles that they think will help attract me to them," she listens to your rant, pouting slightly, "What a shame, you know your father's taste was never that good," she winked. You knew she was talking about your mother, whom you didn't know that well since she is always focusing on your brothers.

"I thought you went out early," Wooyoung questioned. Aphrodite cupped her son's cheeks, kissing the top of his nose.

"I just forgot something dear," you giggled at her ways of babying her son. Fixing his hair and touching up the light makeup he puts on every day. You can't deny how attractive Wooyoung is, you could see the features that he inherited from his mother.

"Poseidon won't stop what he is doing though, I suggest you do as his wishes y/n, or you'll face his consequences," strips of memory to that day cross your mind again. It was truly painful to recall, it made your heart clenched and you wanted to scream your head off.

"Look, whatever it is you want to do, just make sure it isn't something stupid," Wooyoung held your hand in his, rubbing your skin with his thumb. You remembered the last stupid thing you did.

You were grateful to have met someone like Wooyoung, he has always been there for you. Even though your father had been skeptical of him for so long, he still let you be around him.

But you can't promise him this time because another stupid idea just popped up in your head.

=

"Are you kidding y/n? Didn't we just talk about this?" Wooyoung follows you from behind as you walk through the forest. The last time you were here was the day your world fell apart.

You swore to not cross paths where it reminded you of him but right now, it is important.

"Look, demigods are bound to be reincarnated, there's a chance I could see him again," you explained, stepping on sticks and pebbles, slashing through vines and large leaves with your bronze dagger. Mingi wasn't like you or wooyoung who had both parents that are gods. Like Athena, he was created by her from her mind. He wasn't born….normal.

"And then what? What will you do if you see him?"

In all honesty, you didn't plan that far, all you thought of was to meet mingi in the mortal world. Wooyoung's concern for you just became worse when the silence answers his question. You have no plan, you just wanted to see mingi again.

You ignored Wooyoung's continuous nagging until you reached your destination. The tree that grew sweet magical berries that can only be found deep in the forests of Olympus. The berry that could help the gods enter the mortal realm.

"Y/n…." Worry settles in, Wooyoung knows the side effects of these berries. You weren't as powerful as your parents who were able to visit the mortal realm on your own, you needed help and you were certainly not gonna ask your father.

"I'll be fine," you picked a few handfuls of berries and stuffed them in your bag, "Atlantis won't be that far, If I need to, I’ll just come back." You smiled at Wooyoung.

"I leave tomorrow."

"What about your dad? Won't he get mad?" You two made your way back out of the forest, taking the path of where you came from.

"I just told him I'm sleeping at your place for a while," Wooyoung freezes in place. As expected of his role as your best friend, he's responsible for covering you up.

"You owe me big time."

=

Arriving at the mortal realm, alone and slightly scared. But the sight of what seemed to be the city made you giddy all of the sudden.  

You walked around exploring the beautiful structures of the city. Tall buildings surrounding the area, billboards, and giant screens with lights and flashing colours. You were overwhelmed at first but it was quite interesting. It was nothing like you have seen before.

There were tons of people who wore casual attire, some wore suits as they travelled to work. Big buses and cars drove by in the streets— you almost got run over by one, not knowing the purpose of the blinking traffic light; the horrendous sound of the car horn almost did make your ears bleed.

Settling down on one of the park benches, you took a break from walking. The sandals you brought weren't doing any justice for your feet.

Your surroundings were peaceful, pink flowers scattered across the concrete, different coloured leaves decorating the trees, getting ready for the fall season. Suddenly, you felt a gust of wind. The eerie grey smoke rising in front of you. Chills running up your spine, your mind having a clear idea of where it's coming from.

A cold mischievous laugh emitted from within, your initial reaction was to pull out the dagger from your side, clutching the handle tight until your knuckles turned white.

"Relax, it's me," the same annoying voice you dreaded hearing.

"Ryujin, what are you doing here?" You scowled. She was bad news— the spirit of mischief lives within her, wherever she goes, chaos follows.

"Hmm, are you not happy to see me?" Her Cheshire cat-like smile plastered onto her face as she took a seat beside you, crossing her leg on top of the other. Her hair was shorter than the last time you saw her, eyes still full of mischief.

"I was hoping to not see you again after the incident 20 years ago," you spat, hatred lacing your words.

"Right, the poor boy, died so soon," her face turned into a sad look before smiling once again.

Ryujin was the main cause of his death. Your father just made it happen. Leading Mingi to that place in the forest where she knew your father was there, he hated Athena's children, he wouldn't hesitate to kill one in sight.

You wished there was a way to go back in time to stop Ryujin from leading Mingi to his inevitable death. But as expected, she felt no shame or guilt whatsoever.

"What is it that you plan anyway, there is a reason for you to come here, right?"

You kept your mouth closed, not wanting to possibly give your plan away for the spirit of mischief to take its course. And so, you kept quiet. Ryujin clicked her tongue in annoyance. She wished she could read minds, but that's her brother's power.

"Fine, keep it to yourself," she stood up, grumbling something under her breath, "Just so you know, I am not leaving without having a bit of fun," another gust of wind blowing in your direction leaves swirling in a circle on the concrete just below her feet, the puff of smoke covering her figure as she disappeared.

Your mind was in shambles. Usually, she would try and pressure you into answering but she brushed it off so soon.

You let out the breath you didn't know you were holding, the weight suddenly leaving your chest. Sometimes the presence of Ryujin gives you this uneasy feeling, but it was better than getting a visit from her brother. He is ten times worse.

=

You finally adapted to the mortal world, got a place to stay all by yourself. There were obstacles on the way but you got over them easily.

You lay quietly on the bed, and to be honest, it was a bit uncomfortable. The covers are placed over you up to your neck. You stared at the ceiling, counting rams in hopes of helping you fall asleep. And on your 1117th ram, your eyes finally grew heavy.

But to your dismay, your throat decides that it was parched. You sat up from your bed, wearing your slippers, and made your way to the kitchen. Grabbing a glass and filling it up with water, but before you could take a sip, you saw a figure on your couch.

You dropped the glass, shattering across the floor. The figure whipped his head around and you couldn't believe your eyes. Is this a dream? You must be dreaming… You might have even gone mad.

"Mingi?" You stuttered. You haven't called out that name in so long.

"Y/n, be careful you'll hurt yourself," he stood from the couch, making his way to you. You took a few steps back. Mingi's face shows a look of confusion.

He stepped on the glass unfazed by it. Did he not feel that? Of course, this is a dream, he's not real.

"What's wrong?" His arms out to reach for you.

"N-no, I'm dreaming, this can't be—" you shook your head, tears pricking your eyes. You felt warm hands cup your face, it was so real, your knees so close to giving out.

"What do you mean?" His eyes were the same shade of brown. His hair is styled the same way he always has it in.

"You're real?" Your voice croaked, mingi chuckled. The same smile you saw years ago, but as expected, his face started to fade. This is definitely a dream. It was impossible to have mingi physically there, you saw him….die, right in front of your eyes.

"Of course I'm real," his voice was soft, comforting even. You were really hearing his voice, this is his voice. He pressed his forehead against you, kissing the top of your nose promptly.

At this point, you couldn't stop the tears from falling. You sobbed making mingi pull away and look at you with worry in his eyes.

"Please don't leave me again," you pleaded. You wished it was real, your chest grew even tighter. What kind of cruel punishment is this?

"Why would I leave?" He wiped the tear on your cheek. "I'll always be here," he said in reassurance as he pulled you in his embrace. You missed it so much—you missed him so much. The same warmth was still there, but it eventually started to feel cold. Like Hades was paying a visit to take him back to the underworld.

You finally got to see him again, even if it was only a dream, it really felt like he was there, body and soul present. You didn't want to let him go, there's no way you are losing him again.

His image starts to fade, you start to feel the emptiness again. His hold on your body began to feel like nothing, it was cold like ice. You tried to grip his shirt, keeping him from disappearing. You spewed out pleas, begging him to stay. At Least for a little longer.

But then you woke up, hot liquid running down your face.

You were crying, something you haven't done in a long while. Slapping your cheeks, making sure you were really awake.

"Come one y/n, it was just a dream," you said to yourself out loud.

20 years and you thought you were over him. But those agonizing years were torturous. Everything seemed to remind you of him. Wooyoung almost didn't see you for 18 years until you finally decided to visit him. You wouldn't know what to do if wooyoung was never in your life, you might as well have been asleep for the rest of your life.

=

The clamshell that sat on your bedside table glowed. It was a magic shell that sends messages back and forth in writing. You gave one to Wooyoung so you could communicate from a distance.

"Did you find him?" The letters glowed as they appeared.

"Not yet." you wrote back, watching the writings disappear indicating that he is reading it.

"Time is ticking y/n." Anxiety washes over you again. Soon the berries won't be enough to hold you there and you'll be needing to come back home.

"Y/n, you there?" A voice startled you, making you almost drop the shell. It would be bad if you did, it was a fragile thing, you could risk shattering it and won't have anything else to communicate with.

"In here!" You called out, quickly hiding the shell in the dresser.

"I brought lunch," mina smiled, holding up a paper bag filled with takeout.

The day you moved in, still exploring the apartment that you rented, you heard a knock on your door.

You peeked through the peephole. A woman stood in front of the door patiently, short brown hair— half of it tied into a ponytail— dressed in a leather jacket and denim pants. She looked about 20, maybe 21 but she doesn't look older than 25.

You almost pulled out your dagger but resisted, remembering that they are mortals and you could get in trouble. You slowly twisted the doorknob open, opening it slightly so your body is visible but not the room.

"Hi, I'm mina!" She said in a bubbly tone. Her energy made you slightly overwhelmed. "I'm your neighbour, just next door." She pointed to the apartment beside yours.

You nodded, not knowing what to reply. "Have you finished unpacking?" You tilted your head in confusion. "Do you need help with boxes or anything?"

You looked back in your apartment, body moving aside just enough for Mina to have a clear view.

"Did you not bring any stuff?"  You shook your head.

"I only brought a satchel," you gripped the strap that hung across your body. She gazes at the small bag attached to your body.

"Well, it looks like you need help settling in, why don't I cook dinner for you? You don't seem to have any pots or pans or food either." Your stomach grumbled at the mere mention of food.

Mina giggled, making you heat up in embarrassment. "I'll take that as a yes."

Since then Mina has been your source of food and company. She's been a great companion for the past few days. You told Wooyoung all about her and he just replied coldly. The thought of your best friend getting jealous of your new mortal friend made you laugh.

"So, I just started my 3rd year of college, and honestly, I am tired of it— I've been thinking of dropping out but then my mom might whoop my ass…"  Mina rants while you sit there, zoned out watching the floor like it's the most interesting thing in the world.

"Earth to y/n," mina waves her hand in front of you, snapping you out of your daze.

"Oh sorry, What were you saying?" The girl pouts, eventually brushing it off to discuss other things.

"Oh right, so I met this guy on campus and he is like, really cute. He is super tall and like, maybe a bit built..." You listened to her attentively but still in the back of your mind you couldn't help but discuss your plans on how to find mingi to yourself.

"Should I ask him out?" You blinked— you weren't paying attention again.

"I'm sorry?"

"The guy I met on campus on my first day, should I ask for his number?"

"Oh totally, you should," you said plainly, you feel really bad for not paying attention but you couldn’t help it when your mind is being occupied with something else. Mina just brushed it off, not noticing your spaced-out expression. She continued rambling while your mind wandered.

Time was running out, you needed a plan.

=

"Remind me why I am on your college campus again?" You said, mina dragging you by the arm. She woke you up at an ungodly hour just to travel early to her college campus. Few students were walking around campus, on their way to their scheduled class.

"Look, I barely have friends, also do you go to college? You look to be around my age," your eyes widen. Atlantis doesn't have schools, you had to travel to Olympus just to make it to class, but you only had to go until you turned 18. And you are immortal, you haven't been to school for a hundred years.

"I graduated," you just said. Hoping she won't ask further questions.

"Oh so you're older than me then," you nodded. She stopped to sit by a tree in the campus garden, patting the grass beside you. You sat beside her, leaning on the tree.

"I don't have class 'till after lunch, we can grab something to eat before you can go back to your apartment," she took out her textbook and paper to finish what she didn't the day before.

"Sorry for dragging you, You are always locked up in your apartment so I thought why not take you here with me," you were planning on exploring more of the city, just to take note of the possible routes to get around.

"Won't I get in trouble? I don't go here."

"You are fine, besides, it's an open college, anyone can visit here," she explains as she gets back to her work.

Your eyes wandered off somewhere else, spotting the students who were early, sitting on the grass as they got some sleep under the trees. Some were reading books and some were having their breakfast.

It makes you sleepy after a while, deciding to lean your head against the tree, closing your eyes for a brief moment.

A pair of shoes tapping against the grass, crunching the leaves on the way. You didn't bother to open your eyes so you just stayed and listened. Must be one of mina's friends as you hear her voice ushering for them to sit.

They sat on the other side of the tree beside mina, talking about classes and homework but something about that voice tingles your brain. The familiar deep husky voice made your heart ache. You were confused as to why you were reacting that way.

Soon the person left and you were forced to open your eyes when mina shook your shoulder abruptly.

"Guess who just gave me their number," she said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Who?"

"The hot campus boy," she squealed, waving the paper in her hand. "His name is mingi and it's kinda cute and his voice was deep, not that deep, but like...deep."

Your eyes widen, "mingi?" She nodded. You felt like your world stopped spinning. Your mind is in shambles, processing the information. Your ears deafened the sounds around you, muffling mina's continuous babblings.

You thanked the gods that he's here, but then reality hit. He doesn't know you for he is only a reincarnation of the mingi you knew. He is no longer the son of Athena, he is just human.

=

"Are you sure it's the mingi?" Wooyoung's message appears from the clamshell. You lay on your bed, a book on your lap as you were reading just a while ago.

"Yes, Mina's description fits so perfectly," you bit your lip, anxiously fidgeting with your necklace. What if it wasn't him? You can't confirm that it really is him, he has no memory of his past life.

"Ok, so what are you gonna do now? You found him, what's the next step?" You mentally slapped yourself for being unprepared. You wanted to see him again, that was your main goal, and now that you know he's here, you have no reason to stay.

You want to be with him but it's impossible, you are immortal, he'll age while you stay young. Well, nothing much was changed when he was a demigod, but he had the opportunity to become immortal. It's not like there is some way a mortal can become immortal.

…..or is there.

"I'm coming back," the writing disappeared letter by letter as wooyoung's message appeared right after.

"Really? So that's it?"

You shook your head as if he could see you. "I have a plan"

"Oh no," wooyoung thought. Letting out a deep sigh. "She's gonna get into more trouble isn't she?" Wooyoung wished that somehow something would knock some sense into you.

=

"Y/n!"

"Mina, hey," she threw herself at you, engulfing you in a tight hug.

"I'm gonna miss you," she squeezed around your neck, restricting your airflow.

"Mina," you patted her back, making her apologize with a sheepish grin, "I'll be back soon though, you don't have to miss me too much."

"I know— wait, are you free right now? I was wondering if you wanna go eat before you leave," you thought for a second. Though it isn't difficult to travel back to Olympus, you're unfortunately on your last berry.

"Sure," you hoped it'll last you for another few hours.

Arriving at a restaurant with mina, ordering food as soon as you sat down. Your eyes wandered around. The restaurant was busy, waiters quickly passing around, trying to get to the customer's table as soon as possible.

"Finally," Mina says, standing up on her seat. You turned your head to the person she was referring to.

"Sorry I'm late, I got stuck in traffic."

"I invited mingi, I hope you don't mind y/n," Mina says with a sorry smile.

"I don't mind at all." That unsettling feeling soon washes over you, seeing mingi stand in front of you, face to face. You find it weird to see him like this like he didn't die. He looks like the same mingi years ago, it just felt….different.

You took your seats again, Mina helping mingi order his food. The three of you waited for your orders, chatting about anything that comes to mind. Mina talking about classes and homework that is due and mingi asking if any of you were free to a party this weekend.

Of course, you can't go.

"So, Where are you from y/n?" He asks you. His voice sounded so natural to you but at the same time, it felt foreign, like you just heard of it now. Technically you did but, the way demigod reincarnations work is they get reborn the same. Meaning they'll look the same, speak the same, and their personalities are most likely the same. Nothing will change once they get reborn— except, they won't remember anything from their past life.

"Atlantis," you blurted out, panic rushing through you. You can see the confusion in their faces.

"Like, the lost city of Atlantis?" Mortals, what are they teaching them?

"I mean Atlanta," you corrected yourself, body stiff as stone.

"America? That's far, do you have a flight?" Mina intervened. You didn't even know where that was, you just so happened to remember that book you read before coming here and the main character lived in a place called Atlanta.

"Uh yeah, sure," you felt cold sweat trickling down the back of your neck. You just hope they won't ask any more questions.

You let out a sigh of relief as the two of them get back to chatting with each other.

Finally, the food arrived and the sooner you finished the sooner you got to go home. And with your last berry, you popped it in your mouth after the meal.

Leaving the restaurant with mina and mingi you were finally able to go back to Olympus.

As you are ready to part ways, Mina engulfs you in a tight hug, cutting off your airflow. "Mina, you're squishing me," you said in a choked out voice. "Be quick ok," she gives you a final hug before walking in the other direction.

You waited until the coast was clear and hid somewhere secluded.

=

You arrived safely and with just a minute to spare. You were gonna go to wooyoung's place first before going back to Atlantis when you saw a lightning strike. A gust of moist air blows your way, a growling thunder piercing through your ears. Your mind immediately assumed that it was Zeus but when the clouds cleared you saw your father, sitting on a cloud with his trident on his lap.

"Father," you said, greeting him with a bow. Though he didn't look pleased with seeing you at the gates of Olympus, he still gave your hair a ruffle.

"You have me worried sick y/n, where were you?"

You expected yelling, hearing these words and this kind of tone shocked you. Especially even after telling him that you were staying at wooyoung's but still found you at the gates

"Look, I know I may have gone too far— with...you know, the marriage," he admits. Avoiding eye contact with you as much as possible. Not that it wasn't sincere, he just wasn't used to admitting he was wrong. But he loves you dearly and he'd do anything for you.

"It's ok, I actually forgot those happened." there was an awkward silence. Then, Poseidon left, after informing you of what time dinner was gonna be.

You finally arrived at your best friend's house and instead of a worried wooyoung, you were met with a furious wooyoung.

"I knew this was a bad idea, your father almost killed me!" He said. You rolled your eyes at the exaggeration.

"Relax wooyoung, nothing happened," you placed your bag onto his bed, taking out the souvenirs you got.

"Did he say anything to you? You are still alive so I'm guessing you haven't met yet?"

"I met him at the gates and he said he was worried." Thinking back to that moment made you shiver, it's like someone replaced your dad with someone completely different.

"Huh, well ok then— Ooh what are these," he was quick to change the topic as his curiosity fills in. Wooyoung takes the bag of candies you brought, ripping it open to take one of the wrappers with the sugary treats inside. You chuckled, watching wooyoung chew on the candy.

He notices your gaze stuck on the floor while you get lost in your own thoughts.

"Hey, did something else happen there?"

You snap back into reality, taking a while to process what wooyoung just said. You shook your head in response.

"Actually, is there a way to stay there without the berries?"

He stares at you for a moment, he honestly thought you were done and you weren't going back there. It's dangerous for you since you are not as strong as your father. Even with something more efficient than a magical fruit, you are bound to get in trouble.

"My mom has a necklace," wooyoung says, he didn't want to say it but he knew how important this is to you. Eventually you'll stop, knowing mortals and gods cannot stay together forever.

"She used to make me wear it when she let me go to the mortal world with her."

"Can I borrow it?"

=

"Y/n!" Mina ran to you with open arms, "I missed you so much," you giggled at your friend.

"I've only been gone for a week."

"A week too long," she pouted.

She takes your hand in hers, pulling you to whatever direction. You arrived at the airport, making it look like you got here by plane. Passing security check out and exiting the building.

"You still remember mingi right?" She asks.

"Of course, I left for a week, it doesn't mean I forgot anything that's here," she grinned.

"Why, what happened?" You asked, hiding the hint of fear in your voice.

"Oh nothing," she sing-song, trying to stop her lips from smiling too much.

You both stopped at the front of the main entrance, waiting for you-don't-know-who. Until a car stops in front of you. Mingi came to pick you two up, giving you a ride to your apartment.

"So, what's it like in your hometown," she asks, taking a bite of her food.

"Uh, It's….you know —uh…. there's trees and buildings."

Mina nodded slowly as she continued eating her food.

After you two finished eating, Mina left to finish her college work— probably with mingi.

You didn't want to think the worst but considering mina's behavior around mingi, you couldn't stop the thoughts running around your mind.

You gripped the pendant that was tied around your neck. It's pearly white color glowing due to the light reflecting on it. Its sharp edges indicate that it was shattered into parts.

The other half is with mingi.

Atleast, when he was still with you. It symbolizes your promise to always be together and be there for each other.

But fate just wasn't on your side. And it still isn't.

As you walked out of your apartment to get some fresh air, you spotted the two by the parking lot. Their faces are inches away from each other.

You didn't know why but you felt your heart sink. Tears welling in your eyes. You reminded yourself that this mingi isn't the same mingi that promised to be with you. He wasn't the same mingi that helped you run away from home whenever your parents were arguing again.

That gave you a reality check, you can't be with him anymore. You have to let him go.

Your gaze still stuck on the two, not noticing the sudden appearance of another spirit.

This time, it made you feel chills.

"Keeho," you said in a whisper. You didn't bother to look in his direction.

"Oh, I'm glad you recognize me," he said, a mischievous smile growing on his lips.

"Ryujin would have loved to see this, after all, this was her plan." You curled your fist into a ball, tight enough until your nails dug into your skin.

"Why?" You managed to let out. You didn't want this to affect you but it does. After everything you did, it all didn't matter in the end.

"I don't know, ask ryujin. I'm just here to relay a message."

Keeho pushed himself off the wall that he was leaning on and came over to you.

"Don't try to bring back something that was meant to be taken away, it'll come back to bite you in the ass," he whispered against your ear, sending chills down your spine.

Then he left, disappearing into the mist again.

Even though you just came back, you were already itching to leave. Packing your bag and locking the apartment. Giving the keys to the landlord.

Mina notices you in a hurry to leave, running after you to catch you.

"Y/n! Where are you going?" She grabs your wrist making you stop. You didn't turn around, you stayed rooted to the ground. Swallowing the thick lump in your throat before speaking.

"I'm sorry Mina," you pulled your wrist away from her and left. You felt guilty, she was your only friend and she felt betrayed. You left without an explanation.

=

"Y/n? You're here, did something happen?" Wooyoung read your expression.

You shook your head, clearing your thoughts as you replaced the sad look with a small smile.

"I'm great, I just didn't like the whole vibe there," you lied.

You removed the ruby crystal around your neck giving it to wooyoung, muttering a thanks. Alongside you removed the pendant that was tucked under your shirt. Wooyoung was shocked as you never took it off and you swore you never would.

You tucked the necklace into your pocket, taking a mental note to put it away when you get home.

Although you didn't accomplish your original mission, you did realize that it's always good to let go of something. Never let anything or anyone tie you down. You are still heartbroken, but you are sure you could get over it soon.

Of course, the siblings that stared at you through the window, mischievous smiles on their faces, will not let you live just yet.

[1plus1kiyoomi]

Chapter 8: Mornings and Neckties

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“Don’t you love me anymore?” Kuroo asks. You cup his cheeks and pull his face closer since he was backing away. There’s sadness in his eyes, anyone can tell that. “You’ve just been so distant lately. I understand that it may be because you’re busy with work, but I don’t know. You just feel different ever since that Yuta guy walked you home.”

“Yuta has nothing to do with this. I told you I stopped talking to him after that night,” you sigh, letting go of his face.

“If it has nothing to do with him, then it must be something else.” Kuroo sits on your desk that is behind him. “What is it love?”

“Let’s talk about it at home.” You try to shrug the topic off but he tugs on your hand, pulling your body to stand in between his legs. The warmth of his hand is contrasting with your cold one.

“I want to talk about it now,” he says as firmly as his hold on your hand. You take a deep breath in before maintaining eye contact with him. Your mouth opens and you don’t even know what you’re saying. All you know is that you’re finally letting out your pent up anger and frustration that is caused by his toxic traits and your unsteady relationship.

What amazes you is how calm Kuroo is. He is listening to every word you’re saying and isn’t showing any foul reaction. His fingers run up and down your forearm to calm you down, abling you to speak properly.

After your final complaint, the room falls silent. Not knowing what to do, you lower your head and tears fall out of your eyes. Kuroo’s hand travel to your lower back, his fingers drawing small circles. You’re getting ready to flee the room because he isn’t saying anything to you. The silence was deafening and hurting your ears. Just when you are about to leave, he speaks.

“I know for a fact that if I apologize, it wouldn’t be enough. I won’t make any excuses and take responsibility for the hurt I’ve caused you. If you want to leave, I won’t force you to stay with me or ask for another chance. But if you do give me a chance, I’ll make sure you don’t regret your choice.”

“If you’re worried about our parents, I can talk to them. You don’t have to suffer from our relationship just to prove that you’re a good daughter.” Kuroo’s arms are wrapped around you. It’s tight. His hold is tight. He’s savoring every moment because this might be the last time he gets to have you in his arms.

Kuroo is acting calm, but deep inside, his heart is shattering and his thoughts are all over the place. He’s trying so hard to choose the right words to tell you. He doesn’t want you to think that he’s okay with letting you go or he’s forcing you to stay. All he wants at the moment is not to be selfish and choose you over his pride.

Kuroo doesn’t believe in gods or anything spiritual, but right now, he’s praying that you choose whatever makes you happy. Of course he hopes that you stay, but your euphoria matters more.

Leaning your head on Kuroo’s shoulder, you cry harder. What makes him think you can leave him? You could have left on the first year of your marriage when he never said a thing to you. You could have left when he said he will never fall in love with you. You could have ran away when you saw him sleep with another girl. You could have ended your relationship when you found out he was in love with Alisa.

You were given all the reasons and chances to leave, but at the end of the day you always choose to stay. Today, as foolish as you can be, you’ll stay again.

“I’ll stay...” you mutter in between cries. “Who’ll fix your necktie before you go to work if we break up?” You try to lighten up the mood and it works since Kuroo chuckles. Your husband plants a long kiss on your temple, eyes closed shut. The tears he had been holding back finally falls, his hold getting tighter.

But you don’t see it. You don’t see how he’s crying for you just like you’re crying for him.

“Thank you for staying.”

——————————————————————————

Your relationship has gotten better ever since the two of you talked. Kuroo wasn’t joking when he said that you won’t regret your choice if you ever stay. He has been nothing but a good spouse to you since that day. Literally, the best out there. Sometimes you wonder if he would’ve become like this, too, if you told him earlier.

Right now, he’s cooking breakfast while you wait at the dining table. You agreed on a rule that the two of you eat together as much as possible. If his lunch breaks allow, he comes to your office just to eat with you. He even brings desserts for your coworkers.

Kuroo has also implied that he drives you to your workplace everyday, and he fetches you wherever you are at whatever time. You got off work at 2AM? Kuroo’s still picking you up. You have an event that ends at 5AM? He will wake up just to make sure you get home.

Your husband doesn’t forget to bring you flowers, too. Sometimes it’s a big bouquet, some other days it’s a single stem. It’s a different flower every day since “it all has different meanings.” Red Camellias because “you are the flame in my heart. White Clovers because he wants you to think of him and him alone. Yellow Jasmines because he said and you quote, “you are grace. You are elegant. Be the Jasmine to my Aladdin.”

Others will think that it’s overbearing, but you don’t mind at all. You love seeing the tall man wrapped around your tiny finger. You are happy to see the real him. The dorky, caring, competitive Kuroo Tetsuro.

“What do you want to eat for lunch later?” Kuroo asks you as the two of you start eating your first meal of the day. “I only have a half day today, so I have time to buy lunch.”

“You.”

“You’re getting bolder each day,” Kuroo chuckles at your teasing remark. “Do you have plans after work?”

“I have to buy something at the mall. And then maybe we can eat dinner at that restaurant your sister recommended.”

The two of you eat and then prepare for work together. Every morning, you share the mirror and laugh at each other’s faces while you brush your teeth. You make fun of his hair and attempt to put it down, but of course it doesn’t. He chooses your blush and lipstick and applies it on you. Those are all part of your new morning routine. But it doesn’t end there.

“I’m starting to think you’re purposely tying your necktie the wrong way so I can fix it,” you point out as the two of you stand in front of each other at the doorway, your fingers skillfully fixing the grey textured tie that matched his black suit.

“Maybe I am,” he answers, and you don’t see the playful smirk plastered on his face because you were too busy on fixing the garment. Even with heels on, you’re still shorter than him. And Kuroo loves that fact. He loves how he can see your brows furrow in seriousness. He loves the way your fingers move. He loves the domestic feeling the moment is exerting. Aside from seeing your face first thing in the morning, this is his favorite part of the morning.

“And it’s done.” You slide your palms over his shoulders and chest, flattening the creases of his suit. Your hands stop on his shoulders and you look up to him, smiling proudly. Kuroo leans down for a kiss which you gladly accepted.

Kuroo pulls back, but his hands are still on your hips, not allowing you to move away from him. “Thank you,” he tells as he stares at your face as if he is gazing at the most beautiful thing he has ever seen.

“What?” Unused to his stare, you giggle out of confusion. But he continues to stare. “If you’re just gonna stare at me, we’re both gonna be late for work.”

Kuroo doesn’t say anything and leans back again to peck on the side of your mouth, barely touching your lips. Then, he proceeds to kiss your cheek. After that, he nibbles on your jaw. Next, his lips travel down to your neck and he gives a short but sensual kiss on the skin. His slowly graze from your neck going all the way to the back of your ear.

Meanwhile, your knees are getting weak and your brain is steaming inside. Your cheeks are burning up and you can feel the whole zoo in your stomach. He has that much impact on you. ‘This is too much for a Wednesday morning.’

You’re back to your senses when he plants one last kiss on the back of your ear before his breath fans over it.

“I love you,” Kuroo whispers.

——————————————————————————

Facts:

The tiger in the Aladdin film, Rajah, was originally a circus tiger as a cub, who found his way into the Sultan's palace after escaping the touring circus group during a visit to Agrabah. He was discovered by a then-young Princess Jasmine, who assumed the cub was a gift from her deceased mother.

Neckties were not originally used for the sense of fashion; they were so thick that not even a strong sword could penetrate it.

Neckties are the most famous gift given on Father’s Day

Those who collect ties are known as grabatologists

There are 177,147 ways in which you can tie and necktie.

It takes approximately 110 silk worms to make one high quality silk necktie.

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[dnarez]

Chapter 2

(photos and descriptions of characters at the end)

After a long 15-hour-long flight, you are surprised by the scene on the drop out gate, your grandfathers are there, and also some of the 'Straw hat' group, your father attracts really weird people, all his friends are just crazy.

"TORAO! IT'S BEEN SO LONG!!" Luffy, a black haired young man that it's using a straw hat, jumps up and down, being held back by his friends.

"LUFFY! WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE HERE, WE ARE GOING TO GET KICKED OUT IF YOU DON'T STOP!!" Usopp a man with long curly black hair and a very long nose, and Sanji a man with a weird curled brow and short blond hair, tries to hold him back.

"Oh, okay" when Luffy stops fighting against them, the 3 off them fall backwards, causing the troublemaker to laugh.

"Knock it off Luffy!" Nami, a beautiful woman, with long bright orange hair and very big breasts, punched his face which gave him a black eye instantly.

You chuckled at the scene, as you, your father and the gang finally gets to them, the first thing you do is jump super high, so you are able to hug grandpa Roci, who is REALLY tall. "GRANDPA! I MISSED YOU!"

He smiles and hugs you back "I missed you too Dondon-chan, you are so bigger than the last time..."

"Of course I'm bigger! The last time you saw me I was 8 years old!!"

"I'M SORRY! I WANTED TO VISIT YOU AGAIN BUT I COULDN'T!" and... he starts to cry... a lot, while hugging you tighter.

"DAD! HELP! Grandpa is crushing me again!"

"Room" you are now hugging you father, you look at him surprised and then looks back at your grandfather, only to see him and Luffy hugging each other and crying.

. . .

"DID SHE JUST CALLED YOU DAD!?" shouted the straw hat crew.

"Yes you dumbasses! She's my daughter, introduce yourself" he parts the hug and pushes you lightly in their direction.

You blush heavily at the attention you were getting, you bow and smile to them "Nice to meet you all, I'm Trafalgar Donquixote Y/n, but my friends call me Dondon, it's a pleasure to finally meet you all"

"DONQUIXOTE!? SO YOU ARE DAUGHTER OF THAT MONSTER!?" Usopp screams panicking.

"You know my mom?" You tilt your head.

"Don't call her mother a monster!!" Usopp also gets a black eye from Nami.

"We fought against her some years back, I can't believe that you married her Torao" Zoro, a man with green hair and a scar across his left eye said.

"I was obligated, if I didn't marry her he would vanish with my crew..." Law said while pointing at your second grandfather, your least favorite one.

"How cruel! You hugged only Corazón, but didn't hug me!? Come here and" he licked is lips "Give your grandpa Doffy a hug" he opened his arms in your direction.

Your father put you behind him and grandpa Roci got in front of your father, the Straw hat group looked ready to fight.

"Why are you all worried?" Doffy frowned "We are family, I would never do anything to her"

You take a deep breath of courage and goes around your father and grandpa Roci, you extend your arms to Doffy, and he gives you a big smile. "How sweet of you! I wished that the others would be like you" he picks you up and hugs you.

(For those who don't know, Doffy and Roci are 3 m 5 cm and 2 m 93 cm height)

"Let her go Mingo!" Luffy shouts and gets closer to Doffy "Put her down!"

"Or what?" Doffy chuckles.

"Or I'm gonna punch your face" Luffy glares at him.

With a snob smile Doffy puts you down, next to your father. "Let's not start a fight here, there are too many eyes, I wouldn't like to get in the hero's bad side" he pets your head and takes a box from inside his enormous pink feathery coat "Here sweetie, happy late birthday" you take the present and bow to him.

"Thank you" you give him a wobbly smile and keeps the box to your chest.

"I have to go, I'm a busy man after all" he looks at each one of the people there "See you another day" with his signature smile he waves and goes his merry way.

Your father sigh relived "Let's go home"

Grandpa Roci takes out a cigarette and put in his mouth, but only lights it when he's outside the airport.

You watch your parents giving his goodbyes to his friends, when one of the Straw Hat comes to your side. "Hi, I'm Robin, you will be having your classed with me" her long black hair is just as stunning as her breasts.

You have a difficult time focusing on her eyes, but nods and give her a small smile "I will be in your hands"

"May I ask why is your nickname Dondon?" She fixes her purse on her shoulder.

"Oh! It's because of my last name! When I was 4 years old I couldn't say any of my last names, so the other kids called me Dondon, and it just stayed like that" you shrug.

She smiles and pats your back "You can change it if you don't like it, no one's going to notice, new place new life"

You shake your head "I like being called Dondon, it's cute" you give her a big smile.

She chuckles and nods "You will train with Nami first, then you will be put with the trio ASL"

"Trio ASL?" You tilt your head.

"Ace, Sabo and Luffy" Robin says as she points at Luffy "They are the best to teach you how to fight, they do it since they were around 5 years old"

"Dad told me that Luffy's grandfather would throw him in the middle of the forest and tell him to survive"

Robin laughs "Yes, he did that, it was the reason why Luffy was put on an orphanage, where he meet Sabo and Ace."

"WHAT!? I thought that they were blood brothers! The stories my dad told me, says that they are inseparable!" You look at her shocked by that discovery.

She chuckles and nods "They are brothers, they were adopted together by Whitebeard after all"

"Oh! Changing the subject!!! How is the marriage life? I saw your wedding's photos!! They were so beautiful!!!" You see your father approaching

Robin looks at what you were looking and smiles "We will continue this chat later, you and your father need some rest" she waves at Law and goes back to her friends.

Your father nods at her and looks at your grandfather who is catching fire "Roci-ya you are burning" Law gets closer to grandpa and pats his shoulder that was on fire. "Still have two left feet I see"

Roci smiles at him and pats the other's shoulder "Let's go home, you two must be tired" he took you, and your father to his car.

You get inside the big and spacious car, feeling small.

"It will take a while to get there, I live in the center of the city, my house isn't as big as your pent house was, and you two will have to share a bathroom, but I hope you two feel at home" he extends a hand to the back seat where you are and pets you thigh "get some rest, your father and I have some grown up stuff to talk about"

You nod and put on your headphone, turning your music up and lay down on the back seat, closing your eyes.

Roci snaps his fingers and activates his quirk "Silence"

Law visibly relaxes pm his seat. "She took everything..."

As Roci drives he looks at Law from time to time "Not everything, you still have your daughter, and both your licensees, it will be hard from now on, but you are not alone, never were"

Law thinks about it for a while and nods "I know... thank you Dad"

Roci smiles, "your welcome son" and as he keeps driving, now both his son and his granddaughter end up sleeping, he deactivates his quirk and put some light jazz on the car.

.................

For all of you that are here for the bnha and don't know how or who the One Piece characters are, I'm gonna lend you all a hand.

Robin (has the quirk to create any part of her body in anyplace) ^

Nami (can control clouds with the assistance of a 'special staff') ^

Luffy (quirk-has a rubber body, oh my god, how is this... barely 18year -old boy boss of so many powerful people) ^

Sanji (quirkless, fights with his legs and only his legs, also awesome cook)^

Zoro (quirkless, master in Kendo)^

Usopp (quirkless, has incredible aim and is very good with plants)^

Franky (cyborg man, quirkless)^

Brook (rock star, quirk- practically immortal, can take his own soul out off his skeleton body)^

Chopper (straw hats doctor, quirk, has different stages of transformations)^

Jinbei (fishman, quirk can breathe underwater and control it, is master in fishman martial arts)^

(there is more, but Tumblr won't let me put any more pics, so y'all will have to search how the characters look, sorry)

[darecruit]

Sneak Peek #1. First Look into Chapter 18!

I'm already 7, 920 words into this next chapter. That's 14 pages—3 of which are dedicated to The Spanking, as Rachel will come to call it. (Note: Of the 1,737 words total from start to finish, only 350 of them are actual "on-screen" action. The rest is Rachel and Shelby's thoughts).

Quinn's also gonna get hers this chapter (the guilt and worry that Shelby will find out is getting too much for her). Poor Frannie's going to have to figure out how to be Quinn's parent and not her sister. It's a steep learning curve and Frannie faces it head on.

But for now, enjoy the opening scene of Chapter 18, which picks up right where Shelby had swatted Rach and sent her to the house. Mother and daughter are both adrift and feeling anxious, but Jack and Sarah are there with plenty of hugs and LOTS of wisdom.

Chapter 18: Repercussions, Part Two

Rachel’s heart was beating hard and tears were streaming down her face as she hurried up the front steps and away from her decidedly upset mother. Her ears (and her rear) were still burning from Shelby’s reprimand. She very cautiously approached the front door and her waiting aunt, worried that Sarah would add her own swats the moment she got close enough. She felt her face flush a brilliant crimson as her traitorous brain replayed the last few moments, knowing Sarah and Jack had witnessed everything.

Rachel had let out a low whimper when she saw her mother reappear on the porch, then hurry toward them in the car. Jack had opened his door first, jumping out and holding his hands out. Rachel saw that he had tried to say something to her mom, but Shelby ignored him as she continued towards Rachel’s side. Rachel flung her own door open but remained inside the car, unable to move.

Shelby was at her side in an instant, her hand reaching in to grab her and pull her out. Rachel yelped in surprise and was then pulled into strong arms and held fiercely. She could feel her mother’s anxiety and upset with her, but also an overwhelming abundance of love.

“Don’t you ever pull a stunt like this again, young lady. You scared me to death!” Shelby scolded even as she nestled her cheek against Rachel’s head. Rachel swore her mother smelled her then, as if she was trying to inhale her very essence.

“I’m sorry, Mom, I—I didn’t mean to,” Rachel answered back, clinging to her mother and soaking up all of the love she was willing to give.

Without warning, Shelby pulled back, holding Rachel by the shoulders and forcing eye contact. “I’m serious, Rachel. You cannot run off like that again, not ever. I don’t care what the reason—mad, upset, bored—” At this, she paused and Rachel felt herself being turned to the side. Her mother spoke firmly and deliberately, “—You do—NOT—Run—Away.” Her palm cracked down hard four times to emphasize her point. Rachel wailed.

She was spun to face her once more, tears clouding her mother’s features, but she could make out enough to know that Shelby was staring deep down into her soul. It was enough to send a shiver down her spine and make her squirm uncomfortably. Well, that and the fact that her butt throbbed where her mom had spanked her—a foreboding sign for what was to come, she was sure. She was wearing denim mid-length shorts and she still felt the full force of those swats; she thought they should have provided more cushion than that…unless that was their cushion.

Shelby then pointed to the house, ordering her to go inside. “I need to talk to Uncle Jack and then I’ll be inside and you and I are going to have a very long talk, young lady,” she added.

Rachel could see the flash of anger in her mother’s eyes and she felt a wave of guilt crash over her; it was her fault Shelby was angry at Jack. What if, because of her, their relationship was ruined? Rachel seemed to leave destruction in her wake no matter how hard she tried otherwise. “Please don’t be mad at Uncle Jack,” she begged. “It—It’s my fault. I didn’t want to come home. I’m sorry—”

Shelby shook her head. “I’m not mad at Uncle Jack, honey, I just need to talk to him. Go inside now,” she said, pointing once more to the house. Rachel remained where she was, so her mother nudged her to get her moving. When she still stood, staring back, Shelby became firm, “Do as you are told, Rachel Barbra. Please don’t add defiance to your list of offenses.”

And that was how Rachel found herself in her current predicament, crying, blushing, and standing just out of reach of Sarah’s grasp. “Rachel, get in the house NOW!” came her mother’s frustrated yell. Rachel jumped and hesitated all of a millisecond before deciding Sarah was the safer of her two options right now.

“C’mon, honey, let’s listen to your mom,” Sarah said, reaching her arm out towards her niece to guide her forward. She didn’t miss the way the small teen slunk past her, twisting just so to ensure her backside never faced Sarah. The woman shook her head and ushered the girl inside. She shut the door and then pulled Rachel into a tight hug.

Rachel let out a tiny gasp of surprise but soon found herself relaxing into the embrace. She squirmed when Sarah finally released her, holding her at arm’s length much the same way Shelby had moments before. Dread filled her as she wondered if Sarah would finish it off the same way too.

“You caused quite a stir, young lady,” her aunt said, though not unkindly. “You worried all of us.”

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” Rachel found herself repeating the same apology she had given her mom.

Sarah reached out with her right hand to cup Rachel’s flushed cheek, brushing the stray tears away with the pad of her thumb. “I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, but you are so very loved, sweetheart,” she murmured.

“Even by you?” Rachel scoffed, her walls shoring up their defenses.

“What?” Sarah all but gasped. “Of course by me! Why would you think otherwise?”

“Because of…what I did to Lexi?” Rachel said uncertainly.

Sarah sighed and let go of Rachel. Rachel took that as a sign of rejection and tried to step away; Sarah grabbed her hand and pulled her into the living room and down onto the sofa to sit.

“Honey, I want you to listen to me,” Sarah began, her hands sandwiching Rachel’s good one between her own, “I love you. You are my niece and my family. There is nothing you could possibly ever do that would make me stop loving you for even a second. Do you hear me?”

“But Lexi—”

“Lexi eavesdropped on a private conversation between your mom and me and then used that misheard information against you to hurt you. She is just as much to blame for what happened between the two of you as you are. She will be apologizing to you for her actions, as I’m sure your mom will tell you to do for yours. And I’ve punished Lexi for her role today; I’m hoping this is the last time she will do something like this to you or anyone else. Whatever consequences your mom decides are appropriate for your part is between the two of you…though I do hope it’s the last time you act this way as well.”

“It will be ‘cause Mom’s gonna kill me,” Rachel lamented. Or just get rid of me, she added to herself as more tears fell.

Sarah chuckled gently, pulling Rachel into her arms once more. “It’ll only feel that way for a little while, I expect,” she reassured.

“Aunt Saraaaah,” Rachel whined, feeling her face heat up. What wasit with this family and the spanking jokes? They acted like it was no big deal. It was a very, VERY big deal! Especially when it was Rachel’s ass on the line!

“I don’t think your mom’s anywhere near as upset about the situation with Lexi as she is about how you’ve been acting around Quinn and especiallyrunning off like you did. You scared her, Rach.”

Jack let out a long sigh as Shelby’s attention returned to him once Rachel was safely inside. “Took you long enough, didn’t it?” she said as she stalked towards him. He knew his sister was near to bursting with pent-up energy that now needed somewhere to go. He was more than happy to help her blow off that steam.

“Take a few deep breaths, Shelbs,” he directed, his voice calm, soothing. Shelby rolled her eyes and huffed.

“I’m calm, Jack,” she grumbled. “I am,” she added at his dubious look. “I’m just…frustrated. It’s not like I haven’t tried talking to her to get her to open up. She refuses. She just becomes defensive and argumentative. I’ve tried to be patient and understanding. I’ve tried sending her to her room and early bedtimes. Her behavior doesn’t change—it’s getting worse. And for her to just run like that. She can’t—Jacky, she ran away from me. What am I…Am I doing something wrong here? I’m trying, I want to help. I can’t help if she won’t let me in. And her behavior…I don’t know the reason behind it and I can only guess and—and—I can’t just let her get away with being mean to others, whatever else is going on. I can’t.”

“You aren’t doing anything wrong, Shelbs. It’s—I duno the reason behind her behavior with Quinn either, she wouldn’t tell me, but something is going on there. She was really upset over why I was there to get her instead of you. She—She thought it was because you were too angry and didn’t want to see her. She’s afraid she’s going to be sent away if she does something bad enough or makes you mad enough…I told her you’d never do that but she’s scared.”

Shelby felt like her heart was being ripped from her chest with a butter knife—agonizingly slow and extremely painful. She should have known better. It was no secret that Rachel was afraid of doing something to lose her last parent—how could she not, when the two who had raised her for fourteen years tossed her aside like last week’s garbage?

Jack could see the self-loathing written all over his sister’s face. “Hey,” he ducked his head to gain eye contact. “I didn’t tell you that to make you feel bad. You have nothing to feel bad over anyway. Rachel doesn’t think those things because of you. It’s because of those assholes who—” Jack stopped himself; he felt the anger at those men surging through his veins and knew if he continued on that thread he would be too angry himself to be of any help to Shelby. He took a deep breath and began again. “This is all new to her. We all have to remember, you’ve only had her for a little over a month and her entire world has been turned upside down. She’s waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

The look on Shelby’s face didn’t improve, so Jack kept going. “I just wanted you to be aware. I’m not sure she will bring it up with you herself. Maybe that’s part of the reason she doesn’t want to open up to you, for fear of rejection and—and being sent away.”

Shelby’s stomach clenched. Was she not doing enough for her child to make her feel safe? And loved? She wanted to run inside and scoop Rachel up in her arms and forget about any and all punishment. Something must have shown on her face, because Jack jumped right in over those thoughts.

“That doesn’t mean she gets a free pass on her behavior!” he said. “You have to be consistent with her, keep your promises to her—whether they’re positive or negative, you have to keep them. That’s how you earn her trust. Show up and do what you say you will. All kids want safety and structure, Rachel even more so because she’s never had a parent be there for her through everything.”

“But if she ran because she’s scared, how can I…I can’t spankher. Shouldn’t I let this slide instead? Talk to her but no punishment?”

“No!” Jack exclaimed, running a hand through his hair. “That’s the worst thing you could do for her. You’ve promised her a spanking—Hell, she expectsit, Shel. She knows what she did was wrong and she knows she’s going to be punished for it. Besides, there is something happening with Quinn. She was plenty defensive and just plain angry whenever I tried to crack that shell. But whatever is happening there, you are absolutely right—you can’t let her act that way or be mean to others just because what? She doesn’t like them? That won’t fly. You know it and deep down, she knows it too.”

Shelby sighed, letting her brother’s words sink in. He hadn’t said anything she didn’t already know, even if she didn’t want to admit it to herself in this moment. She had had every intention of following through with Rachel’s spanking when the girl got home, after a much-needed shower and talk, but it was easier to resign herself to it when she just thought it had to do with unresolved jealousy and maybe even a healthy dose of her child testing her boundaries. Being reminded that Rachel was still so new to this life and her part in this family, that her fears were immense and dug deep…Shelby didn’t want to have to be the hard-ass here. But, even with those fears, it didn’t mean Rachel got a pass on poor behavior. Shelby could address both—and she would.

Sarah didn’t miss the way Rachel tensed at the mention of Quinn. She knew Shelby had been chalking Rachel’s behavior toward the other teen up to jealousy, but Sarah wasn’t so sure. Her gut told her something bigger was going on, but without more information, she couldn’t even begin to guess the problem. She understood why Shelby was so frustrated with the matter. It was going to take time to learn Rachel’s tells and what made her tick, and with Rachel so unwilling to open up about any of it, it was like fumbling around in the dark.

“You know, Rach, no matter how upset or angry your mom is with your actions, it’s never directed at you. Do you understand that? You can hate someone’s behavior and love them very, very much. And your mom loves you more than words can say, sweetheart,” Sarah reassured the girl. She wasn’t sure how helpful it was in this moment, but Rachel needed to hear it regardless.

Rachel sighed and wiggled out of her aunt’s arms. She needed space. At this point, she was mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. She just wanted to get all of this over with. She wanted a bath and to curl up in her bed and take a nap, and to forget this day ever happened. “I—I’m gonna go to my room, Aunt Sarah,” she said. She was up and heading for the stairs before her aunt could respond. Unfortunately, her mom and Uncle Jack chose that exactmoment to come inside. Shelby automatically reached a hand out and stopped her.

“Mom, please…I just—I just wanna go to my room,” her voice cracked and she briefly met hazel eyes—enough to see them soften. Her mother nodded and let her go.

“I’ll be up shortly. Start getting out of those clothes—you need a bath,” Shelby called after her child’s retreating back. She offered a small, warm smile at the surprised glance Rachel threw over her shoulder.

The three adults waited until they heard the click of Rachel’s door closing before heading into the living room together. Sarah sat on the sofa first, followed by Shelby; Jack leaned against the armrest. “Something’s definitely up with her and Quinn,” Sarah revealed. “And Rachel’s more than a little worried about how upset you are. She told me you’re going to kill her.”

Shelby sighed. It was the same thing Jack told her all over again. Why were these two seemingly able to read her child so much better than she was?

“We’ve just had loads more practice,” Jack answered when she asked it out loud. “You know Rachel best though.”

“It sure as hell doesn’t feel like it!” Shelby groaned into her hands. “I feel like I’m screwing up left and right.”

Sarah laid a gentle hand on her sister-in-law’s shoulder in sympathy and support. What mother—what parent—hadn’t felt the same at one time or another while raising children? “You’re not alone, Shelbs,” she murmured. “I know it doesn’t feel like it to you right now, but you are doing amazing with Rachel. The poor girl’s just…confused right now. She needs constant reassurance and proof that you are here and are staying. Hug her, kiss her—spank her. She is looking for that structure and the knowledge that she will be taken care of, in all the ways she needs to be. Provide that for her, even when she pushes back—especially when she pushes back. That’s normal, believe me.”

“Sarah’s right—consistency and follow-through. Show her you’re here for the long haul. I don’t know that she’s going to make this easy for you. Try to talk it out first anyway, make it clear it’s her behavior and not heryou’re upset with. Then light that little ass up and move on. You’ll both feel better.”

Shelby smiled in spite of herself—her brother had a way with words sometimes, the big-ass goofball. His levity achieved what it had meant to; Shelby was feeling lighter, more sure of herself. She knew that however it played out, she and Rachel were going to come out of it on the other side just fine.

Jack and Sarah offered several more words of encouragement, along with hugs, to Shelby before going to collect their own wayward child. Lexi came sulking out of the sunroom, following her parents in tense silence to the front door. Shelby offered her own hug to the girl and another apology on behalf of Rachel. “She’ll apologize herself next time we see you,” she added with a kiss to her niece’s head.

Lexi grumbled something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, “Yeah, well, bust her ass on behalf of me,” as she made her departure. Both Sarah and Jack stopped her in her tracks.

“Excuse me?” Sarah gasped, followed by Jack’s, “You wanna repeat that, little girl?”

Lexi spun on her heels, glaring at both parents in turn. “What?!” she whined. “I’m gonna have a black eye because of her! The least she deserves is a sore butt!”

“Alexandra Leigh—”

“Oh my God—Lexi!” Shelby couldn’t stop her exclamation. She bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud—it would hardly do for her niece to think she approved of her sass. She was, however, wholly impressed with it—and glad she didn’t have to deal with it.

“I know someone who’s gonna have a sore butt!” Jack thundered, stepping into his daughter’s space. In the blink of an eye, he snatched her arm, turned her to the side, and had delivered an almighty smack to her rear end.

Shelby winced at the sound and was reminded of the time when, at nineteen, she had been on the receiving end of that same hard hand. Her niece squealed and threw a hand back for protection, then hissed, “Daddy, don’t!”

“You’re walking a very thin line, Lex,” Jack growled as he let the girl go. “Apologize to Aunt Shelby and say goodbye. We’ll talk more at home.”

Teary eyes met Shelby’s as Lexi did as she was told. Shelby reached out to hug the girl and accepted her apology. “I know you’re upset with Rachel right now. I get it, honey,” she said, her tone gentle. Then more firm, “But how I decide to approach the situation with her is none of your business or up for discussion. She’s not going to get away with cursing at you or slapping you, okay? That’s all you need to know about the matter.”

Lexi nodded and then allowed herself to be ushered out of the house by her mother. Jack hung back until they were out of earshot, then smirked at his sister. “See? I told you—consistency and follow-through.”

Shelby laughed and pushed him out of her house, watching him catch up to his wife and daughter. She waved them away and then shut the door and locked it. She slumped against the back of it, staring up the stairs as she collected her thoughts. With a deep breath, Shelby pushed herself away from the door and towards the stairs. It was time to get this whole thing over with.

[stevesnailbat]

Hi! So I saw that you were taking request and I was wondering if you could do one with Steve where the reader aka his girlfriend is pregnant but they’re not telling anyone yet but he lets it slip since he’s worried about her and Hoper(her dad) like freaks out but like is happy about it yet still mad. Maybe it’s happening at the battle at Starcourt. A bit angsty yet a lot of fluf. Also I just want to say I love your blog and hope you’re having an amazing day!!! ♥️♥️♥️

warnings: pregnancy?, a little angsty but pretty fluffy

word count: 1.8K

a/n: Kinda AU bc Hopper comes out of the base alive but besides that, everything is pretty canon. Thanks for the love and request, anon, enjoy!

“Are you...positive, that it’s positive?”

“Yes, Stevie. I’ve taken two of them to be sure.” Y/N said shakily as she watched her nervous wreck of a boyfriend pace around his bedroom.

She waited almost two weeks after her missed period to even confront Steve about being late, knowing that he would freak. As scared as she was for their future, she was sure that Steve would be a great and loving father just like he was a great and loving boyfriend. Tears of pent up fear sprung to her eyes when Steve turned to see her reaction, fiddling with the two sticks in her hands. Steve’s nervous demeanor immediately softened when he saw her tears, feeling bad for making her even more worried than she already was before telling him.

“Hey, hey. Don’t cry, baby. I’m sorry, I’m just in shock. Don’t be upset.” he said in a hushed tone, cupping her cheeks in his hands after sitting down on the bed and pulling her into his lap. “We’ll figure this all out, okay?”

She sniffled quietly as he spoke and nodded silently in response. Her gaze never met his, she always hated looking at him when she cried. Before she could instinctively bury her face into the crook of his neck, he put a finger under her chin and pressed his lips against hers in a gentle, yet reassuring kiss.

“We may not know what the hell to do right now, but what I do know is that I love you and I’ll do anything to make sure you and this baby of ours are taken care of.” he said sweetly, his hand resting on her still small stomach. “We probably should get you home now, yeah? It’s almost midnight and I’d rather not have your dad call a search party to find you again.”

The car ride back to the cabin was quiet for the most part, both of them still trying to process what was really happening. Steve mentioned something about picking up some extra shifts at Scoops Ahoy! to help out with paying for doctor’s visits and other things she needed. His words and the gentle circles his thumb rubbed on the back of her hand soothed her, allowing her to be reassured that everything would be okay.

“Are you gonna...tell your dad?” Steve stammered out when he parked in front of her small house in the woods and saw the living room light on, signaling that Hop was still awake. “Like right now?”

“I was thinking we could tell him soon, like the two of us could. Not right this moment, Stevie.” she said with an exhausted smile, running her hand through his hair. “We don’t have to tell anyone right now, I don’t think I’m ready to yet.”

Steve nodded in agreement, relieved that he didn’t have to endure the wrath of Jim Hopper quite yet and had some time to prepare for it. He gave her a small kiss goodbye and brushed his hand along her stomach once more, as his way of showing her that he really was okay with it all. They said their goodbyes and told each other they loved the other before she walked into the cabin.

Little did the couple know, the next week would turn out to be a living hell for them and everyone around them. They didn’t see each other for days, Steve was stuck in the underground Russian base while Y/N was staying alongside El, protecting her little sister at all costs. Their reunion in Starcourt was emotional, Y/N’s fresh pregnancy hormones getting the best of her when she saw Steve’s beaten and battered face. Everyone around them bickered about what the hell had just happened after El flung the car across the mall, while Y/N held onto Steve tightly and never wanted to let go.

It hurt Y/N to watch her sister go through so much pain, but she held onto El as tight as she could as Jonathan attempted to pull the flayed arm from her leg. Steve stayed close by her side, rubbing her back soothingly as she held her little sister close. It was like a motherly instinct had kicked in already for Y/N, because she felt the need to comfort El through her pain.

Soon enough, Joyce and Hop showed up with Murray to reunite with everyone. Plans are made for their navigation through the tunnels of the Russian base, others are made for everyone else to plan out their success. More tears are shed from Y/N and El when they talk to Hop, both girls promising to stay together and keep each other safe while he was down there. Before they all part ways, Steve pulls Y/N to the side with a worried look on his face.

“Please come with me to Dustin’s radio thing. You’ll be safer there, baby.” he pleaded, running his hand through her hair as he spoke.

“I...I need to stay with El, Stevie. You know I want to keep her safe more than anything.” she replied, shaking her head to get rid of the tears forming in her eyes.

“But...baby please.” he begged nervously, his hand instinctively going to her stomach as he spoke. “This day has already given your body enough stress. I don’t want you to get hurt. You’re stressed already I just want you to be okay! I...I don’t want the baby to get hurt because you’re trying to protect El.”

“Baby?” a roaring voice came from behind her and her heart dropped to her stomach, after Steve’s nervous talking came out a little too loudly to be just between the two of them.

“Looks like we’re telling him now.” Y/N said as she bit her lip, Steve letting out a string of curse words and apologies into her ear before kissing her temple as she turns to face her dad.

“Mind explaining what you two were talking about, Y/N?” Hop’s voice came out as angry, more tears coming to Y/N’s eyes from being so nervous.

“I’m...I’m pregnant, Dad.” she said in a quivering voice, feeling reassured when Steve squeezed her hand.

“And what? We’re you not gonna tell me about it?” he questioned, his tone growing angrier as he spoke, which caused El’s eyes to widen in fear also as she sat next to him.

“I was going to tell —��

“Hello! As great as this reunion seems to be going, we need to leave, Jim.” Murray interjected, causing you all to look his way.

“I’ll deal with you later, Harrington.” Hop said as he pointed a stern finger in the already nervous Steve’s direction; he gave his girls a strong hug before leaving, telling them to be extremely safe now.

The next two hours seemed like two days. An eternity could have went by between the time Steve left and when the Mind Flayer was defeated, and Y/N wouldn’t have noticed. Between the fireworks, the Mind Flayer’s screeches, and everything else going on, Y/N was overloaded and exhausted. She collapsed into a hug on the ground with Max and El after watching Billy sacrifice himself to save everyone else. Tears of exhaustion and sadness flowed in the trio, the quietest of sobs to be heard from each of them occasionally as her and El tried to comfort Max.

Sitting on the back end of an ambulance, Y/N huddled up with El after being cleared out of the mall. They waited eagerly, eyes wandering everywhere to find Hop and Joyce. Before they arrived, Steve made his way over and pulled Y/N into a strong embrace. She could have sworn she saw a tear run down his cheek, but he would deny that forever.

“Are you okay? No injuries?” Steve questioned, his hands roaming her arms and torso to check for cuts and bruises, eventually landing on her waist and belly once more.

“I’m fine, Stevie.” she giggled exhaustedly, her hand running along his battered cheek as he flinched. “The real question, are you okay?”

He hummed and nodded in response, kissing her forehead gently. “Just a little beat up, baby. I’m just glad you two are safe now. Please no more getting involved in this stuff after today, okay? I don’t want anything to happen to either of you.”

She agreed and sat in his arms, her hand still in El’s to comfort the traumatized girl. Steve complimented El’s courage to make her feel better and she smiled, Y/N getting the courage to tell her younger sister about the baby. She seemed excited after they explained what was happening.

“I’ll be...an aunt?” she said quietly as she squeezed Y/N’s hand, they both nodded in reply as tears flowed down Y/N’s cheeks once more.

As they spoke, Joyce and Hop emerged from the underground base. Hop’s eyes filled with tears as he hugged his daughters again. They relished in the moment for a little too long, knowing what conversation was to come after they pulled apart. Locking eyes with Steve as he watched the three of them hug, Hop’s demeanor changed. Y/N took a deep breath as she braced herself for his anger.

“Dad, listen. Before you lecture me or yell at me, I just want to say that I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you. I was...scared. I didn’t know how you would take me telling you that I was having a kid.” Y/N choked out, wrapping her arm around Steve’s for comfort.

“I always told you that I only had simple rules in my house, Y/N. The ‘don’t be stupid’ rules, but you obviously didn’t follow them.” Hop said, residual anger still filling his voice as he spoke which caused more tears to flow from Y/N’s eyes. “But we’ll have to deal with this no matter what.”

“And I’m sorry for not being more careful, Chief. We were always safe...I guess just not safe enough since it only takes one time.” Steve said as he wrapped a blanket around Y/N’s shoulders, “I don’t plan on going anywhere, either. I’m taking care of this baby no matter what.”

Hop looked at Steve and Y/N, noticing how his touch was calming her down during a time of overwhelming emotions. He never was able to express his feelings enough to talk to her during those times, let alone to calm her down like that. She needed Steve, he thought. While in the base, he worried about Y/N and El, but also about the baby Y/N was going to have; he wanted her to be safe and for nothing to happen to either of them. He had come off as so angry about the situation, but his feelings milled over while he thought about it.

“You and I both know that I will make certain that you’re around to support and love her throughout this whole time, Harrington. Understand?”

“Yes — Yes, Chief!” Steve replied nervously, making Hop chuckle at the flustered soon-to-be dad.

Maybe being a grandpa wouldn’t be as bad as he imagined.

[evan-mcculloch]

Breaking Glass || Evan & Barry

When: Oct 1st Where: Star City - Dr. Inglo’s Lab With: Barry Allen @scxrletspeedster

Summary: After discovering prominent physicist Dr. Inglo in Star City has been beating his daughter, Evan decides to take the law into his own hands; Barry arrives to stop him, with deadly results.  

TRIGGERS: Child Abuse (Implied), Injury, Death  

EVAN: It was all over the papers, the famous Dr. Inglo and his Prismatic refractor. The ability to convert light into pure energy, more so his research into dark matter; if light could craft energy, what could a substance we cannot see or understand do? All very interesting, remarkable, even. Shame a man so gifted with scientific acumen had thought it acceptable to use his daughter as a punching bag. It was only rumours, but rumours spread, and it was amazing what people would do in front of a mirror when they thought they were unseen. Evan wouldn't stand for it. Yes he was a villain, a killer, a monster, but he had his lines, and no one deserved to get away with doing what that man had done. So, the night Dr. Inglo's largest experiment into light and dark matter he'd struck. The man had mirrors set up to reflect beams of charged particles. It should allow mirrors to make energy gates, wormholes or even access new dimensions, similar to his own mirror world experience. They could've been allies, but no. Tonight this man would die. "Say it." he muttered, stepping out of one looking glass, his mirror-gun aimed squarely at the cowering doctor, "Tell me just how ya felt using yer wee one fer target practice. Did ye feel good? Feel strong?" his voice a whisper, "How de ya feel now?"

BARRY: It had taken Barry entirely too long to put two and two together. By the time the stories about Dr. Inglo's refractor technology and dark matter research had hit the presses, the rumors began spreading like wildfire about his abusive tendencies with his daughter. Barry had paid it the normal amount of attention - disgusted that the remarkable man would stoop to something that depraved; if the rumors were to be believed. He had been watching another news report about the man when his mind caught something his eyes couldn't see - the man had given an interview in his home and on display just shy of being off-camera was a large vanity mirror. The twisting in Barry's gut had given him all the indication he needed to check things out. He hadn't heard from Evan in a while - and though that didn't mean the man was up to something, Barry had a bad feeling. Inglo's rumored history was a prime target was Evan to take out some pent up aggression. The speedster bolted across the City, coming to a skidding halt as he whisked into and around the room - quickly moving Inglo behind his desk and out of the sights of Evan's mirror gun for the time being. "That's enough!" His voice was firm and commanding - the tone it came out when he was being serious and not his usual joking self. "I knew my bad feelings were justified..." He sighed, having not wanted them to be.

EVAN: “Flash.” Evan deadpanned. He’d also lost the quiet lightness he’d had in their previous meetings, this wasn’t a semi-dangerous heist. This man deserved to die. And Flash wouldn’t get in his way. “I’m a fair man so I’ll give one wee chance to zip on out the door before I start shooting. This monster’s gonna be put down.” He took a step forward, gaze fixed on the cowering doctor. “Rumours may be all you have but it’s amazing what some people’ll do when tha’ think it’s just em’selves and their reflections.” He spat. “If ye protect him yer fair game.” He took a shot, the concussive light blast shattering a large mirror behind the pair of them, raining down sharp shards. He took the chance to escape into a mirror and step out of another to get a better shot. “This can end with yer in one piece or shattered in bits Flash.” He said, voice raised yet still not quite shouting, he almost never raised his voice. His expression was deadly, completely devoid of anything save burning hatred in his eyes. It was enough to make clear there’d be no negotiating this time. He fired again and missed, but the shot continued to blasted Inglo’s machine, the pressure making in whirl to life.

BARRY: The shattering of the mirror behind them had Barry kicking up a gale as he whirled around Inglo - knocking the falling shards away from them just in case Evan decided to slip a hand up through one of them. He tucked the doctor underneath his desk and regarded him with a firm glare. "Stay put." The words were more of an order than anything. Evan wasn't playing around, which meant that Barry needed to buckle down as well. Standing back up, he quickly scanned the area for the next point the man moved to. A slight hiss and he glanced at his hand where one of the shards had cut a thin line through his glove and into his palm as he swatted it away. A minor inconvenience. "You know I can't do that Evan. I don't want to have to hurt you, but I will. The Justice system will deal with Dr. Inglo if there is anything to deal with -- not you." Barry stated firmly. The blonde checked the remaining reflective surfaces in the room - a couple smaller mirrors on the sides of the room and a giant mirror along the opposite wall. With another spark, Barry quickly turned Inglo's desk around to shield his new hiding spot from view of the mirrors and positioned himself on the other side - standing valiantly as he crackled with electricity; ready to move at a moment's notice.

EVAN: "And how will they do that?" he asked, standing within a mirror, Flash couldn't touch him there. "They'll try'n drag out a wee trail with all tha best lawyers he can buy and nothing'll happen." He'd seen it many times before; he'd taken some jobs like this pro-bono back in his hit-man days. In the end the wheels of justice just couldn't do in months what he could in minutes. And though it all Inglo's child would suffer. No. It wouldn't happen this time. He didn't smirk at the wound to Flash, he didn't want kill him, not really, but he had his own code which wouldn't be denied. Inglo had to die; if Flash got in the way he'd incapacitate him too; it was just business. "Good luck with'that." he vanished and appeared in another mirror, aiming a shot that glanced off the desk leg Inglo hiding behind. Meanwhile his machine was whirling loudly, a beam blasting into the largest mirror of the room to make the surface ripple. Evan shot out of another mirror and grabbed a sharp shard, throwing at Barry like a knife and aiming another few shots of light with his mirror gun.

BARRY: "The system isn't perfect, but it is what we have to use!" Barry stated. He knew the system was flawed, agonizingly slow, and more times than not the people that deserve punishment either got very little or none. Yet, it was what the people had chosen to carry out the law and it was what any true 'by the books hero' would have to accept. For all his speed, however, there were times that Barry just wasn't fast enough. Even he slipped up. The first shot that chipped itself off the desk behind him caught his attention and he moved to engage Evan as he unleashed his assault. Zipping and ducking over the spray of concussive light shots was the easy part, but the mundane shard of glass that had been thrown had been forgotten and as Barry came to a brief halt, the sharp shard burrowed itself deep into the forearm of his right arm. The speedster let out a pained yelp, but bolted straight at Evan. Reaching out to grab him, Barry whirled his body at the same time. In hindsight - Barry knew he should have used his left arm; but it was habit to use his right for most things. As he gripped Evan's clothing firmly and felt the man's body leave the ground in the speed-powered whirl, Barry let out a sharp yell as pain shot through his arm from the shard burrowed in it. The pain brought him to a sudden stop and his grip on Evan's collar slipped. He had been intending on sending even hurtling towards one of the walls in order to put an end to this conflict quickly - but the sudden stop and release of his grip sent the man in a different direction. The blonde could only look in horror - as if time itself seemed to stop around him more so than usual. He had noticed the machine going crazy earlier; noticed the rippling mirror, but he had paid it little attention. It hadn't seemed important enough with Evan being in the room. "Evan!!" Barry cried out, ripping the shard of glass from his forearm so it could begin healing.

EVAN: "The system's a damn toy folks like him know how a play with." He growled back lowly. He'd seen governments get real criminals off scot-free; hell they'd done that with him when he'd been given Scudder's tech. Then he'd been one more tool for them to play with system with; they could just blame their killings on the new Mirror Master who wasn't officially working for the government. He had no doubt someone like Inglo, who was working with this kind of tech, could easily call in that kind of help. It had been years since he'd last fought with Flash properly but it was like riding a bike, misdirection was the goal, he was fast but he still had to think, the blasts did their job of keeping his mind busy while the shard caught him. He was about to use that as a point of entry to get an unmissable shot but Flash, true to his namesake, was too quick and had a hold of him before he could get the shot off. Fuck. He was so close. He let out a wordless cry and tried to get hold of something but in the tempest of Barry spinning he couldn't get a grip, and then he was stumbling back, barely holding his feet steady, unable to stop himself for continuing back, the momentum too great and his arms flailed, trying to grab something, anything to stop him. It wasn't enough. It didn't hurt, but it was cold. So cold. And he yelped, stumbling to the side and falling to his knees as the semi-transparent beam from Inglo's machine hit him. Nothing happened for a few moments and then Evan's body began to ripple like the mirror surface. His feet began to crystallise over, turning to glass that seemed to be made of thousands of tiny shards. He struggled to his feet, he could barely move. "W-what have ye done?" he whispered, now shards of glass up to his waist, "F-flash," his voice trembled, "I-I'm..." he tried to speak but it was difficult, his neck glass, then his chin, "I'm cold." he whispered, his face glassing over.

BARRY: Barry could only look on with horror at the scene playing out before him. The beam had struck Evan and for a moment it looked as if nothing was going to happen, but once the man's body began rippling and crystallizing over with the very same mirror-like glass around them, Barry took a step towards him - unable to will his body to go further. What if he hurt Evan more by trying to touch him? Was it even safe? "Evan, what's happening to you!?" Barry pleaded with him for answers as the glass continued to spread. Another step forward and Evan's words sent chills straight to his bone. I'm Cold. "No, no, no." The word came out in quick, repeated utterances. "Dr. Inglo, what's happening to him!?" He demanded answers from their companion instead - only to find a look of true horror upon the man's lifeless body - a hole burrowed through the desk where one of the stray light bolts had penetrated his flimsy protection. Barry hadn't been able to save him. In all his show and firm statements, Evan had won out in the end and succeeded with what he intended to do all along. Yet, what was happening to him... that didn't seem like a just desserts. No, Barry had done this - whatever this was.

EVAN: Evan couldn't feel anything, he couldn't speak, he couldn't see... he couldn't feel. Everything was quiet. Silent. It should have been frightening but it was, peaceful. But, it was still cold. So cold. His body showed no change, he didn't hear Barry's words. He didn't see Inglo's dead form huddled beneath the desk. Nothing. His body began to fall apart, each shard pulling away from his form and beginning to fall to the floor until there was no form of Evan at all, just a pile of broken glass that continued to break down under the wobbling ray of Inglo's machine. They continued to crumble from shards to dust... to nothing at all. It was only then that the low hum of Inglo's machine quieted and it turned itself off, whirling down into standby mode. The giant mirror ceased it's rippling effect and all was quiet. Just Barry and the dead doctor.

BARRY: Silence. That was what filled the room as the machine quieted down into standby mode and the low thrum of the rippling mirror ceased. Blue eyes were locked onto the pile of shattered glass shards where Evan's body had once stood - wide, tear-laden as the situation sank in. Shakily, a hand went to his cowl-covered ear and he redirected his comm system to dial out to the SCPD. "Flash here. Got a body of Dr. Inglo, the work of Mirror Master. Can't stick around; I need to find him." And just like that the call was ended without giving the officer on the other end time enough to ask any questions. It had been an almost subconscious movement to report the body as his gaze never left the shard pile as it faded into dust and then nothingness. Barry dropped to his knees and sat there as his mind worked through the reality of what had just transpired. Evan was gone. That had been on him - because he slipped up and had gone about engaging him in the wrong way. Another mistake made from a spur-of-the-moment choice of action. That certainly seemed to be his track record. "I'm sorry..." The words came far too late. He had several minutes before SCPD would arrive - and he used them, motionless on the floor as he held his healing forearm in his lap. "I'm so sorry..."

END

[ververa]

‘Dare’

This is the continuation of ‘Sucker for her’. It’s not exactly what I’ve planned, but I hope you like it 

Xandra x fem!reader

A glass of water – that's what you needed in the middle of the night. You couldn't sleep and hoped that the drink may help you. You went downstairs, though you didn't manage to make it to the kitchen, as you heard muffled moans. You rolled your eyes. Since your father wasn't home you're sure it was your sister and her boyfriend, who decided to make use of the fact that the house was almost empty. However as you moved on you could hear voices – and that definitely wasn't a male voice. What the actual fuck? You're just tired. You can't hear properly. You told yourself. You tried not to pay attention and just grabbed some water. But on the way back you couldn't help and came closer to the room. The door wasn't closed, and you wished they had remembered to lock them. It was indeed your sister, but not with her boyfriend. She was there with Xandra...

Your mind stopped working for a few seconds. You couldn't process what you had seen. You almost dropped the glass you're holding, but you composed yourself just in time to prevent revealing your presence. You came back to your room and sat on the bed. What you had seen broke your heart into pieces, but you couldn't cry. The tears didn't want to flow, so you ended up just sitting and blankly staring at the wall.

You found it stupid to feel like that. You’re well aware that Xandra could never look at you the way you wanted her to. Though, apparently, it was different with your sister. It was always like that. Everyone preferred your sister, because it was just easier to get to her. She was more outgoing and probably more likeable. You got used to it and tried not to care, but after finding out she had an affair with your crush… That was too much. You couldn’t help, but started to hate her. You didn’t know how to deal with all pent-up emotions, so you began to avoid them both. You tried hard to remain invisible and that seemed to work.

Since you didn’t have much of a social life, you were spending most of your time on learning. At the end you’re thankful for that, because you sailed through all your exams and were ready for holidays. As every year you’re going to your uncle’s mansion – far away from the city. You used to go there with your parents, but that time you and your sister were supposed to go there alone. For the first time you were happy to go there. It seemed to be a perfect way to try and forget all that had happened. Or rather it would be if it hadn’t been for unexpected change of plan and your father deciding that Xandra should go there too and keep and eye on you.

How could you forget all that you had seen; how could you forget about her, when she was once again so close to you.

“This is a bottle of wine from my vineyard” your uncle stated while pouring the beverage into glasses “So, Xan… Can I call you that?” she was about to answer, but he kept on speaking “How did you and my brother meet?” he asked handing her a glass of wine “He had always been the lucky one. Great job, wife, children… and now such a cookie like you”

Xandra looked at him with a pity. He had always been a flirt, but at that moment you found it disgusting. It made you feel uncomfortable.

“No offence, but Xandra is out of your league” you said before you could stop yourself

Everyone looked at you surprised.

“Nobody can compete with dad” you added quickly

Xandra took a sip of the wine looking at you.

“Where’s Y/N’s glass?” she asked

“She’s too young to drink” you uncle said

“Is she? She’s not underage. She’s allowed to drink”

“My brother would kill me if I’d let his precious daughter drink”

“Well, it seems that you’re gonna be too little forever” your sister joked

“Yeah…” you lowered your gaze

Your uncle and sister moved to go outside, but you didn’t feel like spending time with them any more. You lowered your gaze waiting for Xandra to join them, so that you could go to your room. But instead of going to them the woman stopped in front of you. She bent over in her slinky dress and you needed to fight yourself not to look at her breasts. Xandra gave you that wicked smile and placed a glass of wine on the table in front of you.

“It’s not too bad to to be the little one sometimes” she winked and left

Xandra seemed to be in a good, actually great, mood. It was probably because of your sister – you thought to yourself. Seeing her happy, with that beautiful smile on her face was making you warm from inside. You hated it. You didn't want to feel like that. The fact that you knew about Xandra and your sister was only making things worse. You couldn't spend time with them like you used to, because you noticed every little gesture. Every knowing look that they exchanged. And that hurt. You wished you could be oblivious. Live a reasonably normal life and survive until your graduation. You thought it couldn't get any worse, but it turned out differently.

After 3 days your sister invited her new boyfriend and a group of friends to join you at your uncle's place. You hated the idea of spending time with them all and Xandra didn't seem to be happy either. Since their arrival she was mostly frustrated, even angry. And it was getting worse, as when it came to showing any kind of affection your sister didn’t really care if she and her boyfriend were alone or not.

That evening, as you all had a couple of drinks, it was even more intense and Xandra barely managed to stay calm. Your sister's friends suggested that spinning the bottle can be a great fun. You didn't really want to play, but since even Xandra agreed you decided to give it a try. It wasn't that bad. Actually it was quite funny, until the bottle stopped on you.

"Truth or dare?" your sister asked

"Dare..." you said

"Well then... I dare you to kiss the next person on who the bottle stops"

"I... "

"You chose 'dare'. You can't change it now"

"That's ridiculous"

"No"

"Yes"

"That's how the game works"

"It doesn't change the fact that it's ridiculous and stupid..."

"Spin the fucking bottle!" Xandra cut you off taking another sip of her drink

And you did. As the bottle was spinning you're giving yourself a pep talk. It's only a kiss. You'll just kiss one of the guys. That's not a big deal... But the bottle didn't stop on any of your sister's friends. It stopped on Xandra.

Suddenly you felt dizzy. All the alcohol you had hit you at one moment. Your vision became hazy and you felt too hot. Xandra looked at you. She seemed to be unaffected and you wished you could be too. Why the hell it has to be her?

"Come on" they encouraged

You looked at them then again at Xandra. She pulled her hair to the one side

"Do it!" your sister said impatiently

You took a deep breath and moved towards the woman. As you knelt down before her your eyes met. You weren't sure if that was only your hazy mind or if her pupils for real dilated, but it made you feel butterflies in your stomach.

"Go on" she whispered only for you to hear You closed your eyes and slowly leaned in to capture her perfect lips with yours.

You pecked her lips and were ready to move away, but unexpectedly she pulled you closer by your shirt and deepened the kiss. It wasn't you who was kissing any more. It was her. She took the control over and with every passing second you're melting more and more in the pleasurable feeling. You didn't know how long kiss lasted. You got lost in her touch and the only thing you could hear was the guys whistling and cheering. Until your sister cut them all off and interrupted your kiss saying

"Enough is enough, don't you think Y/N?"

You immediately pulled away and would stumble into the coffee table, which was behind you, if it hadn't been for Xandra who held you up by your waist. Your eyes met again and you could swear she was smirking.

"You can sit back on your seat" your sister said

"I..." you stood up nervously "I need some fresh air" you said and before anyone manage to say something you left

You came back to your room and sat on the bed thinking of what had just happened. You touched your lips and closed your eyes remembering the sensation of Xandra's mouth on yours. You didn't expect anyone to come and check on you, but she did. She knocked and not waiting for your response she entered. You turned back and saw Xandra with a sly smile on her face.

"You okay?" she asked

"Y-yeah" you said

Xandra moved and sat down next to you

"You don't have to do that" you said

"Do what?"

"Checking on me or babying me. I'm not a child"

"I'm not doing it. And you definitely aren't a child"

You looked at her confused.

"You still own me a dare, you know" she continued

"Whooa... What?"

"You left..."

"Because you kissed me"

"No. You kissed me"

"Well, yeah... But then you kissed me. Why did you do that?"

"I just took what's mine"

"What?! I'm not yours! You don't own me. I'm not my sister"

"Oooh wow. I didn't know you're a jealous type"

"I don't even like you"

"You don't?" she asked visibly amused

"No"

"No?" she arched her eyebrow playfully

"No!" you shook your head

"I think you do. Why would you wear all those short dresses or that damn shorts if you wouldn't?" she moved closer to you

Once again she was so close that you could feel her hot breathing on your face. You couldn't help, but look at her lips.

"You want it, don't you?" she smirked

You wanted to say no, you should have said no, but your body was already moving towards her. Before you knew Xandra was kissing you again. You moaned into her mouth at the feeling of her tongue dominating yours.

"You taste like vodka" she stated against your lips as she pulled away

"Sorry" you said not sure what to do

"You're so sweet. My god. It seems that I’ve chosen the wrong sister" she leaned in and kissed you again "Let Mommy make it up to you" Xandra smirked

The woman stood up and locked the door.

"Now, nobody will interrupt us" she looked at you fondly "Take off your clothes" she ordered

You looked at her

"I... We..."

"Oh, honey, don't be nervous" she gave you a quick reassuring kiss "Come on" she helped you to get rid of your shirt "I'll show you things you've never done" she kissed you again "I'll make you feel like never before" she smiled pushing you on to the bed

You let her took off your jeans and panties, but as she did so, you started to shy away. Your legs closed instinctively, but Xandra only smiled sweetly. She began kissing down your neck. As you're melting into her kisses your thighs fell open.

"There you go" she said soothingly "See how your body responds, already knowing who it belongs to baby girl"

Let me know what you think and if you’d like to be tagged in future works

[rickssugarplum]

In Your Eyes

Hi everyone! It’s been awhile and I haven’t had any ideas lately so, this idea was given to me by a lovely person on Discord! I hope you like it! Season 4 will be here soon! ❤ (P.S. Season 4 will be here soon! :O)

(Rick C-137 x Reader) SFW, Swearing, Depression, TW: Mentions of Suicide, Drinking, Hurt/Comfort

You find Rick in a moment of self-hatred. You do what you can to help him.

                                      ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you. But how can I when you build the great wall around you? - Tori Amos

In the dark of night, it was quiet in the Smith house. You were alone on the couch in the living room, reading one of your books. It gave you some normalcy that seemed foreign to the family now. Nothing was normal with Rick in your life. Honestly, it was too late to be up, but you hadn’t seen him in awhile and he had probably gone off planet. You looked at the clock to check the time.

2:15 a.m. 

You pursed your lips in worry as you turned a page, wondering how much longer he will be gone. The wait did not last much longer. You heard a low hum of an engine, presumably his space ship as it landed in the garage. Closing the book you stand up from the couch when you heard a loud crash emitting from the garage. The sound of shattering glass startled you, causing more panic than before. You waited for any other sounds, but it soon became quiet. Taking light steps toward into the kitchen, you stopped in front of the garage door. Only a moment of hesitation passed before you lightly knocked. No response. You knocked again, this time calling his name. 

“Rick?” you called out. No answer. One more time was the last straw before you decided to gently turn the knob and pushing the door open, making yourself in. Immediately, you saw broken bottles and spilt chemicals all over the floor. Mangled metal and shattered bulbs were sprawled on his workbench. Looking up, you found Rick, his back to you, sitting with his head down. He had yet to acknowledge your presence. You took light steps closer to him and you see his flask tipped over with alcohol dripping down the table. You hear his breathing. His shoulders were trembling. That’s when you heard his light sobbing. Immediately, your heart ached. Rick was never one to cry. Not like this...

“....Rick?” you called out softly to him. The only response were more sniffles. You tried again. Now close enough to reach him, you place your hand delicately on his shoulder. “Ri-” Your hand is quickly smacked off his shoulder, his growl making you jump. 

“Get the fuck away from me!” he barked. 

Your trembling hand reached out to him again. “Rick please-”

He did not budge. He stood up from his chair, towering over you. “Get out now!” he ordered. His face was close enough for your nose to get a whiff of his breath reeking of alcohol. He was clearly intoxicated, drunk with more alcohol than his already tolerant body could handle. But, you did not stir. In his rage, you noticed his eyes were red and bloodshot and face damp with tears. You couldn’t give up on him. 

“I just want to help you...” you whispered. He scoffed. “I don’t want any help.” he insisted, crossing his arms.

“That’s bullshit, Rick.” What was that phrase he blurted out? Wubba lubba dub dub. You learned a while ago what it really meant...

I am in great pain. Please, help me.

How many nights had he spent alone? That he would cry to himself, thinking back of everything he’s lost?  Or when he would....

No. You were not gonna let that happen. As long as you had breath your body, you’d make sure he was safe.

“I’m not leaving you like this.” 

Annoyed with your defiance, he closed his eyes and turned around leaning over his workbench. “You...Y-you can’t fix this.” he declared. Fix what, you didn’t know. His issues? Himself?

“I’m not here to fix anything.” you assured him. He didn’t respond. ‘I just....want to tell you I’m here if you need anything. You don’t have to go through it alone, Rick...”

He fell back in his chair, sulking as he rested his arms on the table. A shaky exhale escaped his lips. His voice trembled when he finally spoke.

 ‘I....I deserve to be alone...”

You could’ve heard a pin drop at his statement. He truly believed that. Years of self-hatred and trauma had gotten him to this point. What could be done to remedy that? If he couldn’t do it, how can anyone? Of all the things he has in his lab, his inventions, his mind. What did he lack? As you looked into his shaking frame, it hit you.

He never learned to love himself.

A few things you learned about Ricks. One, they’re the smartest in the universe. Two, they absolutely hate themselves. Their self-hatred had no limits. You didn’t want to bare the thought of how many of them ended their own lives, how lonely they truly were inside their old, broken hearts. 

“Fuck. I’m worthless.” he cried. Your throat tightened at his despair. It took everything you had in your body to not falter. 

This is not about you. He needs you.

Taking timid steps behind his seat, your hands gently landed on his tired shoulders. This time, Rick did not pull away. Slowly, your fingers started rubbing his pent up tension away. You felt his body loosen at your touch. He was still quiet, but he allowed you to continue. After all, physical touch was one way to release good chemicals in the brain. You made sure you were gentle, tracing feather-like strokes down his back.

“Is..is this okay, Rick....?” you asked him quietly. He felt himself shiver at your concern so close to him. It had been so many years since he let himself be so vulnerable around someone. Suddenly, he found his head start to pound again, eyes becoming blurry. In frustration, Ricks face grimaced and he abruptly placed his hands in his hair. Quick pants erupted from him as he harshly grasped on his blue strands. You faced him and took his hands in your own. 

“Rick, stop. You’re hurting yourself...” you begged, keeping his hands away. He didn’t fight it, his eyes were squeezed shut, teeth clenched. Tears had escaped his shut eyes, pouring down his wrinkled face. “No shit! I deserve to hurt!” he yelled. Your mouth went agape. “That’s not true at all, Rick. What the hell makes you think that?” you questioned. He took one deep breath, before he went off.

“Everyone good in my life I hurt. I hurt my friends. I hurt my daughter. I hurt my wife. I hurt my grandkids, I hurt you! All I do is hurt people! No one should love me.” 

His head sunk down, no longer looking at you. As hard as it was for him to tell you this, it was what he believed was the truth it was now your turn to give him yours.

“And yet I do.”

Rick looked up to see your certain demeanor. You cupped his face in your hands, looking into his sad eyes. In them you saw everything he’d been hiding away. Wiping his tears with your thumbs, you assured him. “And yet your daughter does and your friends. Your grandchildren love you. No matter what you think they should or shouldn’t do, they do because as humans, we can’t choose who we love...”

Rick was silent. You knew had more to say. “When people love, they do anything to show them just how much. I...I want you to know that...I’ll always be here for you.”

Before he could object, you placed your lips gently on his own. The bitter taste of hard liquor hit your mouth, but you didn’t care. Surprised, he kissed back in appreciation. You pulled back with a warm smile, telling him, “I love you...”

You felt him shiver at that. He’s always had trouble with that four-letter word, but it was not too late for him to experience it. Slowly, Rick opened his arms, clear what he wanted without saying it. Happy to oblige, you climbed into his lap and fell into his embrace. His grip was a bit tighter than usual, more desperate. But you wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, affirming you were not going anywhere. Burying your face in his neck, you relaxed for a while as he held you tight like a lifeline. It was quiet for awhile before he finally spoke.

“Thank you, baby...” he murmured. You simply replied back,

“Anything for you.”

Nothing was said after that. Just the two of you together in each other’s arms, exchanging kisses, sharing unconditional love in silence.

❤

[peterpumpkinparker]

One Letter- Peter Parker x Reader

@barnes-parker: i hope you’re still up for requests! peter parker x avenger!reader where he comforts reader after seeing her father figure, steve rogers, staying in the past and when he comes out of the time heist, he’s already old. thank u!

Ohhh I like this! This is very angsty for me to write-and kinda hard for me cause I haven’t watched Endgame yet 😬 but I hope you enjoy!

Warning: angst, mentions of dark past

Word Count: 1500+

Requested: Yes

———————-

—————-

Even though you understood why Captain America decided to go back into the past, you can’t help but feel hurt. Until Peter comes to comfort you, with a letter from Cap himself

———-------

Every Time you cried now, you cried because of him. Because of what he did, and what he didn’t do.

Why didn’t he tell you?

Why couldn’t he had at least asked if maybe-maybe you weren’t ready to lose him?

The tears raced down your cheeks, raking your body with waves of sorrow and pain.

Tears made you remember everything you went through- all the pent up emotions you held in until you could finally be comfortable enough to share them.

All the trauma, the endless pain- being Bucky's right-hand man when he was a slave himself didn’t leave a good taste in your mouth, nor happy memories.

When Cap rescued Bucky, he was unsure if he could take you- you were angry, revengeful, and full of emotions you didn’t know how to deal with. But he took you anyway, knowing how much you meant to Bucky and he couldn’t let himself leave you to the horror you have been enduring for so long.

You had begun to get close to the Avengers after that, being the one staying with them at their headquarters.

All of them had been kind to you, understanding what you had gone through. Natasha was the kindest out of all of them, understanding what is was like to be just a weapon, but Cap was the most supportive. He was there when you needed him, and when you didn't. He didn’t see as a burden, or just a broken girl, but a good person who just had a dark past. He was there when nightmares came, when you first got out all the gruesome stories of what you had gone through, even when you just needed a hug.

But now, that was all gone- you were never getting him back.

When you first saw him as an old man, you could barely recognize him. But the authoritative voice and blue eyes

made you realize who he was.

You understood why he did it- it was his calling, his era. He was never supposed to live it this time period. Deep down, you knew that he felt he just didn’t belong. But it still hurt.

A soft knock could be heard from your door, the raps aggravating the headache you had gotten from crying. You rolled out of your cocoon of blankets, rubbing your eyes of the tears.

“Who is it?” You rasped out of your dry throat.

“It-it’s Peter,” Peter stated concerned, his ear close to the steel of the door. He had been hearing you cry, wanting to make you feel better after the shock you had just gone through, but didn’t know how to approach you.

“I-just...wanted to see if you were okay,” he called out, waiting for your reply.

You swung open the door, your eyes read and hair a mess, not caring how you looked in front of him.

“What do you think?” You retorted, giving him a stern stare. When you felt vulnerable, your initial reaction is to bring up a wall. It was a bad habit, but right now, you didn’t feel like trying to be something you weren’t. You were broken and you felt it.

You sat back on your bed letting Peter walk in. He didn’t like seeing you like this, hurt and in pain.

He knew you had been through a lot, and even through all of that, he still liked you for more than just a friend- because he knew you were more than the pain you had been through. But when things like this happen, it’s hard to bring out that girl he knew and loved.

Peter swallowed, the nerves coming to him. He shuffled through his pocket, holding a white envelope. “I uh.. I have something for you.” You looked up, reaching for the envelope. “Something from-“

“Steve, isn’t it?” You interrupted, noticing the handwriting immediately.

Peter gave you tight lipped nod.

You gave a sarcastic laugh, hating how typical Steve was, how you knew exactly how he thought. You shook your head, the tears brimming on your lids.

“He was like a father to me,” you whispered, your voice bobbing.

“He was the closest thing I had to one-and now he’s gone.”

Peter gingerly sat down next to you, not wanting you to feel like he was pushing in on your space.

“He’s still alive though, y/n- at least he’s still here.”

Peter was dealing with a lot of stuff too, and he knew what it felt like to lose a father figure.

“I know,” you sighed, guilt growing in your stomach, “I know it shouldn’t matter, I shouldn’t be selfish about this or even care, but-“ you rubbed your hands through your hair,trying to find the right words.

“It’s just not going to be the same.” You looked up at Peter sadly, your eyes bright with tears.

“I just want to know,” you asked looking down at your hands. “if he knows how much I cared for him. Maybe if I had told him how much he meant to me he wouldn’t have felt like he needed to leave and-“

“Y/n,” Peter interrupted, shaking his head at what you were saying, “you couldn’t have done anything to stop him- and there was nothing you did that caused it. He grabbed your hand, his thumb rubbing against your skin.

“This isn’t your fault.”

“It feels like my fault-my walls are up all the time Peter,” you let out, all the things you knew were true about yourself but never wanted to say, “maybe he just never cared for me like I cared for him.”

Peter looked down at the envelope, knowing that everything you were saying was a lie. He knew Cap loved you like a daughter, and that he would do anything for you.

He sighed, placing the envelope back in your hand.

“Well-There’s only one way to find out.”

You opened the envelope gingerly, as if it would explode in your hand. You hands shook, scared to read what was inside. You opened the crisp edges of the paper, your eyes beginning to drink up each word.

Peter was slightly mad at Cap for leaving you- he knew what it was like to keep having the universe taunt you. Give you what you want and rip it from you. And in both of your cases, it was a father. You never had one, and Peter had too many taken from him. He would never want you to go through that pain, and here you were experiencing it first hand.

You finished reading it, all your insecurities being proven false. He wrote everything, how he always saw you as a daughter, how he was sorry he had to do this to you, and that he was proud of you and that he was certain you would turn into someone that the world would be proud of too. And for some reason, all this made the hurt 10 times worse.

You began to cry again, but this time, a smile on your face.

You looked up at Peter, tears coming down your face. “He-he loves me-But it hurts more..” You said, your heart confused and released but full of pain, as Peter pulled you into a hug.

“You’re gonna be okay,” Peter reassured as you grabbed onto the back of his shirt, your body shaking. “You’re gonna be okay.”

——————-

Taggings:

@petersshirts @acciopeter @just4muggles @anxieteandbiscuits @fratboievans @grandmascottlang @galaxy-parker @gayuwuenergy @hollandroos @hollandsosterfield @honeymoonparker @itsholyholland @naturallytom @revengingbarnes @starksparker @underoosstark @uglypastels @underoos-shield

[hyphypmic]

HypMic: You Dare Cheat on Their Daughter?

@misaki-na asked: Hello! Can I request an Parents!AU about these Hypmic dads reacted to see their Daughter got dumped by her first bf because he's cheated on her? Thank you, have a nice day! 💕💕

Let’s get this.

Ichiro

Calm? Yeah he’s actually pretty calm honestly

Though he’s probably is fuming in anger inside

He would hold his daughter as she’s crying but then he would use and abuse his connections

Like he wouldn’t do anything drastic

He’d probably take out his rage on something else, not the guy

But he would so go after him, like personally go to his place of residence and threaten him

Or somehow  corner him and blast him with the hypnosis mic then pin him against the wall and threaten him

That rap is going to fucking nearly melt those brains out, but he would never let him forget

Jiro

Flat out makes a very, very threatening street art that so happens to be near his house

At first he’d be honoured right? But then… well it’s a very very realistic depiction and drawing of his death

Like as the person who was upset with Ichiro for abandoning him and Saburo, he would be very, very upset with that boyfriend

Though he wouldn’t make an actual attempt on the life though… well he’s matured enough to not like actually lash out

But then that street art would be very, very, very threatening with the undertones of death

Oh and, it wouldn’t be one art only, it would be a lot, to serve as reminders

Saburo

Oh god he’s so smart like, oh god whoever did that to is as good as dead

He’s not yonder level, but he, probably at this point, is successful in his own field and has a ton of connections

Like he could use Samatoki, or his own brothers for that matter because his daughter is basically their daughter

And it would really become a family affair so he would really have a plan that would involve more than one person attacking the dumbass

Like one time its gonna be Ichiro, then when the guy tries to run its Jiro, then last blow would be Saburo

Samatoki

Oh god, he would not take cheating kindly

But then he wouldn’t go sprack on his daughter like, he’d probably just click his tongue and tell her to be more careful but then also hold and comfort her if she’s crying

No one deserves to be treated like they’re second rate

I mean, he wouldn’t go out and kill him you know bc not allowed by everyone else (Jyuto, his s/o… the law)

But on the street and he sees him, he makes a fucking threat on his life

Or you know, just wreaks his house

Or beats him up… personally because he has all this pent up rage that he needs to let loose and additional Hypmic after the beating

Or has Jyuto have him arrested after Samatoki frames him for a crime, wreaks his house, beats him up and makes sure he’ll live in fear for the rest of his life

You hurt one MTC daughter, you have the whole MTC on you

Jyuto

Flat out finds blackmail of him and publishes it through an anonymous name because he has connections

Like not just crime blackmail, but actual incriminating blackmail of like humiliating pictures, stories

And the cheating story doesn’t make the front page with his daughter’s name on it, but the other girl’s name on it, also humiliating her

The victim is unknown and all and the story circulates with help with his connections and blackmail of his own

He also arrests him for crimes he didn’t commit and lets him fester there with the worst fucking inmates ever

And when he gets out, MTC will be on his heels

Samatoki would be out for killing, well sort of

Jyuto would make the law processes as hard as possible

Riou would just be a silent presence with his training

Riou

He wouldn’t react that bad, but then he would also be sent into the rage and has to go to the gym to cool off or punch some trees

Riou like setting traps right? Well, Riou sets traps. Riou fucking like finds out his schedule and has Jyuto make fake contracts that the guy would sign, or fake deliveries of drugs

And the guy would end up getting arrested and Riou would be there to beat him up while in the jail cell

Or tbh, kidnap him and place him in the middle of the woods where he would have to fucking survive on his own

No help will be given where no one can can hear him scream

Ramuda

You just fucked with the wrong division

But Ramuda would do it all on his own, and everyone is honestly fooled by his facade

So when is daughter comes up to him crying, saying the entire cheating thing, Ramuda just consoles her and cheers her up by going out and having a meal and all, but then he would have a plan in mind

He could bring the other two, but he wants the satisfaction of him doing it by himself, and he has a ton of connections and he knows how to play

So he would work on the blackmail, the small inconveniences, and also the fucking threats mailed to him, and his bank account emptying, the loss of friends, the eviction notices, the fake news and rumours spreading about him generally just ruining his life while he just watches from above and sees his daughter party about her ex having a miserable life

Oh and wardrobe, completely ruined

Gentaro

he will comfort his daughter and like tell her truths and reassure her of all the things and on the spot write a funny poem

An author will write

So he will write and publish so much shit, and most of his raps will be dedicated to hating on him

And he will publish stories that are lies, but written so well that everyone believes them, like think Reynolds Pamphlet except fake

So there’s an entire controversy about him and he keeps adding fuel to the fire by asking Ramuda to help him get the message across

And one day he will fucking tear him down with the worst and most painful rap of all that would leave him nearly insane and do you really want to cross him

Dice

Please don’t mess with Dice either

He will flat out, with no restraints, go after the guy the moment the daughter tells him

He will drag said guy back to the house and force him to apologise to her, but of course before that he would really beat him up within an inch of his life

And he’s honestly going to use hypnosis mic and really kill his mind and beat him so hard

All he wants is a better life for his daughter and not to be tossed aside like scrap

So yeah he’s furious as hell with no one to restrain him, and I really think he’s so strong that the punches fuelled with adrenaline are gonna hurt to the different level

Jakurai

Ill-doc

No really, do you want to mess with the assassin?

I mean, to his daughter, the usual comforting and the chill and the hugging

But that night, good lord someone should really send help to that guy

Jakurai loves process, that’s what he shares with Ramuda, so he does the thing where threats are placed everywhere and it drives him crazy

Think like batman but, with a real endgame kind of goal

and at the end, the guy will find himself cornered with Jakurai kind of just behind him like a shadow

Ill-DOC comes back with the kind of bone breaking that’s permanent, and it keeps him quiet because it leaves the promise for more

Or worse, injections that don’t kill, but flow like acid and burn for a long long time

Doppo

Calls up Jakurai

Or he deals with it himself, though he wouldn’t be so confrontational about it and would be a mess first

But when the guy starts to be condescending, he stops apologising

Because no one, condescends his daughter, he can take anything hurled at him, but once you start on ruining his daughter, you’re in a for a new treat

The things he’s about to do, he won’t apologise for any of it

The rap he blurts out is the most unapologetic thing that can happen, like really, the most unapologetic

Like Doppo with no barriers and he’s so brutal without worrying about being offensive or apologising

Hifumi

that boy is so dead

Hifumi isn’t the brute force kind of guy, but in a suit, he can easily persuade the guy to go drink with him in a bar

And Hifumi can charm him into another drink and another drink and another drink until he is ruined drunk

Completely ruined drunk that he does so many stupid things and Hifumi lets him

He even brings him to the host club to flirt and play with the girls, all the while Hifumi takes pictures with the guy’s fucking phone, posts them and lets everyone see them

[smugzayn]

Already Broken - Ch. 2

[chapter 1]

“And what’re you all done up for?” Your mom hollers at you from where she’s leaning over the sink in the kitchen. Even after spending all morning at church, and then the rest of the day washing, and cooking and tidying she still can’t bring herself to sit down for a rest. She wasn’t always this way, but it keeps her from thinking about your father. You suppose you have your distractions too. 

“It’s just a dress, mum,” you huff, tugging up your stockings and lacing your boots. “Meeting some girls for a picture and then -”

“You’re meeting them there?”

She’s always a nervous mess about you. It’s what war does to mothers and wives - makes them scared to watch anyone walk out the door because they know someone who never came back. 

“Yes, mum.” You hover outside the doorway, unsure of what you will do if she tells you no. You have so much pent up anxiety that you might cry either way; it would be hard to tell if it would be from fear or relief. 

“Right to the cinema then, and make sure to walk home with the girls after. No milling about on your lonesome. Nothin but trouble.” 

You nod, reassuring her and pull the door shut behind you. 

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

You’re glad that it’s dark by the time you reach the gangster’s door. Less people that might notice you, less light to see the slight layer of sweat above your brow, and more shadows to find comfort in when the door swings open and you find the man brooding above you with cigarette in hand and cap fit snugly on top. 

“You came?” he notes, glancing up at the hissing street lamp and then down at you. Again, you’re not sure what’s lacing his voice. Something cautious or amused, you can’t tell. 

You swallow thickly, “Of course.” 

He leans to the side, letting you step into the room. A single light burns above the table in a space designated as a kitchen and you dump the contents of your sack atop it. Soaps, a brush, and a clunky washboard all spread out before you. He follows behind you after gently closing the door with a click, muffling the noises from the street and locking out the cool autumn wind.  

You expect to find blood-stained collars, and shirt sleeves, and trousers tossed about the room. Perhaps a gun thrown carelessly on the bed, or a litter of razor blades in a bloody pool on the floor. However, the room is as bare as the first time you stepped into it. 

“Sir, do you-”

“Harry,” he interrupts, stepping forward and shrugging on a long overcoat from a hook on the wall. “Harry Styles.” He uncorks a glass from the table and holds the liquor out towards you. “You’re gonna want this first.” 

You look at him skeptically, taking the glass and setting it back on the table.  “I don’t need a drink to do laundry, Mr. Styles. However, I do need clothes.” 

He smiles tightly, picking up the glass and throwing it back himself before pouring another to swallow quickly. “Well, then,”he stubs his cigarette out, ”let’s go about getting you that laundry.”

          - - - - - - - - - -

“Just keep your hand right here,” Harry whispers hotly in your ear as he reaches down and grabs the inside of your upper thigh with a large palm. You blush and smack his hand away. 

“Whatever idea you have about me -”

He ignores you, still ushering you down a cobbled-street towards a yellow-windowed building. 

“Just do it,” he orders and hushes your protests as he pushes through a heavy wooden door into a small, empty pub. Aside from a barkeep and a quiet couple filling a booth against the wall, the place is deserted. Your heart stuffs itself into your throat when Harry reaches down to lace his fingers in yours and draw them up against his chest. He doesn’t spare you a glance as he does. You’re grateful to keep your reddening cheeks a secret. 

He leads you to a dimly lit corner where you notice a large booth occupied by one large newspaper and a much smaller man hidden behind it. Off to the side, a tall, fat man stands gruffly with his arms crossed about his chest menacingly. 

“Mr. Ciambetti,” Harry calls, plucking the paper from the man’s hand and tossing it off to the side. “I thought now might be a good time for our meeting. Seeing as you’re here, and I am here, and she’s here.” 

His tone suggests he doesn’t care either way. Somehow everything that leaves his mouth has an air of finality around it. He’s a man who doesn’t negotiate, or compromise, or barter. He demands and he gets. It’s in his voice, and mannerisms, and most notably in the steel cold green of his eyes. 

“Perhaps you could entertain my girl while we talk,” Harry suggests, his question for the security but directed at the one in charge, Mr. Ciambetti. You watch distastefully as both men’s eyes scan you up and down.  After a small nod from the smaller man, the towering figure steps forward to take your hand.

Never before have you felt the special type of anger and shame that spikes through blood at that moment. 

You glare at Harry for some type of clue as to what exactly his plan is, but he stares calmly at Mr. Ciambetti without a second glance in your direction. There is no nod of reassurance, or comfort, or kindness. His eyes are cold, and business-like and focused very carefully away from you. So, you let the man walk you away and Harry’s only tell that he notices you’ve disappeared at all is when you slide into the booth a few rows down and his eyes flicker to your thigh and you reluctantly grab the cotton of your dress in a thick, angry wad.

“Hello,” you offer politely, reaching to shake his hand and hiding your disgust as his dry lips brush against your knuckles in a showy kiss.  

He stinks of gin, is fat, and greasy. The single humming bulb above you shines off his bald head. He talks at you loudly for a few minutes and clearly associates with Harry’s type - there’s talk of power, and violence, and money. However, he talks about it in a way that says he has none of it. Occasionally, he slips into an unfamiliar language that you’re sure you should be happy you don’t understand. 

“Do you know him well?” you ask the man, nodding towards the spot where Harry is talking intently. 

A smile turns his lips, one of smugness or condescension, you’re not sure of which. He offers you a cigarette that you inhale gratefully to calm your nerves. 

“Everyone knows Mr. Styles,” he quips, leaning in towards you and resting a hand above your knee. “I’m sure you know him quite well, too.” 

You glare at the man coldly.

He laughs, leaning into your neck and brushing back your hair. You ignore your instincts and bring a shaky hand to your lips to drag deeply on your cigarette. You look over at Harry, his hunched shoulders are tense, but you sense it has more to do with the glare he is giving Mr. Ciambetti than any notice of your discomfort. The man digs his fingers into your skin, and you exhale smoke into his face until he is forced to lean away.  

You cough loudly, disheartened when Harry does nothing but shift his weight to lean in closer to the man across from him. 

“C’mon, love,” the man cooes, wrapping a hand around your waist and pulling you tight into his side. “No need to be shy about it. Everyone knows the Blinders have the best whores.”

Your heart drops into your stomach and it’s suddenly hard to breathe. 

“I’m not a whore,” you spit, trying to wiggle from the man’s grip, but he’s too strong. You can see Harry glance your way, but he returns to his conversation without any show of alarm. 

The man’s wet breath blows against your neck and his hand runs up your waist until you feel his fingertips brush against your chest. “All you Brummie girls are whores,” he tangles a hand into your hair to pull your neck back and his lips brush the underside of your jaw. “Some of you’s are just better at hiding it.” 

As his hand suddenly shoots up your thigh to grab at the spot Harry had ordered you to hold, you move with a quickness that can only be credited to adrenaline and anger. You swiftly throw your elbow up, hitting the man squarely under the jaw, and bury your cigarette on the top of his groping hand. While he howls in pain, you shift your body and kick him from the booth. He bounces to the floor, cradling his hand against his chest, but already getting back to his feet - red-faced and irate. 

You realise yours isn’t the only ruckus as you turn to see Harry bring a vase down on a bloody Mr. Ciambetti. It shatters over his right temple and he slumps unconsciously on to the table.

Harry stands up, kicking out his chair, and pulling back his overcoat to reveal the handle of a hand gun strapped to his side. His knuckles are cut and bleeding, red streaks oozing where he clutches the fabric. “Everyone get out!” he shouts. There is a familiar calmness on his face; unlike for you, this isn’t the first time he’s been in the center of such chaos. The few patrons and workers flee the bar without question. 

“Harry, what are you -”

“Go outside,” he orders, stomping towards the man slowly rising to his feet in front of you. “Now!”

You hesitate, the confusion of what exactly you’ve been brought into leaving you unsure and paralyzed to the spot.  

Harry rips the cap off his head, the razor blade reflecting menacingly, and leans over to grab the man by his collar. 

“Go!” he roars, and you jump towards the door and slam it shut behind you. It does nothing to stop the wails and desperate pleads that slip under the door and out into the Birmingham streets to freeze the breath in your chest.

You bend over, huffing in and out rapidly until you begin to feel light headed. You have to swallow the bile burning your throat. 

What have you gotten yourself into? Why are you here? You’re the laundrymaid’s daughter! You keep people’s secrets, but you don’t have many of your own. 

You startle as the door bangs open behind you and Harry storms down the stairs and grabs you by the arm. “Let’s go,” he grunts, pulling you along with him. 

He drags you down back alleys and around dimly lit corners until you’re back in front of the familiar path of his house. Shouldering open the door, he sits you down in a chair, a weird, steady energy radiating off of him that makes the room buzz and everything feel warmer than it deserves. 

He slides a glass of that same whiskey across to you and pours one for himself that he downs quickly before pouring another. 

“Drink up,” he throws his overcoat and cap onto his bed before unbuttoning the top of his shirt. “Will help calm your-”

“He thought I was a whore,” you mutter, hot tears in your eyes. 

Harry stops, his hands abandoning the button to rub thoughtfully against his jaw. He sits down across from you and sighs deeply. You watch him light a cigarette and hold it cooly to his lips. There’s a cut above his eyebrow and the top of his left cheekbone. Blood in colours that reminds you of roses, and rust, and wine stain his collar, and sleeves, and splatters his shirt and trousers. There is even a drop of it hanging from a piece of hair drooping down over his forehead. 

“You let them believe I was a whore.”

“He won’t bother you ever again -”

You push the glass of whiskey away and watch it shatter on the floor. Harry leans back, sizing you up, daring you to do something more. You know it’s dangerous, so you swallow what you want to say and instead step towards the door. Your hand is gripping the handle when his voice freezes you to the spot. 

“Had to be done,” he states calmly, dragging on his cigarette. 

“Maybe it did,” you bite, “but I won’t be part of it.” 

Still, you make no further motion to leave. Deep breaths heave your chest as you focus on choking back your anger. He’s a gangster, and this is what gangsters do; you shouldn’t be surprised. However, you will have no part in it. You have the choice to leave, so why won’t your body let you? “M’not going to be involved in whatever you Blinders do. I don’t care if y’come after me or me mum. I won’t be a part of it.”

Harry slowly walks over to you, grabbing the whiskey and shoving the bottle into your hands. “You already are. If you didn’t want to be a part of this, then you wouldn’t have come.” His large hands wrap around your shoulders, guiding you gently back to the table and pushing you down into the chair. “Now, drink up, and get to work.” 

          - - - - - - - - - - 

It’s late by the time you get home. Harry had peeled off his layers, and sat at the table bare-chested, suspenders still thrown over his shoulders, and trousers hanging loosely around his hips. He had smoked cigarettes and emptied the bottle of whiskey as you soaked, and scrubbed, and rinsed, and did it all again until you had clean clothes and a bloody pool of water. 

He had made only a few comments. Asking you about your mum, or your work, or your friends but never offering anything up himself. You were too distracted in your own thoughts to be tight-lipped. His words echoed in your head as you dipped your hands repeatedly in the steamy, soapy water: Why did you come?

“How was the cinema?” Your mum asks as you tiptoe into the bed next to hers. It used to be your father’s, but your mum can’t stand to see it empty, and you can’t stand to see her tired eyes after a sleepless night looking at the empty bed. 

“It was good, mum,” you lie, crawling under the covers and peering at her in the moonlight streaming through the shutters. 

She looks old. It makes you afraid, and sad, and anxious. The lines creasing her face speak to hard a life. Orphaned as a child, widowed as a wife, and mostly miscarrying as a mother until she birthed you. Your parents had always called you their angel, but what would they think now? Knowing what you had done tonight. 

You tuck your hands under the quilt. It’s probably a trick of the mind, but you’re sure you saw splotches of stained, red skin in the silver of the moonlight. 

“You’ve seen one of the spooky pictures again, haven’t you?” Your mum props herself up in bed, glaring at you accusingly. “I can hear it in your voice. See it in your face. Absolutely no good for ya, those pictures. Give you nothing but nightmares. You’ll be tossing and turning all night.”

You roll in your bed, turning your back towards her. “It was a Chaplin film, mum. I swear on it.”

She huffs in disbelief. “Well, we’ll see about that in the mornin’. Won’t we?”

You close your eyes, feeling hot tears burn behind your lids and forcing your breath to remain even. You can let her sleep well tonight, you can keep your secret hidden from her for just one more sleep, you can do that for her. Because tomorrow, when you wake up with blood-shot eyes, dark circles, and tired skin she will know she’s no longer the only one keeping secrets she learns from the laundry. 

“Sleep well, mum,” you whisper tightly knowing in the morning she will be right.  

[Chapter 3]

[Masterpost]

[sethrine-writes]

Come What May - Ch. 3

Pairing:  Captain America/Steve Rogers x F!Reader

Words:  2685

Warnings:  Violence

Summary: There’s quite a few coincidences that happen throughout anyone’s lifetime. It just so happens that you’re experiencing far too many in a short span of time to be considered mere coincidence - and others are also beginning to take notice. Just how many times can Captain America actually save you before things take a turn for the worst?

A/N:  Three days in a row? How lovely! I’m far from a consistent updater, however, so daily updates won’t be a normal. I just have a pretty good backlog of chapters, and I’m eager to keep the story rolling!! Remember, you can suggest a one-word or small phrased prompt, or even an idea for a future chapter!

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Chapter 3 - Déjà Vu

A little over a week had gone by since the incident at the bank, and everything had seemingly gone back to normal. Well, mostly normal.

You refused to stop into a bank for the time being, choosing, instead, to do online transactions until you regained some comfort in being inside one. Andrew, at least, was happy with this decision.

Just as you had suspected, Jennet was more than understanding and had given you three days off, of which you attempted to argue was too much, but there was no changing the woman’s mind. The break was good for you, as it allowed you to feel comfortable in your own skin once more, but you sure were ready to get back to work.

As it was, you were on your lunch break on a Friday, deciding to pop into the little family-owned and operated sandwich shop just down the street from your place of employment. It was a good place, one you would easily recommend anyone who asked, and the owners were just the best. They took the time to know their customers on a personal level, of which made the place feel like home.

First thing you stepped into the shop, you were instantly greeted with warm smiles and a happy call of your name. If anyone noticed the slight yellowing of a bruise against your cheekbone, no one called attention to it.

“Ah, it’s so nice to see you again! The usual?”

“Sounds good, Maury.”

You chatted with the man as he and his wife set about preparing your order, finding out that his daughter was pregnant with her first child, the third grandchild out of their four kids. Business was good, as you suspected, their car had finally been paid off, and Jesse said hello and wanted to know if you were still single, of which you answered honestly, but had to kindly decline any sort of courtship.

“It’s okay, we understand,” Cathleen assured you with a wave of her hand. “He’s a no-good noodle, anyway, stubborn and hardheaded, like a brick.”

By the time you were out the door, you had been coerced into taking a small cup of soup along with your sandwich of choice, free of charge. You were thoroughly flustered, though you were happy with all the new information and well wishes thrown your way.

The rest of your day was filled with good vibes, and by the time you signed out of the network and gathered your things, you were in a grand mood. Maybe you’d grab a bottle of wine on your way home, have a nice bath and watch bad crime videos to end such a lovely day.

The closest convenience store was just right around the corner from your apartment, and they just so happened to carry your preferred choice of wine. You made your way there with a little bounce in your step, entering with a smile and a polite wave to the cashier on duty. He looked bored to be there, but at least he was attentive to the other shoppers when they approached him.

Your attention turned to the aisles as you made your way toward the back area where beer and other alcoholic beverages were stored. You scanned the selection of wines, face lighting up when you saw a full stock of your favorite brand on the second shelf. It was a bit on the pricey side, even for a convenience store, but it was good, and after such a delightful day (and a previously hellish one over a week ago), you deserved a good bottle.

With wine in-hand, you made your way to the checkout counter, having been caught behind three others, the woman checking out holding a fussy looking baby. As she made to swipe her card, the baby let out a startling cry, causing the man in front of you to step back in surprise, and you, in turn, doing the same.

By accident, you bumped into someone behind you, unaware that there had been someone there.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t…mean…oh.”

When you turned with your apology quick on your tongue, you were met with a familiar, scowling face, though his eyes were much more amused than seething, this time around. Faintly, you could feel your still-bruised cheek give a dull pang in remembrance.

Well, shit.

This was not the sort of déjà vu you ever wanted to experience.

“Hello there, sugar. Why don’t me ‘n you take a walk?”

“I’d rather not, but thanks.”

“You don’t got a choice, I’m afraid,” he said liltingly, pulling out a gun from his coat pocket.

Well, at least he learned to keep a hold of it, this time. Not that doing so was helping you any in this situation, but good on him. He was learning. Just as you would probably soon learn never to go into any building ever again, lest you wanted to have a gun pointed at you.

With a shaky breath, you gripped the bottle in your hand tightly and followed your captor’s movement, his gun pressed firmly to your back as he led you with it to the exit. Just as you opened the door, the cashier called out to you, annoyance apparent in his words.

“Ma’am, you have to pay for that. Please, don’t make me call the cops.”

“Let’s not do that, now,” your captor replied with a wicked smile, grabbing your arm firmly as he positioned the gun on the cashier and shot. Screams of terror rang throughout the store as other customers ducked down, making themselves as small as possible. You looked on in horror at the splatter of blood against the wall, hoping beyond all hope that the man wasn’t dead.

“Anyone else have a problem with the lady leaving?” your captor called out, pointing his gun at the others in the vicinity. “No? Good, then we’ll be on our merry way.”

The gun was pressed once again to your back as the man led you out of the store and into the chilly night.

“Alright, sugar, keep moving,” he ordered as he all but shoved the barrel against you, the hard press of metal a clear reminder that you were one of the unluckiest ladies in the city at that moment. Oh, and you were probably going to die this time.

“You didn’t have to shoot that man,” you spoke up, but not too loudly. You had already almost been shot once by this man due to your snarky mouth, and you weren’t planning on pushing him over the edge.

“He was bein’ mouthy, wastin’ my time, and I got somewhere to be.”

“Surely it’s nowhere I need to be,” you said almost hopefully, though the following laughter was enough to stop all wishful thinking.

“On the contrary, you were personally requested to attend. As much as I’d love to pay ya back for that fuck-up you caused me and my crew at the bank, orders are orders. Now, keep your mouth shut. I may not get to kill ya myself, but I ain’t afraid to hurt ya.”

You did as he said, keeping quiet for the remainder of the trip to wherever he was leading you. As you walked, you contemplated all the information you had gotten from him.

He wasn’t the leader, after all, just another lackey in control of even lesser ones and following orders from someone higher up. Whoever it was, they knew who you were and wanted you alive, apparently. Probably so they could kill you on their own for messing up whatever job they had their men attempting to execute.

Your captor led you on in silence for another two blocks, turning from a semi-busy street down a dark alley. He stopped you with a firm jerk to your arm before a rusted metal door that looked like the back entrance to what you could only assume to be some sort of club, judging by the dull thumping of base from beyond the brick walling. He gave the door three firm hits with his fist and waited.

No one answered.

“Fuck, those idiots! Where the hell are they?”

He gave three more hits to the door and waited, once again facing the same outcome. He was quickly becoming angry.

“Why the fuck do I need to be here if they ain’t gonna show?”

His fist made contact with the door harshly, the metal denting slightly with the effort put behind the hit. The sound caused you to jump back, the bottle of wine in your hand almost slipping from your grasp.

“Whelp, looks like there’s a change of plans,” he said suddenly, forcing you to turn and face him. There was a joyful glimmer in his eyes as he pointed the gun at your face, your eyes widening at the turn of events.

“Since no one wants to show, guess I get to do what I wanted to, in the first place. Any last words, sugar?”

Oh, shit, this was it. You were going to die. You were going to die after such a good day, all because of a messed-up day you had at the bank over a week ago. This man, whoever he was, however he got out of whatever imprisonment he was being held in, had somehow found you and was now going to kill you over a stupid, clumsy moment you had.

Well, might as well die with some sort of dignity.

You swallowed thickly as you shook your head, eyes on the verge of closing so you wouldn’t have to see the flash of the barrel.

Something moved from behind your captor, a large, tall something on two legs, moving towards you slowly, almost cautiously.

“S-someone’s behind you,” you muttered quietly, your words breaking as your lips trembled with pent-up fear. The man before you scoffed, clearly not caring for your words.

“Not fallin’ for that one again, sugar. Ain’t anyone around to save you this ti-“

“Hey, you, what’s going on?”

Your captor turned to glance at the source of the voice, his arm lowering the gun a fraction to hide it from view. He was distracted, clearly not in the mood for company, but if you didn’t do something quick, the other guy would possibly be dead, too.

In a fit of courage, bravery, possibly stupidity, you called out to the other man.

“Get out of here, he’s got a gun!”

Your captor turned to you and gave an angry grunt as he turned to face the other man obscured in the shadows of the alley, gun poised to shoot.

“Sorry, buddy, no witnesses allowed!”

Before your captor even had a moment to think about pulling the trigger, you wrapped both hands around the neck of the wine bottle you’d been holding and swung with all your might, the glass connecting with the side of his head and shattering as it sent him crashing into the wall. The contact was enough to knock him out, his gun falling from his limp hand with a clatter against the grimy cement and gravel.

“Oh God, oh my God,” you began chanting as you nearly collapsed from the rush of adrenaline leaving your body, instead leaning heavily against the brick wall of the nearest building. The man who had found himself upon this unfortunate situation quickly rushed to your side, a warm hand gently taking hold of your upper arm to steady your swaying form.

“Are you alright, ma’am? Did he hurt you?”

You looked up at the man, at the sound of a familiar voice, and couldn’t help but laugh at the concerned and very surprised blue eyes staring down at you.

Wow, this really was déjà vu, wasn’t it?

“I’m fine, Captain,” you said, side-eyeing the unconscious man lying on the ground. “He didn’t hurt me, but…there’s a convenience store clerk who he shot, about three or four blocks back on 35th and Archwell. God, I hope he made it.”

“Alright, give me a moment,” he said, pulling out his cell and calling the police, giving the locations of both the convenience store and the alleyway you both stood in, making sure they knew that a medic would be required for both locations. When he replaced his phone, his gaze was back on you.

“Are you sure you’re fine? I can take you to the nearest hospital, or we can wait until the police show.”

“No, I’m fine, promise. I just…wow, this has been the scariest and strangest two weeks of my life, let me tell you.”

You let out a long breath you hadn’t realized you were holding, your eyes shifting to that of the gun, glinting ever so slightly from the lights at the end of the alley. You turned to the good Captain then, eyes roaming over him in concern.

“Are you okay? He didn’t shoot you, did he? It was so stupid what I did, I know, but I didn’t want him to hurt you, too. And I figured, hey, I guess I could waste a perfectly good bottle of wine against his head-”

“He didn’t shoot me,” he assured with a small smile stopping your ramblings. “I guess you saved my life this time.”

“I did say I owed you one,” you blurted out without really thinking, a moment of silence passing between you before you let out a chuckle, the man before you doing the same.

A sudden shift from your unconscious captor had you shooting up from the wall and right into the arms of your blue-eyed savior, his hands securely latching themselves around your waist as he shifted between you and the dangerous man. Your captor moved a bit more, but did not wake from the slumber you sent him into, his mind possibly too deep in shock from the good smacking it received.

You gave a relieved chuckle as you leaned your forehead against the muscular chest before you, finding comfort in the small contact.

There was a sudden flashing of red and blue light coming from the entrance of the alley, signaling that the police had arrived. They were quick to apprehend your captor while having a medic view him before a stretcher was issued to carry him away, most likely to the hospital until he regained consciousness. All the while, the good Captain held you close, ensuring the medics that you were fine, just shaken up.

As the police began wrapping up the happenings, asking the Captain brief questions about the incident, he looked to you with mild apprehension.

“Is there anything you need, anything I can do for you?”

“I just…I would really like to go home, now.”

“Of course. Do you mind if I…escort you back, then? I think I’d feel better knowing you got home safely. Or if you’d rather an officer, I could-”

“Please do,” you answered before he could finish his sentence, pulling away, save for your arms around one of his, as he led you out of the alley.

He was a complete gentleman the whole way, asking light questions to get your mind off what had just occurred, something of which you were grateful for. It felt like no time at all when you both turned on your street and entered the building that housed your apartment, catching the elevator to the third floor where you guided him to the last door on the right.

He stayed until the very last second, wishing you a good night and waiting until you had your door shut and locked before leaving. With his exit, he left behind a peace of mind you had lost over an hour ago.

After a long, hot shower and two shots of cinnamon whiskey your brother had gotten you last Christmas, you were more than ready for bed. As soon as your head hit the pillow, you were out like a light, dreams easy and plagued by only a kind smile and lovely blue eyes.

The next morning, you found out on the news that the convenience store clerk was going to be okay.

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Tag List:  @just4muggles, @achishisha, @pinnedandneedled

[ayamine597]

Character Analysis: Matou Shinji

I finally understand why Shinji’s such an asshole to Shirou, took me long enough and HF helps

I need to get this out of my system…

Hello, hello~

Get ready for long… I don’t know what is this. Fan theory or something.. I came out after mulling over Heaven’s Feel for a while. I warn you; This contains spoiler, this is just my opinion, my grammar is bad, I think weird, I write weird, and someone else probably thought this up already but since I haven’t read, see, or hear this from anyone else yet i think it’s safe to say that my brain thought this up by itself. Continue at your own risk. React whatever you want.

You’ve read the title. I finally understand why Shinji’s such an asshole to Shirou. It’s kinda complicated at first, but quite simple once you get it. Shinji and Shirou used to be best friend right? Then why they doesn’t look like it? The reason is… surprise, surprise, it’s because of Sakura!

If you watched Zero, then you already know that Sakura is Rin’s twin, right? (If you haven’t then spoiler haha!). I’m gonna use Harry Potter’s reference for this to make it easier for me to explain. Families like Tohsaka and Matou are Purebloods. Mages like Kiritsugu and Shiro are Muggleborns. People like Shinji is Squib. Tohsaka family have two daughter. But only one child get to learn family magic, the second child must be relocated to the muggle world. Matou family have one son but he’s a squib. So then the two family make a bargain, In exchange of teaching Sakura the family magic, Matou get to have a strong mage in her. It’s a win-win situation for both families.

But what does that makes Shinji? Do the math.

On one side there’s Sakura, the adopted daughter from a family with equal standing with Matou and she has the same magical capability as her sister which only matured and gotten stronger with the help of the magical worms, and on the other side is Shinji, Matou’s eldest son but with naught but low magical capability and he didn’t even fit the criteria to be a Master in Holy Grail War. Try to guess which one going to be nominated as the next head of Matou family if Zouken (somehow) died.

In the eyes of the family Shinji is an embarrassment and it shows. If you already watch HF then you must be remember Zouken’s reaction to Shinji’s defeat (which harsh af, If I’m him I’d cry). He doesn’t have magic and his family didn’t expect anything from him, let just say all that pent up emotion needs to go somewhere, and that somewhere is Sakura. Shinji probably blames Sakura out of envy. He saw her as someone who took everything that’s supposed to be his to take. That’s why he always bully her. Sakura probably knows about this fact too, that’s why she stays silent about his bad attitude towards her.

But even he has friend he can count on and that’s Shiro. Judging from a scene from HF, Shinji and Shirou already know each other since elementary and very close. But then Sakura came to the picture and there goes their friendship. It’s not even about their archery club or Shiro’s annoying good guy personality as Shinji’s belief. It’s fear I think, fear of losing his friend.

When Shirou stopped going to archery club, I note how Shinji keeps using words like “Outsiders” to mention Shirou. He probably did it so Shirou would want to join back to the archery club with him. It’s like backward psychology or something, I think. The more you mention a person that he isn’t part of something, makes that person wants to be a part of it.

The next is this scene from HF. Remember when he ask Shirou to clean archery club dojo? In HF Shinji looks like he expected Shirou to refuse and looks disappointed when he didn’t. I’m not sure why he makes that kind of face. Shinji, even as one of the acting (not actual, I think) Master should already know that the Holy Grail War already started at the same day. In HF Shirou was standing in front Sakura’s classroom in search for her. Maybe Shinji asked that, expecting Shirou would refuse him and go home immediately. Which of course doesn’t happen and Shinji reaction to Shiro after that was more in the line of “Do whatever you want.”

Then I noted how Shinji always flinched… triggered… ticked whenever Sakura is mentioned (not just in HF but in UBW too). Especially by Shirou. Shinji’s scared that Sakura’s going to take the one and only person he considers as friend. In that fear, what did he thinks he needs to do to make sure Sakura stays away from Shirou? He tries to scare her by bullying her. But that works the exact opposite. Shirou found out about it and choose to side with Sakura. That in turns make Shinji the bad guy and he hates it. So Shinji bullied her again, Shirou begin to feel contempt for Shinji, and repeat. It’s like a never ending cycle of tension.

Last is his reaction to Shirou being one of the master in Holy Grail War. The fight between Rider and Saber. He clearly trying to outdo Shirou. He looks like he tried to scare Shirou so Shirou would stand away from the fight or maybe expecting his servant to be strong enough to beat Saber so Shirou doesn’t have to continue the War again. Shinji’s acting like the bad guy again though and Shirou being Shirou of course choose to fight and RIder being ridiculously outclassed by Saber of course didn’t help.

Shinji’s character surprisingly more developed and complex in HF than UBW and S/N, probably because the story focused on Sakura and everyone around her and that includes Matou family. Maybe this is just me trying to see if this guy has any good points or not. Maybe he’s actually an asshole through and through with superiority complex the size of Mount Fuji, we shall see it when Heaven’s Feel part two comes out.