#hey lets play a game: spot which chapters WEREN'T there before

[morningstargirl666]

WIP WEDNESDAY

I finished the Mikaelson Ball story arc FINALLY

[serxinns]

The Hero awaits but With a deadly fate: Chapter 4!

A/n: hey guys missed me? No? ok- anyways here's the 4th chapter! I hope you enjoy

TW: this may include, violence, INTENSE description of gore, cussing, death, mentions of drugging, mention of kidnapping, Yandere behavior of course, gaslighting and delusion, and anything I forgot to mention if you aren't comfortable with these stuff DO NOT READ

Maniacal laughter escaped from the boy's lips as he eagerly searched around like a predator hunting for prey. "Oh- b-bunny...I can't wait to feel your body against me, and it's fine if you squirm against my touch. I won't be sad...you remind me of a baby bunny trying to escape.." his voice was shuddering, shakey even but it wasn't in fear It was in delight

You couldn't see which direction the deranged man was but you could feel his presence getting closer and closer his shoes echoing closer, you braced yourself closing your eyes and shirking into the car further and further praying he didn't see you

tamaki's smile widened when he got closer to the engine arms and tentacles ready to snatch you up and take you to his group he grabbed the door not caring if it created a large dent and ripped open the seat only to find it you weren't there...strange Tamaki had a blank face before quickly returning to a wide psychotic grin

"Oh, bunny's playing smart, huh!" He then erupted in laughter that made your spine shiver. "Tamaki, you there? A voice ran out giggling" Tamaki looked to his right to see Neijire smiling widely "I see you having fun with this game! I was getting bored following Mirio cause he kept being a big bossy pants anyways did you find gumdrop yet" "no not at the moment but we're getting closer! I can sense them!"

Oh shit oh shit!

"Uh Miriko I'm gonna call you back the villains are near" Before she could say anything you quickly turned down the earpiece gently placing down your arm making sure you didn't cause any movement to the car nor utter a noise

"They're gonna find me if I don't act quick!!" You peaked around looking for any kind of alternative escape plan you thought long and hard then you spotted a metal piece that looked like that was part of a car you thought for a moment then a light suddenly popped out your head "Please cartoon logic save me this ONE TIME" you calculated your strength and arm for a few moments you waited until the time was right it was a one-time thing and you weren't sure if you were gonna pay the price if it failed

You then quickly threw the item across them when they turned away making the mental hit with a large CLANK! Both of the villains looked at where the sound came from and smiled like they won the lottery "I think it's them.." Tamaki whispered while Neijire nodded eagerly as they crept slowly around the corner as if they were one step ahead of you

You watched carefully while they disappeared behind the corner once they did you activated your invisibility quirk and quickly ran toward the upper ram leading you to the upper floor

As you were walking towards the exit you smelled something rotting like some sort of rotten meat you gagged trying your best to cover your nose, you looked around to see where the smell had come from and you saw some flies in the car you didn't want to oh you didn't but curiously is sick and has covered your mind so you slowly went over to the weird smelling car and took one peek you quickly covered your mouth almost letting out a scream

Darrel was lying on the car seat his blood soaking the seat his stomach had been ripped open showing his ribcage and intestines his eyes missing from his sockets and there were what seemed to be words cravings on his skin with a note that said "like my gift y/n~ got rid of that creep his screams with delightful wished you could see it!" written by the green-haired man-no physco himself

You stumble behind a pillar and throw up hard not because of Darrel but because of the smell and site you always hated blood and gore and seeing this combination was enough for your stomach to empty whatever you had eaten

Once you made it to the upper floor, you went behind the pillars, turning on your earpiece once again. "Hello!? Mirko are you there?" Not even a second later, Mirko was instantly talking to you, "Yes, y/n, are you ok!? I almost thought they had done something to you!" You could feel the fear and worry in her voice even when she tried to act tough

"They didn't luckily I'm on the 2nd floor of the inside park way" You check around for a second to see if anyone is there luckily it is dead silent, there is a silence on the line and a couple of bickering between the top heroes and policemen "Y/n can you try and defeat some of the villains and go back to the entrance of the building?" you had a blank expression on your face while on the other line hawks,endevour,mount lady and more top heroes looked at her as if she was serious

"IS THIS CHICK INSANE!?"

"I would..but one problem HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BEAT A COUPLE OF POWERHOUSE OBESSED PSYCHOPATHS!?" you said in a harsh whisper voice, a frustrated groan came out of Hawks as he snatched the earpiece off her and put it on himself "y/n I got a plan and you need to listen to me carefully it might be crazy but less crazy then bugs bunny over here" You hear a "hey" in the background as you rolled your eyes "just anything to get me out of here-"

Hawks chuckled nervously while you rolled your eyes impatiently, waiting for his plan. "Well, you're gonna have to go to the top floor and jump." There was a silence on the phone. He wasn't serious, was he!? You hoped he was joking and he was gonna tell you the REAL plan yea that's it the real plan! "Uh your not serious aren't you-" "y/n I understand but you got to trust-" "WDYM TRUST YOU DO YOU KNOW HOW CRAZY THAT IS?!"

You were about to cuss out the winged hero when you heard a bunch of footsteps. You quickly turned off the earpiece and dashed to the car doors, but unfortunately, they were locked, "WHAT!? HOW CAN THEY BE LOCKED" "Oh fire cracker~ where are you hiding?~ you know ur making this game easier by talking so damn much" You held your breath as you heard multiple footsteps

You quickly crawled under a red convertible not caring that it was lightly crushing you, you covered your mouth keeping it shut as tightly as possible, "Oh crystal come out we don't bite! Honest well I can't promise that" the haired chuckled as you saw his boots walking across the cars slowly as if he was tryna to scout the odd one out

"Oh quiet Kiri you're scaring them Maybe they like to get wrapped up," Sero said grabbing his tape "Would you guys stop teasing a day more looking" Jirou bluntly said with a bit of irritation so they began cooing and doting on you to come on out like you were some weak little scared animal while you were cringing and shaking just hoping they'll give up

"Ugh, they're not here! the hell shitty hair you said they'll be here ?" He scowled as their red hair looked offensive "I swear I hear their voice talking to someone honest" he lifted his hand in defense, and the top villain rolled their eyes "Let's check the lower floors it's not like they'll get far, and fast those extras are also wanting their hands on them" he ordered as his group followed him behind disappearing from your site

You slowly crawled out of the car "Thank God my back has been killing me jeez" You then walked cautiously and slowly towards the final floor making sure nobody was following you or would pop up unaware that a giggling shadow figure spotted you

You barely made it to the roof as you almost stumbled, You looked everywhere for Keigo, Miriko, just ANY Hero. You pulled out ur earpiece. "Hawk, I made it!" You manage to say while throwing yet another coughing fit "I'm almost there just hang on for a minute ok I'll give you the signal"you huffed impatiently not wanting to stay here any second you glanced nervously at the entrance praying nobody followed you or even got here before you

All of a sudden, someone grabbed you from behind and tried tackling you down, but you weakly dodged it; then a needle was aimed at you, which you quickly grabbed, turning to face the person you didn't want to face. "gotcha!" Your eyes widened in fear when you heard a familiar voice "NO NO NO NO NO NO NO" Your thoughts replayed the word like a broken record the girl looked at your smile widened showing her fangs like some sort of sick predator

Himiko...

"Miss me?~" she cooed as she stared dreamily into your eyes, not caring if you feared her. "I've won! Let's go back home. This game tuckered me out." She then grabbed your arm, trying to pull you away, but you managed to push her away. "No, I don't want to go anywhere! with you or with anyone! Especially with you psychopaths!" Her face suddenly turned into a frown as if she was disappointed in me

"You shouldn't say words like that, sweetie. It's not nice-" "And kidnapping me, tying me up in a chair craving your initials on my skin, and attempting to drug me is nice!? You all are psychos even you..you..you BITCH" you sneered your hands balling into fists and you stared at her, nothing but hatred covering up your view Toga signed pulling out some sort of syringe

"my poor darling is saying such hurtful words don't worry once we get back to the league I'll make sure ill teach you a thing or two that you won't say those filthy words ever again" She smiled sickeningly she then lunged at you as you dodge grabbed her by the arm pinning it on her back she then she quickly ripped your restraint easily grabbing the syringe tightly and swishing it in different directions trying to get the needle to insert your skin

She then tackled you down your hand pinned by her arm as she was about to aim the syringe at your neck you quickly blocked it using ur hand as both of you struggled from each other until you heard the dog shaking and a bunch of voices yelling out you realized that they've found you

Shit I got to think of something Quick

You looked around while trying to push Toga off and conveniently found a mental pipe on the ground you quickly replaced your hands with your legs grabbed the pipe and without hesitation hit Toga in the head letting you loose you kicked her off and ran towards the edge,

it was dark but you could barely see a bush you looked back to see a knocked-out Toga but the door and the door was almost destroyed you looked back then looked at the door ur thoughts ran until you saw a red feather floating in the air you smiled preparing yourself to jump

Ok y/n you can do it

You closed your eyes and jumped bracing yourself for impact but...you didn't fall you felt a pair of arms carrying you you opened your eyes to see it was The winged hero Hawks finally coming to your rescue "The police and some pros are already in the building to arrest them your safe now" you stared at him for a moment tears brimming your eyes you tearfully thanked him repeatedly

finally, this nightmare was truly over...

"You won't have to see them again.."

That's what you naively think but this...

Was just the beginning..

[harringtonstilinski]

Always The Babysitter - Chapter Nine: MADMAX

Author: @harringtonstilinski​ Characters: Steve Harrington x Olivia Henderson(OC) (eventually) Word Count: 3,611 Warnings: lil’ bit more angst, fluff if you squint Smut: no | yes; A/N: Hi, friends! We get more Dusty in this episode!! If you like this chapter, please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox. As always, read at your own risk and enjoy 😊

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October 28, 1984. Just a few days before Halloween. Was I excited? Hell no. Halloween really isn’t my favorite time of the year. Mainly because the last two years, I’ve spent a good portion of my Halloween nights from around 11pm to 1am in a jail cell, not booked.

Anyway, I was sitting on my bed reading a book and listening to my favorite record when I heard Dustin walk down the hall saying, “Son of a bitch,” over and over again. Sighing, I got up and followed him through the house, trying to see, as well as asking, what he was looking for.

When we made it into the living room, he started looking in the couch cushions. “Another stupid penny.” He threw it, causing our cat to meow.

“Dusty, watch it!” Mom said. “You almost hit Mews.”

“Can I please check under your cushions?”

“Dustyyy.”

“Mom, please! It’s an emergency!” he whined.

They sarcastically moaned at each other as Mom got up.

“Why do you do that?” I asked.

“Do what, Livvie?” she asked.

“Give in to him.”

“Livvie,” she warned.

I put my hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry.”

“Love you, Mom,” Dustin said. “Liv, come here.”

“No.”

I went back into my room to continue reading. I didn’t make it a whole chapter before Dustin came bursting into my room. “Liv, you’re coming with me.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the front door, grabbing Mom’s car keys as he did. “We’ll be back later!”

“Dustin, what the–”

“Drive me to the arcade,” he said. 

I gave him a look that read excuse me?

“Please.”

“Well, since you dragged me out here, I guess I have no choice.” When we got in the car, I started it up and made my way to the local arcade, Dustin trying to make small talk on the way.

“Thanks,” he said. “You don’t have to stay, though. You can go see Steve.”

Steve and I started hanging out again after the events that went down last year. It was nice. He made time for me again which was something I definitely wasn’t used to when he became King of Hawkins High.

Was he still King? Yes. Was I still Queen? Unfortunately, yes. I didn’t want to be Queen and told people to direct that title to Nancy, since she was Steve’s queen. They all ignored me. But, it’s whatever. I’m getting used to it.

Steve and I had those sleepovers last year for a few months. Nancy walked in on us sleeping one morning, and confronted us both about it. We explained that it meant nothing and that we were just friends. We did it more as a comfort thing and all we did was sleep and nothing else. She was upset for a few days, but she didn’t really have room to talk since she was still hanging out with Jonathan when she wasn’t with Steve.

It was nice for things to be back to normal, but feelings that I was sure weren't there… ended up being there. When I stayed at Steve’s one night over the summer after a party, I thought long and hard about it. I even went as far as making a list that just confirmed everything. But I wasn’t about to let those feelings show.

“Dusty, I don’t wanna go see Steve,” I said. “I wanna spend time with you.”

“At the arcade?” he asked, incredulously.

“Yes. At the arcade.”

When I pulled into a parking spot, I noticed Joyce’s car sitting in a spot, so I walked over to her just as Will was getting out. I told Will that I would be inside in a moment and then I said hey to Joyce, telling her that I’d give Will a ride home if she or Jonathan didn’t come sooner.

When I walked inside, I immediately found all four boys at the game Dragon’s Lair.

Dustin played for a while before the cartoon princess… person said to use some magic sword. “Oh, I’m in uncharted territory here, guys.” “Down, down, down,” the boys yelled.

“I’m going, I’m going!”

They were all directing Dustin on which way to go as I just stood and watched the screen, the animated characters not doing what Dustin was wanting them to do, which resulted in his character dying.

“No, no, no!” Dustin exclaimed. “I hate this overpriced bullshit! Son of a bitch! Piece of shit!”

I giggled at Dustin’s antics, not really upset that he was using such language. Like I had room to talk.

“You’re just not nimble enough,” Lucas said. “But you’ll get there one day. But until then, Princess Daphne is still mine.”

“Whatever,” I said. “At least he’s still good in Centipede, while I’m the reigning champ on Dig Dug.”

“You sure about that?” Keith asked. 

I quickly turned around, looking at him, watching as he munched on Cheetos Puffs. “What?” When it hit me like a bus, I said, “You’re fucking kidding me,” and ran to the gaming console that became my stress relief over the summer.

Seeing the score above mine made me furious. “No, no, no!”

“They beat you by 300 points!” Mike said.

“751,300 points!” Will said.

“No one’s been able to top my score of 751,000 for months!” I exclaimed. I went searching for Keith, which I didn’t need to because he followed us. “You tell me who the hell MADMAX is right now, Keith!”

“Yeah, spill it, Keith!” Dustin said.

“You want information, then I need something in return,” Keith said.

We all turned to look at Mike, who was looking at me. “Don’t you dare look at me,” I whispered.

“No, no, no. No way,” Mike said. “You’re not getting a date with her.”

“Mike, come on,” Lucas said. “Just get him the date.”

“I’m not prostituting my sister!”

“But it’s for a good cause!” Lucas and I exclaimed.

“No, don’t get him the date,” Dustin said. “Ya’know what, he’s gonna spread his nasty-ass rash to your whole family.”

“Acne isn’t a rash,” I whispered.

“And it’s not contagious, you prepubescent wastoid!” Keith said.

Stepping in front of Dustin, who had an arm in front of me, I said, “Hey, no one insults my brother or these snot nosed pre-teens but me, you understand?”

“Liv, calm down,” Dustin said.

“You can’t go back to the station,” Mike said.

“I’ll have his head mounted on a stick!” I exclaimed.

Mike and Lucas had their hands and arms in front of me and on me, trying to keep me from killing Keith, who just stood there like this happens every week… because it does happen every week between him and I.

“Okay,” I said, still feeling everyone’s hands on me. “Okay. Okay! I’m good.” I turned around to walk outside when I noticed that Will wasn’t around. Worry instantly hit me like a bus as I looked for him. When I saw that he was outside, I walked out, saying his name. 

When he turned to face me, I asked him if he was okay.

“Yeah, I just…” he said. “I just needed some air.”

I nodded. “Me, too. I was about to rip Keith’s head off.”

“Again?” he chuckled.

I chuckled with him, “Yeah. Come on. Let’s see if you can beat my score on Dig Dug.”

He smiled. “You’re on!”

~~~

I had to go to the station the next morning to log in some community service hours since I got “busted” for “shoplifting”. The charge was bullshit. Carol had put something in my bag without me knowing and got me busted for something I didn’t do.

I watched as Murray Bauman followed Hop through the station, as well as Flo following Hop. She took his cigarette out of his mouth and put it down, which I picked it up and took a drag from it. She then took the donut from him and gave him an apple.

Blowing out the smoke from another puff I took, I said, “Ya’know that doesn’t do you any good, Flo.”

Putting the cigarette out, she replied, “And I’ll do the same with you.”

Hop walked closer as he was telling Murray that he had five minutes to talk to him and not a second more before he looked at me and said, “Liv, go to school.”

I sighed and picked up my bag, telling Flo, “Duty calls.”

What I didn’t expect to see was Steve and Nancy parked outside. I walked up to them, confused, as Nancy rolled her window down. “Uhh, y’all here to file a complaint against someone?”

Nancy chuckled. “No. We’re here to pick you up.”

I furrowed my brows a little. “That’s very generous of you, thank you.” I got in the backseat and brought out my homework that I missed last night to finish doing, making small conversation with Steve and Nancy on the way while stealing glances at Steve.

I was done with my homework by the time we got to the school, so when Steve brought out some papers to discuss with Nancy, I was fixing my makeup and playing with my hair in the rearview mirror.

“It’s crap, I know,” he said.

“No, it’s not crap,” Nancy lied. She looked at the papers again, skimming over them.

“It’s… not good.”

“Let me see,” I said, reaching over to grab the papers from Nancy as she said, “It’s going to be.”

“This needs major reorganizing,” I muttered. “Nance, let me see your pen.”

She handed it to me and I started to write some suggestions.

“Hope it’s okay I mark on this,” I said, focusing on what I was reading.

“Yeah, yeah,” Steve said.

“Okay,” I said, leaning forward. “So, in the first–”

“Liv,” Nancy said, softly.

I looked at her, seeing with her eyes that she wanted to be the one to help him. I nodded and handed her the papers back, as well as her pen. Going back to messing with my hair, I sighed.

“In the first paragraph, you used the basketball game versus Northern as a metaphor for your life, which is great, but then around here where Liv marked, you started talking about your granddad’s experiences in the war. And I– I– I just don’t see how they’re connected.”

“It connects because…” Steve said. “Because, ya’know, we both won.”

“Steve,” I whispered, hanging my head for a moment.

“Should I start from scratch?” he asked.

I wasn’t sure who he was talking about, so I looked up, seeing his eyes connect to mine in the mirror. “No. Just rewrite it and talk about the basketball metaphor. When’s the deadline?”

“It’s tomorrow for early application. Can you come and help me tonight?”

“She can’t,” Nancy said, without missing a beat.

We both looked at her, at least mine asking why. “We have our dinner tonight, remember,” she said, looking dead at Steve.

Nancy and I were on touch and go terms. When we both were around Steve, it was like she was fighting for his attention, but when it was just her and I, Steve wasn’t mentioned and we were like the best of friends.

Steve sighed, saying, “Oh, my god!”

“We already canceled last week,” Nancy said.

Tension. That’s all I felt was tension whenever I was with them.

“You don’t have to go,” she said. “Just work on this.”

“What’s the point?” Steve asked, grabbing the papers from Nancy. He crumbled them up as Nancy and I told him to calm down.

“I’m calm,” he said. “I’m calm. I’m just being honest. Ya’know, I mean… I’ll just end up working for my dad anyway.”

“That’s not true,” Nancy and I said, albeit she was a little louder. 

“I don’t know, Nance, is that such a bad thing?” he asked, as I sat back. “There’s insurance and benefits and all that adult stuff. And if I took it, ya’know, I could be around for your senior year.”

“Steeeeeve,” Nancy said.

“Just to look after you for a bit. Make sure you don’t forget about this pretty face and stuff.”

Nancy chuckled as I rolled my eyes and looked out the window, trying to hide a tear that wanted to fall from my waterline.

“Nance, I’m serious.”

I was unsuccessful as I watched from the corner of my eye Steve lean over and kiss Nancy.

“I love you,” Steve said.

“I love you, too,” Nance replied.

An engine revving had my attention. I quickly wiped the tear away as I opened the door and stood up, leaning my arms against the top.

Everyone in the parking lot watched as a beautiful blue Camaro pulled up and parked into a spot, a little red-headed girl getting out and skateboarding to the middle school.

A dirty blonde boy with a mullet got out, taking a drag from his cigarette before flicking it off and heading into the school.

I hadn’t noticed that my tongue was running across the corner of my top lip before Nancy got my attention. “Hmm? What?”

“Wipe the drool,” she said.

“But check out that ass, Nance,” I said. “Look at it go.”

~~~

After third period, I hunted Tina down, wanting one of those orange flyers I was seeing around school. Once I had one, I went hunting for Steve, knowing he already knew about it, but couldn’t find him.

I did find Jonathan and Nancy, however, so I walked up to them right as Nancy handed him a flier.

“You’re coming to this,” she said.

“Come and get sheet faced,” Jonathan read. “No, I’m not.”

As Nancy was telling Jonathan that she just couldn’t let him sit at home alone on Halloween, people were saying hey to left and right. Was it because of the Queen status I apparently held? Yes. Was I used to it? No. Was I getting used to it? Eh, kinda.

Jonathan telling Nancy that he was taking Will trick or treating brought me back.

“No, you’re not,” I chuckled. “Let me predict this for a second. You’re gonna be home by 8, listening to the Talking Heads and reading Vonnegut, or whatever the hell you read.”

“Sounds like a nice night,” he said, a small smile on his face. The smile I held died at seeing Steve sneak around the corner from Nancy’s locker where we stopped.

“Jonathan, just come,” Nancy said. “I mean, who knows, you might even meet someone.” Her words were cut off by Steve wrapping his arms around her and pulling her away from her locker. She turned around, shoving his shoulder while telling him to take his sunglasses off as I felt a hand on my back.

I sighed and looked at Jonathan as Steve was telling Nancy he missed her. He leaned his head closer to mine as he said, “He’ll come around one day. Don’t worry.”

~~~

As I was sitting on my bed doing my homework, my personal landline rang. Confused, I picked it up and answered, “Hello?”

“Can you come with us tonight?”

I sighed. “Why? So that I can drive while you two fu–”

“Okay, that was one time and it was… unexpected.” 

“Yeah, because no guy in their right mind would just get a random raging boner,” I said.

“Happens more often than you think.”

“Gross, Steve.” After a few seconds of silence, I sighed. “Fine. What time?”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, I love you, I’ll pick you up soon,” he rushed.

I couldn’t even get my next words out before he hung up. “Oh, okay..” I sighed again, getting off my bed and putting on a jacket and my shoes. When I made it to the living room, Mom asked where I was going. I lied and told her that Steve wanted me to help him with some homework, which she believed.

A few minutes later, Steve showed up with Nancy in tow. Being around the both of them was awkward enough, and I had been doing it a lot lately. I said my hellos and got comfortable in the backseat. I hadn’t realized I’d fallen asleep until I felt a hand on my knee, softly shaking me.

“Liv, wake up,” Steve’s voice said. “We’re here.”

I opened my eyes, breathing in deep before I leaned my head up to get out of the car. 

Steve, Nancy and I walked down the walkway to Barb’s front door. We all stood there for a moment before Steve asked, “Okay. Ready?”

“Yeah,” Nancy answered. “Liv?”

I looked up from staring at my shoes to Nancy, my brain taking a moment to process what she asked. “Oh. Yeah. Sure. Let’s do this.” I sighed, putting my hands in my jacket pockets.

Steve sighed, “Okay,” and rang the doorbell.

Mrs. Holland answered the door, surprised to see me standing with Steve and Nance. Once we went inside and took our jackets off, we hung them on the coat rack before following Mrs. Holland into the dining room, KFC buckets sitting on the table.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t get to cook,” Mrs. Holland said. “I was gonna make that baked ziti you guys like so much, but I just forgot about the time, and before you know it, ‘oh, my god, it’s five o’clock.’”

I chuckled as Nancy said, “It’s fine. It’s great,” while Steve said, “Right. I love KFC.” I felt their eyes on me as I put a biscuit and a piece of chicken on my plate. Looking at them, Nancy’s eyes were wide as she waited for me to answer. “O-oh,” I stuttered. “Yeah, this is great.”

Making conversation, Nancy said, “So, I noticed a For Sale sign out in your yard. Is-is that the neighbors, or…”

Mr. and Mrs. Holland looked at each other for a moment before Mrs. Holland said, “You wanna tell them.”

“Go ahead,” Mr. Holland replied.

Mrs. Holland looked back at Nancy. “We hired a man named Murray Bauman. Have either of you heard of him?” She looked between the three of us.

I stopped mid-chew, seeing Nancy and Steve’s eyes on me. I swallowed my bite before taking a sip of my drink. “Yes. I kinda know him. He’s been coming into the station on a daily or weekly basis.”

“We haven’t,” Nancy said.

“He was an investigative journalist for the Chicago-Sun Times,” Mrs. Holland explained.

“He’s pretty well-known,” Mr. Holland said, handing Steve Murray’s business card.

“Anyway, he’s free-lance now, and he agreed to take the case.”

“That’s… that’s great,” Steve said, mouth full of food. “No, that’s really… that’s great, right?” He looked at Nancy as he paused for a moment.

“Uhm, what exactly does that mean?” Nancy asked.

“Means he’s gonna do what that lazy son of a bitch Jim Hop–” Mr. Holland said.

I cleared my throat, to give Mr. Holland a chance to redeem himself… since almost everyone in town knows about me doing community service at the station. Mrs. Holland put her hand on her husband’s arm.

He looked in my direction, saying, “Sorry.” He exhaled. “What the Hawkins police haven’t been capable of doing. Means we have a real detective on the case.”

I put my napkin to my mouth, clearing my throat. Feeling something lightly hit the tip of my shoe, I looked from my plate up to Steve, seeing in his eyes that he doesn’t want me to start anything. “Would you excuse me for a moment? I need to get some air.”

Steve and Nancy both whispered my name, but I ignored it as I put my napkin down on the table and went to the front door, getting my jacket and putting it on. Once the cool, fall weather hit my face, I took in a deep breath before walking back down the walkway towards Steve’s car. I laid myself on the hood and looked up at the stars. 

I guess I had fallen asleep again because I woke up to Steve softly saying my name again.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked.

“What?” I asked, groggily. 

“You keep falling asleep,” he chuckled.

“Yeah,” I said, sitting up. “I’m fine. I guess I just haven’t been sleeping well.”

He sighed and leaned on the car next to me, asking, “Nightmares again?”

“No,” I shook my head. “It’s the weirdest thing. I’m not dreaming about that anymore. It’s… it’s something else.”

“Like what?”

I was quiet for a moment before he nudged my shoulder, saying, “Come on, tell me.”

I chuckled before saying, “Okay, I’m not gonna go into detail or anything, but let’s just say that I wake up from these dreams… breaking a small sweat.”

Looking at him, I saw the confusion on his face. I laughed, like, actually laughed for the first time in a really long time. “Do I need to break it down for you?”

He looked at me like he needed me to explain, causing me to laugh again. “What are you dreaming about?” “Sex, Steve,” I laughed. “I’ve been dreaming about sex.”

It almost felt like jealousy was coming off of him because he slightly stiffened before asking, “With who?”

“I’m not telling you!” I quietly exclaimed, the smile never leaving my face.

It was nice to sit here with Steve like this. Just talking and laughing… being best friends again. But, it was nice while it lasted because a throat clearing had both of us looking at the responsible party; Nancy.

Steve quickly got off the hood and stood up, as did I. I could tell she was upset, and not wanting to poke the bear, I made my way to the backseat, where I fell asleep on the way home… again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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A/N 2:  hi, friends! i have no excuse why this late. i really don’t. but, please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox.

Additional Note: there’s kind of a deleted scene in this episode where hop and liv talk. if y'all are interested, i can write that scene for you!! also, i know that some of y’all are waiting to see your requests, and i promise i’ll get to them. the writer’s block hit really bad with them. atb is the only thing i have motivation to post for at the moment.

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*Please don’t post my writing anywhere else without my consent. The author of this work will always and forever be @harringtonstilinski​.

All characters, story lines, and plot aside from y/n and her storyline & plot, are all of the work of The Duffer Brothers.

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Posted on January 7, 2024

[kingedel-of-the-garden]

My Precious Secret: Chapter 1

After a training session and a shower, Leo sat down in the kitchen with a cup of tea. It was a lavender kind, a gift from April who said it'd help him "stop worrying so much". He prayed it worked at least a little because all he seems to be doing lately is worrying.

The purple dragons had gotten a lot more aggressive recently. Breaking into houses, robbing local bodegas, threatening people on the street, they were causing panic! Leo couldn't shake the feeling that it was a ploy of some kind, like a smokescreen to hide something more sinister. However, all the thugs they'd interrogated weren't informed at all and said they only did what they were told.

Taking a sip of the tea Leonardo rubbed his eyes, the youngest of the turtles could be heard in the distance singing a song. Something about breaking points or something.Which leads Leo to another worry of his.

Mikey had been acting…strange or rather, different. He's been more relaxed as opposed to his usual bouncy-ness. He's been staying focused a lot better during training too, making the sessions go a lot faster which Leo appreciates. Don't get the turtle wrong, he loves that his baby brother is bettering himself. Mikey seems a lot happier these days, a silent kind that infects others with smiles of their own. It's all good things.

If you don't factor in being constantly glued to his shell cell(more than normal) or the massive amounts of time up top at unknown places that have yet to be disclosed. 

It's like, as soon as training ends, instead of eating the entire kitchen or playing video games like usual, he leaves! Says he's "going out to get pizza" or something and doesn't come back for hours. Leo has tried to get answers out of him. Making small talk about his recent behavior and how proud he is of him. Leaving an open-ended question to be answered like "How did this change come about" only to be given an obvious lie and walked away from.

Was Leonardo hurt? No.

Maybe a little, But! He was more worried than anything. He's long since accepted how Raph leaves for long periods of time topside, it's his thing, he needs air. It's just Mikey is his baby brother, it's so easy to…fret. At least Raphael has the decency to let someone know where he's going but Mikey? He hardly says a thing!

It's with this in mind that when Mikey comes around the corner, skateboard in hand, Leo stops him. It was time for a more direct approach.

"Hey Mikey, can I talk to you for a second?"

The orange-clad turtle swiveled on his feet to face his brother. His mask was hanging around his neck, a brow ridge was raised and he had a questioning smile.

"Sure, what's up bro?"

Deciding to cut to the chase, Leo smiled with a shrug, "I've noticed you leaving more often. Can I ask where to?"

Instead of being scared or alarmed, like the leader had thought he'd be, Michaelangelo looked almost lovestruck. It was an expression Leonardo had never seen on his brother before. His cheeks tinted pink and his eyes got soft. The smile he wore was small, almost unnoticeable, but portrayed how much he cared about whatever was on his mind.

Until he realized he hadn't yet answered, snapping out of his stupor and fumbling for an explanation. It was hard not to smile at watching his goofball sibling trying to find an excuse in real-time.

"Of course you can! I actually uh…"

"Actually uhh?"

"I found a…spot! A new boarding spot!" Mikey held up his skateboard victoriously, "I really like it so far and it's huge ."

They'd all been to every skatepark in the vicinity by the time they were 16. Considering Leo knew it would take too long to get back if he left the city, the leader would bet money the youngest was lying. Might as well play along to see where it goes.

"Really? Those are hard to come by, mind if I go with you?" Leonardo tilted his head innocently.

Mikey bit his lip and chuckled, forced and unnatural, "No way dude! It's too earl—new! It's too new. I haven't got a feel for the place yet."

The oldest frowned at the slip up and watched his brother try to walk backwards with out making it obvious.

"But you've been going to this 'new boarding spot' for almost 3 months now. It can't be that big can it?"

"It is!" Michelangelo insisted, nearly three feet away from the exit, "I promise, as soon as I explore it all we can hang there together like old times~"

Then he turned and bolted down the tunnel without another word. The echo of his skateboard hitting the pavement followed soon after.

Leo slumped in his chair letting his forehead rest against the table. That conversation was quick, to say the least. Thankfully, after living with each other for their whole lives, it wasn't hard to spot each other's tells. Going over the words in his head, the leader was certain he knew what was up.

That weird look on Mikey's face and the slip up made Leo think of something. What if their youngest had found a partner? It would explain his resent phone addiction and his happier mood. His excuse for not "having a feel for the place yet" might be a metaphor for him not being ready to introduce them. As silly as he could be Leo knew Mikey wouldn't bring someone to the lair unless he was sure they were trustworthy. 

Of course, without proof there was no way of truly knowing. However, Leonardo had a gut feeling he was right. Call it sibling intuition but he was sure his baby brother had found someone that made him happy. 

 

And in true older sibling fashion, he wasn't going to breathe a word of his theories to anyone. Still, it'd probably be good to see if his other brothers knew something he didn't.

***

"Wadya callin' us here for fearless? I was just about ta head out wit Case."

"And I was gonna do some research with Leatherhead."

Donatello and Raphael were a little annoyed with their brother at the moment. He called them into the kitchen outta nowhere talking about needing to discuss something. It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't have the worst timing ever.

"Sorry guys, it'll be quick." Leo at least had the decency to look apologetic. He was leaning against the counter with his fingers interlaced. Donnie took a seat in front of him and Raph stood with his arms crossed, waiting for the turtle to talk.

"Have you guys noticed anything different about Mikey recently?"

Raph scoffed with a little smile, "Ya mean more den usual?"

Don held his chin in his hand looking up at the ceiling. It was an odd question but it did bring up some observations the ninja had noticed recently.

"Well, now that you mention it," he turned, looking at Leo, "the other day he brought me a toaster and asked me to help him fix it."

Donnie motioned to the very usable and unbroken toaster on the counter by the sink, "While I did end up helping him, we don't exactly need a new one. Plus, I haven't seen the thing since."

The turtle in red sniffed, standing up a little straighter. He tried to think about how his baby brother had been recently. How they don't rough house as much and his more focused attitude during training and patrol. It was a bit weird looking back on it.

"He has been less…hyper? More calm an' what not. He's on his phone a lot to so we don't bicker like we used to." Raph stared down his older brother, "Do you think this is somethin' serious Leo?"

"Not at all," the leader shook his head, "It's not anything too bad but the lying does have me a little worried."

Eye ridges shoot up, "What do you mean? Lying about what?" Donnie is the first to ask.

"Just a little earlier I managed to catch him before he left the lair–"

"He has been doin' dat a lot."

"–to ask where he was going. He said he found a 'new boarding spot'." The disbelief in the room was palpable.

"That's nearly impossible! Unless he's going to Staten Island , there are no skate parks we haven't been to in the area. I've checked!"

Leonardo nodded slowly, understanding Don's exasperation. If it weren't for the fact that he had a pretty good idea about what was going on, he too would be a little more frustrated.

"I know. I even asked him if I could come with but he said he still hadn't gotten a feel for the place."

"We all know if he really found a new spot he wouldn't stop talking about it. How odd." The nerd of the three sighed, spreading out on the counter defeated. 

Realistically, he knew it wasn't anything to be concerned about since Mikey always came back at the end of the day. Still, the similarities between Mikey right now and Raph when he was younger was kinda giving him a migrane. Fingers crossed they don't have to start having arguments. Donnie shudders at the thought.

"Whaddya want us to do, fearless?  Seein' as it's not serious an' all."

Placing a gentle hand on Donnie's head, Leo smiled at Raph, "Just keep an eye on him for now. We all know how trapped you felt when I would push you for answers. I don't want us to make him feel like that."

He shrugged, a mischievous smirk playing on the eldest's lips, "Besides, he's horrible at keeping secrets. He'll come around eventually."

(This is a fanfic I'm writing at the moment. It's a Mikey/poc reader. I'm very new to posting and everything but I really wanted to try. I enjoy writing and want to get better at it so please feel free to give me some pointers if you have any. 😁)

[sebstanseabass]

Afterglow (A Bucky Barnes AU fan fiction) - Chapter 19

Afterglow chapters

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The atmosphere changed in a snap. Everyone had felt it, except Peter.

Peter's early arrival had you all floored, especially you and Bucky. Oblivious to Peter, you were both dumbfounded, like deer caught in headlights. But this wasn't the best time to process what was going to happen next. You had to think off your feet. Yoy had to show Peter that there was no more than surprise in your faces.

Peter was finally here. That's what matters right now.

The instrumentals of Hungry Eyes kept playing in the background. Bucky's microphone created a feedback sound once he let it rest on his sides, making you all wince. Peter ditched his bags (which magically doubled), and strode towards you, engulfing you in a hug. Although he reeked of damp, mossy grass, and wood, you hugged him back.

"I got in early! How great is that?" He greeted you with enthusiasm laced in his voice. "Oh god, I've missed you, y/n!" He said into your ear.

The rest of the group, laid back on their comfortable seats, watched the whole thing unfold in front of their very eyes. You’d definitely pay to see Nat's look on her face right now.

"Yeah, you did!" you patted his back before pulling away, giving him the best smile you could do. "I've missed you, too. Welcome back, Parker. It's been quite a damn week without you."

Bucky was solid as a rock before Peter moved towards his spot (Bucky gave me a quick glance and a wry smile which you then returned; afterwards, you bit your lip looking at the exchange between the two) and hugged him tight as they exchanged their formalities. "It's nice to have you back, Peter."

"It is nice to be back." Peter replied, pulling away. "Whew, that one week went by real slow, huh? Feels like ages!"

"Yeah." Bucky glanced at you one more time. This time, it was longer. "No kidding."

"Alright everyone, it's nice to see you all together."

The group mumbled agreeably.

"Sam," Peter acknowledged, doing his signature finger gun pointed towards him, "I don't even know why you're here but I will as soon as I take a quick shower right upstairs and get these bags sorted out."

"You might want to take a long one there, buddy." Sam breathed out, fanning the air. "You smell like a caveman."

"Sam." You scolded, shaking your head.

"Yes, babydoll?" He jeered, which you and Bucky didn't like.

Most especially Bucky.

And Peter as well.

You gave Sam a look, hidden from Peter's view, of course, careful not to raise any kind of suspicion. But boy, was Sam giving you and Bucky a hard time. The group knew why he called you that, of course. But not Peter.

"Babydoll?" Peter repeated, a confused expression crossing his face as he turned towards you. "Why is he calling you that ridiculous nickname?"

Peter had always hated when men called you, as he put it, "ridiculous" nickname. You knew if he could punch them all, he would but because of Steve's number one rule (no fighting in the bar), he couldn't. It all started ever since you worked in the bar. You weren’t getting much attention when you were a waitress but you guess, when men see a woman behind the counter making their drinks, apparently, they think you’re easy, and naive, and would fall for their "charm" by calling you nicknames. One minute you’re "darling", the next you’re "doll" or "baby" or, the worst of them all, "mon chéri."

God, did men really think women would be turned on by a French nickname with a horrendous French accent? Perhaps, the idiots do.

You suddenly wondered if Peter felt the same.

"He's just kidding." You mumbled, taking him away from the group. "You know how Sam is."

You started to lead him further towards the door where his bags were.

"I know how he is, y/n." He grew more agitated now, triggered by what Sam had called you. "I've known him longer than you. Okay, what on earth is going on here?" Peter turned around once more, facing them all. His hands were all over the place. Exaggerated gestures that furthered his confused state. "What happened in that one week I was gone? Jeez."

"Hey." You made Peter focus his attention back towards you by grabbing him by the shoulders. By this time, the instrumentals on the karaoke machine were gone. "We get that you're really confused right now and you're tired so why don't you go and take a shower. The night is still young, Parker. I promise we'll tell you everything the second you come back here."

Of course, not everything.

The dead air whistled around, which you hated. He glanced at the group, who was waiting for a response. Their eyes were all on you and Peter. He finally let out a sigh, his shoulders slumped. "Yeah, you're right. Sorry, it's just been kind of a long drive."

With that, Peter scurried towards the apartment to set down his bags and take a shower. He left a trace of awkwardness in the air once he left.

"Is it just me," Nat started as you walked towards the booth, "or did he grow taller? Did he go to, like, a magic place or something?" Everyone looked at her with knitted brows. "Jesus, I'm just lightening up the mood." She said, hands raised up.

You strode towards Sam, a rush of heat climbing its way towards your face. "Seriously? You had to call me that?"

Sam chuckled nervously, eyes flickering between you and his best friend. "I-it was just a joke! I didn't know he'd take it seriously. And helloooo," he said in a singsong voice, dragging the o, "I'm drunk."

"Being drunk isn't an excuse. It should never be." Bucky said, leaning against the booth. He stood with much authority which you found enticing. But you digressed. "You still shouldn't have said it."

"And besides," you chimed in, "Parker hates it when people give me nicknames."

"Alright. I am sorry." He said. His eyes examined you and Bucky. "But how do you think he's going to react when he finds out his favorite person in the world is calling his best friend babydoll in bed?"

You were dumbstruck. Like it was some kind of question in a trivia game you didn't know the answer to. You couldn't think straight hearing the fries grinding in Nat's teeth, probably enjoying the drama unfolding in front of her eyes, Steve's fingers tapping on the wooden table and Nick's fast breathing.

You took a deep breath, and tried hard to ignore all these annoying sounds.

Sam was right. If Peter's reaction to the nickname was already bad, what more if he knew about the truth between you and Bucky? How could he possibly react to it?

"Look." You said, approaching Bucky, and grabbing his pinky with yours. For comfort. "We're still not ready to tell him but we will."

"Yes, soon." Bucky agreed.

"We're just finding the right time."

The truth was, you weren't any close to finding the "the right time." You had been racking our brains since last night on when to tell him. After setting on the when, then you’d move to the next phase of the plan which was how. Now that Peter had come back, you knew you needed to think and act fast before he found out about you and Bucky from other people.

"In the meantime," you said, grabbing your phone and finding Marco's name on my contact list, "let's just enjoy this party as it is. Steve threw this party for a reason and we are going to enjoy it. With or without Peter. No blabbing or hinting — yes I'm talking about you, Sam — about me and Bucky. No nicknames, no references. Nothing."

"You're asking all of us to keep your dirty little secret?" Nick asked. "While we're all drunk?"

"You and Sam are." Bucky chimed in, grabbing their beer bottles. "Steve and Nat aren't so I'm keeping a close eye on you two." He turned towards you, faces close in proximity, and gave you the bottles to stow away. "No more drinks for those two idiots."

Youbnodded and took the beers away from Sam and Nick which earned yoy a couple glares. Nick pouted afterwards like a baby, eyeing the beer bottles in your hand. "No, Nick. I'm cutting you off."

"Take his, not mine!" Nick whined, tilting his head towards Sam. "I didn't blab. This idiot did."

"I don't like your tone, man." Sam argued, mimicking Nick's state.

"One more drink and you'll blab. And please stop acting like kids." you sighed, walking towards the counter, stowing the beer bottles in their cases. Ypunlooked on your phone once again, called Marco and ordered three large pizza boxes — pepperoni, meat, and cheese pizza. All of Peter's favorites.

By the time the phone call ended, Bucky approached you with soft, doe-like eyes. The group resumed singing, Sam and Nick once again hogging the machine, clearly not taking your advice. Sam kept yelling at him to "cut the check!"

"How're you feeling, doll?" He asked, going under the pass through.

"Well, it's now a surprise party." You heaved a sigh, turning around to find a drink with much more of a kick to get you through the night. Your eyes found an unopened bottle of vodka in one of the cabinets. You didn't hesitate to grab it, along with a dry vermouth and some olives.

Bucky's eyes were on you the whole time, watching you making yourself a mean martini. Ypundidn't care if Steve saw you just now. Right now, you needed this. Just one glass to calm your nerves.

Younstirred the liquid with the olives in a stick before downing the whole thing in one gulp.

"As hot as that was," Bucky said, referring to how you drank the martini and how younmade it, "that's your last drink for the night. I'm not letting you get drunk for the wrong reasons. Once was enough."

You set down the glass on the counter with a thud. You lifted your hazel eyes to meet his blue ones. "You're paying for this, by the way."

He chuckled. "I know. I'll take care of it."

You looked cautiously at the door, dreading Peter. Knowing he won't probably be here for another hour, you approached Bucky, discreetly grabbing his hand. It took you a moment to put your thoughts into words.

"James, if we tell Peter, we need to be... sure. Of this. Of us." youbwatched your fingers brush against him on the wooden table.

"We've talked about this, y/n. I am." He reassured, walking closer this time. "It's a big risk but it's one I'm willing to take."

The idea of you jumping into this together, jumping into it with caution gave you a big relief. But right now, it wasn't just an idea anymore. It was real.

It was real in the way he snaked his arm around your waist, in the way he pulled you into a soft, deep kiss, and in the way his lips lingered on your lips. You pulled away, your bodies still close. At that moment, it was just the two of you. Never mind the loud karaoke machine, or the faint noises of the traffic outside, or Sam's out of tune rhythm.

It was just the two of you. In your own little afterglow.

"You're a big risk I'm willing to take." He whispered the words so slow that they swirled around you, pulling you even closer.

"And you're mine too." you smiled.

Several minutes have passed since your little conversation. Nat had teased you and Bucky of being whipped for each other. Of course Sam joined, and then Nick who chanted a little song he made, which, for the life of you, you couldn't even remember. The rest didn’t understand a word he was singing other than the words "Bucky" and "y/n."

Steve, on the other hand, had been silently drinking his beer and eating the whole time. You once gave him an are-you-okay look and he just nodded in response, giving you that classic tight-lipped smile of his.

Bucky was seated beside you, your thighs grazing each other in the little booth. Even accidental touches brought you comfort.

And isn't that just the best damn thing?

Peter had come in after the little performance Nick just gave, thankful that he didn't walk right in the middle of it. Behind him was a staff of Marco's who delivered the pizza boxes. Everyone hurrah'd. You grabbed your wallet from your back pocket but Steve stopped you, handing some bills to the guy.

"Steve, I could've gotten it." You said after the pizza guy left.

He shook his head, setting down his beer on the table. "It's your party, kid. I'm not letting you pay a single cent."

Nat scoffed. "She made herself a drink just earlier. You should charge her for that."

"Woah, y/n drank? That's new." Peter chimed in, squeezing himself in the booth, sitting at the edge. Between you were Sam and Nick. "What else did I miss?"

And so, you told him everything — well, not everything. Only from when Steve fired you (him lying about how why he even came up with it which Peter bought), to Bucky convincing you to take the project collaboration with Sam, to finally agreeing to it, to the whole meeting that happened just three days prior, and to how you’ll proceed from there. Youndidn't know if Nat and Steve wanted to reveal their little thing to Peter so you kept your mouth shut. Not wanting to do to them what you didn't want done to you and Bucky.

"My god," Peter commented, "that really was a long week! I'm quite disappointed I missed all of that!"

Oh, Parker. If only you knew the whole truth.

In return, he gave the gist of the whole corporate retreat. He finally told you where he and the rest of his team went but it was some place you couldn't even pronounce. Some cabin by the lake far away from Manhattan. He didn't bore you too much with the details. All you knew was that they went fishing, hiking and camping in the wild while team building. Along with the stories were photos of him and the place they were staying.

You frowned thinking it would've been fun if he were with friends. Like you guys.

The whole time, Bucky held your hand under the table or rubbed your thighs discreetly so as to not draw much attention.

Nat was an exception. That redhead saw everything, smirking once in a while. You gave her a discreet look from time to time.

Peter congratulated you, toasting his pizza with yours. Thankfully, he didn't need to drink tonight ("No drinks for me tonight or for the next few days").

"Wow, you really came out there like a new man!" you chuckled. He laughed right back but for just a mere moment. His expression changed while taking a bite of his pizza. You began to be nervous as to why this kept happening. Younneeded to go to the toilet.

Getting out of the booth was a chore. Nat, Steve and Bucky had to get up before you could even stand up. Youndidn't get why you didn't just stick the little tables together to make a long one.

You were in the toilet for a little while, leaking everything that youndrank tonight. Your head felt a bit dizzy but younmanaged to stand up afterwards. The voices of your friends were inaudible against the wooden walls. Except Nick's booming laugh.

Once you opened the door, you were greeted by Steve who was standing still, waiting for the toilet to become unoccupied.

"Sorry." you apologized. "Was I too long?"

"No." He replied shortly. You tried to walk past him but he caught your arm. Younlooked at his hand, confused. "Are you sure about this Bucky guy?"

"What?"

"This whole thing with Bucky. You can't actually be serious about this."

Taken aback, you wiggled out of his grasp, successfully yanking your arm out. "And who are you to tell me that?"

"You just met this guy." He answered. You still felt his grip on your arm by his stern tone.

"Weren't you the one who kicked me out of this very bar just for me to go to the roof to meet with this guy that I just met?"

"I thought you would've ended whatever thing you had going with him."

You scoffed. "You're not my father, Steve. I know you have this weird father or brother thing you have with me but I'm an adult. I can take care of my damn self."

"What about that night you were insanely drunk?"

"That... that was a one-time thing. A mistake is what it is!" younhissed. "Everyone makes mistakes."

"Y/n, listen — "

"No." you cut him off. "You listen. Just because you and Nat haven't figured out whatever the hell is going on with you two, doesn't mean you can shit on my relationship. Before you comment on my dating life, I suggest you fix yours first. I'm happy. Bucky's happy. We're both happy. Please mind your own business."

Before you could even go back to the group, Steve called your name. Youngroaned, turning around. "What now?"

He sighed. "You're really going at great lengths for Bucky. Keeping secrets from Parker and all that. Is it really worth it?"

You stood there. Silent. Trying to find your voice.

"Well, I'm about to find out." You replied, turning around, hopefully for the last time. "Later, Steve."

You went back to the group and continued to chat with them. Steve got back after a few moments. His streak of silence was broken when Nat revealed something none of you had ever known before.

"Did you guys know that Steve was a journalist before he became a bar owner?" Nat said, looking at Steve.

You raised your eyebrows, the pizza caught in mid-air. A curiosity sparke, pleased with the new information you had just acquired.

"Steve Rogers? A journalist?" Peter scoffed unbelievably, leaning back against the seat. "No way. No, I don't buy it."

"Me neither." Nick butted in. "He doesn't look like the type. Nuh-uh."

"It's true!" Nat argued. "Tell them, Steve. Come on!"

Steve forced a chuckle, avoiding all your waiting gazes. "Yeah, it's true. I was. I used to work for the New York magazine."

"Why'd you stop?" Bucky's voice surprised you. It was the first time you’ve actually heard him talk to Steve first, except that time when you first introduced them.

Steve's eyes met Bucky's. A strange atmosphere picked up. You couldn't quite point out why. "I was sticking my nose up where it didn't belong." He replied. "I got fired because of that. Boss said I was too... intuitive."

"Isn't that what journalists should be exactly?" You asked.

"Too much of something is bad too, I guess." He shrugged, retreating back his eyes.

"Huh." You said, observing Steve. Eyes stolid. Bearing no emotions at all. "Well, look who's good at keeping secrets. Steve Rogers."

He hummed. "We all got secrets."

And then Nick revealed a ridiculous secret ("I hate the bank! I don't have a bank account!") that lightened up the mood.

The night went on after that, Steve avoiding any questions you had about this past life of his. Nick had the most ridiculous questions followed by Peter. But the night had to end as well. Thankfully, it ended sober.

Leaving Steve, Nat and Nick behind, Bucky, you and Peter headed up the stairs, the elevator ride filled with deafening silence. One you very much loathed. Between Bucky and you was Peter. It was killing you not to touch Bucky.

Bucky left, merely dropping you off in your apartment. He told you he'd come by tomorrow morning to get his stuff that was still in Peter's room.

It killed you not being able to kiss Bucky good night, watching his back getting smaller and disappearing behind the elevator. Peter closed the door after that.

"Boy, I'm tired." You yawned, stretching your arms up. "I'm gonna go ahead. It's nice to have you back, Parker."

Before you could even go to your room and have a nice sleep, Peter called for your name. You lazily replied.

"Yeah?"

"Why'd you do it, y/n?"

Confused, you turned around, meeting his gaze. "What?"

"The project with Sam." He said, walking towards you. His footsteps were heavy in each step. As heavy as his voice was becoming. "Bucky convinced you. Why'd you say yes?"

Trepidation filled your body. A kind of weakness you loathed. But you tried hard to stand on your ground, masking your anxiousness.

The noises outside the apartment, out on the streets mirrored the voices in your head.

"It was a big business opportunity." you found your voice. "A collaboration. And I didn't have much choice knowing that I was going to get fired."

But it seemed like Peter chose not to listen. "For years, I have been trying to get you to work with me. Years, y/n. Years." He sighed in exasperation. His eyes were bloodshot, tears badly wanting to escape. "Why couldn't you have said yes to me?"

His last words were so strong and sharp like a knife piercing right through your flesh, leaving you to bleed out in the open. You opened your mouth to speak, to say something, to say that you were sorry but unfortunately, no words came out. Peter breathed, releasing his strong gaze. "Good night, y/n."

He left you standing there in the middle of the room, realizing now that it would be harder to tell him about you and Bucky. Once you finally had the energy to carry your weight towards your room, you treaded towards it slowly and opened the door, only to be met by a soft knock on your window.

You nearly jumped at the sight outside the window.

"Jesus, Bucky!" you hissed, immediately closing the door behind. You opened the window and let him inside, closing it afterwards. "How did you get there?"

He was panting, trying to catch his breath. "Fire escape."

"It's freezing cold outside." you scolded, grabbing him your blanket and wrapping it around his huge figure.

"I know." he replied. "Maybe you can warm me up." A cheeky smile started to play on his lips as he approached you.

You giggled. "Bucky, not now."

"I'm sorry, doll. I just couldn't leave without a good night kiss."

My heart melted at his words. You placed your hand on his jaw and pecked his lips. He pulled you in closer. You smiled in the kiss.

"Neither can I."

You kissed a little bit more, a bit more passion this time, the window framing you perfectly in the nighttime.

You pulled away, feeling a bit guilty about Peter in his room.

"We need to talk, James." You said, breaking what was a lovely atmosphere. You’ve already had two confrontations today. What was another one?

You sat on the bed and patted the space beside you. Bucky frowned, sitting beside you. "What's wrong?"

"Peter's kind of upset with me accepting your offer to work with Sam." you went straight to the point. "He's been trying to get me to work with him in his company he works at ever since he got the job but I've always declined. And now, I think he's mad or even jealous that I said yes to you. God, you should've seen him, Buck. His eyes were so wide, and red. I've never seen him like that. It didn't look like Peter at all."

It took him quite a while before he spoke. "Do you regret taking up the offer?"

"What, heavens no!" You answered. "Bucky, this has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. You're one of them too, of course." You said, seeing his doe-like eyes once more. "I'm just getting a bit more scared now. What if there is no right time for us to tell him? What then?"

He clasped your hands with his large ones, making you stop your trembling. You didn't even notice your hands shaking until now. "There will be a right time, y/n. Right now, we just have to keep this our little secret for a while until we can tell him."

"What happens when he doesn't approve of this?" You started to ramble on once more. "Of us? What happens then?"

"Sweetheart, you don't know what's going to happen but we'll make it work."

You didn't respond. You just kept staring at your joined hands.

"I promise." He added.

You finally nodded, releasing a breath you didn't know you were holding. "Okay."

"Now, if it's okay with you." He moved a little bit closer, kissing your cheek. "I can spend the night here." Another on the other. "With you." then on your lips.

"Peter's in the other room." you whispered in the kiss, amazed at how the mood changed so quickly.

"That's why I'm gonna need you to be quiet, babydoll."

[l-wannabe-l]

Short Circuit

Chapter 1: First Impressions

During the events of T2 John's half-sister, Aria catches the attention of the T-1000. Having failed a second time Skynet starts targeting the people who will one day fight beside John.

T-1000/Austin x OC

This first chapter will follow the movie but it will start diverging soon. I'm still new to fanfic writing so feel free to leave a comment.

It was gone.

Not in my closet or my drawers or under the bed.

It was gone.

The little money maker that I made and the little brat took it. I grab my cardigan and make my way out into the hallway. He's probably made it to the mall already (and he didn't even think to invite me), spending money that's not his. I mean it's not mine either but that's not the part I'm upset about. Knowing the way he drives on his bike I'll be lucky if the atm card is still working when I get it back. As I looked for my keys, they were RIGHT HERE I SWEAR, the doorbell rings. Seeing as it's not my house I don't go to answer. I hear the door open accompanied by a tired sigh.

Todd must've gotten it.

"Are you the legal guardian of John Connor?'

That's never a good question. I take a peek around the corner to glance at the man at the door. The first thing I notice is that he's wearing a police uniform. Yup, not good.

"That's right, officer. What's he done now?" A very valid question that the officer ignores as he seems to scan the house, pausing briefly as he spots me before turning his attention back to Todd.

"Could I speak with him please?"

"Could if he were here. Took off on his bike this morning so he could be anywhere." Todd answers with a shrug, clearly not giving two shits as Janelle joins him at the door.

"Do you have a photograph of John?"

"Yeah sure, hold on." She turns to grab her wallet and sees me hiding behind the corner. She looks at me expectedly probably thinking I know what's going on. I just shake my head. Like I would tell her even if I did know.

"You gonna tell me what this is about?" Todd tries asking again as Janelle rejoins them, handing off the picture.

"Just need to ask him a few questions. He's a good-looking boy. Do you mind if I keep this picture?" He asks as he studies the image.

"No, go on. There was a guy here this morning looking for him too." Janelle offers. This gets the officer's attention as I see him still and look back up. This surprises me too as I wasn't here in the morning and my foster parents apparently didn't think to tell me about some stranger looking for my little brother.

"Yeah, a big guy on a bike. That got something to do with this?" Todd adds. Dear God John, who are you getting involved with? The officer pauses for a moment before responding.

"No. I wouldn't worry about him. Thanks for your cooperation." He takes one last glance up in my direction. Our eyes meet. Only for a second before he's gone. But it's long enough to send a chill down my spine. Police officer or not that man is dangerous and he's heading straight for John. When John fails to answer his phone, that I got him by the way, I hurry to find my keys and make my way outside. The cop had left. He'll have to ask around to find John which should buy me some time.

It's a bit of a distance to get to the mall and the traffic of a Saturday afternoon doesn't help but I make it. I head towards the arcade on the second floor but have to backtrack around a corner when I spot the officer from earlier talking to some kids.

Christ, he works fast. This man really takes his job seriously.

The kids seem not to know anything as the man continues on and out of sight… in the direction of the arcade. DAMN IT. I hurry after hoping he'd walk past it which he does. I slow down to look through the windows hoping to catch a glimpse of John.

"Excuse me, have you seen…"

Stopped by the entrance I turn to look at the speaker realizing too late my mistake as I'm face to face with the very man I was avoiding. Because of the close proximity, I notice he's tall, and with a square jaw, bright blue eyes, and soft-looking light brown hair, he's handsome too. This is bad for me, because tall and handsome have gotten me in trouble before and I will not let it do so again. But he's staring, obviously recognizing me from not even an hour ago, so I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

"Lo siento señor no hablo ingles."

His brow furrowed in confusion which I take as my cue to leave. So with an "Adios!" I duck into the arcade, send a quick thank you to my high school Spanish classes, and hide behind the first big machine I find. From there I see him enter the arcade looking left and right, scanning as he did earlier, before turning to a pair of girls by a pinball machine. I turn away to go find John eventually finding him playing Afterburner.

"JOHN!"

"AAHH!"

"A cop is looking for you, what did you do?" He spares me a glance before returning to his game.

"... Is this because I took the card machine? Listen Aria, I'm sorry but mine broke."

"I am pissed about that but no."

"Is it cause I didn't invite you? In my defense, you weren't home."

"John..." I begin when Tim, John's buddy, slides up to us.

"John, hey there's this cop scoping for you, check it out." That got his attention, and let me be upset for a second as he takes a look around Tim and the machine to see the officer questioning another kid who points in our direction. John grabs his backpack, I grab John and we both head towards the employee door briefly looking back to see the officer pushing kids aside to catch up. I open the door and push John ahead of me, both of us running.

"So you'll listen to Tim but not to me?"

"Tim never messed with me about surprise police inspections." Ever since we were young mom drilled into us that the police were bad news and, like the caring and protective big sister that I am, I decided to add to this training. Suffice to say John tends to double guess me now and then.

"That's fair." Turning the corner we surprise a worker who yells at us and who we ignore as we push through the exit doors. That's when we turn to see a large man in a leather jacket and sunglasses and I freeze up as he opens the box to pull out a shotgun the roses he was carrying crushed beneath him as he advances. John pulls me back the way we came, the man following as we try the other doors.

Locked.

Trapped.

I chance a glance back to see he’s caught up with us. Another look forward reveals the officer appearing through the doorway, with a glare almost as menacing as the gun. I hear a click and a look back shows the shotgun has been leveled at us.

“Get down.”

What?

"ARIA!"

Lucky for me John has the good sense to listen to the man as he ducks down pulling me with him. I cover him as gunshots ring above us. I look up to see the officer blasted back a few inches, silver wounds appearing where red ones should be. The man in leather grabs us, spinning to cover us as the cop starts emptying his clip at us. I hear the poor employee from earlier scream in pain as he gets caught in the crossfire.

John and I scream, fear gripping us.

The bullet fire pauses for a moment giving our (definitely not) human shield the opportunity to bust open the door to our left and push us in. He turns away just in time for the officer to finish reloading but is undeterred by the bullets finding a home in his torso as he continues his march forward. He levels his own gun, shotgun shells flying as he blasts one after another pushing the smaller man back until he falls and our savior is allowed to reload. As he does so the silver gaps fill in and the man rises from where he lay grabbing the gun and catching the bigger man off guard as he tries and fails to gain back control. So instead he moves to grab the cop but is instead thrown into one wall then another. Cement and plaster alike collapsing in their struggle until they both disappear through a wall.

Despite the obvious difference in size, the larger man is the one being thrown around like a ragdoll which spells bad news for us. So I grab John again, pulling him behind me as I head towards the door that leads to a staircase. We head down until we reach ground level, the parking lot, we run over to John’s bike, an old thing that was mine before I handed it down when I got a new one. Trying to start it up now I remember why I upgraded.

“John, your bike is a hunk of junk!”

“It was your bike first! Just start it already!” The engine finally starts running just as the doors burst open. The cop racing after us on foot as we speed off.

[niawritess]

The Lovestruck~Chapter 9

(3 December)

9:33 am

Baekhyun was on his way to music room with his friends as their class just ended before Sehun spotted a familiar figure around the library area.

"Hyung! Your girl." Sehun exclaimed getting his Hyung's attention as they followed their gaze to see you with Ria before a male stood beside you making Baekhyun frown.

"Oh? Sehun-ah! Isn't he that guy we saw at the Amusement Park with her?" Yixing jolted in surprise and Baekhyun looked at the guy who was beside you with curiosity.

"Huh! What is this? She already has a boyfriend?" Jongin asked surprised, looking at your direction before shifting his eyes to Baekhyun who's eyes were on you.

"How are you so sure?" Junmyeon spoke staring at the maknae with question look.

Sehun smiled sheepishly. "My gut feeling."

The latter groaned rolling his eyes before looking at Baekhyun who was in a daze whilst eyes on you.

"Baekhyun-ah."

He snapped out and looked at the voice who called him with raised brows as Chanyeol was looking at him concerned.

"He won't be." He assured him and Baekhyun looked at him perplexed. "He won't be what?"

"Her boyfriend." Jongin spoke pointing his chin towards you who was going in the building.

He sighed. "What are you guys thinking? Let's go."

They stared at him as he walked ahead before following him while baekhyun tried not to think about it however, he couldn't as his mind kept wandering there.

Meanwhile, Ria and you were at the theatre with other classmates, sitting in the audience while reading the scripts and looked at your drama's leads which were chosen by your professor.

"I still can't believe, Lauren is the female lead." Ria groaned flipping the script pages furiously and you had to took it from her hands before she could tear it.

"She must have had some acting skills, that's why she was chosen or you know that Mrs. Kang won't just choose anyone." You puffed out your cheeks while giving the scripts to a classmate before you saw Mark making his way towards you both.

"Hey." He smiled taking a seat beside Ria and you both smiled back.

You three faced the stage as the play's rehearsal started as Lauren and Rowoon were the leads, they were doing really well while you three in the audience were playing your part as an audience.

Back in the music room, where Baekhyun's mind was stuck on you which was now driving him crazy before he got a message and checked it to see it was from his friends group.

Sehuniee: okay breaking news.

Kyungsoo: Now what did you do?

Junmyeon: what did you do?

Chanyeol: what did you do hyung!

Minseok: Stop it!

Jongdae: Sehun-ah say it.

Baekhyun: What's happening now!

Jongin: Maknae spill it.

Sehun: patience babies!

Lay: No patience!

Sehun: Guess what is it about?

Kyungsoo: Stop with this patience thing or i'm blocking you.

Sehun: a little guess.

Chanyeol: another match?

Sehun: - _- you can't think of anything other than game right?

Baekhyun: Yah say it now!

Jongin: Is about hyung's girl?

Lay: really?

Minseok: really?

Jongdae: really?

Baekhyun: Don't you have any other topic to talk about? Why are you always mentioning her? And she's not jongin!

Junmyeon: calm the heck down will you?

Sehun: okay so here the the thing! Hyung's girl doesn't have a boyfriend!

Chanyeol: how do you know that?

Sehun: i have my ways!

Junmyeon: your gut feeling was wrong then.

Sehun: first and last time.

Jongin: then baekhyun hyung has a chance now! Oohoo!

Baekhyun: Shut up!

Baekhyun shut his phone down as a sudden relief and happiness rushed inside him with a smile on his lips before he looked ahead to see his friends staring at him with a amused grin which he forgot about them being in the same room and groaned as they began to tease him making him face-palm.

_____________

8:48 pm

You looked at yourself in the mirror as you fixed your updo hairstyle and eyed your yourself up to down, wearing a jeans with white shirt tucked in and light pink fleece line corduroy jacket over.

Yesterday, Rose had asked you to go to a new theme Park opening with her where her friend was a staff member who invited her. As Rose didn't wanted to go alone, she asked you and you agreed since you weren't busy.

You reached the Park before looking at the address which Rose sent you a while ago. Standing at the side of the entrance gate, you waited for them to arrive while looking inside the place which was brightened by the lights beautifully.

"You're already here." You jumped, hearing the voice behind you and turned around to see Baekhyun grinning at you.

"Oh yeah, just got here." You smiled before looking behind him. "Rose isn't here yet?"

"Right, why isn't she here yet? Wait, let me call her." He shoved his hands into his jeans pocket to grab his phone before calling her while you nodded before wandering your eyes around to notice that people's eyes were on your direction as they were going inside.

You frowned and observed it coherently to realize that the eyes were on Baekhyun and half of them were girls. You glanced at him talking on the phone and then noticed his dressing as he was wearing blue jeans paired up with white shirt and black leather jacket while his black hair reaching up to his eyes which he flipped back smoothly.

You looked away, mentally smacking your head for staring too much before you scooted away little from him, not wanting to be stared at and Baekhyun frowned noticing your sudden act as he shoved his phone back in his pocket.

"What's wrong?"

"Uh? Nothing. What did Rose say? When will she arrive?"

"Um..the thing is." He trailed off and you looked at him confused. "Rose said something came up and she can't make it."

"What happened? Is she okay?" You questioned, concern flowing through your face and Baekhyun immediately nodded seeing your worried face.

"She is alright, her mother's got a fever so she has to stay with her." He told and you nodded sighing in relief.

"Then what should we do now?" You asked looking up at him innocently as the one who suggested the idea isn't coming.

He pondered for a moment staring inside before glancing back at you. "Well, since we're already here, why not take a tour inside?"

You pursed your lips while thinking about his suggestion before glancing back at him and nodded smilingly before you both headed inside.

You both walked inside and you were amazed to see the lightning inside which brightened the whole Park before your amazement was replaced with uneasiness as you saw how crowded it was.

"Let's go." You snapped out as you heard his voice and nodded while walking ahead beside him.

You were strolling carefully not to bump into anyone before a man's shoulder almost collided with yours but Baekhyun wrapped his arm around your shoulder preventing it as he pulled you a little closer to him and you got startled but then felt relieved.

Baekhyun tried his best to get out of the crowd as he sensed your uneasiness while his arm still on your shoulder protecting you and you felt secured until you both reached at the garden area.

He slowly pulled his arm back and rubbed the back of his neck before an awkward silence followed before he cleared his throat to break the ice.

"Why didn't you tell me that you're uncomfortable with crowds?" He asked concerned. "We could've gone back."

You shook your head. "How can we just go without even checking it out and I didn't know, Rose's friend would request the whole city to come."

He laughed at your joke and you smiled as the mood got lighten before you eyed the area which seemed beautiful while Baekhyun's eyes stopped to stare at you.

He observed you, head to toe now noticing your dressing which made you look cute before his eyes stopped at your smiling face as you were imersed gazing, your innocent eyes sparkling making his heart beat fast suddenly whilst his lips forming a smile.

"Look at that!" You exclaimed, snapping the latter out of his trance before he followed your gaze to see a bunch of people screaming in the roller coaster ride.

"That looks so scary." He commented blinking and you nodded agreeing with him still eyes on the roller coaster.

You both looked at eachother and laughed before strolling around the Park while checking out various things then commenting on them and sharing your opinions about it which were almost similar.

A loud cheers got your attention as you stopped and saw that a magic show was happening and watched with interest while Baekhyun noticed your excited expression the whole time as he stood there with his hands shoved in his pocket.

In that moment, a magician did a trick and a red flower popped out in his empty hands causing your mouth open in amazement and Baekhyun chuckled at your reaction before that magician made his way towards the crowd.

He looked around and his eyes stopped at you as he walked towards you with a smile and you had to admit that he was good looking.

As he stopped infront you, he held out the flower to you and you smiled taking it muttering a thank you before he walked back giving a smile then you stared at the flower checking if it's real, while there was someone who didn't liked the scene happening infront of him and he let out a low scoff but it got unheard by you.

You both walked back to the garden area where there weren't any people and stood under the large tree before sitting on the bench.

"Why are staring it like it's your first time receiving a flower?" Baekhyun asked feeling a little annoyed as you kept gazing at the flower.

You nodded before glancing at him. "Because, it is my first time receiving a flower."

His forehead creased in surprise. "Seriously? I mean you've never received a flower before?"

You frowned. "That sounded a little rude but yeah it's true."

"How come?"

"I don't know, maybe I look too reserved for that but I did received a flower when I was young and it was a prank." You made a face recalling that scene.

"Prank? Who pranked you?"

"My classmate. He gave me a flower but just as I was about to take it, he spit out water on my face."

Baekhyun started laughing and you couldn't help but laugh too before you narrowed your eyes at him playfully.

"But why did he do it?" He asked between his laughter.

"Because I broke his nose." You giggled and he laughed more and you couldn't help but stare at his laughing face which automatically made you smile.

You snapped out as you felt a tap on your lap causing you look at the person who turned out to be a cute little girl smiling adorably at you.

Baekhyun and you smiled at her before she pointed at the flower which you were holding to give it to her and you almost cooed at how cutely was she asking and you immediately gave it to her.

She giggled cutely before pecking your cheek and ran back to her parents while Baekhyun watched the scene smiling.

"Receiving flowers must be not my thing." You giggled at your own remark and looked at Baekhyun who was in a daze.

"I'm still surprised at how a pretty girl like you hasn't received a flower before." He muttered but it was loud enough for you to hear it as you blinked on his comment before feeling heat rushing to your face.

He snapped his head towards you realizing it and you both locked eyes for few seconds before he cleared his throat and stood up.

He licked his lips before looking at you. "Uh.. Do you want some ice-cream?"

You nodded. "Sure."

"Which flavor?"

"Vanilla."

"Okay, then stay here. I'll be right back." He walked away disappearing in the crowd and you let out a big exhale feeling your heart still beating fast and cheeks hot.

You got pretty surprised as it was the first time a guy called you pretty since you've always heard it from your bestfriend and your parents. You never had a guy friend before who would call you that but that guy called you pretty and not just a guy but Baekhyun himself which you never imagined.

Soon, Baekhyun came back with two cups of ice-creams in his hands but got confused as he didn't see you there. He looked around here and there before his eyes went up to see you sitting on the tree branch which got him more confuse.

"Are you having a conversation with monkeys over there?"

You immediately looked down to see him and relief rushed inside you but soon it turned into a frown as you noticed him holding back his laugh.

"Yes, they are saying hi to you." You replied sarcastically and he laughed out loud making you roll your before it turned into a frown causing him to stop.

"What are you doing there?"

"That kid over there." You pointed at the kid who was playing with the ball walking away and Baekhyun followed your gaze before looking back at you.

"His ball got stuck here and he was crying badly and asked me to get it. I told him, i'll get him new one but he didn't agreed and cried more then i had no choice. I got the ball but when i tried to climb down it was too deep and now i'm scared to jump." You hold the branch tightly making a frightening face.

My God, This is so embarrassing! Should I just live here with monkeys?

Baekhyun sighed and placed the ice-cream on bench at the side before standing under the tree where you were sitting.

He spreaded his arms wide. "Come on."

Your brows knitted in confusion. "What?"

"Jump, and I'll catch you."

"What are you saying? No way!"

"Then what? You wanna spend your whole life sitting there?" He joked and you gave him a look.

"No. What if I hurt you?"

"Don't worry. I won't ask you to pay my medical bills, okay?"

"Seriously?"

He chuckled. "Seriously. You're coffee bean sized. How can you hurt me?"

"It's not funny. Can't you just go and find some stool or something," You stopped your babbling as you saw his face and realized you were literally ordering him. "Please?"

Baekhyun couldn't help but smile finding you cute at this situation before he let out a sigh. "Look around y/n, do you think I could get a stool here?"

"Look at me, Y/n." He said softly and you looked at him. "I won't let you get hurt, hm?"

"Trust me." He whispered enough for you to hear it and you don't know why but you just believed him and stared in his eyes which made you immediately nod in response.

He smiled and you both counted to three before your eyes squeezed shut while letting yourself fall.

You felt his both arms circled around your waist and yours around his neck tightly while his face almost in the crook of your neck, sending chills down your spine as you felt his breath on your neck.

"You're safe." He whispered and you felt something ticklish in your stomach again and opened your eyes slowly before leaning away only to be inches away from his face which made both of your heart beat fast.

You both realized your position and Baekhyun immediately let you down gently before you both looked away awkwardly feeling suddenly warm in winter season.

"Uh.. Ice-cream?" You broke the silence and he looked at you before pointing at the ice-cream placed on the bench and he took his while handing you yours.

You both sat beside eachother in distance before you shoved a spoon of ice-cream which immediately melted in your mouth satisfying you with the delicious taste.

"So, what are you studying?" He asked before shoving a spoon into his mouth and you giggled causing him look at you in confusion.

"Why?"

"No, it's just you asked out of the blue."

He hummed. "I just thought that I don't really know much about you."

You nodded. "Well, there's not much to know about me as I'm just a simple girl with a nice family and friends and studying literature."

"What about dreams? You don't have any dreams?"

"Not sure, I never really thought about it. What about you? Do you have any dream?"

He sighed. "I don't know if counts as a dream but I really want to make a game. A game where people can enjoy themselves and feel alive by forgetting their problems a little bit."

You stared at him in admiration for his words and sensing your stare he glanced at you and chuckled. "You must be thinking it's childish, right?"

You shook your head. "No, it's your dream, if it makes you happy and alive then it's meaningful, plus who am I to judge you?"

He got taken aback by your answer as he didn't expected that but then again you always surprise him.

"Honestly, at first I always wondered what is it in games? like why people like it so much? But when I saw Daniel playing it, he seemed really happy and maybe it's the same with you."

You glanced at him to see his reaction but found him staring at you intently which made you flustered and you laughed nervously.

"I said too much, didn't I? I'm usually a quiet person."

He snickered. "You're a quiet person? You don't really look quiet type to me."

"What do you mean?" You whined a little. "I am a quiet person but I talk a lot when I'm comfortable with someone."

"You're comfortable with me?" His eyes look at you expectantly and you nodded causing him smile wholeheartedly with his heart bouncing with happiness.

_____________

10:05 pm

"You don't really have to." You politely refused Baekhyun's offer to drop you home as you both exited the park.

"And let you go in the cab alone? I'm sorry but I can't do that." He opened the passenger door and looked back at you. "Come on, Are you really rejecting this gentleman?"

You chuckled on his remark and bit your lip before walking over to him while he grinned widely as he stepped back a little to let you sit inside.

He put a hand in the air above your head as you sat in, making you flutter even on this little gesture causing you smile automatically and you mumbled 'Thank you' before he closed the door walking to the driving seat.

As he placed himself in the driving seat, he buckled his seatbelt before his eyes stopped at you, struggling with the seatbelt while mumbling to herself.

"This just really doesn't work for me, I swear i'll break this one day." You muttered frowning as you couldn't buckle your seatbelt before feeling a stare on you.

You tilted your head to the side to see his body facing you with his elbow resting on the window as his index finger was on his lower lip and watching you with an amused grin.

You felt your cheeks heating up by his intent gaze and let out a nervous chuckle. "Why?"

He shook his head grinning before coming forward a little causing you back away as he buckled your seatbelt in a blink and sat straight showing a proud smile. "Wasn't it easy?"

"Not for me though, it always gets stuck when I do that." You complained causing him chuckle before he started the engine and drove.

Not long before, the car stopped infront your porch without you even realizing as you both kept talking in the whole ride which you didn't expected.

You unbuckled the seatbelt and turned to Baekhyun. "Thank you for dropping me home and I had fun today."

He nodded smilingly. "Me too, what did you like the most?"

"The magic show?"

"For me, the tree show." He grinned playfully and you narrowed your eyes at him playfully before smiling after.

"Then, Good night." You got out of the car and walked toward your home before you heard him calling you out.

Frowning you turned around and saw him coming towards you causing you look at him confusingly before he held out your phone.

"Oh!" You took it from his and smiled sheepishly and he just shook his head at your forgetfulness before something popped into your mind.

"Sunbae," You stopped at your mid-sentence debating wether to continue or not but he was already giving you a quizzical look.

"Uh nothing."

He frowned. "What is it? You're making me curious now."

"It's not really important, uh I stopped by a stall when you went to get your car and bought this." You spoke hesitantly before shuffling in your purse while he stared at you curiously.

"This." You showed him a Keychain of its first name initial B in a small cube. "Actually, I just thought it was cute and bought this as a memory."

He stared at you in amaze before looking at the Keychain and back to you while you bit your lip blinking and thinking if he got upset.

"It's okay if you don't like-"

"Thank you." He smiled taking the Keychain from your hand and stared at it in adoration making you relieved before you smiled.

"Do you like it?" You asked and he nodded cutely.

"I'm glad you like it." You smiled and he smiled back before you heard your front door opening and revealing your one and only brother Daniel coming out.

"Baekhyunee hyung!" Daniel beamed, making you internally scoff and Baekhyun waved at him cutely before he jogged towards you both.

"What are you doing outside? Come join us inside." He spoke and you widened your eyes at his bold move without even asking you.

"It's late already, maybe next time." Baekhyun refused politely and Daniel pouted but nodded.

"Well, how's your test preparation going?" Baekhyun asked shoving his hands in his pocket and you sighed looking at the both boys who tend to forget that you are also present here whenever they talk.

"They are going well."

"You know, you can ask your sister for help."

"That's a little difficult, it's a math test." He leaned towards him making you frown. "And Noona sucks at math."

Baekhyun nodded grinning and Daniel backed away looking like nothing happened making you scoff.

"I can hear you." You gritted your teeth and they chuckled causing you roll your eyes and wondering if he really is your brother?

L

Baekhyun looked at his wristwatch before looking at you. "'l'll get going then."

You nodded. "Yes, Drive safely, Sunbae."

He frowned at the name but then nodded smiling. "Thanks for the memory."

He waved the Keychain and you bit your lip smiling before he walked back to his car and drove off sparing last glance at you.

"What memory?" Daniel leaned to your side with his folded arms staring at frowning and you glared at him.

"Who are you?" You shot back before walking inside with daniel behind you yelling.

"Yah! Potato!"

__________________

@wooya1224 @buttercupbbh

[degenerate-otaku]

Another one shot of Future Gohan and Trunks for yall

https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13896221/1/Before-the-Rain

(Links in case you prefer)

In the times that had followed the androids' destruction, younger generations were highly protected, as they were the earth's only hope. The government set up an initiative to get more children out of dangerous cities that housed gangs and violence.

Children and any family they had would move to countryside camps, wherein they would receive food, safety and education in return for doing manual labour such as farming and sewing, as well as taking care of the sick.

Trunks somewhat hated this, as it meant that many children in West City, including his own friends often moved away when things got too difficult, leaving him isolated, in terms of having friends his own age.

Sure, sometimes he'd visit, taking the underground railway system, or by hopping on the nimbus, or even flying when he had learnt to do so, but it felt like an arduous task.

However, when Gohan decided to volunteer as a teacher, Trunks thought it would be a good idea to attend full time, as the pair could go together. Trunks was surprised when the day before Gohan revealed he was rather nervous about it.

“C'mon, you're an amazing teacher to me, so I'm sure you'll be able to teach more kids!” Trunks reassured him, snuggling into bed. He always loved when Gohan would stay over at his house, it was so comforting to know he was right there beside him.

“Yeah...but that's you...and I've known you since you were born...and there's a lot of kids!” Gohan hung up his smart looking outfit, which Trunks remarked as being nerdy, on a hanger, before sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Trust me, they aren't as annoying as me. You'll be fine...Good night.” Trunks smiled at him before switching off his light and pretending to be asleep before Gohan could worry further.

Gohan sighed and tucked the boy in a little more before heading to sleep himself.

The next day, the pair flew to the makeshift school building, and landed away from sight before coming in together.

To keep Gohan distracted from his nerves, which Trunks viewed as highly irrational, considering Gohan was also "The Golden Warrior", he inquired,

“Doesn't your mom cook for the kids here a lot? My friends said that a lady called Miss Son is the most amazing lunch lady ever.”

“Huh? Oh...yeah,” Gohan laughed, lifting his head from the book held in his hands.

“I mean...she's used to cooking in massive quantities for me and for when my dad was around...it's a chance for her to share her...motherly-ness.” He smiled, then stopped at the door, listening to the sound of children chattering inside.

“You can do this!” Trunks grinned, taking his bag off his shoulder as he stepped in, Gohan following, the class immediately silenced, intrigued by the smart young man, that was clearly strong looking, his muscles bulging even in his clothes.

“Uh...Good morning class!” He began, picking up a pen and writing his name on the board.

“My name is Mr Son...and I will be your new teacher!” He smiled politely, awaiting a response.

“Oh my god, are you married to the lunch lady?!” A girl exclaimed.

Gohan frantically shook his head, “N-no, she's my mom!” His face had gone red as the class giggled, but he soon regained composure, laughing it off.

“Gosh, she cooks like that for you all the time?!” Another kid chimed in and he scratched the back of his head,

“Yeah...I guess so! I just hope she doesn't come in and embarrass me!” He answered.

Trunks gazed up at him from where he was sitting. He was glad to see his best friend adapting so well to his new job.

“Alright! Our first task is going to be a written task, which I'll get you to read aloud at the end.” He instructed them, handing out some paper, taking a look at every one of his new students.

“I want you all to write about what you did during your summer. Which programs did you volunteer in? Did you visit anywhere?”

He returned to his position at the front and passionately spoke, “I really wanna know about you guys! Oh...maybe I should take the register to learn your names...tell me if I mispronounce any!”

Gohan sat down, getting out the list of names and calling them out, one by one, receiving a pleasant "Good morning, Mr Son“ each time. It was strange to hear Trunks call him that, and by the sound of it, the title was strange for the boy to speak aloud too. The two just had to pretend as if they didn't know each other, Gohan made it a priority not to show favouritism towards him, but he knew it would be difficult.

He loved that boy unconditionally.

”Sir, how long do we have?“ A girl named Cherri, who he knew to be Trunks' friend that used to live not far from Capsule Corp, asked.

”Oh...right, I forgot to tell you that! Uh...you have until half past.“ He answered, before scribbling down more lesson ideas in his book.

The truth was that he had no clue about what he was doing. He was planning his lessons as he went along.

The time passed quickly, and Gohan decided to pick out random students to read out what they had wrote. A few passed, and he made some notes about them in his book.

”Alright, last but not least is Trunks.“ Gohan called out to him, snapping the boy out of a daydream.

”Oh, ok...“ He reluctantly stood and read from the paper, ”Last summer, I mostly stayed at home, played video games and studied. I went to the beach with my mom a few times....uhh I watched TV and...uh yeah.“ He sat back down.

”...that's it? That's all you wrote?“ Gohan glared at his student, hoping he had a good response.

”Yeah.“ Trunks replied, thinking nothing of it.

”Trunks, you had half an hour and you wrote 3 sentences.“ Gohan sounded stern and the class silently watched.

”Well, you already know what I did last summer, Gohan-“ Trunks gasped and the class was confused.

”Wait, is he your brother?“ The boy next to Trunks, who was also his good friend asked and the whole class started chatting.

Gohan cleared his throat and sighed,

”Yes...well...I am very close to Trunks, our families are too...but this does not mean I favour him over any of you.“ He calmed the situation, then spoke directly to Trunks,

”I need you to show the same level of respect to me as everyone else in here, too, ok? It is the morning of the first day, so I will let this slide, but please give more effort.“

Trunks nodded, but rolled his eyes, slumping back in his chair, when Gohan turned to the whiteboard and wrote down the title of the next lesson, before collecting in the students' essays and handing out exercise books.

The next lesson would be a boring maths lesson, which Trunks sat through. He was ahead of his peers in scientific and mathematical subjects, thanks to his master's teaching, so sitting through a recap of something he found so simple was like watching paint dry.

Whenever Trunks raised his hand, he felt like Gohan always asked someone else. He didn't like being ignored.

He knew the answers to everything, it was incredibly annoying to hear someone who clearly didn't know something harder than expanding brackets in algebra, try to solve the equation on the board that Trunks could do in his head.

Gohan was encouraging and made sure the students felt no shame in making mistakes.

”Alright, Cherri, so now you need to get the unknowns on one side of the equation.“ Gohan advised her, writing on the board the step she just explained with his help.

The girl stammered, her face going a little red from the attention.

”The answer is 4!“ Trunks, finally fed up, called out the answer.

”Well, yes, that is correct, but I wasn't asking you, I was asking Cherri.“ Gohan put down his pen and his serious tone returned.

”She obviously didn't know!“ Trunks folded his arms, determined to not apologise for doing what he thought was right.

”It's rude to interrupt, regardless.“ Gohan told him, before moving on.

Finally, it was time for break and when Trunks decided he was going to talk to Gohan, he was surprised to find girls in his class talking to him instead, asking him tons of questions.

”So, you work out?“ One asked, taking a look at his arms.

”Of course he does, just look at him!“ Her friend cut in and Gohan blushed and nodded, explaining his reasons, which Trunks knew to be false.

”Oh, hey, Trunks!“ Gohan spotted him and took his opportunity to get out of that conversation.

”I wanted to have a chat about before.“ He approached his pupil, who was causing him some concern.

”Oh...same.“ Trunks fiddled with the sleeves of his jumper, something he always did when he was nervous, which Gohan took notice of.

”Why did you feel like you could do that?“ Gohan's voice was calm; it always made Trunks feel more at ease.

”I dunno...it just felt like...you were ignoring me. I just got a bit fed up...because I already knew the stuff and you weren't asking me.“ The teen shrugged his shoulders, not meeting his eye.

”Trunks,“ Gohan placed his hand on his shoulder, making the boy glance up at him.

”I just want to know what the others know. I know you're able to do this, but most of them aren't.“

Gohan did make sense, but Trunks was stubborn. His mother said it was a trait of his father, though she was stubborn too.

”I spend a lot of time with you...and I love spending time with you...but it's not fair to give you all my focus...

You know I really love you, right?“

That was enough to make Trunks smile.

”I know...thanks, Gohan...I mean Mr Son.“ Trunks giggled before running off.

Gohan watched as the other kids played together gleefully. It was heartwarming to see them be actual kids and enjoy their disrupted youth. It only made him more determined to fight for their safety and teach them well.

'I might be an even better teacher than you, Mr Piccolo...'

He smirked, hoping Piccolo could hear him somewhere, feeling proud of him.

[starlit-serenade]

Along the Red Thread | Chapter 5

🧣 Summary: It is said that a red thread connects people who are soulmates and destined to be lovers, regardless of place and circumstances. What makes this difficult is that you stopped believing in love a long time ago. OR. You go to Korea to visit your father after several years. There, a mysterious red thread that seemingly only you can see shows up when you least expect it, and you meet a childhood friend you’d never thought you would see again.

🧣 Chapter 5: 2,552 words

🧣 Pairing: Reader x Kim Geonhak (Leedo) / Characters: GenderNeutral!Reader; Kim Geonhak (Leedo); Kim Youngjo (Ravn); Lee Seoho (Seoho); Lee Keonhee (Keonhee); Yeo Hwanwoong (Hwanwoong); Son Dongju/Xion; a couple of OCs;

🧣 Rated: T / Warnings: Mentions of divorce (Y/N’s parents); Mentions of abuse (physical); Instances of abuse (non-physical); Mentions of child abuse; Swearing / Genre: Angst; Fluff; Soulmate!AU (Red Thread of Fate); ChildhoodBestFriends!AU; Happy Ending;

《 Boy Group Masterlist // ONEUS Masterlist // Series Masterlist 》

It's been about a week and a half since Geonhak first joined you to take Sunho to school. Since then, Geonhak has been accompanying you both almost every school day, waking up early to meet you outside of the apartment and ride the bus with you and Sunho. Sunho loves it. He tells Geonhak about the games he plays, the books he's read, the stuff he's learning in class. 

Some days, after dropping off Sunho with you, Geonhak will head to his dorm or to his practice. But on those days where you didn't want to return to your father's apartment, Geonhak would take you wherever you wanted to go, for as long as you wanted to be out. Whether it was just for some drinks, or to hang out at his dorm with him and his members. Seoho has, indeed, told you many embarrassing stories about Geonhak. Which provoked Geonhak to chase him around. Sometimes, you even get to watch them practice at their studio.

You and Sunho sit next to each other at the dinner table. Your father sits across from you, and Sooyeon sits across from Sunho. All of your plates are mostly empty from a filling dinner made by Sooyeon.

"Today, we practiced multiplication," Sunho says to you. "Areum helped me with it. She's better at it than me."

"Really?" you ask, grinning. "You can ask me if you need help. I know a bit about multiplication."

Sunho taps his feet excitedly. "Does Mr. Kim know multiplication?"

You pretend to think about it. "Hm. He should. Do you want him to help you practice?" Sunho nods, and you grin. "If you ask me, it seems like you like Mr. Kim more than you like me," you say, tickling him. He giggles.

"No! You're the one who reads to me every night."

"Who's Mr. Kim?" your father asks, interrupting. You look at him, and he asks again. "Who's Mr. Kim?"

"Oh, uh . . ."

You hesitate. You don't know why you don't want to tell him. Maybe it's because you want to separate your life at home from your time with Geonhak. Maybe it's because after all of this time you've spent with Geonhak and his group members, they've become almost a second family, your home, a safe place. And when you're with them, your father and Sooyeon vanish. Just for a moment. And you want to keep that safe. You don't want your father asking Geonhak to join a family dinner, and make you face the reality that you only really have one family.

"No one," you say. "Just a friend."

Your father tilts his head curiously. He looks at Sooyeon. "Clean the dishes, won't you?" he asks her. Sooyeon nods, standing up, and takes all of the dishes from the table. You hear the sound of the running water of the sink, as your father leans forward over the table.

Besides. You're an adult, and haven't seen your father properly in years. It's not like you owe him an explanation for anything. 

"He's just a friend," you say.

"And how did you meet this friend here? You've only been here for a month and a half."

You shake your head. You don't have the energy to explain it. And you don't need to explain it to him.

"I need some space." You get up from the table and head for your room, and you can hear the sound of your father's chair being pushed backward as he stands up to follow you.

"Y/N, you're supposed to be able to tell me everything. I'm your father."

If you weren't so busy trying to get some distance between you and your father, you'd roll your eyes. Ideally, you'd be able to tell your father everything and everything. But you haven't spent real quality time with him since the start of high school. And he isn't exactly close to you fatherly-wise.

You push open your door and try to slam it shut behind you. But just before the door closes, the door swings back twice as hard, the handle hitting you right in the hip and the edge of the door itself slamming into your lower arm and knocking you back, and you wince in pain, holding onto your arm.

"Fuck," you mumble.

That's gonna bruise.

You step back and place your hand on the bed to maintain balance. You glare at your father. He's staring at you in a way that makes you feel so small. You don't speak a word, as his eyes fall onto your arm. His expression changes.

"Ah, shit. Y/N, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--"

"Just go," you say. You move to sit on your bed before lying down, not looking at him. "I'm tired. Please just go."

There's silence. Then, you hear the door close, and you relax, shutting your eyes tight. You just want to fall asleep. Maybe in the morning, you'll wake up and realize that it was you who was being unreasonable, or you overreacting.

Today, you and Geonhak are sitting at a table at the back of the library, after having taken Sunho to school. You two are pouring over a comic book together, snickering at the funny parts between sips of the cold drinks before you.

You two have been sitting there for the past three hours already. Time really flies when you spend time with him. He makes you so happy. Even when you two are walking in silence, not talking, you feel satisfied.

You know that you don't see him as just a friend now. He makes you so happy. Whenever you see him at the beginning of the day, when he shows up to take Sunho to school with you, you feel the butterflies burst in your stomach. You've never felt as safe with anyone as you do with Geonhak.

As your book comes to an end, you place it aside and check your phone. It's about 11:30AM.

"We should get ready to go," you say. "I have some readings to finish before I go back home."

"Maybe you could come over to the dorm?" Geonhak suggests. "I could make you some lunch. And you could do your studies at my dorm. If you want."

You grin. "Sure. I'd like that."

Geonhak sits next to you as you work on your computer on the couch. Two windows are open on your screen, one with your reading and one to take notes on. Your sandwich lays half eaten on a plate on the table in front of you.

"Sunho was talking, yesterday, about wanting you to help him with subtraction," you say to Geonhak.

"Oh, really? I'd love to."

"I know." You glance at Geonhak. While you've been looking at your computer screen, you've been somewhat aware of Geonhak's eyes on you the entire time. You don't know why he's been watching you this whole time,and you don't want to ask.

You reach over your computer for your sandwich, and your arm bumps the top of the screen, right where the door had hit you last night after your father threw it open. It did end up bruising, as did the spot on your hip. But the one on your hip wasn't as bad.

You wince and lift your arm a bit, and instead reach around your computer instead of over. You don't want to worry Geonhak, and pray that he didn't see or notice. But you weren't so lucky.

"Huh?" Geonhak looks at you. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, yeah. I just . . . I hurt my arm yesterday is all."

Geonhak carefully takes your hand in his, watching you to make sure you're okay with it. When you don't stop him, he slides your sleeve up your arm and inspects the purple bruise carefully.

"You did this to yourself?" he asks, looking up at you with concern, his fingers gently tracing the outline of the bruise. You can't lie to him. You don't want to. And, to be honest, you don't think your brain or mouth will let you.

"Well . . . no, not exactly," you say, shaking your head.

"Who did this?"

You hesitate.

You don't want Geonhak to think you're friends with him just because you still need help coping with your family problems. And you definitely don't want to be a burden.

Your mouth doesn't let you lie.

"My dad hit me with the door yesterday," you admit.

Geonhak looks furious. "He did what? Y/N, I thought--"

"I don't think he meant to do it," you blurt out. "I mean--I don't think he meant to hurt me. He was just mad."

"That's the case every time," Geonhak says, staring into your eyes. "It's always that 'he was just mad.' But that's not an excuse for him to hurt you."

You stare back at Geonhak, and nod. You know he's right. That your father is hurting you, and at this point, it doesn't matter if he means to or not.

"You're right."

After a second, he takes your hands in his reassuringly, and looks you right in the eyes. "Hey. Y/Nie. Do you want to stay here tonight? I don't want you going back there, if you aren't going to be safe."

You look up at him. You almost want to say yes. But you also don't want to. On one hand, you want to spend more time with him. He makes you happy. You trust Geonhak more than anyone else.

But on the other hand, you don't trust him completely. Or anyone. You've given up on that. When the person you were supposed to trust most, your own parent, broke your trust, how can you trust anyone else like that?

You smile, pulling your hands away from him, and you shake your head.

"It's alright," you say. "Thank you for the offer, Hak, really. But like I said earlier, I'd like to give him one more chance. And I don't want to be a bother to you or your members, so if something happens, I'll just get a hotel room someplace," you say.

He tilts his head curiously and frowns. "You won't be a bother, Y/N. The members love you, trust me. Seoho definitely loves telling you about my embarrassing moments," he says grinning. 

You smile,  but shake your head. "Thank you, Geonhak. But really, I think I'll stay at a hotel if something happens."

Geonhak sighs, then nods,  pulling his hand away from yours, and you feel yourself deflate a bit. "I'm always here if you need me, okay Y/Nie?"

"Of course."

You two continue to hang out a bit longer, until it's time for you to pick up Sunho from his school and for Geonhak to head to his work. You wish him a good day of practice, and leave to walk to Sunho's school on your own.

You have no idea where your mind is as you walk. It seems to be wandering everywhere, so much that you're barely aware of where you're going. You're on autopilot as you walk to Sunho's school. It's a wonder you don't accidentally walk into a lamp post

You know that you like Geonhak. You know that you have romantic feelings for him, however small. But right now, the last thing you want to do is act on them.

Growing up as a small kid, you had looked up to your parents. At first, you'd thought they were the best couple ever--seeing that parents are supposed to be their kids' role model.

But naturally, as your parents' marriage fell apart, so did your idea of love. How could you trust anyone with your heart when one of the people you were supposed to trust the most--your own father--already had broken your trust? You don't know if you're able to trust anyone like that. At least, for now. For you, you're happier just being friends with someone who you want to be more with.

But you also don't want to spend so much time close to Geonhak that you fall deeper in your feelings. Spending another night with him will make you want to spend another, and another. And you're too worried that that'll lead to you two being more than friends. Which you're not ready for.

You look up and realize you're at your destination. The gates leading to the school are there before you, standing a little taller than you are.

You stand, waiting outside of the gates in front of Sunho's school, like a parent waiting for their kid. You're a couple minutes early, so you're waiting, listening to your music while staring in the direction of the school while you think about how you like Geonhak but don't want to like Geonhak.

Your thoughts are interrupted by a small ring! from your phone. You look down, frowning, and you see that you just received a text from Geonhak. You click the message to see what he said.

Geonhak 🐥: The members were asking about you. They say hi and they hope you're doing well!

Above the text is a selfie Geonhak took. You can see Youngjo, Seoho and Dongju beside him, as well as Keonhee and Hwanwoong reflected in the mirror behind him. They're all smiling brightly, waving, making peace signs or hearts and silly faces. You can't help but smile. He and his members are all so sweet, and you can't help but smile dumbly as you type a text back.

You: Aww! Tell them thank you for me! 💕

You: And thank you for spending time with me today.

Just after you send the second text, you can hear the bell ring in the distance, signaling the end of Sunho's school day. A couple minutes pass as some students start exiting. They run to their waiting older parents or siblings. As you continue looking over the kids, you spot him.

Sunho is talking to two friends next to him. One little girl, who you recognize as his best friend Areum, and another kid who you don't know the name of. Sunho sees you, waves goodbye to his friend, and runs over to you.

"Hi Y/Nie!" he says, running over to grab your hand. "I can't wait to tell you about what I learned today! And Mr. Kim!"

You smile as you lead him to the bus stop. "I can't wait to hear it. And I'm sure Mr. Kim will be happy to hear it tomorrow before school, too!"

"Yeah!" He grins widely. "Can I show you at home?"

You grin. "Of course. Sunho," you say. You look up at the sky. The sun is bearing down on you. It's hot as hell today. You look down at Sunho. "How about we go and get you some ice cream. Does that sound good?"

"Yes please!"

You smile, leading the way toward the ice cream place you've gone once with Geonhak and Sunho.

You don't know what it is, but you find so much joy in pampering and treating Sunho. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you didn't get enough affection from your father, and you've seen that your father doesn't give Sunho any attention either. You want to give Sunho everything you lacked as a child.

You smile softly down at Sunho. 

[spacesuitsforemergency]

The Rise Of Iron Maiden

Chapter 4: Failure to Launch

Word Count: 2.9k

Originally Requested by: @amateurwriterbigdreamer

Previous Chapter: We’re in the Endgame Now

Next Chapter: The Return Of Iron Maiden

A/N: this chapters kinda slow, but I gotta fill the plot. Next chapters gonna be pretty Tye heavy (mostly from his POV)

“Wrah!” Nebula stood up, putting her hands in a fighting stance.

“You don't need to do that. Because uh... you're just holding position.” Tony mimicked a football goalpost with his hands as she flicked a paper football towards him. “Oh yeah, that was close.”

“I would like to try again.”

You and Tye watched from the front of the ship, both of you previously watching the stars. Both of you are silent, neither of you wanting to talk. You were still too shaken up from the events of nearly last month. Nebula had attempted to fly you back to Earth, but the Milano broke down and now you were floating in space, hopeless.

“Fair game. Good sport. Have fun?” Your dad asked Nebula.

“It was...fun.” She nodded slowly.

“Tye, Y/N, wanna play?” Tony looked over to the two kids.

“I’m good.” Tye mumbled.

“Hey, come on.” Your dad urged. “It’s fun. Right, Nebula?”

“It is fun.” She nodded, face deadpanned. Tye sighed, but eventually joined them.

“Y/N?” Your dad offered.

“Um...I’m tired, I’m gonna go sleep for a little bit.” You give him a small smile as if to say you were okay, before retreating to the back of the ship towards the bedrooms.

You lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. You think about everyone at home, and the frustration of not knowing who was still alive. Were Eduardo, Jaime, Peter, Quill, Drax, Mantis and Doctor Strange still alive? Or did they die? Would they ever come back? Could you bring them back?

Usually Eduardo was there to tell you you were overthinking and to calm you down, but he was gone. He turned to dust in your hands, and you couldn’t do anything about it. You hated it when you couldn’t control something, much like your father. If you couldn’t protect the ones you loved, you felt useless. You felt guilty, believing it was your fault that Eduardo, Jaime and Peter were gone. You were even guilty about the Guardians of the Galaxy, even though you barely knew them.

You looked over at your pile of armor on the floor. You dragged yourself out of bed, sitting against it. You clicked a button on your helmet, and waited for it to light up.

“This thing on?” You ask nobody in particular, then let it scan you. “Alright. Hey mom. Uh...sorry for not listening to dad. Again. I should be down on Earth, I’m sorry I’m worrying you. Dad makes you do that enough already.” You chuckle softly. “Um...it’s day 22, just floating in space. The blue meanie tried to fly us back. You’d like her, she’s very practical. It’s only her, me, dad, and Tye left. He doesn’t talk much-well, not that he did before. He’s pretty broken over Jaime. Peters gone too, poor kid. Aunt Mays gonna kill him. Um...I lost Eduardo. He just...turned into dust. I couldn’t do anything about it...I really miss him, mom. I won’t miss him much longer though, in fact, I might see him in the next...48 hours of oxygen. It won’t last long with four people on here though. I didn’t think I’d die like this, it’s so pathetic.” You scoff and shake your head. “I thought I’d die saving people. I want to die saving people, that’s how I’ve always wanted to go but...nope. I’m gonna die because this piece of junk broke down in the middle of the universe. So uh...I’m gonna go play some paper football with the two grumps and dad. I’m really sorry, mom. All you do is put up with our shit, and tell us when to stop. I should’ve listened this time.” You go to turn it off, quickly saying, “I love you.”

You fall back against the bed, feeling lightheaded and dizzy. The low oxygen levels are already effecting you, which meant your dad and friend were both feeling them too. You wanted to go join them, but you couldn’t move your whole body enough to do so. You lied there, staring at your Iron Maiden suit. The suit you used to save people, but you couldn’t even save yourself. You failed Eduardo. Jaime. Peter. Quill. Drax. Mantis. Doctor Strange. And who knows who else.

You feel yourself being lifted off the ground, and you look up to see Nebula. She was mostly machine, so the lack of oxygen wasn’t effecting her as bad as you. She carried you over to a couch that she had dragged into the control room, facing the window. Your dad was sitting in the middle, Tye beside him. Nebula sat you on his other side, then left.

Tony gathered enough strength to lift his arms, resting them around the two kids’ shoulders and pulling them closer to him. He wanted to comfort them, but he couldn’t speak. You all stared out at the stars, awaiting your deaths.

•

A bright light pierced your brain, making you cringe as you wake up. You open your eyes and blink until they adjust. You see a woman outside of the ship, looking in. You weakly shake your dads leg, trying to alert him. His hand rests atop of yours to tell you he’s okay, as he slowly sits up a little.

“Who’s that?” Tye mumbles, half asleep.

“Not sure, kid.” Tony replied. You pass out again, not able to hold consciousness. You wake up again when someone shakes you awake, opening your eyes to see your dads best friend, Rhodey.

“Y/N? Hey, think you can stand?” He asked softly. You nod, and he helps you to your feet you lean on him as he walks you down the ramp to outside.

“Is mom...?” You breathe out, still blinking away black spots in your vision.

“Y/N! Tony!” You hear her yell from somewhere, before Rhodey can even open his mouth. “Oh my god! Oh my god!”

Your mom practically crashed into you, holding you tightly to her. You fall into her, not having the strength to stand any longer. Your dad walks by himself over to his two girls, hugging them tightly. Back in space, he truly thought those would be his last moment, so he was eternally grateful that he got to live long enough to hold them both again.

Tye watched the scene from where Natasha was helping him stand, feeling alone. His mother was in a different dimension than him, and Tye felt like she probably didn’t even miss him.

“Nat?” He breathed out.

“What’s up?” She asked, looking down at the exhausted boy.

“You have food that isn’t freeze dried and in a silver bag, right?” He asked.

“Yeah, come on.” She chuckled, helping him walk towards the Compound.

“Don’t you two ever do that again.” Pepper began to cry.

“No promises.” Tony kissed each of his girls on top of the head, as Steve approached you guys. “Couldn’t stop him, Cap.”

“Neither could I.” Steve nodded.

“I lost the kids. Peter. Jaime. Eduardo.” Tony shook his head, guilt washing over him once again.

“Tony, we all lost.”

You’re brought into the compound, each immediately given an IV and some food. You and Tye eat like animals, not having any rations for the past couple of days. You watch a holographic screen listing the heroes that disappeared in the Decimation; Wanda Maximoff, Nick Fury, Jaime Reyes, Bucky Barnes, Peter Quill, Scott Lang, Sam Wilson, Peter Parker, T’Challa, Eduardo Dorado Jr...

“It’s been 23 days since Thanos came to Earth.” Rhodey announced.

“World governments are in pieces. The parts that are still working are trying to take a census. And it looks like he did... he did exactly what he said he was gonna do. Thanos wiped out fifty percent, of all living creatures.” Natasha paced slowly in front of the holographs.

“Where is he?” You ask timidly, still nervous about him.

“We don't know. He just opened a portal and walked through.” Bruce Banner said slowly, trying to not scare the kids even more than they already were.

“What's wrong with him?” Tony asked, motioning to Thor, who was staring into space.

“Oh, he's pissed. He thinks he failed. Which of course he did, but you know there's a lot of that's going around, ain't there?” A talking raccoon spoke up from behind you.

“Honestly, until this exact second, I thought you were a Build-A-Bear.” Your dad pointed at him.

“You’re with him, kid? Really?” The raccoon looked at Tye.

“You know a talking raccoon?” You asked Tye, staring at the raccoon.

“He’s not a-.”

“I’m not a raccoon!” It snapped at you. “Why do you humies keep saying that?”

“We've been hunting Thanos for three weeks now. Deep Space scans, and satellites, and we got nothing. Tony, Y/N, Tye, you fought him.” Steve interrupted.

“Who told you that? I didn't fight him.” Tony scoffed. “No, he wiped my face with a planet while the Bleecker Street Magician gave away the store. Nearly killed my daughter, and Tye. One hit away from it, in fact. That's what happened. There was no fight.”

“Okay.”

“He was unbeatable.” Tye shook his head, and you agreed.

“Did he give you any clues, any coordinates, anything?” Captain America asked.

“Pfft! I saw this coming a few years back. I had a vision. I didn't wanna believe it. Thought I was dreaming.” Tony said.

“Dad, calm down.”

“Tony, I’m gonna need you to focus.”

“And I needed you. As in past tense. That trumps what you need. It's too late buddy. Sorry. You know what I need?” Your dad stood up, slapping things off a table. Everyone winced from the sudden noise. “I need to shave. And I believe I remember telling all youse-“

Tony lunges at Steve, but Rhodey stepped between them and held your dad back.

“Alive and otherwise what we needed was a suit of armor around the world! Remember that? Whether it impacted our precious freedoms or not-that's what we needed!” Tony yelled at Steve.

“Well, that didn't work out, did it?” Steve kept his composure, only angering your father even more.

“I said, "we'd lose". You said, "We'll do that together too." And guess what, Cap? We lost. And you weren't there. But that's what we do, right? Our best work after the fact? We're the Avengers, we're the Avengers. Not the Prevengers.”

“Dad! Stop!” You shout at him, your head spinning.

“You know what, honey? The adults are talking, alright?” Your dad said, with a little more venom than he intended.

“Mr. Stark you made your point just-“ Tye started.

“Nah, nah. Here's my point. You know what?” Tony turned back to glare at Captain America.

“Tony, you’re sick.” Rhodey insisted, trying to get him to sit back down.

“I got nothing for you, Cap! I got no coordinates, no clues, no strategies, no options. Zero. Zip. Nada. No trust. Liar.” Tony slowly walked up to Steve, getting right in his face. You all tensed when Tony ripped his arc reactor out of his chest, smacking it into Steve’s hand. “Here, take this. You find him, and you put that on. You hide.”

“Dad!” You shout when he suddenly falls to the ground.

“Tony!” Steve reached down to help his old friend up.

“I’m fine. I...” Your dad trails off, falling unconsciously to the floor. You try to get up, but Natasha pushes you back down by your shoulders.

“Get him to a room. Call Pepper.” Natasha ordered the men, before turning back to you two. “He’ll be fine, Y/N. Just needs to rest. So do you.”

“Not tired.” You shook your head stubbornly.

“Nebula, Rocket, think you can handle watching them for a moment?” She asked the two aliens, sitting on the wall behind you.

“Yes.” Nebula nodded.

“Sure.” The raccoon, or, Rocket shrugged.

Natasha gave you a reassuring smile before turning to help the other bring your father to a room.

“Sorry about your friend, kid.” Rocket hopped down and rounded the couch you and Tye were on to face him.

“Yeah. Sorry about the others.” Tye nodded, expression not changing at all. Your eyes drifted back to the screen, watching more and more names and pictures appear onscreen.

“Where are you going?” You hear Natasha ask someone.

“To kill Thanos.” The lady that flew you home stated simply as they emerged from the hallway.

“Hey, you know, we usually work as a team here, and between you and I, morale's a little fragile.” Nat mumbled.

“We realize up there is more your territory, but this is our fight too.” Steve nodded.

“You even know where he is?” Rhodey joined them.

“I know people who might.” The lady said, blank faced.

“Don't bother. I can tell you where Thanos is. Thanos spent a long time trying to perfect me. And when he worked, he talked about his great plan. Even disassembled, I wanted to please him. I'd ask "where would we go once his plan was complete?". His answer was always the same: "To the Garden." Nebula stood up, walking over to them.

“That's cute, Thanos has a retirement plan.” Rhodey joked, earning small smiles from you and Tye. He smiled back, glad to bring the two kids joy, even for a moment.

“So where is he?” Steve asked, and the adults walked over to a round table. You and Tye joined them, regaining enough strength to stand. You still leaned on Rhodey, which he happily let you do.

“When Thanos snapped his fingers, Earth became ground zero for a power surge of ridiculously cosmic proportions. No one's ever seen anything like it... Until two days ago.” Rocket showed a hologram of a planet, with a shockwave visibly traversing the surface. “On this planet.”

“Thanos is there.” Nebula added.

“He used the Stones again.” Natasha muttered.

“Hey, hey, hey. We'd be going in short-handed, you know.” Bruce piped up.

“Look, he's still got the stones, so...” Rhodey said.

“So let's get him... Use them to bring everyone back.” The lady told you.

“Just like that?” Tye raises an eyebrow in disapproval.

“Just like like.” Steve nodded.

“Even if there's a small chance that we can undo this... I mean we owe it to everyone who's not in this room to try.” Natasha tried to convince everyone. You looked down, feeling the guilt from letting your friends die in the pit of your stomach.

“If we do this, how do we know it's gonna end any differently than it did before?” Bruce asked.

“Because before, you didn't have me.” The lady crossed her arms.

“Hey, new girl, everyone here is about that superhero life. And if you don't mind my asking, where the hell have you been all this time?” Rhodey put a hand on his hip, making sure to balance so you wouldn’t fall.

“There are a lot of other planets in the universe. And unfortunately, they didn't have you guys.” The lady narrowed her eyes at Rhodey.

Thor walked out of the shadows, towards the lady. They stand in front of each other as if challenging the other. Thor holds out his hand, and Stormbreaker flies into his hand. Then they both grin at each other.

“I like this one.” Thor said.

“Let’s go get this son of a bitch.” You growl.

“Like hell you’re going!” Natasha laughed.

“No way, kids.” Steve shook his head. “Adults only on this one.”

“Would you quit treating us like children?” You glare at them.

“We probably got more punches in on Thanos than all of you combined.” Tye said venomously.

“First of all, not possible.” Natasha said. “Second of all, you are not coming. Tony and Pepper would go into cardiac arrest if you came along.”

You and Tye exchange looks, looking to the floor in compliance.

“Look, we know you’re hurting. But going at him all malnourished and seeking revenge is not the way to do it.” Rhodey told you guys.

“You’ll stay here with Tony and Pepper, okay?” Natasha asked. “Rest. Let us take care of this.”

“...okay.” You sigh.

“Thank you.” She pulled both of you into a hug. You melted into it, Tye tensed up.

You hugged each of the remaining Avengers, even Thor let you hug him, though he didn’t hug back. You and Tye stood and watched at they boarded the now fixed Milano, then watched them take off. You stood there for a little bit after, staring at the dark sky.

“Tye?” You whisper after a long stretch of silence.

“Yeah?”

“You think they can do it?” You ask

Tye hesitates. You’re scared, he’s scared, and both of you just want even a glimpse of hope. He debates what to tell you, what he truly thought or what he knew you wanted to hear.

“...no.”

You nod slowly, agreeing with him. A single tear falls down your face, dropping onto the paved pathway.

“I miss them, too.” Tye took a shaky breath, fighting his own tear ducts. He never cried, let alone in front of anyone.

“I’m sorry you lost Jaime.” You turn to him. “I know how much he meant to you. Eduardo too.”

“I’m sorry you lost Peter. You guys are as close as Jaime and I are. And I’m sorry you lost Eduardo, too.” Tye quickly blinked away tears.

“Can you believe they’re all gone?” You ask.

“No.” He shook his head. “I wish it could just be a month ago. When we were on that one mission.”

“The one where Jaime and Peter accidentally broke into Scott Lang’s house?” You giggle.

“How do you accidentally break in?” Tye laughed, shaking his head. “They’re truly idiots.”

“But they’re our idiots.” You nod, smiling sadly at the sky.

[ubernoxa]

Broken Voodoo: The Story of the band that brought Rock N’ Roll back to life

Chapter 1: From the Begining

Prologue

Red, pinks, and yellow hues filled the sky as I watched the sunrise while the plane began to descend. It reminded me of one of the paintings that hung in the law office where I worked; however, instead of a small lake with a sailboat, the city of Los Angeles was staring back at me. A very intimidating city, if I may add. I would much rather have the calming lake staring back at me. Now before you begin to think that I am a lawyer with some fancy law degree, I should let you know that I am by no means a lawyer. I don’t even have a law degree, I have a two year degree in English. I performed patent research and proofread reports at the law office. Don’t get me wrong, some of the research is interesting and it's always exciting to work with inventors, especially when I help make the patent for their invention a reality. The only downside is that I hate working with lawyers who see me as a second class citizen with my English degree.

Luckily for me, the office was rather large, and my desk was far away from the condescending lawyers that filled the office. I would go about my day with ease only dealing with them for a couple of hours a day while I sat in their long boring meetings where I would constantly debate how much I actually needed this job while they would try to one up each other by playing the game I like to call ‘I am the smartest one in the room.’

I was able to keep to myself away from the lawyers for the most part, until a few months back when I thought I was going to get fired. It all started when I sat down at my desk one early Monday morning, and saw a handwritten note from my boss’s secretary saying to visit his office as soon as I arrived. Unsettling is one of the many words that came to mind when I first found the note taped to my desk. I would get fired if I said the other words that came to mind. I took one last glance around the room, making eye contact with one of my coworkers who shared a similar facial expression. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to be fired.

Dead girl walking.

“Oh Andi, I am glad you could join me,” I sent a soft smile to my boss as I closed the large wooden shrieking doors behind me.

“No problem at all, the meeting seemed important, so I moved my calendar around,” I replied, making sure to keep my hands under the table. They weren't shaking, they were trembling. I was terrified by not only the eyes that were now watching me through the large glass wall that he had in his office to make it a ‘friendlier’ environment, but also by the fact that I may be fired in the next ten minutes.

“Do you still play guitar?”

I could feel a confused look flash across my features as he spoke.

“Yeah, helps me relax after a long day. Why?” My mind was racing in circles trying to understand why he had asked me to come to his office first thing in the morning.

“Would you be interested in playing in a band?”

I let a nervous laugh escape me before I replied. “I am sorry what? Did you call me here to fire me or not?”

I was met with a hardy laugh from my boss. “No no no, to make an incredibly long story short, my niece’s boyfriend’s band entered into some silly band competition, and they need a replacement guitarist for a competition that is in a month. I have heard rumors around the office that you played, and I wanted to see if you could help out my niece. To be honest, I haven’t been the best godfather, so I was hoping you could help me out by joining the band for a month to play at the competition. My niece, such a foolish girl, believes that her boyfriend will become the next rockstar.I hope she quickly realizes how irrational she is being, and moves on. Hopefully sooner rather than later.”

“Yeah I would love to help,” I quickly responded, trying to hide how off put I was by his casual nature towards me. Within a couple of days I was Skyping the band for an interview and the rest is history.

I was pulled from my thoughts as the pilot announced that we had landed and welcomed us all to LA, the city of dreams. An older man helped me remove my carry on from the overhead bins, and after what felt like hours, I was off the plane. I felt like I could finally breathe again the moment I stepped off the pain and walked into the airport.

I watched through the skylight as the sun continued to rise, as if mocking me that I was still in the airport. Lucky for me, everything I needed was in my backpack and after a quick debate with the flight attendant who said I couldn’t bring my guitar as a carry on, I didn’t have to go to baggage claim. One of the few perks of working with lawyers and doing law research for a living is that I came prepared with a printed section of the FFA Reform act that said I could which quickly shut her up.

I kept my eyes peeled as I followed herds of people who appeared to be leaving. I felt like I was in pandora's labyrinth weaving through the various waiting areas, food courts, and shops. This airport must have been at least ten times larger than the one in Maine. I felt relief fill me as I finally spotted some familiar faces.

I spotted Jax’s blonde hair first as he towered over several of the people around him. Holy shit, at 5 ft 4 inches, I was going to look like a munchkin standing next to him. He stuck out like a sore thumb as he stood next to a smiley Robin in his leather pants with a jean vest. I guess shirts were not required in LA like how they are in Maine. He sent me a wave which I quickly returned as he motioned for us to meet off to the side, and not in the herd of people that were looking for relatives or loved ones.

I only knew three things about Jax.

He was currently dating Robin, but after talking to him over Skype during band meetings, I wondered how long that would last.

He was a charismatic and a good dancer, just like every lead singer in rock band before him

He may not look like it, but he had the voice of an angle from the heavens above.

I smiled at the small sign that Robin was holding that said ‘Welcome to California Andi’.. I felt underdressed in my athletic shorts, hoodie, and sneakers as I approached the pair, secretly wishing that I had worn a sundress similar to Robin.

“Welcome to LA, is it everything you hoped for?” Jax smiled as he welcomed me.

“It’s sunnier than Maine,” I replied once again looking at one of the hundreds of skylights.

“Well it’s good to finally meet you in person, let’s get going to the car, so we can get the fuck out of here,” I nodded at his words. Getting the fuck out of the overpacked busy airport felt amazing. For the past 9 hours I had felt like a sardine in a can. I craved fresh air.

“Here let me take that,” I cautiously eyed Robin as I handed her my guitar case.

“How was the flight?” She chirped walking by my side as we followed Jax to the parking garage.

“Can’t complain much. I had to fight the flight attendant about having my guitar as a carry on, but I won in the end. She was a bitch to me the entire flight though,” I replied earning a small giggle from Robin.

“How did you manage that?” I had assumed Jax had tuned Robin and I out as we made it to his truck.

“Law says I can bring it as a carry on, so I printed out the section I needed. Once I handed the paper to her she shut up. I hate causing problems, but there is no way I was ‘gate checking’ my guitar. I didn’t want some random guy tossing it around on the tar mat, or watching my baby slide down the luggage ramp before it slammed into a wall,” I quickly replied before hopping in the back seat.

“So I have to ask, what is it like working for my uncle?” Robin was currently sitting shotgun, as Jax backed up the truck and began to leave the spaghetti jungle that was the parking lot.

“I honestly only talked to him twice. The first was on my first day at work when he introduced himself to me. The second was when he asked me if I could help Broken Voodoo out which by the way I thought he was going to fucking fire me when he called me to his office,” I laughed at myself thinking back to the moment only a month ago.

“Ohh Sorry about that Andi.”

“Don’t worry Robin,” I smiled back, earning one in return.

“So the plan for this morning is to drop you off at my place to get some additional practice with the rest of the band while I head up north to check us into the competition. We won’t be playing until day two so we don’t have to get there until tomorrow night,” He said as he pulled up into some random parking spot.

“Don't you need to practice with us?” I asked out of curiosit.

“Honey, don't worry about me. I'm so good I don't need to practice,” I was glad we were walking up a creaky staircase as he replied. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep my jaw from dropping to the floor. I was impressed by him and his ego could fit through the small doorway that led to his apartment. No, it was not an apartment. It was a studio. I placed my guitar by the drums and other instruments that took up half of the studio.

“Hey Andi! Welcome to California!” I turned to see Oli shout across the studio the moment he saw me. Before I could respond, someone threw something across the room at Oli.

“Shut the fuck up, Oli. It is too early for you to be this loud,” I didn't have to see the bassist’s face to know Seb was the one over in the corner on the paper thin mattress.

“Oli, Robin and I gotta head out to sign in and get our backstage passes for the competition. Get to practicing to get her ready,” Jax said before leaving the pathetic excuse of an apartment.

“Don’t worry Andi, I have heard you play countless times, you’ll do fine. It is more of the stage presence we are worried about. We should have plenty of ‘stage presence’ with that throwing trick you came up with, but we have to cover the whole stage,” Oli patted my back as we headed over towards his drum kit.

“I’ve been practicing with the rod you sent a few weeks back, we can practice the trick once we get our instruments good to go. We sound the part, now we have to look the part,” Seb paused as he took a second to look me over. The worst part wasn’t that he was being incredibly obvious he was checking me out, the worst part was the unsatisfactory look he had on his face.

“You don’t look like a rocker,” I scoffed at his comment. Of course I didn't look like a rocker. I just got off of a nine hour flight.

“Well, you look like a complete dick, so at least one of us is dressed appropriately,” I sassed back before moving towards my guitar to retune it.

“Alrighty!” I was brought from my tuning by Oli who was once again playing peacekeeper by breaking the silence and clapping his hands.

“Alot is at stake here, so let's get to practicing,” he added once he was seated behind his drum kit.

Seb counted us in, and we began our setlist from the top.

I brushed off Seb’s comment, and began to focus on the music.i could already feel the pressure to perform perfectly. As a rhythm guitarist, playing as the solo guitarist felt foreign. As we played through our setlist, I tried loosening out by copying some of Seb’s dance moves. I chose not to mimic the ones that looked like just sex.

Oli was right, there was a lot at stake here.

I was surprised when I found out that there was no cash prize. Instead, according to Jax, there was something more valuable. The shot at a record deal.

With this competition only happening once every couple years, this was their shot to make it big.

[weirdochick56]

Mr. Evans- Chris Evans AU Chapter Seven

Teacher!Chris Evans x Student!Reader

Warnings: TeacherxStudent relationship. Slightly Underage reader x adult teacher. An almost-sexual-assault scene. If this triggers you please don’t read. Violence. (just a small fight scene)  Disclaimers: I don’t own CE or you. I don’t condone any relationship of this kind. This is for fictional and entertainment purposes only. 

A/N: Also, can we all just agree that if at any point a woman or anyone else says “no” or “stop”, you have to respect their wishes? CONSENT IS EVERYTHING PERIOD! Word Count:  4, 392 words

Read Chapter Six Here!!

*

(Gif isn’t mine!)

The thing you hated about parties the most was the fact that they never seemed to end.

Well, actually, that was the second thing you hated about them the most. The thing you actually hated the most about parties was having to dress up.

“God fuckin- Margo,” you groan, tugging at the soft fabric of your black cocktail dress.

“What?” She looks at you from the corner of her eye, gaze trained on the road ahead of her.

“This thing is too short.”

Laughing, your best friend shakes her head at your apprehensiveness. “You can not be serious, Y/n. That dress is like, six inches above your knees. Max. And it’s long at the back so...”

You lean back into the comfy seat of Margo’s sedan, grumbling. “I don’t like heels.”

She wiggles her brows. “They make your legs look great, though.”

You can’t argue the point with her any longer and hated to admit she was right. The strappy heels which wrapped all the way just below your knees and off-shoulder dress that hugged your top but spread out at the bottom required a considerable amount of cash from your father's bank account but looked really good on you.

The style was so far from your usual jeans and sneakers minimalist fashion but tonight you actually looked...pretty.

But that was just you. Margo insisted that you always looked pretty. The only difference tonight was that you looked “extremely fuckable.”

Not your favorite choice of wording but fair enough.

While getting ready, you’d asked her to go easy on the makeup (which she did not want to do) in exchange for you to let her do whatever she wanted to your hair.

She’d reluctantly agreed, only applying a thick layer of mascara to your lashes, shimmering eyeshadow to your lids and a pink-tinted lip gloss.

She didn’t do as much as you would’ve thought with the hair though, opting to curl it all instead of the crazy up-do you’d been expecting. The curls were big and loose and sexy. You looked bold and sophisticated and for once you felt good about your appearance.

“So this party,” you start. “How long is it gonna last?”

“Oh. As long as you want it to, baby.” She smirks in that typical Margo fashion that made you uneasy as hell.

“Oh no,” you groan softly under your breath.

Tonight was going to be a disaster, you just knew it.

*

Jenna Miller’s mansion was huge. Huge as in it may actually have been an entire estate.

The music was loud and even as you made your way up the steps of the front lawn, your feet still vibrated with the strong bass of “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People.

You almost hold back a wince at the multiple couples on the literal brink of having sex right then and there. Almost.

Margo, who wore a tight red dress showing off all her incredible curves and monstrous black heels, hugged you to her, puckering her ruby red lips. “C’ mon Y/n. Stop being such a prude. A little kissing never hurt anyone.”

You laugh at her incredulously, pointing to a nearby couple practically dry-humping eachother. “That is not kissing. That is full-on sex.”

She smirks. “You mind now, but I’m sure if it was a certain English teacher kissing you, you wouldn’t mind in the least.”

You flush almost immediately at the sound of Mr. Evans and kissing in the same sentence, gulping a lump in your throat. If only she knew.

“Let’s just go in, yeah?” You rasp, walking in ahead of her.

She mumbles something about you “acting weird lately” under her breath but follows you all the same.

The inside of the house is not much better than the outside, with people drinking and hollering loudly. Some are making out in various places of the living area and most are just dancing like crazy.

You link your arms with Margo almost instinctively, your social anxiety kicking in at the overwhelming sight. I should’ve stayed home watching the rest of the third season of Breaking Bad, you think regretfully.

Margo smiles down at you softly. patting your hand reassuringly. “It’ll be okay, Y/n. Just relax. I’ll be here with you every step of the way.”

The third thing you hated most about parties happened to be that Margo thrived in them. 

Which meant it’d hadn’t even when an hour before she’d gone to get you drinks that she’d been surrounded by a crowd of her other friends, obscuring your view of her except for her head as another crowd of sweaty teens came in, blocking her off completely.

This immediately makes you anxious and you push your way through the crowd but it’s almost impossible. A string of “excuse me’s” and “sorry’s” follow close behind as you practically shove people away in desperate search of your friend, but when you make it to the other side where Margo had previously been in, she was gone.

You look around the immediate premise for her a bit more, but she’s nowhere to be found. You just hope she’ll eventually make her way back to where you’d been last.

You assumed she’d gone off to mingle and didn’t want to interrupt whatever socially-strengthening experience she was having right now. Just because you were incapable of holding a casual conversation with others doesn’t mean you had the right to hold her back from doing so. You were already enough baggage as it was.

So you sigh, throwing yourself back onto the couch you had found in a dark corner. You hoped no one else happened to stumble upon it in the time it took Margo to come back.

Time ticked by torturously by. You watched a game of beer pong going on in front of you and laughed along to some of the stupidities the dares these kids had come up with. Somewhere nearby, a clearly not-sober girl had begun a striptease to the tune of “Partition” by Beyoncé. Guys hollered and you gasped, about to go save the poor girl’s dignity before another girl quickly steps in and takes the girl off the table, giving her her shirt back and using it to cover her as she tugged her away. 

So there you are, bored out of your fucking mind, playing random games on your phone and trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. It's been twenty minutes already when you feel the spot on the couch next to you sink.

Looking over, you raise a brow at who’s decided to sit next to you. He smiles that well-known charming smile of his and you suddenly realize why every girl in your school is in love with him.

“Hey,” James greets you warmly.

James McDaniels. Typical fuckboy. Hot as hell, dangerously charming and your town’s resident golden boy. The son of some big CEO who’d moved from another town down south, everyone believes he’ll make it to play football professionally.

But that’s beside the point. Why was the most attractive/popular guy in school talking to...you?

“Um...hi?” Rather than a greeting, you sound like you’re questioning yourself. You don’t wait for him to respond before you turn your attention back to your phone.

“Want a drink?” he draws your attention back to him, offering you a red solo cup.

You look at the cup then slowly trail your eyes from his hand to his -quite honestly- muscular arm to his handsome face which is pleasantly curved into an eye-blindingly sexy smile.

Immediately, your defenses go up and you shake your head disinterestedly. “No thank you. I don’t take drinks from strangers.”

He chuckles lightly, clicking his tongue. “I didn’t spike it if that’s what you’re thinking. Not that kind of guy, princess.”

His voice is incredibly attractive. Raspy and smooth and he has the hint of a southern accent which somehow makes it all the more attractive.

You finally look at him, putting our phone away in your clutch.

James McDaniels is not your type at all. He’s not dumb per se, but he’s not exactly an intellectual either.

And most importantly, he’s not Mr. Evans...

His eyes were a pretty hazel but they weren’t that gorgeous baby blue that occasionally turned into a deep aqua blue you loved so much. His hair was a dark brown, not a light dirty blonde you always have the urge to run your fingers through. His face was freshly-shaven and didn’t have the hints of a beard you utterly loved scratching your face. And his lips were nice, but they weren't Mr. Evans’s lips.

The thoughts infuriate you. Why are you still thinking about Mr. Evans, Y/n? That was a one-time thing and it was never even meant to happen. It’ll never happen again anyways. He’ll never be able to be with you in the real world. Wake up.

Shocking even yourself, you take the cup from James’s hand with a small smile. “Thanks.” And then you throw it back, drinking its contents in one go.

Immediately, you start coughing erratically, the alcohol burning your throat intensely. James laughs, patting your back lightly.

“Not used to drinking, I assume?”

You smile lightly at him, wiping your mouth. “Nope.” You frown. “What was that?”

He shrugs, downing his own drink easily. He crushes the cup in his hand and throws it over his shoulder. “Vodka maybe? Who even cares? It’s good, right?”

You find yourself smiling lightly, nodding along. “Yep.”

He smirks mischievously. “Wanna get more?”

You nibble on your lip, considering the offer lightly. It sounds fucked up, but for a few seconds, you were able to forget about Mr. Evans and the torture of not being able to ever really have him. You felt...good. Numb. So nothing, really. But that still was better than feeling the pain. You wanted to feel like that forever.

Plus, James McDaniels didn’t seem like bad company. You’d be cautious anyways.

You smirk at him. “Yes, please.”

*

Needless to say, as someone not used to drinking at all, your body did not grow accustomed to the alcohol that was constantly flowing into it fast enough whatsoever. 

It started out casual, but over time you’d become less and less defensive about the drinking, simply craving the feeling the alcohol gave you. The freedom from the memory of Mr. Evan’s lips on yours it offered you.

You were a lightweight and before you knew it, you were drunk.

Everything felt so much better when you didn’t feel like yourself. Even James, who you had no particular interest in became much more interesting with the alcohol. 

He was nice and flirty and over the time you’d spent conversing, he’d slowly moved in closer to you, expressing his interest in you with little brushes on your shoulder and face and legs...

You barely noticed, too lost in the euphoric feeling of the alcohol currently coursing through your system. Your muscles were loose and your smile came easy and you’d never felt so careless and free.

Margo never really made her way back to you but you were too buzzed to give a shit.

“So I fell off the fucking bleachers and landed on my ass,” James finishes his story and you can’t help but snort, quickly falling into a fit of giggles thereafter.

You don’t even know why you’re laughing so much, it’s not even that funny but you can’t help it. 

You calm down enough to ask, “oh my God, you really let that tiny guy shove you like that? For a girl?”

He shrugs with a soft smile, caressing your arm softly then looking into your eyes sincerely. “For the right girl, yeah. Sure princess.”

You can’t help but scoff, downing your tenth to eleventh vodka shot of the night.

“What?” James chuckles a bit confusedly.

You look at him with a grin. “Nothing, it’s just...you’re good.”

He raises a brow. “Good?”

You nod enthusiastically. “Yeah. Dangerously good. I mean c’ mon! ‘For the right girl, sure’?!” You huff. “That has got to be the cheesiest line I’ve ever heard!”

He smiles in a cute sheepish way that you suspect might also be rehearsed.

“Did it work at least?”

Feeling strangely bold, you smile flirtingly at him, slowly leaning in close enough to have your lips brush slightly. Your chest pressed against his, your finger makes a small trajectory from the sharp line of his jaw to his neck, chest, abs then lower... lower... it stops just above his belt.

You bite your lip seductively, looking into his eyes from underneath your lashes.

“Hm...” you hum softly, watching as his breath falters and his pupils dilate with desire. His lips part and his lids drop halfway.

“No.”

You lean back with a smug smirk on your face, almost bursting into uncontrollable laughter at the look in his face. He looked so disappointed. Your humor grows uneasy, though, when you think you think you see a pissed look flash across his face. It’s gone just as fast as it came and you wondered if you were imagining it when he laughs loudly along with you.

Shaking your head, you get up, slightly wobbling on your own two legs. You giggle at this.

“Where are you going?” James frowns up at you.

You smirk. “Calm down, dad. I'm going to piss, I’ll be back.”

You spin on your heels, almost tripping in the process and make your way to the back patio in an utterly clumsy manner. Truth be told, you just needed to breathe a little. All those people pushing up on you was suffocating. The heat was unbearable.

Stumbling your way outside, you take notice that the place was practically empty and sigh in relief. Silently, you take your phone out of your clutch. Typing quickly, you press Margo’s contact and write her a text message.

To: Bestie❤

Hey, where the hell are you? You better not be drunk cuz I’m hammered and you’re our driver.

You laugh stupidly at the text and it only takes a few seconds before she answers.

From: Bestie❤

Shit. I tried calling you, Y/n! After we got separated I was pulled off to talk and a few minutes later I got a call from my mom that there was a family emergency I had to leave for. I tried looking for you too, but you were nowhere to be found so I assumed you’d left.

I’m soooo sorry, babe!

You frown down at your phone. Crap.

“Shit!” You curse into the cool night but before you know what’s happening, the alcohol seeps into your brain, dismissing any coherent thought you could have. Soon, you find yourself shrugging dismissively and going back into your contacts in search of someone to call to come to pick you up.

“Dad? No, he does not know I’m here and we’d like to keep it that way, thank you very much,” you mumble to yourself. The rest of your contacts are Margo and fast food services and restaurants. 

“Should I call Dylan from Dominoes to come to pick me up?” You snort at your own little joke feeling careless as shit. “Hm...it’s times like these I wish I had more friends.” You sigh, about to give up on when you suddenly stumble across an unexpected contact name.

“Mr. Evans? When did I get his number?” You let out a small confused sound then smirk mischievously, a dumb idea suddenly popping up in your brain.

“Hm, doesn’t matter either way. I can have some fun with this.” You squeal excitedly and without a second thought, press on the contact name and put the phone to your ear, biting your lip to hold back the excitement equivalent to that of a five-year-old child on Christmas morning.

The plan was no plan, really. You just had a sudden urge to call him. To hear him. You felt so brave doing this.

It takes three full rings before he answers, his voice raspy and sexy with sleep.

“Hello?”

You can’t help but laugh, biting your lip even harder to suppress an inexplicable enthusiasm within you.

“What the-” you hear shifting for a second and assume it’s him moving the phone away from his face before he puts it back on, his voice suddenly more alert. “Y/n? What the hell is going on? It’s two in the morn-”

“You’re hot,” you impulsively blurt, immediately covering your mouth afterward.

“What?” You can hear him moving around as you giggle.

“You are. Like, stupid hot. You’re like out-of-this-world hot. I mean, you must know that right? Someone that looks like you do has to know they’re stupidly attractive, no?”

“Wh-”

“And you’re smart. Oh! A-and kind. Actually, you might be the kindest human being I know. It’s kind of funny actually. You are the one person I want to hate the most. But you’re literally impossible to hate.” You giggle. “Impossi-bleh. Ha. That’s a funny word. Impossi-bleh.”

“Y/n, are you drunk?”

You ignore his question, babbling off with a slur in your words. “It’s not fair you know? How can one person be so perfect? And why does that same person happen to be the only one I want but can’t be with?” Your voice grows softer towards the end, cautiously tender. 

He doesn’t respond at first so you continue, your voice strained with pain and utter desperation. “A-and why did you have to kiss me? That just ruined everything, ya’ know!? I was fine with having a stupid crush on my stupid English teacher because I was convinced it’d go away. But then-” you swallow the sudden and painful lump in your throat. “B-but then you kissed me, and that just ruined fucking everything!” You whine like a little girl. 

He sighs dejectedly over the phone. “Where are you, sweetheart? I’ll come to get you.”  

You laugh humorlessly, your mood abruptly turning sour. “See? This is exactly what I’m talking about! Here I am telling you I literally hate how fucking perfect you are and here you are, saying shit like that and being all concerned for my wellbeing.” 

He sighs exasperatedly. “Sweetheart-”

“Stop calling me that!” You find yourself screaming hysterically into the phone, your grip on it tightening before you speak again. “You can’t call me that and assume it means nothing.”

“Okay, okay. Y/n,” he corrects himself gently. “Can you just tell me where you are so I can come to get you?”

You huff into the phone. “James is nice, you know? And cute. And he likes touching me a lot. I don’t really like it, but he brings me drinks so I guess it’s okay.” You giggle, shrugging and disregarding the fact that no one could see you.

“Oh no,” he mumbles worriedly. “Y/n can you please just tell me where you’re-”

“Anyways,” you cut him off. “I’m going to go back to drinking and forgetting about your stupid lips now Mr. Evans. Bye!”

“No! Y-” He tries to protest but doesn’t get to finish before you end the call, heading back inside with a small smile on your face.

That’ll show him, you think triumphantly.

Once you’ve made your way clumsily back inside, a red plastic solo cup is already waiting for you. You grin, walking over and sitting next to James excitedly.  

He smiles lazily and swiftly moves his hand to rest on your knee.

You paid it no mind, opting instead to squeal as “Toxic” by Britney Spears came on.

“I love this song!” You grin excitedly.

James gets up, offering you his hand and motioning to the dance floor where a bunch of people were already dancing. 

He smirks. “Would you give me the absolute pleasure of letting me take you out to dance, princess?”

You giggle softly, shaking your head. “Oh. I can’t dance.”

He raises his brows. “I can’t either.”

You laugh a bit and reluctantly place your hand in his. “Fine.”

He pulls you to him, placing a hand dangerously close to your butt and leading you to the dance floor.

Immediately, you’re squished together with James, the bodies of sweaty drunk teens sliding up next to you. Usually, you’d be gagging with disgust, but you just didn’t care right now.

James wraps his hands around your waist, pushing your hips to move. You look up at him weirdly for a second but your mind is far too fuzzy to even care about what he’s making you do, so you begin to dance as he instructs.

The music was far too irresistible to your intoxicated ears and you couldn’t hold back from moving your hips along to the beat, letting your hair be free in its movement. 

It doesn’t take long and frankly, you barely notice when you spin around and begin grinding on James, brushing your ass against his crotch and kissing his neck teasingly light.

He pulls you close to him, thick arm wrapped tightly around your waist and hips still moving against you.

“I knew behind all that good girl act you put up you’re actually a freak in the sheets, princess,” he rasps sultrily in your ear.  

Something about that doesn’t rub you right, even in your drunk state and you immediately cease your movements, looking up at him. “Let me go, please. I’d like to sit down.”

He frowns. “What? Why? We were having such a good time, princess. I like you and I know you like me.” He leans down, kissing your neck softly.

You don’t like the feeling and immediately shove him away, stumbling back on your unstable legs and heels. “What the hell makes you think that?” You snap drunkenly.

He laughs incredulously, reaching out for you again. “Uh, maybe the fact that you were practically flirting with me the entire night?”

You purse your lips, recognizing how that might’ve looked on your behalf. It’s just...you’d never really felt powerful and sexy and the alcohol gave you the courage you’d never had otherwise to express your sexuality. 

You were still sticking to your plan though. And giving your virginity to a guy like James McDaniels was not your plan. 

“Hey, James. I’m really sorry if I g-gave you any reason to believe this was going to go any further than what just happened.”

You struggle to stand upright and suddenly it occurs to you that James didn’t look all that drunk despite having been bringing you drinks all night.

“I-I think I’m just gonna go.” You point shakily over your shoulder, unable to keep from laughing at the stupidity of, well, you.  

At that moment, the same pissed off look you thought you’d been imagining before comes onto James’s face again, and this time it doesn’t leave.

“The hell you are, you big tease. You’re were the one who started this. And now you’re going to finish it,” he growls, gripping your wrist tightly, his fingers digging into your skin and making it abundantly clear he didn’t plan on letting you go.

You immediately tug at your wrist, shaking your head firmly. “Let me go, James.”

He grins darkly. “No can do, princess. You got me all ready for action and now you’re going to come through whether you like it or not.” 

And just like that, he starts dragging you away toward the staircase where the bedrooms were situated, you assume.

An uneasy feeling grips your gut painfully tight. He looks like he means it. 

“James! I’m serious, let me go!” You tug harder to no avail as his nails dig deeper into the skin of your wrist. You yelp in pain. “Someone help!” No one seems to even notice you, too lost in their little worlds. Your panic intensifies and your heart starts racing at an erratic pace. “Please James, let go of me!” He spins around in a fit, gripping your jaw bruisingly tight.

Panic takes over your mind, but you’re weak in your intoxicated state and not a match for the football player’s strength.

“Listen, slut, either you shut your trap or it’ll be worse for you. That’s a promise.” He roughly shoves your face back. 

But he doesn’t get a chance to spin back around and tug you into your worst nightmare before a fist comes crashing down into his jaw.

James groans in pain at the powerful attack, falling on his back with a hard crack.

You gasp, holding a horrified hand to your mouth as the figure, who you now realize is wearing a dark hoodie and sunglasses hiding his identity, straddles James and begins punching the living hell out of him.

Fist after fist strikes the harasser in the face, painful groans and yelps leaving his mouth whilst your aggressive savior only lets out breathy grunts and under-his-breath mumbles when his fists make contact with James’s face.

And although you were thankful to have been saved, blood was spraying on your legs and you knew if this continued, he’d kill him.

James begins picking himself up, though, landing some blows of his own. The stranger barely grunts in pain upon impact, his blows to James becoming twice as powerful as before and pummelling his fists down on him.

People quickly gather around you three, creating a huge crowd of people recording the fight and a string of “oohs” from multiple of them. No one steps in to stop them from killing eachother though.

Suddenly feeling sober, you jump in, gripping the stranger’s bicep tightly in your small hands. “Hey! Hey, stop! Stop it! That’s enough!”

At the sound of your voice, the stranger instantly stops the assault and gets up, gripping your arm firmly without a word. The grip was not enough to hurt you, but enough to easily sweep you out of the house, past the probing crowd and down the front lawn. 

You stumble along in your heels, still trying to make sense of everything that just happened.

“Hey!” You scream at him. “Where- ah!”

But before your still-buzzed mind can place exactly what it is that’s happening, the man is picking you up bridal style.

You squeak a little, wrapping your arms around his neck to stabilize yourself.

“What the hell, dude!? You just saved me from a scum-bag and now you’re-”

“Damn it, sweetheart. We need to get out of here!”

You freeze. You’d recognize that voice anywhere.

“Mr. Evans?” you breathe.

Read Chapter Eight Here!!

***

Hehehe... Told ya’ shit was gonna go down this chapter...

A Special Thanks To:  ( I apologize for those of you I said I’d tag, but didn’t. I’m bad at keeping track of things. So please if you’re not here when I said you’d be, let me know!)

@bombsandsparkles

@meowsekai

@godohammers

@sp2900

@multifandom-foreverx

@missbosstown

@supernaturalyloki

@jungkooksbowlingskills

@spettrocoli

@woodworthti666

@tshollandlove

@weirdvishy

@buckysrcse

@doritoevansxwinterschildren

@superwholockwannabe  

@emmiejames

@rissamonique97

@zofty15

@sarcasticalphaofthelooserspack

@sydneynix8305

@badkatthings  

@pinnedandneedled

@taliarosej00

@lowkey-love-loki

@tomoyaevaans

@dontstopfreddienow

@notbexmader

@celestiial-angel

@primavera-nymph

@littlecherrydoll

@panic-naran

@chljmntgy

@phanmatch

@moonlightimagination

@cap-just-said-language

@covergirl122

And of course my forevers!

@jessikared97

@sherlockedtash88

@lilypalmer1987

@mogaruke

[minhoslut]

♡ summary: Y/N is a fairy in a world of magic hating humans, who moves into a house with seven young men after being kicked out of her old dorm. She learns about all their secrets while hiding hers for as long as she can. Lots of parties, games, sex and maybe even love.

♡ pairing: ot7 x fem!reader, fem!reader x various idols

♡ chapter: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ? |

♡ series warnings: alcohol consumption, blood mention, drug use, mxm, fxf, threesome, foursome, orgy, swearing, anxiety, depression, past trauma, past abuse

♡ series genre: fluff, smut, slight angst

♡ series rating: R

♡ word count: 2528

♡ posted on: AO3

♡ chapter eight: daily life

When you woke again you began by stretching your body, then you peeled yourself out of the damp bed. Why was it damp anyway? Ah. You looked down. The swimsuit. Groaning you peeled the still slightly wet suit off your body and dug through your wardrobe. A pretty light blue wrap dress with a floral pattern was the choice as it was simple but cute . It was 10 am, so you weren't sure who would be awake, faintly recalling Jin mentioning something about 4 am when you had gone to bed. Heading to the bathroom, you washed your face and brushed your teeth before heading downstairs.

It seems only you had awoken as it was still silent on the main floor. You surveyed the area and decided to take it upon yourself to clean up this mess. You were awake anyway, and not quite hungry yet. Humming softly, you picked up various empty bottles and cans, threw away garbage, swept and mopped up sticky messes. Satisfied with your work, you wiped your brow and boiled some water for some chai tea. A hand on your waist startled you, "Just me, sorry." Yoongi's deep voice came from behind you as he reached over your shoulder to grab a mug from the shelf. He moved to the coffee maker and began to brew some, "Did you clean up all on your own?" He asked as he looked around.

You nodded, taking your mug over to one of the seats on the island and bouncing the teabag in your cup lightly. "We could've helped once everyone was awake..." Yoongi said sounding sheepish. You waved a hand, "I wasn't doing anything anyway, plus you guys have all been so kind to me as I've settled in." Taking a sip of your drink you smiled at him, "Does Namjoon have a habit of getting undressed when he's drunk or is that new?" Yoongi chuckled and came to sit beside you with his now full cup of coffee, "That is new for sure. I was surprised to find him in his boxers but whatever, not like I haven't seen it before. Must have been a shock for you though."

You giggled, "Hm I don't know about shock, he has a nice build. It was just so funny!" Yoongi smirked at you and raised an eyebrow, "Nice build huh?" You stuck your tongue out at him then turned back to your tea, ignoring Yoongis soft laughter. "Y/N~ Goodmorning~" Jimin sang as he came into the kitchen, grabbing a mug and filling it with coffee. "What am I? Chopped liver?" Yoongi grumbled from beside you, making Jimin and you laugh. Jimin set his mug down and came behind Yoongi enveloping him in a tight hug. "Good morning to you Yoongi!" He said, ignoring the older mans attempts to shake him off.

Seokjin and Hoseok came into the kitchen then and began fetching their own drinks of choice. “Were you still wet this morning after last night Y/N?” Jin asked, taking a gulp of his tea. You choked on your own mouthful and looked at him incredulously. Seokjins ears went bright red as he realized the connotations of his words, “Not like that!” He sputtered, “Because you went to bed in your swimsuit!” You nodded, “Sure that's what you meant, not that you wanted a repeat of Friday?” You said boldly with a wink, making the four men gawk at you. “Anyway, do you guys do a Sunday party too?” Hoseok cleared his throat, “Yeah we do, none of us have Monday classes anyway. It can either be batshit crazy or a bit more mellow than other nights.” You made a noise of understanding and put your now empty mug in the sink.

By now it was close to 1 pm so you decided to make bibimbap for lunch with the help of Jin. The two of you shooed the other boys out of the kitchen to wake up the still sleeping men because they kept stealing slices of the ingredients while you were cutting them up. When the two of you were satisfied with the plating and table setup you asked Yoongi, who had opted to work on his computer on the couch, to go let the other boys know the food was ready.

You tried to keep in the snicker you felt when Namjoon came to sit beside you in his plaid pajamas and messy bed hair. Carding your hands through his hair, you made it somewhat presentable, earning a satisfied hum from the barely aware man. The other six laughed at his state, but poured him a glass of water and made sure he ate his lunch. After he had eaten Namjoon was much more aware and so the boys began their relentless teasing of his impromptu strip show the night before.

Namjoon banged his head on the table, “God, I am so sorry Y/N.” But you shook your head and gave him a smile. “She thinks you have a hot body Joon, don’t worry.” Yoongi said as he began to clear the table. You gave him a look but he just laughed while Namjoon looked flustered. “Y/N~ Play a game with me and Kook.” Taehyung whined coming to tug on your arm, you rolled your eyes and let him drag you to the games area. Jungkook sat beside you and rested his head on your shoulder as Taehyung set up the console. Jungkook smelt good and his hair was still the tiniest bit damp, so you assumed he had showered before lunchtime.

Taehyung came to sit on your other side and the three of you began your intense game of Mario Kart. Well, intense between Jungkook and Tae that was. Of all types of games, racing games were your biggest weak spot. You struggled to keep up with the two, and after a few hours, you gave up your remote to Jimin and instead cuddled into Jungkook. Pulling out your phone you looked at the mostly empty home screen. You’d deleted all your social media apps when you’d left your old dorm, the pain of the memories had been too much for you to even block them. Pocketing your phone once more, you inhaled Jungkooks scent and felt much calmer. You hated the effect your ex-friends still had over you.

Stretching, you left your spot, stepping over Jimin who was sat on the floor and headed to the back yard. Jin and Namjoon were both reading on the outdoor wicker couch while Yoongi was clacking on his computer in one of the matching chairs. Hoseok was doing yoga on the grass which made you raise a brow. “No one is gonna join poor Hobi in his yoga?” You said stepping out onto the deck. Jin and Namjoon both made a face while Yoongi completely ignored the comment. You shook your head and made your way over to where Hoseok was. “Bunch of losers.” Hoseok said as you came to stand beside him, copying his pose.

It felt nice to do the slow stretches in the soft sun of the afternoon, Hoseok was patient as he taught you the proper techniques. Occasionally he would move your limbs with his hands, his grip gentle but direct. It was a strangely intimate thing, but you both spent a lot of it giggling with each other as you attempted the more difficult moves. When you had finished with yoga, Hoseok turned on a speaker and began to dance. You watched his fluid movements and joined in slowly as you picked up on the beat. The dance ended up getting silly very quickly and soon the two of you were collapsed in a pile of laughter on the grass.

You sighed sitting up, “I suppose we should make dinner now then.” Hoseok hummed but made no move to get up from his position on the grass. You watched Jin stand up from his spot, “Me and Yoongi will make fish and rice so you guys can stay out here.” He said, pulling Yoongi to stand with him. You gave him a huge smile and a call of gratitude before laying down so only your head was beside Hobis. "We've been let off the hook, though I'm not sure you were going to be help anyway." You said with a giggle. Hoseok sat up and looked at you, "Hey! I can help better than Namjoon and Jimin!" He argued, making Namjoon give a shout of indignation from his seat on the deck.

You laughed harder. "You think that's funny? How about this!" Hobi began to tickle you and you screeched with laughter. "Oh, ticklish are we? Admit I'm helpful!" -- "Never!" You struggled to say in between his attacks. You were wheezing and could barely breathe as he tickled you, but you never backed down from a fight of any kind. Hoseok chuckled evil, "Not giving in hm? How about this!" He snatched you into his arms and began to spin around as fast as he could. You shrieked as he did so clutching to his arm and shoulder tightly. You heard Namjoon yell to Hoseok to leave you alone and not to fall, but he was clearly ignored.

When Hoseok finally slowed and put you on your feet the both of you were so dizzy that you fell right on top of him and took him down with you. "Who's trapped now?" You said with a sly smile, then you pressed a quick kiss to Hoseoks lips before running away into the kitchen with a cackle, leaving the man stunned on the ground. "What's got you all messed up?" Taehyung asked brushing your hair back into place when you nearly collided with him running into the room. "Oh, just a little play fight with Hobi." You said with a wink. "Well, foods ready anyway so sit." With that, he left to get Namjoon and Hoseok inside.

Dinner was delicious and everyone was in high spirits, you were shooed away from dishes once Yoongi spilled that you had cleaned the house alone. You took a quick shower before heading to your room to pick an outfit. Flicking through your hangers you came across a pretty lemon yellow silk dress with a cowl neckline , sliding it on and tugging it down so it sat how you wanted on your curves. Glittery lip gloss, a gold highlight, and a dramatic lash was your makeup for the night. Brushing through your hair and giving it a quick blow dry, you were ready and headed downstairs.

Taehyung, Jimin and Jungkook were back on the couch playing games when you reached the ground floor. Taehyung was wearing black slacks, a matching belt, a white t-shirt tucked in, and a black, red and white striped dress shirt set over top , looking dashing indeed. Jimin was in a simple black long-sleeved top with a cut down the center that revealed just enough skin, tucked into black slacks and cinched at the waist with a belt as well . Jungkook had on ripped blue jeans with a white tee tucked into them, a black belt sat around his waist and a light tan button-up over it . They were too involved in their game to pay you any attention, whooping in excitement at the screen.

You walked by them and into the kitchen where Seokjin and Yoongi were pouring various drinks into a glass on the island. Seokjin was dressed fairly simple, black slacks and a blue long sleeve button up with white stripes , classic but handsome. Yoongi was in black skinny jeans and a black t-shirt with white graphics on it, a blue floral patterned jean jacket to pull it all together . “What are you two up to?” You asked, propping your elbows on the island and resting your head in your palms. “Y/N! Wow, you look gorgeous as ever.” Jin complimented, making you crinkle your eyes in a bright smile. “Thanks! You too are looking dashing as always~” Jin laughed at your words but you saw a slight blush cross Yoongis face before he cleared his throat.

“We are making the punishment drink for the loser of their Overwatch game.” He gestured to the youngest three on the couch. “Oh? I pity he who ends up in that spot!” You chuckled. “Do you want something, I can mix you up something fun?” Jin asked with a wiggle of his brows. “Surprise me then Master Mixologist~” You cooed. “Jin’s making drinks? Make me and Hoseok rum and cokes.” Namjoon said as he came to stand beside you, while Hoseok came to sit on the kitchen table. Namjoon was wearing black jeans secured with a black belt, a red tee tucked in, and a jean jacket, while Hoseok was in tan slacks and had a light blue button-up slightly tucked in and undone a few buttons at the top.

“Fine, fine, I’ll make your drinks. What a waste of my talent...” Seokjin grumbled, you giggled knowing this probably happened often. Jin handed you the now finished drink which was a pretty pinky-peach colour. “A Love Potion for the lovely lady.” He said with a wink as you took a sip. “This is perfect!” The sweet and tangy cocktail fit your taste exactly, “What's in it?” You asked Seokjin as he poured the drinks for Namjoon and Hobi, “Peach schnapps, vodka and grapefruit juice, guaranteed to make you fall for the person who made it for you.” He answered suggestively, making you smile. “These will make you love me too, though!” He said handing Hoseok and Joon their drinks, they just rolled their eyes at his comment though.

A wail came from the living room and you all looked over to see Taehyung and Jungkook dancing as Jimin sat on his knees, head in his hands. “Seems like the winner has been decided.” Yoongi said, crossing his arms with a smirk on his face. A very dejected Jimin came to the kitchen dragging his feet as Jungkook and Tae whooped along beside him. Yoongi presented the nasty concoction of various alcohols with a lime slice on the edge of the glass. Jimin grimaced and picked it up, gagging when he got a whiff of the drink. “This smells like alcoholic acid.” He deadpanned, making the rest of you howl with laughter.

Jimin pinched his nose and downed the drink while you cheered him on. He looked a bit sick as he finished it but chewed the lime triumphantly while the boys tackled him with hugs. “You’re all ridiculous!” You said through your laughter, shaking your head at their antics. “So you’re not proud of me?” Jimin said with a pout, his eyes big and shiny. “Proud of what? You losing?” You teased, taking a sip of your drink. Jimin gaped at you like he couldn’t believe his puppy dog eyes hadn’t worked. “Looks like you’ve met your match Jiminie~” Yoongi said with a smile. “We’ll see about that…” Jimin said, a mischievous smile on his lips.

There was a knock on the door at that moment and you downed the rest of your drink and smiled.  “Let’s get this party started!”

[fanwarriorfictions]

One-

A Stranger Things 2 Fanfic

Chapter Four- Part Three

   When Phina had gotten home from Steve's house, it was 10 o'clock. And her mother had been waiting for her.

   As soon as the door to the garage had closed behind her, Karen's voice rang out, "where have you been?"

   On the way home, Phina had thought of the perfect lie, and she didn't even look at her mother to deliver it, "Lisle's. We have a chemistry project due tomorrow and we lost track of time."

   "No you weren't," Karen snapped, "I called Lisle, she doesn't even have chemistry this semester. How many times have you used that lie, ten, fifteen? Well I'm done letting it slide, where we're you?"

   "Nowhere important," she replied.

   "Look at me Seraphina," Karen snapped again, "do I look like I'm in the mood for this?"

   Phina's head snapped towards her mothers, "and do I look to be in the mood for this!"

   Karen instantly saw the redness to her daughters eyes, the puffiness. Her daughter had been crying, a lot. Karen was in shock, Phina hardly ever cried, ever. The last time she did, was when they thought Will Byers had died.

   "Phina? What happened, are you hurt?" Karen's anger had dissipated as she hurried over to check her daughter for injuries. "Did you crash your bike? What.."

   "I'm fine mom!" Phina pushes her mothers hands off her. "I just want to go to bed."

   The tone of her voice told Karen that she wouldn't get any answers from Phina tonight, but she knew her daughter well, when she was ready, she would.

   "Ok sweety," Karen sighed, "please come get me as soon as you're ready to talk."

   Phina gave her mom a halfhearted smile as she made her way to the stairs. The weight of the day pressed down on her, so heavy that she almost crumbled beneath the pressure. She almost didn't make it to her door.

   Phina pushed open the door and stopped. Like her mother had been waiting for her down stairs, Mike was waiting for her on her bed.

   "Where have you been," he asks, sounding exactly like their mother.

   "What are you doing up? You should be in bed, you have school tomorrow," she says.

   "So do you," he fires back, "you ran away earlier."

   "Yes."

   He gives her a look, "why? Where did you go?"

   Phina sighs, this is a conversation she wanted to avoid more than the one with her mother. She takes off her shoes and her jacket, taking her sweet time before she has to answer. Mike moves over so she can sit down next to him, turning her body to face him. They watch each other in silence, both of them waiting for the other to speak.

   "I was scared," she finally whispers.

   The look Mike gives her is one of confusion, "why?"

   And the one she gives him is sad, "because I saw the way you all looked at me. Because I looked in each one of your eyes and saw fear, of me. Because I saw what I did. I could have hurt you Mike, I could have hurt all of you. I don't know if I could live with myself if I had."

   Mike's shook his head, "you would never hurt me."

   "Not on purpose," Phina argues, "never on purpose. I lost control Mike. Everyday I find my powers becoming more and more unchecked, and I'm terrified."

   "Stop it," Mike chides her, "if you're scared of yourself, how are you supposed to learn to control it. You can't push it away, that'll just make it worse."

   Phina let her head fall, "what if I can't control it?"

   "You will," Mike argues, "because you are my sister and you never give up, ever. You are the most strong willed person I have ever met and you'll find a way, I know it."

   Phina smiles, "glad to know someone believes in me."

   He smiles back, "of course I do. You're my superhero."

   "And you're mine."

-

   "Phina? Have you seen your brother..."

   Karen opened the door to find her two kids fast asleep. Mike was cuddled into Phina's side, her arms wrapped around him. They had fallen asleep last night before either could think of getting Mike to his own room.

   Karen smiled at the two, who looked peaceful in sleep. She walked over to the bed and gently started to shake Phina awake.

   "Time to get up hun," she said warmly.

   Phina's eyes slowly blinked open, taking in the blurry image of her mother, "hmmm."

   "Good morning," Karen chuckled.

   "Mornin'," Phina mumbled, poking her brother's side.

   He grumbled something inaudibly and turned over to the other side of the bed, out of Phina's arms.

   "If I have to wake up, so do you," Phina chuckles.

   "Not necessarily," Mike mumbled.

   Karen smiled at the two of them, "well breakfast is almost ready."

   Mike turned his head slightly, "breakfast?"

-

   "Do you like those grapes Holly," Mike asks.

   Phina and Mike had both gotten ready quickly after their mom had mentioned breakfast. Phina hadn't eaten since yesterday at lunch, so she was starving, and toast with strawberry jam never sounded better.

   Phina was making her toast now, probably a bit more than necessary but, whatever.

   "Hey mom," Nancy said as she stood up, "I was thinking about staying the night at Stacy's tonight? We were gonna have a girls night."

   Nancy came up behind Phina and stole a piece of toast from her.

   "Hey!"

   "Romantic comedies, do our nails, gossip," Nancy carried on with a little smirk at Phina.

   "Make your own Nance," Phina grumbled halfheartedly.

   "Sure! That sounds fun," Karen said, ignoring Phina.

   Nancy sat down in her spot next to Holly, "toast?"

   Phina whirled around, she was giving Holly the toast she stole from Phina, "really?"

   "You made four pieces of toast," Nancy laughs, "you'll live."

   "You don't know that," Phina jokes, "I could die."

   "Sure."

-

   To say Steve Harrington wasn't focused today was an understatement. He'd been known to the school as King Steve, star basketball player, a womanizer. Well, things changed. And the jean everything wearing, mullet having Billy Hargrove was here to ruin his reputation.

   Steve could vaguely hear the coach yelling but, he wasn't focused on that. He was focused on Hargrove, who had been making a fool out of Steve's team.

   Billy laughs as he gets the ball, again, "all right! All right, all right! King Steve! King Steve everyone, I like it, playing tough today."

   Steve was getting annoyed very quickly, "Jesus! Do you ever stop talking man? Come on!"

   Billy lazily dribbles with one hand, laughing again, "what? You afraid the coach is gonna bench ya now that I'm here? Huh?"

   He suddenly moves forward quickly, not giving Steve any time to prepare. Billy shoulder checks Steve as he runs past him to score. Steve grunts and falls backwards, definitely not the first time he'd been knocked down today.

   A hand reached down in front of him, Billy's. Steve warily grabs it, bad idea. Billy pulls Steve halfway up to him.

   "You were moving your feet," he says, "plant them next time, draw a charge."

   Billy pushes Steve back down roughly, walking over him to get back into the game. Steve couldn't tell if the advice was somewhat friendly, or threatening.

-

   Steve let the lukewarm water run over his face, trying to somewhat come off the adrenaline from the game.

   "Don't sweat it Harrington," Billy said from his right.

   Steve's annoyance shot through the roof just at his voice. The prick had been showing him up in every way since he got here.

   "Today's just not your day man," he continued.

    "Yeah. Not your week," Tommy butts in, "you and the princess break up for one day, she's already running off with the freaks brother."

Steve gave Tommy an annoyed look.

"Oh shit, you don't know," Tommy chuckles, "Jonathan and the princess skipped yesterday. Still haven't shown. But that must just be a coincidence, right?"

Tommy smirks, "I'm mean, you don't seem to be to beaten up about it, considering Carol saw the Freak of Hawkins leaving your house last night. Switching Wheelers, huh? Classy."

Tommy laughs loudly, annoyingly, as he leaves the showers. Steve glares at him as he goes, starting to shampoo his hair

"Don't take it to hard man," Billy interjects, "a pretty boy like you gots nothing to worry about. Plenty of bitches in the sea."

Billy slowly turns off Steve's shower, "am I right?"

He claps Steve on the shoulder, turning to leave the showers as well, "that Phina chick? That's a real nice catch right there, sad I didn't make it first."

Steve's anger flares at the comment. He harshly turns the water back on, his hand stingy when it makes contact with the metal nob.

-

Phina walked briskly to her bike after school, wanting to escape the place as quickly as she possibly could. All day she had been hearing little comments about her. She was used to this type of stuff, and had dealt with no shortage of rumors in the past, but this, this was different. People had been making comments about her, and Steve. Someone must have seen her at his house last night, and assumed the worst.

She had also heard little comments about Jon and Nancy, who had not been at school at all today and has apparently skipped yesterday as well. Again, the worst had been assumed. This is why Phina hated this place, because everything you said or did was turned against you.

Phina got to her bike and was out of there in less than five seconds. She flew past people who stared and whispered to each other. The lies that spread between them like wildfire gripped at her, trying to bring her down. She drove to the only place that didn't have the pressure of judgement, where she was happy, the forests.

She went out far, parking her bike behind a few trees so any cars that passed wouldn't see it. Then, she went farther. Walking at least a mile into the trees. With her connection to the forest, she would never get lost, for the trees whispered directions to her.

The stress that plagued her lifted with each step farther.

That is, until she felt it. The sickness that infected the earth around her. It was like she had entered a quarantine zone, the sickness abruptly starting.

Phina turned her confused gaze to the trees, which were turning a strange gray color, some sort of weird liquid seeping from them. She took a step towards the nearest tree, her hand reached out to touch it. It was a gooy substance that made her face scrunch in disgust.

The color, the goo, it was all to familiar. All to like the upside down. It was happening again.

"Shit."

-

   The sun had faded awhile ago, leaving Phina in the dark. She had followed the path of the disease, which lead back towards town, but not quite. She had left the forest and was now in the farm areas outside of Hawkins. An entire patch of pumpkins had been destroyed by this disease.

   She carefully placed her steps as she walked through the field. The rotten pumpkins were full of that goo and she did not want to get that all over her.

   The sound of an engine in the distance simultaneously drew her in and made her aware that she was trespassing. She drew closer to the noise and a sigh of relief shot through her, it was Hopper.

   In front of the car, was a very large hole, which had dirt flying out of it in small increments of time.

   "Hopper," she asks as she gets closer to the hole, seeing him digging.

   He whirls around, "Phina? What the hell are you doing here?"

   "I could ask you the same thing," she pointed out, "what are you doing?"

   He sighs, "investigating."

   "Does it have something to do with why all my trees are dying," she asks, gesturing around.

   "Possibly," he answers, throwing another shovelful of dirt out of the hole.

   "Why are you digging a hole Hop," she asks.

   He sighs, she wasn't gonna leave without the answers she wanted, "because of Will."

   Phina's heart stops, "is he ok?"

   "He's fine, for the most part," Hopper sighs again, this time, more defeated, "whatever happened to you two yesterday has caused him to, act different. He's been drawing non-stop. I've got a theory, and unless you're gonna pick up a shovel and help you can go on home and wait for me to prove it or not."

   Hopper goes to dig again when he sees it, the goo. He shovels out a little bit of it, looking at it with strange curiosity.

   "What the hell?"

   Phina slowly climbs into the hole, to get a closer look. It seemed like there was a thick layer of this stuff, almost like how a portal to the upside down looked like before it opened. Hopper digs at it again, yelling a little bit as if it'd make him stronger. The small hole opens, some dirt falling through it which meant that there was an opening below it.

   Hopper hits it again and again to make the hole bigger. He looks up at Phina who has curiosity written all over her face.

   "Stay here," he says.

   "No chance in hell," she snaps.

   He'd fought her on a subject like this before, he knew he'd lose, "fine. Wait for me to yell before following."

   He sat down on the ground and slowly went through the hole. Phina looked on worriedly, what was down there. Hopper fell all the way through, giving Phina a heart attack before he yelled for her to go down. Phina lowers into the hole, Hopper helping her down. When she hits the ground, he takes out his flash light and they look all around them.

   "Holy shit," Phina whispers.

-2328 words-

Did y'all like that little Steve pov, good way to introduce the rumors about Steve and Phina, which will have a roll later on.

-Morgan

[ksfnmoments]

The Tide Rises ~ Chapter 7

On a seemingly perfect night, a cloudless sunset in a beautiful canvas over the distant mountains, The Fortilla was anything but peaceful as a handful of agents were frenzied, searching left and right for their youngest agent. It was as if Skye had disappeared in the early afternoon. Before the flood, she was known to disappear every once and a while as she sought her own adventures, but she never left without uttering so much as a word.

"Skye? Come in, Agent Skye," Ocean tried over comms again, but there was only static. There had only been static ever since they had begun to question her whereabouts. "Nothing, nothing for the past hour. If she's playing some sort of game, she's got a killer hiding spot."

Maya sat down on the dock with a sigh. "I shouldn't have left her by herself," she lamented. "This is all my fault."

Tina set a reassuring hand on her shoulder, though it was obvious she was worried. "Hey, we'll find her," she said, but even she was seeing past her own brave facade. She dropped it almost immediately, running a frustrated hand through her hair. "How the hell does she just sneak around without anyone knowing? From The Fortilla, of all places!"

"We'll have to branch out, guys," Maya said. "We checked this entire place at least three times. I don't think she's even here."

Ocean frowned. "If she really left, then where'd she go? You guys know her better than me."

Maya's brow furrowed as she thought. "Well... if I had to guess, there's The Shark... well, what's left of it. Or maybe somewhere in the mountains?"

Ocean nodded and pressed a finger to her earpiece. "Ocean to General Comms. Hey, we might have to get a search party going. Can we get a group out to the mountains, first-"

"That won't be necessary," Brutus interrupted, poking his head around the corner from inside. Ocean sighed and spoke into her earpiece again to cancel the order.

"What's the big idea?" Tina demanded. "Skye's gone, and you-"

"Tek has been at work accessing and tracking her earpiece location."

The agents looked at him expectantly, but he didn't say anything further. An unreadable expression crossed his face, and it alarmed them instantly.

"Well? Where is she?”

Brutus scowled, lowering his glasses. "Her last known location was our recently seized GHOST Academy, before losing connection. Whoever has her managed to disable the GPS, and now there’s no sign of her.”

A dreadful silence froze the air almost immediately, not even the sound of a breath as the agents collectively assumed the worst. Tek emerged from the building, then. "Hey, boss? Bosses?"

His eyes were wide, fearful even, and he gestured for the group to follow. "So we found her at a SHADOW base, right...?" He began as they made their way to the control room. "That's not all—we received a transmission from SHADOW just minutes ago. You guys... aren't going to like what you see."

Tek began typing at a computer until a holographic screen popped up for everyone to see. Any extra chatter had died as soon as they could see what was on screen. It was none other than Jules, pointing Midas' drum gun at Skye in front of empty prison cells.

"I damn knew it!" Tina snarled, throwing her hands in the air. "I fucking knew she was lying and now look where we are!"

Ocean set a hand on her shoulder, which Tina shrugged off immediately. "Hey, we can't assume anything yet, can we? Let it play out first-"

"She's about to fucking shoot her!"

Brutus shot a warning glare her way to silence her, before turning back to the transmission on screen. "Play it."

Jules began to speak. "Enemies of GHOST—hello. You probably weren't expecting this, huh? Well, your little agent decided she had the heart to mess with us, all by herself. Looks like that led nowhere, and now I have to put her down.

Brutus glared at the screen. "I should've known," he spat. "Ain't nobody good who's seen associated with SHADOW."

Something in Jules' expression shifted—she seemed distracted, looking past the camera, but it was masked quickly enough that no one caught it. No one except for Journey, who had found herself on the scene from the commotion and stood quietly in the back. She narrowed her eyes at the screen suspiciously.

"Your little agent here did quite the damage," another voice said, the camera inching just a bit closer to Skye. "But we don't take lightly to you killing our henchman, now, do we?"

"W-What...?" Skye's eyes widened, and she looked away quickly. "I- I didn't... I panicked, I didn't mean to," she whispered meekly, her voice breaking. "I- I... he was- I'm sorry! I'm- I'm so sorry..."

"Maybe we can strike a deal, now," Jules spoke again, her voice wavering ever so slightly. "You will surrender, surrender and join us as members of SHADOW. Or, you can refuse, you can fight our authority..."

Jules shoved the gun closer to her. "And we'll tear you all apart, starting with her. You have twenty four hours to make your decision. Surrender and save your friend or die; what will it be, GHOST? Choose wisely, or suffer the consequences."

With that, the transmission disappeared, leaving the GHOST agents at a loss as they tried to process what they had learned.

~•~

Jules stood by helplessly as Skye was shoved into the cell and locked in. She gazed at Skye sadly as the girl curled up against the wall and buried her face in her knees. She didn’t know what had happened at the new SHADOW house, but the revelation that Skye had downright killed someone seemed to be taking a toll on her. She was used to it, sure, just another one of the deeds agents on the island had to face. That never meant Skye was okay with it.

Jules crouched down in front of the bars while Rue talked to some of the guards, distracted. “Skye?”

Skye looked up and sniffled quietly. “I... I didn’t really kill him... d-did I?”

Jules looked away. “I don’t know. I don’t know what happened.”

Skye’s frown deepened as her gaze fixed to the floor. She then crawled closer to the engineer. “Jules, they were planning an attack by tomorrow, I saw on one of the documents,” she whispered. “What are we going to do...?”

Jules fidgeted with the tips of her gloves as she glanced around the room, searching for something, anything that could give her an idea. Her eyes trailed over to Skye’s items sitting on the desk nearby, and an idea struck her.

She looked back to Skye. “I have an idea, but I can’t do it here... I promise, I’ll be back, and I will get you out. Just hold tight, okay?”

Skye nodded and looked up, instantly backing up. Jules followed her eyes and found Rue standing over them, frowning down on her disdainfully. “Fraternizing with the prisoner, are we?” She scolded.

Jules stood. “No, ma’am.”

“Sheesh, always so formal,” Rue laughed, putting her accent back on. “Now, if we are done here, I believe you must be going... we must let little, what’s her name, Agent Skye rest, no?”

Jules glanced at Skye, whose fearful eyes had locked onto Rue as she pushed herself against the wall. With a sigh, she nodded and headed for the door. It hurt to leave Skye alone, especially in a room full of armed guards who wanted nothing more than to harm her, but there was nothing she could do otherwise...

...for now, at least, as she dug through her pocket and felt for the small device she had managed to grab on the way out.

Underneath The Authority, Jules stared at Skye’s earpiece, which she had set on the upgrade table. As she fiddled with it, she felt her anxieties flare up as she thought about what she would do. The plan was set in her head, however she was insecure about how well she could execute it, especially as she thought of the raging voices of her friends at The Fortilla when she had first arrived.

Brutus’s disappointment, Tina’s rage... the more she thought about their reactions, which would no doubt be worse this time, the more unsure she became. So she switched her thoughts to Skye—from memories of happier times, to present thoughts of the girl who sat imprisoned above.

“For Skye,” she told herself, and she secured the device in her ear and pressed her fingers to it. “Jules, requesting to speak to Brutus?”

Jules waited uncomfortably in the silence that followed, desperately hoping someone had received the message. She started having doubts when a minute went by with no response, but she called again. “Hello...?”

Finally, seconds later, a voice rang through, however it wasn’t Brutus. She recognized it as Tek. “We read you loud and clear! You’re being broadcasted in the command room.”

Jules heaved a sigh of relief and spoke in a hushed tone. “It’s... it’s me, Jules, I-“

“You have a lot of explaining to do,” she heard Brutus speak, almost angrily. Jules closed her eyes and sighed deeply at the tone.

“I’m so sorry about... all of this. Coming in peace and then- and then threatening you,” she fumbled over her words. “I was forced. And I know it just sounds like an excuse at this point, but I swear it. I had to do it or they would’ve killed Skye right there.”

Another round of silence followed, and Jules frowned deeply, beginning to regret her plan. Why would they help me, of all people?

A different voice spoke up, but it was one that Jules certainly wasn’t expecting—it was Journey, her voice always the perfect balance between gentle and commanding, firm. “Jules? This is Journey, and I believe you. If we’re going to save Skye, we need to know what we can do to help.”

For a split second, Jules smiled. “I believe you...” Being able to hear those words again gave her a new confidence. “They’re holding Skye prisoner in a cell, it’s a left in the hall of the former meeting room. I was able to get her earpiece when they confiscated her stuff, but I can’t go back up there because the prison’s heavily guarded. I’m underground, and I’m alone, but... I don’t have much time.”

She heard Maya’s voice. “What would SHADOW even want with Skye?”

“It’s... it’s like I said earlier, in the transmission,” Jules said. “She... she snuck off and caused some trouble at GHOST House, and they caught her.

She paused. “Obviously, I’m not supposed to tell you, but Skye caught a glimpse of some papers there. They were planning on attacking tomorrow, then when they captured Skye, they saw the opportunity and... here we are. The problem is, they probably won’t even wait a full day to kill her and attack either way. We need to think of a plan, or else...”

Feeling her voice rise in pitch as she spoke, Jules trailed off. She sniffled quietly and took her fingers off the earpiece as she tried to calm herself. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing Skye, especially if it were because of her mistakes. Losing another person so close to her... with Midas gone and GHOST’s distrust against her, Skye was her last source of hope. The last person she knew she could hold onto.

She heard Journey again. “Jules...?”

Jules sniffled again and pressed her fingers back to the earpiece. “I’m sorry... just... please, please think of something. I don’t know how much help I can be... we can’t lose everything again, I- I can’t lose Skye. I-I have to go.”

Despite the protests she heard, Jules took the earpiece back out and shakily set it down. Resting her elbows on the upgrade bench, Jules buried her face in her hands.

At The Fortilla, the command room was silent as the steady beeping of Skye’s earpiece on the GPS disappeared once more.

“Now what?” Ocean broke the silence, drawing out her burst assault rifle.

Brutus turned to her, his body language showing a sense of urgency as he headed for the door. “Ocean, we have a lot of work to do.”

[bokuaka-4510]

Bokuaka: Weakness

hi guys!! I thought I would start posting my Bokuaka dabbles on here. I just started writing, so any feedback/support would be much appreciated :) also most of my stories are multi-chapter (just a heads up!!)

Chapter 1: Flashing Lights

(Here’s the image that inspired the first chapter! Obviously all credits to the crazy talented artist @songrnim on Twitter)

The flashing lights were like a second home to Bokuto- the way they would always blind him when he was at the apex of his spike before slamming down on the ball and being rewarded with that satisfying crunch and throbbing in his hand.

Okay, so maybe he was a little bit of a masochist, but then again weren't all spikers?

"Bokuto-san!" a low voice shouts to him.

He knows that voice better than his own. How many times had he heard it, calling his name with the same pitch, same urgency, same tone, over the last few years?

Akaashi.

As long as it feels good. We'll be sure to clear a path for you.

Sure enough, even Bokuto could see the path in front of him, clear as light. Akaashi's perfect toss, spiraling higher and higher. His legs move on instinct now, tensing before catapulting him into a flying jump, powerful and natural.

The blinding lights.

He squints against them, golden eyes stalking the ball as if there's nothing else important in this world. For a split second it's just him and the volley, his oldest companion.

Then the towering wall appears- three giant blockers seeking to return his spike.

As if.

He glances at his destination- the spot tethering on the sideline, between in and out, on the opposite side of him and the blockers. Arm slinging back, building power and momentum, he waits until the ball is at its peak before smashing it down. Time frozen, Akaashi finds himself captivated once again at the sight known as Bokuto Koutarou in front of him: toned arms, lean body defying physics, attractive face set in determination.

Magnetic.

Tempting.

Enthralling.

Bokuto looks otherworldly, and Akaashi loves the view that leaves him feeling like he's stolen a glimpse of something belonging to paradise, something not meant for human eyes.

Crack.

The ball hurls towards the exact spot Bokuto wanted. A perfect cross-court shot.

Bokuto thinks it should be illegal for something to be so beautiful.

He falls back toward the hard wooden floors, back to reality, where complete and utter silence greet him.

Then, the room erupts into cheers, so loud, so deafening he can't even hear his own heartbeat, but fuck if this isn't what he lives for. Yes, yes, yes!

The crowd is chanting his name, as if he's some divine savior, " Bokuto. Bokuto. Bokuto," and he can hear the reporters struggling to grab his attention from the sidelines.

Cameras on him, fans chanting his name, the dull throbbing in his right hand, well, he's never felt happier.

"Bokuto-san!" he hears the familiar voice boom at him, and Bokuto spins around searching for Akaashi's eyes, always stormy green like an angry sea after a victory.

Instead, he's greeted by tackling hugs from his team mates, who jump up and down with the joy from the victory, riding out the high from their win. He glances up from their hurdle, only to find Akaashi's startling eyes, sure enough sea green, locked on his own. The pretty setter smiles softly at Bokuto, and the spiker finds himself reinvigorated. Untangling his body from the embrace of his team and offering them a light pat on the back as he passes them, Bokuto strides to his best friend.

No, not best friend. They were...?

He didn't know, only knew that best friend was too insignificant a term to describe what they had built the last 5 years together.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Bokuto exclaims as he draws near the other boy, a grin splitting his face.

Akaashi holds up a hand for him to high-five, but the spiker just grabs it before engulfing the shorter boy into a bone-crushing hug. Immediately, Akaashi is enveloped in Bokuto's familiar scent- mandarin, pine, and citrus.

Ba-bump. Ba-bump.

Akaashi sends a silent prayer to the Gods, please don't let Bokuto-san notice.

"Akaashi," Bokuto whooped in that typical, loud voice of his, "we won! We won! That toss was fucking awesome! You're awesome, wow!"

Akaashi carefully detracts himself away from the embrace. Smiling at Bokuto with a light blush dusting his fair cheeks, Akaashi congratulates him, "Bokuto-san, you're the ace. You gave us that winning shot,".

Well, Bokuto didn't think so. He sucked at tossing and his receives were decent at best, but if Akaashi, who was the smartest guy on the whole wide world- no scratch that- galaxy, was saying that, then it had to be true. Right?

Roaring with laughter, Bokuto smugly grins at him before pointing to chest, which proudly bore the number 1 in a light blue color, " Aha! I guess you're right, Akaashi. I'm the best ace, aren't I?"

Akaashi nods solemnly, now ignoring their ace's words as he focuses more on catching his breath.

"... best setter," Bokuto finishes.

Akaashi eyeballs the spiker, unsure if he heard him correctly.

"What," he pants out, hands resting on his knees, "did you say Bokuto-san?"

"I said if I'm the best ace, then you have to be the best setter, right? Right? Because a good spiker is only as good as his setter?" the star beams at him as he tilts his head side to side, reminding Akaashi of an owl. He almost wants to shield his eyes from the brightness.

Except Bokuto's smile and praise speed up Akaashi's already racing heart. Akaashi tells himself it's from the intense match they just played, but even he scoffs at the blatant lie.

Akaashi can't help the genuine smile, the one only Bokuto can only lure out, that graces his face, "Huh, I guess so Bokuto. Maybe we're just a good team in general,"

Before Bokuto can even respond, the coach calls their names. Bokuto and Akaashi. They're the only ones left standing on the court. They head over to the sidelines where the coach and the rest of the team sit before coach congratulates them for winning the first game of the season.

Which is followed right by Coach ordering them to go do 5 minutes of suicides and 3 laps of dives for every mistake they made, which was, according to Akaashi's calculations, a lot. He stopped counting at 16. Of course, most of them were made by Bokuto, but as Akaashi steals a glance at the star ace congratulating the rest of the team, arguing with Kuroo on who stole the spotlight, ruffling the freshmen's heads in genuine affection, he discovered he didn't care the slightest about Bokuto's contribution to their punishments.

They won.

Bokuto was happy.

To Akaashi, those were the only two things that really ever mattered, though not in that particular order.

"Ah, Bokuto-chan," the Coach cuts in his gruff voice, "I think the reporters wanted to talk to you. Go head over to where Hoshiumi-chan and Ushijima-chan are. They should be almost done,".

Bokuto suddenly stands erect and offers the coach a mock salute, a crazy grin on his face. With a roll of his eyes, Coach pushes his player away, but Akaashi catches the ghost of a smile on Coach's face as he turns around.

"Try not to embarrass us too much, ok horned bastard?" Kuroo calls out behind Bokuto with his signature shit-eating grin that typically put anyone on edge.

But Akaashi has known the dark-haired boy for just as long as he's known Bokuto, so Kuroo scares him about as much as a kitten does. Bokuto must feel the same because he just sticks out his tongue at the seemingly menacing man. Akaashi's eyes trail Bokuto's disappearing figure, watching him high-five the two other celebrity spikers as they pass each other. Ushijima and Hoshiumi return to their team, taking a seat right behind Akaashi.

After a rather long (and bad, the Coach was not particularly adept at expressing positive emotions, Akaashi noted) inspiring speech by their sensei, the team heads out of the gym, talking and laughing amongst themselves, all of them in high spirits, especially after Ushijima quietly announces he would be attending post-game drinks with the team, courtesy of Heishi-san.

Apparently, miracles do happen.

In the middle of Hoshiumi's monologue (something along the lines of "Take that Hinata, you orange piece of crap! I scored 7 points in the second set. I hope you get sand between your ********* and spend all your ******* days getting **** by crabs. Akaashi started tuning him out after he learned four new expletives), Akaashi picks up on Bokuto's voice amongst the cacophony of noises in the auditorium.

It's not like he was diligently looking for the spiker. That would be ridiculous, right?

"-but my team rocks! Akaashi, he's my setter, and Kuroo and Ushijima-kun and Hoshiumi-kun and Heiwajima-kun and everyone else is crazy talented! They all make me want to be a better wing spiker," Bokuto raves. The reporter in front of him looks a bit star-dazed, pupils dilated and mouth parted open, as she continues her interview with the attractive rising star.

Akaashi briefly wonders if she's even paying attention to the conversation, but he honestly can't blame her. Akaashi spent five years accustoming himself to the glory of Bokuto, and he still has to remind himself not to drool when he sees him. Six feet of pure muscle, striking golden eyes, and sharp, handsome features make up the man known as Bokuto Koutarou. The elite spiker stands proudly as he converses with the pretty woman in front of him, completely oblivious to the effect he has on her. He's loved by all of Japan, and probably soon the whole world. Even the court adores him as it seems like the bright gym lights spotlight his lean, muscular figure, emphasizing the number 1 on his back.

Akaashi stares at his back, noticing the way the white jersey hugs his muscular frame a little too snugly, back muscles tensing and relaxing every time Bokuto moved or laughed.

Yeah, Akaashi thought, Bokuto definitely looks good in white.

It's the last he sees of Bokuto before they part ways.