#heart to tell them yet but then they broke up w me to pursue a relationship w the guy who tried to force me to kiss him so :) fun times

[muddi-gutz]

i just realised it’s already been like 2 years since my ex broke up with me. That’s like half of our relationship i think

[thewitchkingiscool-ace]

Stay With Me- Chapter Four: Shadowed By Demise (Boromir x reader)

Other chapters:

Chapter 1: Don’t Let Me Fall

Chapter 2: Thoughts Of Silver

Chapter 3: Golden Sunlight Breaking Through The Clouds

Description: The final chapter of my boromir x reader fic. I don’t really want to spoil anything, but this is set at the end of FotR, so I don’t think I need to tell you what happens to Boromir… 

Whole fellowship is in this except Frodo and Sam.

Tropes: angst, a little tinsy bit of fluff, but it’s a sad chapter so sorry :(

Warnings: fatal injuries, blood

Length: 1.7k words (1,781 words)

Genre: LotR

Notes: none really 

Chapter: 4/4

Up until now, you and Boromir had not failed to defend each other as the Uruk-hai pursued you. Though the going was tough while you clung to his side with his strong arm around your shoulder, the two of you managed it. However, some attacks were difficult to counter. And as an orc swung his sharp, heavy shield down upon you, you could not defend yourself in time, and neither could Boromir. It struck your upper shoulder blade with a blow that knocked the air out of you, and you jerked towards the ground, out of Boromir’s grasp. You lay, in throbbing agony, on the leaf-covered floor, blinking rapidly to keep the tears out of your eyes. You heard the orc that had struck you fall to the floor, but this didn’t give you much reassurance. They were everywhere. And now you were lying wounded on the floor, no longer in Boromir’s grasp. 

With each pulse of blood through your veins, the fresh wound throbbed as if the shield still lay embedded in your shoulder, and you cried out, tears swimming back into your eyes. You blinked them away and tried to get to your feet, knowing that if you no longer wanted to be a burden for the fellowship, you would have to fend for yourself. With a thud, you placed two feet on the blood-coated forest floor, and the first thing you saw was a sight that made your stomach lurch with sickness.

Boromir was being pushed further and further back by a huge wall of orcs. His head was only just visible above their helmets, and from the brief glimpses you saw of his face, he was panic-stricken. You wanted so badly to run to him and help him, like the countless times he had saved you. But your wound was agonising, and with every movement, it began to throb more and more. So instead of aiding him, all you could do was crouch gazing after him helplessly. His eyes met yours and you saw him begin to fight more frantically to get to you, but soon he was overcome and his head ducked beneath the crowd of orcs, and you could see him no more. 

You were still crouching on the damp forest floor when Gimli ran over to you and hoisted you to your feet by your good shoulder, and as your other shoulder dropped a little at the movement, you cried out again, more subtly this time, in an effort to try and mask it from the dwarf. 

“Come on, lass/lad,” he said to you gruffly, and you nodded once, then broke free from him and limped painfully towards the orcs, mustering up the last of your strength to defend the man that you held so dear to your heart. 

Aragorn and Legolas were now by your side, and as you were fighting yet another gathering of Uruk-hai, the blast of a horn rang through the thick trees, loud, strong, and clear. It was a horn that was now so familiar to you from your many visits to the White City, as you had watched troops of soldiers in their silver armour training for battle in its grounds.

The horn of Gondor.

All sound around you seemed to stop, except the tones of the horn echoing loud enough that anyone within half a mile could have heard it. But the thudding of the orcs was gone, though they were still swarming around you. The sour clang of steel against steel was muffled. All that replaced it was the pulsing of your heart in your ears, so loud that you could feel your eardrums vibrating.

There could only be one person behind it. The only one who possessed such a horn. The only one who you knew was in the direction that the sound was coming from. And he was making himself a target. 

“The horn of Gondor!” Legolas spoke with shock. 

“Boromir,” you and Aragorn said in unison, and sprinted past the elf towards the sound, along with all the Uruk-hai that were following it. Why was he doing this? It was reckless! It was perilous! Surely he was aware of the danger? Then it must be an act of sacrifice, a last means of protecting the Fellowship before his strength was spent…

With every blow of the horn you felt more and more desperateness driving your limbs forward, a need to reach him in time that pushed you onward through the orcs faster than any motivation your own mind could muster. It was your heart driving you forward now, and you let it take over. 

You reached the sound in what you thought was just in time. There he stood in front of Merry and Pippin, their petrified faces watching the Uruk-hai in dismay. They soon snapped their heads towards you and the ranger, and Pippin tugged at Boromir’s sleeve and pointed in your direction. Boromir locked eyes with you, and his desperate gaze seemed to be pleading you to get out of there, and find safety. He shifted back and forth for a moment, split in two on whether to protect you and Aragorn or the young hobbits. He settled for a gesture with his hand, one that told you that you must get away, and that he could no longer protect you. That one movement of his arm told you that he was sorry. 

All you could do was stare at him in horror. 

Your aching heart seemed to stop beating as a distinct thudding came through the trees at the top of the shoulder of a hill to your left. To your sheer and utter despair, as you tore your eyes away from the captain of Gondor to look up at the slope, there stood Lurtz, the leader of the Uruk-hai, armed with a large bow. All pain from the wound on your shoulder no longer seemed relevant. Lurtz grinned menacingly and cruelly as he came stomping down the hill, followed by his second-in-command and his strongest gathering of uruks. And he had his eyes set on Boromir.

Time seemed to stop. A lurching, sickening nausea bubbled from your stomach and up through your throat, the darkness sticking fast over your heart once again, and you could not even cry out to Boromir as Lurtz raised his bow, smiling horribly as he locked onto his target. Boromir still span and slashed at the oncoming orcs, and there was nothing you could do to allert the captain of Gondor to his presence in time. 

Lurtz released his arm. Aragorn was still battling the orcs behind you. You could not keep track of the arrow as it rocketed towards Boromir, and your whole heart lurched with a blood-chilling dismay as he staggered backwards from the impact of the arrow, a short gasp escaping his lungs. He looked down at the wretched thing, sticking out of the front of his lower shoulder, and blinked slowly in pain. His hair did not seem to glow anymore. It was shadowed by oncoming demise and by the fact that the sun was nowhere to be seen. Merry and Pippin had been throwing stones at oncoming orcs and suddenly they ceased, arms suspended in mid-throw as they watched the man stumble backwards in shock and fall to his knees, breaths deep and slow. 

Orcs were still attacking you and you took many blows, the pain in your shoulder suddenly making itself present again as you struggled to counter, through agony of the wound and terror of what was happening to Boromir. Aragorn grabbed you suddenly and moved you away from the orcs, trying to take you down a different sloping path and away from the peril, and all the while you could not take your eyes away from the scene with Lurtz and the man who still fought valiantly to protect the hobbits. He cried out, pushing himself back up to his feet, and to your astonishment, he still fought on despite all pain and terror. 

Your heart was roaring with emotions. Surely, since he was still strong enough to fight, he would make it through this? But a deep shadow still clung to the back of your heart, which only tightened its grip as Boromir was shot by another arrow, and this time he staggered much more painfully. Merry and Pippin were looking at him in shocked sorrow. You broke yourself free of Aragorn’s grasp and sprinted back up the slope he had been trying to take you down and towards Boromir. 

He fell to his knees once again, this time forced down by a defeat growing in his own heart, but a defeat you thought that he should not be feeling. He did not deserve for this moment to be a failure. He had done what many could not; he had fought on through surging pain and terror to protect those who could not defend themselves. Lurtz roared in what seemed to him to be triumph. Boromir was breathing unsteadily, trying his hardest to stay upright as he locked eyes with the hobbits, whose expressions were painted with a sorrow that shook them to their cores, and they were still clutching the rocks in their hands.

The sight of them seemed to ignite a flame  within Boromir again, and suddenly he turned to attack the orcs behind him, swinging his sword strongly, crying out once again. He was back up on his feet, and the darkness on your heart released only a little, but now its place was filled with sorrow, that he was still fighting on through the pain that would eventually take him, which you knew was far worse than that of your shoulder. He was using the last of his strength. He looked around in distress before being shot once again by a third arrow, the life leaving his limbs with each impact. Dismay would not let go of you as you ran to him, but you were held back by the daunting number of orcs that now faced you. The hobbits suddenly charged at the Uruk-hai, but did not make it far, and were lifted up onto the orcs’ shoulders and carried away, adding to the pile of grief that weighed down your body. You caught glimpses of Boromir through the orcs. He was kneeling on the ground, almost motionless, despite his shuddering breaths that he could no longer steady. It was such a cruel sight. To see the man you loved so dearly in a state of demise, passing through one of the stages of being slain. 

Tears swam to your eyes. It suddenly struck you that Boromir would not be around to protect you forever. 

[arson-the-clown]

Prompt 1: "Stay For Me" Wally Darling (Welcome Home)

"Stay for me" his eyes were as wide as dinner plates, as they always were, as they stared into my own

My chest hitched as he said them. His voice was surprisingly soft for someone who was ususally so boisterous. I floundered for a moment already hating the words that had to come out of my mouth.

"Wally, I can't. You know I can't."

Much to my dismay, he immediately became crestfallen "But neighbor, why? Don't you love our little town? All our other friends in the neighborhood? They most certainly love you!"

Thoughts of the day rushed through the forfront of my mind. Watching Eddy tease Frank and the way Frank stammered and became flushed. Chatting with Mr Piller outside of his little store. Being nearly crushed in Barnaby's great arms as he gave me a hug. Poppy and Juilie laughing together in the afternoon sun, Sally skipping down the street beside them. And Wally, dear sweet Wally introducing me to all of them with a beaming smile and such pride! More than anyone had ever shown in me before.

As much as I wanted to stay here with them all and live each day in this colorfun world of fun, where nothing bad ever happens, I simply knew I couldn't. And for that my heart broke. And for the expression on Wally's face, standing in the setting sun with his hand on Home's doornob and the small expanse of space between us.

"Wally, I loved today. I love all of our friends. I love the Neighborhood. But for as much as I wish I could, you know I can't stay here." My voice cracked as the last words left my mouth.

He seemed to go through an array of emotions all in a moment. Anger, then sadness, then nothing at all. "Why not?"

That startled and confused me "Why not? W-wally you know why not. I'm not like you all. Look at us. You are made of felt and fluff and fabric, brought to life in the magical world by something I don't understand. I'm flesh and blood and bone. As much as I may wish to god that I was like you and the others, that simply can't happen."

As I talked the more impossible to read his experssion got. Wally looked down at his nice leather shoes. He lingered there for a moment before swiftly letting go of Home's doornob and closing the space between us. The moment he let go, Home's giant eyes shifted downwards to look at me. They felt cold, hostile somehow.

That feeling only got worse as Wally took me by the hand and got down on one knee. There was something different about his eyes. I couldn't place it, but something about this whole situation suddenly felt off, uncanny. "How about a modest proposal then neighbor?"

I took a shaky breath "How's that?"

"Why don't we have a sleepover?!" He smiled widely "At least stay a little bit longer before you have to go! I understand if you want to go home and I know you see us as being very different, but please neighbor give me the opprotunity to show you that we aren't as different as you think!"

My brain seemed to lag. A slumber party? I couldn't fathom how that would solve anything. It wouldn't make me felt. It wouldn't make my new friends human. And yet...and yet was I foolish enough to pursue this venture? I took a deep breath and tried to center myself. I looked at Wally. His excitement, his smile, all seemed the same as they had all day. Had I imagined the weird vibes a moment ago? I looked up and Home seemed to smile and welcome me in with it's whole structure.

Wally stood up again, easily towering over me, pulling my hands into both of his and up to his chest "Oh please neighbor say yes! We can order pizza and watch movies all night and I can tell you everything about everyone here! And I'll make you breakfast in the morning, pancakes and bacon and omlets! I'm a great cook I promise!"

That broke me down enough to get a giggle out of me "Okay, okay, Wally. You've wittled me down. I guess staying for one night couldn't hurt. Gosh you're hard to say no to."

I don't think he could have possibly smiled wider "Yay! Thank you neighbor! I promise, I'm going to make tonight the best night of your life! You're just going to love it!"

He picked me up and a big hug and spun me around, making me laugh. He set me down gently on my feet once more and let go of all of me but my hand. "Come on in neighbor! Home is just going to adore you I'm certain!"

Wally walked me up to the door and with each step I felt that cold, uneasy feeling settle into my stomach deeper and deeper. Something in me told me that what I was doing was intrinsically wrong. But the soft feeling of slightly warm felt and cotton in my hand grounded me perceptively. I tried to tell myself that I was being silly, that it was just my anxiety getting the better of me.

But as we stepped inside of Home and Wally closed the door behind us, I felt my stomach drop into the pits of me when he said quietly "Oh neighbor, we're going to have so much fun together."

[awynter]

Her mind felt beyond fuzzy, it felt blank, empty. No thoughts occupying the inside of her brain other than him.

Don't be sorry. At this, Anne lets out a humorless laugh. Don't be sorry? How could she not be sorry when she'd taken advantage of the situation for her own benefit? It didn't matter if he had kissed her first. It didn't matter how much she'd wanted him to, it was wrong. At his whispered confession, Anne looked up at him with wide, watery eyes.

"What...? But I thought... And you... You and Sarah..." She couldn't seem to form a single coherent thought, the sentences floating just out of reach. He had been here to see Sarah, to call upon Sarah. But he was kissing Anne. And as guilty as she knew she ought to be, all she felt was relief and joy. And utter confliction.

But I do. It takes her a moment to realize what he was saying. He did like her. He didn't hate her for the cruel things she'd said, for the inconveniences and burdens she'd placed upon him nonstop since they'd first met. Mercifully, he liked her. And she liked him, too. So, so much. Emotion bubbled in her chest at his words and she let out a laugh, a single tear spilling down her cheek.

"Did you not pay attention to the play at all?" She quelled another laugh as she stepped closer, dropping her voice even lower. "The Fairy Princess was in love with the Frog Prince, you fool. Is in love with the Frog Prince." It was as close as she dared to confessing her entire feelings in this moment. She didn't know what love was supposed to feel like, and yet that's the only word she can think to describe the gnawing ache in her chest every time she saw him.

He pulled away and it was as though the illusion broke. They couldn't stay out here forever. Sarah would be wondering where they'd gone and the last thing Anne needed was for anyone to walk in on them like this. Their clothes were on and their hands were no longer hungrily searching each other anymore, but the flush in her cheeks and the guilty look on Ben's face would say more than any words could.

"We can't." She repeated, nodding as though trying to convince herself of the sentiment. "It's not right. Especially not if Sarah..." Anne shot a look over her shoulder, towards the direction of the drawing room. Sarah hadn't dared peek out into the hallway yet, but it was onyl a matter of time until she got impatient. But Anne knew she couldn't let this flame die here.

"We will speak of this later. For now..." Idly she raised her hand to her mouth again, biting her lip to quell the nervous swell of panic that was stirring in her gut. She was in trouble. But not in as much trouble as she would be if someone caught them. "W-We go back in there a-and pretend nothing happened, okay? We pretend that this," She gestured between them as she began to formulate the plan out loud, not caring if it sounded ridiculous or improbable. "Did not happen. A-As for you..."

As much as she was trying to think logically, to come up with a proper solution to the problem at hand, her mind kept wandering to his wordsw. Maybe I want to love.

"You," She started again, holding a trembling finger in his direction, trying her best to remain upright and not wither beneath the unbearable weight of her heart. "Need to decide what you want. Who you want. Because if you truly wish to pursue Lady Sarah, tell me now so that I may distance myself from the both of you. I cannot, I will not, allow myself to fall for another man who's heart belongs to someone else, Ben. Not again. S-So, if this was just a man thing to fulfill some need, that holds no merit in your heart, I pray that you are man enough to tell me so that I do not get my hopes up for a fleeting moment of passion. My heart could not bear it..."

As the last words of her rant trail off, she loses the war in her chest and tears spill forth, soaking her cheeks. Anne swiped at her face, making a futile attempt to pretend she was calm and collected even though it was clear she was anything but. Her nose reddened and she sniffled as she tried to catch her breath. After a moment, she let out a dejected sigh and met his gaze, lips wobbling.

"The washroom is down the hall, the last door on the left."

Anne was speaking to him, yet Benjamin couldn't think, couldn't focus. With his breath in his lungs like knifepoints, he dragged a hand through his hair and swallowed. "No," he said again, shaking his head. "No, no, I didn't mean..." But you did. "I-I never meant..."

Anne cut him off with a firm tug against his cravat, and then her mouth was suddenly latching onto his, fierce and enthusiastic as he staggered with her against the wall. His teeth sank into her bottom lip and he licked at the affliction, angling in with a needy savagery as her hands fell to his hair, his shoulders, his face.

“Please… Don't…”

Anne's whispered plea needled through him, guilted him, but just as Benjamin tried to pull away, Anne deepened the kiss and whimpered into his open mouth. Her soft sounds inflamed him, and fighting back a moan, he greedily met her tongue with his and rolled his hips against her trembling frame, the taste of her making him throb as he imagined what it would be like to hold her -- what it would be like for her to wrap her legs around him while he drove into her welcoming body.

Yet again, Anne broke the kiss, her apology plaintive and snagging across his heartstrings.

Breathing hard, Benjamin peered back at her through low-lashed, lust-blown eyes and swallowed. "Don't be," he pleaded. "Don't be sorry..."

Moving in to steal another kiss, he only halted at Anne's earnest reminder. "B-But Sarah..."

Benjamin flinched, genuine remorse tearing across his features.

"You... You like Sarah...?"

He miserably shook his head, cupping the side of her face. "No," he whispered, "I do not -- or at least, not in the way she deserves."

A despairing tension formed in Anne's frame. "You don't like me," she persisted. "Y-You can't like me."

"But I do," he argued. "Miss Wynter, I'm fully aware that I'm a 'frog prince' who should keep to his side of the pond, but you have shown me kindness -- you have shown me great strength and intellect and humor, and by God, maybe I just want to feel the part of me I never thought I'd feel again... Maybe I want to love, and not burrow away from my fate." Mouth dry, he released her as if she'd burned him, his chin wobbling as he exhaled. "But you're right...we shouldn't. We can't."

Not like this.

[beyondspaceandstars]

While You Sleep

Chapter 12

Relationship: Bucky Barnes x Reader Warnings: kidnapping, violence Summary: Soulmate!AU - Throughout life, you’re given glimpses of your soulmate through dreams. As you sleep, memories flash in your mind showing you the life your soulmate has lived. Everyone around you raves about how their soulmate reads great books or volunteers in their spare time. But you can’t relate as your dreams end up being more like nightmares. Through initial images of death and violence, you come to learn your soulmate is the Winter Soldier.

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

“They couldn’t take that from me. They could never take you.”

“I never want to bring you pain or worry, okay? That shouldn’t be what… we do.”

Bucky’s words rang in your head as you sat in the lonesome cell, fighting for release any way you thought to try. But naturally, these attempts of wrangling yourself out of this had fallen flat and you weren’t trying anymore, that’s for certain. It only made the restraints dig into your wrists more. Not to mention you were beyond tired hitting a point of exhaustion that you didn't know was possible. You weren’t given a chance to relax as you sat on edge, waiting. Waiting for what - or really who - you didn’t quite know. 

Sure, you had an Avenger for a soulmate (at least, that was what you considered Bucky, despite his humbleness) but you weren’t exactly up to date on their enemies. From your understanding, between the looks of the facility and your soulmate’s history, this was seeming like the work of Hydra. But they had been abolished...right? Apparently, you didn’t know anymore and doubts rang in your head as you feared you weren’t some random victim.

The first signs of daylight were just beginning to peek into your cell from a very tiny, thin window located near the top of the wall beside you.

Suddenly, a grumbling voice called from outside the cell. “She’s up.” You whipped your head towards the sound, just barely able to make out a figure illuminated by the early morning glow. There was probably some comment to make to whoever this was about how you hadn’t really slept but you couldn’t find your voice at the moment.

“Excellent.” A deeper, possibly older, voice called from down the hall. The man sounded way too excited for your liking. Your stomach threatened to empty its contents as heavy footsteps began making their way towards your cell.

When the steps stopped, you tried squinting through the minimal light but still couldn’t make out much of either man. If you had to guess, they looked like some doctors of sorts in long lab coats with notebooks in hand. One thing you definitely could tell was that they didn’t hesitate to stare back. You could feel their eyes taking you in over and over again making your heart pound in a weirdly familiar way.

“Does she speak?” The first man asked with a humorless scoff. You twisted in your wrist restraints wishing for some courage to get up and maybe put space between you. 

Mustering a scrap of energy, you turned away from the men, hoping maybe your matted hair falling in your face could block them out forever. Because really, couldn’t this be forever? How would anyone know what happened? Your best bet was your coworker noticing your absence but then you thought of Bucky… He was away for now and by the time he caught wind who knows what would be of you. Tears began welling in your eyes at the thought of this being it for you -- whatever this was. You still weren’t sure what about you compelled these men to kidnap you in the middle of the night.

“Hey,” the same voice called out to you this time, pulling you from your troubling thoughts. Slowly, you turned back to him, taking in more of the doctor (fake, you guessed) persona now. “I asked if you speak.”

“No,” you grumbled. You didn’t know where this smart response came from but it made you feel a bit better like you were coming back to yourself. Really, though, you were in no position to start getting smart with anyone.

He let out a joyous laugh that sent far more fear through you. “The Soldier’s soulmate has an attitude, huh?”

Soldier? Bucky. Your heart panged at another thought of him. If that’s who they were referring to, this was to be about Bucky, you realized. These men knew him and whatever connection was festered there, it hadn't fizzled and you were caught in the crossfire. This actually couldn’t be them… But it looked like it.

Suddenly, the cell door opened with a loud screech, and the two men walked into the full glory of the morning sunrise. There, on their white coats, you saw an emblem of what appeared to be some tentacle-bearing creature. Your suspicions were regrettably confirmed. 

They walked towards you, their eyes looking over you as if you were an experiment and they were memorizing you. With fear racing through you, you slowly began scooting backward trying to get as far away as you could. Your back eventually hit a wall and they just kept coming. 

“Quite the squeamish one for being chained to The Soldier,” the second man observed, writing something down in his notebook. You could see now that he was much older, having that wiser look in his older years. You guessed he was a leader of sorts (at least, that was how you were going to file him in your head) and the other man, the one who was so kind to comment on your attitude, was some kind of assistant. You couldn’t take your eyes off the logo on their coats as it was practically screaming in your face. It all felt impossible and yet here you were, in the belly of the beast.

“W-What am I doing here?” You asked, your voice scratchy and nervous. Honestly, you were just glad you had the guts to make any noise. The assistant looked a bit humored at your question.

“Wow, she speaks full sentences,” he commented with an unsettling smirk. 

The “leader” of the pair shot him a look before turning back to speak to you. “We have some observing to do, my dear,” he briefly explained.

The vagueness of it all was certainly not helping you - like anything realistically could in this moment. Still, you pursued it. “Observing?”

He hummed in response, turning back for a moment to write a few more lines in the notebook. Truthfully, you wanted to just kick it out of his fucking hand. Your eyes flicked quickly to the assistant but he wasn’t handing out any hints, just looking at you like you were something to be conquered. Oh, how you wanted to vomit on their shiny dress shoes.

“I will explain our intentions to ease your mind,” he snapped his notebook shut, “but first, you are to be moved.”

And just like, as if his words were keys, a hoard of men entered the cell and hoisted you to your feet. You tried kicking and screaming but they were strong. Maybe too strong. A strength you possibly could only recall in two other men you knew. But you didn’t have time to dwell on it as they corralled you easily and forced you down the hall. 

Everything was dark again. There was no light from the windows in the hall, just some musty glows of lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling. You didn’t know where to look so you just stared downward, taking in the metal flooring that made you chilled.

After turning a few corners, you were brought to a much larger cell. This one at least had a chair, but you didn’t think it was exactly a nice grand gesture as your eyes landed on the restraints attached to it. The second thing you noticed was some sort of computer-like machine and rolling tables which lined the side. If you hadn’t known better, you would’ve thought this was just another medical office. 

You yelped as one of the large men threw you on the chair, not giving you a second to even adjust before your hands were unbound only to be rebound by the chair’s restraints.  You tugged a bit at them out of reflex, finding them as sturdy as expected. Your legs were free, though, maybe offering some tactic but exhaustion and fear overtook you.

Once they deemed you settled in, the army of men left, walking in line as commandingly as they had entered. The leader and his assistant stayed, waiting for you three to finally be alone once more. The door shut with a disturbing bang, really sealing your fate. The assistant stayed off to the side, leaning against a wall adjacent to the chair. The leader walked over to you, taking a seat on some rolling stool. Wow, these guys really thought they were serious professionals or something.

“I hope the trip here was okay,” the leader said with a chuckle. “Comfortable?” He motioned towards your lounging state. You blinked. “I see we are losing that attitude. What a shame, really. I’m sure your soulmate loves a firecracker.” Your body visibly tensed at the mention of Bucky. The elderly man didn’t miss it. In fact, it seemed like you unintentionally gave him the perfect segue into his whole evil spiel.

“Ah, yes, your soulmate.” The leader nodded as if he had just forgotten all about it. “Well, you see, the fact he even has one was news to us,” he shrugged and glanced at his assistant who nodded in confirmation. “We were sure when we wiped him we were wiping everything, so imagine our surprise when we find out he’s out and about dancing - with you on his arm.” 

Your throat tightened as the memories of you and Bucky at the dance hall flooded your mind. It had been so busy that night you never would’ve thought you’d have to worry about someone… It sounded so ludicrous to you. You almost wish he hadn’t said it as the thoughts of that night were suddenly a bit darker. The carelessness you two had held seemed foolish now. 

The leader watched you carefully. When you didn’t say anything in response, just blinked away more tears, he continued, “At first, we were quite angry we had missed something so big. We could’ve sworn we broke every attachment time after time but, as I said, you just swept The Soldier right off his feet. So, naturally, our sights were set on eliminating you.” He let out a ridiculous hearty laugh. “But then my assistant here,” the man in the corner waved in response, “realized that that would be a waste. There could be potential here for you. For you and your soulmate. Potential rooted in a team. Two unbreakable soldiers, both in bond and skills. What more could Hydra want?” 

You gasped, your eyes growing wide, at the explanation. You didn’t know what to do now, your body had a mind of its own as it began shaking your head furiously as your wrists tugged and tugged at the restraints. This wasn’t realistic. They were absolutely mad. What kind of foolishness was this? They couldn’t possibly -

“Now, now,” the leader chuckled and turned to his notebook. He began checking referencing stuff from the monitor to the paper. “Don’t get too excited. We’re still brainstorming the whole concept and while it’s not near execution, it is on the promising side. There is, though, a vital component we seem to be lacking: your soulmate.”

Bucky… Your heart felt like it was going to rip itself out of your chest. Was he walking into a trap? Assuming he was walking in at all? Who was to say he had any idea of what was going on with you? How long could this all be for… You let out a surprising sob.

The leader responded to your outburst with an annoyed scoff. “There’s no reason to cry, dear. He’s sure to be here soon thanks to that little bond you have. If he hasn’t already recognized your distress by now, well, he’s not as smart as we thought.” He shrugged and began typing away on the monitor’s keyboard. “The whole attachment may all work out in our favor after all. Eventually, you two will be reunited, and won’t that be just lovely?”

Truthfully, you didn’t know anymore. You had no doubt in Bucky’s fighting abilities but these guys were… Well, they were pretty much responsible for him and everything you had seen him be put through. Who knows what they could do if (and when) he walked through those doors. You were lucky you hadn’t passed out yet from this anxiety alone.

“Besides, as I said, it’s all later down the line anyway,” the leader said. It had suddenly occurred to you at that moment that you were very glad he hadn’t given out his name. You couldn’t imagine humanizing these monsters. “For now, though, we are interested in learning more about you. I’ll be honest, on paper you are quite boring. Barely finished high school, left college for a coffee shop job… The pairing is almost comical. We just can’t figure out what you offer him and while, really, who are we to question Fate? But I still think in time we can figure out...well, whatever it is about you.”

You shook your head slowly, your eyes barely even able to focus on him anymore. Everything in you felt so heavy. “I’m not special.” 

“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong,” the leader chuckled. “He makes you special.”

As if on cue, a chorus of screams erupted from the hallway. You all jumped and turned towards the door. There was a little window on it but all you three could see were the bodies of the army of men from earlier flying about. 

“Sooner than we expected,” the leader mumbled and began furiously typing something into the computer.

You didn’t know what to do besides sit there and wait for whatever was coming. Deep in you, you knew it was Bucky, you could feel it. You could feel him. But there was also a part of you that could also sense… rage. A very familiar, unsettling rage burned within him. It made you wonder if you actually wanted to see him in such a state. Some sick piece of you wished they had just knocked you out. 

There wasn’t much more time to consider what you were going to do as the door to the cell was ripped off. Literally, fully, ripped away at the hinges to reveal a very determined, very angry, Bucky. He had an expression you didn’t recall seeing before, even in the nightmares. He looked ready to murder everything in its path but there was no calculated strategy to the madness. It seemed to be just him and his pure desire to eliminate anything and everything. His eyes were locked deadly on the older man, seemingly opting to ignore you. The assistant had begun shifting further away into the corner of the space.

“So nice of you to join us,” the leader said with an unsettling laugh. “I’ll admit, we weren’t expecting you so soon. I barely got a chance to get to know your little darling here.” He motioned towards you. 

“I’m only going to ask this once,” Bucky finally spoke, his voice strained, “let her go.”

The leader smiled, “I’m not sure you’ll be asking for anything in a moment, anyways.” He motioned towards the computer. You and Bucky followed his motion with matching bewildered expressions. “In fact, I think you’ll be the one doing what I ask.”

Bucky’s eyes widened. “No-,” 

But it was already set in motion. With a simple press of a button, the room filled with an electronic voice repeating a series of words in a foreign language. You looked around, unsure of where this could even be coming from and what the hell was being said, Your eyes eventually settled on Bucky who looked completely… lost. You gripped the sides of the chair, begging for this to just be over, as you watched that was so familiar. You could feel the memories rising from the depths of your brain. Hidden away, nearly suppressed... You gasped. The nightmares. That’s what all this was. They had pulled the trigger. 

As much as you loved and trusted Bucky, you couldn’t say the same for the other guy. If in that state, could he even recognize you? Like, fully understand your role? You didn’t want to find out, truly. The panic that was settling in now was unlike anything you had experienced that day. Not even the idea of Hydra goons kidnapping you had sparked this much within. 

You were preparing yourself for the worst as you watched Bucky try to shake it off. The leader wore a proud expression while the assistant kept his lonely distance, watching everything unfold. Suddenly, Bucky began mumbling to himself as his hands made hard fists. You thought the blow was finally coming and he was going to be gone. Just like that.

But then Bucky lunged. In one swift move, he pounced on the leader, taking everyone in the room off-guard, especially the target of the aggression. The older man hadn’t even had a chance to put his arms up before your soulmate was punching him relentlessly. Bucky’s yelling in the process was of pure, expressive anger, completely drowning out the screams of pain from the leader. You didn’t know what to do. You wanted to look away so badly but you were also hypnotized. Bucky was so determined and unwavering in whatever goal was planted in his head. A bit thankful someone would go to such lengths for you, you had had enough of such danger in your sleep - you didn’t want it in your reality. 

Bucky switched suddenly to strangling the man and that seemed to be the final straw for the leader’s life. The older man was soon just a lifeless, limp body on the floor. Bucky was still knelt above him, watching the soul drain from his victim. Your jaw went slack. You couldn’t turn this off.

The assistant didn’t help it as he made some foolish break for the exit but Bucky was just as fast. In a couple of determined strides, Bucky yanked the younger man back by the neck and threw him into the wall creating an artistic indentation. The assistant fell to the floor with a chilling thud. 

There was no one left for his sights to land on except for you. Slowly, Bucky turned around. A shiver ran up your spine when your eyes finally met. You didn’t know who was standing before you. Whatever or whoever this was quickly began stomping their way towards you. You shut your eyes and flinched away, waiting for a painful, finishing blow from the Soldier. 

But it never came. 

Instead, all Bucky did was lean over to turn off the speakers and then began untying your wrists. Hesitantly, you turned to look at him but found he wouldn’t look at you, just was intensely concentrated on the restraints. 

“B-Bucky?” Your voice was scratchy as you fumbled over his name. 

“It’s me, doll,” Bucky responded with an exhausted sigh. He sounded normal to you, his demeanor not even looking close to what you remembered from the nightmares. He… He was okay. Bucky still wasn’t looking at you as he finished one restraint then went on the next.

“You’re not…”

Bucky shook his head. “Everything’s okay,” he mumbled. “We’re getting you out of here.”

“We?”

“The team is outside handling the other men.”

“You all came for me?”

Bucky finally looked up at you. For the first time, you could see just how tired he looked. A man nearly on the brink of defeat and enduring the fight. Your heart ached as all you wanted to do was crawl into his arms and take the longest naps of your lives. 

“Of course, sweetheart,” Bucky nodded. Gently, after the last restraint was undone, he picked you up bridal style. You threw your arms around his neck and buried your face in his shoulder, letting yourself relax and the tears flow. 

“Thank you,” you mumbled but Bucky didn’t respond as he carried you out of the facility

***

You must’ve fallen asleep because a few hours later you awoke at some sort of compound. You were lying in what appeared to be a hospital bed but nothing about this place looked like a typical hospital. The technology was too advanced and everything just seemed too quiet. You looked around, letting your eyes adjust to the bright light of the sun shining in from the large room windows. In the corner, you were greeted by the sight of Bucky sleeping awkwardly in a chair.

You twisted in the bed, trying to get more comfortable under the blanket. The super-soldier hearing must’ve kicked in because one ruffle of the blanket made Bucky’s eyes shoot open. He looked at you, panic shifting to relief when he saw you were awake. Quickly, in a few steps, he was out of the chair and at your bedside. 

“How are you feeling?” He asked softly. His hand went to touch your cheek but he must've thought better of it and instead lowered it. Your heart broke a bit wondering what self-deprecating thoughts were running through his brain after everything he had to do. 

“I’m okay. Just a bit sore,” you shrugged but boy was it the hard truth. You hadn't been in a comfortable position in hours and endured being thrown around like some rag doll. 

“Do you need any medicine?” Bucky asked, his voice suddenly having an air of panic to it. “I can call for help if you need it. Are you hungry? Do you need water? Or -  Or just anything to drink? I can get you-,”

“Bucky…” You placed your hand on his to calm down. He flinched at your touch. “I’m fine. Everything is fine.”

He shook his head. “Nothing is fine, sweetheart. You were taken from me-,” Bucky cut himself off as his eyes began welling with tears. He looked wrecked as he stared down at you, taking in your current state. You felt the pain, wanting nothing more than to make all these torturing thoughts vanish. “You… You saw things that I just… I never wanted you to deal with-,”

“It’s over.” You took a deep breath. “I’m here, I’m safe, and you’re with me.”

Bucky closed his eyes as if preparing for something. “After what happened back there, do you even want me around anymore?”

Your jaw went slack at his question. Sure, there was absolutely no denying that the events of today scared you, most likely more than you realized. You had only seen Bucky that determined and violent in your nightmares so to see it just steps away was jarring. But you also knew nothing changed within him. He wasn’t a robot or anything. He wasn’t someone just taking commands. He had remorse. You certainly couldn’t say the same for who greeted you in your sleep. It may take you some time to adjust, sure, but you weren’t turning away. At least, you were going to try not to. Healing was just beginning.

“Of course, I do,” you said, raising your other hand to Bucky’s cheek. At first, he flinched but slowly he leaned into the touch, sighing like he was letting go of something. “Bucky, what happened back there… You had no choice. I don’t have to tell you that those were some very, very bad people. They had it coming and the fact you went to those lengths to save me is unbelievable.”

“I’d go to the ends of the Earth for my girl,” Bucky admitted. 

You let out a weak giggle. “Thank you.” A pause. “May I ask how you figured out I was in trouble?”

Bucky smirked. “I had a nightmare.”

You raised your brows in surprise. “A nightmare?”

He nodded, “I started to feel weird after leaving for the mission like there was something I was missing. A little later on, I was taking a nap and you of course appeared but it was unlike any other dream I had ever had about you. It was… You were scared, deathly afraid of something, and then I saw what was going on. I practically watched it all play out from your apartment and on. It didn’t take too long to put everything together.”

You hmm’d. “Thank God for nightmares.”

Bucky chuckled and placed a light kiss on your forehead. “Thank God for nightmares,” he repeated in agreement.

[thewhitejournal]

“The Intern” Part Six

Aaron Hotchner x Female!Reader Series

(not my gif)

hey guys! i know i haven’t been active in awhile and i apologize, but i hope this final chapter (unless y’all want like an epilogue or something of that nature) of ‘the intern’ makes up for it. i’m so sad to see this series go because it was one of my favorites to write but we got more series, one shots, and all that good stuff on the way!

please enjoy my loves :) <3

content warnings: cursing, super fluffy and sappy towards the end

thewhitejournal’s masterlist

“the intern” masterlist

-

The past four weeks have flown by quickly. You were out of the cast and back on your feet in the bullpen. You were helping out everywhere; between running errands for Garcia and helping out with the rest of the team, you were dead tired by the end of the day. But it didn’t matter to you. You were finally getting a taste of what you loved, even with school and classes still a part of your daily routine. You were eternally grateful for the geniuses you had on hand when you were doing homework in between tasks. Everything be damned if you didn’t take advantage of it.

A groan slipped from your lips, filling every nook and cranny in Garcia’s office. It broke the comfortable silence between the two of you, other than the sound of her fingernails clicking away on the keys at record speed.

“What’s a matter, babe?”, she asked, gaze never wavering from the work in front of her. Your head now rested on your arms on the table in front of you. You let out an exasperated sigh.

“I hate math.”, you stated simply, earning a chuckle from her. She rolled her chair over next to yours, placing a gentle hand on your back.

“Let me see it.” You sat up so she could look over your work. The page was littered with dozens of scratch work equations that were slightly visible from having been erased. Most of the questions had half-completed answers or none at all. She shook her head.

“You should ask Reid. Why do they change the way people do math every year?” You sighed again as she rolled back to her desk. You gathered your book and assignments up in your arms and carried them out into the bullpen, eyes falling on Dr. Reid scribbling away on a file.

“I’m glad I caught you here, I need the help of a genius.”, you explained, pulling an empty chair up to his desk after having sat your things down on it. He looked taken aback by your sudden approach. He didn’t say anything at first, not meeting your eyes. “If you’re too busy right now, then don’t worry-“, you started, but were cut off by his stammering.

“N-no, I’m not too busy for you, (Y/N).” If you didn’t know any better, you’d say a slight blush crept upon his cheeks. “What’s the w-work?”, he asked you, clearing his throat and meeting your eyes for only split seconds at a time. You smiled and shook your head at the awkward doctor, letting him take a look at the papers. He quickly realized what you were working on, then tried helping you, going on ramblings about the equations and variables you didn’t understand. Eventually, you could form answers to your questions on the pages.

“You’re a lifesaver, Spencer. Thanks.”, you said, flashing him a bright smile. He offered you a small smile and minimal eye contact. You just turned and left, satisfied with the completed worksheet. You returned to Garcia’s office to see Hotch there, standing over her. They were talking about something; pictures of criminals and crime scenes flashed the screens on the walls as she clicked around and typed. You froze in the doorway.

Aaron Hotchner was a wonderful boss and an amazing man; he thought of you as an outstanding addition to the team, so you had no reason to be so intimidated by him. But you couldn’t help it. Maybe it had something to do with the way you’d seen him interrogate suspects so intensely, or maybe with the fact that you had a bit of a crush on him. You’d never admit to the latter though. It was unprofessional and wrong, but it felt so right all at the same time.

Almost as if he could sense your presence, he called you in the room without ever turning to face you. You moved towards him, setting your things down on your desk. You stood next to him in the already small, getting smaller space. His body heat radiated onto your skin, cologne filling your senses. You swallowed hard, hoping he didn’t hear it.

“(Y/L/N), see if you can help Garcia find a connection between some of these victims. If you find anything, just drop by my office and let me know.”, he stated, turning to face you. There were only inches between your bodies; you couldn’t meet his eyes. You could feel his gaze looking down on you, so you looked up, ready to maintain composure.

His brown eyes looked black in the minimal light of the room. “Yes, sir.” You could hear your voice waver slightly and you kicked yourself internally for it. You couldn’t help but think that if Garcia weren’t here, this would be a very different story. He looked in your eyes a little longer than might’ve been necessary, then gave you a smirk before leaving. He shut the door behind him.

You exhaled immediately, nearly doubling over. You hadn’t realized you’d barely been breathing.

“Jesus Christ, (Y/N), I’m surprised he didn’t fuck you right against that wall!”, she hissed under her breath, in case he was still in earshot. You gasped.

“Garcia!”, you exclaimed, lightly slapping her shoulder.

“You could cut the sexual tension between the two of you with a knife!”, she retorted. The two of you made eye contact.

“Really? It’s not just me?”, you asked with full sincerity.

“Hell no! You need to get on that, (Y/N).”, she said with a knowing smile, sending you a wink. Your cheeks flushed hot red and you rolled your eyes.

“Garcia, I can’t do that. You know it’s wrong.” As much as you wanted to pursue anything with Hotch, you were telling her the truth. It was wrong. You walked over and sat in your seat, sighing and starting to work on your homework again.

“Honey, love is never wrong.”, she said in that soothing and comforting voice. You knew that, on some level, she was right. You dropped your pencil, unable to focus on your work. You swiveled to face her.

“Yeah, cause that argument would go over well with Strauss. Or whoever is above her.” She sighed. She knew you were right, too.

“Just don’t count him out yet. You two…deserve happiness. I think you could give each other that.” You knew she was serious. She placed a hand on your knee, squeezing it.

“Thanks, PG.” You gave her a half-smile. She shrugged.

“What’re friends for?” She flashed you a huge smile, and the two of you returned to your respective workloads.

-

Nearly four hours later, you’d long ago finished your homework, and now you were helping Garcia with the workload provided to the two of you by Hotch. The two of you agreed with each other that you’d need some eye bleach after this; the images flashing on the screen were those that most people could never stomach seeing.

You rubbed your eyes, blinking afterwards. Your eyes physically hurt from staring at the screens for hours. Suddenly, a pattern caught your attention. “Garcia, do you see that?” Your finger prodded the screen. She pulled her glasses so that they’d rest on top of her head, and leaned closer to the screen. She pulled a window from the top left corner so it would sit next to the one you two were looking at. Then, she pulled another picture from the fray of images and documents.

“A signature…”, the two of you muttered in unison. You locked eyes and shared a laugh.

“We finally found a pattern!”, you exclaimed, the life returning to your body as the joy flowed through you. Maybe it was because you were new, but making a connection like this and getting one step further to a solution felt so good. Garcia chuckled. You knitted your brows, looking over at her. “What?”

She gave you a sly smile. “You know you have to report to the boss, right?” Your heart sank in your chest. She was right. Your eyes flickered to the clock on the wall.

“It’s kinda late, do you think he’s even still-?”

“(Y/N), you know damn well he’s still in his office. If he could, he’d live here. Now go!” She ushered you out the door, almost by full force, but not before trying to undo a button on your top. You swatted her hand away and left the room, the sound of her laughter fading with every step you took forward.

Entering the bullpen, there were few agents left for the night. Dr. Reid still lingered, hunched over and lost in his paperwork. He looked up when you walked in, eyes following you as you walked and ascended the stairs to Hotch’s office. Not that you knew his gaze tracked you; you were too nervous about being alone with Aaron in his office to notice anything other than the floor beneath your feet.

Your knuckles rapped softly on the door and you heard him call you in from the other side. You exhaled, trying to get yourself together. It was ridiculous, the effect he had on you. You wondered if he knew.

You turned the knob, pushing the door open and shutting it behind you. The desk lamp illuminated a stack of papers, his pen scrawling what was likely his signature on the bottom of a sheet of paper. He looked up momentarily, then his gaze fell back on his desk. “(Y/L/N). Did you and Garcia find anything?” The sound of your heels echoed in the room as you carried yourself to his desk. You took a seat in the cushioned leather chair that sat spaced evenly from his desk and another chair that looked exactly like it.

You cleared your throat before saying, “We did find a pattern, a signature on all the victims.” He perked up, raising an eyebrow at you. You presented your findings to him, careful to keep your voice steady and not make eye contact with him for too long. It then occurred to you there was really no reason to try to hide your feelings around him; he was, after all, one of the best profilers the BAU had ever seen. You were sure he already knew. Worth a shot to try and keep it hidden, though, you figured.

After your rant was over, he nodded approvingly, a small smile on his lips. “Great job, (Y/N).” Your heart pumped quicker in your chest at the sound of your first name on his voice. But his voice was different than usual, so was his tone. He was tired, resulting in his voice being barely an octave deeper. Which didn’t help your nerves settle.

“Thank you, sir.”, you said with a twinge of confidence in your tone. It made you happy to impress him; his validation made it feel like you were getting better at your job every day. He suddenly chuckled, and you weren’t sure why, until he spoke up.

“I told you, (Y/L/N), you can call me Hotch. Or Aaron, if you’d like.” He leaned forward in his chair more, dark amber eyes burning a hole through you. Did he ever offer anyone else to call him Aaron? You weren’t sure you’d ever heard anyone else call him that – not to his face, anyway. Other than Rossi, maybe. But they were close friends.

“Thanks, Hotch.”, you spoke softly, stifling a small yawn. You’d play it safe for now, but the gesture itself meant everything to you. He smiled, almost satisfyingly so, leaning back in his office chair. He raised his right wrist to look at his watch, noting the time, before meeting your eyes again.

“It’s late, (Y/L/N). You should head home. You’ve been a lot of help today, as usual, of course.” You would never get used to hearing him compliment you. Your eyes flickered between the stack of paperwork and him. You’ve spent enough time at the BAU to know that those files needed to be reviewed, signed, and done by the end of the weekend, which crept closer with every passing second. As amazing at his job as he was, there was no way humanly possible he’d finish it in time and get a wink of sleep at the same time.

“That’s a lot of paperwork.”, you noted aloud. He nodded, likely knowing where you were going with the words that would follow.

“It is.” His eyes narrowed at you, a small smirk playing on his face as he awaited your question.

“You can’t finish all of that and still have time to sleep.” He was silent. He knew you were right. “What can I do to help?”

Hotch just chuckled, shaking his head. “You’ll burn yourself out, you know.” Nevertheless, he passed you a black ink pen, your fingertips brushing each other’s hands in the process.

“I could say the same thing about you.” He chuckles deeply and shrugs. You smile to yourself, successful in making him smile, which is a rare accomplishment for most.

A comfortable silence falls over the two of you as hours pass and the pile dwindles to only three or four files. The two of you migrated to the leather couch in his office, a more comfortable place to work on a tedious assignment for hours. You’d lost count of the yawns you’d let slip from your lips. Even Hotch seemed to have trouble staying awake. You glanced at the time. You’d been in his office for almost four hours. Your mind wandered to what Garcia will have to say about ‘what really happened last night’. The time slowly crept into the early morning hours of the next day.

“(Y/N)”, Hotch begins, breaking the silence. You look up at him, waiting on him to continue. “I’ll drive you home if you’re too tired to drive. And a ride back to the office in the morning for your car. But you can’t oversleep.”, he jokes. You hit his arm lightly.

“I don’t oversleep!”, you exclaim, trailing off. “That often.” You stifle a yawn before answering, “Let’s just finish these last few and I’ll drive myself home. I wouldn’t want to be in your way.”

His mind was filled with one thought: “How could you ever burden me, (Y/N)?”. But he didn’t answer you. He just handed you a file and took one for himself, the two of you finishing the workload quickly. On your last one, it took all your strength to focus on the words on the paper and your handwriting. It felt like the couch was pulling you in. The cushions wrapped you up, softer than how you’d imagine a cloud would feel. You didn’t mean to, but your eyes fluttered shut and stayed that way as you drifted to sleep.

Aaron didn’t even notice at first that you’d fallen asleep. He continued working, lost in the papers and his mind. He got so enveloped with the case, he hadn’t noticed the slow rise and fall of your chest and your body relaxed into his chest. Once he did notice though, that he wasn’t just being used as a cushion, it was all he could pay attention to.

It wasn’t that you always looked stressed, but it was a nice sight to see you so relaxed. He kept thinking about how you deserved it, what you might be dreaming about, even. Thinking about if it might’ve been him. A dread grew within him, knowing he’d have to wake you. He didn’t want to; you just looked so peaceful, angelic. Beautiful.

So he didn’t.

Instead, he draped a blanket – which he happened to have, thrown across the back of the couch, in case he had a late-night himself – over your resting form. He made sure to cover you fully, from below your neck to your toes, without waking you. Another thought soon crept into his head: he couldn’t just leave you here, overnight, alone.

He evaluated his options. He could try to sleep in his office chair, which he’d done before. It wasn’t the most comfortable. There was no room to lay down on the couch, for obvious reasons. He had a couple of chairs in the office, but…

His gaze fell upon you again. Was it risky, waging a war with fate in the chance that the two of you might be caught snuggling on the couch together? Absolutely, it was. But he was willing to take that chance. Besides, who could tell him, their boss, that he was wrong? Sure, the two of you may never quit hearing about it, but he wouldn’t mind. And something told him you wouldn’t either.

After doing a quick scan of the bullpen for remaining agents, and finding none, he shifted his weight ever so slowly, letting you fall gently onto the couch. He stepped quietly over to his desk to flick the lamp off, then closed the shades slowly, and shut the door, careful not to let the door handle click too loudly. He shrugged off his suit jacket and shoes, draping his jacket over your already-covered body.

He got as comfortable as possible on the cushion that he’d previously occupied, slowly, as to not shift the cushions and risk waking you. His eyes were trained on you; you never moved as he settled himself down. As cliché as it was, he seemed to fall asleep faster with you in the room.

-

The sun woke you up, in a disorienting way. The simple fact that the sun had woken you was strange in itself since the sun rises on the other side of your apartment complex. Suddenly, you remembered, you weren’t in your bed. The surface you were lying on was comfortable, but not your bed comfortable. The strangest thing was that your pillow was uneven. And warm. With a pulse.

Your eyes opened, and you instantly snapped them shut. Bad idea. The sun hurt your sensitive eyes, and a groan involuntarily slipped from your lips. You sat up, stretching out all your limbs. You looked over at your ‘pillow’, putting a heartbeat, chest and a smell to a face. The blanket and jacket you were covered with smelled of him, so you didn’t need to open your eyes to know who it was.

“Aaron?”, you asked in a sleepy voice. Your eyes finally focused, the sun losing its effect on you. He was awake. How long had he been…?

“Good morning, (Y/N). If you want a ride home to change out of yesterday’s clothes, I can drop you off on my way home.” A small smirk danced on his pink, soft-looking lips, the sun sparkling in his eyes like rays of light through a glass of whiskey. You started panicking. What if the team caught you like this? Would they tell Strauss? What if you lost your job?

“(Y/N).” You’d broken eye contact with him. He knew you were freaking out. You met his gaze again. “Nobody’s here. It’s eight o’clock, on a Sunday morning. Calm down.” Regret started flooding his mind. Should he have just taken you home? You exhaled a breath you hadn’t even realized you’d been holding. “Are you okay?”, he asked you.

“Y-yeah, I’m good.” You rubbed your eyes, realizing too late you were wearing makeup, smearing it over the rest of your face. “Oh, shit.” You looked down at your hands, laughing at yourself. “I probably look a mess.”

Hotch laughed. “No, you don’t.” The words slipped from Aaron’s tired lips, no thought behind them. But it was true, it was how he felt. A blush crept up your neck and to your cheeks. Suddenly it was harder to meet his eyes. You chuckled nervously.

“Thanks, Hotch.” You wrung your fingers through your hands. A truthful atmosphere fell over the room, it seemed. “That was the best sleep I’d had in a while.” Hotch was a little taken aback at your honesty but flattered. He blushed a bit himself. He cleared his throat, then laughed.

“Me too, honestly.”, he muttered in a deep morning voice. Your eyes met. There wasn’t much space between the two of you in the first place, but you could’ve sworn he leaned forward to close the distance. His huge hand gently caressed your face, his thumb rubbing over your cheek. You watched his eyes flicker from yours to your lips. You could feel the blood rushing to your heart; you wondered if he could feel it running through your veins against his fingers.

His lips brushed against yours when suddenly, the alarm on his phone went off. The two of you jumped back like you’d been shot, your heart rate climbing. “Jesus Christ, Aaron.”, you exclaim, laughing to try and hide how startled you were. You hear him curse under his breath, digging his phone out of his pocket and silencing it. He sighed, shaking his head. He chuckled at himself, you assumed.

“I’m sorry.”, he said lowly. The apology wasn’t very specific towards anything; if it was, it wasn’t clear to you. How many things was he apologizing for? What thoughts were running through his head? He was hard to read, but maybe he liked it that way.

“For what?”, you asked softly, scooting closer to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. You felt him tense under your hand, then relax. He looked up at you.

“For ruining that…”, he trailed off as his eyes met yours. He searched your face, trying to understand exactly what feelings you were experiencing. Hopefully, he knew you weren’t upset with him. Your hand snaked down his arm, taking his hand in yours. Now it was your turn to cup his face in your hand; you felt his five o’clock shadow prickling against your fingers, but his cheek was soft as you smoothed it under your thumb.

“You didn’t ruin anything.”, you whispered. His eyes were a dark brown, despite the sunlight coming in. The rays were softer now, an orange color. His dark eyelashes shone under the light. He was enthralling in every way. You felt yourself falling harder and harder for him every second, especially now, but you’d never change that.

Your thumb lightly brushed over his lips, taking him in. He watched your every move, just as entranced with you as you were with him. You felt his hand behind your neck, pulling you closer to him until your lips finally touched. His lips on yours were better than you could’ve ever anticipated. He was slow, soft, gentle, like rain in the spring. Then again, there was a need behind it. A longing; he’d been waiting for this as long as you have, maybe even longer.

You wanted to kiss him all day, be in his arms and wrap yourselves up in each other. You were falling, hard. Harder than hitting every branch on the way down, harder than the way the first boom of a firework echoes in your chest.

Both of you were breathless by now, but neither of you seemed to care about the lack of oxygen. The kiss was deeper now, hotter, needier, messier. You’d thrown a knee over his lap, your hands fisted in his white button-up. His hands rested on your sides, dangerously low past the waistband of your pants. His lips suddenly broke from yours, the sound of your heavy breathing filling the room. He never stopped for a breath; his lips were making up for lost time, trailing from your chin, down your neck. He took his time with you, as you’d always imagined he would.

You’d barely caught your breath when you whisper his name in his ear. He stopped, pulling back. “(Y/N)? Are you okay?” His concerned eyes searched your face. You didn’t answer him with any words, just by kissing his lips again but only for a moment. The single kiss took a lot of your self-control, but you knew you were moving fast.

“I’ve never been better, Aaron. But…”, you said in a low voice, trailing a finger down his neck until you hit the first button on his shirt. “I want to take it slow with you, Hotch. I want to know all your little quirks and I want to be there for the stuff that you don’t do in front of anyone else because you trust me that much. I know how sappy it sounds…”, you paused, watching for his reaction through your spill so far. He watched you move and speak like you were the most important thing he’d ever had to pay attention to. And that’s exactly what you were to him. “Aaron,” you started again, running one of your hands through his hair, “I feel like I’ve waited my whole life for you. And here you are, everything I’ve ever wanted, right in front of me.”

How did he feel? He answered you with a kiss, one more passionate than any from earlier – if you could believe it, that is. “(Y/N)...you’re everything I’ve been waiting on. I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without you.” You chuckled, earning a small smile from him.

“Well, good luck getting rid of me now, Aaron Hotchner.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, (Y/N) (Y/L/N).”

-

taglist:

@dilaudidwinchester

@awriterincrime

@art-and-thoughts

@royallybookish

@bihoeofmanyfandoms

@hopelesslylosttheway

@moonshinerbynight

@uwu-sebastianstan

@mac99martin

@laycblack

@ajeff855

@reidspurplescarfs

@greenprisca

@altsvu

@chelseyjoyce

[watevermelon]

Cheater!Akaashi x Reader

✧ Summary: (Continuation) Akaashi goes yandere over the reader dismissing him.

➳ A/N: Hi hi!! SO many people in my dm’s about this Akaashi cheating scenario! I don’t mind writing about it more at all, if anything please feed my imagination because I dont know what to write! ヽ(ಠ_ಠ)ノ Checkout my updated Masterlist to see what continuations are in the works!! :) ➳ Warning: Not a Happy Ending; IM GONNA BE UP-FRONT, THIS ONE IS FUCKED UP - do not read this if any of your triggers involve yandere-like behavior: violence, kidnapping - you have been warned. ➳  Masterlist ➳  Part One ➳  Part Three (NSFW)

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There was nothing, absolutely nothing, that Akaashi could ever say that would let you bring him back into your life. But the setter was intent on getting your attention, often waiting outside your classroom after school or pursuing you during your free period.

Any rumors about the relationship were quelled when Akaashi set the record straight. He would not allow anyone to sully your name, basically telling the nosy president of his fan-club that he was the one who fucked up the relationship. Akaashi told them to never bother you again, he was the cause of it all and he would do anything to regain your forgiveness.

Akaashi would never beg, but he urged you on multiple occasions to hear him out and possibly explain what he wanted. Why he thought he even had the right to ask that of you - just that fact alone flamed up your anger. He was being selfish and you wanted no part of his life anymore. 

But there was also something… majorly different about Akaashi.

He was still quiet, still the ever mannered pretty setter of the volleyball team. People still fawned over his good looks and the quiet genius that he had. But there was something off about him these days, not that you could really explain it. His gaze lingered on you too long and he just so happened to be around you even outside of school hours.

There was one time you went out to eat with your friends on the weekend, going from vendor to vendor along the busy streets of Kichijoji. At some point, you felt the telltale pinpricks at the back of your neck, turning to see his familiar blue eyes staring back at you in the distance. You swore you saw Akaashi that day, but after not seeing it again for the rest of the night, you wondered if you were truly just going insane.

He never outright said the reason why it was over to other people, but at least most knew that Akaashi was at fault. But seeing him so earnestly pleading to have a part of your life again, it made many people sympathize with the setter. They had no idea what he had done wrong, but those ignorant students were so quick to jump on his side.

You tried your best to ignore him, your best friends having your back when it came to his advances. You were rarely ever alone, friends walking with you to and from class. Konoha was your one friendship from the volleyball team that was preserved and he had mentioned once that to even him, something felt off. And so he suddenly started sitting with your group during lunch.

To your knowledge, Akaashi was still pursuing Bokuto romantically as well. The two were often engaged in public displays of affection and so you were curious as to why and how the wing-spiker was okay with Akaashi so actively chasing you. There was something off about the two of them, they were a couple, but not in the traditional sense. They had yet to confirm their relationship publicly, but had no qualms about sharing a quick peck for everyone to see.

You remembered passing the both of them as you exited home, taking the main entrance this time. They were standing there, just waiting by the stairs. You watched as their eyes scanned the crowd quickly before they latched onto you, Bokuto’s owl-like eyes, which usually held a loud innocence, were scarily following you with each step. Akaashi was no better, his blue-eyes that always mystified you, for some reason brought an uncomfortable crawl up your spine.

You only let out a breath when you turned the corner, neither volleyball member able to see you from this distance anymore. But when Bokuto turned the same corner, you felt your pace suddenly hesitate. Akaashi was nowhere to be found, the wing-spiker hot on your trail as you took out your phone. You called the first person you thought of.

“Hey, (L/N)! What’s up?” Konoha’s voice rang through the other end.

“Hey!” You hesitated, not wanting to give anything away as Bokuto’s presence loomed over you, “Um. Are you free?”

“Yeah, but I actually took the train home already.”

“No worries, I’ll go to you!” You urged.

Konoha hesitated, before asking. “Is something wrong? I can tell from your voice something’s off.”

“Um, how about we talk about it over dinner instead?”

“Sure. Where are you now?”

“I’m still by the school.”

“Ah, okay. Go back to the gates where the teachers are, I’ll go to you.”

“Thank you so much!!” You exclaimed, immediately turning around as the phone call ended.

Bokuto was right behind you.

“Hi, (L/N).”

“Bokuto-san.” You greeted, unsure why the upward drag of his gaze was lighting up every nerve in your body. 

All the signs in your head were screaming danger!

“Was that Konoha?”

“I don’t see how that concerns you.” You bit out.

“Not yet, at least.”

You swallowed in fear before angling your head proudly, “Stay away from me.”

Bokuto put a hand on your shoulder, “I know you’re mad at me and Akaashi, but we never meant to hurt you.”

You shook out of his grasp easily, saying nothing to him as you passed. When you returned to the school grounds, Akaashi was still standing where you last saw him. You rushed over to the teacher waiting by the schoolgate, your heart leaping up again when Bokuto turned the corner back to where you were and waited, eyes still trained on you. You busied yourself with your phone, texting your friends and scrolling through social media in the meantime.

It was only when Konoha showed up, this time in casual attire, did you feel like you could breath. Their eyes stayed trained on you and you swore you heard Bokuto snarl when Konoha laid a lazy arm over your shoulders.

You explained it all to Konoha, how the two were freaking you the fuck out these past few days. They kept you on edge, not in the way that should have made you mad for their relationship. But rather like they were too focusing too intently on you to be considered normal, especially with the given circumstances. If Akaashi was truly begging for forgiveness, you would have thrown hands with him long ago. But now, it felt like he was truly stalking you, his eyes following you at every open opportunity.

Konoha listened to your worries and genuinely tried to alleviate your stress. He moved to sit next to you instead of across, hugging you to his body and saying he would do his best to make sure you were okay on school grounds. You didn’t cry, just leaning a head on his shoulder as he caressed lazy circles on your back.

He walked you home that night, your hands held together and a genuine smile on your face.

And true to his word, the next day, Konoha was outside your classroom door after lunch. He even beat Akaashi to it, the setter’s annoyance obvious on his face as he watched you take Konoha’s hand.

Your best friend commended his tenacity, “Konoha is the only one with rights in this house.”

You laughed eagerly then, happy to finally have a feeling of normality setting in again. And for a while, the one who broke your heart was pushed to the side. You had more real problems at the forefront, his blue-eyes were the least of your worries when you had exams and homework due in the next couple of days. 

Akaashi’s quiet gaze and Bokuto’s bold eyes were far from you now - your friends were by your side. 

Or at least, that’s what you thought.

Konoha made sure to walk you home whenever he could. And, as per usual, he was waiting at the gate until he saw you safely enter the abode. Only then did he walk away, heading in the opposite direction toward his own family home. 

You meandered through the kitchen, grabbing an after-school snack and blasting music in one ear as you walked up to your room. Shaking off your backpack, which hung on one-shoulder to begin with, you threw it onto your bed before taking out some of your books. You wanted a jump-start on this homework and you knew that if you mentally wandered off now, there was no doing it at all.

You dragged the textbook out and plopped it on your desk, notebook following as you sat down and mentally prepared yourself. The last few lessons in chemistry were confusing, but not impossible. With the right amount of concentration, it would be done easily with time to spare for a nap within the hour.

Leaning down and angling your head down towards the table, your focus was completely on the task at hand.

You weren’t expecting a completely separate hand to slam the textbook close and latch a firm grip around your neck.

“Finally, we’re alone.”

You struggled against his hold, the striking blue-eyes that you got to know over the past year now reflecting back at you. Akaashi had your neck between his fingers, the usually docile setter lifting you to your tippy-toes. Panic set in just as quickly as you were losing your strength, air circulation cutting off as your ex-boyfriend assaulted your person.

Trying your best to push him off, you punched at both his chest and the arm holding you, but he deflected it easily and simply continued to watch you fail to heave in air in his fist. Only when you felt your eyes rolling backward, barely on the brink of consciousness, did he drop you to the ground.

“I’m sorry, my love.” Akaashi stated, affectionate pet-name a complete contrast to his monotone voice. This was nothing like the boyfriend you had for the past year. His loving eyes screamed of danger and you wanted nothing more than to leave immediately.

You were down on your hands and knees, gasping in air in both shock and disbelief. Had Akaashi really choked you within the safety of your own home? You rubbed at your neck, as if the action would help you fill back-up your lungs. 

You had to get out of here, now.

Glancing over to your door, Akaashi immediately entered your line of sight and kicked you in the abdomen.

“Now how is that fair?” Akaashi asked, “I went through all this trouble to make sure we would have this moment alone.”

You heaved out, “Why are you doing this?”

“You weren’t willing to listen to me back at school.” Akaashi spat out, as if this was your fault. “And I couldn’t wait any longer - who knows how far that bastard Konoha would have gone if I waited?”

Desperate to put any distance between you and this monster, you crawled back toward your bed, only for Akaashi to close it with paces of his own.

“Shut up.” You boldly stated, struggling to stand but doing so anyway. “You are the one who ruined everything.”

“Baby, I said I’m sorry a hundred times and I’ll do it again if I have to.” Akaashi whined before his face took on a darker look, “Why don’t you understand? What do I have to do to make you understand?”

Not wanting to take another kick to the middle or worse, you tried to talk it out before you could think of a plan to escape. “Understand what?”

“Understand how much I love you.”

You reaction was instantaneous, not even your dumb fuck mind could read the danger in the room.

“What a fucking lie.” Akaashi recoiled, ready to challenge you before you continued. “You don’t cheat on the people you love! And you don’t physically hurt them and break into the homes your victims!”

“Yes, I do.”

“Are you fucking phsychotic?!” You yelled back.

Mental reminder: don’t yell that at someone who is clearly off their rockers.

Akaashi laughed loudly, at what exactly, you were not sure. But it was not the right question since it elicited that type of response. He just cracked a half-broken smile, one that felt wrong and yet genuine.

“Get out of my house!”

The look he shot you back - a quirked brow and a small smirk, none of which was the usually calm Akaashi you were used to - basically told you how dumb your statement was.

Instead you asked, “Why are you doing this?”

“To claim the one I love.” He guestered out to you, out-stretching a hand for you to take.

There were two options here: take the hand and get sucked into the immediate space with him. Or don’t take it and risk losing a fight with the nationally-competing athlete in a matter of seconds. Or worse, anger him to the point of extreme violence like before.

There was no convincing yourself this was normal, your shaky hand hesitantly reaching out to Akaashi’s open palm. He smiled gently at you, almost slipping on the usual mask of the perfect boyfriend that you had originally fallen for. But when he tightly gripped your hand and pulled you to him, you knew that was all a farce for this much more violent persona.

“I knew you would understand. We’re meant to be together, I know it.” He murmured against your ear, holding you at the waist against his body. You almost verbally gagged at the thought of him grinding against you, but if you wanted out of his house you would have to take the first opening you got. You had to play it smart.

Akaashi leaned down to kiss you and not even your survival instincts were enough to hide your true feelings. He must not have liked what he was seeing, since he forcibly grabbed at your chin to angle up towards you. You pulled at the feeling, wrapping your arms around the back of his neck to get him to think you were playing into it.

His eyes fluttered closed, relishing in the feel of you steadying yourself, of you giving, against his body.

And you kneed him in the groin as hard as you could.

Akaashi doubled over immediately and his grasp on you crumbled. You took the chance and ran out the door, slamming it behind you as you ran down the hallway and towards the stairs. The danger looming behind you was extraordinary, the loud scream of anger coming from the setter was enough indication that he was hot on your heels.

You scrambled toward your front door, throwing it open and screaming out into the neighborhood for anyone in the near vicinity to help. There was a woman walking her dog and another person on their phone and you pleaded with them with rabid yells for their attention.

But before they even tried to help you, a hand clasped over your mouth and dragged you back into the house.

This person, you could not fight off, his strength more than even you and Akaashi combined. Bokuto pulled you back into your living room, tossing you on the ground with no regard to how much power was behind his movements. 

That was when you realized how much they truly planned this out. You always felt their eyes on you for a reason - they were memorizing your schedule. 

From the route you took home, to when you had off-days, to the one time in weeks that both your parents would not be home tonight - Akaashi and Bokuto had planned it all.

And now you were trapped in your own home with two violent volleyball members.

Bokuto looked at you expectedly while Akaashi trudged down your banister, his gaze harsh and predatory as it scanned your figure on the ground. You were sandwiched between the two, nowhere to run and if you were to scream, then the wing-spiker would just hold you down like before or worse, the setter would choke you until you had no voice.

“Let me go.” You stated, voice promulgating the silent air.

Bokuto crossed his arms and walked to your kitchen, expression on his face stating that he wasn’t willing to listen to you beg. His presence alone was a silent warning, run and he will catch you. 

You backed away from Akaashi but he rushed forward to grab you by the hair, pulling you to a standing position and forcing your lips together. The force was bruising, not at all romantic or gentle like you had done so in the past. He was nipping harshly, surely swollen lips under his teeth as he continued to assault your person. 

“You are mine, forever.” He muttered against your lips, locking in your future least you face the consequences of disobeying.

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Come checkout some of the other ending’s for the Cheater!Akaashi scenario:

➳  Masterlist ➳  Part One ➳  Part Three (nsfw)

[kaitoujokerscans]

The Night the Silver Cape is Set Ablaze CH6

<6> The Lady Spy and Phantom Thief Girl

At the same time as when Spade was talking to Noir, a minor commotion was taking place aboard a luxury sleeper train coursing through a European ravine.

 "Stop! Don't let her get away!"

The train shook with a clunking noise, and stern-faced men in dark uniforms trampled through the carriage. They were chasing after a tiny silhouette dashing ahead. The silhouette opened the door connecting to the next carriage and ran into the hallway. Although the hallway floor was made of old wood, the silhouette's footsteps were completely silent.

There came a loud bang from behind her. A pistol bullet streaked past the side of the silhouette.

"Tsk!" The silhouette clicked her tongue, then opened the door to the next carriage and jumped in. This was the first class carriage — a passenger car with numerous private cabins. Through the earpiece she wore, she heard an order to the uniformed men — "The target's headed towards the front! Cut her off on both sides!". She was listening in to their radio comm.

They'll be coming from the front too, soon enough...

The tiny silhouette came to a stop in the middle of the carriage. Right next to her was the door to a guest cabin.

The silhouette was a little old lady in black tights. She would have been at least seventy years old. Yet her hair was a glistening white, and her skin had a healthy sheen. Least suggestive of her age was the look in her eyes. She was keeping watch for enemies in front of her and staying cautious of enemies approaching from behind at the same time.

Her name was Agent Purple. She was a veteran spy of a country to remain unnamed and was still an active intelligence agent. Purple had just stolen a top-secret file from an influential person in a certain country. She had received intel that it was being moved on this train and, putting her petite stature to good use, had skillfully swiped the file without alerting anyone. It was an easy job for Purple.

But it so happened that a newbie spy allied with her country had been caught elsewhere and let slip that Purple was on board.

Good heavens... Young'uns these days have no backbone... Purple sighed and, focusing her attention to the front, reached for the small firearm lashed around her leg.

Anxiety bubbled within Purple. The round of enemy fire had grazed Purple's arm. It was only a scratch, but still, moving it even slightly made pain course through her arm. Usually she would have no issue with firing at this range, but if enough enemies stormed her from both front and back, she wasn't sure she'd be able to make every shot.

Though it doesn't look like I have a choice... Purple steeled herself. She heard bellows come from both in front and behind her. Just as Purple's hand hovered over her firearm... the guest cabin door swung open, and someone grabbed Purple's arm.

"...!" With her opposite hand, Purple immediately reached for the knife at her hip. But she didn't stab anything. Because the person grabbing her said this to her:

"Come with me, Grandma."

When the uniformed men stepped out of the linked cars into the first class carriage, the target they had been pursuing wasn't in the hallway. The train was chugging along at high speed. She couldn't escape out the windows. Which meant that she had to have entered one of the cabins along the hallway.

The boss gave the order to his men to search the cabins. The men didn't know anything about the spy who was their target, other than that she was short. They entered the rooms one by one and inspected who was inside. Because this was the first class carriage, the occupants all had posh appearances. None of the passengers looked like they could be a spy. But it was possible that she was disguised.

Politely and carefully, the uniformed men examined each individual guest. Eventually, they stood in front of the cabin at the very middle.

One of the men knocked on the door.

"Yes?" came a young woman's voice from inside.

"This is the railway authority. We've received word that an intruder snuck on board, thus we are presently conducting an inspection of all cabins."

"I understand. Come in," responded the female voice, not suspecting the man was lying.

Two men entered and saw that there was a girl and an old woman inside. They were sitting across from each other on plush emerald green seats. The girl, her blonde hair done up in twintails, turned to the men with a puzzled look. "Has something happened?"

The girl was wearing an aqua-colored dress. She gave off a refined air — probably the daughter of a rich family. Then suddenly, one of the men took a frightening tone and demanded, "Hey, did anyone come in here?"

"N-No..." The girl replied, startled.

"She telling the truth, Grandma!?" The man said menacingly to the old woman sitting across from the girl. But the old woman's eyes were focused outside the window and she wouldn't face him.

"My grandmother is hard of hearing. I can answer your questions!" The girl nearly shrieked.

"Check their luggage."

The other man tried to pick up the large traveling bag next to the old woman. Then the girl stood up, shouting. "Stop! Not that bag!"

"Shut up! You're hiding something, aren't you!"

"Of course not! Please, just don't!"

"You're sounding more and more suspicious to me!" The man took out his gun and pointed it at the girl. The girl gasped, her face paled, and she sat back down.

The other man undid the clasp of the traveling bag and slowly opened it, when...

"BARK BARK BARK!" A white dog bounded out of the bag and jumped at the man's face.

"WAUUUGH!?" The man threw his head back in a panic. The dog wouldn't get off him.

"Aahhh! Stop that, Corn!"

"W-What is up with this mutt!?" The man peeled the dog off his face, and the girl spoke.

"He's my pet. Pets aren't allowed on board, so I hid him in my bag..."

"Huh?"

"But now that the authorities have found out, there's nothing I can do... You can arrest me," said the girl resignedly, looking up at the man.

Then the men tsked, not having found what they were looking for. "Hey, let's go. Onto the next one," one said, and they left the cabin.

"Phew... that went well." A little after the men left, Queen stopped holding her breath and plopped down on the seat. The girl who had talked with the men was Queen.

Then Purple, who had pretended to just be an old woman, looked at Queen and smirked. "That was quite the fib. I'd give you a passing grade."

"Teehee, thank you."

"Queen, what was that 'Corn' name about?" Roko, who had been pretending to be a normal dog, asked from beside Purple.

"Well, I couldn't call you by your real name, Roko. You got your name because you liked toumorokoshi — corn — right? So that's why I called you 'Corn'," Queen explained proudly. Queen, Purple, and Roko had put on a performance so the uniformed men would pass them by. Playing the parts of a granddaughter, her grandmother, and her pet, they successfully fooled the pursuers.

"Still, I was surprised when you appeared out of nowhere." Purple turned her gaze toward Queen and broke out into a happy smile. It was a warm, gentle smile, hardly an expression befitting a cold-hearted spy. She was said to have been quite the looker once, and it wasn't impossible to imagine. According to Silver Heart, no man had been immune to her wily charms. Silver Heart himself had acted smitten whenever he recalled Purple, until he met with her again...

"You're Silver's granddaughter, aren't you? You came with us to Jackal's hideout."

Indeed, Queen and Purple, along with Silver Heart and Joker, had previously broken into the organization called Jackal, headed by Doctor Neo. Purple had been introduced then to Queen as Silver Heart's partner during his spy days.

"You remembered me."

"A spy doesn't forget intel. So, since you've come out of your way to see me, I assume you need something?"

"Yes, that's right. There's something I want to ask about..." Queen lowered her voice a little. "I want to know about someone who used to work with Grandpa. Someone called Noir."

"Noir?" Purple's pitch rose. So she was familiar with Noir after all.

"You know him?"

"Yes, he's an old friend. I know him well."

"To tell you the truth, it seems Noir took a treasure from Joker, and I was wondering if it had anything to do with Grandpa..."

"Hmm..." Purple remarked in surprise.

"Did something happen between Noir and Grandpa? If you know anything, could you please tell me?"

"Hm, well..." Purple folded her arms, brooding on something. Suddenly, her eyes glinted mischievously, and she grinned at Queen.

"W-What is it?"

"When you get to be as old as I am, you get awfully tight-fisted. Giving information away for free feels like it would be a wasted opportunity."

"Huh...?"

"It makes me want to tease kids, especially a girl like you."

"O... kay..."

"If you want to hear about Silver and Noir, then do something for me. Something that'll delight me."

"HUH?" Queen drew back in surprise, ruffled.

"Do something to entertain me. Then I'll give you the information you want."

"Ergh..." Queen's gaze veered. She wasn't a veteran spy for nothing. This wasn't going to be that simple. The unreasonable demand made Queen fall silent.

What should I do for her...? I can't tell any funny stories, and I can't do tricks like Joker can... I'm not an encyclopedia like Spade is, so what can I do...?

Queen's mind started to spin in circles. Thinking hard wasn't her forte. But then, Roko cut in from beside her. "Then how about making a funny face like the one you did recently, Queen?"

"Fu... nny... face...?"

"It was hilarious! Purple-san might just like it!"

"N-No! Absolutely not!" Queen stood up to refuse, her face bright read.

"Oh, why not, that sounds fine. Please, show me." Purple bent forward and gave a provoking smile.

"I don't want to! It'll ruin my marriage prospects!"

"Nope, I've decided. That's the only way you'll get information out of me. You can't change my mind!"

"You're kidding me...!" Queen stood at a loss for words.

"..."

"Well, what will you do?"

At Purple's prodding, she gave in. Queen took a breath and faced back towards Purple. Queen was about to forsake her prized feminine sensibilities when...

"Shh...!" Suddenly the look in Purple's eyes changed and she put a finger to her lips, shushing.

"...!" Queen and Roko immediately piped down and listened closely.

Conversing voices were coming from the earpiece Purple was wearing. Apparently she had still been listening to the radio communications while talking to Queen.

"It seems they're coming back this way... My cohort seems to have blabbed that I'm an older woman. If he makes it back alive, he's in for a real reckoning," Purple muttered as she listened, a terrifying look on her face.

"What do you want to do? Do we act our way out again?"

"No, it won't work this time. You two can escape out the window onto the roof. I'll handle the rest on my own."

"With your arm in that state?" Roko asked.

Purple looked over at him in surprise. "You realized?"

"You've been stroking your arm at moments. Probably without even realizing it yourself."

"Then you won't be able to fight those men single-handedly. Let us handle it!" Queen said, getting back up.

She threw off her disguise, revealing her usual white coat underneath. She then took out her diamond sword from where it was hidden underneath the seats. "Purple-san, if I fend off those men, tell me about Noir, okay?" Queen winked sweetly. She was sincerely relieved. Thank God I didn't have to make a funny face!

Just as five black-suited men neared the door of the room where they had seen the young girl and old woman earlier, Queen and Roko sprang out of the guest cabin.

"...!"

Queen glared at the men. The look in her eyes was completely different than the girl who had been in the room earlier. She was wearing different clothes, too, and the biggest difference of all was the great sword she held in her hand.

"She's got the secret file!" shouted one of the men. Indeed, in her other hand, Queen was holding the secret file disc case that she had received from Purple.

"Get her!" Their boss barked, and the men all fell upon Queen. But Queen and Roko deftly dodged them and ran off in the opposite direction. The men rushed after her.

There were no men in the direction they were headed. Purple had found this out by listening to the radio comm. That was why Queen immediately set off in the opposite direction — towards the read end of the train.

Queen sped through the train, passing through one car after another on her way to the end. The men followed after, shoving aside the confused passengers, giving chase to Queen and Roko.

"How long are they going to run for!?"

"Don't lose your head. There's no way they can get off the train when it's going this fast. The girl's trapped like a mouse!"

Just as he said, soon enough Queen and Roko reached the rearmost carriage. It was a coach car, with booth seats on either side. Baffled by Queen bursting in, the seated passengers began to murmur.

"Everyone out! Or else you'll get hurt!" yelled Queen, thrusting her sword up overhead.

Shrieks rang out, and the conductor and passengers all started to rush towards the forward cars. At the same time, the men in black caught up to where Queen was. Wading through the waves of passengers, the men entered the rearmost carriage. Now the only ones inside of it were Queen, Roko, and the men.

Queen stood at the very back of the carriage, standing off against the men.

"Say your prayers, missy." Five suited men stopped in the middle of the carriage and took out their guns. "We're gonna turn you into Swiss cheese!"

"Now, Roko!"

At Queen's signal, Roko stepped forward. Then he unhinged his jaw and let out a prodigious cry of "ARFFFFFFFFFFF!!"

His bark shrilled in the ears of the men. Their faces scrunched up and they clutched their heads in agony. "URRRGHH! W-What was that!?"

This was Roko's ability.

Roko's throat has a special organ that enhances his canine howl. He can use this organ to vibrate ultrasonic waves and assail anyone in front of him.

While the men were gripping their heads from the pain, Queen swung her sword at them. She struck their napes with the back of her sword and mowed them all down. The men were knocked out and collapsed onto the carriage hallway with successive thuds.

"Roko, let's go!"

"Okay!"

Queen and Roko stepped past the unconscious men and ran back towards the front of the carriage. They were just a step away from the next car ahead when...

"Hold it right there!"

The two of them turned around once they heard the voice and saw that one of the felled men was getting back on his feet. The man's gun was pointed at a little girl. She hadn't been able to get away while everyone else was running.

"Wha...!?"

"Throw down your sword, right now! Unless you don't care what happens to her!"

"Bah... you really don't play fair. This is the problem with spies!" Queen bit her lip and glared at the man.

"Hurry it up!"

At his behest, Queen twirled her sword and left it on the floor.

"All right, good. Bring the disc here!"

Queen clutched the disc, vexed. Things had been going according to plan up until she knocked all the men out, but she hadn't foreseen that they would take a hostage. While Queen stood still, seemingly at a loss as what to do next, Roko whispered from beside her.

"...Queen, do that."

"Huh?"

"That thing we were talking about. Your special move! You know!"

"Whaaat?" Then realizing what he meant, Queen rejected it flat out. "Absolutely not!"

"Then do you have any other way of making him drop his guard?"

"No, b-but..."

"What are you two muttering about!? Come here, now!"

"Argh... fine!" Queen shouted in annoyance, and slowly walked toward the man with disc in hand.

"Leave the disc there," the man pointed to a seat, just as Queen spoke.

"Hey, Mister."

"Hm?"

As soon as the man saw Queen's face — he snorted out a hearty "pfft!", followed by a "GYAHAHAHA! What is wrong with your face!? BWAHAHAHA!", laughing uproariously. Queen had demonstrated her famous "funny face" to him.

As the man burst out in laughter, Queen crouched down and delivered a swift kick to the man's shin.

"Ghwaaa!?" The man's guffawing face contorted with pain, and immediately after, Queen grabbed the girl and ran back towards the front of the carriage.

"W-Wait! Bwahahahaha!" The man went after her, but was still snorting from the memory.

Without another word, Queen picked up her sword and swung it. The train's coupling split apart with a clank. The rearmost carriage with the unconscious men and the laughing man aboard lost speed and gradually became more and more distant. The sound of the man's unceasing laughter mingled with the sound of the wheels, and eventually faded away.

Roko grinned and looked up at Queen. "Nice going, Queen! Now that's what I call looks that could kill!"

"I'm not happy about this at all!" Queen puffed up her adorable cheeks and stared at Roko accusingly.

[asdfghjkl7things]

Someone messaged me for a Part 2, so here you go guys! Hope you like it too <3 @iis4d @choryczynormalny @saeranoppa

Angst Drabble - Part 2

tw: cursing hihi

It's been a month since that happened and it's been a month since you avoided him. A lot of people wondered what the hell happened to the both of you. People saw you and Iwaizumi as inseparable.. Why? because where ever he goes, you were there and where ever you go, he was there.

The both of you supported each other, always.. if Iwaizumi has a volleyball match, and as a former Ace of Seijoh, he's exceptionally famous and it means so many fans, right? But you always stood out as his #1 fan! Sometimes, if you were too busy studying, he definitely knows that you have a habit of skipping your meals and too stressed to even care, even though he's busy with the practices, he will always make sure to bring your favorite foods & that matcha frappucino from Starbucks.. Once in a while, there were times that Iwaizumi ends up cooking for your meal, with him eyeing you to finish it and that session always ended up with you being asleep beside him at your favorite couch inside your room.

So... What happened?

A rare night.. that same day where Iwaizumi knows he fucked up.

Issei Matsukawa, Takahiro Hanamaki and Hajime Iwaizumi were attending the same university in Tokyo. Toru Oikawa was still missing since he's in Argentina, pursuing his volleyball career.

Matsun and Maki ended up entering the bar together when Iwaizumi drunk called them. They saw how their friend mumbled some words that they didn't understand even a single word.

Maki muttered to no one "What a rare sight of.. Iwa.. getting drunk."

Iwaizumi's right side of his face fell flat at the table's surface and his eyes were closed while his left hand still holding a full glass of whiskey.

Matsun sighed and crossed his arms "Okay.. Spill it." He said as he sat beside him.

"Ifufhsiajjup."

Maki tilted his head and looked so confused "Huh? Wait.. what?"

"I-I'm so f-fucked up."

"Fucked up? Why?" Matsun replied out of curiosity while ordering a drink from the bartender.

Maki asked after he declined an offer from the bartender "Oii, what did you do?"

Iwaizumi got up and drank another shot of whiskey. He's way past his alcohol limit.. but.. what to do, right? He hurt you. He fucking hurt you. His gripped on the glass tightened "I- I t-told her I still love-"

Both, Maki and Matsun leaned closely towards their friend to hear him clearly since the sound is too loud for their liking.

"- Yui.."

"WHAAT?!!"

"W-wa-wait.. You told Y/n that you still love your bitchy ex-girlfriend?! That ex-girlfriend who fucking cheated on you?! Bro! Y/n's your close friend! You told us that you are not interested about friends to lovers kind of shit but you still courted her because you love her, right?! W-wait.. Ugh.. I need a fuckin' drink." Maki exclaimed. Suddenly, he called the bartender to gave him a drink. This is too much for them. They know how that girl damaged Iwaizumi.

Iwaizumi needed it. He needed someone to snapped him out of it. What Maki told him was the truth.. but.. why did it end up this way?

Matsun sighed again. He has the most sound mind compared to the other 3 and seeing Maki still surprised by the revelation, He asked carefully "Why did you do that? What happened, really?"

Iwaizumi refilled his glass and started to sip it little by little.

"Oi, do you think it's too much already? Stop drinking." Maki said

His friend shook his head "I- I needed this."

"Alcohol is not a solution, bud."

Iwaizumi looked so lifeless while swirling his drink slowly "You guys knew.. Y-yui's my first love, right?"

Matsun almost choke while drinking "Correction. 'Was'.."

"Y/n starting getting jealous and over protective to me when Yui came back. She-"

Maki bursted out "Of course! Who wouldn't be?! That was your ex-girlfriend! That cheater-"

Matsun sighed for the nth time "Maki, please.. just let Hajime finish his story first."

"and you guys definitely knew that I don't like being prisoned in a relationship.. It goes for.. I think 2 months.. I wanted to talked to her about it. I was about to go to the playground near their house and I s-saw them talking. I- I kind of worked up when I saw Y/n pushed Yui and it ended up a mild wrist sprain."

Maki was about to burst again when Iwaizumi said something..

"E-every word I said to her.. I fucking regretted it.. I wanted to make it up to her.. I-" Iwaizumi got choked up.

"I wanted to say that I still love her.. I didn't even let her explain-"

"You did not let her explain?! What kind of boyfriend are you?! You asshole!" Maki started to become enraged.

"Maki.." Matsun massaged his temple. Where is Oikawa when you needed him. Drunk Iwa and Maki who got worked up is a bad combination.

You cried your heart out that night. Why! Why! Why!

What is with her that I don't have? Am I just a rebound? For how long did Hajime hide it from me?

For a first time after what happened, you tried not to look for him, answer his calls and messages.. for short, you planned to avoid him at all cost and it went on for a month.

Some of your friends even asked you about what happened but even though he hurt you, you did not disclose.

You always replied "Had a fight."

They didn't believe you for a second since they know how Iwaizumi will pursue you even if it's a slight disagreement. Nevertheless, they still comforted you.

"Hey, Y/n. Iwaizumi-san is-"

"I'm busy"

"Bu-"

Well, that kind of converstion always occur whenever Iwaizumi tried to talk to you.

It was now 2 months since that happened. The volleyball club had a practice since they have an incoming match this weekend.

Maki and Matsun observed their friend who's not playing well. He looked so tired and what not.

Iwaizumi groaned when his spike was out.

They know how affected Iwaizumi is.

After their practice, Iwaizumi had a frown on his face. This is not his best day. Almost all of his spike and serve were out.

He did not even spare a glance to his friends.

You totally forgot to grocery shop since you were so preoccupied by your studies so you decided to go to the convenience store.

You were in your cute pyjamas while walking towards the store. You like reading the 'Nutrition Facts' labeled at the back of the food/drink that you wanted to buy but you were not in the mood to cook for yourself so you picked up 2 tuna onigiri. You went to the refreshments section to get a bottle of milk but both hands tried to picked it up.

"Sorry-"

"So-"

You tensed up. That voice.. Ha-hajime..

"Y-you can get it." You muttered a bit fast so you can get out of this situation.

"W-wait! Y/n!"

You paid for the onigiri and walked fast to avoid him.

While walking home, you can feel the coldness of the air but did not mind any of it since your mind is always telling you to 'run'.

You flinched when you felt his hands wrapping around your arms to stop you.

"Y/n.. please.." His voice croaked.

You can feel your breath hitched. You're not ready yet to face him.

You are afraid.

You slowly turned around and you felt your heart breaking. You miss him so much that you want to hug him so tight into your embrace.

"At last.. I can see your face up close.." Iwaizumi softly smiled.

You're still not ready to look into his eyes because the truth? You are afraid to break down infront of him. You took a deep breath to look at him and you saw how much he longed for you through his eyes.

He took a step towards you and stroke your cheeks softly. His eyes glistened "I- I'm so s-sorry."

You were about to say something when he pulled you into a hug. Your eyes widened when you felt your top getting wet. He is crying and it's a first time..

"I- I'm so sorry.. I d- did not mean to hurt you.. p-please. It- It's my fault.." Iwaizumi sobbed.

You pulled back from the hug and took a step back. Iwaizumi can feel his heart ache. So near yet so far..

You tried to hold your tears "B-but.. you told me you still love her.. A-am I just your rebound?" You finally broke down.

"N-no!"

"Then w-why? Y-you left me that day for her. You didn't even let me explain-" You wiped your tears away..

Iwaizumi was about approach you again but everytime he step forward, you took a step backward..

He exhaled shakily "I.. I felt.. strangled up when Yui c-came back.. You were overly jealous in such a small thing. I-it feels like you don't trust me e-enough. I wanted to talk you that day and then I- I saw you pushed her away-"

"You want to know why I'm j-jealous?.." You gulped trying to find your voice.

"Everyday since she came back, she always told me that y-you still love her.. She w-wants you back, H-hajime and I can't let you go to her since I saw how she hurt you back then.. t-that's how much I l-love you.. but you still went to her.."

"Babe-"

You chuckled a little while wiping your tears away "b-but.. wh-what am I compared to your first love, right?"

Iwaizumi pulled you to his arms and hugged you so tight "I'm.. so so sorry.. I didn't m-mean to hurt you.."

You keep on sobbing when you kept on remembering about what happened that day. It's like it happened yesterday..

He gazed at you lovingly while wiping your tears "I-I realized something that day.. I thought a part of me still wanted her but no.. She wanted me, yes.. but I want you, not her. You are my present and my future, Y/n."

Your face reddened at his sudden confession. Lots of butterflies dancing around your stomach. Your heart doing crazy flip flops.

He kissed your forehead. Forehead kisses by Hajime is the best.

He leaned his forehead towards yours "P-please.. forgive me.. Please.. give me a chance to prove it to you more.."

Iwaizumi eyed your soft lips that he misses. He tilted his head to the right a bit "I love you, Y/n."

He kissed your lips and you stood there frozen, still your bearings are not yet functional, from his sudden confession to kiss..

He smiled, his smile that made you fall for him more, as he pulled away slightly but you snaked your arm around his neck and kissed him.

"I love you too, Hajime.."

You jumped as they won the volleyball match. 2 - 1.

You excitedly ran towards your boyfriend and hugged him "Congrats, Babe!! You're so awesoome!"

Iwaizumi chuckled and kissed your cheeks "Thanks, Babe!"

Since the confrontation, both of you were now showy when it comes to pda in public.. but not too much.. and your relationship blossomed..

Matsun smiled "So.. they're back together. No more drunk ass Iwa."

You hugged Matsun and Maki "Congrats to the both of you too!"

Maki ruffled your hair "Thanks, Y/n."

You nudged his side softly "Maki, I heard you beat the crap out of Hajime."

Matsun spit his water "Iwa told you?"

You nodded but smirked afterwards "Feel free to beat him if he tried to become an asshole again."

Maki and Matsun winked at you "You got us!"

"Hey!!!"

[moonchildsaurora]

Running in Circles

✤ guard captain!Mingi x thief!reader  ✤ genre: Guard AU // smidge of fluff, (semi)enemies-to-friends. (feat. Yunho) ✤ t/w: sfw, none - except very brief mentions of some fighting, rated PG ✤ count: 3k ✤ [ part 3 ] of Lacuna miniseries

a/n - huge apologies for keeping Captain Song in for a so long but alas, he’s finally freeeeee. I really need to pick up the pace with continuing on with this mini series 😅 this idea sorta played out better in my head than out in words - I’m not 100% happy with this, it’s defs not my best but I shall practise writing more Mingi fics in the future! This is also probably the tamest of the lot in terms of cry-level. Just preparing you guys with an easy read before the shitstorm that awaits in the next member on the list one shot hahahahahahaha. @hereisleo​ & @barsformars​ hope you both enjoy this for ya man 😉 I couldn’t bring myself to hurt this giant teddybear too much in writing. Also everyone, let’s welcome back a familiar face within this one shot :P

In all of his years of being a royal palace guard of Aethevintis, nothing would cause his body to seize up with tension instantly and hasten the greys that threaten to come through his still youthful auburn tresses than when he was requested at the interrogation chamber.

Heavy steps echoed off the dark granite stone floors, the sharp clinking from an array of medals that hung proudly to signify his prestige were in sync with his tense pace. Song Mingi had no problem exercising command and authority when it was needed, in fact, he prided himself in doing so.

He was good at his job, and he knew that.

Otherwise the title of Captain wouldn’t had been bestowed upon him that four winters ago. The real struggle was when his confidence in being assertive was mistaken for the ability to intimidate, broad body physique to further fuel that common misconception. And so Mingi often found himself sat in that bleak chamber with some poor unfortunate soul, who had been frightened into admitting nothing more than petty crimes.

He’d argue such tactics were unnecessary. Running his hand frustratingly through his hair for the umpteenth time, Mingi mentally braced himself for whatever...or rather whoever awaited for his arrival.

Rounding the corner, his brows arched up with surprise upon seeing the King standing in front of the chamber doors. The troubled look that replaced the King’s usual ebullient features prompted Mingi to straighten his posture immediately; this was sure to be a serious matter.  “Good afternoon Sire…”

Yunho turned towards the rich baritone voice of the Guard Captain and rigid shoulders relaxed ever so slightly at the sight of one of his most trusted.    

“Captain Song,” Yunho nodded in acknowledgement, “Although I’m not sure if it’s entirely good at all.”

Mingi’s forehead creased but remained silent to allow the King to further elaborate about his plight.

“The Queen’s aquamarine diamond parure has been stolen, and I suspect a selection of other jewels too. Those I care not for as much as the diamond parure…it’s got high sentimental value as it was passed down within the family from my great-great-grandmother.”

“That certainly isn’t good at all. Has the perpetrator been caught yet, Sire?”

“As luck would have it, yes actually. And I’ve been told that you would be the perfect person to know how to handle this….situation,” at saying this Yunho fully turned to face Mingi. The falchion in his belt’s scabbard felt heavy and a million and one thoughts were running through his mind at once.

“Mingi…”  

Mingi could see the sincerity in Yunho’s eyes and the hesitation in spilling out the words that needed to be said.

“I hope you know that in any other circumstances, I would not be requesting you to deal with such matters that you have immense dislike for. I apologise for putting you in such a position. This…certain individual has crossed paths with you before and I’m hoping with that familiarity you may be able to coax them to reveal where the diamond parrure is. How you do so, I’ll leave that up to your discretion.”

Oh.

Well that wasn’t what Mingi was expecting to hear. A certain individual he’s familiar with?

He straightened his back and gave a determined nod of his head, “I shall do my best Sire. That room may be the bane of my existence but this matter is clearly of importance to you, let us hope the thief can be convinced to comply.”

“You have my utmost gratitude Mingi,” Yunho said, reaching his hand up to give Mingi’s shoulder a comforting squeeze before making his way out of the grim dungeon hallway.

Mingi waited till the King was out of sight before turning to face the chamber. Taking a deep breath, he steeled his heart and pushed open the doors with slight force.  

“Well, well if it isn’t my favourite Captain of the guards. Come to keep me company for the evening?”

If he wasn’t already sweating before, he sure was now. That oh-so coquettish voice he’s grown to recognise almost immediately, fell on his ears.

You sent a cheshire grin to the tall figure, legs propped up on the worn-out wooden table and hands idly fiddling with the heavy brass shackles around your wrists. This certainly wasn’t the first time your paths had crossed but it was the first for you both to meet in a more dire setting.

Mingi feared for the implications of your capture.

Not just a mere thief of the streets but being the leader of Dusk Talons, the Royal Crown surely won’t pass up a chance to make an example of a core individual from the renowned thief guild.    

“You ought to close your mouth, otherwise the flies will get in.”

One of the guards closer to you brought his fist down on the table, a mere tactic meant to frighten you. However, all it got out of you was the bored glance you sent to the guard who started berating you for talking back to Captain Song.

Mingi let out a sigh, “That’s enough. I can take it from here, you all are dismissed.” The command was given to the other guards in the room as he settled into the chair across from you. They left without a fuss and silence encompassed the room, though not for long.

“Would you please be a dear and help with this?” you asked, chains jangling as you held out your cuffed wrists towards Mingi.

“It would seem that’s not needed at all,” a ghost of a smile gracing his lips, “your handy work got the job done for you.”

“You’re no fun.”

Not admitting out loud, you were slightly impressed that the guard captain didn’t let your lock-picking slip by him. The shackles dropped on to the table and you made a show of stretching your arms out, body arching lithely off the chair. Your loose tunic rode up just shy of showing skin, causing Mingi to avert his eyes out of respect.

That widened your grin.

Mingi let out an awkward cough, any pre-planned script he had for questioning was abandoned. You weren’t entirely a stranger to him nor were you an acquaintance – if the laws even allowed for that. But Mingi didn’t feel right about making you go through the same interrogation protocol as previous criminals had to. You weren’t like them.  

“I can’t tell if you thrive off the riskiest raids or that you don’t fear anything nor anyone. Going after Her Majesty’s diamond parure? Of all things!”

An airy chuckle left you, “If I didn’t know better…you sound awfully worried for me, Captain.”

“Shouldn’t you be at least more careful? What would become of your family if something were to really happen to you?”

The grin on your face disappeared immediately.

Mingi continued when he didn’t hear a response, “I’ve seen you…giving food and gold back to those in the Lower Wrean. I know some of the funds for the city’s orphanages are provided by your guild. And that one time…the only reason why you led the attack on our eastern outpost was to rescue a few of your own and relocate some of the nomad camps away from potential crossfire. You don’t abandon family, right?”

These were the things that convinced Mingi, you weren’t really all bad. Questionable choices? Sure. Morals? A little grey. Although underneath the layers, your intentions have always stemmed from a compassionate heart.  

“What’s to the rich if they lose a few here and there? They have far more than enough, so to us, they’re top of the list of contributors.”

Mingi remembered you telling him that when he had first caught you escaping from one of the noble’s house. Your guild only ever stole from the rich and it was a bonus if the corrupted was targeted too. Mingi, who then was still under the command of the previous captain, hesitated to pursue. For his moral compass went spiralling. Being bound to carry out his royal duty or close a blind eye because he empathised with what you stood for.  

Empathy.

Nothing more than a weak link, according to his captain. There was little room for that, just as grey had no place among Aethevintis’ black-or-white justice system.

Hence, a thief was still a thief at the end of the day. Even for a good cause, by definition you were on the opposing side.

You continued to observe Mingi in silence, with a neutral expression, as you let his words sink in. Captain Song was much different than his predecessors. An unspoken level of mutual respect had developed between you both somewhere along the way of your encounters. The way he led with his heart rather than blind authority was admirable.

“We do what we must to get by. My family…as you so kindly put it…are capable of adapting to whatever circumstances are thrown their way. Risk is an inevitable norm for us.”

At least, you could appreciate Mingi looking at you without that faux sympathy.

“And I’ve lived doing what I do best…that is to survive. Being careful only gets you so far but being smart, well, you could go just about anywhere with that.”  

With a rather loud yawn you broke the tension in the dim room. The grin reappeared back on your face and you slinked backwards on the chair. Mingi was contemplating on whether switching back to the original subject of this…talk…would be a good idea or not. He needed a starting basis, a hint of sorts from you in order to give direction where he’d be searching for the missing parure.  

Betting on the fact that you don’t wholly despise him, Mingi tried his luck. “Now I do have a job to complete, and I’m sure we both would rather spend our time elsewhere other than down here…”  

“Aww, I thought we were having a good time getting to know each other better. Don’t get to do that as much on the streets now, do we?”

“What have you done with Her Majesty’s parure?” asked Mingi, keeping his tone levelled.

“You sure are set on that huh? What’s in it for you if you successfully retrieve the jewels?”

Tilting your head, eyes sparking a challenge. Only to be met with determination glinting off Mingi’s own pair of dark chocolate brown orbs.

“Nothing more than the satisfaction of returning a precious family heirloom back to my King. It’s of great importance and sentiment to him.”

You wished you could find fault in his resolution. Yet again, Mingi was nothing but honest in answering you.  

Surely, you could play a little nicer this time, right?

“Hmm, I’ll think about it. I’m feeling rather parched as well…any chance I could get some fresh water?”

Sensing you weren’t going to give in anytime soon, Mingi drew in a deep breath and exhaled. Standing up he offered, “And I’m guessing you haven’t had anything to eat?”

“You’re offering?”

“This is an interrogation chamber, not a torture one.”

Mingi left to gather the necessities. Head filled with too many conflicting thoughts, that he missed the growing grin on your lips and the space where the dungeon keys previously sat on his belt.  

“THE PRISONER HAS ESCAPED!”

“FIRE IN THE COURTYARD!”

It was havoc.  

The thunderous sound of fireworks broke through the tranquil evening. Catching everyone by surprise and confusion arose as to why bursts of colourful sparks were going off within the palace grounds. When some of the flag banners and trees caught fire from the stray sparks, it caused a flurry of panic.

And to make matters worse – the guards had lost you.

Mingi finished over-seeing the last batch of palace staff into the safe area. “All palace guards are to stay by the doors to the throne room and west wing! No one is to leave or enter until my unit and I have done a final sweep of the grounds, “ he ordered.

Part of the team was put in charge of getting the fires under control. He deduced the fireworks were set off as an intended distraction and, a successful one at that too. Mingi’s priority was now to prevent you from escaping.

He heard the commotion and shouting before, “CAPTAIN! THE SOUTHWEST WALLS!”

You held your own and by the time Mingi had reached your location, the guards who were stationed there were knocked out cold on the ground. A minor cut bled slightly from your left cheek and you looked a little more roughed up than when Mingi had last seen you.

“Here I was thinking this would be a clean goodbye…” you said, securing the rope around your waist that Mingi noticed was tied to the stone merlons. He also saw a couple of dark-coloured pouches with you that weren’t present on your attire during the interrogation.

Three guesses as to what filled those pouches.

You followed his eyes to where they were fixated on, “Ah yes, amongst thieves it’s the number one rule to not hide our spoils on ourselves…lest we get caught.”

A series of sharp whistles was heard. The signal that your guild had completed their tasks and was awaiting to reunite with their leader down below at the meeting point. You blew three consecutive similar whistles back in response.

“Wait!”

You paused with one foot up on the stone edge. Turning back to look, you saw Mingi’s hand hover slightly over his falchion.

“Are you going to try and stop me?”

‘No. But I will ask once more, where is the diamond parure? I know the cold season approaches and you’ll need all the resources you can get. Those gold and other jewels you’ve got there should be sufficient enough. So please….”

Having already made your decision the moment you slammed the doors to the chamber out, simultaneously breaking the noses of the unsuspecting guards, you knew what you had to do. But that didn’t prevent you from adding a little dramatic flair.

After all, you want to stay memorable in Captain Song’s books.

“You just don’t know when to give up, do you?”

Your voice dripping with light sweetness, eyes locked on his as you made your way right up to him. Your hand darted out to grab his falchion and on reflex, Mingi intercepted – large calloused warm hand latching around your wrist.

“But maybe that’s what makes so different from the others…” You flipped his hand so it faced palm up, and placed a familiar cobalt blue pouch on it. “You’re a good man, Captain Song. Thinking with your heart doesn’t make you weak…this world needs more of that, more of people like you.”

You watched his shoulders fall with relief and the look he had in his eyes change into something you couldn’t quite discern. Mingi nestled the pouch carefully towards his body, the delicate clinking confirmed its fragile contents within. And he didn’t feel the need to look inside for confirmation; he trusted you.

“If we were to meet in another lifetime, I hope we’d be on better terms then. Preferably one leaning closer to friends.”

A genuine smile crept up from the corners of your lips upon hearing Mingi’s words.

“That sounds rather nice, actually.”

You could definitely use a friend like Mingi in your second lifetime, should fate ever be so kind to give you another shot.

“CAPTAIN!”  

The clamouring of guards and blades being drawn drew closer and you could hear the running of feet up the stairs.

“Well, that’s my cue to leave. And I am so sorry for doing this but…”

And you physically winced when you sent a knee to his gut, causing Mingi to collapse and gasp for air.

“…Captain Song wouldn’t go down without a fight and this makes it look less like you just let a scummy thief off the hook.”

Mingi waved his other gloved hand, “I…understand – you ought to hurry…” he managed to cough out the words.

“Don’t be a stranger.”

With that, Mingi watched you leap over the wall’s edge just as back-up from his unit arrived. Not only did you leave him with the Queen’s jewels and potentially a bruise or two, you also left him with a new sense of comfort.

Two worlds apart. Two unlikely individuals who were both willing to cross the bridge that’s been built to fill the gap, to meet in the middle.

Yeah, this was a change he could get used to.

“Thank you Captain Song!” cheered the orphans, watching with admiration at how effortlessly Mingi climbed the tree to recover their kite that got stuck in the tall branches.

He soon found his legs to be attacked with hugs from several pairs of petite arms.  

Mingi returned the affections with gentle head pats and a, “Be careful not to run too fast and watch where you’re going!”  

The townspeople greeted him as he patrolled his rounds. Even scoring a ruby red freshly-picked apple from one of the vendors. Today would be a breeze. Golden rays of the sun shone down warmly and the morning air was still crisp. Mingi was already planning to finish his shift early and go see if he could convince Yunho to sneak away from royal duties for a round of archery out by the fields.

“STOP! THIEF!”

Just like that, his trail of thoughts were cut short. Mingi snapped his attention towards the direction where the yelling came from. Jogging over to where the crowd had gathered, he was nearly bowled over by a fleeting figure.  

Upon making eye contact for that split second, he could recognise your mirthful eyes from anywhere.

Your eyes crinkled with delight and being bold as to send a wink his way. But your feet never stopped sprinting and within seconds, Mingi had lost you among the sea of townspeople who still went about their business on the street.    

“THEY WENT THAT WAY!”

Mingi looked back to see some of his unit tailing after a few hooded figures who disappeared into the maze of alleyways. Your guild sure knew the layout of the town inside out.

A sigh escaped him. So much for finishing up early for the day.

But if it was a chase you wanted, then it would be a chase you’ll get. Being the respectful gentleman that he was, he’d let you have a head start of course.

Maybe one day, when he’s old and cranky, worn out to his bones – he’d stop running in circles after you.

Luckily for you both, today wasn’t that day.

[mxndoscyarika]

Honeydew (Marcus Pike/Moreno x OC) | Chapter 5

Summary: Erin He moves to DC after working for the FBI in Texas and runs into a hero in disguise; Marcus Moreno. Something about him is familiar, too familiar, yet different in a way that she can’t quite place. Although confused, she can’t deny her feelings for him; perhaps, after years of regret, she finally found the one.

Warnings: winter, food/drink, fluff

Ao3

Honeydew masterlist

Like my writing? Here’s my masterlist.

Author’s Note: Thing are happeninggggggg 👀 Enjoy!

“This place is beautiful, Marcus,” Erin mused, eyes wandering around the restaurant. Like most upscale places, hardwood and chandeliers were the stars of the interior. Perhaps she was a little old-fashioned for liking it, but the atmosphere of dim lights and dark wood was comforting.

“Do you like it?” he asked, a shy smile adorning his face. He didn’t have time to change after work, opting to stay in his button-down shirt and dark pants. Ideally, he would’ve gone home and changed into something a little nicer, just for her, but work had ended later than he anticipated. Thankfully, he wasn’t too underdressed–Erin wore a simple outfit of a dark shirt and skirt, some boots, and a long coat.

Marcus found himself glancing down at her glossy lips as she praised him for picking such a cozy place for their date. There was still a decent amount of snow on the ground, so they didn’t want to travel far. The local steakhouse had seemed like a good option.

Something about the way she spoke, the way she seemed to glow in the soft light of the restaurant, made his heart flutter in his chest. He loved the way her voice soaked into his being, how soothing her tone was. He’d missed that. He’d missed her.

After that day with her and Missy, he couldn’t stop thinking of what a future would be like with her in it. Being in her apartment felt like stepping back in time. It felt like he was being given another chance, another chance to do right by her and show her his l-

“Marcus?”

He blinked, his thoughts slipping to the background. Rubbing his hand along her back soothingly, he asked, “Yes, honey?”

Erin let out a breathy laugh and tilted her head towards the host. “Aren’t you going to let them know we’re here? You said you made a reservation.”

If they were in broad daylight, she would’ve seen his cheeks redden just slightly, Thankfully, she couldn’t. Kissing her forehead, he answered. “Yes, let’s go.”

They were brought to a table situated towards the back of the dining area, menus and glasses of water already waiting. Once again, Marcus slipped past her and pulled out her chair first, making sure she was comfortable before sitting down.

Erin shivered as his hand brushed her shoulder, reminding her of that night in the kitchen.

They quickly fell into conversation, their voices just above an intimate hum. It was nice to have that time with him. She loved having Missy over at her apartment, but she also wanted moments for just herself and Marcus. Maybe it was a tinge of jealousy that remained, or a remnant of fear that he only liked her because she was good with Missy. The thought hadn’t occurred to her until the day after, when one of her parent’s sayings crept back into her mind. But since it had, she couldn’t shake it off.

What if he didn’t really want her? What if he just wanted friendship, or a role model for his daughter? She had no problem with being the latter–every girl deserves to have a role model–but it was the former that she worried about. What if he didn’t want her, and she was going to watch him slip away just like last time?

As she and Marcus sat there, eating and talking about everything and nothing, she felt the coil of insecurity tighten. He told her about his life both before and after becoming a single dad, and how his late wife had encouraged him to pursue his current job.

“And what’s that?” she asked, a small smile on her lips. “You never told me, Mr. Moreno.”

He was about to answer when his phone rang, cutting him off. Frowning, he apologized and told her it was from the headquarters. They rarely called him after hours; normally they reached out to the others. He knew it wasn’t polite to answer during a date, that it was often a sign of disinterest, but Erin insisted that he took the call. Between her time in the FBI and her knowledge of the Heroics, she knew some things couldn’t be ignored.

Hopefully it was just an update.

Then, Marcus’s eyes widened. “I’ll be right there.”

Erin’s brows furrowed at that. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay? Do we need to get Missy?”

Letting out a sigh, he shook his head and fished out his credit card. “The boss called; there’s an emergency and I need to be there as soon as possible.” He stood up and came around to her. Placing his card in her hand, he said, “I’m sorry, honey. This isn’t how I wanted tonight to go. Stay here. I’ll come back for you, alright? I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“W-wait, why do you have to go?” she asked, heart sinking. “Isn’t there someone else?”

Marcus’s heart broke as he realized what this looked like. He sighed softly and kissed her forehead gently. “I’m the leader of the Heroics, honeydew. I have to.”

Their eyes met, and he hadn’t seen her as sad since the night he left for DC.

“Okay,” she said quietly, letting go of his arm. “Be safe.”

“I’ll come back for you,” he promised. Then he turned on his heel and jogged out of the restaurant.

---

“Erin?”

At the sound of her name, she looked up from her phone. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw Marcus walking towards her, still in his clothes from earlier, though he looked a bit frazzled. Did he not have a suit to change into?

“Marcus,” she breathed, pulling him into a hug. Tucking her face against his neck, she murmured, “I was so worried.”

His arms immediately wrapped around her, enveloping her with warmth. She felt his lips pressing against her temple as he replied, “I’m so sorry, honey. I’m here now. We got everyone out, and the responders are handling the rest.”

“I’m just glad you’re alright. Though I must say, I never pegged you for a superhero,” she said, smiling as he rocked her back and forth. “Though I wish you’d told me earlier during our date. Were you ever going to tell me?”

He cringed. “About that…. I’m sorry our date was interrupted. I know we’ve been looking forward to this for a while, and I shouldn’t have run out on you like that-” “It’s alright,” she interrupted, her voice smooth. Ice-cold air nipped her skin as she pulled away from him. “It wasn’t your fault. I would’ve probably ditched you if there was an emergency at the office.” A soft laugh. “I guess that means we aren’t so different, huh?”

A soft chuckle left his lips. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Those words echoed in his being. Something about holding her in his arms felt right. He never realized how much he missed her touch until she was right there, in his arms, looking up at him with those beautiful eyes. It had been a long time since he felt that warmth in his chest. For a while, since the passing of his wife, he wasn’t sure he would ever feel it again.

He leaned forward just enough that their foreheads touched. “Erin?”

“Yeah?”

It took everything in him to not close the gap between their lips. “I’d like to see you again sometime. Another date, with no interruptions. How does that sound?”

She paused, her breath caught in her throat. Of course she wanted to see him again. Her sweet Marcus, who treated her better in the few weeks they’d known each other than all her past boyfriends and girlfriends combined. Her sweetheart, who came back for her.

A shiver ran down her spine. Her Marcus. How could she forget? Even after nearly a decade, she missed him. And maybe she always would. But, maybe, it was time to let go and leave it all in the past.

Marcus’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. “Honey?”

She smiled. “It sounds perfect. I just....It’s been a long since I’ve felt anything like this. I told you I don’t have very good luck with love, and…the last time I loved someone, I never told him, and he disappeared before I could.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” he murmured, his breath warm against her cheeks. “We can take things as slow as you want, or not even try at all. But I want to try this with you, Erin. Do you?”

Erin nodded, smiling. “I do.”

“Perfect,” he said, kissing her forehead. “Are you ready to go home?”

“Only if it’s with you.”

The drive back to her apartment was short, the inside of the car nice and toasty in comparison to the brisk winter air. Erin could barely keep a smile off her face when Marcus reached over to hold her hand as he drove.

When she looked over to his side, she noticed the absence of a ring on his left ring finger.

He walked her to her door, a warm hand settled snugly against her back. Their voices echoed through the hallway, soft and oddly familiar.

“Do you want to come inside?”

The door was propped open by her foot, her keys still dangling from her fingers. He nodded, and smiled at the way her face lit up.

“Sorry about the mess,” she began sheepishly, gathering the papers strewn on the dining table into a pile. “I have an undercover op that I need to take care of in a couple weeks, so I was familiarizing myself with the case.”

His brows furrowed as he came up next to her, a hand coming around to rest on her waist. Indeed, the files were maps and profiles. “I thought you didn’t go out in the field anymore.”

She sighed. “I don’t, this was a special request from my boss. I have the most experience, and a leader leads by example, right?” Placing the papers into a folder, she continued, “I still need a partner, though.” “What’s the case?” he asked. Even back in his FBI days,  he didn’t like seeing Erin dressed for an operation. It wasn’t that she didn’t look good–she always looked beautiful–it was that he worried about her. She was capable, strong, and quick on her feet, but accidents could happen. There was no way he was going to risk losing her again; not now, after they finally could be together.

“It’s pretty low-key,” she began, pulling out an overview of the operation. Snuggling closer to him, she explained, “It’s for evidence against an art collector that’s suspected of dealing in the black market. He’s throwing a party on his private island to celebrate the upcoming marriage of his friends. My job is to get in, download some data from his computer, and get out. My plus-one to the wedding festivities is supposed to make things more convincing.”

“Doesn’t sound too bad. I can go with you,” he suggested, his arm tightening around her waist protectively. “If you want. The Heroics don’t need to get involved, it can just be the two of us.”

She turned to face him, eyes wide. “You’d do that for me?”

“Of course,” he answered, holding her close. “Even leaders need some help sometimes.”

“Cheesy,” she teased, leaning in just slightly. Her gaze flickered down to his lips as she turned to face him, the papers forgotten. They looked soft, plush and pink.

His hand came up to cup her cheek.

“Just for you,” he responded, finally bridging the gap between their lips.

His lips were just as soft as they looked.

They melted into each other’s arms, Erin’s arms coming up to wrap around his neck and pull him closer. Her body pressed up against his as their lips molded against each other. Golden calligraphy spelled out their unspoken words as they kissed, gleaming and sparkling.

Erin smiled against his lips when he let out a soft moan, arching into his touch. His large hands roamed across her back, leaving fire in their wake.

He gently coaxed her onto the dining table, settling between her legs. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a very long time.”

“Me too,” she answered breathlessly. “But now we’re together.”

“Yes,” he murmured, kissing her deeply. A shiver ran down his spine as she whimpered into his mouth, so quiet he nearly missed it. He wanted to hear her again. He wanted to hear how his name would sound on her tongue, how she’d sound at her peak, but it was too soon for that. No, he wanted more time with her; he wanted to show her just how much he loved her before taking things to the next level.

His tongue was tracing the seam of her lips when his phone started ringing again. This time, it was an alarm; the babysitter‘s shift was ending soon, which meant he needed to head home–his other home.

Erin let out a small sound of protest as he pulled away, chasing his lips with her own.

Unable to resist, he returned to her. “I’m sorry,” he said, leaning in for another kiss; one that she gladly granted him. His hands came up to cup her face gently, a thumb caressing her bottom lip. Heat surged through him as her lips parted just slightly, allowing the tip of his thumb to catch in the small opening. “I have to go back to Missy, the babysitter needs to leave soon and I don’t want her in the house all alone.”

The mention of Missy brought her back to reality. She didn’t want him to go–not so soon. But his priority was Missy; they could always continue later. Erin nodded understandingly. “It’s okay, Marcus. We’ll find more time soon.”

“Yes,” he agreed, pecking her on the lips. “Soon, I promise.”

---

A long, hot shower was just what she needed after being out in the cold. Erin exited the bathroom, her phone and watch in hand. She was dressed in a black camisole and sweatpants, hair cascading down her back.

As she set her clothes into the hamper, a  glint from her nightstand caught her eye. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was the ring. She’d left it at home for the date, slipping it off her finger as she got ready.

The ring was a memory, a promise. A promise to herself that she would never forget her best friend, her former love. She’d spent countless hours defending it, justifying the purchase and the clear message it sent to people. She’d wanted to tell the world that she’d given her heart away, and that nothing could replace him.

But maybe she didn’t need the ring to remember her Marcus. She knew he’d want her to find someone that made her happy, even if it wasn’t him. He was always sweet like that, supportive and confident. A part of her wondered if he would’ve liked Marcus Moreno. They were both kind, loyal, caring….they were everything she ever wanted. They were patient, understanding. She always longed to have someone–anyone–who would understand her fully. Or even just someone who cared about Erin He, rather than the supervisor He.

Maybe it was time to let Marcus Pike rest in the past. He wasn’t coming back. Even if he was still alive, he never came back for her. He was gone, and no matter how much she missed him, he wasn’t going to come back. No, not in the way she wished for. Only in memories, memories of late-night pancakes and sunny beach trips.

He’d want her to live her life to the fullest, and give and receive love freely.

A small smile on her face, Erin placed the ring back inside it’s velvet box and closed it.

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[kzuhadovey]

omg please i beg of you a part 2 of I Love You w Atsumu the amount of times I read it because it was so heart breaking yet just the right amount of yearning of that makes sense. I absolutely loved it 😍

I’m stupid for loving you... aren’t I?

character: miya atsumu x reader

type: angst??? fluff???

warnings: -

song rec: mr loverman - ricky montgomery

click this to read part 1!!

ahhh hello anon!! this is my first ever request, i’m so excited!! this took rlly long for some reason, i’m so scared to disappoint yall with this 😭😭 well here you go, a part 2 to i love you :)

You were doing fairly great after the incident. Life was peaceful, your grades were skyrocketing, you quit the volleyball team and chose to pursue fashion design- life was good. You graduated Inarizaki as one of the best students in your class and first place in the 49th Japan Fashion Design Contest. You could almost remember the feeling of graduating, on stage, receiving your diploma, being cheered on by your friends and family, with a particular blonde boy eye-ing you with adoring eyes.

The after-party was hectic, never-ending drinks, maybe a make-out or two, but overall, you were ecstatic. An interesting thing that happened during the party, was your interaction with Miya Atsumu. He was still as lively as ever, a bright smile on his face wherever he was. Once he saw you that night, a drink in hand and your arm over your friend’s shoulder, a small smile popped on his face. He went still for a second as all the memories rushed back and you spun around. You were sweaty and drunk, but in his eyes, you looked heavenly. You remember glancing at his eyes for a second, he still had that same honey-toned eyes, a slight lovey-dovey look in his eyes. That was the only interaction you had for the night, and what you thought was for the rest of your life. Or so you’d thought.

Life was pretty much hectic after graduation. College, then joining one of the most successful fashion designers, to actually having your own brand. Who knew design could be so stressful? You slump down in your office only to be greeted by more piles of fabric and paperwork. Another load of presentations to investors and other businesses- yet your company seemed to be going nowhere. “Excuse me, your 4 o’clock meeting is here.” Your assistant suddenly says, making you flinch. “Geez- at least knock first.” You say, standing up and fixing your outfit. This client was particularly important to your brand- they had asked for a possibility of sponsorship. It would be groundbreaking to collab with them- a grade-a sports team would be amazing to collab with. You just weren’t expecting for him to be here. 

“Good afternoon, Mister… Shugo?” You say, looking down at a clipboard with all your materials. Shugo was a familiar name- you’ve probably heard it somewhere on the radio. “Y/N?- I-it’s you.” The man says, standing up. You freeze. You knew that voice- it’s gotten much deeper though. His tone is laced with curiosity- it almost felt like a dream. You look up to be met by him. His honey blonde hair was slicked to the side better, a hint of softness in his brown eyes. “Atsumu?” You mutter unknowingly. A sense of nostalgia hit you as your eyes scanned him. He looks older- and he’s surely gotten buffer. It felt like a dream, really. To see your high school crush almost more than 5 years apart. Then it came back. The sequence of events that happened leading up to the fight. It still hurt, of course, but not as much. I suppose you’ve gotten over it. You snap back into reality when Atsumu coughs awkwardly. “I’m supposed to meet- Shugo. Shugo Meian. Wh- what are you doing here?” You mutter out. “Shugo sent me. I didn’t know- this was your company.” Atsumu says, tucking his hands in his pocket with a small smile. He was still as smug as ever. You nod hesitantly- you had to give him the benefit of the doubt though. “Take a seat, Mr. Miya. We should start talking about the offer.” You say, pointing to the sofa behind him. He nods, giving you a small smile. Gosh- his smile was just as captivating as it did in high school. You feel yourself getting uncomfortable from your own thoughts- after all, you were over him. Right?

“Thank you so much for this opportunity, Mister Miya.” You say, bowing. After around an hour of deliberating and talking, you ended up with a beneficial deal for both of you. Of course, despite your troubles, you stayed professional. It was slightly amusing how Atsumu’s eyes would linger on you- admiring your figure more than a mere business partner would. “I look forward to working with you, Y/N,” Atsumu says, smiling widely. “Hey- uh- do you miss… Suna? and Osamu?” Atsumu asks, a bit hesitant. He’s not sure whether you’d like that because of the incident- but your eyes light up in excitement. “Well, a bit,” That was an understatement, of course. “I assume Osamu became a chef like he always wanted?” You ask curiously. You recall Osamu sharing his dreams of being a chef at lunch, a bright smile on his face every time he thought of it. Atsumu nods and you sigh in relief. “Well- you should catch up with us! Osamu’s finally coming back to town.” Atsumu says- which caught you off guard. Of course, you missed them a lot, but- it would bring back a lot of unpleasant memories. Eh, whatever. Seeing them for a bit wouldn’t hurt. “I mean- sure- but-” “Great! Here’s my number.” Atsumu says, scribbling down his number on a random card. “S-Shugo's number is on there as well- by the way,” Atsumu says, chuckling awkwardly. You nod, taking the card. Would you regret this? I dunno.

That day, you ended up in one of the fanciest nightclubs in town, Energize. It was pretty popular amongst rich people and Atsumu had volunteered to pay for everything anyway. You were seated in a booth, quietly waiting for your ex-teammates. Your heart was beating in anticipation- would they look different? You were sure Osamu still had his signature gray hair and Suna’s soft floofy brown hair. Your main concern was if they would show up or not. It was 15 minutes over what time they agreed, and you were getting hesitant. Was this a mistake? Your mind flashed back to the pile of paperwork and you sighed. You took out your phone, checking your texts.

Y/N This is Atsumu Miya, I presume? Atsumu - High School Y/N!! you texted !! Y/N ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ Are we still meeting up tonight? Atsumu - High School yeah yeah ofc !! suna and osamu already said yes :) Y/N I’m excited to meet them :DD Atsumu - High School they’re excited to meet you too btw u don’t have to be that formal with me lol Y/N Ah, no worries. I like being formal. Where are we meeting up? Atsumu - High School Energize, 8 pm tonight don’t be late :DD Y/N I’ll be there. 

You cringed at some particular parts of your conversations- had you always been this dry? You huff as you look around further, looking for a huddle of boys. There’s no one in sight that looks like them- and with that, you roll your eyes. It was an empty promise anyways- he never meant anything he said anyway. You stuff your phone into your pocket and head off before- you heard something. “Oi Tsumu, where the hell are they? We’ve been looking for them all over the place!” A voice says- Osamu. You would recognize that voice everywhere- were they really that blind? You turn around before being greeted by 3 males, one of them being Atsumu. “Y/N? Is that you?”

The air felt awkward yet soft as you fiddled with your nails. Atsumu had rented out a private booth for the 4 of you, blocking out all the noise and music. You leaned back on your chair, trying to observe your friends. Osamu had darker hair now- with fluffed-up ends. Suna, on the other hand, still has his signature fluffy brown hair, it just has more volume in it. “Osamu, you’re a chef, Atsumu tells me?” You finally speak up, the silence getting overbearing. Osamu’s eyes light up and he puts on a small smile. “Yeah. Osamu’s Onigiris- Doesn’t it sound nice?” Osamu asks excitedly and you nod. “I’m happy for you, Samu.” You slightly cringe- it was too soon to use that nickname. “What about you? What did you end up… becoming?” Suna asks, leaning on his elbow. “I’m a designer now. I own a company- it’s pretty small though.” You say, chuckling. “I knew it. You’ve always been good at drawing and design and… stuff.” Osamu says, a proud smile on his face. You felt a bit comforted by them, a sense of happiness. It felt nice- just to escape reality for a moment and be with your old friends. Atsumu, however, felt a little different. His heart was beating quicker by the second, and you could swear you saw him blush when he saw you. You could say that he was crushing on you.

The loud music was deafening as you made your way through the crowd, hanging on Suna’s shoulder. Everything felt vibrant as you looked around- people dancing, making out, and having fun. It’s been a long time ever since you loosened up and had fun so this was great. Osamu was laughing his head off about something and Atsumu was blabbering about how he was plucking girls from all over the country. After that awkward encounter, Atsumu had volunteered for heavy drinks and well, this was the outcome. “Mmmh- I think I need another drink,” Osamu says, pointing to some chairs. “Yes. Let’s get a few shots- then go home- because I feel like throwing up.” Suna says, a slight smirk playing on his face. “Mister bartender! 4 shots of vodka please!” Atsumu shouts as you all slump against the table. “Yo, Y/N, question… are you single?” Osamu asks as the shots arrive. You nod your head. Your love life so far has been a little boring… just a few hook-ups and dates along the way but no one really stuck. “Ah, you’re the same with Tsumu then!” Osamu says, giggling. Atsumu rolls his eyes and downs the shot in an attempt to push out what Osamu just said. “I mean- ever since you broke up with him, his girlfriend literally broke up with him too- and he never got over you- aFTER 6 YEARS!” Osamu says, chuckling. Atsumu nearly choked on his drink as he processed what Osamu just said- “Excuse me?” You questioned, glaring at Osamu. It takes Osamu a big fat second to realize what he said before a light blush colored his cheeks. “Hey, Suna! Didn’t you say you wanted to check out the toilet earlier?-” Osamu asks suddenly, standing up and picking Suna up by the hoodie. “Wait what?-”

“That was an interesting comment… wasn’t it, Atsumu?” You muttered, downing your shot. Atsumu shoots you a small glare before his cheeks flare in embarrassment. “I mean- Osamu is- a bit correct- I’m still single- but- that wasn’t true, I’m over you- pfft-” Atsumu said, giggling nervously. You chuckled because you’ve noticed that he’s grown more transparent over the years- you can see by the tone of his voice. “Are you sure, Tsumu?” You ask teasingly, leaning in slowly. Atsumu’s eyes widen before downing the rest of his shot. “Y-yes- I’m sure- of course-” Atsumu stutters, a light pink blush on his cheeks. You could just remember that Atsumu did the same thing to you, in high school. The way he made you flutter and smile joyfully- it was amusing. “I’m joking, Atsumu.” You said, giggling as you saw his flustered reaction. “Mmmm- I feel sleepy.” You said as your eyelids feel heavier. “Would you like to go home?” Atsumu asks, fixing your hair a little. He’s grown softer over the years, definitely. Honestly, at first, you’d be very mad at Atsumu if you weren’t drunk, but you were tired. It had been a long day- a small ride home would be okay, right?

“I’m sorry I ended up dragging you to my house.” You said softly, turning on the lights as you stumble into the apartment. Wasted, was the only thing that was right to describe you. Atsumu was right behind you, hoisting your arm up even though he was drunk himself. “No worries Y/N. I wouldn’t want you to stumble over and hit yourself.” Atsumu says as you lay down on the sofa. “Do you want me to get you a cup of water? Some meds, or anything?” Atsumu asks, observing you. You shake your head softly, yawning. “I’ll get you some food, wait here a second,” Atsumu says, standing up. Your head feels heavy against the cushions of the couch- and you feel worn out and tired. “Here you go- some bread, and meds- to avoid headaches,” Atsumu mutters, handing you a pill and a plate of chocolate bread. “Thank you, Tsumu.” You say, starting to eat up the bread. Atsumu’s heart fluttered at your nickname, a visible blush on his cheeks. “Hey, Tsumu, was Osamu really telling the truth? Back at the bar?” You ask softly. You’re currently leaning against Atsumu’s arm, him visibly flustering around your touch. He was definitely caught off guard by your question- a light blush coloring his cheeks. “Yeah. Sure. I guess you could say he was telling the truth.” He chuckles, hoping you wouldn’t kick him off the couch. “Why?”  was the only thing you could say. He sighed softly, sitting you up- a serious conversation, you noted. “I mean… somedays, I just remember how I treated you like shit. How I used you for my own benefit- it’s funny, really, how my feelings have grown over the years. I remember that day, the day you snapped- I was okay with it at first- I saw you as merely a game- but sooner or later I missed you- I missed the way you’d laugh at my cringy jokes, the way you attended every practice I had.” Atsumu mutters, looking down. His tears are threatening to spill and he lets out a breathy chuckle. And it’s so stupid because you can’t love me back. Not after the way, I hurt you and the way you ran off like that- I’m so stupid for loving you… aren’t I?” Atsumu asks. He looks up at you, a small smile playing on his face and he’s on the brink of tears. Back then, he could lie to you so easily- it was as if your feelings didn’t matter to him- but you were surprised to find out that the feelings you had for him… were returned. After all these years, he was willing to give his heart to you. You felt bad for him- of course, he’d think you hate him. You did, really, that day, you cried- you considered moving to another school- but here you were, sitting in front of Atsumu after he had just confessed. “Please say something. I- I won’t be mad if you say you hate me.” Atsumu mutters quietly. You sigh- what do you say?

“Atsumu. Look at me, please?”

He raises his head up to be met by a soft smile. “Tsumu. I don’t hate you, okay?” You say. Even if you’re drunk, your opinion on Atsumu was clear enough. “Yes, I was hurt. You had a girlfriend and you were flirting with me- of course, I was hurt.” You quickly said, looking down. “But I don’t know- you make me feel safe. Even after all those years and I saw you- my feelings all erupted once I saw you. Not gonna lie- it felt shitty- the man who broke my heart stand right then and there.” You gave out a breathy chuckle. Unknowingly, Atsumu was staring right at you with hopeful eyes, hoping for you to say that you loved him back. “Atsumu… I like you, aswell- but I just wanna know if you’re playing games with me. I don’t wanna be some kind of rebound- I don’t wanna raise my hopes up just for you to destroy them.” You muttered softly. “Yes, of course! I- I actually like you this time. You make me so happy, I promise-” Atsumu says, leaping into your arms very suddenly. You yelp at the sudden hug, feeling- inflicted.

“I never got to apologize for my actions- I’m so so sorry- I love you, I love you,” Atsumu mutters into your neck, causing you to giggle. It was amusing- to see Atsumu so flustered over you. “Tsumu. It’s okay, I forgive you.” You mutter softly, petting his hair. Atsumu pulls away, a drunken smile on his face. “C-can I kiss you? I didn’t get a chance to last time…” Atsumu asks slowly, a red blush on his face. You giggle softly- goddamn if he wasn’t cute. “Okay, you can kiss m-” You say slowly, before being interrupted by Atsumu’s lips on yours. His lips are sweet tang against your tongue, and his breath is warm and messy against your lips. You’ve dreamt of this moment since you first laid your eyes on him- his lips against yours, and you’re both a warm ball of happiness. Another life came quicker than expected for Atsumu, but he wasn’t complaining. He got to be with you anyways.

[saffronwritings]

C L U M S Y | K I R I S H I M A PART TWO

We were bound to make a mess of things; mixin' fireworks and gasoline. Never meant to make you fall with me.

K I R I S H I M A | P A R T  T W O

[Part One]  [Part Three]

C L U M Y  M A S T E R L I S T

 Word Count: 2.3k

 A/N: I am so sorry for how long it took me to post something. I had a lot of technical issues plus the biggest case of writer’s block. I plan to also have part three of both Kirishima’s and Iida’s story at some point this week. I’ll be working hard! I hope you enjoy :) 

In the days to follow, Kirishima could still feel the ghost of your lips against his own. Thinking of the act would make him flush red and he would try to shake it from his immediate thoughts. He tried so very hard to push those thoughts of his feelings for you aside, but you lingered no matter what he did to distract himself. 

 You had also tried to move on past what had happened the night of the dorm party. The very next day, Kirishima had acted like the encounter never happened. You knew better, he was trying to hide his feelings away from the very perceptive Bakugou. You kept trying to forget about the kiss. However, you failed to do so. Anytime the two of you would potentially get a glimpse of one another, you would shy away. 

Kirishima really could not deny his feelings for you, but was he really willing to risk his friendship with Bakugou? The question nagged him every single time he saw the two of you together. You genuinely seemed very happy whenever you were hanging out with Bakugou. Even Bakugou's harsh demeanor would slowly fade away when you came close to him. He would soften up instantly with you by his side. So, who was Kirishima to ruin something as beautiful and manly as a healthy relationship? 

 You, on the other hand, couldn't stop thinking about what you had done. The small kiss that plagued you with guilt every time Bakugou pecked you on the cheek or even on the lips. It wasn't that long after the incident that Bakugou decided to kiss you. You had betrayed your boyfriend by kissing Kirishima first- his best friend. You were upset that Kirishima had not said anything until after you had agreed to go out with Bakugou. Of course, you and he were great friends. However, you couldn't deny the feelings that had risen over time. After every training session, after every study session, after every hangout. 

 You had just assumed he had only seen you as his female best friend - like a sister. So, when Bakugou began to show interest, you decided to keep Kirishima as your friend and pursue Bakugou. There was no denying that the two of you were opposites when it came to personalities. Yet, there was something about his brash behavior that really pulled you in. Not only that, but you enjoyed that he took his training seriously and even aimed to be the number one hero. 

 With that, however, came days where he had become very stingy. If he had lost a battle or fight against Izuku he would immediately become sour the rest of the day. Not that he ever took out his frustrations on you - however, you didn't enjoy being yelled at. Obviously, that should have been a given when you first signed up to being Katsuki's girlfriend. That wouldn't make it any easier on you when he snapped at you when you did your best to cheer him up. 

 Sometimes you felt like doing your best was not enough.  

 Today was one of those instances where Izuku had outshined all the training Bakugou had done. Everyone was very impressed with Izuku's new shoot style, while only you and the Bakusquad had noticed Katsuki's new moves. When you went up to your boyfriend after training was over, you had not anticipated him to smack your hand away from him. "Hey, it's not that bad Katsuki." You tried to soothe his anger. 

 "BACK OFF. YOU ARE BEING SO CLINGY AND ANNOYING RIGHT NOW." He yelled at you, a fire in his eyes. You shrunk away from his shout. He turned away from you and stomped back to the locker room. You felt breathless - like you had been punched in the gut. Defeated by this development, you had also ventured off to the locker room to get changed. 

 You didn't see Bakugou on your way back to the dorms and this left you feeling disgruntled. "Hey, is everything okay, Y/N?" You heard Kirishima ask from behind you. Turning around quickly, you noticed Kirishima's awkward disposition of being near you. "Bakugou got pretty heated at me after training today." You admitted in defeat. He nodded towards Heights Alliance and you two walked together in silence. 

 "About the other day-" Both of you had started to say at the same time. Realizing you were not just both speaking at the same time, but also talking about the same thing you both quietly returned to silence. "I shouldn't have forced you to kiss me the other day. I put us both in a strange and awkward situation. You shouldn't feel like you can't hang out with Bakugou and I." You broke the silence, apologizing for your misdeed. He seemed taken aback by your apology for some reason - almost upset by it. "I would be lying if I said I actually enjoyed it. I was shocked for sure. I just don't want to hurt Bakugou." He admitted. 

 A blush spread itself over your face as you realized he had walked you all the way back to your dorm room. Your heart was racing a million miles an hour and you felt like you were feint. "I really don't want things to be awkward between us, Kiri." You admitted with a sigh. "Done. We are back too normal." He said with a reassuring smile. "Are you sure? Things have been pretty tense and weird between the two of us ever since I kissed you." You whispered, feeling your face flush even darker. You had looked down at your feet because you could almost feel yourself slipping over your own words. "Only because I was afraid it was going to affect our friendship. If you say that you want it to be the same, then it stays the same. Simple as that." He said, lifting your chin to meet his gaze. 

 There it was again. The undeniable and irresistible urge to kiss him. 

 You reached backwards and fumbled around until you got your dorm room door open. Kirishima gave you a questioning look before you had wrapped your hand around his wrist and drug him into your room. You slammed the door shut quickly before anyone else could see. "If you wanted to hang out or study or something, you could have just ask-" Kirishima started to say but you quickly cut him off by kissing him. It was awkward and rushed. You went to pull back, realizing the mistake you had once again made. However, you were held back by powerful arms holding your waist. Kirishima had deepened the kiss this time instead of fleeing. 

 The feeling of his lips on your just felt right in every way. The kisses were slow and curious - as if studying each other's mouths in case this wouldn't happen again. You wanted to commit the shape of Kirishima's lips to memory. His one hand traveled up to your face and cupped your cheek, rubbing his thumb against your jaw line. You had one hand on the base of his neck - ready to pull him back if he dared tried to pull away. The other was in his spikey hair, gently pulling it as if telling him you wanted to be closer. As if you two weren't close enough already. 

 You had broken the kiss to gasp for air. Your head was feeling light and dizzy from being both intoxicated with his kisses and from not breathing properly. He had his forehead resting against yours, breaths also coming in quickly. That kiss said volumes. You two had feelings for each other. Yet, neither of you knew what to do with them. You didn't want to break Bakugou's heart and he didn't want to hurt his best friend by stealing his girl away from him. 

 "What on earth are we going to do, Y/N." Kirishima sighed, nuzzling his head into your neck. Walking backwards you yet again drug him away from his original standing point. You sat down on your bed and patted the spot next to you for him to join you. He raised his eyebrow towards you. "Please. Just for a few moments." You pleaded. "Okay, okay. Just be warned. I give the best cuddles." He smirked, quickly snuggling up to you in the comfort and warmth of your bed. 

 A giggle escaped your lips as you two lazily draped limbs over one another. You sighed in content being so close to him. Everything with him felt natural. As wrong as this situation was you couldn't help but feel at peace being next to him. "I hate the situation." You whined. Kirishima nodded his head in silence. Both of you knew this was wrong. Both of you knew that this was going to end up hurting feelings of someone. Yet, there was a tug in your stomach that couldn't help but want both. You really liked Bakugou, even on the bad days. 

 You knew that in a few hours he would text you an apology and make it up to you the next day. However, you knew with Kirishima you wouldn't have those kinds of days. It would have been easy - effortless. He would treat you so well. The only issue is you knew if you broke up with Bakugou, he would become very cold towards you. You even considered talking it out with him but considering his hot-headed nature, you knew it wouldn't go well either way. 

 Kirishima could feel your head turning. What should have been a peaceful look on your face was struggling with what to do. He was being selfish, but for once it felt so good to be. Kirishima hated to see you so distraught and hated it even more that your boyfriend caused it. He wanted to erase away your pain, to help you forget the mean things his best friend had said to you. He could go talk to Bakugou. That wouldn't work though. No matter how many times any of the Bakusquad would tell him to be softer to you, he would still revert to his true nature. 

 A defeated sigh escaped Kiri's lips which made you look over at him. "We could keep this a secret." He suggested, finally getting the courage to look you in the eyes. Your eyes went wide at his suggestion. "That's not fair to you though!" You exclaimed, almost attempting to sit up. However, Kirishima had you tightly in his grasp and you weren't going anywhere. "No, but at least I would get some of you. At least for now. Until we can find a better solution." He admitted. 

 The gears were turning in your head and you couldn't help but be a bit giddy that you had the chance to experience things with Kirishima. While it made you slightly nervous about lying and going behind Katsuki's back, you were also a bit thrilled about it. "Okay, if you are okay with it." You nodded, a smile building up on your face. Seeing your smile made Kirishima's heart melt. "Of course." He confirmed, brushing the tip of your nose with his lips. 

 So that's what the two of you did. Things seemingly went back to normal between the two of you as friends. Even Bakugou mentioned he was glad there was no longer the weird tension between the two of you. You all hung out again like nothing had ever happened and no one had the slightest inclination as to what was going on. The routine was simple, you'd act normal throughout the day. However, after school you told everyone you were tutoring Kirishima in one of your classes because he was falling behind. No one batted an eyelash your way. This was typical for the two of you and no one suspected anything. 

 Yet, behind closed doors were roaming lips and hands. There had been few times where the two of you had dangerously fallen asleep after a much-needed cuddle session and he would have to sneak out of your dorm. "I wish I could just, tell Bakugou how it is and just be done with all this." You groaned after a nice hefty kissing session between the two of you. "You always could." Kirishima suggested boldly. "He would explode." You countered at him; eyebrows furrowed. Kirishima had rolled his eyes at your statement. 

 "How long do we plan to just sneak around? I want to do everything right with you. Take you out on dates, buy you flowers, be a gentleman." He admitted, a soft blush rising to his own neck. "I don't know. I've been trying to distance myself from Katsuki, but he doesn't seem to mind. I forgot that sometimes the man likes solitude." You grumbled, going over to your bed, and flopping backwards onto it. A smirk slowly crossed Kirishima's face and he quickly went over to you on your bed. He jumped onto it, hovering over you. 

 A blush once again found itself on your face. He captured your lips with his own. His hands wondering around your body with a heat building up between the two of you. In between kisses he would praise you for how beautiful you were. Your head was in a tizzy from the attack of kissing he was giving you. 

 However, you had forgotten you told Bakugou he could drop off some extra food he had made after he was done his training. The door burst open, having Kirishima immediately fall off the bed and land straight on his butt. You looked into very angry looking red eyes. The two of you looked like deer caught in headlights. "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON." Bakugou shouted. 

Taglist:

@devildom-express​

[terrietont]

Undertale: a Life for a life

Chapter 4: Dilema

Something was wrong. Asgore sat down in his chair since Toriel had left to go to the kitchen, yet she hadn’t come out. He started to get worried, was she okay?

I mean of course she wasn’t okay, but was she safe? Asgore swallowed and stepped lightly towards the kitchen. He heard nothing, no sobbing, breathing or movement.

His heart paused for a moment, in relief or worry, he didn’t really know. The Queen’s back was turned as she gripped onto the sink, staring down at it.

Thought unbeknownst to the king that she had already heard him walk in.

“I washed it all off my paws...” Toriel’s voice came monotoned and quiet. Asgore almost jumped by how the silence broke so suddenly.

As if reading her mind, Asgore frowned in sympathy. He knew what she had meant, after all it was the same fate he had chosen.

“There was so much, on my feet, on my paws... on the ground.” She continued. Her voice was soft but her words were unsettling. Asgore could feel his throat tighten, unable to get any words out.

“Is this what it felt like?” Toriel turned around to meet his gaze. Her mouth was in a deep frown, her eyes downcast and under them dark rings, almost as if she had been brought back from the dead. “Is this what it felt like to do it yourself?” She repeated. Tears began to run down her face again.

Asgore nodded slowly in sadness.

“You had a better reason for doing so.” Toriel turned back to the kitchen wall by the sink, her voice mellow. “And I, with no true intention. I was trying to protect them.” She explained. “But I should’ve been protecting them not from you, but from me.” Her voice began to waver again.

“B-but it was an accident, was it not?” Asgore spoke up soflty, his voice sounding more like a child than himself. To his surprise and uncertainty, she began to laugh. This laugh however, was pained. Forced. Teary.

“Does that really excuse what I did?” She asked him with a teary-eyed smile.

“I KILLED them, Asgore. I did this with no better intention other than wallowing in my own self pity and keeping them locked up in the RUINS with me like an obsessive freak.” She laughed again.

“What kind of a mother am I, Asgore?” She asked rhetorically. “Tori... y-you have always been a good mother... a-and look at the bright side! Asriel is alive again!” Asgore tried to somewhat cheer her up. “Stop lying to me Dreemurr!” She snapped suddenly, fangs showing. Asgore swallowed and inched backwards.

“Asriel is alive, yes...” As if lost for words and letting her anger fade, she slid down the side of the kitchen wall. With her paws on sides of her face, she stared at the floor wide eyed. “Asriel is alive...” as thought the outcome of her mistake hadn’t sunk it until now, she felt the shock pouring into her body like a stab to the heart.

“Asriel is alive.” She repeated again.

Sympathetic, Asgore sat next to her. “We need to be there for our son.” He said sternly. “He will be here with us too.” Asgore smiled a little, trying to calm the tense atmosphere.

Once she gathered her bearings, Toriel stood up slowly and walked out of the kitchen.

Asriel saw himself floating in deep space. The world around him was pitch black with only the lights of distant stars to guide him, yet somehow he could see light around him at the same time. He looked around in confusion. Where was he? A suddent sharp pain shot through his chest. He grunted, shutting his eyes as he held onto it tightly. He felt something push through his ribcage, as if he were being impaled from the inside out. Blood began to pool on his green striped shirt, Sweat beading down his forehead.

He screamed as a long sharp spike-like object burst out of his chest. Asriel’s eyes widened as he cried in agony. He looked at the object; it was like some kind of green spike and it made a crackling sound as it burrowed it’s way out of his body. It was a vine.

The vine began to grow out into multiple branches, leaves beginning to grow from them.

Asriel was in shock as the space around him fell to a pitch black. He fell to the invisible ground, clutching his open wound with tears in his eyes.

The vine grew longer from the base of his chest, the end of it sprouting a large white flower with yellow petals. Asriel felt his stomach drop.

The flower formed a big smiling face and soon it melted into a horrifying grin with sharp teeth and black holes for eyes with pinpricked white pupils.

Laughter echoed the black space, demonic, dark and squeaky at the same time. Asriel fell onto his back, tears running down his face. “N-no! NO!” She screamed.

“NO!” Asriel jolted up from his pillow. He breathed heavily feeling a wetness around his cheeks. Calming down, he wiped away the tears and sniffled in the quiet bedroom.

‘It was just a dream’ he thought. He sighed deeply, but he wasn’t relieved, the memory of the nightmare still latched onto his brain.

Then he heard a knock. “Asriel?...” The soft voice of his mother outside the bedroom, slightly muffled by the door. Asriel panicked. He didn’t want his mother seeing him in this kind of state.

Quickly, Asriel wiped any traces of tears from his eyes as fast as he could but he soon heard the door open.

Toriel’s worried eyes looked directly at her son, she could tell he had been crying as his eyelids were red and puffy.

“Asriel dear...” she came towards him calmly.

Asriel rubbed the back of his neck awkardly. “H-hey mom...” He greeted with an awkward grin. Toriel sat down on the bed with him, smiling warmly as she pet his head fur soflty. His eyes drooped a little as he gently held his paw onto her’s, enjoying the head rubs.

Slowly, she tucked him tightly under the blankets. He started to doze off from the affection but widened his eyes as he realized he still had so many thoughts going on in his brain.

Where was Frisk? Why weren’t they speaking to him again? Were they preoccupied with something? Maybe the nightmare had slowed them down and-

“It’s alright sweetheart.” Toriel’s voice came through to his thoughts. He didn’t realize how tense he was at that moment. “Mom...” Asriel began.

“C-can I... talk to you ab-about something?” Asriel gulped anxiously. Toriel frowned worriedly. “What is it, my child?” She asked. “Remember how I- How I-“ The small prince found himself lost for words, as if his voice was destroyed at that moment.

“It’s okay sweetheart, take your time” Toriel replied soflty.

Asriel inhaled slowly and began to find the courage to speak.

“Remember I said to you that Fr- Err the soul I have inside me now speaks to me?”

Toriel frowned and stared at him in silence. “And about how they still love you too...” Asriel continued.

“Y-yes my child.” Toriel found herself fighting back the urge to escape. This was another heart aching reminder of what she had done. “I remember” She turned away, not wanting to cry in front of her son.

“W-well t-they wanted us all to be a family together again and-“ Asriel paused not further pursuing his blatant lie. “What I mean is... Can we be a family again?”

Asriel’s eyes were big and glossy, he looked directly into his mother’s.

Toriel looked down at him for a moment, frowning. She sighed deeply, despite her emotional frustration, she turned back to him with a smile. “Of course we can, my child.”

She had to do what was best for Asriel. What was best for everyone.

[averagesmw]

Penny Haywood x MC- A risk far too great

Game: Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery  

_____________________________

My stay at Hogwarts so far has been... interesting, to say the least

Unwillingly, I became responsible for breaking the horrible curses that came as a result of the Cursed Vaults. All in pursue of my missing brother, Jacob.

Not that I didn't want to save everyone or find my brother, but I didn't know it would be this difficult

However, when we entered the third vault and broke the sleepwalking curse, I thought I was getting the hang of it

...And then came the fourth curse

Not only was it difficult to understand, but this one got quite personal

See, this curse kidnapped students and trapped them inside the various portraits that decorate the school's walls. One of the victims happened to be the first-year Hufflepuff, Beatrice Haywood.

As in, Penny's adorable little sister

That is no way to be introduced to Hogwarts, I should know

But what weighed on me the most was Penny's reaction to this, she was devastated and obviously not the little ray of sunshine I knew and loved

Our adventures together were by far my favorite thing about all these years. We've grown to know each other so well, she even picked me to go with her to a dance

She provided all the happiness that I needed, but now, she was the one that needed happiness

Regardless, it served as a strong motivator to break the curse as soon as possible, which led me to this very moment...

Joined by Merula, Bill, and the new faculty member, Professor Rakepick, I was discussing the next step in our plan to enter the fourth vault. We were in the Courtyard as to not raise any suspicions

However, our plans would soon collide with my personal goals, and not for the better

...

"Now, who shall we take into the Cursed Vault with us?"

Rakepick asked us, making my mind start racing with possibilities

"Well, there are pros and cons to anyone we pick..."

We looked around at the people present in the courtyard. From Badeea to Tonks and even Barnaby, we discussed who could bring more to this table

Eventually, the sight of beautiful, blonde hair caught my attention. There she was, Penny Haywood herself trying her best to go on with her day

Always so resourceful and determined to help others, even now that she was the one that needed the help. Oh, Penny...

It was true that she could help but I...I just couldn't sentence to go into such a place, what if we lose? Or worse...

No, there was no chance I would risk bringing her along this time. I had to find someone else that could assist us

In my mind, I was already narrowing down the best candidates, although I didn't want to put any of them in danger, especially--

"What about Haywood? We could use her potion knowledge"

Merula's voice broke my concentration, I immediately turned to her upon hearing that

"Merula is right, Penny could help us brew a potion if we need it at the vault if we need it"

Bill added. The sole mention of her name in this conversation was enough to send shivers down my spine

I could even feel my breathing getting a bit erratic at this. But before anything else could happen, I threw a quick counter-offer

"B-But what about Charlie? He knows about dragons far more than any of us. W-We could use his knowledge more!"

Merula looked at me strangely. I subtly shook my head to her, telling her to back off on that idea with my eyes filled with worry

She seemed to pick up on this and gave me a subtle nod, putting her hand on her chin

For the last months, Merula and I had grown closer together as well. She might not admit it until earlier today, but we were good friends

In fact, she was likely the only person (besides Rowan) that knew about my umm... My opinion on Penny, hence why she understood my signals so quickly

"Now that you mention, he could help us defeat the dragon first. After he squeals at the sight of it"

For a split second, I felt relieved to have her on my side...then Rakepick talked

"While that is true, I agree that Miss Haywood could help us the most in this case"

She was quick to shoot down the idea, but why? Why send Penny into something so dangerous without even giving her time to prepare!

There was NO way I'd send Penny off like that, not her, especially after everything we've been through

"I don't think that's a good idea, professor. Penny has been quite unstable since the beginning of the year, she won't concentrate"

I responded with the first thing that came to my mind, just desperately trying to change their mind

"Or she could be perfectly motivated to give her best to save her sister"

"Hasn't Penny helped you with the other vaults before, Y/N? She has more experience in dealing with them"

Bill was not helping. Of course Penny tagged along a few times, but mostly when we knew that it wasn't incredibly dangerous like now

It's a dragon we're talking about! Not a Boggart or an Ice Knight

"Bill, we're not bringing her with us"

My friend noticed the sudden change in my tone and looked at me with a confused look

"Why not? Is something wrong with that?"

What!? Of course there was, Bill! You'd have to be blind not to notice!

My worry found a shield in the form of anger, but it was quickly released as I yelled out of pure emotion

"WE'RE NOT SENDING PENNY OUT THERE, THAT'S IT!!"

All three of my allies were taken back by this, even Rakepick. Taking a quick look at the rest of the students that were also there I noticed that they had all shut up and were now staring at me...even her

I couldn't deal with all of those eyes, not at the same time. What was I even supposed to say after such a display?

"I...I have to go. I'll be back for tonight, I promise"

Following what both my heart and mind were screaming me to do, I ran away back to the castle without looking at anyone

The place was awfully silent for a couple of seconds, but the chatter resumed shortly after, only a bit less intense this time

"Was it something I said? I've never seen Y/N have an outburst like that..."

Bill felt guilty, but he didn't even know why. Of course, it was always awful when you made someone react like that without knowing the reason

"Miss Snyde, you said before this conversation that Y/N is your friend, right?"

The teacher caught the attention of Merula, who was still looking at the door

"Yes?..."

"Do you mind explaining what was that all about, then?"

Merula was silent for a moment. She wouldn't tell the exact reason, but she was clever enough to coat it while technically not lying

"Well...I reckon to have one cursed Haywood was too much for L/N, maybe they don't want to get the other one killed. It would stain their pride"

"Y/N has been lacking sleep since this all began, too. They don't want anyone else involved in this" The Weasley added

"You may be right...Do you think you can talk some sense into them?"

Merula then spotted a certain blonde running into the castle, going in the same direction. Under a mask of carelessness, a genuine smile grew

"That won't be necessary, professor"

...

My instinct brought me to the Artifact Room, where I immediately closed the door upon entering and just got to my knees when my body was unable to continue

My hands rested on them as tears started to form on their own, despite my best attempts to stop them

Why was it so hard to understand that Penny was off the table?

Why was it so hard to understand that she was the last one I wanted to get involved?

Just...why?...

I felt my breathing adopt a slightly faster pace, but only for a couple of seconds. I was too busy fighting with my thoughts and just trying to make any sense of it to realize that someone had opened the door

By the time I knew it, someone was handing me down a potion

"Here, drink this"

That voice...

Not wanting her to see me like this, I looked over my shoulder to confirm it. Those beautiful blue eyes, the braided hair, the worry in her face...

I took the potion but didn't open it

"Penny? What's this?"

"It's a calming draught, I always have a spare one just in case"

"That's very considerate of you, b-but really, I'm fine"

Then she placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me a sympathetic look

"I heard you scream my name in the courtyard, Y/N. You can trust me"

Of course lying wasn't going to work, I made a mess back there

Reluctantly, I removed the cork and drank the calming draught. Just by feeling it go down my throat, I could feel my thoughts become clearer and my breathing was slowing down on its own

"Thank you..."

I said handing her the potion, but then Penny sat down in front of me, trying to get a better look at me

"Do you want to talk? You know you can trust me, Y/N"

I sighed before nodding slightly. Taking a quick glance at her before immediately trying to look away

Might as well tell her now. This was about her after all

"W-Well...Professor Rakepick says she found a way into the Cursed Vault, it's a portkey that will activate tonight"

Her gasp made me look at her, she was visibly surprised by this

"Tonight? But those are wonderful news!"

"They are. Rakepick says we should take someone else with us, but then everyone started leaning towards you and--"

"I'm in"

Upon hearing this, I felt my heart take the hit, quickly reminding me of what I was fearing just a second ago

Despite being under the influence of that potion, distress was beyond visible

"What? No"

Penny gave me a puzzled look. Never before had I prohibited her to come with me on an adventure

What was particularly concerning was how quick I was to brush her off

"Why not?"

"Penny, it's far too dangerous! Even a bloody dragon will be there"

She picked up on my increasing anguish, but her own emotions were just as strong at the moment

"And yet you're still going, Y/N! That's no justification"

"Yes, because we've been chosen and trained specifically to deal with this! There's no telling what could happen if you go!"

"I want to go, I need to see it for myself when the curse is broken. Plus you could use my help!"

I shook my head in denial. I knew she of all people had a reason to go, but the risk was far too big for a reward that was still uncertain

"There are plenty of ways you can help us from here"

The Hufflepuff was growing frustrated by my attempts at persuading her out of this mission, maybe to the point of getting personal

"Why don't you want me to go? I need to save my sister!"

It hurt to see her so angry at me, but as I felt the effect of the draught vanishing, I too adopted a similar gaze

I felt the hairs on my arms raising once again and the heartbeat increasing, even my face was heating up

"You're too valuable to lose!"

"Oh? And why am I the one who's too valuable? Why isn't it Bill? Or Merula? Or--"

Blood rushing

Tears escaping

Voice raising and suddenly

"BUT I DON'T LOVE THEM LIKE I LOVE YOU, OKAY!?"

Silence

Pure and suffocating silence

It quickly took over the room as soon as my voice stopped echoing through

I myself couldn't help but cover my mouth in shock by what just happened. Not just because I raised my voice against Penny, but because of what I said

Did I really just?...

Oh no

Beyond shocked, I looked at her. She was speechless with her eyes staring at me in disbelief

"You do?..."

"I have to get out of--"

Once again, I tried to run from it, but it didn't work. My arm was stopped by her hand and her startled voice

"N-No, it's okay! Really"

I turned around to see her yet again, not able to even think of a word for her. For sure she would turn me down, or worse

But her smile, that gentle, warm smile was there. The same one she showed me whenever we were goofing around or brewing something together

It was there

And so was that soft gaze she had whenever I had done something stupid and she was trying to help me like...well... right now

But this time, it hit different

"I want to hear it from you, Y/N. Please" Her sweet voice practically begging for me to stay. I didn't find myself to be strong enough to deny her request

And so, against everything my mind told me, I stayed behind, with Penny

She asked me to carry on with what I said before trying to escape. Sighing, I complied

I figured that it could help her understand why I didn't want her to go, but also...I think I owed her an explanation for well, everything

I gathered my strength until finally, words started to come out

"The truth is that I...I fancy you, Penny. I've done it for quite a while now and not only am I doing this to dave Bea and the others who fell victim to this curse"

My eyes, while looking down at first, were now focused on her. I didn't care if she saw how bad I looked at the moment, I was talking straight out of my heart, throwing myself in the void and hoping for the best

"...I do it because I can't stand to see you so depressed, it breaks my heart"

"Y/N..." The sole mention of my name by her was almost enough for me to back off, almost

But she needed to know

"If I can't see you like this, imagine how I felt when everyone started leaning towards you to follow us into the vault. I can't bear the thought of something bad happening to you"

Before I knew it, Penny wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug as she hid her forehead in my shoulders. At first, I couldn't believe it, I just stood there with her warmth and allowed that familiar feeling of security and care wash over me

A heavy, broken breath left my body, felt like a weight had been pulled off

At least until I heard her voice again, still buried in my shoulder

"...If I go to the Cursed Vault, would you be by my side?"

That question caught me off-guard, making me end the embrace to look at her. Although I think I heard her protest this

"Of course I would. I wouldn't leave you to yourself" I answered almost automatically

"Then I have nothing to fear"

The way she smiled after saying that, was disconcerting

"Penny..."

"I'm going to trust you with a secret of mine, one that I've never told anyone before"

She motioned me to come closer, which I did. It took her a bit to talk, seems as if this was a heavy subject for her as well

"It's bad enough to have my sister trapped in a portrait like that, it's horrible"

Penny was the one to sigh after that, her fists clenching as well before those blue orbs of her stared me down

"...But it's even worse to see the one I love risk their life for all of us every single year. I can only pray that you come back in one piece and so far you have"

The one she...what?...

Now I was speechless. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink when she noticed my reaction, but it didn't take long for a small smile to return to her

"This time, I want to help you the way you've helped us. It doesn't matter if it's an Ice knight, an Acromantula, or a bunch of Bogarts..."

Then, I felt something reaching out for my hand, it was hers

This gesture provoked our eyes to meet one last time

"As long as we are together. There is no such thing as an impossible challenge"

The determination in her, so familiar. Now I understood what Dumbledoremust've felt when I ignored his pleas for me to stop chasing the vaults

"And when we return from this, we'll talk. I promise"

What came after was still something that I'm struggling to process

Penny pulled me towards her a little and then closed the distance herself, leaning in towards me. I felt a pair of soft, tender lips kissing my cheek

"Thank you for opening up to me. I mean it"

There was no butterbeer or oversized sandwiches that could persuade the blonde to leave this mission, I understood that now. She would get to experience the end of this  curse herself

And as we stood along with Bill, Merula, Rakepick, and even Ben, I made my new mission to protect her from whatever lurked inside that vault

But as we approached the portkey and her hand wouldn't leave mine, I understood that even in the face of incredible danger...

...She too, would have my back

[fierysafrina]

Longing | Satan x reader

Fandom: Obey Me! Rating: General Word Count: 2.760 Genre: Hurt/Comfort | Slice of Life | Fluff | slight Angst Additional tags: death mentioned Summary: This time around every year, you always distance yourself from friends. Being in Devildom, it hasn’t changed. You only hoped no one would notice. Notes: I’ve been having a bit of crappy days this week since the anniversary is approaching and I really need some fluff and comfort, which is how this came to be.

---

You were walking down the busy hallway of the academy. Demons were all around, talking, laughing and walking, minding their own business. Feeling your phone vibrate, you checked it, frowning at the messages Mammon was sending. You chuckled, shaking your head seeing he got himself in another trouble with Lucifer. With a silent sigh, instead of an answer, you put it back into the pocket and continued your way. Halfway, Solomon joined you and you ended talking about projects.

You tried to talk to him, yet your mind seemed obviously absent. And it seemed like Solomon noticed.

“Are you alright?” he stopped just outside the classroom you were about to walk inside to prepare for next class.

Your eyes met with his, the corners of your lips turning upwards in an awkward smile. “I’ll be.” You admitted, cheeks heating up, eyes glossy.

Solomon reached out and brushed his hand against your upper arm, smiling. “I’m here.”

Your expression softened as you nodded. “Thank you…” It was just a whisper in the loud and noisy hallway, but you knew Solomon heard it.

---

Sitting in the common room on the couch, you stared at the wood that crackled in fire. Your legs were beneath your weight, arms wrapped around, brushing your shoulders every now and then. There were voices around, Mammon and Leviathan arguing and Lucifer somewhere in the background. It was quite easy to tune them out from their constant bickering that you didn’t realize a certain demon sitting opposite of you, his green eyes focusing on you.

Satan was about to call for you, ask if you were alright, when Belphegor’s voice woke you from your thoughts.

“There you are…”

You blinked with your eyes and before you realized what happened, Belphegor’s head was on your lap, already sleeping. A chuckle escaped your lips and you shook your head only to startle when Mammon raised his voice, finger pointed at the youngest. “It’s okay,” you said, smile just a bit wider. “I don’t mind if Belphie sleeps here.”

Mammon huffed, his cheeks hot and darker than usual and you couldn’t help but coo at him.

“Aw, is Mammon jealous?” Placing a hand on your cheek, you were grinning as he stammered out an obvious excuse. Leviathan was quick to join and no sooner the two ended in another argument. You chuckled as you looked down at Belphegor, one hand on his head. Your fingers gently caressed his head and Belphegor hummed in approval, expression turning much more peaceful. With a smile slowly disappearing, that painful expression came forward once more.

Satan’s heart ached at the sight. He didn’t know what was wrong, thinking everything was alright, but he noticed how distant you’ve become. He thought it was only his imagination, but now that he took a closer look and approached it differently he saw that look in your eyes. The look of loneliness, grievance and sadness. He thought to all those times, in a span of the last two weeks, thinking if he or the brothers were the reason for this. Was it another demon instead? Perhaps Simeon, Luke or Solomon? Maybe Diavolo said something to you? Yet no matter how much he thought he always came forward with the conclusion that nothing was wrong. At least nothing from their sides.

Which meant you must miss your home back in the human world.

Looking at Lucifer, the oldest was then scolding Beelzebub, who walked into the common room, arms full of snacks. Narrowing his eyebrows, his gaze fell back on you just in time you wiped a tear away. His eyes widened and he was about to stand up, but stilled when you looked at him. The way your eyes widened, horror visible on your expression made his chest feel tighter than before. He didn’t want to see that expression on your face. Not in your eyes. You looked to the side, immediately averting your gaze on the brothers instead, lips pursued into a thin line.

Satan didn’t find a chance to talk about it.

---

“Hm…” Lucifer hummed, eyes focused on your picture. He blinked and looked at Satan, who tried to remain as expressionless as possible, but Lucifer recognized that twinkle of hope in his eyes. “Is there any particular reason you want to go to the human world?”

Deadpanning, Satan resisted an urge to facepalm. “Do I need it?” he asked in a slightly annoyed voice.

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. “Who else will go?”

“Just me and [Name].” he answered almost too quickly. Lucifer couldn’t hide the surprise, but he smiled quickly after. “I believe they’re homesick.”

“They haven’t said anything.”

“Would you if you knew you needed permission to go somewhere?” Satan bit back, annoyance visible on his face. “They can’t exactly leave as they see fit, can they? Not without someone who can travel through eight layers with ease.”

Lucifer remained quiet, eyes focusing back on the picture. Closing his eyes, he sighed. “Alright.” he put the picture back down on the desk. “I do believe you’ll come back before dinner.”

The only answer Satan gave was a nod before he turned and left the office. His footsteps were rushed, quick, but quiet, slight excitement easily spotted. He couldn’t wait to tell you; to see a smile spread across your lips and hug—no, no. Satan shook his head. He couldn’t give his own hopes up that you’d hug him. After all, you weren’t in that kind of relationship.

Slowing down to a normal pace, Satan lowered his gaze to his feet. How should he tell you? Right away? Maybe while you’re reading together in his room or library? During dinner? But during dinner others will be around. Mammon would definitely want to go along and Satan didn’t want that. He wanted to go alone with you. You, him and no one else. Maybe he should bring you to that bookstore you always talked about?

But … haven’t you avoided him ever since he caught you tearing up?

Coming to a stop, Satan narrowed his eyebrows. Caressing his chin, he wondered how to approach you first.

Your laughter brought him out of thinking. He raised his gaze and saw you walking upstairs with Asmodeus. He must have told you about his “horrors” when his nail broke because of your laughter. It didn’t seem like any of you spotted him yet, so he stepped on the staircase that led to the planetarium and watched you. You looked … pretty in Satan’s eyes. He loved how you covered your mouth when you laughed, threw your head back just a bit while wrinkles appeared around your eyes. He often found himself returning the smile even if it wasn’t meant for him.

That was okay. As long as you smiled was everything that mattered to him.

“Oh, right,” Asmodeus seemed to remember just before the two of you parted your ways. “Why don’t you come to my room later? I have some scented candles and bath salts I’m sure you’d love. You’ve been so tense and closed-off these days.” He brushed his hand against your arm and Satan raised an eyebrow.

Your mouth twitched, but the smile continued to be genuine as you replied; “I’ll come. I just need to call someone.”

Satan didn’t like that last sentence. Not by what was spoken, but the tone of it. Something was off. Asmodeus didn’t seem to catch it as he agreed and disappeared down the hallway towards his bedroom.

You, on the other hand, remained standing on the hallway, staring after the demon. Closing your eyes, you sighed and shook with your head, turning around.

Your name left his lips before he could stop himself.

Turning his way, your eyes were wide, surprise evident. “Satan?” you tilted your head, wonder and curiosity overtaking.

Stepping down the stairs, he approached you with a smile. Act natural. “There’s something I wish to tell you.”

Eyes widening, you blinked, but nodded. “Should we go to the common room?” you pointed towards the staircase.

“My room’s closer.” He turned before he could see you pursue your lips into a thin line, freezing on the spot, but stumbling to catch up with him. He was confident. He could do this. He could tell you of the trip.

Who was Satan kidding? As much as he looked calm on the outside, he was panicking inside. No matter how much he tried to come up with something to say, the moment he blurted; “You want to come with me to the human world?” he knew he messed up. If your wide eyes and shocked expression wasn’t proof enough.

“I-I mean—” “Yes!” you overtook him before he could come up with an excuse.

Satan blinked, surprised. “W-what?” he stammered.

“I’d love to accompany you.” You smiled and Satan relaxed almost immediately, because the smile he saw was the smile he fell for.

“Okay,” he smiled back, nodding with his head. “I know it’s soon, but I was thinking of going perhaps tomorrow?”

Tilting head to the side, you nibbled on your lower lip, thinking. “Tomorrow is okay…” you nodded after a moment.

“Alright. Tomorrow after breakfast.” Satan agreed and before he could say anything else, you were hugging him. He tensed in your arms, but quickly relaxed to your warmth. For a moment he could feel your arms shaking. He couldn’t ask you what’s wrong, because you were long gone from his room.

---

The next morning during breakfast, you were sitting on the complete opposite than Satan. He didn’t like that. He wanted to talk about the places you’d like to visit. He didn’t want to speak louder of it to grab anyone else’s attention. He couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed. Did he upset you somehow? Did you change your mind and didn’t want to go with him anymore? What angered him the most was that he didn’t know the reason.

Which was why he was completely missing the glances you always managed to sneak his way and a small smile that spread across your lips.

---

“Satan,” Lucifer called his name.

Satan turned and raised an eyebrow.

“Be kind.” Was everything the former said before he began walking towards the portal.

Satan stared after his brother in confusion until your voice made him turn towards you. You were panting, cheeks flushed when you came to stop in front of him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner.” You apologized, sweat dropping. “I needed an excuse to get Mammon out of my room, since I don’t think anyone else knows of this trip.”

This time, Satan’s cheeks turned into rosy shade and you smiled. “I—”

“It’s okay,” you overtook him. “I-I mean, I know you don’t feel that way, but I’m really grateful for inviting me along. It means a lot.” You were sincere and Satan couldn’t find it in himself to correct you. You quickly spotted Lucifer not too far away. Without a glance at Satan, you approached the oldest brother as he began to talk you through the portal traveling.

Satan stood there, eyes focused on you and unable to say anything. Then again, what could he say? He couldn’t tell you he fell for you in this short time since you came to Devildom. He couldn’t risk the friendship you already had.

---

“Is there someplace you’d like to visit?” Satan asked as you strolled down the street of a neighbouring town.

Biting your lower lip, you were hesitating to answer. “There…is one place…” you whispered.

Satan smiled gently, urging you to talk.

“It’s…in my hometown.” You continued slowly. “It’s less than an hour away by bus, so I don’t think we have enough time.” You scratched the side of your cheek, looking away.

“Nonsense,” Satan huffed. “Lucifer didn’t give us the exact time, did he?” his smile turned into half smirk. “Let’s go. If you want to go, I don’t see a reason why we shouldn’t.”

Your eyes welled up and you nodded. “Okay…” you choked and Satan’s eyes widened. “I’m okay. I’m just… Thank you, Satan.”

Without another word spoken, the two of you went on the first bus available to your hometown. The ride surprisingly wasn’t as boring as Satan thought it would be. The two of you talked—well you were the one mostly talking, but he didn’t mind it. Not when he could see your eyes lit up as you passed the houses and towns. It was an interesting experience that Satan wanted to do more than once. Although his gaze was focused mostly on you, he didn’t miss places either.

Yet there was one thing he realized. Despite the twinkle in your eyes, the closer you were getting, the quieter you were becoming. He wondered what was the cause, the problem.

He remembered when you stepped off the bus and looked around. There wasn’t anyone at the station, which seemed to be the usual as you weren’t bothered by it. He followed you upstairs, passing by a bar that played music. People outside, drinking and talking, some just passing by. You didn’t spare them a glance as your pace slightly quickened instead. You passed by a building that Satan realized was actually a hotel, followed by a spa and park. Children were playing outside, their parents sitting on benches or walking not too far behind.

Passing through a small forest, Satan could see a couple of deer behind a fence, eating and children wanting to pet them. He had to catch up with you when you didn’t stop.

“[Name]?” he called your name, but one look at you from the side prevented him from speaking. He followed you in silence. He managed to sneak glances around, seeing a small lake not too far away and what seemed like … a church on top of a hill, if those bells ringing were anything of a hint.

Reaching the top of a hill, Satan frowned when you almost passed the graveyard, relief washing over him for a moment, but tensed when you passed the church instead and walked towards the graveyard. He stopped, looking around, for some reason feeling uncertain. He wasn’t sure if he should follow as he was a demon of all beings, yet he still found himself standing by your side where you were kneeling. He couldn’t hide the surprise when he read the words.

Satan was certain you were talking, tears streaming down your cheeks. He heard his name being mentioned and his brothers, of Devildom and of angels. He stood there in silence, eyes focused on a gravestone of your father, as you spilled your heart out. One look at the date and he understood why you distanced yourself. No matter how many years have passed, you were still grieving. He understood why Lucifer told him to be gentle.

---

Only when the sky grew darker did you remain kneeling in silence. Your knees hurt and your throat was dry, but you didn’t mind that.

“I miss you…” you whispered and closed your eyes, seeing your father’s blurry face. You frowned, but shook your head, a silent sigh escaping your lips. Standing up, you stumbled and reached out your arms to prepare yourself for a fall only to be caught by an arm. Your eyes widened and you looked to the side, seeing Satan watching you in worry.

“Are you okay?” He asked quietly.

“Mm …” you managed to nod, unable to say anything.

With a small smile, Satan held you, one arm behind your back and the other holding your hand. “You’ve been kneeling for hours. Let me help you.”

You averted your gaze, suddenly realizing how close he was. “You know,” you began slowly, eyes falling on the graveyard; “sometimes I still think he’s here. Home.”

Satan’s hold tightened.

You felt your throat closing in on you. “H-he wasn’t perfect…” your voice grew quieter. “But he was always t-there…”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered and pulled you in a tight embrace. You held on his jacket, eyes shut. “We can stay a bit longer if you wish.”

You found yourself shaking your head. “It’s o-okay…” you murmured, finding your voice hoarse. “I talked a lot.” You chuckled and Satan followed. Pulling away, you looked into his and smiled. “Thank you.”

Caressing your cheek, the corners of Satan’s lips turned upwards in a small smile. “You have nothing to thank me for. If you wish, you can come back anytime you want. I’ll talk with Lucifer.”

You couldn’t find your words, but they weren’t needed. Embracing Satan, your shoulders shook as you gave in into your emotions.