#here’s hoping the weather lightens up soon w

[miodiodavinci]

it is very funny how in cleaning out my blog, i found a ton of old posts from around when i was originally trying to record crevan’s vcv—the majority of which were mainly just me complaining about various interruptions like dogs and gardeners and construction and loud tvs and so on

and i say it’s funny because i’m doing voicebank recording yet again, and while my current set up (read: back seat of my car surrounded by a cocoon of blankets) has thankfully freed me from most of the old sound interference concerns, i did find out today that the new set up has one critical weakness:

rain

[binniesthighs]

cherry knot | reader x ryujin

a/n: you may be thinking to yourself, ro! a gg fic?? how unlike you!! well, boy do i have news for you 😂 truthfully, i’ve always been toying with the idea of writing a lil somethin’ (esp for ryujin god i love her) so i thought why not! if this isn’t your cup of tea, that’s totally okay <3 those who do read, thank you so much for reading and i hope that ya like it hehe and let me know what you think of it! :D (thank you @dom--minnie​ for enabling me too ;) 

cherry knot | reader x ryujin 

🍒 Pairing: self insert, female reader x shin ryujin 

🍒 Genre: fluff n’ a lil bit suggestive 

🍒 Tags: friends to lovers, high school au (everyone depicted is 18+), all girls school au, high school crush!ryujin, shy!reader, confession of feelings, that good, good makin’ out, ryujin being flirty and smug as hell bc i love her, yeah this is just me gushing about shin ryujin, ro trying new things on the blog :) 

🍒 Word count: 2.9k 

🍒 CWs: mentions of food and eating reader included

The grass felt sticky and uncomfortable under your crossed legs, and when you swiped your hand against the skin, you could feel the indentation from the blades. Your knee-high socks felt itchy too; everything felt itchy. Even the cotton of your shirt felt like it was suffocating, and the bow tied around your neck which hung loosely should have hung even looser. 

To distract yourself, you plucked up the blades of green and tied them into knots absentmindedly. It was easier to pay attention to your idle hands compared to paying attention to her. 

Could she even tell that you were looking? Could she see out of the corner of her eye when she threw her cotton-candy pink hair behind her ear? Could she tell that you watched as she gulped down the lemonade and caught a glance at the peachy fuzz of her neck exposed by her collar? 

Stop looking. Stop looking. 

Your other friends tied up their hair in clips and with lazy hair ties to free their sweating necks from the sun. No matter the sweltering heat, it was always tradition for your picnic just before the summer vacation. One of them had brought a cake and each of the girls attacked it viciously with small forks and smeared bits of frosting on each other’s noses. 

“Come here!! You’re next!!” They beamed while launching themselves in your direction to dot your nose with the white cream. 

A flurry of high pitched giggles peeled out from each of you once another frosting victim had been dubbed. Your cheeks felt furiously hot knowing that she was looking; and that she was laughing along with the rest of them. 

“Awwww cute.” She adored with a smile that turned her dimples into whiskers on her cheeks. 

You quickly wiped it off with a handkerchief that settled into your damp hand.  

She’s looking, she’s looking…

The other girls pranced around the checkered picnic blanket in their white socks--undoubtedly painting them with green that their mothers would scold them for later. Their careless steps made a mess of the food wrappers and canvas backpacks that held down the corners of the thin fabric. The joyous cheers of the girls seemed to harmonize with the song of the cicadas in the trees; both sounds reminded you of the coming of the summer and the humid weather that makes the air dense. 

One of the girls brought out her phone and played loudly from it one of her favorite songs which she knew every word too, regardless of the fact that her tone was far from the singer’s. 

You and your friends never cared much for how others would view you. Even at school when you would march through the hallways arm-and-arm, others would stare at the way that none of you batted an eye at those who would glare. 

They were just jealous was all. 

“Be careful!!” You found yourself scolding, “What if you fall running around like that?” 

In response, your friends promptly stuck out their tongues in your general direction. 

“Don’t worry about it,” Ryujin coolly popped another cherry into her mouth from the bowl by her crossed legs. “If they fall, let them! It's funnier that way.” 

She threw a wink right at you, which you almost didn’t catch because you had quickly averted your eyes to become much more interested in the tiny tea-cakes. 

“You’re always worrying Y/n! Its summer!”

“I-I do not.” 

Ryujin chuckled in that way that always made you feel like your heart was just about ready to leap out of your chest. 

“Lighten up! Come on!” 

Before you could process it all, your friend patted down the wrinkles in her skirt and threw off her shoes. She rose, and neared your corner of the blanket with hands outstretched. 

“Stop worrying about things or if people are watching!” She scolded you with a cute and tiny pout, “Get up!” Ryujin wriggled her hands with emphasis to show you that you could take hold of them. 

“W-what…?” 

The other girls giggled on, hardly even noticing the two of you over their singing. 

You grabbed onto her hands, already loathing how damp your own felt against hers out of your own nervousness. She still held onto you tightly, saying nothing of them and helped you to your feet. Immediately she brightened once you played along and started to swing your arms in tune with the song. Your friend lip synced to the rap part and you felt just about ready to swoon from how cool she looked saying the words with ease. 

“Dance with me!! Don’t pay attention to people walking by or anything like that!” 

Ryunjin led you by the hand to the patch of grass with little white and pink flowers laced into it. You really did try to pay attention to dancing, but everything else seemed to be distracting even when you tried hard enough. She brought your hand up higher to spin her, and when she twisted, everything seemed to happen in slow motion: the billow of her plaid shirt, her rosy-pink hair which swiped just at her shoulders, even the way that the sunset melted behind her into swirls of sunburst yellow and vibrant orange. It was like she was all a part of it. 

“Your turn!” She said, twisting you too. 

You didn’t realize that you would have been as dizzied by it as you were, but when you lost your footing, she was just as quick to help you with her hands carefully grasped onto your shoulders. 

“You okay?” Ryujin asked, out of breath, but still genuine. 

“I’m fine!” 

Your knees wobbled with barely any strength to them, but you mustered every bit of confidence that you had to keep being this close to her. You surprised yourself when you reached back for her hands to continue swinging them between you. 

The other girls collapsed back onto the blanket in a pile of shallow exhales and airy laughs that they exchanged between them. 

“No more dancing, I-I can’t do any more…” One of them announced while leaning against the shoulder of another one of your friends. 

“I forgot! I brought this!!” One of your friends with pigtail braids dove deeply into her backpack and pulled out nearly all of the contents before finding the small cube-case which was decorated with an obscene amount of keychains. “My camera! We have to take some pictures so that we can remember this!” 

The other girls squealed in agreement and ganged up on her to fit into the frame of the white Polaroid camera that she had also splattered with stickers. 

“Here, I wanna show you something.” Ryujin drew your attention back to the blanket where she settled back down with her own bag draped over her legs. 

“What is it?” 

“Ryujinnie! I wanna take your picture too! Your pink hair is so pretty…” One of your friends cooed with a sad downturn to her lips, “I hope that you never change it.” 

“Hmm, I don’t know. We’ll see. My cousin has been saying that she wants to see what I would look like blonde these days.” 

The small talk didn’t concern you too much, you were more concerned with what it was that your friend had to show you. 

“I’m going on a trip with my cousins soon so we’ll see what happens.” 

Your friend sighed, and skipped over the mess of the blanket to pull Ryujin by the wrist to the walkway a little farther off. “You’d look so cute over here!” 

She pardoned her, and stumbled after the eager girl to let her take a Polaroid of her. Even from far away, you could still hear the two of them admire the picture with happy little expressions of “ah! I told you that it would look good!” 

The two girls returned, and you began to worry if your friend even remembered what she had said in the first place. 

What is it? What does she want to show me? 

“Shoot!!” Another one of your friends huffed out while looking at her phone, “I forgot that I have to tutor the middle schoolers today!! I’m late!!” 

The girls went to action in a mere matter of seconds sweeping up the picnic assortment and shoving the leftovers into their backpacks. 

You helped them and tried to look over to your other friend who didn’t return your glances. Perhaps she really had forgotten. 

You let your imagination run wild for just a few moments, although the more that you did, the more it all just seemed preposterous. Maybe it was a confession letter, maybe she had written for you one of those poems like she had liked to do, maybe she had rather wanted to talk to you about something...say something that you wanted to say back…

“I’m going to stick around.” Ryunjin said suddenly with her hands on her hips. “Y/n, you’re welcome to stay too if you want. We don’t exactly have to go home yet since the sun’s still up.” 

Your friends looked to you for your answer, to which you stammered out an, “O-okay…” The best that you could. 

“See you later!!” They called after with their shoes only half-slid onto their feet. 

You waved them off, but the farther that they walked away, the more the realization started to hit you that you were alone with her. The sound of your heartbeat echoed in your ears, and you calmed it trying to think about anything else but the fact that now her attention was truly undivided upon you. 

“You said that you wanted to show me something?” 

Your friend nodded, and patted the grass beside her for you to join her. She gathered up the small bundle of cherries left behind and positioned them into her lap. 

“I learned this trick a little bit ago and I wanted to show you!” 

“A trick?” 

She nodded, and plucked from one of the crimson berries a stem which she put directly into her mouth. 

“What are you doing?!” On the surface, it didn’t seem like the most sanitary thing to do. 

Ryunjin stifled a laugh and lightly hit you on the arm to chastise you. “Just wait a minute!” 

You watched in your confusion as her face contorted a little, and her eyebrows twisted like she was thinking. Her cheeks puffed a little too, and you could tell that she was doing something with it in her mouth--it was only then when you realized that you had been intensely observing her mouth. 

In your embarrassment you threw your eyes in the other direction, but it was no use one you heard her start to giggle at how flustered you had become. 

“It’s okay, you’re supposed to look.” She assured you. 

“What-what is it?” 

“Annnnd done!” Your friend proclaimed proudly and you struggled to meet her again without feeling like your whole face and the tips of your ears were burning up. 

Right on the pink of her tongue she had tied the stem into a tiny knot which she displayed proudly. 

“You...did that with your tongue?” 

“Mm-hm!” 

Your hands reduced back to their clammy state, and they found the grass between your own folded legs to find something to do. 

“That's...that’s pretty cool…” 

“I know right?!” 

Back came your friend's little dimples, and this time your chest started to feel like it was swelling with heat. 

Stop looking, stop looking…

“I can teach you how to do it some day if you’d like.” Ryujin’s tone dropped lower, and more serious in the way that some had thought to be intimidating. To you, there was nothing more that could make you feel the beat of your own heart more obviously. 

“Teach me? How??” 

The question felt like a butterfly in your lips, fluttering and ticklish, light and uncertain. You met her eyes the best you could; even though you knew that there was nothing about her that you didn’t already know, or that was threatening. 

Your friend tilted her head, inspecting you and the way that you could barely keep your glance away from her lips--stained just a little red from the cherries--then smiled. 

“W-what? What is it? Why are you smiling?” 

She sighed, and craned forward on one of her hands in the grass, bridging the distance between the two of you to caress down the side of your face, all the way to your jaw with the back of her fingers. 

“You’re just too cute.” 

“Hm?” Your chest threw itself up and down, and you could thinly feel the breath that tried to fill your lungs when she was this close. 

“I just can’t handle it any more.” 

“Me?” 

Ryunjin nodded, softening her eyes until they were nearly closed, and rid the two of you of all space, leaning over just so you could feel the weight of her chest nearly pressing into yours. At first, she placed the lightest of kisses into you, so light that it barely brushed against your lips, but merely imprinted upon them. She leaned back, leaving you with the ghost of a feeling of her upon you. It felt a bit unfair how fleeting it was, and how she looked at you like that: smug as ever, but as blissful as she always was. 

Your breaths tried to make sense of it all, if it had just happened, and what to think of it. As quick as it was, all you could want was to feel it again. 

“Ryu--” 

She cradled both sides of your face in hers, leaning in with more fervor and parting your lips with hers, leaving you to squeak from the sudden movement. You couldn’t figure out how to kiss back at first, or if you should hold her too. Your head felt like it was spinning in circles from your disbelief when you could taste the tiny tang of the sweet and sour cherries which lingered on her lips. She rubbed her thumbs into your cheeks, and angled you better to let her growing smile paint your own mouth from corner to corner. 

At last, you were able to find a rhythm which suited you, and you kissed her right back. She giggled at your stroke of confidence and the vibrations made your whole body tingle. Your feet had surely fallen asleep where you had folded them beside you, but the numb feeling of them dissolved once her hands fell to your shoulder where she held to you tightly. The pressure from the tips of her fingers made you shiver, and you too smoothed down the pink shine of her hair. 

The warm and ticklish feeling of her tongue grazed your lower lip where she changed her approach and deepened her kiss. The heat of tongues finally met in the middle testing and learning more of the other the closer that you became, and tiny airy gasps got stuck between both of your curiosity. In your lap, her hands found yours and they laced together and held tight; each digit wrapping the other and becoming one with the eagerness of her thumb rubbing little circles into the squishy parts of your hand. 

After the heat of your passion started to melt, you found yourself hiding your giddy laughter the best you could once she started to peck at your lips over and over until you felt like she had kissed you so close to the brim that you would overflow. 

“I said that you’re cute and I mean it!” She snuck the phrase in between a couple more kisses, eliciting you to fold up in your giddy embarrassment from the compliment. 

Ryunjin pulled away, and popped another cherry into her mouth from the bundle, then threw her arms around your shoulders. You simply let your hands rest in her lap covered by the plaid of her skirt; shaking from the release of the endorphins and the adrenaline. 

“Ryujin...I wanted to tell you that I’ve had a crush on you for a...really long time…” You shied, but she brought your chin back to look at her directly. 

“Good. Me too.” 

You couldn’t even process the combination of her words for them to make sense. White noise filled your ears, even though it should have been obvious from the way that she had kissed you like that. 

“Oh! Here. I wanted to give this to you too. Something to remember me by.” 

She reached for her bag, and pulled out a white-out pen from the front pocket. The Polaroid had faded into its full color, and she focused with her tongue peeking from her mouth as she wrote the message: 

see you soon <3 

- ryujinnie 

Over her head in the picture, she doodled a few hearts, then she blew on the ink to dry it. 

“For you!” 

You took the picture with your hands still thoroughly shaking, and all you could utter was a “thanks” while you took in your friend looking as gorgeous as she always was. You knew then that you would treasure the image forever, and the day which it was taken. 

“Who knows,” Ryujin started, and let her head fall to your shoulder where she nuzzled in, “This might be the last that you’ll see of my pink hair too.” 

You turned the picture over, already sensing how it made your heart feel like it was aching sticky and sweet, just like the cherries. 

~🌹~

Bunch of (Ro)ses! 

@minaamhh @dazzlehoseok @synnocence @jjewibeans @hyunsluvv @unexceptional-h @bobawithchaitea @lechanters @sailorhyunjinz @silencefavarchive @lunarskzzz  @yourdaddychan @bubblelixie @spnobsessedmemes @cherrychngkyn @iwanttobangchan @dom--minnie @waterthemoon @pastelracha @mistakensilence @hotgorloikawa @bowlofblueberries @lmhmins @eunaeiekim 

[sohin-ace]

Jolyne - No Ordinary Girl

Mermaid Y/N x Surfer Jolyne

Today was a particularly fitting day to go to the beach. Jotaro had taken Jolyne, Hermes and Foo Fighters to the shore. He mostly went for some observation and the girls decided they would take advantage of the nice weather for some surfing.

It was not long after they arrived and started installing themselves that Jolyne and Hermes' eyes fell into very familiar faces.

Annasui, upon seeing the group, walked towards the girls with a confident stance, making sure his long hair was flowing in the wind.

"Oh look who we have here. The ladies victory." Annasui exclaimed, before completely falling heart-eyed, his voice and tone softening, dreamy even, at the sight of his object of worship. "Hi Jolyne~"

"Oh! Weather Report's there! Hi Weas!" Jolyne called out to the older man arranging a parasol a few feet behind, her completely ignoring the pink haired-male that seemed to have come with him. He waved shortly at Jolyne in response.

"Anyways, what are you guys up to?" Hermes asked, sipping on some lime flavored granita.

"Well, as you can see..." He pointed at the ocean, "We just wanted to take a day to work out a bit, but the waves are real nice today."

He leaned in not so subtly towards Jolyne, despite Hermes' evident judging gaze.

"But you know what else is real nice today?" He brought his hand up to cup Jolyne's chin, but before he could even say or do anything, Jolyne leaned away and pointed behind him.

"Oh wow! My dad's coming back with drinks!" She called nonchalantly, looking behind Annasui like he was more transparent than air itself.

"...! DRINKS?! DRINKS!!" Foo Fighter gasped, pushing the feminine man off to the side with such force, he fell and slid against the sand.

"Hey, Jojo," Hermes tapped her friend's shoulder, "Let's show these pendejos how girls ride waves."

The Asian American smirked, eager to show who's boss and always ready to follow on her best friend's mischief. "I'm racing you then."

"Pfft, I won't go easy girlfriend." The Mexican cracked her knuckles and grabbed her plank.

After surfing for long enough and being outran by Jolyne's stamina, Hermes decided to go back and sunbathe next to F.F's who was playing cutely with sand.

Jolyne glided full speed over the water, the wind and droplets of salty water refreshing her skin. More than competition, Jolyne loved the acceleration, the adrenaline, the sweet fresh air through her long hair. When she was surfing, Jolyne's heart lightened up and her mind purged of any negative thoughts, anxiety, fears.

She was at peace.

Before she could enjoy the sweet taste of her peace of mind though, she caught up to a blond surfer in front of her who she recognized as she got closer. Oh god, not him of all people.

"Oh, hey! Isn't that the sexiest surfer in all Miami?" Romeo teased, admiring the girl who gained up on him, "Not bad, look at you go! Who knew my little Jojo would be so talented, hot damn!"

Jolyne frowned and clicked her tongue. She swore if she wasn't so focused on staying in balance, she would drown him on the spot. He laughed obnoxiously, satisfied with being a disgusting excuse of a human.

"Romeo, I swear to fuckin-"

Before she could even finish her sentence, something, a gigantic fish tail appeared out of the wave and flicked itself right accross the blonde, slapping him off of his plank with a painful sound.

"HUAARGHH-" He screamed before crashing into the water with the splash and disappearing behind Jolyne.

"O-OH MY GOD!" She gasped, both surprised by the sudden turn of events, and incredibly scared for her life, thinking some kind of hostile shark was in the shore currently, which was to report immediately.

The moment she decided to take a turn and leave as fast as she could, warning the others to get the hell out of here, a shadowy form within the water followed her along the wave.

Foolishly curious, Jolyne looked at it, not without her heart hammering in her chest at the potential danger she was facing.

What she saw was not a sight she'd have ever expected to ever see in all her 19 years. Her legs shook at the shock and she almost completely fell over her board.

Gliding along the water right next to her, right inside the tall wave, was the figure of... a girl.

Or was it a girl? It couldn't be. She looked human at first glance, but the more Jolyne's gaze moved sideways she noticed the long and impressive fish tail replacing what were supposed to be legs.

Jolyne's jaw felt slack. She felt like she was hallucinating. Believe it or not, she had not smoked or taken any recreative substances beforehand, but she truly wished she had because that would have at least explained what her eyes were showing her.

The girl swimming and following her only smiled, waving cutely with webbed hands, as if amused by Jolyne's disbelieving reaction and wide eyes.

"W-w-w.... What the fuck..???" Jolyne finally spoke after rebooting her entire brain, "No fucking way-...! A mermaid??!! A real one??!"

Like a bad trick from fate, the wave Jolyne was trying her hardest to not get swallowed by, seemed to grow weaker and weaker, shortening in size.

Jolyne saw the mermaid slowly retreat away in an elegant swim, her form vanishing into the deep blue.

"Wait, no!" The surfer called, almost desperate to have such a mystical meeting and ethereal moment be so short lived.

She reached her hand out to the creature, unsure of what she was even trying to do, but the force of the current got the best of her, and Jolyne lost balance, falling forward with nothing to hang onto for purchase.

Jolyne splashed onto the water and the wave died with her hope of ever living such a dream again.

"Ooohh dang it! You were almost there!" Hermes called out from the shore, her voice booming enough for Jolyne to hear as she broke into the surface.

"Fuck...." Jolyne cursed, hanging onto her board.

She felt defeated. Not because she couldn't ride that wave to the very end as she was expected to with her skill level, but rather because she couldn't immortalize that beautiful moment.

She blankly climbed onto her board again and barely even paddled her way back to land, too out of it to do so.

Was that even real? That had to be, right? She saw the mermaid. She saw her hair, her skin tone shined-on by the sun. She saw the scales over her skin, the fins along her arms and tail.

She saw her attack Romeo, he must have seen her too, Jolyne pondered.

"Aaah the champion is back!" F.F cheered as Jolyne finally walked back, drenched and with her plank under one arm. "I made a sandcastle for our ocean queen!"

"Thanks Foo..." Jolyne's small smile didn't not match her quiet tone.

"Hey, what's up, chula ? You look like you've seen a ghost, or something? You did great back there, so why the long face?" Hermes fixed the straps of Jolyne's bikini top and removed some seaweeds from her hair.

"It's just... I saw something weird it the water and I don't know..." Jolyne hesitated, "Maybe I was dreaming or something."

"Hum..." Hermes hummed in thought. "What do you think Féfé?"

"Maybe Mr. Jotaro can answer if you saw an animal? Damn, I'm thirsty." F.F stuck her tongue out, clearly expressing her thirst.

"Dude, there's water litterally everywhere here." The mexican grimaced before turning back to Jolyne. "But yeah, maybe you should ask your dad if that worries you so much."

"Uhh..."

Jolyne looked towards her father who was crouching somewhere next to some rocks, taking notes about mollusks, or so Jolyne guessed.

"Yeah, maybe not. It's fine though, no big deal." She smiled, waving her hand in dismissal.

Shrugging it all off, the girls decided to join Weather Report and Jotaro who brought food to finish the day at the beach with a relaxing touch.

And so, the day ended with an uncanny normalcy for Jolyne, who kept thinking more and more as the sun set, that it all had been in her mind. Mermaids didn't exist. It was probably a Stand user playing tricks on her.

That what she wanted to believe. When she thought of all the events that would follow, she truly wished she had spoken to her father about it. After all, if he had fought a very real vampire, then there would be no doubt that something as crazy as a mermaid could exist in her bizarre adventure.

Jolyne came back to the beach that same week. Alone, this time. She was careful to come by the time the sun started to lower in the sky and the temperature of the water and air dropped, knowing tourists and athletes would be gone by this time.

'What now?' She thought. Coming back out of sheer curiosity was a thing, but making sure she could attract the creature back to her was something else.

"Should I bring food? What do mermaids even eat? Does she like hot dogs...?" Jolyne thought out loud, looking around, secretly glad no one was here to hear her talk mad nonsense to herself like some insane crackhead.

She approached the water and drenched her feet in the small rocking waves, coming and going her way and gently splashing her. She hesitated for a moment, remembering that along with the legend of mermaids came the fact that these creatures were known to attract and enchant humans by their beauty, leading them to their inevitable death.

So maybe, Jolyne accepted, she was destined to die in the ocean.

Just as she came hip-deep into the sea, she felt a strange current shaking her legs, almost knocking her out of balance.

Before she could even process how strange it felt, she looked down into the clear water and saw no less than the same huge colorful fish tail she had seen that very day.

She gasped in realization and soon enough screamed as she felt calloused hands grab her thighs, the creature pushing herself out of the water to be met face to face with the human who had been, unbeknownst to Jolyne, her newfound fixation.

"Y-WHAAAAAHH!!!" Jolyne hollered, not expecting such a strong and surprising appearance.

The mermaid still halfway into the water, climbed and gripped up the girl's hips for leverage. She looked up at Jolyne's face, smiling wide and eyes glinting in both adoration and mischief.

"Greetings."

"HOLY CRAP-" Jolyne's voice cracked, "I mean- fuck yes! I mean-..."

Poor Jojo was completely out of it. But who could blame her, though? It was not everyday that one got to meet a real mermaid in the flesh. And certainly not such a handsy one.

She cleared her throat and mustered her most suave voice, pretending she wasn't completely flustered by the sheer beauty before her.

"Hi."

"I knew you'd come back..." The mermaid spoke, her voice almost ethereal and distant, "They always do."

Jolyne's heart wanted to stop. God, she felt burning hot and was sweating everywhere. Her voice stilled Jolyne to place in a way she couldn't explain. The legendary creature was so impossibly close to her, bodies almost touching.

She noticed she couldn't stay up overwater any other way than using Jolyne's lean body for leverage, her heavy tail anchoring her down. But the warm proximity between them and the sight of such a beautiful, rare and mystical creature right under her chest felt unreal and exciting.

Jolyne wanted to look her over for hours. Her hair texture, drenched and flowy, her skin tone glowing like gold, her holographic scales and fins shining like crazy diamonds.

"Why... Why did you...? Of all people...?" Jolyne questionned, now wondering if their first meeting in that wave was really a trick of fate, or if she was chosen in any way. "You attacked Romeo, yet you showed up to me... Why me?"

"I like beautiful humans." The mermaid smiled, her radiant features and smooth voice making Jolyne's legs weak, "You're beautiful."

The young surfer couldn't help her heart shaking and the wave of warmth spreading through her chest. If it was anyone else, she would boast her obvious beauty or maybe flip them off. But now she couldn't. Being complimented by a mythical being that was already the most gorgeous thing Jolyne had ever witnessed was truly something else

"What's your name?" Jolyne started.

"Call me Y/N."

Y/N, Jolyne's mind echoed. Cute. Even mermaids had names, she thought before realising that may be a very stupid thought to have. She didn't really know what else to expect.

"I uh, I'm Jolyne..." She looked down into the water, somewhat not daring to look at Y/N's adorable curious and sensual gaze. Oh god that was bad, she was entrancing.

"Not to be gay but...You look cute. Hot even. Can I say that? That's not weird, right? Since ya know... You're not exactly human, but you're not an animal either, like... I'm not gonna get arrested for this... I hope..."

"I'm not too familiar with human tongue, but I think Ms.Jolyne looks really pretty as well." Y/N moved to wrap an arm around Jolyne's waist, gripping her for better leverage and pointing at her chest, right in her reach. "Healthy mammals, great for feeding the young."

"Mammals...? Oh! You mean my boobs?" Jolyne glanced at her modest chest before grinning at the creature, "Aw thanks! Finally someone who likes them who's not some degenerate creep!"

Jolyne's chuckle died down and she finally took the time to look over Y/N's face. She ran a cold hand over her much warmer cheek, gliding it down to her gilled neck, mesmerized by her anatomy.

It truly was a one-in-a-lifetime meeting. Jolyne was slowly comprehending her luck to be met with a legendary sea creature like her. And a friendly one, at that.

How could this be even real? Our human knew that even though she was feeling relatively serene at the moment, the adrenaline would come down later and she would most likely cry herself to sleep.

"Hey uhm..." Jolyne was at a loss for words. There were so many things to say, but at the same time, she couldn't speak a word.

"Hm?" Y/N hummed and closed her eyes, enjoying the human's gentle touches.

Merfolks would express themselves via physical ministrations the most in the ocean, but she knew well a lot of humans did not share intimacies, or at least not before building a certain bond.

Glad that Jolyne was open to it, the sea-bound girl squeezed both her arms around the human's waist lovingly, forcing endearment on Jolyne, who felt her own heart tighten at the sweet and adorable embrace. The girls wanted to keep each other.

"Will we see each other again? I mean, I know you shouldn't be noticed by the public for your safety, but I don't know... Guess I took a liking to you or something." Jolyne mumbled, still resting her hands mindlessly around the creature's shoulders, fiddling with the ridges of her dorsal fin.

Y/N smiled, a smile that looked empty on her fish eyes, but sincere regardless. She let go of Jolyne who couldn't quite take her own hands off of her, clinging a little bit longer.

"Don't you know this, Ms. Jolyne? When human women die in the ocean, they relive as our kind."

"What? Really?" Jolyne let the mermaid get away slowly, ready to swim off to some unknown destination.

"If you want to see me again," Y/N called out cutely, waving her webbed hand like the very first time she saw Jolyne surfing, "Then perish in the ocean!"

She grinned, diving into the deep blue and splashing her tall tail strongly, giving herself a boost of speed, and disappearing away.

Jolyne could only stare into the horizon, darkening as the night arrived, stunned into place.

"...Ok, that was metal as fuck..."

H2O Just Add Water opening, but with Jolyne, Hermes and F.F

[angelguk]

Omg pleaseee write the jock jk playboy bunny costume idea u had 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼😩😩💗💗

lemme do a quick little thing 4 u :)

featuring: oc and jk being dumb lovers, chayoung  (the female lead from vincenzo) as seed of doubt, anniversaries and a playboy bunny costume. somewhat mature towards the end but only because jk see's sexy gf and cannot help himself.

This is a stupid idea, so incredibly stupid that you're considering jumping out of the bathroom window right now. A four-storey jump may result in various injuries (or potentially death) but it would be a far more welcomed out come than leaving Jeongguk's bathroom in this stupid costume.

You don't know why you bothered to listen to Chayoung's drunken blabbering. The moment you'd mentioned your upcoming one-year anniversary she's launched into a spiel about how young love never lasts, or how the roots for future foreboding break-ups were planted during the first anniversary. Her words sowed a dangerous seed in your head, one that was nurtured by Jeongguk's sudden distance. You could tell he was stressed, weighed down by the daunting options before him. Coach wanted to push him to try for the national leagues, his parents wanted him to take a step back and focus on his degree, and Jeongguk, after one quiet evening at yours, had confessed he didn't know what he wanted at all. It hurt to see him like this, usually such a sure and confident soul suddenly staggering and lost. But what could you do apart from hold his hand as he walked forward and help him up when he fell? There was nothing else you could offer, you knew his parents and their concerns were sensible but those same concerns made Jeongguk wonder if they ever believed in him in the first place.

So maybe that's why you're doing this, in hopes of rekindling a spark you feel dying and taking Jeongguk's mind away from everything that burdened him – just for one night.

It's oddly quiet in his room. You'd scuttled right into the bathroom the moment you'd picked him up from practise, complaining that you needed to shower before you commenced your usual shared evenings. Jeongguk had just nodded, quiet and mulling, his eyes absent. It had made something twist in your gut. The whole entire day, from the moment you woke up to right now Jeongguk had not mentioned one thing about your anniversary – not even a text or a bouquet no matter how subtly you hinted. It hurt, but it was proof Chayoung was right. And perhaps the only think that could fix this ship before it sunk was her stupid, stupid idea.

You can only stare at yourself in brief swift glances, grimacing every time you catch the reflection of those white ears standing at attention on top of your head. The fluffy tail attached to the back of the costume was making your butt itch too. Even with those criticisms you knew deep down that you looked good... Surprisingly so. The body of the costume was black satin, shimmering under the luminescence of the bathroom lights. It fit perfect over each curve and roll, hugging your waist just right. Coupled with a pair of fishnets and the fact that your boobs looked exceptionally great today (perks of ovulating) you were a sight to behold.

So even if Chayoung is irritating as hell you had to give some props to her.

"Y/N?" The knock that follows it startles you, sending you lurching forward hard enough that your hip bangs against the counter-top.

"Y-yes?"

"Are you okay?" He sounds tired through the wood, weathered away despite his concerns.

"Hmm? Yes, I'm good–I'm good. Just give me a sec."

A pause, you hope you locked the door because normally Jeongguk would have barged in not bothering to knock.

"Okay. Hurry up though I'm hungry and I ordered food. It's here and if you don't come out I'll eat it all."

"Already? It's here?" God, how are you going to disrupt Jeongguk's chicken nights with a playboy bunny costume?

He makes a noncommittal noise. "Yep. So hurry, I'll really eat all of this if you don't come out soon."

The handle burns your palm when you finally grip it, tummy swimming like you've chugged a series of vodka shots. Jeongguk should like this, right? He calls you bunny all the time, even Chayoung had noticed it (hence the horrifying costume you were currently donning). So wouldn’t he like it? And it was a cute little anniversary surprise, at least you were doing something unlike Jeongguk.

You take in one deep last breath, heart pounding in your head, before you twist and handle and swing the door open, a forced sneaky smile slipping onto your lips.

It falls right off the moment your eyes land on Jeongguk's bedroom.

Either he's the fucking Flash or you've been camped in the bathroom for too long because somehow he's managed to turn his messy room into a perfect romantic dinner spot. He's got the lights turned on to a low rouge, lit candles scattered around the place (which is a fire hazard but the warmth blossoming in your heart is ignoring that), a couple cushions on the floor flanking a heart shaped picnic basket where you dinner presumably resides. And then you glance down, something bright bursting in your chest when you see the red petals lining your path from the bathroom right to the picnic set up.

His back is turned to you, his phone in hand which he abruptly presses on. A melody fills the room a moment later, the song low and familiar. You know that song, that's your song.

Jeon Jeongguk will be the death of you.

"Now if–fucking hell." Jeongguk turns before you can stop him, the grin on his lips evaporating when his gaze lands on you

Oh. Oh. You wilt in a second, floundering against the bathroom door frame in a attempt to hide you bare (and bunny costume covered) body.

The silence that follows is unbearable, sinking deep into your gut as guilt rises to the surface. Jeongguk planned all of this and all you did was wear a stupid sexy costume.

"I–" You start, but his brain must of started working at the same time as yours because he catches that sentence with his own statement.

"You–" It's coated with disbelief, and your tongue gets caught in your throat when he exhales heavily, head falling into his hand. You watch with a sore heart as his fingers comb through the loose chestnut curls, tugging and yanking at his scalp as if his brain was falling to pieces.

"Jeongguk," you finally murmur, meekly padding forward, the shame you feel eating you inside out. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin this. I'll change just give me a second."

His head snaps up when you say that, gaze sharp, almost terrifying as he surveys. "Why should you change?"

"W-what?"

"I said," he rises then, slowly moving forward as if not to startle you, his eyes never straying from your body. "Why should you change?"

"Because I look dumb," you return. "And I ruined your great anniversary surprise with my stupid one."

You only notice it then, how his jaw ticks, his head tilting to the side slow. Like he's holding himself back.

"You think you look dumb?" The question itself is innocent but the tone Jeongguk delivers it in is not. You can feel the words in your throat clumping together the longer he looks at you like that, his doe eyes different – dark and spilling with something that has you quivering, your eyes shifting away.

"Answer my question." A firm but gentle hand on your chin, guiding your gaze back to his.

"Yes." It's silent in his room, the low hum of the song bleeding into the thumping of your heart against your ribs.

"Why would my baby look dumb wearing a bunny costume? Huh? It's fitting actually, since you are my bunny."

"Yeah," you try and lighten it was a small laugh, noting the way Jeongguk is staring at your lips. "But this was dumb anniversary surprise. Yours is much better."

You see it click in his head then, like he wasn't hearing a single word you were saying before.

"You did this for me?" Jeongguk questions, eyes dipping to your chest.

"Obviously, who else would I do this for."

"No–I meant, this, this is for me? This was meant to be a surprise for me?"

"Yes," you repeat. "I'd do anything for you. Now let me take this silly thing off so we can have dinner first." You twist away then, but Jeongguk snatches you right back, your frame colliding with his solid chest, firm massive arms holding you in place. The squeak that erupts from your lips lands into tight air, a sudden tension thrumming in your veins. Jeongguk's hard against your ass, erection grazing the downy tail attached to the base of the costume. There's a palm placed steady around your neck, trapping you against his while his other hand idly explores, sparking little fires along your skin as it journeys from your chest down to your stomach before settling right between your thighs.

There's nothing in your head except how massive he feels behind you, wandering hand gentle but eager a certain roughness appearing when his lithe fingers press through the fabric, toying with your clothed clit. It's a promise for what's to come, judging by the quiet groan that melts into your skin from his throat as his hips buck into you.

"You don't know what you do to me do you?" It's whispered softly, mimicking the ginger kiss he places on your hollow of your throat.

If you could think sensible words you would speak but right now everything is loud and roaring and words feel to heavy for your tongue. So you hum instead, whimpering when his fingertips circle your clit.

You can feel the smile on his lips. Hear it in what he says next.

"I should show you then, shouldn't I?"

[pascalpanic]

Caffeine Rush: Chapter Six / Frappe

W/C: 2.9k

Warnings: language, kissing, pining lol. this is pretty fluffy before things become... decidedly unfluffy! oh Javi’s got dirty thoughts here too

A/N: HI! Thank you thank you @sanchosammy for the idea for this date :) and thank you to my pals for editing and reading for me!!

previous chapter || next chapter || masterlist

iced beverage that has been shaken, blended or beaten. It is served cold, often with whipped cream and toppings.

Javier is not a man extremely accustomed to cold temperatures. Most of his life has been spent in Laredo, Texas, or Colombia, both places known for their heat. Snow is a luxury, something to get excited about. Meanwhile, in D.C., the slushy cold is all too common and annoying.

The falling snow enchants Javier. You’ve noticed this, watched the way his eyes glimmer as the dense flakes drift from the clouds to land on your head or jacket or his own hands. He brings his dark jacket sleeve close to his face to admire the unique little crystals, only to melt it with his warm breath seconds later. Javier is a stoic man, generally stone-faced and tense. The little wonder behind his eyes melts your heart.

You told him you loved him two days ago, when you sped away from that fancy bar Javier would never return to again. You meant it, you think. You look at the man and it makes your heart race, makes you melt just like a snowflake under his warmth. You love him.

You’ve always been quick to fall in love. It’s never taken long, but it’s never happened so quickly. You suppose the process was helped along by the many hours of close proximity. It reminds you of one term you’d studied so hard in Psych 101- the mere exposure effect. It’s a simple concept, one you’ve seen mirrored many times in your life and are now living: the more one is exposed to a certain stimulus (in this case, Javier), the more you like it. It’s that easy. Human beings love familiarity, and something about Javi simply feels like you’ve known him your whole life.

Javier leans against your windowsill, staring through the frosted glass. Your plants look shrunken, the cold radiating from the glass into their roots. You’ll have to change that pretty soon, but now you just admire him.

As always, his mustache is neatly trimmed. His hair is a little messy, slept in and wavy. He wears a t-shirt and jeans, slung low over his hips without a belt. You sit on your couch, curled into the corner with a blanket draped across your lap. Your head rests on the arm of the sofa as you watch him, watching the snow.

He turns and looks at you after a few moments. You smile and close your eyes, enjoying the warmth of your radiator and the blanket. He takes his turn to admire you, the way you watch him with such adoration. Between the snow and your love, he never wants to go back to Colombia. He doesn’t want to go back to the loneliness, to the endless beat downs his health and brain take from hours upon hours of work. He wants this, but this isn’t him. This isn’t who Javier Peña is, is it?

He’s a new man. He’s starting over, new job, new love life, he reminds himself. He comes and sits next to you, wrapping an arm around your shoulder and kissing your temple. He can be whoever he wants, and what he wants most to become is the man you see in him. He wants to be something you love, something for you to be proud of. He wants to be better for you.

You lean against him, and he wraps both arms around you. His chest is warm and steady beneath your head, and you sigh and cuddle in closer. “Do you like the weather up here?” You ask him quietly, knowing the answer.

“I’m always hot,” he admits. “It’s nice to feel cooled down for once.”

Smiling at that, you pull your knees into your chest and fully relax against him. “I don’t want you to leave, Javi. I don’t want you to leave me.”

“We’ve got plenty of time, abejita,” he murmurs and nuzzles his face into your hair. “Three weeks or so left. Enjoy what we have now, right?”

You sigh. You’ve always been a planner, laying out the foreseeable future so that you can have something in mind, goals. Javier certainly threw a wrench in them- you didn’t expect to have someone to spend your time with, someone to be completely infatuated by. And you can’t plan what will happen when he goes back to Colombia. Will he want to put up with a long distance relationship? He’s told you about his past; he rarely went a week or less without fucking a prostitute or informant. He certainly wouldn’t want another problem on his schedule, making time for long-distance dates. And it’s a permanent job, isn’t it? He’s not coming back on a schedule. There’s too much in your head, too much fear, and it makes you bury your face into his chest. “What’s wrong?” He asks, stroking your back.

“I just… want you in my life.” You murmur, nudging your nose into his neck. “Whatever it’ll take.”

“We have time to figure that out,” he reminds you, and you sigh and give a soft nod. You just snuggle in closer and hope that his warmth and affection will take away your worries. “I do like the weather here,” he muses as he looks out at the frosty glass. “I never got snow growing up. Never in Colombia either. It’s a special thing.”

Lifting your head to look out the window, you pull the blanket tighter and rest your head on Javier’s shoulder. “I have an idea for what we can do tonight, since you like the cold.”

“Hit me.”

-

Balance is not an essential skill as a DEA agent, and therefore, Javier doesn’t have much of it. He wobbles nervously as he steps along, the blades of the ice skates holding up his feet.

“You got it,” you laugh, walking along as the blade covers press into the ground. “It’s just like wearing heels.”

“I don’t do that,” he reminds you with a frown, trying to make his way to the ice rink a few feet away.

Giggling at the way he stumbles along, you remove the guards and step onto the ice. The glide beneath your feet is familiar. You’re good on the ice, somewhat skilled at it. You do a little spin in a circle, pulling your jacket tighter around yourself. “Come on. You’ll be- no, stop,” you laugh as he tries to step on the ice with the guards on his skates. “Take those off.”

Javier balances against the edge of the rink as he removes them, leaving them on a pile of them nearby. He wobbles through the entrance of the rink, finally standing on the ice. His long legs knock together and quiver at the balance. “Good,” you smile at him. “Come skate to me.”

You’re a few yards away from him, and he continues to frown, trying to take a step forward- a rookie mistake- and slipping as he puts his skate down. He catches himself on the guard rail, cursing loudly.

It’s late at night; you’re the only ones on the outdoor rink. You’re not ashamed as your laugh rings out into the dark, the floodlights illuminating the sheet of ice. “Oh my God, you really are a beginner,” you laugh, pushing off and into a peaceful glide around the oblong shape.

“No shit,” he calls out to you, standing up straight again with both hands on the edge of the rink. “This isn’t exactly my wheelhouse.”

When you stop next to him, a cascade of snow flying out from beneath your blades, you take his hand in his. “Alright. One hand on me, one hand on the rink,” you tell him, daring to push forward just slowly enough for him to have time to react.

He pushes off, mimicking what he saw you do earlier, and the two of you glide along for a moment. “There we go, now push again, a little harder,” you tell him, and you both push along in sync, sending you floating across the ice. “You’re quiet.”

“I’m concentrating,” Javier grumbles. How the hell did you rope him into this? When you’d suggested something outdoors for tonight, he’d wholeheartedly agreed, eager to spend some time in the cold. This, however, a physical activity that doesn’t end with a gunshot or an orgasm, is not something he’s used to.

You kiss his cheek and his frown lightens, instead falling into a neutral expression of focus. His eyes stay on the ice, and you cup his chin in your hand to lift his head. “Look ahead, not down. You’ll keep tripping if you keep looking down.”

He nods at your orders, trying to focus on the boards around the rink as they approach. His legs remain shaky, but he’s doing well. “There you go,” you grin at him, letting go of his hand. With the other on the boards, he does a good job, and in hardly any time, you’ve made a full lap of the rink. You stop and he does his best to do so, though he nearly flies over. Smiling, you take his face in your hands and kiss him gently. “If you don’t like this, we can be done,” you remind him as you break away, keeping your face close to his.

Javier smiles softly at you, just enough to show the little dimple in his cheek. “I’m going to figure out how to do this if it kills me.”

“It might,” you tease, patting the ass he’s already fallen on several times. “That’s gonna hurt tomorrow,” you laugh and Javier kisses you again, one hand steadying himself on the wooden boards.

Breaking away, he kisses the tip of your freezing nose before leaning back. “I learn best by watching. Why don’t you just… do a couple of laps?” He asks.

You nod and skate backwards away from him. “Sure.” You hug your jacket tight around your body as you glide across the ice, doing a few little twirls and loops. The breeze is cold, even on your legging-covered shins.

You’re graceful on the ice, the opposite of Javier. He gives a half-smile as he watches you, admiring your grace. Those damn leggings cup your ass, showing the curve and the way it moves. God, he’s always noticed you for your beauty, but this is something else.

The bulky winter coat covers your torso, but your expression is so peaceful and free as you move, your momentum pushing your hair back as wind seems to curl around you. You look astonishing. Javier wishes he brought his camera with to capture this.

“Did you tell me to do this just to stare at my ass?” You tease from across the rink, skating forwards and looking over your shoulder at him.

“Would you be mad if I said yes?”

You laugh and cut across the rink, no longer circling the perimeter but taking the quickest route to him. “Not in the slightest,” you laugh and kiss him again. His lips are addictive, making you crave his kisses more and more the longer you go in between them. “Okay, come on, hot-shot,” you say and take his hands, pulling him out onto the ice.

Dropping your hands, Javier’s arms stick out parallel to the ground, wobbling and trying to balance. He pushes a little, remembering your advice and looking up, and sighs as he lets himself slide across the ice, his feet unintentionally pointing in then out then in again. “Look at you!” You laugh proudly, skating next to his side.

When you’re next to him, Javier takes your hand and chuckles a little in amazement at the movement. It’s like riding in a car with the windows down, the air rushing past. Your hand feels warm, even despite the cold air, and it anchors him as he picks up speed and the two of you fall into a steady rhythm.

He even dares to try skating backwards at one point. He succeeds for a moment, earning an astonished laugh from you, but it ends as one would expect: on his ass. You help him up and kiss his cheek. “Want me to kiss it better?” you flirt, smiling jokingly at him.

“Mm, I’ll pass,” he shakes his head then kisses you on the lips, his hands finding your waist. The two of you stop in the middle of the rink, kissing slowly under the bright lights of the rink.

Javier leans in a little, desperate for more, but he rocks too far forward on his skates. “Fuck, fuck!” he shouts as he loses his balance and falls forward, taking you down with him as he falls onto his knees.

“Javi!” you squeal as you fall backwards, landing on your ass this time. “Goddamnit,” you laugh as you look at him, his palms pressed to the ice on either side of you in an attempt to break his fall but not to land on you. He hovers over your body, and you can’t stop giggling with the adrenaline of the moment.

Javier’s laughing too, a genuine laugh that puts lines in his face. Such genuine laughter is rare for such a serious man, and you feel warm inside with the honor that comes along with bringing that joy to him. “You know, I do, I think so.” He looks at you in confusion. “I really do love you, Javi,” you have no choice but to admit.

He doesn’t respond. He can’t. He can’t bring himself to say it back, even if he knows deep in his heart that he would mean it if he said it. He does love you, but there’s a lump in his throat that refuses to budge.

Just a second before the silence would become awkward, he brings his face to yours and kisses you, slowly. It’s sweet and longing and he forces his emotions through it, transmits them through his lips and into yours. I love you too, abejita. Really. I just… can’t say it.

It’s alright. You can tell from the way that he kisses you that this is his way of saying it back, that he feels the same flutter in his heart when your fingers lace through each others’, when he wraps his arms around you and his arms flex tight to pull you as close as he physically can.

You stay like that for a moment, kissing, Javier hovering over you on the ice. It doesn’t last too long before you break away. “Not to ruin the moment, but this is deep-freezing my ass,” you admit with a chuckle. You get up and help him up, and the two of you take one more lap around the rink before getting off the ice.

The drive home is filled with comfortable silence, Javier driving with one hand on your thigh. He knows his way to your place by now. You don’t even have to direct him. You park on the street then walk into your apartment with him, appreciating the warmth of the building.

The little nightly routine you’ve assumed works itself out. You both get into your pajamas, readying yourself for sleep. Javier’s spent two nights on the couch and he’s fully prepared for a third when you stop him in the doorway to the bathroom, a hand flat against his chest. “Sleep with me tonight, Javi. Please.”

He’s spent the entire night admiring your ass. If you sleep in the same bed, he won’t be able to take it any longer. He shakes his head. “It’s for the best that I sleep on the couch, bee.”

The words make you frown, but the nickname makes your heart tingle. He translates it from abejita to little bee when he’s lazy, and shortens it from little bee to just bee when he’s tired. Well, you suppose you’ve worn him out tonight with the ice skating. “Please,” you beg of him, fingers finding their way to the muscle protecting his heart. “Can we at least snuggle?”

Javier sighs but gives you a tired little smile. “How can I say no to that?”

You find your way to the couch together. It starts with you both sitting up, your head resting against Javier’s shoulder as you watch the late show on the TV. As you both grow more tired, Javier begins to slump to the side, and you follow him down, fully leaning against him. Then more and more until Javier lies down on his back and pulls you on top of him.

“Mm. You’re comfy,” you hum as you lie on him, head in the curve of his neck. His skin radiates warmth, and he pulls the blanket over the two of you, too sleepy to comment back. He just kisses your temple and watches the TV with half-open eyes.

A few minutes later, his breathing slows, and you can feel his breathing switch from his nose to his mouth, his warm breath on the top of your head. He’s fallen asleep. You smile as you nuzzle in closer. The couch isn’t ideal, but you’ll take any chance you can get to fall asleep with Javier.

The late show drones on in the background, then changes to infomercials that run the course of the night. Neither of you are awake to see it, too deep in a perfect sleep, nestled in each other’s arms, Javier using you as his blanket and you using him as your pillow.

-

taglist:

@remmysbounty @mishasminion360 @blo0dangel @binarydanvvers  @sleep-tight1 @apascalrascal @randomness501 @spideysimpossiblegirl @notabotiswear @pedro-pastel @sanchosammy @lv7867 @greeneyedblondie44 @hunnambabe @astoryisaloveaffair @emesispo @pedritobalmando @magikfanatic @yooforia @oceanablue @sara-alonso @pedrosmustache @feelingmadclever @hnt-escape @radiowallet @obsessivelysearching @sugarontherims @a-court-of-feysand-and-elorcan @linnie0119 @1800-fight-me @autumnleaves1991-blog @toilet-keeper @evelynseventyr @metalarmsandmanbuns @shannababyy @sambucky21 @princess76179 @starless-eyes-remain @theorganasolo @jagi-yaaa @mrsparknuts @tacticalsparkles

[sincerelytomydearest]

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Hi hi! This is my piece for Mystic Messenger Reverse BigBang (@mysme-rbb), and also my first piece! This is also on AO3 here. This piece is paired with the wonderful artist Saia (@saiare._) on instagram!

Words: 1553

Warnings: N/A

Synopsis: Saeran and MC are hit with rain.

Saeran X MC

The cool scent of petrichor and mellow rain had made Saeran uneasy. Ray had always attributed such specific weather conditions to unforgiving pouring outside of their childhood home. Conditions which barred them from escaping, leaving the twins alone with their sole caregiver. Ray seemed to house those memories close. Saeran on the other hand had always felt that the rain was somewhat of a catharsis. He’d remembered dumb idioms V had told him, phrases he’d learned to grasp onto. Sayings such as “You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain,” and their like. Ray hung onto quotes during his time in Magenta. Drinking down the translucent, turquoise concoction of elixir, smelling the copious amounts of medication and hoping his rainbow would come soon after. Saeran tasted bittersweet, Linking Rika to the rain, and MC as the rainbow. But this time around, it was difficult to see the distinguishing features of each contradicting party.

What’s taking so long?, thought Saeran. MC had remained in the confines of the locked bathroom for all too long. In an effort to not hide anything from them, MC told Saeran she was late. And now they were here, her locked in the bathroom with a pregnancy test, and him, waiting (im) patiently for MC to give him the news.

The pair weren’t at all trying, if anything they were preventing. All four of them collectively agreed that they just weren’t ready for an addition in the family. And MC seemed to understand, knowing full and well Saeran had just narrowly escaped Mint Eye, that Saeyoung was still missing in action, and that lots of healing was to come before any sudden decisions. But Saeran knew well that they could only be so careful, tiptoeing between the lines. Saeran could only guess how Suit (as he’d come to refer to him) and Ray would react, he feared that he’d have to see them in their full glory. His fears were yet to come true.

A small rattle of the doorknob caught Saeran’s attention, silver twisting against the door. MC peeked her head out with a skittish smile gracing her porcelain face, Saeran couldn’t help but smile back. Her infectious smile never failed to adorn her lover’s lips too, he was utterly grateful for her optimism in the worst scenarios. Noticing the pink and white test in her hands, he stepped forward, a look of worry painted on his face. MC opened her palms to Saeran, showing the two pink lines. They were expecting.

…

Suit couldn’t help but react. Why? Just when things were getting good for us. His hands flew to MC’s sides, pushing her up against the wall. It hurts. Suit pressed his fingers into MC’s shoulders, nails digging into her frame.

“Sae!” MC exclaimed, unknowing of the sudden change. Warm tears began welling in his eyes, his head pounding as his body reacted on it’s own. You’re strong. We’re strong.

“Fuck MC.. I-I..God,” he managed to putter out.

Despite the display, his hands shook, arms coming to wrap around the frightened girl’s figure. MC traced her slender fingers along his own form, holding onto the alabaster fabric that scrunched at her fingertips.

“We’re going to be okay Saeran..” her words trailed as she shushed him quietly.

“I-I know we’re not ready, w-we’re far from ready. But know we’re in this together. You’re not him. You’re not her. You’re mine. No, ours alone. We have so much to work through. B-But I promise you, this isn’t bigger than us. All of us.” MC whispered as her own tears began to flow. Suit growled, head spiraling in every which way. We’re not ready for this, fuck, fuck, fuck! Suit’s hands loosened, letting go of MC’s hazel sweater. I can’t hurt her. His whitening knuckles coming to a pause as blood began to properly circulate around his hands. MC couldn’t help but let out a shaking sob, her body trembled, knowing she had put them in an immeasurable amount of pressure, pain, and general confusion.

“Saeran, I’m so sorry. W-We could’ve been more careful. But, I want you to know, I want to keep it. Y-You’re going to be an amazing father.” MC cried out with her trembling tone.

“No, MC. You’re going to be an amazing mother.” Suit finally replied, his usually gruff tone now replaced with melancholic monotone. Confused, MC pulled back, looking to face her lover. His pale face was motionless, not to mention seemingly emotionless (though MC knew his mind was running a hundred miles an hour). She could only stare at his ivory skin, pink lips brightly lit with crimson, she’d failed to notice how hard he bit his lips, or that he even was biting in the first place. Aquamarine met sepia. Suit could practically feel his pupils dilate. Meanwhile MC admired Saeran’s soft features, from the way his cheekbones protruded less, to the lightening of his dark circles which once held a monopoly upon his face. This was the face MC couldn’t help but adore.

…

A week later, and Saeran had still been struggling to face his reality. Their reality. Ray and Suit had been awfully quiet since the reveal, and Saeran had a hard time breaking through to them. But it was now or never.

“Sae, we don’t have to talk about this right now.. I mean, if y-you can’t.” MC stuttered. She was lying, she’d known this was an issue that could not wait, one that couldn’t be left to waiver, especially for weeks, let alone months, nine months to be exact. But she’d do anything to spare them from pain. Saeran on the other hand, paced the room. His eyes wandering the room, left, right, up and down.

“No MC, I have to get this out. We have to get this out.” Saeran said, stopping his disturbed pace to look MC in the eye, his own falling away quickly after just a glance. Saeran sighed out, his bated breath being expelled. MC took his milky white hand into her own, giving it a soft peck. It was their time to speak. Ray was swift to front, cheeks turning a cute shade of cherry. He sat next to MC on the dingy couch Saeyoung once resided on, raising his opposing hand towards MC’s cheek. She instantaneously reacted, leaning into the palm of his hand.

“That red head..No, S-Saeyoung and I. Our Mother, she was a monster..” Ray began as he suddenly flinched away from MC’s touch. Her heart ached, longing to reach for him and protect him from the world, but she knew he needed this.

“Everyday, that woman.. She’d left marks on me, more than physical. Everyday I still fear her, in small daily discussions or quarrels. Every raised voice, every swift hand. I see her. And I fear her. I fear her..” Ray’s voice trailed off, eyes growing glossier by the second. MC bit her lip in response,

“Ray, y-you don’t have to-”

“No Love, I do.” He cut in.

Ray placed his hands along his thighs, taking in a solid breath as a tear trickled down his cheek, meeting his neck.

“I fear those marks she’s left on me. I’m scared of being..Her. Of becoming a tyrannical parent like her. I don’t care what Suit says. I’m weak MC. I fear her imprint, I fear what she could do, to me, to you, to us, all of us.” He said as he looked towards MC’s womb.

“I need you here with me, I know I can’t do this. Not without you. There’s no one else I’d rather have this child with. With you as their Mother, I know it’ll be okay. W-We’ll be okay.” He said staring at the ground before meeting MC’s auburn gaze. His hands cautiously made contact with hers, gently intertwining before kissing her knuckles.

“We’re going to be okay.” She whispered.

…

“Come here!” Yelled out Saeyoung as he chased after the smaller redhead ahead of him, effectively scattering mud and dirt around the perimeter. She ran with all her might, giggling in between thunderous screaming.

“Never!” She screamed before running straight into Saeran.

“Oomf!” was the sound she made before turning to look up to her father. Saeran took a step back, hands coming to wrap around the nine year old before looking down at her. She grinned widely, her toothy smile melting Saeran’s previously chilly demeanor. He beamed ear to ear. He could count her missing teeth. Since when was she growing so quickly?

Saeyoung was quick to attack, pouncing onto his niece and younger twin. Consequentially bringing them all down onto the mud. Her and Saeyoung’s laughter roared, chirping as loud as the birds. After a moment of hesitation, Saeran joined in. All of them splayed along the ground, basking in the newly sprung sun.

MC strolled near the pile of redheads, carrying a sleeping five year old in her arms.

“You’re all awfully boisterous today,” she said, smiling. Saeran sat up, ruffling the boy’s brunet locks.

“Appa! Appa!��� the boy called out to his father, pointing to the sky. Saeran turned to see a faint rainbow making its way across the azure atmosphere. He couldn’t help but turn to see his family’s reaction to the magnificent phenomenon. All of their eyes twinkled.

We’re okay.

[happyandticklish]

New Beginnings

Notes: For the request by @yellowbakyura. I’m not super familiar with this ship, hence why this took so goddamn long, but I like the result! It was super interesting to write their dynamic! Thanks for sending in the request and I hope you enjoy! ^^

Summary: Masaomi tries to clear his mind and ends up running into an old friend. 

Walking the city at night was a habit Masaomi had fallen into semi-accidentally. At first, it had been to meet up with Erika and Walker, who were always up to something, regardless the time of day. After a while, he continued going out even if it was without them, enjoying the way the world quieted once the sun fell. Though Ikebukuro was never truly silent, people bustling about the city with tasks of business and pleasure at all hours of the day, there was a kind of unity that the night brought.

It was nice to know that no matter how much time had passed, Ikebukuro was Ikebukuro. A city full of people making connections and gaining heartbreaks, where each moment could be an adventure if you let it. He had always loved that chaotic atmosphere, even now, years later. It was difficult to believe he had graduated just last year. Soon, he would be off to university, an exciting new life ahead of him.

Mikado had already left for home, and Anri was off abroad, her grades landing her a soaring success of scholarships. Eventually, only Masaomi was left. He still hadn’t decided where he was going, and the clock only seemed to tick faster as he struggled to decide. So he had decided to fall back onto an old tradition to help clear his mind.

That night, he strolled around Central Park, his hands interlocked behind his head. He took a seat by the fountain, kicking his legs up and curling them under himself. Around him were a variety of couples conversing under the cover of darkness, as well as several rambunctious teenagers joking and shoving each other perilously close to the water.

Masaomi sighed, leaning back on the cold foundation, a grateful relief from the heat of summer. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax.

“You know, it’s not safe to leave yourself so vulnerable in such a dangerous city. Who knows what kind of creeps you could run into?”

Masaomi’s eyes snapped open, his heart slamming against his chest at the familiar voice. Izaya Orihara stood on the ledge of the fountain behind him, peering down into his face with that serene, cat-like smile of his. It managed to somehow be both pleasant and menacing at the same time.

“The only creep I have to worry about is you,” Masaomi responded dryly, pretending like the other’s presence hadn’t just sent him into cardiac arrest.

“You wound me.” Izaya’s hands were shoved into his pockets, and Masaomi briefly wondered how he could be wearing something like that with the current weather. “I thought you considered me a friend.”

“I have friends. They don’t insist on treating my life like it’s some amusing game.”

“But isn’t that all life is? A game without rules, where winning can sometimes be the same thing as losing. It’s all about perspective, my dear Ma-sa-o-mi!”

“Don’t say my name like that—it’s weird.”

Masaomi sighed. Of all the people to run into, why did it have to be him? Right now he needed clarity, and for as long as he’d known him, Izaya had always provided the opposite of that. He had never met a single more confusing or frustrating individual as the man peering curiously down at him now. He could feel the age-old excitement buzzing in his limbs despite this. Izaya meant danger and risks, dancing through life on a dagger’s edge. It was addicting and terrifying all at once, a contradiction Masaomi had never been able to sort out inside himself.

“What are you doing out here anyway?” Izaya asked, taking a seat besides the other. His legs were tucked tightly underneath himself, far away from risk of falling in the fountain. Masaomi smirked, just slightly. “Shouldn’t you be spending your time with you friends, during these last days of freedom?”

“And what about you?” Masaomi shot back defensively. “You’re alone too, you know.”

“I’m never alone,” Izaya corrected, tossing an affectionate glance at the citizens enjoying the park, unaware of the shark amongst their midst. “I have all of humanity to entertain me. I find they make much better company than friends. After all, it’s impossible to know who others truly are when you constantly endeavor to see the best in them.”

Masaomi narrowed his eyes. Typical cryptic bastard. Still, tonight he found he didn’t mind it. It was a comfort to hear his nonsensical poetry; it helped to drown out the current thoughts plaguing his mind. “That’s something someone with no friends would say.”

“How cruel,” Izaya intoned, smirking lightly. “I forgot about that attitude of yours. You should work on that, if you want people to like you. Lighten up, you know?”

“People do like me—ah, hey!” He jerked back as Izaya poked him suddenly, a playful, harmless jab. The latter’s eyes widened as he registered the extreme reaction. “What was that for?”

“Interesting,” Izaya mused, poking him again. Masaomi drew his knees up protectively, leaning away from the other. “I never knew you were ticklish.”

“I’m not,” Masaomi said immediately. He didn’t like the way Izaya was looking at him, like a predator that had just found its prey. It made his insides squirm, not unpleasantly. Still, he knew this game. Give Izaya an inch and he’d take a full three miles before he gave up. He forget how it was to have those eyes, slanted and inquisitive, targeted at him. “And who just goes around poking people?”

“Lying will get you nowhere.” Izaya was undeterred by the other’s protective position, merely grabbing his leg instead. “Your denials only make me more sure of my assumption.”

“Wha—hey!” Masaomi flailed, just narrowly catching himself and avoiding falling in the fountain. He glared at the other, attempting to jerk his leg back, but found the other’s hold stronger than he originally thought. It was easy to forget how strong Izaya could be when he was so often in comparison to Shizuo. “What are you doing?!”

“Proving a point,” Izaya replied simply, sliding off his shoe like it was nothing and dropping it besides them on the ground. “This will provide ample payback for your earlier comment, don’t you agree? Now, where to start?”

Masaomi clamped his mouth shut when Izaya dragged a lone finger up his sole, his toes curling instinctively. He cursed himself for the reaction, giving himself away before they’d hardly started. It was strange how little defense his socks gave him as Izaya gently scratched the area with a precision that was altogether unfair.

“H-Hnrgh,” Masaomi grunted, attempting to hold back the giggles building in his throat. “I-Izaya!”

“I never realized you were so sensitive!” Izaya marveled, adding more fingers into the mix that crawled up his soles teasingly. Masaomi yelped, jerking hard on his trapped leg. Goosebumps prickled down his arms, as though his foot had a direct link to the rest of the nerve endings in his body. “You should’ve told me earlier—I’ve been missing out on all the fun.”

“T-This ihis exactly w-why, I—ah—heh, d-dihidn’t tell you!” Masaomi covered his face, hoping to hide the blush spreading rapidly across his features. “Izaya!” he squawked suddenly when fingernails skittered teasingly under his toes. “Thahat tihihickles!”

“Well, I should hope so,” Izaya said, amusement dancing in his eyes as he glanced back at the other. “I am tickling you after all.”

Masaomi grinned, his heart fluttering strangely in his chest. “S-Shuhuhut uhuhup!”

“And why should I do that when you give such wonderful reactions whenever I do the opposite?”

This was ridiculous. Masaomi was being ridiculous. After all these years, and still, Izaya knew all the best ways to get under his skin. Old memories were cropping up of hands clapping down firmly on his shoulder, a teasing grin, and those eyes that shot right through you until you couldn’t think anymore.

Masaomi cursed himself internally. He was older now. Smarter. A different person. He was supposed to be preparing for the next stage in his life, choosing who he wanted to represent as a living creature in the vast cosmos, and yet, all he could think about was some stupid high school crush.

People were staring, but not that much. It wasn’t unusual to see strange things in Ikebukuro. He could hear the name Izaya Orihara floating around with notes of surprise, but no one intervened. Masaomi was almost glad for it. It would have been far too embarrassing to have a stranger approach him like this, giggling and squirming like a fool over tickling, of all things.

“What’s wrong? Nothing to say?” He was loving this. The goddamn bastard was soaking this up and Masaomi was going to kill him right after he stopped getting the urge to tackle him to the ground and kiss him until Izaya was just as breathless as him. “You’re usually so talkative. Could it be that you’re too ticklish to withstand something as simple as this? I mean, it’s almost funny—I’m hardly touching you.”

Masaomi squeaked, falling backwards against the marble. “Nahahaha, y-yohohou—fuhuhuhuck!”

“Maybe you like it,” Izaya guessed cheerfully. Masaomi’s toes appeared to be a particularly bad spot, and so he concentrated his efforts there, prying them back with one hand to get better access. Masaomi’s laughter went up several octaves at the new technique, his squirming growing more desperate. “That must be it. Little Masaomi likes to be tickled and he can’t admit it, so he resorts to saying nothing instead, is that it?”

“Nahahahat lihihihittle!” Masaomi protested, his face growing redder if that was even possible. Whether it was because of Izaya’s teasing words or the truth behind them, he couldn’t say. Possibly both.

“Oh? That’s not a denial, you know. Well, if you really do like this, I suppose my only option is to keep going. But these socks are really getting in the way, don’t you think?” Izaya frowned, clucking his tongue in disappointment. “We’re going to have to do something about that.”

Masaomi’s breath hitched when he felt Izaya’s fingers slipping under his sock, nails grazing the skin teasingly as he pulled it off. He let out a frankly embarrassing squeak, and before he could help himself instinct took over. His free foot connected with Izaya’s back, startling him into letting go. However, Masaomi had underestimated the strength he had put into the kick, and they both watched in surprise as Izaya went tumbling into the fountain with a strangled yelp.

Masaomi took a deep breath, still giggling slightly as he sat up. He rubbed his foot against the fountain’s edge, trying to relieve himself of the phantom tickles running through his nervous system. Once he had collected himself slightly, he glanced over at the other only to almost lose it all over again at the sight.

Izaya sat blinking in surprise, his pants soaked through and his jacket floating besides him. His hair fell into his eyes, pasted there by the water. Any semblance of dignity he had held before was gone now. He noticed Masaomi’s face and narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you dare laugh.”

“I thought you wanted me to laugh?” Masaomi shot back, unable to help his delighted grin. To see the great Izaya Orihara in such a manner, drenched and shell-shocked after falling on his ass, was something he had never thought he would witness, though he was immensely glad he had.

Izaya glared at him, his cheeks dusted a faint shade of pink. “You are an insufferable brat.”

“Pot calling the kettle black, wouldn’t you say?”

“You think you’re funny.”

“I’m hilarious.”

Izaya stared as a hand was outstretched towards him, Masaomi’s friendly features on the other side. “What are you doing?”

“Helping you out, obviously,” Masaomi replied, rolling his eyes. “C’mon, just take it. I don’t bite.”

Izaya watched him suspiciously for a moment, before reluctantly accepting his hand. Masaomi pulled him out, the other’s pants sloshing comically as he stood up. Izaya sat down, shedding his jacket in disgust as he stared at the dripping mess. “It’s ruined.”

“It’s just water.”

“You weren’t the one that fell in the fountain.”

“It was an accident! Besides, you were the one tickling me!”

“It’s not my fault you’re that ticklish.”

Masaomi flushed. “Shut up.”

“Make me.”

“Fine.”

Masaomi did not remember consciously deciding to lean over and kiss the other, only that once he had it was everything he had imagined it to be. Izaya’s lips were soft, and they parted under Masaomi’s in surprise. For a moment, everything was wonderful.

And then Masaomi opened his eyes and noticed Izaya’s shocked expression.

Shit.

Masaomi jerked back, flailing awkwardly in his attempt to slide off the fountain. “I’m sorry! That was weird! I’m weird. Fuck. I don’t know why I did that. I’m just gonna… go… now… yeah.” He nodded furiously, snatching up his shoe and whirling around, not even bothering to put it on before he ran off.

His heart felt like it was gonna explode outside of his chest, and he couldn’t decide between imploding with joy or panic. Going to the park was supposed to help clear his mind, and it was anything but clear now. Why did he decide to do that? Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Several yards away, Izaya sat staring after him, his fingers pressed delicately against the spot where Masaomi’s lips had been a moment before.

He smiled softly.

[baroquebucky]

bad weather

in which you give Bucky house warming gifts

masterlist

a/n: hey guys ! here’s a short little bucky fic i thought of last night its kind of a mess but idc its sweet hehe <3 send in requests for our beefy boy

You finished stuffing the little basket with a couple small things and closed it, smiling as you texted bucky;

im walking over w your house warming gift !! <3

aw doll i could just pick you up :-)

no >:(

You quickly sent the text and headed out the door, a smile on your face as you walked down the street, headphones in. However your music wasn’t loud enough to cover the loud thunder from the sky. You jumped slightly, looking at the sky and noticing the flash on lightning, the sky quickly darkening.

You sped up, hoping to beat the rain, you were only a couple blocks away when the thunder cracked, a flash of lightning lit up the city and rain began to pour. You squealed, cursing yourself for not bringing an umbrella as you continued to rush down the street, taking your sweater off and wrapping the basket in it so your gifts wouldn’t get wet.

You tried taking shelter under a roof for a while but the wind only blew the rain in your face, you huffed, mentally preparing yourself to sprint the rest of the way. By the time you turned the final corner you were out of breath, your side hurt and you probably looked like a wet dog (smelled it too).

You quickly knocked on buckys new door, shaking slightly from the cold water, you envied the basket seeing as though it was perfectly dry since you covered it with your jacket.

Bucky swung the door open, a smile on his face that quickly turned into a frown when he saw your soaked frame. His frown turned back into a smile as he began to giggle.

“I told you i should’ve picked you up” he teased and you rolled your eyes, pouting a little as you let yourself in. “I never said come in!” He joked, closing the door as you stood by the doorway. “I’m soaking wet and I’m cold, dont test me Buchanan” you threatened, unwrapping your now wet jacket from the basket and setting it down on the table.

“oh doll why’d you wrap the basket in your jacket! You’re gonna catch a cold” he spoke, pulling you into his chest. You let out a content sigh as his body warmth radiated onto you. “you sound like a mom” you joked causing him to scoff and push you away, which resulted in you whining and him hugging you once more.

“let me get you dry clothes to change into doll face” he smiled, kissing the top of your head before going to his room. “come look at my new room! it’s so cool” he giggled, grabbing your hand and pulling you along.

As you took in his new room he rummaged through his closet, mumbling to himself as he tried to remember where he put his long sleeves. After a couple unsuccessful attempts he found the right drawer and pulled out a soft long sleeve shirt along with a pair of boxers.

“you can change into these if you wanna, so you aren’t dripping all over my new carpet” he teased and you scrunched up you face, sticking your tongue out causing him to smile. “you’re so cute” he replied, kissing your nose before heading to the bathroom to get you a towel for your hair.

As he handed you the towel he spoke up, “I’ll wait for you outside doll, tell me if you need anything okay?” you nodded, blushing at how respectful he was.

You quickly changed, his shirt fitting very loose and comfy, it smelled like him and it made your heart swoon. You pulled on the boxers and dried your hair a little with the towel, putting it back in the restroom when you finished and walking out with your wet clothes in hand.

Bucky felt his breath hitch in his throat when he saw you in his clothes, a blush on his face when he checked you out. “You can put your clothes with my dirty ones doll, I’ll give them to you when i wash” he smiled softly, and you nodded, tossing them into his dirty clothes basket and going to grab the basket as you set it infront of him.

You looked at him excitedly, eager for him to see the gifts you had bought him. “okay it’s not much honestly, but i just wanted to help warm this place up! i know how brooding you can be” you began to ramble, nervous that he wouldn’t like the gifts you got him.

“brooding?” he looked at you offended, you only rolled your eyes at him causing him to chuckle softly. “okay okay open it!” you urged, a smile on your face as he quickly opened the basket.

After tossing out the tissue paper his eyes first landed on a small planter with an arrangement of fake succulents. A small smile on his face as he noticed the bright blue planter with a yellow sun on it and a heart.

“i painted the planter myself, you always said you wanted a pop of color and you always wanted plants but you can never keep them alive because of your missions but these won’t ever die” you explained, Bucky smile only widened, excited to see the rest of your gifts.

There were a couple more things, a digital clock, some plates, and a framed picture of the two of you, he had tears in his eyes as he looked at all the gifts, each one with an intricate meaning behind them. He felt his heart melting as you had explained everything, always talking about how he had mentioned something and so that’s why you got it.

Bucky had only ever had steve remember little things about him, and now here you were, a basket full of gifts for his new house because you had remembered every little things he had mentioned.

He smiled at you, tears in his eyes as you looked at him to see what he thought. “what do you think?” you chewed the inside of your cheek nervously, “i love it” he chuckled, putting everything down and moving to wrap you into his arms, you smiled and threw yourself into his embrace.

the two of you wiggled around for a moment, shifting so that the two of you were now cuddling on the couch, the sound of the rain hitting the window roughly, thunder causing car alarms to go off.

You helped Bucky arrange your gifts around his place, taking some things out of boxes and setting up the living room while listening to music, singing and dancing around with smiles on your faces. Soon enough the two of you were tired, the living room and kitchen were finally finished and the only things left to unpack were half his clothes and some stuff for his room.

You both threw yourself on the couch, cuddling into each other and turning the tv on, flipping through channels until you found something good to watch. Finally settling on just switching to Disney+ and watching Star Wars instead. 

Soon enough you started to yawn pulling your selves over your knuckles and cuddling a little more into buckys chest, he looked at you with a soft smile, pulsing the movie and moving a bit. 

“are you tired doll? we cam go to bed if you want” he spoke softly and you Hummers din response, “I kinda don't wanna get up though” you mumbled against his chest, he smiled, turning the TV off and picking you up swiftly.

“I forgot you were a super soldier for a second” you remarked and he shook his head. Soon enough the two of you were cuddled up under the sheets, the soft patter of the rain hitting his window followed by the occasional flash of lightening that would light up the room. You cuddled him a little closer during the claps of thunder, mainly for his sake, you felt the way he would grip you a little tighter. 

“goodnight buck I love you” you would mumble, placing a gentle kiss on whatever skin was close to you and closing your eyes. His face would heat up, a smile quickly overtaking his features. “goodnight doll, I love you more” he’d reply, kissing you right back and holding you close, falling asleep quickly to the steady rhythm of your heartbeat. 

[the-blind-assassin-12]

The Jilted Tourist - 3

A/N: It’s the first morning of what was supposed to be a nice weekend away for Benjamin and Julia. But things rarely go how they are supposed to, at least for Benjamin Greene. What happens when Julia arrives in London? And will Benjamin see Joss again? Yikes. This is the finale of this lil mini-series and... well... possibly of something else. 

Word Count: 4,081

Warning: language, marital problems, talk of infidelity 

Benjamin could count on one hand how many times in his life he had woken up alone in a hotel room. Didn’t think I ever would again. Not after… With a sigh he opened his eyes and slid his hand over the empty space beside him, watching as his ring snagged on the bunched sheets. The room was still dark, though he could see the sky lightening through the drawn curtains. He brought his outstretched arm back beneath his pillow and rolled to his other side, reaching for his phone on the table. Pressing the button to illuminate the screen, he groaned as he read the time. Never thought I’d wake up this early in a hotel either. He dropped his face into the pillow and let out a long slow breath into it. 

He’d been in the waking world for less than a few minutes but already an uneasy current passed through his stomach. I don’t like this. At all. He turned from his stomach to his side and swallowed the thick feeling that was starting to form in his throat. This doesn’t feel right, this feels… Clamping his eyes shut, he tried not to wonder if it would feel any different if Julia had been there. Would we talk about what we need to, or would it just… would she just… Stop. He opened his eyes once more, sitting up against the headboard. There’s no use, it’s… He swallowed again and ran both hands over the top of his head, gripping the back of it. She’ll be here in a few hours and… we’ll talk. 

Though he’d managed to get her on the phone when he got back to the room, the conversation had been brief. She’d elaborated a little on Marsha’s dilemma, telling him that the woman’s daughter hadn’t spoken to her in a few months due to some argument that they’d had, and that Marsha wasn’t dealing with it very well. While it still didn’t feel to Benjamin like something that should have derailed their plans, he didn’t say anything. It’s not really about Marsha or this weekend anyway. With a yawn she asked what he’d done after speaking to her at the train station, and he answered that he’d just had a couple of pints at the pub. Which is true. But before he could tell her anything about his presentation or how confident he was feeling about it, she was yawning again, telling him that she was exhausted. So am I. Benjamin ended the call with her the way he always did, telling her that he loved her, but despite how tired he truly was, he stared at the ceiling for hours.  

She still hasn’t even asked me how things went. He wondered, briefly, if she hadn’t forgotten what the occasion was that had warranted a weekend getaway, though he couldn’t see how. It’s nearly all I’ve talked about for weeks. He frowned at the same stain on the ceiling that he’d focused on as he fell asleep the night before. Maybe she just doesn’t understand how important this is to me. Though he knew that plenty of people, if given the chance that Julia had given him, would probably coast through their classes and simply try not to fail, Benjamin had looked for every opportunity to work hard for the degree that his wife was funding, wanting to prove not only to himself but to her that he could; that he was worth her investment. But she doesn’t see that. 

The city sounds outside the window did nothing to cut through his thoughts. Cycling back through the finer points of the paper that he presented the previous morning was no help either. He’d memorized his notes so well that running through the facts wouldn’t take up enough brainpower to distract him from what was on his mind. Maybe I’ll have a smoke, clear my head. But that only made him recall the way that Jocelyn had scolded him for lighting up a second cigarette that evening as he walked her to the hotel. 

“You know, a smart man like you really should know better than to-” 

He raised the hand that still held his lighter to cut her off, speaking around the paper filter between his lips. “I do know better, and I am trying to quit. Tonight’s just not the night for it.” Taking a long, almost exaggerated drag, he plucked it from his lips and turned away from her to release the plume of smoke into the air. 

“Sun’ll come out tomorrow I guess,” she answered, swinging her arm across her chest to adjust the strap of her purse. Her whole body swayed with the motion, and Benjamin switched his cigarette to his opposite hand in case he needed to catch her by the wrist or stop her from stumbling off the curb. “Mmm, actually, I don’t know’f the sun’ll be out tomorrow, when I checked the weather earlier it said rain so…” She shrugged and corrected her course, walking in a straight line once more. “So smoke ‘em up I guess.”  

Benjamin glanced over at Jocelyn then and let out a burst of laughter which she returned after half a second’s pause. He pulled the pack from his pocket and shook it back and forth. “Last pack I’m buying, promise.” Joss nodded as he tucked them back away. “But hey,” She tilted her head to let him know that she was listening. “Can’t rain forever, right?” 

She sighed and while he could tell that she would need time to get through the hurt that Eddie’s cheating had caused, he watched a small smile lift her cheek. “No,” she squinted up at the starless sky. “I guess it can’t, not even with all these clouds.” 

They’d reached the hotel only a few minutes later, and after he was sure that she had her key and would be able to get safely into her room, Benjamin turned to his inadvertent new friend and wished her a good night. 

“You have my card, I know you probably won’t be booking any more trips back to London anytime soon,” she rolled her eyes as he continued. “But if you ever need copy work,” he shrugged, “shoot me an email and I’ll see if I can help.” 

Joss closed her right eye in a clumsy wink and flashed him a thumbs up. “And if you ever need one’a your smarty pants papers proofread, you know who to call.” She turned to insert her card key into her door but spun around, card still clutched between her fingers. “Actually don’t call me because international rates are a whole thing but yeah. Like you said. Email.” Twisting again, she inserted her key quickly into the slot and retracted it, swiftly turning the handle to open the door. 

  “Right. Wouldn’t want to cause a whole thing.” She’s funny. Benjamin caught the door with one hand and held it open for her. And nice. I hope she… “Listen, take care of yourself, Joss, alright?” 

Now inside her room, she kicked off her shoes and shrunk an inch or two, but maintained eye contact with him as she did. “I will. You take care of yourself too, Benj.” Benj? No one calls me… just Zach. Normally he was very adamant that people address him by his full name. He’d gone through the trouble of changing it, and didn’t think it needed to be changed any further. Occasionally  he’d meet someone whose use of a nickname he didn’t feel compelled to correct. But before he could question it, she was speaking again. “I hope your w-“ She sighed as Benjamin felt one eyebrow fly up his forehead. “I hope everything works out for you and your wife.” 

The anger that was in her eyes back in the pub when he first told her about how Julia had stood him up was gone completely, replaced by hopeful innocence. She means it. “Thanks,” he tapped his thumb where it rested against the door. “Really, thank you. I… I hope it will too.” 

She pressed her lips together in a tight line before letting them spread into a slight smile, almost as though to keep herself from saying anything else. “Well, goodnight, Benjamin. See ya next time.” 

“See ya next time.” He said the words to the empty room, sighing as he looked around, noting that only one pair of shoes sat near the desk. I hope there won’t be next time. For either of us.

The buzz of his phone where it was buried in the duvet snapped him from the melancholy thought that Jocelyn was waking up just as alone in the same building, and that they probably weren’t the only ones. Uncovering it, he paused before swiping to answer, spending a few seconds looking at the contact photo. In it, he had one arm around her, both of their faces frozen in joy. When was the last time she laughed like that? The photo in question was one from the previous Christmas, and he blinked to clear his mind of the thought that it could have very well been then. He swiped his thumb across the screen to close the picture and answered the call. 

“Good morning, Julia.” He sat up straighter and ran his free hand through his hair again before bringing it back down over his beard. I should shave before she gets here, she likes it shorter. Shaking his head he banished that thought. No. “How did you sleep?” 

“Benjamin?” Her tone sounded exasperated and that uneasy feeling came back to the pit of his stomach. He dropped his hand from his face to his lap and shut his eyes. Yes, who else, you called- “Benjamin? Can you? This reception is horrendous.” 

“Julia? J-” he paused waiting as she continued to mumble about the poor connection. “Julia.” 

She huffed. “Oh, can you hear me now? Listen, I just wanted to let you know that I’m on the train and I’ll be there in about an hour so-” Benjamin sniffed as he listened and that caught her ear. “Benjamin are you still in bed? Are you going to be ready when I get there? If you meet me in the lobby we can get breakfast, just like we planned on doing.” Yes, but we planned on waking up together before that breakfast, you’re the one who- “Hello?” 

“Yes, I’m just waking up now, but-” she scoffed and he bit the inside of his cheek. If she were here we’d both still be asleep but because she changed the plans I have to be on her schedule. “Julia? I’ll let you go since the reception is shite. I’ll meet you in the lobby, don’t worry I won’t be late.” When I say I’m going to be somewhere at a certain time, I follow through.

She’d made some comment about how she hoped that he’d be in a cheerier mood when she arrived and it was all he could do to just wish her a safe trip and end the call. “Everything has to be a fight, doesn’t it?” He posed the question to the unslept-on pillow beside him before swatting it with his fist, the rose from the bed to get into the shower. I definitely need a smoke before she gets here. 

Forty-five minutes later, Benjamin was showered, dressed, and had made a cup of tea from the plug-in machine in the room. He drank it as he looked out the window at the city as it came to life under the Saturday morning sun. He often wondered about the lives of the people he observed at libraries and train stations, and found himself doing the same about the tiny figures moving on the sidewalk below. Were any of them in his shoes this morning? Questioning the strength of their marriage? Or were some of them still heading towards an event that would turn this day into the best of their lives? Had anyone just gotten good news? Or bad? And did they have anyone to share it with? Finishing his tea, he looked into the empty cup and set it down on the desk. Worry about yourself, Greene. 

He shoved his feet into his shoes and grabbed his jacket, checking to be sure that the nearly empty pack of cigarettes and his lighter were still in the pocket. Adding his phone, wallet and key, he left the room and headed for the elevator. As luck would have it, it stopped four times on the way down, cutting into the amount of time he’d have to try to smoke away the nausea he felt. I shouldn’t have to. It seemed as though it was the millionth time he’d had some permutation of that thought in that last 24 hours alone. Eyes on the numbers above the door, he reached into his pocket to retrieve a cigarette, readying it between his lips as the L lit up. The doors opened, and he allowed the others in the car with him to exit first, stepping out as it emptied, and striding for the hotel’s front doors. I can meet her outside, wait for her t-

“Benjamin?” 

He stopped in his tracks at the sound of Joss’ voice before turning to see the woman just a few steps behind him. How is she so chipper this morning? Last night she was… There were no obvious signs that she was paying for her night of excess, and he felt himself smile remembering how he was able to bounce back a decade ago, too. 

“I thought that was you.” She closed the distance with two more steps, long hair swept into a braid and hanging over her shoulder. 

“Jocelyn, hi, good mor-” 

She reached up suddenly and snatched the cigarette straight out of Benjamin’s mouth, his surprise not even giving him time to react. Oh, alright. “I thought you told me last night that you were quitting this shit, Benj.” 

“Benj?” 

Oh, bloody fucking hell. The voice that came from behind him was unmistakably Julia’s, and she was unmistakably off-put by what she had just walked into. Benjamin shut his eyes and cursed again under his breath before turning to face his wife. “Julia, you’re h-” 

“What else did you tell her last night, Benj?” Julia narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest as she moved closer to where he and Jocelyn were standing. Oh for fuck’s sake. He heard Jocelyn’s gasp beside him. “This who you were with when you told me you were at the pub last night?” She pointed at Jocelyn, her face twisted into an accusatory scowl. Unfuckingbelievable.  

“Julia. I was at the pub last night, like I told you.” He tried to stay calm as he explained, even as he could see that it wouldn’t do any good. “This is Jocelyn, and she was also-” 

“Yes I gathered that she was also at the pub, Benjamin.” She looked the other woman up and down before scoffing and turning to face him. “So this is what you- who you’re attracted to-” 

“Julia, please don’t do this.” He stepped closer to his wife, trying to put a hand on her shoulder but she shook his touch away, instead advancing on Jocelyn. 

“Did he tell you that he’s married? Hmm? Or do you not even care?” She addressed Jocelyn directly even though Benjamin still stood between the two women. Oh that’s it. 

“Julia.” The tone he used was as harsh as he could make his voice, and it bothered even himself to hear it, but it had the intended effect, getting Julia’s attention off of the young, innocent woman she was accusing of terrible things. “We are not going to do this here.” 

Before she could respond, they were both shocked to hear Joss speak up, clearing her throat to speak. Oh, shit, that’s not going to help. “It’s...Julia, right?” Though she’d been stunned at Julia’s treatment of her, she recovered completely, speaking in an even tone. “That’s your name?” Julia just stiffened, straightening her spine and staring at the younger woman who shrugged. “Look, it’s fine if you don’t want to talk to me, but you at least need to listen.” 

Benjamin’s eyes grew double their size as Julia got ready to strike back but Joss was quicker. 

“No, listen. This is important. You need to hear what I have to say, because what you are saying? About Benjamin?” She shook her head. “It’s…” she blew out a breath and Benjamin was thankful that she’d skipped any number of words that she could have used there. “Last night? I was on the shitty end of...of, well a shitty end.” 

Benjamin shifted his weight as he watched the suspicion flicker in his wife’s eyes and heard the truth in Jocelyn’s words. Julia stood silently beside him as a few people milled about around them, coming and going to and from the front desk.

“I’d just gotten dumped in the absolute worst way. And your husband? He was nice to me. That’s all. That’s all he did, all he’s guilty of. He saw that I was having a bad night, and he listened to me.” 

“He listened to you, did he? Did he-” 

“Oh for Christ’s sake, Julia.” Jocelyn’s foot stomped slightly and the anger that he saw in her last night was returning. “Did you know… did he tell you that he had brought you flowers?” 

What? Eyes darting from Julia to Jocelyn, his mouth fell open. I didn’t tell her about the flowers, I…

“Do you know I can’t for the life of me tell you the last time anyone has given me flowers? And I know, I know you truly don’t care about me, but the point is that you’ve got it all wrong here.” She shook her head again and looked over at Benjamin before lifting her shoulders in yet another shrug and turning back to Julia. “I’m just a train station cliche. Just like...like the parents sending their kids off to school for the first time, or the street performers on the platform, or the dramatic romantic reunion straight out of some dumb movie. I’m…” Jocelyn let out a breath, smiling even as watery tears filled the bottom lids of her eyes. “I’m just the jilted tourist, just the unlucky girl who got on a plane and crossed an ocean with stars in her eyes only to end up with…”  The tears finally fell as she dropped her arms, and Benjamin felt his forehead wrinkle, his eyebrows coming together. No one deserves that and she doesn’t… this isn’t her responsibility. 

“Jocelyn, stop, you don’t have to-”  he stepped forward as Julia’s head whipped around to follow him. “You have nothing to-” He could hear Julia scoff, the dry, bitter sound making him wince. I’m not just going to let her fight my battle for me, she owes me nothing, and… he glanced over at the disbelief still etched into his wife’s face. And I’m not going to let that stand either. “Julia, I’ve already told you that nothing-” 

“Benjamin, I wasn’t done.” What? He blinked, twisting to look over at her. She...wants to say all this? He could still feel Julia’s eyes boring into him, but he simply stopped talking, and a second later he saw her shift her attention to the other woman out of the corner of his eye. Joss shook her head and blew out a breath that ruffled her hair, one hand coming up to sweep a stray strand away from the side of her nose and back behind her ear. She pressed her lips together and fixed her eyes on Julia. “Your husband? He’s not a cliche. And I would know, I just got my heart stomped on by one. But him?” She tipped her chin in Benjamin’s direction without looking away from the woman. “He’s not just the unfaithful family man or, or the self important scholar. He’s a genuine person, Julia. And if you can’t see that I feel very sorry for you.” 

“Oh, that is quite enough from you, you-” 

“Julia.” Benjamin reached for her shoulder and was unsurprised to feel her tense up under his touch. His eyes narrowed as she pressed her lips into a thin line. “We’re done here. I don’t-” He shook his head, dropping his hand. “I’m going home. You can...do what you like.” A wounded look surfaced in her eyes, and though he knew he hadn’t done anything to put it there, it still made his stomach twist. This isn’t right. But he was through with letting her hurt always eclipse his own. She had done nothing but hurt him over the last day, and watching her behave this way with Jocelyn only made it worse. That’s not the woman I fell in love with. He was starting to wonder if that woman had ever been completely real. He blinked, eyes darting from Julia to Jocelyn and back again. “But you’re not going to treat this woman like she’s done something to you when the only one you have to blame right now is yourself.” 

That superficial hurt in his wife’s eyes sunk back into their depths as they hardened off and cooled, but she scrunched up her nose and turned away from the younger woman, moving to stand near a large planter to wait for Benjamin. He knew Jocelyn wouldn’t get an apology and that this was as good as it was going to get, and it was embarrassing but it was all that he could ask for. Fine. “Jocelyn?” He turned again in her direction, calling her name just as she was hoisting the straps of her backpack over her shoulders. She looked up then, using the cuff of one sleeve to wipe her face. He didn't quite know what he wanted to say. He was only sorry for the way that Julia had behaved, not for the way that their paths had crossed, and he had decided that he was done apologizing for his wife’s actions. “How...how did you know about the-” 

She gave him a sad smile. “I saw you toss them in the trash before you came upstairs to the pub.” She scratched her hairline with one finger. “I was...I’d gone out to try to call Eddie again and I saw and…well I’m not sure why, but it made me not want to call him. Probably because I’d just seen that there were, that there are better men out there.” 

He swallowed. Damn. “Look, I-” 

She cut him off. “It’s okay, Benjamin.” Nodding, she adjusted her bag. “I uh...I was able to switch some things around with my flights and I’m,” she gave him a laugh that sounded hopeful if not still sad. “I’m off to Amsterdam and Brussels for a few days. Fuck Eddie, right?” 

He had to smile, even after everything. Good for you. “Right.” She’s going to be just fine. 

“Good luck with everything, Benjamin.” She’d given him one last smile, then turned and exited the hotel. 

With Jocelyn gone, Julia felt it was safe to come back over, but Benjamin stopped her from saying anything. “I’m still going home, Julia. If you want to spend time with me this weekend, we can do it there, talking about this, about what’s...about what’s happening with us. Bit I won’t,” he sighed. “I won’t pretend that everything’s fine while we look at knick knacks and talk about books. I think we owe each other more than that.” She blinked at him, her face stony. “I’m going back upstairs to collect my things. If you want to come back with me, you can wait here but if not...I’ll see you at the house, Julia.” 

Though it went against everything he thought he had to do as her husband, he turned and left his wife standing in the lobby, hoping that this was the first attack in the fight to save their marriage, and not one that would cause it to crumble. But I have to do something. He thought of Joss, taking her situation and trying to better it. 

I have to do something to fight for myself or else what’s the point of fighting for us? 

The elevator doors closed. Don’t, Benj. Don’t ask questions that you don’t want the answers to. Don’t think, just try.

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THANK YOU FOR READING!! If you would like to be added to the tags for any of my other Benjamin stories or anything else, please let me know! 

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[ayma-nidiot]

“Don’t Speak Their Names” - Shrimpshipping fic Chapter 32

This chapter can be found here on AO3.

Chapter 32 - God-Shattering Star

“Oh, cry me a river, Rex!” Weevil glanced to the battle below; many of the Club members had already died. Joey, Mai, Yugi, Téa, Tristan, Atem, and Duke were the only fighters who hadn’t sustained any serious injuries against the massive Earthbound army. Even Phuckdis and William were riddled with gashes, yet refused to retreat with Dr. Balls. “So your allies still cling to life like a drowning man onto a rock. Cute. Not that it will do any of you any good!”

“Rex…” Mako crawled on the floor; luckily for him, Espa retreated from the battle before he got hurt at all. “Don’t listen to him! You’re… hah… You’re the only one who can… save us…”

“Mako, don’t…” It was just then that after recalling the fight with Nortius, Rex had an idea. “Wait a second, Amber.”

“Papa, what is it?”

“I want to try something out. Why don’t we try fusing, just like Mako did with Jinzo?”

“But we don’t even have Polymerization! Those who do either are incapacitated or otherwise occupied! And you can’t even fly… If you fell to your death just like Kaiba, and all because of a stupid and ill-timed experiment, I…”

“Argh, we’ll both die anyway if we do nothing!” Rex pumped his fists in the air. “Show a little bit more Raptor spirit, why don’t you?”

“Papa… Okay. I trust you.” So Amber spoke as she half-shifted, and Rex began a long freefall.

“You really are a blooming idiot, aren’t you?” Weevil would have laughed longer, but stopped when he saw Rex glow pink. “So you think you can- Huh?”

“What’s… What’s happening to my boy?” Ptera wondered as Spinos tended to her wounds.

“Don’t tell me…” Phuckdis began. “Rex is…”

Before Rex could fall very far, Amber had completely fused with him, and he grew angel’s wings that soon turned into Rabidragon’s wings. Even if only by a little bit, the gloomy weather began to dissipate, replaced by an enormous pink glow at the top of KaibaCorp Tower. 

“What is the meaning of this?” The shining presence of Rex - with his bow, fluffy white shirt, golden pants, and Rabidragon’s ears and tail - intimidated Weevil. “Just who do you think you are, that you can challenge me? Well, no matter! I’ll kill you right here, as I intended to do from the beginning! Take this!” 

“...” Rex didn’t say anything as he simply held his bow at his side, and grabbed the chain whip before it could hurt him.

“It’s… Impossible! Aaaah!” Weevil reeled backwards when Rex threw him. “How can a weak rabbit like you stand up to me? ”

“It’s because…” Phuckdis made his presence known. “Rex is the true God-Shattering Star.”

William bowed in reverence with his brother and the remaining members of the Club. “He is the light that will save us all.”

Espa could still see Weevil and Rex, even from his hospital room. “Is that you, Rex Raptor?”

Joey looked up at Rex’s true form with a hint of jealousy. “That’s more powerful than anything I could cook up with the Claw of Hermos. I suppose that runt isn’t as weak as I thought him to be.”

Rex finally opened his now-crimson eyes and began to speak in a distorted voice. “Weevil… No, Earthbound God Sanpedro. I will kill you, right here and now, and free my beloved Weevil Underwood from your clutches.”

“So now you want me to die? That’s rich! What a fool. Come on, boy, come try me!”

“Hey, let me help too!” When Joey rushed up to Rex, he could feel an invisible barrier push him backwards. 

“Joey, this is my fight alone. Why don’t you just take out the small fry and let a pro handle this?”

“Hahaha!” Despite the fact that there were still several hundred Earthbound soldiers left, Joey couldn’t help but laugh. “Even when he’s some almighty angel… god... thing, he’s still definitely that silly Rex Raptor. Well, my dude, consider my morale boosted! You heard the man, guys!”

“H-How dare you address the God-Shattering Star that way?” Phuckdis was clearly offended. 

“Aww, come on, lighten up! Or you can just, I don’t know, sit there and relax while us duelists take care of the bad guys.”

“Or I can just, you know, show you just how strong us shapeshifters are!” Upon hearing Joey’s words, Phuckdis felt his strength anew, as did his brother. “I cannot fly, but that doesn’t mean I cannot fight!”

“Headstrong and reckless like your ‘God-Shattering Star.’” Duke chuckled. “Well, then, you better do a good job proving how strong you are!”

“You’re a poet and didn’t even know it!” Tristan quipped.

“You see, Weevil?” Rex stared at the nearly-soulless shell of his boyfriend. “You picked the wrong side to fight for. You have no friends there.”

“‘Friends,’ huh…” Weevil stared absentmindedly at the fighting below, especially at Joey and Atem. The chain whip rattled in his hands as he shook in anger. “Must be sooooo nice to have them! It must feel soooooo nice to be able to get palsy-walsy with people who didn’t give a shit about you just four years ago!”

“Weeves?!”

“You… YOU FUCKERS WILL ALL PAY!” Weevil dove as fast as he could, with all the anger he could muster ready to fuel his strike upon Atem.

“You coward! Get back here!” Rex couldn’t dive anywhere near that quickly, but tried to keep up as fast as his unborn baby would allow him, holding onto her for dear life.

“Eh?” Joey noticed Weevil coming for him before anyone else did, and braced himself with the Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword. “Atem, look out!”

“Amulet Dragon, protect us!”

Weevil had originally planned to strike everyone in one blow with the chain whip. But being the deceptive little shit he was, he decided on a different mode of attack - bypassing all of the monsters and encasing his two most hated enemies in spider webs instead. “Ha! Syke!”

“Ggh!” Already, Joey was up to his neck in spider webs - yet for some strange reason, his sword arm remained free, as did the sword itself. The webs would not give way, no matter how hard or often he slashed at them.

“W-Weevil…” Atem could hardly talk, as the spider webs gripped his throat tightly. “I… I thought we were friends!”

“Me? Friends with you?! What a joke! Do you honestly expect me to believe a word of bullshit coming out of your mouth after the suffering you’ve caused me? Do you honestly think that after all you’ve done, I’d consider you a friend?” Weevil cackled as Atem writhed in pain. “If anything, you’re lower than the dirt underneath my feet!”

All the commotion awakened Heka. “F-Father… No! Dear gods, what’s happening to my father?”

“Boy! How does it feel to know that your father is no longer the King of Games?”

“Leave… him alone!” Heka flung a flimsy arm, releasing a ball of light that Weevil easily blocked. 

“Hmm… Nah, I think I’ll pass on that. In fact, I’d rather kill him before your very eyes!” Weevil approached Atem, with the intent to decapitate him with the chain whip. That was, until Rex blocked him in the nick of time, drawing Weevil’s attention away from his two captives. “Humph. It’s you again.”

“Damn right!” Rex’s smile faded when not long after he blocked the attack, his bow began to crumble. “Uh… Uh-oh…”

“Hah! Some ‘God-Shattering Star’ you turned out to be! Looks to me like you’re the one who’s shattered!” 

“Crud… I kind of need a weapon!” Rex picked up a sword from one of his fallen allies, but it was so weak that Weevil shattered it with his bare hands, grabbing Rex by the throat right after. “Ngh!”

“Before I kill you right here and now, tell me something, Rex. Why did you defend these guys?”

“B-Because… They’re… my… cough… cough…”

“They accepted you so easily, just because you play by the rules… Why is friendship such an easy thing for you, yet I could never make one friend? Why do Joey and Atem and literally everyone else in this fucking city love you and think I’M the worst duelist there ever was?”

“Don’t… Don’t I count, Weeves?” More than the iron grip of Weevil’s right hands, Weevil’s words hurt Rex. “And your own daughter? Have… cough… Have you already forgotten what we’ve all been through? We’re… willing to… forgive you… Just… Ugh!”

“Not another word out of you! The Earthbound Gods are the only friends I need now! Not you weaklings!” Ignoring the twinge of pain in his heart, Weevil lightly ran the chain whip over Rex’s left arm, barely enough to draw blood. “I’m going to fucking kill you!”

Weevil was so far gone into his own madness that Joey was certain he wouldn’t be able to hear him now. “Psst… Rex.”

“J-Joey?” Rex turned his head around, just enough to see Joey.

“You said… cough… that you needed a weapon, right?” Joey held up his sword arm. “Ya’ think this will be good enough?”

“That’s…!” Flashbacks of his Orichalcos duel flooded Rex’s mind. That’s the sword that sent my soul to the Great Leviathan! But if there’s no other choice, then…

“It’s now or never! Think fast!” Joey threw the Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword at Rex, hoping to the gods he’d catch it and put it to good use.

“If that sword can’t cut the spider webs, then what makes you think that Rex will somehow magically put it to good use?”

Rex felt the sword land in his right hand, and had a clever idea. “By doing… this. ”

“G-Gaaaaah!” Weevil howled in pain when Rex did the unthinkable - completely cutting off his right arms and thereby freeing Atem and Joey from their bonds. He stared at Rex wide-eyes. “You would dare hurt me? Aren’t you scared of losing the love of your life?”

“Yes, I am.” Rex pointed the sword at Weevil’s face. “But the thing I’m even more scared of? Seeing Weevil Underwood beat himself up and become a destructive monster where a man once was.”

“Ugh, you were always so talkative!” Weevil flew higher and dove at Rex like a peregrine falcon. Rex took to the air as well and parried this attack with the sword, but not without some recoil. “Just one of the many things I hate about you!”

“Hah!” Rex repelled Weevil with the sword, enough to put a slight dent in the chain whip. “Your psychological tricks aren’t going to work on me now, Weevil!” 

“But maybe a variety of attacks can!” Weevil shot spider webs from his left hands that stuck to Rex’s butt-length hair and part of his shirt.

“Tch…” Rex didn’t like the sensation of sticky things in his hair, but grinned and bore it for now. “Am I supposed to be scared by the fact that you’re still part-spider?”

Weevil smirked as he barraged Rex with the chain whip. “Oh, I still see the fear in your eyes, Rex Raptor. A fear that you will lose the father of that child you’re carrying.”

Weevil’s words reminded Rex of his more painful contractions that got ever closer - yet being the bold man and duelist he was, he paid them little heed.

“I’ll give you credit for one thing,” Weevil spoke while he beat his wings faster, deadlocked in battle, trying to crush Rex with the chain whip. “You’re quite the warrior. And you’ve changed since your Orichalcos duel with Joey. It appears that you’re not going to let something like mere words rile you up.”

“But I can tell my words are riling you up…” Rex whispered closed to Weevil’s ear, catching him off-guard, before stabbing him in the shoulder with the sword. 

“Ngh…” Finally in pain, Weevil could feel his strength dwindling.

“Weeves…” Rex stared at his boyfriend - and stabbed him in the left thigh - in sorrow. “You can’t honestly mean that you want this… any of this! Don’t you remember seeing your daughter for the first time on the ultrasound? A-And how I told you all those years ago that I want nobody but you? How fast our hearts were beating when we confessed our love?”

“You… dino brain! Ack!” Weevil could no longer repel Rex’s attack and fell a few feet downwards. “I thought I told you that you can’t sweet talk your way into killing an Earthbound God!”

“You called me ‘dino brain’ again…” Tears of joy pooled in Rex’s eyes. “I know you still love me… Once the Rex Raptor has his sights on you, you can’t get rid of him.”

“Actually, I can ,” spoke a voice that was clearly not Weevil’s.

“Is… Is that you, Watda?” Weevil’s real voice finally came out.

“It appears to me that you’re going to be useless now, Uru… So it looks like I’m going to have to take matters into my own hands.”

“No… No!” Weevil thrashed about in the air, confusing Rex. “Leave Rex and Amber alone!”

“Weeves, what’s going on?” Rex couldn’t hear Watda’s voice.

“Goodbye, you damned useless rabbit…”

Weevil couldn’t control the ball of dark energy coming out from his right hands. “Wait… Watda, stop!”

“Ah!” He wasn’t fully confident that he could block this evidently stronger attack, but Rex enveloped himself in his dragon’s wings. 

And Rex wouldn’t have to block the attack. For before Watda’s attack could hit him, Weevil managed to separate from Watda, taking the full brunt of the attack last minute.

“W-Weeves!” The strength in Rex’s eyes now gone, he watched in horror as his boyfriend froze in the air before beginning a rapid descent into Domino City’s concrete. “Oh my gods… No… You’re going to come back, just like you did last time… right?”

“Even an Earthbound God and the Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon can’t survive a 1000-meter fall. You saw it yourself when Cusillu, Aslla Piscu, and Kaiba all died.”

“Shut… up…”

“Now what are you going to do, since your beloved Weevil Underwood lies dead?” Watda laughed as his shadows grew fiercer. “You’re nothing without him, you weak-ass monster. Nothing!”

“That’s… That’s not… Oh!” Before Rex could aim his sword at Watda, he suddenly felt amniotic fluid trickle down his legs. He shook so badly that he lost grip of the sword as it plummeted after Weevil.

“You’re in labour, hmm? Looks to me like you have two choices: one, continue to fight me and risk losing your baby; or two, going back to ground level to give birth. But with that second option, there might be a sliiiiight chance I’ll destroy the world. Either way, you lose! Hahahahaha!”

No, he won’t, spoke Amber’s voice.

“Ngh… Amber, you’re still there?”

I’ve been with you the whole time, Papa. You’ve got to finish this fast!

“But how do you expect me to do that? Especially since… your Daddy is…”

There is one way. Now that Daddy has been separated from Watda… Papa, I’ll give you all of my strength. Use it to finally banish this mongrel to hell, where he belongs! Amber de-fused from Rex. In fully shifted form, she engulfed Watda, leaving only the Earthbound God’s chest exposed. In the process, lights sprung from the ground as the bow regenerated in Rex’s hands.

“Ggh! Let go of me, you wench!” Watda struggled to no avail.

Before Rex could process what was going on, he coruscated like the northern lights, and he stretched out his new angel’s wings. His hair grew past his legs, and brown locks encircled his arms.

“Oh my…” With the Earthbound army now vanquished, Phuckdis could truly behold his people’s chief god.

“That’s my boy!” Ptera cheered. “Give that bastard what for!”

“Hehe!” Rex gave his mom a thumbs up. “One kick-ass arrow, coming right up!”

“What are you doing?” Watda could feel his time at an end.

“Watda!” Rex continued to growl as he pulled his bowstring back, and his body and weapon grew ever brighter. “Go back to the shadows! Hyaaaaaaaah!”

“It’s…” Watda could say little more as the glowing arrow impaled a giant hole in his chest. “It’s done… I’m… done… Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrgh!”

“Finally, something we can agree on.” Rex’s descent back to Earth started slowly, but upon reaching six feet above ground, he reverted forms and fell into Spinos’ arms.

“God-Shattering Star!” Phuckdis and the remaining Club members ran up to Rex.

“Is… Is that what I’m called? Heh, sounds pretty cool…” Rex would have rested if he didn’t wonder about Amber. “Wait a second, where’s Amber? Where is my daughter?”

“Rex!” Mokuba pointed to an approaching Joey, who carried a heavily mutilated Amber in his arms.

“Amber!” Rex got up from his prone position to hold Amber, whom Joey had gently lowered to the ground. “No! I… I thought we got him! I thought we defeated Watda together!”

“W-We did… But at a cost… What did you think I meant when I said ‘I’ll give you all of my strength?’”

“Amber…?” Rex couldn’t even hold Amber’s right hand anymore, as it began to fade into nothingness. “What’s happening? Please… This isn’t happening!”

“My… My granddaughter…” Ptera cried as Spinos and Tricera consoled her. Not a single eye was dry as Rex’s friends and allies watched the scene unfold. Even Espa and a newly-healed Mako could see what was going on.

“But… But we only got to duel once!” Joey got down and cried with Rex. “And you haven’t even dueled Espa yet! I thought you were going to win back his Serpent Night Dragon!”

“Joey… My friend…” Amber reached out her left hand to Joey. “I… I just wished I had… acknowledged you as such… earlier…”

“Amber! No, please don’t die!” Pretty much every body part Rex tried to grab at faded away, except for Amber’s head, shoulders, and left hand. 

“Die? No, I’m just about to be born…” Amber placed what was left of her left hand on Rex’s baby bump. “I can’t wait to see you again and forge our bonds anew.”

“Amber…?” Rex cried as Amber chuckled one last time before her future self was no more. “AMBER! NO! Oh… my gods… Sniff…”

“My love!” Heka, who had just fully healed, ran to Rex. He had only seen future Amber for a brief spell before she died. “Oh, no… My heart…”

“Heka, I’m so sorry…” Rex hugged his daughter’s boyfriend. “Not only for your mother’s death, but also for Amber’s…”

“Forget about me! You just lost your daughter!” Heka cried into Rex’s shoulder as Atem consoled him too.

“Amber… I… Aaaaargh!” Rex suddenly doubled over as the remainder of his amniotic fluid gushed out all at once.

“His water has already broken… Rex is going into labour!” Mokuba announced. “Someone call an ambulance!”

“It’s for real this time, guys!” Joey got up and dialed the campus emergency number. After that, he knelt down again, trying to calm Rex down in any way he could. “Rex, hang in there. We’re going to get you help!”

[stevie-writes-the-pain-away]

Alcoholics Anonymous - Chapter Ten

        I couldn't pinpoint a reason for my sudden combustion - I couldn't even remember the last time I'd been so emotional during a therapy session - but before I could embarrass myself any further I stood from my seat, heading for the door as the silence broke out behind me. Before I pulled it shut, I caught a glimpse of a disquieted Murdoc and his niggling eyes pointed towards me as I escaped. I just couldn't face him any longer.

     I paced back and forth in the entrance of the clinic, fanning myself as if I was suffering a heat stroke. I sat myself on the bench, dabbing the sweat off of my forehead and massaging my stinging cheeks. I figured I'd calm myself down before calling a taxi and dried my face with my shirt, pulling out my phone from my bag.

        "(Y/N)?"

��       Startled, I hopped in my spot and almost dropped my phone. My hands scattered to catch it and I looked up to see Murdoc, the glass door slowly shutting after him while as stood motionless. I sighed with relief, even if I was embarrassed to be such a mess in front of him. "Hey, Muds . . ."

        There was a heavy silence hanging over us and I set my phone on my lap, wondering which one of us had more guts than the other to start a conversation first. "Wanna talk about it?" he asked.

        I inhaled deeply, nearly letting out a sob when releasing my breath and sniffing once more while he came towards me. "There's nothing much to talk about," I explained, tilting my head down.

        He perched beside me, our shoulders inches apart as he got comfortable. "There's gotta be something wrong," he pushed with a soft smirk. He tapped my shoulder with his own, "You can tell me."

        Part of my senses doubted myself. However, I'd known this man for roughly two months and we'd already kissed, so even if things we going a little fast, we were close enough, right? I scratched and rubbed my arms to warm my body up, pondering the right words to begin. Rain began pelting the pavement an hour prior to the session, leaving flooding puddles throughout the parking lot and streets, producing a foggy mist around us. The cold air pained my lungs but I just couldn't catch my breath. I wanted to spill everything I'd been holding in to Murdoc so badly, but the thought of facing my problems again just built more tears in my eyes, and I wasn't sure I was ready to breakdown in front of him. It was too late, though.

        I bawled mercilessly, the both of us completely ignorant to when I would stop. Not any time soon, certainly. Murdoc was puzzled, and I felt bad as I watched his attempt at handling me and my malfunction. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, letting me cry my heart out before I was ready to talk. It took five minutes of silence, aside from my sobs and snivels until I was stable enough to pull myself together.

        I could hear Murdoc's smile through his words, "Are you done?"

        I nodded and finally caught up with my breathing, turning my body towards his. "I don't know what's wrong with me . . ." I mumbled. "I just don't know how much longer I can live like this."

        I'd said so little but, and rightfully so, alarmed Murdoc to an awful extent. "W-what do you mean?"

        What did I mean? I'd been talking as if I understood myself but my mind was wandering elsewhere; I wasn't sure what I wanted from myself anymore. "I don't know . . . but I’m so, so tired of living this way. People tell me it gets better all the fucking time but if it doesn't . . ." I swallowed, “I don't know if I wanna be here long enough to see it get worse than this."

        Murdoc shifted his body closer, but moved his head back, searching for a solution to my distress. "A-are you . . . Are you suicidal?" he questioned under his breath.

        I lifted my puffy face to meet with his pale green complexion. How could I admit it? I wanted to be honest, but I couldn't help but feel like such a misfortune. "I . . ." Murdoc stared me down. It was an obvious threat to tell him the truth whether I wanted to or not. "Yeah . . ." I confessed. "I am."

        "For how long?”

        "A few days now . . . I don't know why I've been hesitating," I added, "but I don't walk into traffic for no reason."

        Murdoc was hushed but I could sense his trepidation like an animal. "So . . . you've conditioned yourself to . . . not look both ways?"

        "I suppose you could say that."

        I looked down and noticed his hands, one of them fiddling with the zipper of his leather jacket nervously. "Shit, (Y/N) . . . I'm sorry . . ." His tone gave me the impression he was feeling guilty, but for what? "Is there anything I can do for you?"

        I shook my head, "I'm just gonna go home, might take another shift to distract myself."

        Within a single blink, Murdoc's eyes switched like a light from sincere mourning to on-the-spot safety plan assertiveness. "No way," he said. My eyes widened at his spontaneous mood swings, taken back by his impulsivity. "Not like this. I'm not leaving you alone," he concluded.

        “What?” Deep down I wanted to reject his offer - or more so a demand - so I could isolate myself. I’d listen to my days worth of sorrowful music playlists and drown myself in a fort of pillows, blankets and tears; but I knew it wouldn't work. “Are you sure?”

        Murdoc stood up, holding out his hands for me to take. "Of course I'm sure," he insisted.

        “You aren't busy though, right?"

        He pulled me to my feet and I couldn’t help myself from smiling. "Nah, Tuesdays aren't usually busy due to therapy."

        Murdoc opened his arms wide, motioning for me to accept his proposal, and drew me into a hug. I was speechless. We stood for a few seconds, feeling him rock me back and forth and before letting go of our embrace and intertwining his fingers with mine. Was this Murdoc? He didn't seem like the hand-holding type, never mind the hugging type, no matter what the situation was. There was obvious chemistry between us but I could tell this wasn’t the typical romance he invested himself in. "C'mon, we can hang at my place," he said, heading for the parking lot. He didn’t release me, guiding me to his car as if I wouldn’t recognize it by myself. I was so genuinely muddled by his inexplicably affectionate gesture I couldn't understand what I was doing or where I was going. Nonetheless, I climbed into the passenger seat and it was much cleaner than it was before; I tried not to be impressed.

        As expected, Murdoc turned the radio on, and I decoded the familiar tune of Black Sabbath in all its heavy metal holiness. I relaxed myself to the beat vibrating through the speakers like last time, and I knew I made the right decision. I felt right where I was supposed to be.

        The ride wasn't any different from our past minute-long road trips down the highway, but I couldn’t help but notice it took longer. The only thing protecting us from awkward silence was the wind slicing through my hair as Murdoc rolled down the windows.

        "Is joyriding another activity I need to mark down on your list?" he asked.

        I smiled, too distracted by what awaited beyond the vehicle door to turn around. "Absolutely.”

        I heard him chuckle and he drove past the next exit, leaving me to wonder where he was taking us. "I'll spare a few more minutes on the road then," he decided.

        I looked back at him with a beaming grin, "Thanks."

        I received one in return and watched him turn up the music, his eyes skimming over the pavement. I understood, there and then, how much of an appreciation I had for long, comfortable tours around London. I slightly wished we'd stopped so he could look at me just a little longer; so that I could look at him and find the sincere generosity of his time dedicated to admiring the little things in his eyes, hoping it wasn't all an act.

        "(Y/N)?"

        "Hmm?" I questioned, my eyes glued to his picture before I noticed it moving. But how long had I been staring? How long had he been calling my name? I instantly flushed red, my eyes widening like sinkholes before leaning back and covering my face in embarrassment. This only seemed to amuse him more.

        "Alright, I know I'm charming and all but I'm sure there are other views worth noticing as well." His eyes moved beside me and out the window, and I followed his gaze to be met with the restless River Thames.

        The waves were small but strong, crashing against the walls that tamed their force. There weren't any boats on account of all the rain, but the weather only made the water splash harder and make my heart tremble tremendously in my chest. I couldn’t stress it enough: I might've lived in London since university, but I'd been stuck in the void of my apartment for more than half of the time. I couldn't remember the last time I'd driven past London’s many blessings but gazing upon Tower Bridge made me feel sick in a way. How could I have let myself miss out on such incredible sights right in front of me?

        “Breathtaking, eh?"

        “Yeah . . ." I said, my eyes glued to the mist lifting from the billow. I sighed, and I missed not fearing the water all the years ago. Every comber looked so refreshing - and I yearned for a simple droplet or two whenever I came face to face with a cup or even a puddle outside my apartment building - but I couldn't. I just couldn't do it.

        "We should do this more often; go out every once in a while and look at all the different Wonders of the World," he said.

        “You really wanna?" I turned back to him, my face lightening up with the change of subject.

        “Sure! You don't seem to get out much," he chuckled, a smile staining both of our faces. "Especially when I take you on tour with me."

        I rolled my eyes, "You're still convinced I'd go?"

        “Won't you?"

        I froze. "I-I mean, I would love to but . . ." I quieted down and Murdoc rolled up the windows, turning down the music.

        “What's the matter?"

        “I just wouldn't wanna be a burden," I stated bluntly.

        Murdoc nearly stopped the car, feeling the jolt as it sent both of our heads a few inches forwards. "What?" he exclaimed. "You could never be a burden, (Y/N)! In fact, I'd hire you to help us if my record company wasn't so strict," he said. "Why would you think you're a burden?"

        I smiled at his kind words before softly frowning. "All I know is I can be a lot of emotional baggage to carry. Y'know, I'm still working on myself and I know it's gonna be a long process . . ."

        Murdoc stopped at a red light, leaving the conversation quiet for a moment. "Well, hey," he began, "why don't we work on it together? It'll be like . . . rehab but much cozier and exotic."

        I laughed louder than either of us expected, "I don't think there's a way to make rehab cozy and exotic."

        “You'd be surprised," he smiled. "Besides, tour can be stressful, but it's a good type of stressful. ‘A distraction from the urge’ if you will."

        I pondered, my finger tapping my chin as I sat it upon the palm of my hand, my elbow on the car door's window pane. "It's definitely captivating. Sometimes I wonder if you're actually serious or not."

        “What, this whole time you thought I wasn't serious?" I looked back at him, realizing how crazy this man truly was. "I mean it. Get your degree, quit your jobs - all three of them, “he emphasized, “and come with me on tour. I'll ensure you a spot on our team whether my company likes the idea or not."

        I laughed nervously but his glaring eyes wore me down. "You’re not kidding?”

        "Not at all! How many times do I have to tell ya'?" Murdoc chuckled. Truly, my heart was all in for it. In fact, the thought didn't only excite me, but give me genuine hope. He was so confident that things would turn out okay in the end that I actually felt as though my future was set. Murdoc wasn't my therapist nor my doctor, and I wouldn't act like he was, but he was the only person I knew at that point who wasn't obligated to be there for me, yet was there anyway. "Does it not sound fun?"

        "It really does," I said. "I just wonder if I'll be ready to leave by the time you do.”

        “Oh, believe me," he smirked, “you’re ready to leave this place."

        I chuckled and he continued down the road, meeting with more busy streets and crowds of pedestrians. "Say, I'm a bit peckish. Wanna look for a place to eat?"

        Murdoc being Murdoc, we hit up my Café. I waved to Lawrence when passing the register, thinking about how much I'd miss his freckled smile when I left. I didn’t know how I felt about working at the Café so much, but I’d probably miss that place no matter how frustrating working in customer service was sometimes. We grabbed our grub and left the busy shop, Murdoc leading me through the city as if he were my tourist guide. "Did you adjust well moving here for university?" Murdoc asked me, taking a sip of his coffee.

        I twisted my lips in contemplation, "Yeah, a little bit. I needed time to get used to the accent but I got it eventually."

        “I feel ya there," he smirked. "Folks from Stoke are known for talking fast so everything felt sort of . . . slow," he mocked, leaving me laughing.

        “In that case, I didn't need you to tell me you're from Stoke-On-Trent," I joked back, feeling him nudge my arm all the while he bellowed.

        We walked a little further, a vibrant green park soon coming into view. Small blooming trees were planted without pattern, struggling to grow in the youth of Spring. They circled around a fountain in the middle of the yard, multiple sidewalks leading from the roundabout road to the beautiful sculptured centrepiece. I prayed to every god and goddess I could remember in hopes that we wouldn't get any closer. “What's your favourite part about living here?" he asked me. He took long strides forwards, crossing the street as I followed slowly behind him.

        “The weather," I dully replied, fear fuelling my energy to spin around and leave down the road, partially hoping I'd get hit by a speeding vehicle before I reached the other side. "What about you?"

        “This fountain," Murdoc smirked, speeding his pace. I winced and sighed, anxiety pumping through my veins as my heartbeat thumped faster. If I got any closer I'd have a heart attack. "Come on," Murdoc smiled, gesturing me to follow him. I watched him look to his left and right, assuming he was watching for wandering police officers as if he cared. He placed his palms above the fountain walls and pushed himself up, standing himself on top. He walked along the barrier, balancing himself with stretched out arms like a child. I pursed my lips, looking around frantically and hoping he wouldn't get us in trouble. Murdoc would be the death of my reputation one day, I knew that for sure. "Stu was up here one day, fooling around like a halfwit before falling in," he laughed. "I can't tell you how hard I wheezed!"

        I walked closer, hesitant like a stray cat towards a human. My breath began arriving in short, fast inhales and exhales, realizing how much I was sweating and shaking. What if he were to fall in and hit his head? What if I couldn’t pull him out in time and he were to drown? How would I ever make it up to him if I was the cause of his death?

        "(Y/N) . . . ?" Murdoc addressed. I stood still, my eyes widened as tears built up and my heart pounded in my ears. Finally, I backed away; the further I got, the easier it was to breathe. "Are you okay?" Murdoc hopped down from the wall, nervous to approach me. I wanted to shake my head, but I couldn't move any part of my body aside from my legs which pulled me back. His fingers wrapped around the fists that I clenched at my chest, pulling them down and turning me around to face the streets rather than the sculpture. "W-what's wrong?"

        I blinked, the tears leaking down to my chin and slowly down my neck. "I-I'm not good friends with water . . ."

        The pensive Murdoc squinted his eyes. "You . . . You have a fear of water?" I shook my head and he pulled me away further, pulling me towards one of the benches decorating the perimeter of the park. "Shit . . ." he mumbled, setting me down beside him and holding me close. "I'm so sorry (Y/N), I didn't realize."

        I calmed myself enough to speak, still gasping at every other breath. "I didn't want you to," I said. "I hoped you never would."

        "Why?" Murdoc asked, looking back at me. "It's clearly . . . important that I know so this doesn't happen again," he said.

        “I know . . . I didn’t want my fears to dictate what you do and don’t do because you don’t wanna . . .”

        “Hurt you?” he supplied.

        For lack of a better word, I nodded. “But I hate thinking about it, let alone talking about it . . ."

        He clearly didn't know what to say, and I didn't expect him to. What could he say that would make me feel better? “I know where you're coming from," he connected. "But listen . . ." I looked up to him, wiping the tears from my eyes and clearing my blurry vision. "I know you probably won't want to - I know what it's like to be pushed out of my comfort zone to help heal from . . . from stuff - but maybe I could help you?"

        I cleared my throat, pushing my hair from my face. "How?"

        "Baby steps," he said. "We'll just take baby steps," he repeated. "It won't be easy of course, and I don't even know much about your fears to begin with, but . . . I know it'll be worth it. During tour, if you’d still like to come, I can help you . . .” I stammered, “practice.”

        I couldn't make voluntary decisions like Murdoc could. He might’ve had a doctorate in psychology but were we capable of helping each other when we eventually left rehab and set off on our own? Auditioning for what might as well be Fear Factor: Without Cameras wasn't something you could sign up for so quickly, but I knew he wasn't wrong. Getting over my fears, or at the very least coping with my trauma, would undoubtedly save me from long-term suffering I'd have to endure. However, I also knew that one day I would have to push my limits and walk into the splashing void of wet predators - both living and inanimate - and that it would take a lot of stress and motivation to get there. Murdoc must’ve had his own goals in mind as well; could we reach them together without faltering?

        “You’ll be with me through it all, right?" I asked.

        “Of course I will," he smiled. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, holding me tightly before lifting his other hand to my cheek. He wiped the last of my tears away with him thumb, "I always will."

[wheremytwinwatches]

[Where My Twin Watches]: Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 20

Last time Roy was a badass, Lust bit the dust, and Ed ran into a familiar face. Onwards!

Hey, they show Ed and Papa Elric in a graveyard during the intro! I’d just written that off as a symbolic thing or something. So does that mean we’re gonna have Ed going through the Gate again and the Xing contingent fighting Wrath? I will also take little May Chang zapping some werewolves, please and thank you. We open with Papa Elric and Ed staring at eachother (and a gravestone for a Michael Cusbert, random name or someone connected to the show?). [Papa Elric]: “Hello, Edward… You appear to have grown some.” 1-Will the short jokes never cease? 2-Really, dude? You haven’t seen your son since you ran off who knows how many years ago, and your first words are essentially “Huh, turns out kids grow up over time.” Ah, and he’s spoken with Granny Rockbell, knows that Ed tried Human Transmutation. Ed responds by asking why the heck he’s come back when there’s nothing left for him there. PE just asks why Ed burned down “his” home. So, am I supposed to have any sympathy for this guy? Like, at all? Disregarding my belief that Papa Elric and Father are the same person (seriously, beard), just in terms of being a dad I am finding him sorely lacking. Ed states that they burned it down as a symbol of their reso- [PE]: “No you didn’t. You were hiding the memory. You didn’t want to be reminded of what you’ve done… And thought you could erase the memory by destroying the evidence.” Step off, buddy. [PE]: “You ran away… And you know it.” WOW. Ok, you can just fuck right off, dude. You’re gonna stand on your dead wife’s grave and say that kind of shit to your son? I agree with Ed, you make me sick. [PE]: “He’s exactly like I was when I was his age.” Hahaha NO. You don’t get to compare yourself to the Protagonist, dude. Just… just go. Episode 20 - “Father Before the Grave” That night, Ed’s sleeping at the Rockbell’s when the door opens. So we’ll get Granny’s response to- YOU. Nope nope nope stop looking in on Ed just go away and Flashback to Kid!Ed clutching at PE’s leg with a smile and Baby!Al gazing up. Oh, so NOW you feel remorse for running out on your family. Whoop de friggin doo. PE reaches out to touch the son he ABANDONED before chickening out and leaving. And whadya know, Ed who has been through numerous deathly struggles over the past years was awake the entire time. Downstairs, good dog! The Rockbell’s automailed hound is sitting in a corner and growling at PE as he gives a wry grin, before turning back to Granny and numerous wine bottles. Seems she’s going over photo albums, remarking on how PE looks like he hasn’t aged a day (hmmmmm) and asking why he was gone for so long. PE… asks about the results of the HT the boys attempted. Dude. You know that Ed’s listening in, and you’re gonna make him think that the event that destroyed their lives was even more of a failure? The worst part is that we know he’s right, since Al’s flashback to the Gate ended with him looking at Ed from inside the TC. Still, dude. Dick move. Ok, let’s go away from this awfulness for a bit. Back in Central, Al’s holding up his end of the bargain and telling Ling about his Soul Armor status, who is very impressed. No need to eat or sleep or breathe, as long as his sigil’s kept intact he’s functionally immortal! Except for what Barry mentioned last time, about how a body can’t maintain a foreign soul, and Al thinks that he’s a ticking time bomb. Well ok, hold up. That’s based on an offhand comment by a homicidal maniac, regarding a corpse that had an animal’s soul stuffed in it. I don’t think that’s really comparable to you, Al. At the very least, why don’t we get a more scientific look into the subject than a murderer? And Ling does bring up a good point, if the body can only hold a soul for so long, why not transfer it to a new body periodically? Problem solved, right? Still, as much as I like the transhuman immortality robot idea, I don’t think the guy we’ve seen bumming for free food is really comprehending the isolation of the form, which Winry calls him out on before storming away. Winry’s moping on her bed when Al comes in, and tries lightening the mood by complaining that Ed and Winry are always the ones to lose their tempers, he never gets a chance. Then we get a flashback to Al's first night in his Soul Armor, realising that he can’t (not doesn’t have to, can’t) fall asleep and mentioning that to a younger Winry. Current!Winry cries into a pillow and demands a promise that Al will get his body back. On his own end, looks like Ed’s dreaming, running towards a distant light and demanding that they give Al his body back. Suddenly Truth! [Truth]: “Take it? Do you even know what you’re saying? You’re the one who tossed his body aside and put him in that armor… Aren’t you, alchemist?” And then That Bastard Tucker shows up saying that he and Ed are the saNOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE. And then it gets WORSE when a hand reaches out and Ok good Ed’s awake now. Suddenly I’m seeing advantages to Al not having to dream. Meanwhile, Granny’s yelling that Ed needs to wake up, his father’s about to head out. Wait, head out? Where’s PE off to now? Oh hey, it’s the photo wall with PE’s face blocked off. Which PE asks for and takes as it’s the only picture of the entire family. Then he’s already heading to the door (not surprised he’s not even waiting for Ed), but pauses to tell Granny something. [PE]: “Something terrible is going to happen in this country soon… You should escape while you can.” [Granny]: “*shrug* This country’s lousy with terrible things. And I can’t leave. I’ve got other people who need me here in case they want to come home.” [Heartless!PE Who Completely Ignores The Wall Of Cute Kid Pictures]: “I’ve given you my warning.” And like that, Hohenheim is gone, with a comment that he won’t be able to enjoy her cooking anymore… ok, that is either implying that Granny is going to die (NOPE) or Hohenheim is (?). Ed just looks out the window as his father leaves yet again. Now weather’s rolling in as Ed and Granny are walking up a hill, Ed has a shovel… oh no. No no no please tell me you aren’t going to dig it up. This knowledge will not help you, Ed. The rain starts falling and Ed is vomiting from exertion and stress, refuses to go home (as opposed to this pile of burnt rubble) as he won’t be able to move forward until he knows for sure. And because he refuses to let Hohenheim be right about his running away. Please. Please, just stop Ed. You’re constantly heaving, and as tough as Granny is it can’t be good for her either to be out in this rain. Let it go, please. But they keep digging through the rain, and as it finally slows Ed stops digging. Grabs a tuft of hair. Rushes to the bucket to wash it off. And turns to Granny with a stricken face, saying that Mama Elric had chestnut hair. But this hair is blond- wait, black? ...wait, what? It’s not blonde? I mean, maybe it’s burnt black. But I thought it was… They dig up the rest of the remains, Granny declares a femur too long and the pelvis for a male… ok, hold up. You’re basing this off of bone lengths and hair color? Ed, did you not see how deformed and broken that Thing was? That was not an example of a functioning human body, so why would you base this off of damaged parts? Aaargh, but as Granny declares that all the parts from the HT aren’t his mother, Ed laughs brokenly before declaring that it really is impossible to bring the dead back to life. But as Granny tells him to get ahold of himself, Ed says that it’s alright? That this has been a symbol of despair for so long… ok, how is this a symbol of hope, then? [Ed]: “Al can be returned to normal.” …? Um, I am not seeing the logic connection here. The HT remains are reburied, and Ed gives a call to Teacher. Oh dear. That subject. I’m sorry Ed, but that is really something you should not talk about over the phone. Back to the graveyard, Ed and Granny are looking over the Rockbell gravestones as she thanks Ed for telling her about how they helped people. Then they head out, Ed asking if Hohenheim said where he was going and Granny saying she didn’t even bother asking. But then she says she forgot something? A message for Hohenheim from Mama Elric? [Mama Elric]: “I’ll be gone when he returns… Can you tell him something? I need him to know… I couldn’t keep my promise. I died before he did, and I’m so sorry.” A promise to not die before him? Whatever the details, Granny doesn’t know, and asks Ed to pass it on if he runs into Hohenheim again. Ed grumps at being a messenger boy, but agrees. Now, back to Central! Where Ed’s sure that Al is just waiting, annoyed at being cut out of the loop… [Ed]: *eyetwitch* “What the hell?!” Al, rather worse for wear, apologizes to Ed for being so damaged, who then starts freaking out over Xing and the Lady Ninja mooching off room service before he kicks them out. Now, story time! After Ed’s brought up to speed on the Goths and Barry and the speculation that Al’s armor is gonna reject his soul (again, solely based on something Barry said), Al’s patched up. Winry is of course worried and asks if Al can get his old body back, Ed insists he can. Now, Ed’s turn to tell a story. Al is of course shocked at Ed saying he dug up the Resembool body, and more so at the claim that it wasn’t their mother. But this convinces Ed that they can return Al to normal? Explanation, please! But Ed insists before that he needs to know… if Winry remembers them fighting as kids about who’d marry her. Pfft! Winry confirms that she turned them both down ([Ed]: “W-whatever.”), so Ed asks for the reasoning. [Al/Winry]: “I just don’t like men who are shorter than me.” Aw, chin up Ed! It’s the only way you can try to be taller than her! Oh! OH! Confirmation that it really is Al, not just a copy from Ed’s memories! Al remembered something that Ed didn’t know! Thank Leto, this show may be playing fast and loose with dental records and hair remains, but this is sound reasoning! And if we have proof positive that Ed could pull Al’s soul out, then Ed believes that Al’s body is still in the Gate and he can pull it out. Like Barry’s body, separate from… ok, now you’re losing me again. As I understand Armor!Barry was made when his body was killed for murder, not lost in the Gate of Truth. That body did exist separate from the soul, but it wasn’t lost in another dimension or whatever, just stuck in the ground here. Ed asks Al to think back to the Gate, what he saw, and Al says that he grabbed his own hand (that creepy grinning version of Al from the flashback). So Ed’s determined to confront Truth again, and pull Ed’s body out!... but then there’s that last part of the memory. Al looking at Ed from inside the Thing. But while that Thing was Al, his soul didn’t bind. Huh. So good news is that they didn’t harm anyone else’s soul that time. Bad news is that this supports the “foreign body rejects soul” idea. Ergh. Oh, Teacher’s calling back. She and Sig did some research, and confirmed that the Thing that they summoned didn’t share any traits with them. So that’s it, then. Death is permanent. But at least they have closure. And the Elric Brothers have closure too, knowing that their attempt wasn’t a second death for Mama Elric, both of them blaming themselves. But with that closure behind them, they still have their mission: Get Al his body back. We get Al demanding that he share the burden with Ed, saying that he’s gotten by through being treated like a normal person from his friends… and crying that he can’t take the lonely nights anymore. But that’s going to change. The Elric Brothers have a target, and they’re gonna tear right through the Gate and punch Truth until they get that body back! And the Brothers are back at it, that eagerness that they had when first searching for the Philosopher’s Stone. Even Winry is taken back at how broad Ed’s shoulders are in his confidence. Brace yourself, Truth. The Elric Brothers are gunning for you.

[the-lady-of-stars]

Hearts Together, Forget the Weather

Poe Dameron x Reader

Requested by @yana-versio

Warnings: Angst (but also fluff so don't worry)

Summary: A friends to lovers trope with Poe Dameron. A mission to a cold planet doesn't quite go perfectly when you get stuck and have to stay in the cold until help arrives. ( I know this is an overdone plot and I’m so sorry but I love it and it never gets old for me. Sometimes you've just got to stick to the classics lol. )

The clouds flew past as you and your best friend Poe soared over Hoth in your X-Wings. You could feel the cold seeping into your ship already, making the hairs on your arms prick up. 

“You good over there?” you heard Poe’s voice through the comms. 

“A bit cold but I’ll manage,” you retorted. 

“Same over here, but we can get a campfire set up in a few minutes. We've reached our destination.” 

You both tilted your ships down and began your descent, aiming for a rocky ledge on the side of a mountain. The First Order were supposedly building a weapon somewhere on the mountain, so you and Poe had been sent by General Organa to check it out. A minute later you reached the ledge, landing gently. You pulled off your helmet, placing it by your feet and fastening all of the buttons and straps on your flight suit as you knew you would be swarmed by icy winds the second you exited your X-Wing. 

Bracing yourself, you jumped down onto the ledge, feet landing in a deep layer of snow. The snow went all the way up to your kneecaps, making you huff in annoyance. Poe turned to look at you, laughing the second he saw you.

“So glad you find this funny, Dameron.” you groaned.

“Aww, poor little Y/N. You stuck, sweetheart?” Poe mocked you, sticking out his lower lip in an exaggerated pout.

“Oh man. Hilarious. I mean really, Poe. Why did you join the Resistance when you could have been a comedian?” you snarked, making Poe laugh even more, clutching his stomach. He stopped laughing quickly, however, when you scooped up a handful of snow and launched it right at his face. 

“Oh yeah? That's how you wanna play, Princess? Fine- I’ll play your game!” Before you could register what was happening, Poe leapt onto you, bringing you both flat into the snow with a scream. 

“Poe!” you cried out in a fit of laughter, as he lay on top of you barely able to breathe after how much he was laughing with you. After a few moments, you managed to calm down a little, suddenly realising that your best friend and long-time crush was lying directly on top of you. You felt your face heat up in embarrassment of your little crush. ‘Come on Y/N, that's the Poe Dameron you're on about. You're his best friend, there are plenty of girls in the Resistance he could choose over you.’ you thought to yourself. 

A strong, icy breeze blew over you both, making you shiver. 

“C’mon, Princess. Lets get some shelter in that cave.” He straightened up, pulling you up with him. Carefully, you trudged through the snow. Your foot got caught on a rock underneath the snow, making you yelp and topple forwards. Before you could land in the snow again, two arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you up to Poe’s chest. Poe’s face was right in front of yours, making him smirk at you. You noticed a slight blush on his cheeks, but surely it coudn’t have been because of you, could it? It must have been because of the cold. 

“Well hey there, Sweetheart. Fancy seeing you here! What’s a gal like you doing in a place like this?”

“Shut it, Dameron.”

Poe chuckled, pulling you up and carrying you bridal style towards the cave’s opening, making your heart race. You could feel your face heat up again. 

“Clearly you can’t be trusted to walk on your own, Sweetheart. Luckily for you, you’ve got a handsome knight in orange armour to save you.”

“Handsome, huh?” you smirked.

“Of course. I mean just look at me, Y/N. I'm gorgeous.” he sniffed, tilting his head up to emphasise his jaw. 

“Wow! And so modest!” you joked. 

“Careful there, sweetheart. Don't forget who's holding you in his arms right above some icy rocks.”

“Ya know? Icy rocks are getting more and more tempting after every word you speak.”

In response to this, Poe pretended to drop you, lunging down and making you scream. You reached up and wrapped your arms around his neck, holding on tightly. He snickered, pulling you back up to his chest. 

“Bastard,” you exhaled, only serving to strengthen his laughter. 

When you reached the cave, he set you down on the floor, pulling his backpack off and settling down next to you. He opened his backpack, pulling out a bundle of wood and some matches to start a fire. 

Just as he was about to strike the matchstick against the box, the ledge you had landed your X-Wings on collapsed, causing both ships to tumble down the mountain and the icy ceiling of the cave to crack, sending shards of ice and a flow of water on top of you both. You and Poe both yelped, lurching backwards. The freezing water had soaked the matches, wood, blankets and most importantly- you and Poe. You could feel the water clinging to the thin material of your flight suit, the outer layer already freezing over from the sharp winds. 

“Shit!” Poe gasped out, violently quaking from the cold. His hands were clutching his chest in a desperate attempt to get any heat. 

“Everything’s soaked! Our ships are destroyed at the bottom of the mountain, we can’t make a fire and our blankets are dripping.” you got out through chattering teeth. “What do we do now?”

“Stars, I can barely think. We’re gonna die of hypothermia if we don't do something quick. C’mere.” he nodded to himself, opening his arms for you and sitting back against the wall. 

“W-what?” you chattered.

“We need body heat. Come here, we’ll freeze to death if you don't.” 

You sighed, watching your breath curl out of your mouth in the air. Moving proved to be more difficult than you had thought it would be. Your body was trembling so rapidly that your legs gave out, landing you right in Poe’s lap. 

“Good girl,” he whispered, hissing through his teeth straight after when a breeze entered the cave. You clutched each other, both burying your faces into the other’s neck. 

“We need to contact the Resistance,” you murmured. 

“My comm’s busted.” Poe groaned. 

You drew your wrist to your front, trying to turn on your holo-watch. If you could just get it to turn on you could call General Organa and have her send out a rescue fleet and medical team. You tapped the device roughly, in a desperate attempt to make the screen light up. An electric crackle sounded out as the screen blinked on, flickering between on and off. 

“Oh come on!” you groaned. 

Finally the holo-watch stayed on, making you and Poe cry out in celebration. You swiped through the applications to find the communications, pressing it and going straight to Leia’s direct comm. 

“General? General Organa, are you there?” Poe called out, putting every shred of hope he had on her answering.

“Loud and clear, Poe. Is everything alright? You don't sound too good.” Leia replied, making you both sigh in relief.

“The ledge we landed on collapsed completely and now we’re trapped inside an ice cave. The collapse also caused a load of water to fall on us so we’re soaked and exposed to high speed winds at the top of a mountain.” you added. 

“Shit,” she replied, “Okay just hold on. I’m sending a rescue team out right now. I can practically hear you both freezing to death. You two stay close, you hear me? I can’t go losing my two  best pilots now, can I?” she smiled, trying to lighten the mood to the best of her ability. 

“Yes ma’am.” you both laughed in sync. 

The call disconnected, making it just you and Poe alone at the top of a mountain again. 

“Mm, Poe. I’m so cold,” you whimpered, burying yourself further into his arms. 

Poe looked down to see your lips turning blue, feeling you quake even more rapidly. 

“Stars, Princess. Stay with me. C’mon, Y/N.” He choked out. 

Your vision was slowly fading, things becoming slightly blurry. 

“Poe, I'm tired.” you sniffled.

“No, no, no. Baby, come on. You can’t leave me- not like this. I love you,” a tear escaped from his eye.

“W-what?”

“I- I said that- I love you Y/N. I do. I have for a while now. This isn't exactly how I planned on telling you but I may not have another chance so- there you go. I love you, Y/N.” 

Your vision was now going black, muscles releasing their tight grip on Poe. 

The last thing you managed to say before you blacked out was “I love you too.”

Poe sobbed, clutching your bitingly-cold body. 

“No, no, no. Y/N don't go. No!” Poe rasped, soon finding his own vision blackening. 

“Y/N-” he whimpered before falling unconscious.

Half an hour later, the Resistance arrived, dragging you and Poe’s unconscious bodies into the ship and getting you medical care as soon as you entered. They had found you slumped together on the floor of the cave, both of your lips a rich blue and breaths shallow. 

- Time Skip to the Medical Bay on D’Qar -

You groaned, blinding white lights piercing your eyelids. After a minute or two of squinting you had finally adjusted to the light, managing to open your eyes. 

The first thing that came to your mind was Poe, and you began to panic about his safety. You must have been calling out for him because the next thing you knew, the curtain surrounding your bed was peeled back, a nurse frantically running to you. 

“Miss Y/L/N, you're finally awake!” 

“Where’s Poe?” you gazed at her desperately. 

“Commander Dameron is absolutely fine, nothing to worry about. You both suffered from severe hypothermia but you're right as rain already. In fact, he's in the bed next to you if you'd like to see him?”

“Please?” you begged. 

The nurse stood, pulling back the curtain separating you from the bed next to you. There you saw Poe, who appeared to have also only just woken, groaning as a nurse checked his eyes with a flashlight.

“Poe!” you called out. 

“Y/N! You’re okay!” he cried. 

The nurse wheeled your bed over to his, pushing them together and leaving you two alone, followed by Poe’s nurse. 

Poe rolled over to his side to face you, you doing the same thing. Without another word, Poe grabbed the back of your head and pulled you in for a desperate kiss, one that only lovers who thought their partner had died could achieve. You felt his tears falling onto your cheeks, making you reach up and stroke his jaw. You pulled away and panted for a moment, regaining your breath as your foreheads rested together. 

“I thought you’d died. I watched you pass out on me. You looked so frail.” he whimpered. 

“Shhhh, shh, I’m okay. We’re both okay.”

“I love you Y/N,” he cried gently.

“I know,” you smiled.

From the other side of the med-bay, Leia was watching you both, feeling reminded of her reunion with Han. She’d always seen herself and Han in you both. How you'd gone from just bickering, to being friends, to lovers. She loved you both as though you were her children. Leia smiled knowingly as she watched Poe pull you into another kiss, vowing to herself that she’d keep you two as safe as she could.

You weren't cold any more. Not at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. You had Poe now. You were both home, safe, loved. It may not have been a conventional start to a relationship but hey, where would be the fun in that? 

[marco-pierre]

Let The Games Begin

When: Night of the Storm Where: Le Leune Bleue Who: @solennxmadec, @maxim-lavoie, @juno-bouchard, @jaewon-calves, @benjaminletallec-ofmaine, @marco-pierre Notes: Trying to cope with being stranded by the storm at Le Leune Bleue, the group decided to cut loose with a game of Truth or Dare. 

Solenn

It had been a few hours and the early terrors had faded away. They had done their best to barricade the windows and doors. The yummy Maxim (god but he was hot) had made up batches of food now keeping warm over those funky oil burner candles that people used for catering. Later she'd have to ask what they were called and get some for her place. They were hella handy. Solenn had been plying people with drinks and everyone was getting that slightly chilled expression. The storm was still fucking scary as shit though so she needed a distraction. Plunking a bottle of tequila down on the table along with a set of shot glasses, Solenn looked around at the small group of people. "What do you say, peeps? Truth or dare?"

Benjamin

Benjamin didn't often find himself afraid of anything, but even he had to admit that the loud noises coming from the destruction of the storm had him on edge. Something about those sudden, terrible noises worked beneath his skin. Still though, if this was going to happen he was glad he was stuck in this place with these people. It could certainly be worse. Smirking, Ben leaned in, elbows on the table. "As long as it involves drinks, I'm in. You know that."

Marco

Marco was usually the one trying to make sure everything was alright and everyone was safe, but tonight he wasn't in control, he was just a customer trying to deal with this storm the best way possible. He sat back and finished his drink that he was graciously served by the hot bartender, mental note to come in here more often. He wasn't one usually to play games, but they had nothing else to do since they were stuck, "Sure why not, and I agree about the drinks!"

Jaewon

Jae had been a little nervous. Storms weren't his favorite thing, harkening back to the worst day of his life. And he couldn't help but wonder if any of his close friends were driving in it. He would hear from them soon surely. And at least Solenn was here. Outside of her relaxing nature and the comforting knowledge that she was safe and sound, she also prepared booze for them, and a few drinks in, he started to let go slightly. At the suggestion of Truth or Dare, he looked up from his phone. "A game? Mm okay," he said with a small smile. "And drinks yes."

Maxim

Maxim had distracted himself with cooking. He was incredibly nervous and cooking help to relax him to a certain point. At least as much as he could manage. But now that everyone was fed. He found himself nervous again, his skin crawling slightly. He wanted to go home and not here surrounded by people he didn't know. It only served to make him that much more nervous. At the suggestion of truth or date, he scooted slightly back with his chair, hoping to not be noticed.

Juno

Juno looked over from the window and frowned at the suggestion, she was soaking wet from her 'it’s just a bit of rain' stunt, making her moodier than she should have been. "Are we 12-year-olds?" She wondered bitterly, a slow sigh slipping from her as she kept her arms firmly folded trying not to worry about her children and the submissive she was telling herself she didn't need. The Domme still scruffing a dry towel at her wet hair to try and dry it somewhat.

Solenn

Solenn turned her head to treat Ben to a wink, partially in appreciation. She knew ridiculous games weren't his jam but he was probably going along to distract her and she appreciated it. The beefcake named Marco (drooooool) was willing to go along. She wondered if that was his usual demeanor or if he was more chill because of the storm. She grinned at Jaewon and then laughed as Maxim slid his chair back. The only one who made her frown was Mistress Juno. The woman was clearly in a mood. "Yes ... tonight in the midst of the storm, we are all going to pretend we are teenagers at a house party and all the parents are out." She poured a round of shots. She set an empty bottle and spun it around. It landed on Ben and Solenn laughed, "Truth or Dare, Sir?"

Benjamin

Ben should have known the bottle would land on him first. Wasn't that just his luck? He made a show of contemplating his answer for a moment before sitting up in his chair. "Truth. I don't want to give away all the good stuff too early in the evening by picking dare first." He could only imagine what sort of wild dares Solenn would be able to come up with, and as he looked around at the rest of the group he wondered how into the game they would get. With a few drinks, he figured most of them would loosen up.

Solenn

Solenn giggled at his reply. He appreciated the fact that the sophisticated Dominant was going along with it. "Let's see. Truth. What is the wildest thing you did as a teenager, for which you never got caught?"

Benjamin

Oh, that was a good one. He had some fun in his teenage years, though thinking back that far did make him feel a tad old. "I stole a car once. Well, I prefer to say borrowed since I returned it. I had a friend who's uncle owned a car dealership so I took one of the convertibles, filled it to the brim with booze, and drove out to a party outside of the city. Needless to say, I was the hero of the night. After a few... romps in the car I returned it. It probably wasn't the smartest thing for a teenager that wanted to be a lawyer to do, but what's done is done," he said with a laugh. After a moment he leaned forward to spin the bottle as well, watching as it spun and eventually landed on Jaewon. "Well, my friend? Truth or dare?"

Juno

Juno stayed to the side of the room, turning her gaze back to the window "The very idea makes me contemplate my chances of going back out there and seeing where fate takes me" she said with an eye roll. The Domme perched herself on a chair by the window, keeping her gaze fixed on the weather that was completely lashing down rain like it hadn't rained for weeks. The wind looked just as biblical. The woman sighed, propping her chin up with her elbow, casting a glance at the activities, almost curious.

Jaewon

Jae listened avidly to Ben's story, eyes widened when he heard that the man had stolen a car. It was not what he would have expected. "Wow..." he said in awe. His own teenage years hadn't been half as interesting. 

When the bottle was spun again and landed on him, a nervous laugh escaped him. "Uhhh...dare!" he declared, though he wasn't sure what he ought to expect in doing so.

Marco

Marco was enjoying watching the game unfold and hearing the story about the guy stealing the car and filling it with booze, it was a very interesting story and even more impressive that he didn't get caught. 

When the bottle was spun he kept his eyes on it to see where it was going to land. He laughed when it landed on Jae and was shocked when he said dare. "Jae you bold, but I like it!"

Benjamin

It had been a long time since Benjamin had played truth or dare, so when Jae picked dare it forced Ben to start thinking creatively. Still, though, he figured he should keep it relatively tame- To start at least. "All right. Pick something in the room and move your nose to spell it. We'll all try to guess it. If we can't guess it after five minutes then you can be done and tell us what it was."

Jaewon

Jae couldn't help but laugh at the dare. "Something in the room...?" He looked around, letting his eyes drift over the items near the group. His eyes landed briefly on a bottle of wine and started to spell out W-I-N-E with his nose. He laughed in between each letter, sometimes having to start a letter over again.

Benjamin

Ben couldn't hold back his laughter as Jae began the dare with no complaint. The sight of the submissive moving his face like that and laughing was a great distraction from the storm around them. "I have no idea. Even if I did though I wouldn't say because this is great."

Jaewon

Jae laughed. "That's so mean! Here, let me try again," he said, doing it again. He tried not to laugh this time, so he could get through the whole word without having to start over.

Maxim

Maxim was watching as the submissive tried to spell the word and he tried to logically think through what it could possibly be. He took in a deep breath before his brow was pulling together. "Is it... Four letters? I think it's four letters." He responded. Knowing he would be mortified if it was him doing it.

Solenn

"I think that is a "W"." Solenn called out, "But I can't figure out the rest ... Window? Is it a window?" she guessed excitedly, happy to distract herself with silly games and foolishness. That way she couldn't or wouldn't think about the storm and the fact that she had no idea how her friends and family were doing.

Marco

Marco was all engaged in this game, but with all the alcohol consumed, he was sure anything he said was probably going to be wrong. "That's definitely a W...maybe it's Wide...is it Wide!" He jumped up and was all excited, but from the looks of the faces, he was getting he knew it was wrong. "That's wrong huh...."

Benjamin

Benjamin was glad most of them had been agreeable to the game and was glad Solenn had suggested it. It was already working to lighten the mood of the room. "Hmm..." He looked around them, trying to see what Jae could possibly be seeing that started with a w. "Is it... wine?" Four letters and starting with a w, wine made sense.

Juno

Juno looked to the wine and nodded, it seemed like wine was the most obvious answer (even if she hadn't wanted to get involved) "It is more than likely wine" she called over, the Domme then trying to make it look like she wasn't involved, her head quickly going back to the view of the storm.

Marco

"Wine! That makes perfect sense now!" Marco shook his head not believing that he didn't get it sooner. He looked over at everyone around the room, it was funny seeing everyone's body language. Some were all in with the game, while others were sorta in and out, but he was definitely all in. Why not, you only live once right? And it wasn't like they were getting out anytime soon.

Jaewon

Jae nodded his head, excited when Ben got it right, smiling too when Juno chimed in. "Wine! That's it. You got it right. I did well, right?" Sipping from his own glass, he then sighed contentedly at having succeeded at such a silly task. "Ah, I'll spin now." Reaching forward, he spun the bottle until it landed on Marco. "Ahh...Marco. Truth or dare...?" he asked with a smirk. 

Marco

Marco was glad they got it right, "You did a great job Jae." He reassured his new friend, it was a valiant effort and they got it right, so it was great. He was having a blast, definitely not something he would do on a regular basis so it was nice just to let loose and have fun. He watched as the bottle spun around and it landed on him, "Whoa! Okay...well, I guess I will say dare and make it good!"

Jaewon

Jae smiled at the praise, and then again when Marco reacted to the bottle landing on him. A dare. "Hmm..." Jae tapped on his own chin as he thought of what he should dare Marco to do. "Ah. I dare you to give us a super dramatic reading of your most recent text conversation. Remember to put lots of feeling into it."

Benjamin

Ben was pleased that it had indeed been wine that Jae was spelling with his nose. It was an innocently fun dare that had started the process of distracting everyone. Jae had done well. Then Jae dared Marco to dramatically read his texts and Ben rubbed his hands together, laughing and eager to see the performance.

Marco

Marco wondered what Jae would ask him to do, and when he heard his dare, he couldn't help but laugh. "Wow, not what I expected, but I can handle that." He pulled out his phone and opened it to his text messages. He opened his most recent conversation and smiled, "Not very interesting, but I will make it as dramatic as possible." He looked down at his phone, letting them have a long dramatic pause. He looked up with the most serious look on his face, "Marco...I need you to go to the store before you come home from work." He walked slowly across the room and put his hand on Jae's shoulder, "What is it that you need mom?" He was being so super dramatic, but he needed to stop himself from laughing. He let out a dramatic sigh, "I need some eggs..." He started to fake cry.

Solenn

Solenn howled as Marco put on the most dramatic text reading of a text from his Mama. Honestly, she was impressed. Usually, beefcakes weren't also funny. This man was a rare treat. "Oh no! Did you get her eggs?? Tell me you aren't a monster who left your mama eggless?"

Marco

Marco was biting the sides of his cheeks trying not to laugh, but he had to admit that it was fun. He looked over at Solenn when she asked if he got the eggs, "You want to know if I got the eggs?" He cupped his hand over his ears to get a reaction from his audience, "Do you want to know if I got the eggs?" He asked again with more emphasis, "Yes...I got my mom the eggs, but you didn't let me finish." He cleared his throat and looked at his phone. "Oh and son, grab butter too, I'm making....a....cake." He said dramatically and ended with a deep sigh.

Jaewon

Jae laughed throughout the performance. It was better than if Marco had read some kind of racy text conversation that was meant to be private. A dramatic reading of a conversation about eggs. When the performance ended, he clapped. "Wooow, that was great! Bravo." With a smirk, he nudged the bottle in Marco's direction. "Your turn to spin."

Marco

Marco took a bow and hopped off the chair he was standing in, "Okay..." He gave the bottle a spin and watched as it spun round and round, then it landed on the chef Maxim. "Ah chef...looks like you're up and don't try to slink back in the corner, Truth or Dare." He smiled hoping that he would just have fun with the game.    

Maxim

Maxim had been hoping that it wouldn't ever land on him, yet here he was. He didn't want to do this at all and he found himself staring in concentration. "Um... Dare... I guess--" Truth felt too much like a danger zone to him.

Marco

Marco didn't expect Maxim to pick dare, but he was so excited to hear that he did. "A risk-taker, I like that." He needed to think of what he could dare Maxim to do, then it hit him. "Well since you are a chef, I dare you to pick anyone in the room and feed them as sexy as you can....we need to spice this up some." He laughed.

Juno

Juno got herself up and walked over slowly, watching the game and yet still not actively involving herself. "These dares are extremely tame," she pointed out, looking to Maxim as he was given his dare, an eyebrow-raising to see what he would make of it.

Benjamin

Benjamin grinned as he watched the commotion around him. "Well then Juno, maybe you should jump in the game and show us how it's done. For now, though, I'm eager to see Maxim feed someone," he said with a laugh.

Solenn

"Mistress Juno. Are you prepared to be the one our Maxim feeds?" She teased with a laugh, entertained that the Domme might have finally given into participation. She poured the Domme a shot and passed it over to the stunning woman. "Show us how it is done Maxim."

Juno

Juno glared down at the two and kept her arms folded, her eyes then fixing to the shot "I believe it is his choice, so let's not expect it to be myself he picks" she admitted, taking the drink and looking it over before shrugging and knocking back- figuring the liquor would calm her bad mood.

Maxim

Well fuck, now he was nervous as all hell. Juno was really the only one he kind of knew and he had intended on picking her but his comment made him blush profusely. “I...” he hesitated, eyes darting to the mistress and then to the ground. “I was going to pick you, miss... but I can pick someone else if you’d rather I didn’t.”

Juno

Juno looked at Maxim with an unreadable expression, a small slow sigh escaped her. But she couldn't refuse, it was a dare afterall and Maxim must have had his reasons"Well, I suppose you did help me with my dinner fiasco-" she admitted and sat herself down closer to him. "I however can't eat shellfish as I'm allergic , so anything but that shall suffice if you still wish to keep me as your first choice" she said simply, ever the professional even in a game.

Marco

Marco clapped his hands together when Maxim picked the person he was going to feed, "Great, now that we've established the person you are going to feed, let's get on with it." He smiled, "No shellfish...and remember to make it sexy." He wiggled his eyebrows.

Maxim

Max blushed again before finding a piece of potato he had made earlier and slowly approaching the woman.  He watched her to make sure he wasn’t doing anything he shouldn’t and then kneeled before him. Using his left hand, he trailed it gently up her arm and then brought the hand with the food up towards her mouth. “For you, miss.” He wasn’t exactly good at sexy.

Juno

Juno watched Maxim carefully, intrigued by his attempt of sexy and almost seduction. "Thank you, Maxim" she said in a husky tone. Juno made sure she kept eye contact with him before slowly parting her lips and taking potato piece carefully from him, trying to help him with the 'sexy' side of things.

Benjamin

Ben was impressed. For being shy, Maxim had done a good job at coming off sexy as he fed Juno, and for being... Well for being Juno, she had done a good job letting him feed her. "I didn't know potatoes could be so sexy. Damn."

Marco

Marco smiled, liking what he saw between Maxim and Juno. "Damn is right, that was definitely sexy." He was actually proud of his dare, "From the look of things it looks like Juno liked it as well." He smirked.

Solenn

Solenn clapped with approval. "Well done Max ... Well done indeed. And Mistress Juno was as gorgeous as usual." She gestured to the bottle. "Your turn to spin, Max. And give as good as you got ... if not better."

Maxim

Max blushed again as he fed her the piece of food, “you’re welcome, miss...” he said softly before he was getting to his feet so he could spin the bottle.” He watched it spin and land on Juno. “Uh.... truth or dare?”

Juno

Juno looked between the others and then clicked her tongue, the truth wasn't one she was prepared to give up "A dare" she said simply "Though let's make it something to really play for, hm?" She offered the room.

Marco

Marco nodded and smiled brightly hearing the challenge coming from Juno, "You all heard the lady, let's make this game something really to play for. We want it to be worth playing for right?" He was all about making it spicy.

Maxim

Dare. And a sexy one at that. Max wasn’t even sure what to do for it, he blushed again before speaking softly hoping that his dare was up to par. “I dare you too... choose another person and demonstrate your favorite sex position.” Jesus, had that really come out of his mouth?

Juno

Juno sucked in a breath and yet she nodded "Alright..." she mused with a glint in her eye, she looked between Maxim and Solenn for the option and then pointed to Solenn "Since you've had a lot to say but not much action in this game yet" she almost smirked, gesturing to the floor "I want you to lay down" she said simply.

Marco

Marco was surprised yet excited by the dare that Maxim gave Juno, it was really good. "Now that's what I'm talking about!" He was going to enjoy watching this dare and when she picked Solenn as her partner it was even more exciting. "Now this just got even more interesting."

Benjamin

Benjamin watched the next dare with interest. There was also a small part of him that he refused to acknowledge that felt a little jealousy at the prospect of Solenn demonstrating a sexual position with Juno. Weird thing, jealousy. He focused on his drink though, drinking it down before turning back to the group.

Maxim

Maxim had given the dare but boy was he glad that he wasn't going to have to be the one who she was using to demonstrate. He wasn't sure he'd be able to do it with a straight face.

Solenn

Solenn blinked in surprise as Juno turned on her and pulled her into the game. She then straightened her back and nodded, "Yes Mistress." She gave Marco a wink for his teasing and then sauntered over to the spot the Domme had selected. She wasn't insanely excited about laying on a floor but hell, it was probably where they were all sleeping tonight. She stretched out on the floor and kept her hands loose on her belly as she waited to see what the Domme would come up with next.

Juno

Juno sighed to herself, sure she was getting involved. But it was a hollow enjoyment from it, she was beyond distracted and stressed. But every lawyer was an actor in her mind, they could put on the face that they needed to. The blonde studied Solenn for a moment until she hiked up her tight pencil skirt slightly, being sure not to make eye contact as she did so, she had imagined that she was not the submissive's first choice for such an activity after their conversation. The Domme stepped over Solenn and knelt down, placing a leg either side of her head, she took the girls wrists and carefully placed them on her hips. She lowered herself closer to the girls face but made sure to keep the appropriate distance. The blonde looked around the room to make sure others were satisfied with the completed dare. "Sufficient?"

Marco

Marco watched as Juno proceeded with the dare and he couldn't lie, it was definitely hot seeing Juno and Solenn in that position. She was keeping a safe distance, but it was still hot. He clapped his hands when Juno asked if this was sufficient, "It works for me." He even did a little wolf whistle, "Although it's not my dare." He looked over at Maxim, "What do you think Maxim?"

Maxim

Max took in a deep breath before nodding his head, "It works." He said before he was settling back into his chair. He took in a deep breath, hoping that the woman wouldn't hold it against him in the future. He was just trying to play the game.

Marco

Marco was having a blast, maybe too much fun! Although this was a crazy situation, they made the best of it. He smiled when Maxim said the Juno completed her dare. "I think so too!" He smiled as the game continued, they were able to ride out the storm, just being silly and having fun. He could only hope that other people were having just as much fun as this group was having! He was just going to focus on the now and think about the aftermath later.

[nicklangfordmuse]

MONDAY | baby daddy verse

Monday morning and it was the day that Martin visits the gym for apparently an important meeting. He isn’t sure what it is about yet but his heart raced. Apart from his heart jumping out of his chest, he was still coughing and feeling a little ill. But today isn’t a day for that. Today is about showing strength and leadership so he really pushed his best with a couple of medicine and a kiss from his fiancé and son. He also gave Katrina another kiss for an advance congratulations for her first day of class. Hopefully, this will be another week filled with good news for the family.

Going into work, everyone can tell that Nick looked sick. And while he did, there’s still that strive in him to keep going, which everyone appreciated. He started his day as usual, going through paperworks. Martin is expected to arrive around lunchtime or after that. While waiting, Nick decided to assist on the field work and help train a couple of people. After a while, Lydia came up to him.

“Martin’s here. He said you’re going out for a lunch meeting.” She informed him and Nick nodded, going back inside his office to put a jacket on before meeting Martin out.

“Hey. Lunch meeting?” Nick asked and Martin nodded at him with a smile before realizing how his voice sounded. “You okay, Nick? You sound...terrible.” Martin said, not trying to be offensive. Nick shrugged his shoulders at him and chuckled. “I’m fine. Just...a little under the weather. But I’m good.” Nick assured him so he just nodded at him and lead him out so they could have lunch.

As they got there, they started talking about personal stuff, asking about each other’s lives and everything going on. Nick told him about his family, keeping the engagement news out of the light for now. Martin even told him about a few personal things which they bonded over. Close to finishing their food, Martin finally brought up business.

“I really appreciate your work at the gym, Nick. I really do. I mean, you’ve brought House of Fitness farther than how I expected it to go.” He started which Nick thanked and nodded him for. “I was told yesterday that...you brought it a number of teachers to register for the gym?” He asked and Nick nodded. “Yeah, well, those are teachers from my son’s school. We’re neighbors with one of them and they started this goal for the school year to work out and take care of their bodies and health too, apart from taking care of the kids.” He shared and Martin nodded. “That’s...thats very nice to hear.” He said, clearing his throat and wiping his lips with the napkin. “Again, I really appreciate all the effort but...” Here it goes. “We’ve noticed...some absences in your record. A lot of...cut hours per day. And I have to say, it’s...actually affecting...the work space.”

“I’m...I’m doing my best and trying to keep my family together at the same time. I don’t...I don’t get it. Are you firing me?” He asked, chuckling to lighten the situation. “No, no, no. That’s not what I’m saying. What I’m trying to say is...maybe...you’re gonna need some help.” Martin said and it was quiet. Silence filled the room and Nick just looked at him like he wanted a further explanation of things. Help? What kind of help?

Suddenly, like a perfectly time movie scene, Brock came in the restaurant and Martin waved at him to come over to their table. “Hey, man.” Brock told Nick with the biggest grin like he just got the best news of his life. He sat down beside Martin and it looked like the two of them has the news Nick was waiting for. “Brock...has showed excellence since we started the gym. He has grown and helped the company so much like you have and...it was time to reward strong efforts and dedication like his. So...I promoted Brock to a managerial position just like yours.” Martin finally explained.

Nick looked at them, hoping he wasn’t hearing this like it sounded. “Like...an assistant manager?” He asked and Martin pressed his lips before shaking his head. “I am assigning the both of you as co-managers of the gym. That way...you’ll have the help you need around the place.” At this point, Nick felt his head become lighter and his chest slowly drowning. He wasn’t getting his job done right so they got a replacement for him. Someone better. “You can manage your time properly, you’ll have two to three days off a week. We’ll balance your schedule well so you’ll have time to take care of your family like you wish. It’s...gonna pay less because you’ll share the position but you’ll have better time management and the stress on your shoulders would be lessen.” He explained before noticing how pale Nick was starting to look. “And look, you should start taking care of yourself. You’ve been sick since yesterday, Lydia told me.”

“Hey, man. I hope you don’t...see this as a competition. Come on, we’re one team. Remember? It’s been you and me since the beginning. We became friends since the gym started. I can guarantee you, we’ll make this gym far better than how we envisioned it from the start.” Brock assured him, hoping Nick wasn’t taking this to the heart.

Nick was quiet at first before realizing how he should react. This should be a good thing. He’ll have help and he can have more time with his family. “Uhm...yeah, man. Of course. We’re a team.” He repeated. Martin smiled, glad that Nick took this the way he hoped he would. Nick started coughing again, feeling his body slowly sinking down the seat. “You okay, man? You worked out too much yesterday with those teachers.” Brock said and Nick shook his head. “I’m fine, I’m fine. It’s just...a little cough.” He said before coughing hard again and Martin knew what to do with this. “Look, take the rest of the day off. We’ll count your hours for today complete but...you can go home. Get some rest and come back stronger tomorrow. Let’s give today to Brock, shall we? Put his managerial assets to the test.” Martin joked which made both him and Brock laugh. Nick felt powerless in that situation and all he could do was nod and smile weakly.

After a while, they headed back to the gym and Nick was getting his things from the office. Suddenly, Brock entered and he was carrying a box of his own things. This is really happening. They’re even sharing an office now. “Hope you don’t mind. I’ve always wanted to put a frame of my loved ones on a desk.” He said, chuckling and Nick just nodded. “Hey, man, really. You should get some rest. I have everything handled here. No worries. Just...let me know when you get better so we can discuss a few things I talked to Martin about. Ya know, managerial stuff.” Nick pressed his lips together before nodding, feeling very ill now. “Okay. Uhm...I’ll...see you soon.” Nick said as he headed out to his car to drive home.

The place was empty. It was so quiet and Milo had only approached him a little and went back to his little bed. Nick still kept coughing, feeling worse than how he did earlier. He just sat on the bed, his mind going blank as his body was slowly falling into the trap of illness. And yet, he couldn’t stop remembering the meeting. He was given a partner to share the position and yet, he felt like he was being replaced. Nick couldn’t get the job done and this was just making him feel useless. Like he’s not good enough. The last time he felt this heavy was when he couldn’t find the desire to go to college as Katrina did. And he made the decision to leave the love of his life for her dreams to come true. He couldn’t let her go down with him so he just left so he’d go down alone. A tear fell from Nick’s eyes as he closed them and the coughing started again. It became chilly that he felt like he needed to lie down and cover himself with a blanket for heat and protection from his insecurities. After a while, he suddenly passed out. His body finally gave up on him and the simple cough became a terrible flu, causing him fever, body pains, cough and colds.

Nick slept throughout the afternoon and when the time to pick up Shawn came, he missed it. He complete missed it because he was terribly ill in bed. It had been an almost an hour since Shawn was finished with school and all of his friends had gone home already. He was left there waiting and Victoria saw him. “Shawn, you’re still here? Where’s your dad?” She asked and Shawn shrugged his shoulders, looking like he was on the verge of tears. “Wait here. I’ll call up your parents.” She said, getting the logbook of contact numbers and seeing his parents’ numbers there. She first tried to call Nick but there was no answer. After two more failed tries, she decided to call Katrina. Three times and her calls were just sent straight to voicemails. The boy’s parents were unreachable.

“They’re not answering and they’re the only contacts you have here.” She told the boy and Shawn looked really sad. “I wanna go home.” He whined a little and Victoria could understand his frustration. Shawn was the only one left in school. “Okay. Uhm...I’m...not sure if this is allowed but...I can bring you home. I can drop you off at your apartment as long as your parents are there. Is that okay with you?” She asked and Shawn looked unsure at first but seeing as she’s the only one right there who knows where he lives, he just nodded at her. Holding his hand, they went to the road to get a cab and go home. Shawn was just quiet, wondering why his dad didn’t pick him up. When they arrived at the apartment, he saw the truck there. “Daddy’s truck.” He told Victoria and that gave her the idea that Nick is indeed home. “Alright. Let’s ring the doorbell and see if he’s really home.” She said, going to the front and ringing the doorbell. No movement but Milo started barking. “Milo!” Shawn said, trying to peek at the window. “Milo is there.” He told Victoria, trying to peek at the window again. “Milo, open the door.” He told his dog but it was obviously useless.

No person was opening the door still and Victoria was growing nervous. Ringing the doorbell twice again, Nick felt his eyes flew open at the realization that he had been asleep for a while. Someone was ringing their doorbell. Slowly, he tried to get up but he was just in so much pain as he kept coughing more. He tried to reach for his phone but even that was so hard to do.

Victoria was starting to feel hopeless and she had one last option in mind. If this door is open, then her problem is solved but if it’s locked, then she’s got a lot on her plate than she expected for today to go. Twisting the knob, she pushed the door open and it she was surprised that it wasn’t lock. That was very unsafe. Closing the door behind them, they were greeted by the big dog and Shawn ran to him for a hug. “Milo! Where’s daddy? He didn’t pick me up!” He said, realizing the dog was looking at Victoria. “That’s Ms. Victoria. She brought me here and she’s nice.” He told the dog and Victoria waved at the dog, trying to show him that she’s a good person. “I’m gonna go upstairs and look for daddy.” He said but Victoria shook her head. If the door is unlocked and the apartment is quiet, who knows what’s happening there, right? “Wait. I’ll...I’ll go with you. I can’t leave you unless I know you’re with your dad.” She said, locking the door first before holding onto Shawn’s hand again as they went upstairs. They went to Nick’s room and as they opened the door, they saw him coughing his lungs out and he looked very ill.

“Daddy! Why are you sleeping? You didn’t pick me up from school!” He complained, unaware of what’s happening to his dad. “Baby, I’m sorry. I’m so...so sorry.” He apologized, his voice deeper, really showing how sick he is. “Victoria. You...brought him home?” Nick asked, surprised by the presence of their neighbor. “I was calling you and...his mother and I wasn’t getting answers. He’s the only one left in school so...I decided to bring him here. I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do.” She apologized but Nick shook his head a little. “No, no. I’m actually grateful...that you did that. It’s all my fault. I’m sorry.” He said and Shaw was just beside him, trying to understand why he was still in bed. “Bubba, daddy is...very sick. I’m sorry I didn’t pick you up. But...I can’t have you near me right now, baby. I don’t want you getting sick too.” He said, pouting at his son and hoping he understood. “Can you go stay with Milo in your room first?” He asked and he nodded with a pout. Shawn got off the bed and went to his bedroom to take his shoes off and play with his dog.

Once alone, Victoria could see how sick he was. “You probably have a flu. Have you taken any medication?” She asked and Nick shook his head. Victoria moved closer and got a hand over his head before quickly taking it off. “Ooh, you’re burning. That’s not a good sign.” She said, looking around. “Do you have...a thermometer around? And I’m gonna need a towel and...some warm water.” She said as Nick coughed more, feeling the ache in his body. “Bathroom. Drawer.” He said, figuring she just wanted to help. His body was in so much pain and his mind is still racing from his bad news. Victoria went to the bathroom and got what she need, putting a thermometer on Nick to check his temperature. Using the wet cloth, she gently patted his face to cool him a little. Nick laid there helpless but still grateful. At one point, he saw that it was Katrina taking care of him like this which made him smile for the first time today. Victoria saw this and smiled back at him.

“I have some medicine in my bag. You should take it, every four hours.” She said, getting the thermometer and her face squinted as she saw the result. “Too high. If this doesn’t go down after the medicine, I feel like you should go to hospital.” She suggested and Nick shook his head. “I can’t...leave Shawn here. I have to get up. Now.” Nick said, trying to but he just moaned at the pain of trying to get up. “If you could.” Victoria said, seeing he was still wearing his gym shirt. “Also, you should’ve changed your shirt. You work at a gym so I’m sure that’s full of sweat.” She said, getting up before suddenly feeling like she’s too nosy. “Uhm...is there...anyone I can call? Like...Shawn’s Mom? Where is she?” She asked and Nick shook his head at her. “It’s her first day teaching ballet. I can’t distract her today. Not today.” He said, letting out a breath. “Can you try calling Daria? She’s Shawn’s sitter. I just need at least someone watching over Shawn until Katrina gets back.” He said and Victoria nodded, getting Nick’s phone as he gave it to her. “Uhm...do you...want me to get you a shirt? So you can change?” She asked and Nick nodded, pressing his lips together. Pointing at a shirt on the desk, Victoria got it and gave it to him. “Do you...need help?” She asked and Nick felt so shy. “It’s okay. I think...I can do it. Just try to call Daria, please.” He asked and she nodded, going out to the hallway to make a call.

Once he was alone, Nick slowly got up, trying to take in the pain as he tried to change his shirt as quickly as possible. Getting the medicine, he took the water bottle from the table and drank it. Laying back down in bed, Nick was still in pain but he knew he’d be in so much more when Katrina finds out that he failed to pick up Shawn from school. Closing his eyes, he quickly opened it again when he heard Victoria come back in the room. “Okay. I spoke with your sitter and she won’t be back in town till tomorrow. So...anyone else we can call for you and Shawn?” She asked as Nick thought about it. If she called Rachel, Katrina’s gonna know about this and he wanted to be the first to tell her. So...no one, basically. Nick shook his head at her and Victoria nodded, pressing her lips together. “Uhm...well, I just live next door so...I can stay with Shawn if...that’s cool with you. I mean, until...his mom comes back.” She suggested and Nick pouted at her. “That’s not your job. I don’t...want to put more burden on you.” He said, feeling bad for abusing her kindness today. “No, no. Really. I just...want to help. I mean, we established yesterday that we’re also..neighbors, right? So...neighbors are kinda friends too. Plus, I can’t leave the little boy alone here so...that’s gonna be on my conscience too.” She explained, moving closer again and feeling the need to gently wipe Nick’s face of the wet cloth. Closing his eyes, Nick let out a breath. “Thank you...for being here.” He whispered and Victoria smiled, patting the cloth over his neck too. “Give me two hours. I promise I’ll be down to check on you two. Just...put Lion King on and he’ll be set.” He suggested.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Shawn was bothered by the fact that his dad didn’t pick him up from school. Not only that but he was alone upstairs with his teacher. Thankfully, the landline was transferred to this apartment and it has Nick and Katrina’s numbers both on speed dial. Pressing 1, Shawn waited for his mother to answer. It took a while before he heard his mother’s voice. “Mama!” He said but then, he realized it was directed to voicemail. After the beep, he spoke again. “Mama, it’s Shawn. I’m home but...daddy didn’t pick me up. Because daddy is sick.” He paused, pouting to himself. “Where are you, mama? Can you come home already? I miss you.” He said, taking another long pause before hanging up the call. As he sat on the couch, he saw Ms. Victoria coming down the stairs.

“Hey. So...your dad is very sick but...he told me to stay with you until he comes down. Is that okay? We can watch the lion King while we wait.” She suggested, remembering that it was the key word. Shawn nodded at his teacher and Victoria smiled at him, turning the TV on so they can watch while Nick is trying to rest upstairs.

[crossroadsimagine]

👻 Halloween Story: Yell for Karin Route

🎃 Please Note: This story is done like a choose your own adventure story. If you have not started reading from the beginning please do. Follow this link to start at the beginning of the story!

With the lights suddenly going out you felt a strong sense of unease and panic rising up within you, being around so many people made you uncomfortable even when the power was on.

Something about being around so many people in the dark left you panicking, you held your hands together close to your chest.

“Karin,” you called out over and over again almost like a whisper at first but you raised your voice and became a bit more panicked each time.

“Hey! Quiet down would ya!?” you heard a voice shout at you from behind, you quickly turned and put your hands out in front of you.

Accidentally smacking the person right in the face with the palm of your hand, 

“Gah, What the Hell!?” you heard him ask loudly though you suspected he was really wanting an answer, though the more he spoke the more you felt like you recognized his voice.

Suddenly you felt a hand grab the front of your shirt, nearly right at the collar and gave you a strong yank that almost threw you completely off balance.

You were being dragged along with the person who was directing you rather roughly through the room, which was now a buzz with chatter from the lights going out. You could hardly see a thing and you reached out and grabbed the wrist of the arm pulling you along, but you didn’t know how to react.

You weren’t even sure who the person was and didn’t feel comfortable with fighting the person off in the complete darkness. You were pulled through a few different rooms until you were a few rooms away from where the party was mostly taking place.

It was very quiet in this room and though you couldn’t see, you could sense that there wasn’t others in the room with you. The hand finally let you go and almost immediately you felt something large and warm push against the back of your legs, you felt your heart leap in your chest being a little frightened by the entire situation.

You didn’t know who the person was and didn’t know what it was you just felt, and on top of all that you weren’t all that comfortable with the dark and you were feeling vulnerable.

Lightning suddenly flashed lighting up the room and you gasped in surprise, but your attention was drawn to the window, in the brief moment you could see how nasty the weather was becoming outside.

“Hey, relax.” the voice said, and suddenly you felt something large and warm against your leg by your right side this time. This time you reached your hands out towards it, and felt something furry and warm. You could instantly tell what it was now, recognizing Akamaru right away without second guessing it for a moment.

This meant the person with you was Kiba since the two were rarely ever apart, you immediately reached out towards the direction you thought Kiba was still in from the last time he had spoke.

Though you immediately caught him right in the chin with the palm of your hand,

“Bah, Stop doing that!.” he complained sounding quite snippy with you, as he grabbed ahold of your wrist.

“S-sorry.” you stuttered over your words.

“I’m just glad it’s you!” you said cheerfully.

You knew Kiba well because you had known him from your childhood, though it wasn’t as if the two of you were bestfriends.

Because the two of you didn’t regularly hang out together, but the fact that the two of you did when you were children was enough that you felt comfortable with him.

“W-wha?” he barely managed to get out, seemingly confused by your words.

“I just mean I’m happy to see you.” you explained happily.

Thunder continued to rumble in the distance and it sounded like it was getting closer by the minute, lightning lit up the room occasionally and when it did you could catch a glimpse of him.

“Just go back to the party if you’re done freaking out.” he said in a rather gruff voice.

“Freaking out? I don’t remember doing that.” you challenged feeling like he was exaggerating a bit.

“You were the one shouting.” he pointed out and you could hear the annoyance in his tone, though he often sounded rather agitated.

“I was just trying to find Karin, that doesn’t mean I was freaking out.” you suggested getting a little defensive.

“Yeah sure.” he agreed sarcastically.

“Why don’t you go back to the party?” you pointed out,

“You are the one who dragged me way over here.” you explained.

“To keep you from hitting others.” he said almost teasingly this time,

“Hey, I said I was sorry, and it’s not like I was trying to.” you said.

“After all you’d notice the difference if I was trying to hit you.” you suggested.

“What? like I’d have a black eye instead of a busted lip?” he asked though still had a teasing tone to his voice.

You couldn’t help but feel a bit bad even if he was only joking with you, though it make you wonder if you had unintentionally hurt him in some way.

“Are you kidding? or are you being serious?” you asked hoping you would get an honest answer but you weren’t holding your breath.

“Like it matters.” he snapped a little.

You reached out to touch him but couldn’t feel him when you extended your arms, you took a few tiny steps in the direction he last was but still couldn’t feel him.

“Kiba?” you asked rather quietly but as soon as you did you bumped right into him. You grabbed onto his shirt but could tell he had his back to you,

“What are you doing?” he asked sounding agitated again,

“Maybe you shouldn’t move around so much, it’s dangerous for both of us.” he said teasing again.

“Did I really hurt your lip?” you asked trying to get a straight answer,

“Just drop it, I’m fine.” he complained as her tugged himself free from your grip.

“Don’t just shrug me off, I’m asking a question.” you said getting a little annoyed with him and you quickly grabbed his arm, yanking him back towards you roughly.

Which to your surprise must of caught him off guard because you felt him lose his balance, momentarily before he let out a short “Hey!” as if he was going to scold you but stopped when he realized how badly you unbalanced him.

Which was only made worse when you went to take a step backwards but tripped over your own feet and to the ground you went taking Kiba with you. Lightning lit up the room again as you were lying on the floor on your back, and for a moment you could see that Kiba had caught himself enough for he didn’t fall on top of you.

But he was above you on his hands and knees, a hand on each side of your head, and he was straddling one of your legs. And for that brief moment you could see the surprised or perhaps embarrassed look on his face, but soon the room fell in complete darkness again.

“What did I just say about not moving around?” he said in a plain voice this time, which was a little surprising because you felt for sure your were in for a scolding this time.

Before he had a chance to react or move you raised a hand up to him and gently touched his cheek and slid your thumb across his lip. You could practically feel his surprise as you could feel him flinch under your touch,

“W-what are you doing!?” he nearly shouted as he stumbled over his words, as you heard his voice break with embarrassment as he yanked his head away from your touch.

“You wouldn’t just answer my question! I have to make sure.” you pointed out like it was his fault for not just telling you flat out.

“N-no, No you don’t!” he complained “You don’t have to do any of that.” he continued.

You grabbed the front of his shirt for he couldn’t go anywhere without you knowing,

“S-stop it.” he said and you could hear how flustered he was which made you wonder what had him so on edge and flustered.

You never saw him or heard him behave like this before and it certainly had your attention, it almost made him seem a little vulnerable which was strange to consider since he normally put on such a tough exterior.

Perhaps he had a weakness that you weren’t aware of and you couldn’t pass up finding it out, and being able to use it to your advantage.

“What’s the matter? now you sound like the one freaking out.” you teased.

“Am not!” he argued back quickly.

“Just let go of me.” he complained.

You really had no intention of letting him go or at least you really didn’t want to let him go now, you were awfully amused by his behavior. Suddenly you felt him move away from you like he was trying to get back up to his feet, it seemed like he wasn’t waiting for an answer or waiting for you to let go.

You tugged on his shirt to try and keep him close to you but he wasn’t having it and continued to move away from you anyways. But before he could get far you wrapped your arms around him in a tight hug, similar to the way a child clings to their parents leg.

This time it seemed to make him tense and freeze in place, finally he let out a long sigh and you felt him relax. Then before you could even comprehend what was happening he touched your chin and tilted your head back, before roughly pressing his lips to yours in a passionate kiss. It almost left you breathless in complete surprise because it was the last thing you saw coming even in the situation you were in.

But you quickly melted right into the kiss with him, kissing him back gently nearly surprised with how you were reacting yourself. Because you and Kiba had known each other since you were young, you had never really thought of Kiba in that way before.

But now that things were developing it made you entertain the thought, and honestly that thought wasn’t all that bad the way you were imagining it in your head. He moved his hand from your chin to the side of your face cupping your face gently, before lightening the kiss and ending the kiss.

He then rolled off of you and onto his back on the floor beside you and sighed again, you still couldn’t see him though because of how dark the room was but you rolled over on your side and reached your hand out in his direction. You touched his arm and ran your hand down his arm until you found his hand, you held his hand and squeezed it gently.

“Was that just to distract me?” you asked almost teasing him.

But he didn’t answer you which grabbed your attention “Are you alright?” you asked suddenly feeling a little concerned, after all his behavior was quite abnormal, and it made you wonder if something happened.

“I’m fine.” he said sounding agitated again, “Are you sure about that?” you started sounding very doubtful,

“What was the kiss for?”, “Are you feeling okay?” “Did something happen?” you began asking question after question trying to get him to talk to you.

Suddenly he rolled over towards you grabbing your wrists and moving on top of you to straddle you. He pinned your wrists to the floor beside your head and there was a moment of silence

“I love you, I have since we were kids.” he finally confessed though his words were sweet his tone was annoyed, and you could tell he was getting embarrassed again even though you couldn’t see him.

You were a little shocked by his confession and didn’t know what to say back to him,

“Now you know so just drop it.” he complained loudly as he let go of your wrists and raised back up to his feet.

“N-no wait!” you finally managed to say as you scrambled to you feet, reaching out for him you were able to grab the front of his shirt against his chest.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me before?” you asked as you pulled on him and stepped closer to him for the two of you were only inches apart.

“How was I suppose to?” He questioned,

“It’s not like that’s something you just casually tell someone.” he argued. Which it did seem unreasonable to blame him for not telling you sooner, you knew it would be hard for you to tell him you loved him. Instead of arguing with him you placed your hands on his cheeks and kissed him deeply, lightly sliding your tongue against his lip.

He placed his hands on your hips and slid your shirt up slightly touching your bare skin just enough to give you chills. He kissed you deeply and hugged you tight before the kiss ended, you wrapped your arms around him. Suddenly a bright beam of light hit you in the face making you close your eyes for a moment before your eyes could adjust to the sudden light.

You were still close to Kiba but he had let go of you to use his arms to block the light,

“Oh am I interrupting?” you heard a familiar voice ask and it only took seconds for you to recognize It as Karin.

“Interrupting What?” Kiba snapped his agitated tone returning instantly, he took a few steps towards Karin. He didn’t seem like he wanted to give Karin any reason to tease either of you, so you assumed he was trying to keep what happened quiet.

It didn’t take long for Karin to get agitated with Kiba’s attitude and within minutes they were arguing, to which you couldn’t help but giggle a little over it as you watched them go back an forth. As you followed after them into the next room it made you wonder where things were going to go from here.