#i couldn’t even write today or yesterday because i was feeling like such hot GARBAGE

[inkykeiji]

me telling my boyfriend he has to be extra nice to me because i’m sick and him responding with ‘sorry baby, i don’t know how to be nice’ is peak dabi

[nightowlfandom]

CEO! Min Yoongi- My Favorite Secretary

Why hello there!

ANON ASKS

Hi! Want to make a nasty petition pls. I want CEO Yoongi but he is so mean and strict with y/n he discharges all his frustrations and stress on her until he gets to fuck with her. I want a hard smut plsss

With these :

3, 15, 21, 60, 66

OOOOH FUN!!! LET’S GET INTO IT I was not too proud of this one...but here you go! Yo this one was LOOONNGGG, like shit. 

3- I said FUCKING BEG!

15- Whose gonna stop us? I own this fucking place, baby.

21- That’s right, you fucking worship me don’t you? Look up at me like I’m your god.

60- I found that little journal you made about me. I think it’s so cute how you fantasize about me, darling.

66- I’m gonna corrupt your mind. I love to play with you like you’re a fucking violin.

CHECKOUT MY MASTERLIST HERE!!

leggo!!

... (Monday)

“You’ll have to redo these reports.” a stack of papers was thrown onto your desk. You stared up at your boss in disbelief. 

“And just what’s wrong with them?” you raised an eyebrow. 

“There are exactly 15 typos in these reports and since I don’t care enough to go through them with you, I want them redone.” 

Min Fucking Yoongi. CEO of Bangtan Enterprises. You of course were a humble secretary who wrote reports on every idol and client that walked through the damn door. 

“I spent hours on those!” you tried to defend. “I already deleted the stupid file to save space on my computer!”

“You have until the end of the week.” he walked away without another word. 

“Sora didn’t even turn in her reports because she stayed up playing fucking Doki Doki Handsome Husband Haven and you gave her an extension!” 

Yoongi didn’t respond as he turned the corner. 

“Are you fucking kidding me.” you seethed. 

... (Thursday Afternoon)

“Y/N!” you heard the horribly scary voice. 

“What now?” you whimpered. You turned around in your chair to see your boss fuming. “Yes, Mr. Min?”

“YOUR REPORTS ON MY CLIENT ARE LATE!”

“No they aren’t! They aren’t due for another three days!” you tried to defend. Everyone else was starting to stare. They all knew how they treated you and they all felt super bad that he chose you to bully. 

“I SENT AN EMAIL YESTERDAY SAYING I WANTED IT TODAY AT 10:00 IT’S NOW 2:00!”

“No you didn’t! I would have seen it-” you tried to speak.

“YOU HAVE TWENTY MINUTES TO HAVE IT DONE OR YOU CAN SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR JOB.” 

“Y/N, don’t cry...you’re doing that thing you do when you’re about to cry.” your friend came over to your side. “Don’t waste your tears on that asshole.”

You inhaled dramatically, starting to type furiously through your blurry vision. You felt the tear slip down your cheek and you went to furiously wipe it.

...(Lunchtime: Thursday Afternoon)

Sobbing in the bathroom was a thing right?

Your two friends, Dahyun and Sana stood outside the bathroom stall as you sobbed into your hands. They were convincing you to not quit.

“Y/N, You know this is the only job that will let you live comfortably in this city. Other than being a teacher...and who’d want that?” Sana shuddered. “He’s done this more than TWICE now.” (...I’M NOT SORRY)

“I HATE HIM! I FUCKING HATE HIM.” You cried. “WHY IS HE ALWAYS MEAN TO ME!” You furiously wiped your eyes.

“Y/N, Open the door.” Dahyun sighed. “Let us in.”

The stall door slowly open and your two friends were met by a totally distraught woman. Your hands were stained with your eyeliner that you hand managed to completely wipe off leaving your tired face. 

“Y/N, he’s working you to the bone. You don’t even smile anymore.” Sana kneeled in front of you, taking your dirty hands into hers. “Why do you let him bully you?”

“Because if I don’t, I won’t have a job.” you sniffed. 

“Is someone dying in here?” you heard Miss. Hyuna, another boss walk in. “Aw honey, did a boyfriend break up with you...do you want me to ‘accidentally’ get his car towed?”

Miss Hyuna was both Sana’s and Dahyun’s boss, you guys just liked to have lunch together.

“It’s Mr. Min.” Dahyun spoke for you. “He’s working Y/N to the bone. He only ever bullies her and no one else. I’ve seen it personally.”

“Is that so?” she raised an eyebrow, looking less than happy. “Is that true Miss. L/N. Is Mr. Min treating you unfairly?”

You couldn’t speak, so you just nodded. 

“All he does is yell at and belittle her every chance he gets.” Sana looked at Miss. Hyuna.

“Hm, I’ll go talk to him, right now. If he fires you, he’ll answer to me.” was all she said before she walked away. She ignored Sana trying to hold you back from stopping her.

Hyuna walked out of the bathroom with fire in her eyes. She walked by your desk only to see what looked like an open notebook with the words ‘The Min Yoongi Files’ written in permanent marker on the first page.

“This must be her case.” she shut the notebook, ignoring the childish looking anime stickers on the inside page. “I should take this for evidence, I hope she won’t mind.”

“Yoongi!” Hyuna stormed into his office, shutting the door behind her.

“Hey Hyuna, what’s up?” Yoongi looked up from his lunch. “What can I do for you?”

“What’s this I hear about you mistreating a worker? One of YOUR workers?”

“Pardon me?” he raised an eyebrow. “Mistreating?”

“Two of MY workers are busy consoling Y/N L/N in the ladies restroom on their lunch break of all times because according to all three of them, you’ve been unfairly treating her!!” she glared. She slammed the notebook down on his desk. “This should speak for itself.” she sighed. 

“I don’t mistreat Y/N L/N, She’s insolent! She needs discipline.”

“SHE’S YOUNG.” Was Hyuna’s comeback. “You can’t treat her like she’s a piece of garbage just because she makes one typo!” 

“Her typos cost us time.”

“So does your shameless reprimanding her for missing a semicolon.” she rebutted. “Think about it! Are men always this stupid.” she looked him up and down before walking out of his office.

Yoongi watched dumbfounded. He took at look at the notebook she left behind.

“Property of Y/N L/N.” he read aloud. He flipped it open to the first page to see a bunch of shiny and matte stickers all over the inside cover. “The Min Yoongi Files? Speak for itself, huh?” (read more below the break)

...

(The Next Morning) (Smut Warning)

You begrudgingly trudged into the office. Not only were you tired, but you were dreading. You had multiple deadlines.

“L/N, MY OFFICE.”

“Shit...” you seethed. You walked past your desk into Yoongi’s office. He was sitting at his desk, flipping through the pages of a very familiar looking book. “You wanted to see me sir?”

“Yes, I did.” he shut the book and slid it over to you. “Care to explain?”

“Holy fu- ” You had forgotten you left your diary on your desk. How did he get a hold of that?

“ I found that little journal you made about me. I think it’s so cute how you fantasize about me, darling. Hyuna gave it to me thinking it was a list of every terrible thing I’ve done to you. I didn’t know it would be a list of every terrible thing you wanted me to do to you.” his face spread into a smirk. 

“You read my property-”

“My name is on it, which means it’s company property by association.” he was still smirking. “Y/N, Y/N Y/N...I didn’t know you were such a needy little girl. On my desk, in the breakroom? The elevator of all places?? I didn’t even know you enjoyed when I raised my voice.“ he raised an eyebrow. “You do realize I could have you fired for writing about me in such a way.”

“Yes sir.” you whimpered. “I’ll have all my sh-..stuff off my desk by-”

“Y/N what on earth are you talking about?” he raised an eyebrow. “Surely you don’t think you are fired.”

“I’m sorry?” you raised an eyebrow, becoming very confused. 

“Even though I’m an asshole, a big jerk, and the bane of your existence, you still want me?” he raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you have more of a backbone than I thought. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to miss a chance to break that spirit of yours.” he rose to his feet and walked around his desk to face you. “Get over here.” he urged.

He grabbed you by the hand and yanked you to his chest. He crashed his hot mouth over yours, capturing you in a kiss. He held both sides of your face gingerly. In a shock, you held onto his blazer jacket to stop from falling over.

“Hmm.” he moaned. 

“Mr. Min!” you gasped. “We can’t- I’m your secretary!! And I don’t know if you’re aware of this but you hate me.”

“ Whose gonna stop us? I own this fucking place, baby. “ he laughed manically. “And who the hell said I hated you? Plus you want this. I know you do because you wouldn’t have written about me throwing you on my desk and eating that little pussy...fuck that was my favorite story to date.” he spoke in a babyish voice. “Shit I’ve always loved what that ass does to me.”

You felt yourself melt in every way. The thought that someone would storm in didn’t even cross your mind. He back you up against the table, sitting you on the desk. Yoongi tore off his blazer and hastily undid his necktie.

He broke away from you, allowing you to suck in air. You took a deep breath as you felt your lips. He practically tore his shirt open, buttons flying everywhere to reveal that body. To say you were taken aback was the understatement of the century.

“ That’s right, you fucking worship me don’t you?” he smirked as you stared him down “ Look up at me like I’m your god” he quoted the exact words from the entry you had written just 5 days ago. 

“Oh, you read the whole thing.” you squeaked. “I am so fucked.” you whimpered.

“I’ll be honest, I’ve been needing a good way to unleash my stress.” he shrugged. “This is perfect..” he motioned, tugging the hem of your shirt, playing with and unfastening each button. “I can take out my stress and you get to feel the real thing instead of writing shameless fan fiction.” he laughed. “Don’t make any mistakes,” he drank in your body. “I want this to be more than sex.”

Before you could say another word, Yoongi wrapped his arms around your waist again. He leaned down and softly kissed your lips. You just prayed he didn’t taste the bacon, egg, and, cream cheese bagel you ate this morning. You didn’t know what to do, so you shyly returned his affections.

“Come on, act like how you write about. Moan for me, grab my hair-” he mumbled through kisses. “Kiss me like you hate me.” he grunted. “Unless-...”

He abruptly yanked down your skirt along with your panties. “Maybe we should do this right. Spread em, secretary.”

He wasted no time in hooking your legs around his shoulders. 

“Mr. M-min.” you whimpered, feeling something wet trailed up your slit. 

“Shit...you taste so fucking good.” he moaned. “Damnit Y/N, you coulda told me you wanted me earlier.” he flicked his tongue against your clit. “Maybe if you had a good fuck, your reports would be more punctual.”

“That report wasn’t due and you know it.” you found it in you to reply. You tilted your head back, feeling his fingers be introduced into your tightness. “F-fuh”

 “Come on, you love this shit.” he laughed, lashing his tongue against you. “Beg for me, beg for my mouth, beg for me to make you cum.” he moaned into your heat. “I said FUCKING BEG! ” he thrust his fingers even deeper. “Come on, scream my name.”

“M. Min, I- we- you....”

“Not that...my first name...fucking say it I wanna hear it. I wanna hear if its as cute in my mind when I read how I made you squirt all over my fucking desk.” he kept moving his mouth and fingers against you.

“Y-yoongi.” you obeyed. This only encouraged him.

 “I’m gonna corrupt your mind. I love to play with you like you’re a fucking violin.” he giggled.

(3 days later... )

You were sitting at your desk when a stack of papers was thrown on your desk.

“There are 8 typos, fix them.” was all he said before he walked off. 

“Not again.” your work friend, seethed “what is it this time.“ She didn’t look up from her computer as you flipped through the pages.

My office, now secretary ;). Followed by a whole bunch of gibberish that lasted several pages.

“I’ll go talk to him” you rolled your eyes, taking the pile with you. You walked into his office. “Okay sir-” you began, walking through the door. You closed it behind you. “What seems to be the-”

Before you could talk any more, you felt his hand trail under your skirt. You felt his breathy laugh on the back of your neck. 

“I was hoping...we could go over your reports last week. I don’t think we got enough done, do you?”

(I was on a deadline....BUT I DID IT, my head is POUNDING)

[dracowars]

ten years apart | anakin skywalker

pairing: anakin x reader

word count: 6,0k

summary: where anakin comes back after ten years

a/n: i'm so sorry for the length but i just couldn't stop writing :( please get a drink and snack before reading this hella long os <3

warnings: angst, mentions of blood

universe: star wars

Exhaling heavily, you throw the garbage bag into the shaft and push it down with all your strength. Beads of sweat have already formed on your forehead which you wipe away with the back of your hand. It is, again, incredibly hot on Tatooine today and the unbearable heat has been beating your mind and body all day. But what temperatures can you expect from a desert planet, right?

The desert planet of hell, as you like to call it. Disgusting creatures, pirates, bounty hunters and actually all kinds of insidious henchmen cavort here in Mos Espa. The city you grew up in. The city you have always been stuck in and probably will be stuck in for the rest of your life. You come from a small and poor family, no money to escape this hell, always having to work hard to survive.

And yet you had a better life than other children here. Because you were lucky enough to not get sold as a slave. Your parents could always raise enough money - often in ways you do not support - to save you. Even though you are more than grateful, you cannot help but to sometimes wonder what would have happened if. If you became a slave, maybe just maybe, you might have met the same lucky fate as him.

It has been ten long lonely years since the two Jedi Masters Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were stranded on Tatooine and seeked help. You were still very young, therefore you can barely remember their faces. But you definetely do remember the face of him, Anakin Skywalker. The little boy from Tatooine.

How could you ever forget him? He was the nicest, bravest and most courteous boy you have ever met in your life. You always knew that something about him was different. The way he acted, the way he thought. There was just something about him that fascinated you and before you knew it you had developed a small crush on him. You got along well and you loved to watch him when he was working on his droid yet again. He always told you about his dreams, how he wanted to help, how much he wanted to get away from this dump called Tatooine. With his mother.

And with you.

Anakin and his mother Shmi Skywalker were slaves and belonged to Watto, one of the many junk dealers and human traffickers of Mos Espa. Even though they must have had a terrible life, Anakin always stayed positive. The smile on his dirt-stained face when he was building on his droid was priceless and you can see it in front of you as if it was yesterday. In fact, it has been ten years.

Ten years since the Jedi Masters took Anakin with them to train him as a Padawan in the ways of the Jedi. You were happy for him, you really were. He was finally able to leave this terrible planet and live a better life elsewhere. But to a certain price, since he had to go without his mother and also without you, his best friend.

"Y/N! These tables do not clean themselves!", a voice calls for you from inside and you just roll your eyes before leaving the heat outside, entering the building again. Inside, the musty smell of smoke greets you, low music plays in the background and you go straight towards the round bar in the middle of the room. This is the most popular hotspot of Mos Espa: the infamous Twin Sun, a bar in the center of the city. The place where the creepiest species float around, where the dirty business is done.

You absolutely hate your job in the bar. Every day you have to tidy up and serve under worst conditions. Especially in the later hours of the evening, when it is completely overcrowded, you are running back and forth every second, receiving disgusting comments from the guests. However, hardly anyone is here in the early morning and you have to only take care of the leftovers from the previous day. Unfortunately though, you have to endure this kind of job.

Your parents, who always saved you from the worst, are too old and weak now to raise money themselves and you felt obliged to take on this role. That is also the reason why you have several jobs at the same time. In addition to working in the Twin Sun, you also work at some booths at the weekly market and when you are lucky, you can sometimes even help out on the farms outside of the city. It is the only way to ensure your family's survival.

While you are about to wipe the empty tables, the roaring unpleasant noises of podracers echo through the building, sweeping through the bar like an earthquake, and the following loud cheers of the audience can hardly be overheard. The race is also a reason why it is exceptionally empty here today. Almost every living creature in Mos Espa is in the Grand Arena, cheering on their favorite, probably making some bets beforehand.

Personally, you hate these races more than anything.

Besides being totally unfair and dangerous, it is really just about the money - the money you do not own. The same participant always wins and despite your hatred of these races, you watched one of them for the first and last time when Anakin himself participated, won and was thus able to free himself from slavery. Only his mother remained on Tatooine but he promised he would come back and rescue her once he is a fully trained Jedi.

It has now been ten years and he has still not shown up.

Well, maybe he did show up after all, just did not look for you as he initinally promised. Maybe he only picked up his mother, not you.

A few years ago you had to watch how his mother got sold at the weekly market, but the buyer actually seemed very nice and later you found out that he even gave her freedom and took her as his wife. The man called Cliegg Lars used to come to the bar regularly until a few weeks ago. Does Anakin know, or can he maybe even feel, what happened?

"What do you think you are doing?! Finally work for your money or I will kick you out!", the bartender, who is also your boss, suddenly yells at you and pulls you out of your thoughts. "Sorry", you huff out and continue to clean up the tables at a quicker pace. It is a day like any other day. At least that is what you thought.

After you have cleaned all the tables you stand behind the bar and tidy up the glasses. Meanwhile it is already in the afternoon and the bar is much more crowded than it was this morning, which means more work for you. However, for some inexplicable reason, you are very distracted today, your mind always wandering off, and when you do not pay attention for a tiny second, a glass slips out of your hand and shatters into a million pieces.

"Watch out!", your boss grumbels at you immediately, only waiting for such an opportunity. Quietly cursing under your breath, you pick up some of the broken pieces. With a hiss you reflexively pull back your hand after accidentally cutting yourself on a sharp piece. Quickly, you put the small bleeding area against your lips to stop the blood from flowing.

"A table just got free back there! Clean it", your boss orders, not waiting for you to get up again as he almost throws the wet cloth into your face. Trying to control the rising anger inside of you as best as possible, you stand up, dispose of the broken pieces and make your way to said table. When you reach it, you have an uncomfortable feeling all of a sudden, a feeling of someone watching you. You turn around but do not see anyone looking into your direction. Shaking off the weird feeling, you take care of your task and then go back behind the counter to do your work while you hear your boss talking loudly to one of the guests on the other side.

"Watto, Watto.. Never heard of him before", he says thoughtfully over the music. You frown irritated and bend over to be able to see your boss. He is talking to a young, handsome man who seems quite determined about finding Watto. "Buy something or get out of here, kid!", your boss suddenly threathens, but the young man seems pretty unimpressed. Nevertheless, he turns around and leaves but not without your eyes meeting first. His blue eyes shimmer in the weak light and while turning away, he pulls the brown hood of his cloak over his head.

Even though your boss did not call you for help, something deep inside of you tells you to help this unknown, mysterious man. After all, you actually know Watto. You worked for him in your younger years until he went bankrupt eventually. Therefore, it is very uncommon and suspicious for someone to ask for him.

You put everything aside right away and go to your boss, who seems to be in an extremely bad mood today. "I take my break now", you quickly let him know and without giving him a chance to answer, you already head towards the entrance. When you arrive outside, you take a look around and spot the young man just a few meters away from you. Running after him, you gently tug on his sleeve to draw his attention to you.

"Excuse me", you stop him in his tracks and he turns to you with confusion written all over his face. "I heard you ask my boss about Watto in the bar. I know where to find him."

His face seems even more surprised now and he raises his eyebrows. "Really?", he asks, a hint of hope in his voice. You nod in agreement. "Can you lead me to him?", he resolutely asks and you nod again.

"You do not look like you are from here. What do you want from Watto?", you ask him curiously and go ahead to lead the way while he follows right behind you. "That is not important and also none of your business, I think", he replies emotionless, only looking ahead and not at you. You are a little taken aback by his harsh words but decide that it is best to not ask any more questions. He seems quite serious about it and somehow you still cannot get rid of this strange feeling inside of you.

You lead the way to the market, where some stalls are set up, and finally find Watto at his regular place in the shade of a house. He sits on a small chair and is currently busy examining a screw in his hand as you both approach him. Watto raises his gaze when he realizes that someone is walking towards him and as soon as he recognizes you, he flutters into the air excitedly.

"Oh! I have not seen you in a long time", he laughs and looks at the unknown man next to you. "There is someone who was looking for you, Watto", you explain in Huttese and point to the young man next to you, who bows his head slightly as if he could also understand what you are saying. Which is ridiculous, of course, because only Tatooine people can speak and understand Huttese.

Immediately Watto flies back, unsure whether he has done anything wrong. "Excuse me?", he trys hiding his nervousness, suspiciously looking at you.

Instead of telling Watto what he wants, he picks up a piece of equipment and fiddles with it. "Let me help you with that", he murmurs under his breath while actually speaking in Huttese, fixing the broken piece. "What? I do not know you! What can I do for you?", Watto grumbels but his eyes widen at once as he discovers something. "You look like a Jedi. Whatever it is.. I did not do it!"

A Jedi?

The next words abruptly catch you off guard and your heart completely stops beating.

"I am looking for Shmi Skywalker."

You look at him in shock as he pulls the hood down, Watto looking at him exactly the way you do as he finally lets out the words you were too scared to say.

"Ani? Little Ani?", Watto breathes out in astonishment, now using Basic instead of Huttese. When Watto then realizes that he fixed the broken piece, he happily jumps into the air. "You are Ani! You sure sprouted! A Jedi! Hey, maybe you couldda help wit some deadbeats who owe me a lot of money.."

"My mother."

"Oh, yes. Shmi.. she is not mine no more. I sold her", Watto confesses, obviously feeling uncomfortable about the situation while you are still not able to get out a word as they get stuck in your throat.

You were sure that you would never see Anakin again in your life, that he would have long forgotten about you. And now that he is actually back, that he is actually standing right next to you, you cannot believe it. He changed so much that you did not even recognize him.

And it seems he does not recognize you either.

"Sold her?"

"Years ago. Sorry, Ani, but you know, business is business."

"Who did you sell her to?"

"I-I do not remember, actually. I think it was a farmer, yeah, a moisture farmer probably", Watto stutters and his words pull you out of your trance all of a sudden, hitting a trigger in your head.

"His name, Watto."

"I-I think I do not know-"

"Cliegg", you mention softly, turning your gaze to Anakin whose brows are furrowed in confusion. "His name is Cliegg Lars."

"How could you-", Anakin starts, slowly becoming more tense, but as he looks at you more closely, at your face and in your beautiful glistening eyes, his expression suddenly softens. "Y/N?"

"Anakin", you say barely audible, trying to prevent your eyes from watering at hearing your name out of his mouth for the first time in years.

He does remember you. He did not forget about your existence.

You both cannot help but stare at each other for what feels like hours before he gently pulls you into his now very strong arms, hugging you tightly.

After all these years you were separated one would probably think that the hug would be uncomfortable and awkward. But it is far from that. Anakin's embrace is warm and soft, like it used to be when he was still here. He just got stronger and much taller since then.

He grew up.

On a whole different planet, far far away from you.

He has become a Jedi and fights for justice in the galaxy while you are still stuck on the same old planet, struggeling to keep your family alive.

"I can't believe it is actually you, Y/N!", Anakin gives you a warm smile after breaking the hug, his hands still resting on your forearms to keep you close while scanning you from the top to the bottom. "You have grown so much."

"I could say the same to you", you giggle, hiding your bright smile behind your hand while you blush. His blue eyes have become even brighter than you remember them and his face and stature in general look extremely healthy. If someone had told you years ago that Anakin would develop into such a handsome man, you almost would not have believed them. Yet, in your eyes he is still the same Anakin.

"And you are a Jedi", you mumble, pointing to the lightsaber attached to his belt under his brown cloak. Anakin continues to stare at you for a moment before finding his way back to reality.

"O-Oh yes. My lightsaber", he stumbles over his words and looks down at his weapon, but makes sure to completely hide it behind the fabric after that while clearing his throat. Slowly but surely it suddenly gets a bit awkward between you, none of you knowing what to say or where to start.

You have so much to tell him and still want to ask him so many question, but you do not know how.

"So, you know where my mother is?", Anakin finally speaks up again and breaks the silence, but with a question you did not quite hope for.

"It is very far outside of Mos Espa, yes. I can bring you there", you answer with a little sadness in your voice. Of course, he wants to find his mother after all these years.

"Hey! When you come back, make sure to visit me. Ani, I could really need some help, you know", Watto calls after you both as you show Anakin the way.

"He has not changed a bit", Anakin chuckles slightly next to you and follows you over the street, where you pass numerous creatures and vehicles.

"We need a vehicle to get there", you absently speak to yourself while searching for a suitable one. "Or a Dewback works too."

"A landspeeder sounds good", Anakin immediately answers after you end your sentence, almost interrupting you. With raised eyebrows you look at him sceptically.

"What happened to your sense of adventure?"

"I got older, I guess", he sighs and you hear out some sadness in his voice for the split of a second, but you tell yourself that it must have been your imagination.

"We all did", you mumble and finally agree to take a landspeeder instead of a dewback, even though it is much more expensive. However, Anakin insists on paying and after doing so you sit in the passenger seat, patiently waiting for him to join you and start driving.

At high speed you whiz over the dry sand and out of the city towards the seemingly endless outback. From time to time you glance over at Anakin, who does not look at you once, not even when you tell him the directions. When you catch yourself staring at him for longer than a second, you look away quickly but not without noticing the changes in his apperance.

His face has become much more striking and his hair got darker. The dark brown cloak that is covering his body compliments his eyes and makes them shine even more.

On your way you drive past a group of Jawas with their Sandcrawler, who are currently busy taking apart an abandoned spaceship that has apparently been stranded out here.

After a few more minutes you finally reach the Lars homestead and get out of the speeder, Anakin giving you a helping hand that you shyly accept. He keeps his gaze on the dome in front of you though and you can feel the nervousness that suddenly emanates from him.

As soon as you both walk towards it, a girl, younger than Anakin and you, comes up the stairs after she has apparently heard your arrival. Which is honestly not very difficult out here regarding the fact nobody comes here that often.

"Can I help you?", she asks, concern in her voice, and the longer you look at her, the more familiar she gets until it clicks in your head. She is Cliegg's daughter-in-law. You have often worked together on the farm. It seems like she already recognized you as the concern in her face slowly fades.

"Beru, right? I often helped you out on your farm", you take a step towards her and she nods in agreement before glancing at Anakin, who is standing directly behind you.

"We are looking for Shmi", you explain and Beru's brows furrow, obviously confused as to why you search for her.

"She is currently at the market in Mos Eisley with my boyfriend. But they should be back any moment", she mentions and then points down the stairs behind her. "If you want, you can wait for her inside."

Accepting her offer, you follow her inside the dome and you are completely amazed when you arrive at the open pit, a crater housing a courtyard from which all rooms can be accessed. You saw the huge hole in the ground before but never paid attention to it.

You follow Beru into what seems to be a kitchen and she asks you to sit down, but before you are able to, Anakin suddenly turns around due to a noise and a man in a power chair appears behind you.

"Who are you? What do you want?", he asks grumpily and Anakin's grip around his lightsaber on his belt, probably a reflex, reduces as you step in between. "Oh, Y/N! It is you!"

"Good afternoon, Cliegg. I am sorry for our unannounced visit, but we are looking for your.. wife", you say, almost whispering your last words, your heart stopping for a moment when you realize Anakin does not even know his mother married this farmer.

"What?", Anakin asks, shocked, his eyes widened and his lips split while he takes a step forward.

"I am Cliegg Lars. Shmi is my wife. Then you must be my stepson", Cliegg introduces himself and offers Anakin a handshake, which gets refused as Anakin just stares at him in disbelief.

"How is that possible?", Anakin breathes, directing his gaze to the ground, and you discover how he fiddles with the sleeves of his cloak in despair.

"I bought her from Watto at that time and gave her freedom before I made her my wife", Cliegg explains calmly, also noticing Anakin's displeasure about the situation. "My son and Shmi are just-"

He does not get to finish his sentence when loud screams and shouts interrupt him out of nowhere, silencing all of you. A brief moment later you are already on your way back up, Anakin ahead.

Once at the top you spot another landspeeder that has stopped in the distance, fuming. Due to the bright sunlight it is difficult at first to see that two people approach you, followed by several aggressive, snarling Massiffs. Disgusting beasts from hell that usually only live in the mountains unless they have been tamed by Tusken Raiders for their own purposes.

Quickly, you come to the conclusion that they must have been attacked by Tusken Raiders, who are now chasing their pets after them. It takes another second until you all realize that these two people running towards you are none other than Anakin's mother and stepbrother.

"Owen!", Beru desperately exclaims next to you, hands covering her mouth in shock.

Without hesitation, Anakin and you sprint straight towards them at the same time, hoping to somehow help and save them. But when suddenly a blue light brightly erupts next to you, you almost forget to keep running.

Anakin now runs towards them with his ignited lightsaber, much faster than you, and reaches them in seconds. Positioning himself protectively in front of them, waiting until they have run past him, he kills one of the Massiffs with the single stroke of his deadly weapon.

"Y/N, get them to safety!", Anakin shouts while he is fighting with the Massiffs, and you obey his words, quickly escorting them back to their house.

Glancing back after you have brought them inside safely, Anakin has just fended off an attack and pushes the monster a few meters back through the air, his hand outstretched. Finally, yowling and panting, the few survivors retreat and if you would not have called out Anakin's name, you are sure he would have followed them.

Deactivating his lightsaber, he quickly comes back to you, his face flooded with anger and pain. However, instead of paying attention to you, he walks straight past you.

"Are you injured?", you catch his upper arm worriedly and bring him to a stop. Shaking his head, he immediately removes his arm from your grip and continues his way down the stairs. With a sigh, you follow him.

"Where is she?", Anakin asks emotionlessly when reaching the bottom of the stairs, stopping abruptly and causing you to accidentally run into him.

"Ani?", a quiet voice finally sounds and Shmi steps out.

"Mom", Anakin swallows hard and embraces her tightly in his arms as she comes running towards him. After ten long years, mother and son are finally reunited.

"Oh, you look so handsome", Shmi sobs and takes a closer look at Anakin, taking his face between her hands, whereupon Anakin places a kiss on her palm. "My son. Oh, my grown up son. I am so proud of you, Ani."

"I missed you", he sniffs in response and a few tears find their way down his, her and also your cheeks.

"You came back, I can't believe it", she happily smiles at him, pride showing in her eyes.

"Just like I promised", he gives her the same smile and they hug each other again.

"And you saved us. You truly became a Jedi", Shmi sobs and Anakin gives her a kiss on the forehead before her gaze falls on you for the first time. "Y/N! Thank you so much for bringing him here."

"Of course", you wipe away your happy tears and smile back at her.

"Let us eat something, children", Cliegg then suggests while already being on his way to the kitchen, followed by his son and daugther-in-law.

"You might want to freshen up. I will show you where you can", Shmi offers and leads you both through a hole in the wall into a medium-sized room before she reluctantly separates from Anakin.

"Show me your leg", you order as soon as Shmi is out of reach and he turns around to you in confusion. "Your leg, Anakin. I saw you limp."

"It is not that bad", he shrugs it off and puts his Jedi robe aside, revealing his broad shoulders.

"Please", you repeat again and stare at him worriedly until he is no longer able to hold your gaze and pulls up his pants to reveal his leg. You have to swallow hard when a gaping wound appears on his shin and it takes you a lot of self control to not scream at him right there.

"That has to be treated, Ani!", you rebuke him indignantly, but now he is the one who keeps staring at you until you notice what you have just said. "A-Anakin, I mean."

"N-No, no! It is okay. I like when you call me that, it just... it has been some time since you last did", he clears his throat and your cheeks turn into a slight shade of red.

"Y-Yes, a long time ago. But we have gotten older, like you said", you stutter out, trying to make the situation less awkward. "I will ask if they have Bacta patches here, fix you up and make my way home."

"What are you even talking about?", Anakin raises his voice all of a sudden, rather unintentionally as you notice in his subsequent expression, while he grabs your wrist tightly to keep you from walking away.

"You have just seen your mother for the first time in ten years. I am sure you have a lot to tell her and I do not want to stand in the way", you explain and place your hand on top of his to loosen his grip, but to no avail.

"But.. I want to tell you too, Y/N. You are forgetting that I saw you again for the first time in ten years as well. I do not want you to go now", Anakin admits and takes a step closer to you, his eyes pleading to not leave him. "Apart from that, I will certainly not let you go now when these monsters are out there."

Leaving you no choice and not even a chance to answer, he suddenly pulls you into a tight hug, much like he did with his mother.

"I missed you so damn much", he softly whispers and you can't help but smile while you wrap your arms around him.

"I missed you too, Ani", you mumble against his shoulder and claw your hands into the fabric of his clothes.

Although you already hugged each other when you first met today, this one feels much more intense than before. It makes you feel safe and warm and comfortable, a feeling that you have not felt on this planet for a long time. For ten years, to be exact.

The next morning, you tiredly step outside into the burning hot twin suns and follow the voices coming from the kitchen. You stayed awake late yesterday and Anakin told you everything. From start to finish, he explained everything about his training to you, everything that happened after he left ten years ago. You have eagerly listened to his stories about the numerous adventures and here and there caught yourself staring at him sadly but lovingly.

Even though he pretended to be strong while telling these heartbreaking stories, you could see that he is not. After all these long years you can still read it on his face in an instant. He was not strong after Qui-Gon Jinn was killed shortly after their departure and also not when he became Padawan of a Jedi who was almost still a Padawan himself. He was not strong when he has been seperated from his family and he still is not as strong as he pretends to be. No matter from which point of view you look at it, Anakin is still the little boy from Tatooine.

"Good morning", you yawn when you meet the Lars family in the kitchen.

"Sit down, Y/N. I made breakfast", Shmi happily greets you and puts a plate down for you on the table.

You have not seen Shmi this happy in a long time. You never met her often after Cliegg freed her from slavery, but when you did, she always looked very absent and, above all, sad. She seems like a whole different person now.

"If you are looking for Anakin, he is outside", Shmi mentions when she notices your mental absence. Shyly, you nod and give her a warm smile. After you have eaten up your breakfast, you make your way upstairs. Arriving outside, you briefly get blinded by the bright suns when the dome no longer offers you protection.

However, as soon as your eyes get used to the sunlight, your breath gets caught in your lungs when a huge spaceship appears in your field of vision. The ship landed just a few meters away from the farm, the boarding hatch open. You spot Anakin in front of it, deeply submerged in a conversation with another man.

Said man notices you right away and draws Anakin's attention to you with a subtle head movement. When Anakin then sees you and the worried expression on your face, he waves you over. Nervously, you set yourself in motion and approach them.

"What is going on here, Anakin?", you ask shyly after discovering a lightsaber on the other man's belt, quickly gesturing a bow with your head.

"This is my master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Maybe you still remember him", Anakin introduces him to you and, in fact, you actually do remember his face.

"If this isn't the little girl from back then who watched us leave with such a heartbreaking expression", Obi-Wan loudly thinks and scratches his beard before patting Anakin's shoulder. "I will go ahead and meet Padmé on board."

At his words, an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness rushs through your body until it turns into a feeling of sheer fear. Not only because you remember the name and its associated, incredibly beautiful Queen of Naboo, - which Anakin also told you about in his stories - but also because you suddenly feel like your worst nightmare turns into reality.

"W-What does he mean by that?", you stutter out, not really wanting to hear an answer to your question, but Anakin gently puts his hands on either side of your cheeks to calm you down.

"The Jedi Order has called Obi-Wan and me back to Coruscant, along with the senator", Anakin sighs and sadly looks to the ground, his thumb lightly stroking your skin. "My mother is happy here and that is most important for me. I now know that she is fine and safe."

Transforming his words into sharp weapons, they painfully shoot through your heart and you take a step back immediately, breaking the body contact with him.

"But I am not, Anakin!", you yell at him desperately, much louder than originally intended, and he just looks at you in shock from your sudden outburst. "I am not fine since you left ten years ago! I can't do this anymore."

"Y/N-"

"No, do not touch me! Please", you sob and wrap your arms around your own body in order to protect you from further damage. "Would you- Would you have even searched for me at all if I had not found you first?!"

Breathing hard while accusing him, he remains quiet and does not answer. His eyes wander around, desperately seeking an appropriate answer that will not hurt you, but he terribly fails.

"That's what I thought", your voice breaks and a single tear runs down your cheek before you turn around and walk away. However, you do not get very far when you feel a firm grip on your arm and are turned around again to face him shortly afterwards, your bodies only inches away from each other.

"Come with me."

"W-What?"

"Come back to Coruscant with me, Y/N", he begs you, his voice full of sorrow.

"A-Ani-"

"I had a dream about my mother and about you. You were badly injured and I was too late to save you", Anakin confesses, desperation prominent in his coarse voice, opening up to you all of a sudden, letting his guard down and showing you his vulnerable side for once. "That is why I came back. That is why I am back on Tatooine."

"A-Anakin. I can't.. I have responsibilities here", you choke out and look away, not able to hold his pleading gaze while your hands and knees shake in fear. "I have to go back to my parents.. I can't just leave them like this."

Silence spreads between you until Anakin lifts your face up with his fingers on your chin, deeply looking into your eyes. Suddenly your fear is reflected in his glassy eyes. A fear you last saw all those years ago when he left. When he had to leave his mother and you behind. It is precisely this fear that is now reappearing in his eyes and all of a sudden the little boy from Tatooine is back, not wanting to leave his home.

"I understand", his shaky voice whispers as he is close to tears as well.

How much you would like to just go with him. To just leave everything behind and finally get off this dirty planet. But you know it would not be fair to your parents and that you can't just leave them behind. As much as you would love to go with Anakin, you would never forgive yourself if you did.

"I am really sorry, Ani", you carefully say and place your hands on his upper arms to steady yourself before he pulls you closer and places his chin on top of your head.

"I will come back", he breathes into your hair and his voice sounds so fragile in your ears that you can no longer hold back the pricking tears, letting them stream down your cheeks freely. "I promise."

"I will wait for you", you fake a smile through your tears before he gives you a gentle kiss on the forehead, leaving a warm spot there.

The following repeated exclamation of his name coming from his master makes your heart ache even more and Anakin takes a step away from you, breaking off any contact.

"See you soon", he forces a smile and slowly retreats backwards to the spaceship, not averting his gaze from you and repeatedly raising his hand to wave goodbye.

Your eyes filled with tears and your vision blurred, you watch him leave and say goodbye with a heavy heart.

After ten long years you were finally able to see him again. You were ten years apart and now you pray that it will not be another ten years until you meet again.

[darkfearsandkittyears]

Y'all, it's Whumptober! I'm super excited!

Okay, uh...funny story [and super embarrassing for me] I am a highly unorganized person, I have a calendar in my room, but it's so much easier to check the date on the huge calendar in the kitchen! So, I calculated the days till October in August, and promptly forgot to write prompts and outlines, [even though I pants most of my works].

Fast forward to today, when I see my mom writing down the October events. I was like, oh, she's just reminding herself for next month.

Then I realized.

I literally forgot that September comes right before October.

I literally thought that I had another month to plan ideas.

One of you come whack me on the head, I really need it.

Anywho, let's get on with the show!!

"Come on, Damian! Reach for it." Jason dangled Damian's bottle, inches from the baby's hands. Damian whined and stretched his arms out as far as they would go, attempting to snatch his bottle.  Jason smiled at the child. "Scoot forward. Like this." He demonstrated, pulling his body along with his arms.  Damian stared at him as if he'd grown a second head, then cooed a little.  "Yeah, it looks whack. But come on." Jason shrugged and put the bottle down, wagging Damian's little toy dog instead. On what planet did this qualify as a dog? It looked more like a deformed elephant.  The woman at the store had insisted it was a dog….he had to get Damian some more toys. All the parenting books said that babies needed good toys for development. "Come on buddy, get your..animal." Jason called. Damian laid his head on the quilt and sucked his thumb. Jason snapped a quick picture as the little boy nodded off, tuckered out by 'tummy time'. "Come on Dames, don't fall asleep just yet." Jason said, grunting as he got to his feet. The wound he'd sustained wasn't helping any, and the painkillers weren't working right, thanks to the pit.  Oh well.  "Come on kid, you can't fall asleep on your stomach." Jason rolled the sleepy baby over on his back. Big blue eyes batted up at him, laced with sleep.  Looked like Bruce, a little.  House of Wayne.  Once upon a time, Jason had wanted to use the kid as leverage...but this was a baby, and his brother. He'd realized that, but realized it a little late. Damian deserved to grow up, shielded from batdad's nonsense and in a world without Joker.  Godamn it, Talia was right.  Having a 'family' around him had cleared his head. And screwed up his plans. Majorly. But he wouldn't trade it for anything.  Besides, he'd nearly had Joker's brains splattered against the wall yesterday, right in front of Bruce's face.  He'd make them watch, make them all watch when he pulled the trigger on Joker. For himself. For Barbara.  For Damian. Maybe then, when Joker was dead, he'd present Damian to Bruce. Let Bruce wage war against the House of al Ghul while he and Damian ran for the hills. Then they'd double back and destroy both families. He couldn't kill Bruce, not until Damian was older. Jason was no Willis Todd, he was far from willing to force his brother into a life with no father. Picking sides would be Damian's choice, when he got older. But for now, it was Damian, Jason and Talia against the Joker and Batdad.  Not a hard fight.  Especially when Jason had the upper hand.  "We're gonna be just fine." Jason smiled down at the sleeping baby. "We're already winning." Damian's eyelashes fluttered, and he let out a tiny snore. Jason picked him up and transferred him to his playpen, then wandered out of the living room and into the bedroom that he'd converted into a gym.  A rumble of thunder burst through the room, and Jason paused, hoping it wouldn't wake Damian up. That was pretty loud, for thunder. The ground seemed to shake with the sound.  The pull up bar he'd installed yesterday clattered to the ground, and he flinched lightly as an image of a crowbar flashed before his eyes. It felt as if something had hit him in the back, but he chalked it up to imagination. He was probably imagining the fog around him too.  Some things Joker gave him, he could never get rid of.  But Damian began to cry, loud, hysterical wails that sent fear up Jason's spine. Another rumble broke through the air as Jason sprinted out of the room. A sickening crack ricocheted through the house, and Jason unwillingly moved to the left as something brushed his right shoulder.  A support beam.  "Damian!" Jason had never moved so fast, weaving past and through the falling drywall and wood. He was only feet away from the playpen when Damian's wails choked to a stop, as if someone had turned them off. Through the fog and falling objects, he reached into the playpen and curled around the child, shielding him with his body as he tried to find an exit.  Damian's body was limp in Jason's arms, not a cry or a coo. Jason risked a

glance at the child's closed eyes and pale, dust covered face. He shoved the blanket up to cover Damian's nose and rushed blindly into the direction of the doors. Behind him, a beam fell and what was left of the house shuddered.  An eerie feeling washed over Jason, settling right in the pit of his stomach. Everything went quiet, but Jason tensed, alert.  A hot burst of air slammed into his back, and he knew he'd been right to keep alert. Jason grunted as he was thrown into what was left of a wall, which crumbled, pinning his legs down. His mind fogged like a static TV, and he could feel warm air.  Fire.  Then realization hit.  Damian was no longer in his arms.  "Damian. Damian!" His throat was raw, coated in drywall dust and dirt. But he yelled on, hoping, needing to hear anything from the rubble.  But there wasn't a sound.  Jason pulled his leg from under the rubble and plowed through it to the best of his abilities, climbing over and under and around piles of garbage that had once been a house. There was an odd feeling in his leg, the only other thought that wasn't an urgent repeat of, "Find Damian!". But he quickly suppressed the feeling, because through the fog and dust and smoke, a tiny hand protruded from under a beam. Jason attempted to lift it, but couldn't. Damian was trapped under an air pocket, but any wrong movement would send it all crashing atop him.  A lever.  Jason searched desperately for a board or pole to use as a lever, but saw nothing. But then his eyes scanned over his own leg, and he had to look back at it.  His foot was quite literally facing the wrong way. The odd feeling vanished and became a sharp pain that nearly took his breath away.  Focus, Jason. The League had trained him as a sniper, and he was good at it. He excelled, even.  But all snipers knew how to do one thing. Hyperfixate. And that skill, with the help of adrenaline, might just save both his and Damian's lives.  Jason looked around the room once again, eyeing the position of the beam that Damian was under. If he could manage to get across the rubble, he could crawl into the air pocket and rescue Damian. Jason pulled his body up and over rubble, ignoring the extreme pain that was now burning through his body. At some point, that white agony would get the best of him, but for now, adrenaline was masking most of it.  "Damian!" Jason called again, nearly falling over a piece of wall. His broken leg slammed into a sheet of metal, which dislodged. The beam began sliding, and Jason screamed, unwillingly. He felt his legs propelling him towards where his brother lay, and he pulled Damian into his arms and cringed as the beam fell down around them.  "Damian...Dames." Jason panted as the dust settled, smoothing the dirt off his brother's pale face. The baby was too pale. He had to get him out of here. The falling rubble was controlling the fire, but smoke inhalation would kill them. And Damian had been unconscious for far too long, but there wasn't a single scratch on the child to evidence any injuries. Jason growled in frustration. "Damn it!" His entire body hurt, his leg most of all. Adrenaline was wearing off...the pain was mixing with the green light of the pit, and together they nearly blinded him.  Rage, and pain. Great combination.  He looked around for a way out. It was like a grave. Tight, and hard to breathe.  No Jason.  No.  His breath caught, and he knew he'd just screwed up. There wasn't enough air in his lungs, and he could breathe it in quickly enough. He clutched Damian to his chest and tried to get in a breath, to no avail.  Whimpers punctuated his breath, and the rational part of him could have laughed at himself.  But he couldn't. Whimpers turned to screams, and nothing made sense anymore. He screamed the only name he knew would come for him. "Bruce! Bruce, please!" He could hear his own screams dying out, feel himself losing a grip on consciousness. "Dad! Dad...Bruce…" His voice rasped into a whisper, and he gritted his teeth. "Batman! Dad! I need you! Please...please dad!"  Not a soul

stirred.  "That's right. He's not coming for you." Joker whispered sadistically.  Jason shook his head desperately, tears mixed with blood running down his face. "Shut up, you stupid clown! Please! Bruce. Bruce! Please!"  Like a miracle on Christmas eve, a ray of light shone into their prison, and a familiar shadow fell across Jason, along with another pound of dust. Damian wailed, and Jason shielded himself and the child against the dust, then spiraled into an exhausted darkness.  Four hours later, he pulled himself out of the pit of unconsciousness. "Dami?" Jason slurred, exhausted.  "He's fine, Jay. With Alfred."  That voice.  Jason made an attempt to bolt upright, only to find that he was secured to the bed.  "You have two broken legs, five ribs, son." Bruce muttered, undoing the restraints.  They must have given him some hefty painkillers, since he could feel nothing. "Call me son again-" Jason snarled, his voice cracked and dry. "How am I your son, if you had the nerve to let him live?! I gave you the choice last night, Bruce. Save me, or save him. You threw a batarang at my throat instead."  "Jason-" Bruce looked wounded, his jaw working with words he didn't know how to say.  "No! You don't get to "Jason" me. Not after what you did. You don't deserve to have your son."  "Jason."  Jason looked up at Bruce. "What?"  "I put a batarang in your throat?"  Disbelief surged through Jason. "You didn't know? All those years of aiming those damn things, and you didn't know?" Bruce's face was as stone cold as ever. "No." Jason had probably imagined the look of sorrow on his father's face. It wasn't like Jason meant anything to him anymore. "It only nicked me, lucky for you. Doesn't even matter, I'm alive. Surprising, isn't it? You wanted me dead and him alive. What, you got a crush on him?" He looked away, unwilling to meet Bruce's eyes.  "I hate him, Jason. I just can't kill him."  "You screwed me over Bruce. All this," Jason gestured to himself, "Is your fault."  "You have a son, Jason." Bruce said softly.  "He's not my son. He's my brother." Jason replied, tone dark. "He's your son."  There was a dead silence that almost resonated. Jason chanced a look at Bruce.  For once in his life, the man looked truly stunned.  Did he break him? "Bruce…?"  "Talia's child?" Bruce whispered.  "Yes." A sudden whim forced him to add, "And you can't have him. You're not going to get him killed too." "I wasn't going to make him a Robin."  "Cut the bullcrap, Bruce!" Jason screamed, startling both himself and Bruce. "Yeah, maybe I almost got us both killed, but I've never put a gun or a batarang in his hand and told him to throw it!"  Bruce hesitated before speaking. "It wasn't your fault. The city was destroying a building, and the explosion shook the foundation of other buildings. I couldn't get to you two as quickly as I should have. I'm sorry, Jaybird." Bruce sighed. Sorry. Sorry doesn't cut it, Bruce, Jason wanted to say. "Whatever, Bruce.", was all that came from his throat. "Not the first time you've forgotten me, anyways."  "If I had known-"  Rage surged through Jason. "Save it! Why the hell is he still alive? That's my only question. Why. Isn't. He. Dead? Don't kill him. Fine. But let me kill him. Look at Barbara! Isn't what he did to me enough?! When will it be enough, Bruce? When he murders Damian?" Hands gripped Jason's shoulders, and he stopped his tirade. "Son…" Bruce began, then stopped. Jason could feel his face crumple, not a word slipping past his dry lips. "I can't kill him, Jason. I can't let myself go off that edge. "You failed me, Bruce. When will it be enough?"  Bruce didn't answer. Jason swallowed against the knot in his throat and spoke roughly. "I just want him dead. All I ever wanted was to make you proud...then you left me with him. That, the abandonment, it doesn't even hurt anymore, but I wanted you to kill him. For me." Jason's face twisted into a scowl that thankfully repressed the tears. "Make him die." He spat. "I can't, Jason. I'm sorry Jason. It's meaningless, but I'm

so sorry." Bruce looked physically pained.  He's acting, Jason told himself. "If you're sorry, don't let him hurt anyone else."  "I can't promise that."  "I know you can't. But I can!" Jason yelled, finally. But instead of his rage getting the best of him, it all just evaporated. He felt nauseated, as if someone had punched him in the gut. But all he vomited up were words, words that he shouldn't say. "All I ever wanted was to make you proud...then you left me with him. I don't care about that...but didn't you care about me?"  Bruce's expression darkened to something that Jason had never seen before. "I put the Joker in a body cast for a year. That permanent limp he has is evidence of it. I couldn't bring myself to murder him, because in his dead eyes, all I saw was myself in him. And it was all too peaceful. He tortured you for months. I'll torture him for the rest of his life." Bruce said the words like a vow, determination lacing his tone. Jason stared straight ahead in shock. Silence settled over the room.  "You-when was Joker dead?" Jason finally asked, almost dreading the answer.  "Dick killed him when he found out what happened. I couldn't let him live with the remorse, so I revived him." "Dick….killed him." Jason repeatedly slowly, almost dumbly. He wanted to feel anger that Bruce had brought the damn clown to life, but he couldn't.  "He always had a temper." Bruce said lamely.  Oh great, both of them were shutting down their emotions and verbalization. "Didn't think he'd go that far." "I did. He loves you, Jason."  "Don't talk to me about Grayson. He managed to do what I've been trying to do." Jason managed a rough laugh. "Isn't it funny, Bruce?" Bruce only stared at him, a near pitiful expression on his face.  It wasn't until Bruce hugged him that Jason realized that there were hot tears streaking down his cheeks. Slowly, Jason hugged back, blinking back the stinging wetness of his eyes.  This, all this 'emotional seminar with the Batman' was a total mistake. So Jason let go of Bruce and pushed him a little to regain personal space.  Bruce unsurprisingly was fine with taking back his boundaries. "You're doing alright, Jaylad. You took in a son that wasn't yours and you're raising him."  "I took him in for all the wrong reasons." Jason bit his tongue. "And what are your reasons now?"  "Touchè."  Parents...and adoptive older brothers make mistakes with kids. They fail them and screw them up. But Jason's mistakes with Damian could be fixed.  Jason couldn't. Not until the clown died. "You can always make the present better than the future." Bruce said.  Dammit, old man. "Whatever." Valid points.  Very valid points. "Who else trained you in manipulation?"  Bruce just looked confused. Either this was more manipulation, or Bruce being bipolar by the days.  Whichever one, Jason would try his luck. It was a mistake, destined for disaster.  But he just couldn't help himself.

[oohfluffy]

TIHM Ch.20 | BBH

Group: EXO

Member: Byun Baekhyun

Theme: Angst | Fluff | Rated M | University!AU | Football!AU

Word Count: 4,950

chapter 20

You nibbled on your straw as you nervously watched him play on the field.

You've just arrived ten minutes ago right after your Wednesday class ended. Since you didn't have a work shift today, which Baekhyun knew as he already memorized your working schedule, you were dragged here to watch him practice. Although you preferred to study at home, you couldn't say no to that guy.

Not after indirectly accepting his confession yesterday.

Your cheeks automatically blushed at the thought of what transpired at the hallway yesterday. You looked down at the lemonade drink he bought for you earlier, a smile getting to your lips as you remembered his words.

"Here, baby. You just sit there prettily, and watch me. I'll get back to you whenever we take a break." Baekhyun grinned as he gently placed the plastic cup of a well-known café in your hand. Before you could even utter a word, he leaned on your face and pecked your forehead. "I'll take you home later, okay?"

And like a weak chick you are, you responded with a nod as if in a trance.

"Hmm, 'kay."

"I was wondering why Byun is in such a good mood and is basically smashing the game big time." You grunted as you saw your best friend walking towards your seat. "And the reason is right over here." She bowed at you as if greeting a higher-up, making you attempt to kick her shin.

"I forgot you're practicing here as well, Jiwon-ah."

"How heartless, Jin-ah. How could you forget?" Jiwon pouted as she sat beside you, slumping on the bench like a lifeless being. "So, I'm guessing you chose the latter."

You stared at her for a while, seeing how her eyes drifted towards the field. Her lips curled up into a smile as she looked back at you. Grabbing your other hand, she squeezed it in assurance. You don't know why, but your heart felt so relieved.

"I might always sound like I don't want you to be with Byun, but I'm your best friend." She mumbled as she looked down at your hand. "I want you to know that I've got your back, always. I just don't want you getting hurt because of love, may it be for friendship or something else. Not again."

Jiwon has always been there. Although we only became friends almost a year after the incident, she didn't get swayed by others' words or the rumors about me. She was the only one who believed me.

With these thoughts occupying your mind, you gave her the widest smile you could ever give to someone. Her eyes slightly widened at your expression, one that she has not witnessed in the past years of being with you.

"I'm happy to have you, Jiwon-ah. I'm very grateful." You said as you squeezed her hand too, cheeks trembling with your smile. You wanted to cry right now. "I'm sorry if I did nothing but to make you worry about me. I-I swear I won't be reckless—"

"Oh shut up, Lee Saejin. It's my duty as your best friend to worry about you, and yours to me as well! S-Stop making that pitiful expression." She tsked as she pinched your cheek, making you groan.

"Jiwon-ah! We'll start in a few!" You recognized one of her friends in the higher year called her from a distance. They were warming up for their practice near the grandstand.

"Oof, that's my cue then." Jiwon huffed as she stood up. "Byun will take you home, right?"

Your cheeks reddened at the mention of his name.

"Y-Yeah. You can come with us—"

"I might as well die trying to get in between your lovey-dovey time. No thanks." She chuckled while patting your head. "I'll get home by dinner, so cook for us, okay? I'll be looking forward to it!"

"Alright."

"Oh! And help me pack my things for the break later, please?"

You smiled as you watched her run back to her group, easily blending in to the outgoing atmosphere. You wondered why she chose to befriend a loner like you. That goes for Baekhyun as well though.

You almost forgot that the winter break is getting nearer, specifically two weeks from now. Right after the last football game of the year, the break will start. You remembered that Jiwon will be going to her boyfriend's hometown since he's finally back from the States after a year.

What should I do for the holidays then? Should I just work at the café for the entire holiday season? That will be tiring, but money is the best.

You chuckled at your thought as you shook your head. It is true, but maybe, you can rest for a week or two without doing anything at home. Just reading, eating, watching, and writing.

"I guess the rumors are true. Baekhyun oppa really brought her here!"

"How'd she manage to seduce him?! This is unacceptable."

"From Lisa to a garbage? I'm sure oppa has been cursed."

"Our poor Baekhyun oppa!"

Your mood got spoiled as your hearing sensed the bees trying to sting you at your back. With how loud their voices were, you knew that they intended to let you hear them just to irritate you. Unfortunately for them, you were immune to such harsh commentaries. No thank you for the past few years of hearing shit, huh?

Just in time as you glanced back at the field, you saw Baekhyun trudging back at you with a frown. Your furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. Did he do bad in practice? He was playing with so much vigor earlier while casually looking back at you. Why is he—

"You're not paying attention to me, Saejin-ah." He spoke as he stood right in front of you. You were actually seated at the front bench, where they left their water jugs and towels, thus, you get all the glares from the audience at the back. Baekhyun said he wants you near his sight, so he placed you at their bench.

This is why I can't seem to look around freely.

"I am! I was just talking to Jiwon for a while." You exclaimed as you looked up at his sweaty figure. You gulped at the sight. "I-Is it your break already?"

Who looks good while they're sweating and... breathless? This guy.

"No." Baekhyun said as he sat closely beside you. His jersey touching your shoulders gave you an unexpected sense of comfort. You moved a bit away from him before turning your head to him because for your heart's sake, you wouldn't be able to breathe being too close to him.

"What? Junmyeon sunbae will surely get mad at me!" You exclaimed, instantly glancing back at the field where the boys were. They are still practicing with the captain shouting as he pointed to their positions. "He's been glaring at me for sometime now."

"Eh, I'll be back after I recharge."

"Recharge?" You mumbled incredulously as he turned to you, leaning his upper body on the bench behind him. Your gaze drifted to his jug that was just beside you, and realized that he must be thirsty from the practice. "Oh."

Taking the towel that has a small BBH initials at the ends from the other side, you faced him again with a determined expression. He tilted his head in wonder as you placed the jug in his slender hand.

"Drink." You said while patting his wet cheeks with the towel in your hand. "You're so sweaty. No wonder why you stink so much." You stifled a laugh as his lips frowned more, giving you enough confidence to help him recharge.

With your serious eyes wandering from his forehead down to his neck, Baekhyun felt too comfortable that he was already feeling hot from your stare. His tongue clicked as you were too busy dabbing his towel on his face, unconscious of how you were affecting him right now. He can't even bring his jug up to his mouth without staring at yours.

"Why aren't you drinking? Do you want the lemonade instead?" You asked with an eyebrow raised. You stopped wiping his sweat off and let the towel rest on his shoulder. "Wait, I'll buy—"

"I don't need a drink."

His voice was deep and hoarse. You would have argued that he sounded like he really needs a drink right now, but his gaze was too... intense. He placed his jug back at his side, sliding a bit closer to you as if noticing the distance you've managed to build between the two of you.

"But you said you wanted to recharge?"

"It's a hassle to take off this jersey, so I can't hug you. It's dirty too, so no." Baekhyun huffed as he patted his chest. His uniform is indeed brownish already since he kept on rolling on the ground and running. "A pat on the head will do."

"Pat on the head?" You incredulously asked, a smile creeping up your face. You suddenly figured out what recharging meant to him. "I-Is that suppose to be your way of recharging?"

Baekhyun just slightly bowed his head near you, shaking it like a dog wanting to be pet. You consciously looked around with trembling lips. You wanted to chuckle so bad, but this guy is seriously asking for a pat on the head.

When you saw that most of the people around you were watching the practice or minding their own businesses, you reached your hand out to Baekhyun's head. He smiled as your palm rubbed his grayish hair gently.

"Is this enough?" You mumbled while combing your fingers through his hair. He hummed, and suddenly leaned his face closer to yours. You cleared your throat as your eyes glanced at the bleachers behind you, where a group of girls were watching. Fortunately, they weren't focused on you despite Baekhyun's presence.

I wonder why they tend to avoid my eyes when he's here.

"Can I ask for more?"

"Hmm?" You looked back at the man in front of you, and widened your eyes at the little distance between the two of you. "B-Baek."

He pouted his lips as if to elaborate his request, his eyes twinkling in anticipation. You could already hear Junmyeon's call from the field, making your heart thump in panic. You tapped Baekhyun's chest as you glanced at the boys he left practicing.

"Captain's calling you—"

"I won't go until you kiss me. Just once!"

"Byun Baekhyun, go. We're in a public place—"

"The hallways are public places too!" He argued with the most childish voice you have ever heard in your life. You stifled a snort as the blush spread across your cheeks, remembering the outrageous act you have done yesterday with him.

W-Well, that's right.

"T-That was—"

"LEE SAEJIN, IF YOU DON'T BRING THAT BASTARD BACK HERE, I'M SUING YOU!" Junmyeon's loud voice rang through the air, making you cringe at the threatening tone. The other boys just laughed loudly as they teased the said boy.

"Come on, Jin-ah. They're waiting." Baekhyun's lips curled into a smirk, eyes now full of mischief and seduction. "Just a peck, please. Pretty pweaseee?"

You sighed in defeat as you playfully slapped both of your hands on his cheeks, earning a grunt from him.

"Okay, just a peck and you run back there, alright?"

"Deal."

After squishing his cheeks for a bit, you leaned towards his face and closed your eyes. The second your lips touched his, Baekhyun moaned in delight as if his thirst was finally quenched. You chuckled as he tried to bite your lower lip in an attempt to deepen the kiss. He was frustrated that he couldn't touch you fully as much as he wanted because he was dirty, and the last thing he desired is getting the dirt to your white shirt.

Before pulling away, you intentionally glided your tongue on his, not knowing it would spark something inside of him. With a triumphant smile, you patted his chest once again to remind him of the deal. His expression cannot be read, but he was totally at the edge of frustration.

"Run, Byun." You pointed at the field as you heard the boys cheered and shouted for Baekhyun. "They're waiting."

Baekhyun incredulously stared back at you, lips plump and parted.

"I don't think I can practice now. I got a hard—"

"Just go! Junmyeon's going to sue me!" You pushed him off of his seat, forcefully making him stand. "If you don't go there now, I'm going to be mad. Big time."

He scratched the back of his head, glancing at his team before gazing back at you longingly. You smiled at his soft gaze. You reached for his hand and squeezed it.

"I'll be right here."

He nodded with a grin, looking at your small hand grasping his longer ones. Baekhyun took your words as his motivation to go. Finally, taking a step forward.

Not before stealing another kiss from your lips though.

"WOOH! BYUN FOR THE WIN!" Kai shouted as he pumped his fist to the air, earning laughs and cheers from the other boys. They were all waiting for his return, probably using the time as their break. Junmyeon was even laughing along with them.

Your whole face was on fire as you watched Baekhyun run back to the field energetically, as if he really recharged while being with you. You didn't even want to look at your best friend's reaction from the corner. Sitting back up straight, you gripped on Baekhyun's towel on your lap.

How will you get used to this, Lee Saejin?

—

"Where's your boyfriend? I don't see him around." Jisoo asked as she looked around the cafè. You stopped on your tracks, hearing the 'b' word.

"I-I don't have a boyfriend, unnie. He's..." You slowly put down the plates on the tray, waiting for Rocky to serve the order. "...my suitor?"

"You sure about that?" Jisoo chuckled as your eyebrows scrunched in wonder.

"W-Well, we haven't really talked about it. I mean, how do you start a conversation about it?" You bit your lower lip, tapping on the counter impatiently.

You were actually thinking about your official relationship status with Baekhyun these past few days, but you cannot get an answer without an agreement from him, right? He's probably in the suitor stage.

But is he still up for courtship? Will anyone keep a Byun Baekhyun in the waiting area?

"One iced americano, please."

You instinctively bowed at the customer, moving away from the counter to prepare whatever he was about to order. Jisoo hummed in delight as she tugged you towards the cashier area.

"What—"

When you looked up at the customer, you realized why Jisoo placed you here instead. She cleared her throat as she smiled at him. Somi, who was by the coffee machine, formed her lips to an 'o' as if getting what was happening. You inwardly facepalmed at the situation.

"Ehm, one iced americano..." Your fingers tingle as you tapped on the screen in front of you, feeling his gaze piercing through you. "Anything else?"

"Hmm, two slices of strawberry cheesecake and..." He hummed as he looked through the display glass. "... what else do you want, baby?"

You shivered at the endearment as you stopped sliding your finger against the screen. Looking back up, he was alone, and obviously that question was for you. He raised his eyebrows up as you met his eyes, waiting for your answer.

"B-Baekhyun, I'm working." You lowered your voice, hearing Jisoo's laugh nearby. "You'll be eating by yourself—"

"I'll save it for you later then." He jutted his lower lip out as he blinked his eyes rapidly.

Why does he have to be so cute and annoying?

"One iced americano, two slices of strawberry cheesecake..." You looked into his expectant eyes as you spoke. "... and two honey glazed bagels."

That did it. Baekhyun paid the bill with a grin, squeezing your hand in the process. He winked before sitting on the nearest available seat. You're not sure if you can focus on work like this. Him within your sight range? No.

"Jisoo unnie, please take the wheel. I'll just go back in helping Woobin oppa at the kitchen." You quickly went to the back, welcoming Woobin's commands with a smile.

"Oh, Saejin-ah." Mingyu, who finally got back in duty, called out. You waved at him as he was on the other side of the room, getting new paper cups from the boxes. "Hyunjin went to clean the men's bathrooms. Can you help here instead?"

"Okay!"

After two hours of being swept with several customers, your mind drifted to Baekhyun. The last time you got to glance back at him was an hour ago when he was still sipping on his americano while scrolling on his phone.

He wouldn't wait for another three hours, right?

"Saejin!" Hearing the familiar voice of Aunt Jinah, you instantly looked back. She was placing her wet umbrella on the stand beside the entrance. You took that opportunity to glance at the seat where Baekhyun should be in, but he wasn't there. "You're still here? I thought you're leaving by 6?"

"Aunt Jinah, let me get that coat for you." You smiled at her, helping her take off the coat. "Me? Why would I leave by 6? My shift ends at 8:30 though?"

"Y-You must have forgotten you asked me before." She nervously laughed as she patted your hand. "Go pack up. Your boyfriend's waiting outside."

Why do they keep on saying that?

"He's not—"

"Rocky, Somi, and Mingyu are on the clock now anyway. You can go." Aunt Jinah smiled as she pointed at the three employees. She meant that the crew can handle the work efficiently now that they were present. You couldn't deny that the past weeks without all of them were kind of unstable, so having them here was a relief. "Enjoy, alright?"

"You can rest easy, Saejin unnie. There's not many customers by this time anyway." Somi grinned while ringing the bell, placing down the cup of coffee on the tray. Rocky instantly went to get the order and smoothly trudged through the tables.

"You've worked hard."

You weren't certain if you really just forgot about asking for an early leave, or some external force was intentionally dragging you out. You watched as Aunt Jinah greeted the whole crew, casually reminding them their tasks and noticing various things around.

You scratched the back of your head in confusion as everyone was already back to their work. You walked back to the locker room to get your things. It was the first time that you'd be the first one to leave, and you were wondering what can be the occasion today that will make you ask for an early leave.

"I'll be leaving then." You slightly bowed at Aunt Jinah, who just waved at you with an encouraging smile. Jisoo gave you a thumbs up while Somi grinned.

As you left the café, you heard a horn from the side. You instantly recognized the black Mustang on the first row of cars. Seeing Baekhyun waving from the window, you walked towards it instead with your lips tingling.

"Did you get too bored?" You asked him as soon as you got in the passenger's seat. You instantly saw the paper bag with your bagels.

"No, I didn't. I heard from your boss that you have an early leave today, so I was excitedly waiting for you." He answered with a grin as he cooly reversed the vehicle with ease. You watched as he seriously gazed at the side mirror outside while turning the steering wheel. Your gaze dropped at his hands that are gripping the wheel, his veins protruding a bit with the force he is using towards it.

His hands are really pretty, but at the same time, really really seductive.

Bothered with your thoughts, your eyebrows knitted as you observed his hands.

How can his hands be pretty and sexy at the same time? Is that possible? No wonder people compliments not only his piano skills, but his hands too. Mine looks like an old lady's.

"What are you thinking about?" Baekhyun noticed your silence as he drove through the street. Glancing at your side, he saw that you were intensely looking at his hands.

"Your hands."

"Hmm, my hands?" He said with amusement while spreading his hands on the wheel.

"Pretty." You mumbled a compliment as you looked at your own hands. Your left pinky was wrapped with a band-aid as you got a small cut from the kitchen earlier. Your fingers look exhausted and sad.

Baekhyun gazed at your hands and smoothly slipped his right on your left. You were surprised that he was also looking at you, his eyes gentle and attentive.

"Y-You're driving! Eyes on the road!" You mumbled in panic as he intertwined his fingers with yours. You looked away from him, taking the opportunity to hide your reddening cheeks by gazing down your lap. Now you could clearly see how pretty his hand is.

"Yes, ma'am!" Baekhyun said in a firm tone, a smile playing on his lips as he looked back at the front.

"Where are we going anyway?" You suddenly asked.

"Somewhere."

The mall.

You forgot when was the last time you've gone to the mall. You almost gasped at the bright lights when you got inside with Baekhyun. He still has your hand in his, keeping you close while you walk side by side.

The car was actually parked by the valet employee, so you could enter the mall through the front entrance easily. You wondered if this mall was a high-class one.

"What are we doing at the mall?"

"Shopping? Date?" He mumbled his answers as he looked at you, who was curiously looking around with twinkling eyes. "Ah, I actually have an appointment today."

"Hmm? Where?"

Without answering your question, he just led you both to his destination where his appointment was. Baekhyun was being stared at as usual, women of different age were ogling at him without restraint. But fortunately, they weren't bold enough to come up to him.

Why does he have to be so popular? I'm gonna break these women's necks!

"What are we going to do here? It's already quarter to 7 pm."

"We're here."

When you looked at the front, you saw a beautifully decorated salon. The color theme was white and gold, making a surreal aesthetic visual of the place. From the outside, you can see expensive looking velvet couches and high chairs. The lights weren't too blinding, but pleasing enough to see with. The mirrors in front of each revolving salon chair have their own vanity lights—

"Welcome, Mr. Byun! We've been waiting." You didn't even notice the employees lined up at the entrance. Your lips parted in awe and shock. "I'll lead you inside then."

"B-Baek, what's this? Why does it seem like they're welcoming the president or a royalty here?" You whispered at him as he walked with you inside, passing the bowing employees quietly. You were too scared to speak louder because hell, the place was empty except for the presence of the employees and you two. "Did you just rent this whole place out?"

"I don't need to rent it out, baby." Baekhyun chuckled as he watched you look around cautiously. He looked at the employee that greeted you both, who seems like the manager of the salon. His playful eyes turned back to serious. "The usual—ah, not the usual. Give me a cut, and black."

"What—"

"What do you want, hmm? Tell me." Baekhyun's voice was gentle as he spoke to you, in contrast to how he spoke to the personnel. You awkwardly looked around. His fingers twirled around your hair.

I don't think I could have my hair cut here.

"I just want to watch you then." You lifted your eyes to him, watching how he admired your hair.

"Hmm, okay." Baekhyun smiled.

When Baekhyun sat on the black revolving chair, you were led to the nearest couch. You could clearly see and watch him from here. His eyes easily caught yours, turning into crescent moons as soon as they did. You waved a magazine at him to assure him you were comfortable there.

The salon was sensible enough to play some music throughout the place. Most of the employees went back to their respective stations, making you feel at ease because you cannot stay any longer under their curious gazes.

I didn't know Baekhyun was very highly respected, even here. His family is really no joke, huh?

"Would you like some tea, Ms. Lee?" You almost slipped off of your seat when a female employee came up to you. "It wouldn't take more than an hour for Mr. Byun's haircut, but we would like to see you comfortable enough as you wait."

"Uhm, no thanks—"

"We insist." She smiled.

"W-Water then."

"Alright, I'll be back."

After less than an hour, you were in the middle of reading the fifth fashion magazine when you heard Baekhyun's voice. Figuring that he must be done already, you placed back everything to the stack of reading materials on the side.

"Thank you for your patronage, Mr. Byun. It was nice to have you again."

"Saejin-ah, let's go." Baekhyun reached for your hand as soon as he got close enough to you. It was like the most casual thing you've been doing with him these past few weeks.

Were we acting like lovers before without being conscious about it?!

"Sorry, you must be so bored—"

"No, it was fun—"

You forgot to even look at him closely.

His hair is now dyed black, undercut and parted in the middle with his bangs loosely framing his pretty face. Although it still looks fluffy, he looks more intimidating in this hairstyle and haircut. You couldn't help but to reach out and touch it.

"Wow." — the only word you could come up with at the moment.

Baekhyun smiled at you, eyes mesmerized with the way you are looking at him right now. He bowed his head lower to let you touch his hair more, which you gladly welcomed. He can feel your breathing on his neck, making him feel things.

"Handsome." You giggled as you carefully scratched the sides of his head, feeling the roughness of the newly shaved part. "It looks good on you."

"Did you fall for me now?" He mumbled quietly as he held your waist closer. "I told you, you will when I dye my hair black." He chuckled, hands freely caressing you.

Hmm? I think I remember that conversation.

"I wonder if black hair suits you better."

"Any color suits me, love."

"Oh really."

"You'd probably fall for me when I dye my hair black."

You stifled a laugh, patting his cheeks as you remembered. Baekhyun pouted his lips, thinking that you were mocking him instead.

"You're hurting my feelings."

"Pss. You don't even have to dye your hair black."

When he heard your reply, his eyes turned into their usual crescent moon shapes as he happily gazed at you. Your cheeks flamed when you realized what you just said. In front of the many employees waiting around you—

"O-Oh, we should go." You bowed at the employees as you tugged Baekhyun out of the salon.

That was embarrassing! Did we seriously just flirt inside of a salon with several eyes and ears— ah shit.

"I think I'm getting too aggressive and bold like you, Baekhyun-ah." You unconsciously said as you breathed out when you got outside.

"I like it."

"Aish, this guy."

Baekhyun stopped right in front of you with a smile that almost blinded you for the nth time. His black hair can kill, damn it. His hands covered your flushing cheeks, making you feel warm. When he leaned in, you knew what was coming.

*smooch *smooch *smooch

His cute mouth made sounds as he pecked your lips repeatedly without any shame. Your eyes remained open, still not conscious enough to respond. Feeling the one-sided act, Baekhyun bit your lower lip carefully. His perfect teeth dug a small dent on your mouth, letting him earn a moan from you.

When you had the chance to peel him off of your lips, you placed your weak hands on his chest.

"I-I don't think we should be doing this here."

"'Cause it's a public place?" Baekhyun said with a smirk, his arms now dangling around your waist. His lips lingered over your cheek, letting you breathe and speak.

"N-Not just that, because it's inappropriate!"

"Car then?"

"Shut up!" You hit his broad chest as he laughed.

"Baekhyun?"

His laugh subsided and your breathing got stable when you suddenly heard a female voice. It was full, firm, and stern. You pushed Baekhyun away as he hesitantly took a step back to turn to the one who called him. A smile was still on his face until he recognized the woman in front of him.

She is in a wheelchair.

There are two body guards behind her, excluding the woman pushing her wheelchair. Her clothes were classy; her jewelries exude elegance; and her hair pinned in a neat bun. Her presence was intimidating but graceful enough for you to take a second glance.

You didn't know who she was, but you kind of got the hint that she was someone powerful and important as Baekhyun bowed his head in respect. You just slightly bowed your head, following him.

You wouldn't have heard his voice if not for the close distance between the two of you.

"Mom."

—

An early New Year gift from fluffy-nim!

Tagging my loves: ❤

@byuncock | @neogoturback | @jisungispilledmyuwus | @shesdreaminginoverdose | @precious-seungwooya | @junmyeonimissyou | @baekhyunsdangerouswoman | @jummyjammy | @tobiosbbyghorl | @lalalala-lav | @thoughtsofidk | @byuniieo | @feline-xiu | @banddits | @half-moon-x | @byunxo | @strawbaeri-s​ | @vishary15​ | @hansolturnt​ | @jungkooksworld18​ | @kingkushdealer​ | @marovekian1​ | @chloebarlin​ | @lifewithsehun​ | @dobomiyeon​ | @kpopseregi​ | @starrybbhx​ | @making-me-blush​ | @bbh-kji​ | @cam-peggio​ | @sehunnies-hunnie96​ | @chanvan61 | @cherish-you 

I don’t know why I can’t tag some of you huhu. I hope you guys can still see it! Stay safe. 

—

♫ Ch.21

[deceptive-jo]

Dashing through the snow

(I love this one. Was supposed to be out yesterday but then it was already 10pm and I didin’t want to write total garbage.)

Author has exactly one thing he wants to do today. So why is Marc so intend on getting him out of the house.

Words: 1148

Ships: Actor Mark x The Author

---

Author was awoken by a sudden cold. Yawning he sat up and looked at Marc, who was standing at the open window and looking out into the snowy forest. “It’s beautiful”, the actor remarked. “So are you”, the response came immediate, almost distracted. The sleepy man threw a glance at his watch. 7 am. With a grunt he fell back into the pillows. “Why are you up already? Isn’t it your day off?” “I don’t know. Just woke up and...saw it had snowed over night. We haven’t had snow in such a long time...” “Yeah, almost a year.” The snarky remark seemed to escape the Ego as he continued to stare out into nature. Accepting that he wouldn’t get any more sleep this morning Author got up and slowly put on his black morning robe. Actor finally managed to pull himself away from the window and joined his partner at the stairs, own red robe swaying around his legs.

“When was the last time we rode out together?” The question came suddenly during breakfast and almost made Author drop his cup. “1928 I’d suppose. After the shoot of that Christmas commercial. Why?” “We should do that again. The snow looks so beautiful, freshly fallen as it is.” Now Author had to give him a side-eye. Why all that enthusiasm out of nowhere? “We don’t have horses.” Judging from Marc’s look he actually forgot that part! “Oh, well...but maybe a walk would be nice.” They enjoyed the rest of their breakfast in comfortable silence until Marc disappeared back upstairs. He didn’t notice the lingering gaze of his boyfriend who stayed seated, deep in thoughts.

By the time Actor had changed into proper winter clothes- completed with a fiery red coat- Author still hadn’t made it back into the bedroom and he half assumed him to still be sitting downstairs. But once he entered the kitchen and living room the writer seemed to be nowhere in sight. He decided to step outside because quite frankly it was already getting hot in that outfit. The snow crunched under his shoes and the sky was painted in a beautiful light rich blue. But before he could look for his friend any further the Ego heard a sound coming from the trees and as he turned around he spotted two beautiful mares- one white-grey and the other one a deep black- and Author! Stepping closer he stretched out an arm and slowly touched the white-grey’s side. “They’re beautiful”, he stopped to notice the shady outlines of the animals, that Author’s creatures tended to have, “those are yours?” The writer threw him a sheepish grin, “You wanted to go for a ride, we didn’t have horses. The solution seemed quite easy, I would say.”

The forest was even more magical than the sight from the window would have let suspect. Actor could only try and take in the wonders of magic, the horse trotting along in a steady speed and Author next to him, giving him a bright smile whenever their eyes met. They had been out for at least an hour until they reached a clearing. The snow here laid untouched, save for the occasional animal tracks. A small lake was visible behind a weeping willow, frozen over and reflecting the warm afternoon sun. The whole scenery looked almost unreal. Actor turned around when he heard Author get off his mare and followed suit. While they crossed the clearing he could notice the animals following them in a distance. A snow-free bench appeared out of nowhere and they decided to take a seat and just take in the beautiful view before them. After minutes of not talking Actor decided to break the silence. “Thank you...for coming with me. It just seemed necessary for me...for us. I love this place, it always reminds me of when we first met-”, he broke off when he spotted Author’s expression turning sour. Of course, why had he idiot not thought of that! “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to bring this up. I know how you dislike that time, I should not have mentioned it-” “No, really not”, this time it was Author who interrupted him and continued in his place, “But besides all the weird affairs, hardships and discrimination it’s the memories of you I’m willing to keep with me. They brighten my day every time I think of them, because they remind me of when I fell in love with you for the first time, like I do every day, over and over again and how every time you smile, I feel like the luckiest man in this dimension.” Marc went to finally look at him, sight already blurry with tears, when his partner sank down. The Actor’s eyes widened as he finally understood what as happening here- oh fuck! “We have known each other for good ten years now, Ace. And sometimes I sit here and ponder, about our relationship, the future...it all seems so uncertain, so allow me to secure at least one of these things. Allow me to take my place at your side, as your friend, partner and husband.”

He could hardly answer, Author began looking concerned, the hand with the ring box slowly sinking, before it was gripped. “Oh god, Author, of course I’ll marry you!” He pressed a lip on his boyfrien- fiance’s (holy shit!) lips before the ring was slipped onto his finger. Only now did he pay a closer mind to it. The silver of it reflected in the strong sun, engraved with a filigree leave pattern. Two red diamonds in the form of rhombi, with a larger colourless one imbedded between them. “Author, it’s beautiful.” the other Ego placed a kiss on the ringed hand. “I’m glad, made it myself. Though I couldn’t quite replicate the beauty of its wearer-” he got cut off by another kiss and the firework going off over the water.

Confused he turned towards it, “Well that’s not mine.” Not what one might’ve wanted to say in this moment- “I know.” Author decided he didn’t trust whatever was going on here- until he turned back and spotted his beloved with a ring box on his own. “You know...I had this whole speech prepared – not a good one but...I liked it – and then you nearly didn’t come out here with me, so I kinda panicked but...yeah. I take it you’d say yes?” Author wrapped his arms around him with a snort. “Of course I do, ya idiot!” A moment later the ring got slipped over his thin gloves, silver with a floral pattern and a single gold-yellow crystal in its centre. “Not self-made”, the remark was only half-joking, “but still as bright and beautiful as your eyes.” The same eyes were burning into his now and the passion and devotion in them left Marc breathless. “How about we get home?” “Sounds lovely, darling.”

[searchingforstarss]

irondad prompt: accidental poisoning, peter whump? pleeease? love your writing! hope you enjoy your time away!

hi lovely anon!! this took me a little longer to do because it kind of got away from me and turned out a lot longer than i was thinking! i hope you like it because it’s not as whumpy as i originally intended but as soon as i saw accidental poisoning i couldn’t get this idea out of my head so here you go. i hope you enjoy :)) x

---

Morgan’s gleeful yells are the first thing Peter’s greeted to when he arrives at the lake house on a Friday afternoon.

“Peter’s here! Peter’s here! I can hear him!”

The six-year-old barrels through the living room and out onto the front porch, excitement practically radiating off her in waves.

No matter how many times they try to explain to her that it simply isn’t feasible for Peter to stay with them any more than two nights a week because he has school in the city, she whines about how long he’s been away whenever he arrives, without fail. Today is no different.

“You’re not allowed to stay away for that long anymore, I miss you too much,” she declares. “Daddy can’t do the right voices when he reads Harry Potter to me either. You’re wayy better.”

Petter grins broadly down at her, about to open his mouth to greet her properly, ask about her week at school and whether she learnt how to do fraction multiplication like she had excitedly told him that she was going to during their Wednesday night phone call. He can’t even get a word in edgeways though because before he can, Morgan is babbling on again in her same gleeful tone that Peter adores.

“I have a surprise for you!” she announces proudly, tugging him up the creaky porch steps with her smaller hand tucked inside his.

“Whoa, that’s cool. What is it?” Peter asks. He tries to hide the apprehension from his tone, because Morgan’s surprises always swing one of two ways.

He’ll either end up trying to pretend he isn’t choking up when she presents him with a hand drawn-picture and note or craft project that she made at school during their art hour. Or, he’ll end up as a victim to one of her latest ideas, experiments and schemes. Last week it was her determination to teach Peter how to roller-skate on the cul-de-sac a few blocks over, which ended in Morgan clumsily pressing an excess number of band-aids onto his scraped knees. The month before he ended up as a human canvas to entertain her desire to learn how to face paint (that was all-around just as much of a disaster as it sounds like it would be).

“You can’t know what it is, silly!” Morgan sing-songs, “you’ll ruin the surprise.”

“Silly me, of course,” Peter deadpans, but he’s ignored as she tugs him through to the kitchen as soon as he’s dumped his backpack on the couch.

“Surprise!” she exclaims as soon as they’re both in the room. She guestures excitedly towards a few slightly sad looking lumps of something drenched in icing and severed onto sticks. There are sprinkles as well, which look like they might have been a nice touch to cheer the entire thing up, had the majority of them not ended up scattered around the surrounding bench space.

“Daddy and I made cookie pops! Well, I made them, he just helped me use the big scary whisk-y thingy. They’re for Katie’s birthday party tomorrow because we all have to bring something yummy to eat, and Daddy wanted to do regular cookies but I told him that was boring. So we made these instead!”

“They look great, well done you guys,” Peter praises. Secretly, he’s almost certain that Tony was onto something with his suggestion. Cookies would have definitely been the safer option.

“I want you to try one! I saved the first one for you because I’m the best sister in the whole wide world.”

Peter eyes the pink ball of cookie dough being waved in his face dubiously, but Morgan’s creations often look worse than they actually are so he bites the bullet and accepts the treat that she’s thrusting towards him.

He takes a bite, partly because he’s being watched expectantly by large brown eyes and partly because he’s absolutely starving. He’s had a long day. Decathlon practice in the morning, AP classes back to back all afternoon and then the drive up here. Plus, he really wasn’t planning on Spider-Manning today, but there was a gas station robbery on the side of Interstate 87 that he pulled over to break up on his way because the man was threatening the poor guy behind the counter with a gun for a raspberry slushie, a hot dog and two packets of cigarettes and Peter had to intervene because that was just stupid on so, so many levels.

The shopkeeper gave him a free hot dog in return which he gladly scarfed down before he disappeared back out to his car, but that’s all he’s eaten since lunch. So as he chews Morgan’s baked concoction, he figures that the cookie dough is crumbly, sure, and maybe they went a little heavy with the icing sugar in the icing but Peter is so hungry that he thinks anything would probably taste good to him at this point.

Footsteps thud down the stairs, and Peter hears Tony’s voice before he sees him.

“Morgan, I swear if you’re force-feeding Peter. Your dear old brother doesn’t want any of our atrocious attempt at baking-“

Tony rounds the corner, eyes falling on Peter, mouth full of icing and cookie dough.

“Oh, I’m too late. Great.”

“Hey, Tony.”

“Hiya, Pete. Enjoying your snack?”

Peter carries on chewing on the food his mouth. “Mhmm. Definitely. Good job you guys.”

Tony shakes his head. “Nuh-uh, not a good job, not at all. I just got off the phone with Pepper, turns out you actually have to partially bake the cookie dough first. It honestly just seems like a lot of extra work if you ask me, but she’s the boss.”

“You’re starting again?” Peter asks.

“Yep, and since you’re here you can actually make yourself useful,” Tony snarks but there’s a fond smile on his face. Peter nods willingly. “Don’t just stand there then, kid. Grab the flour from the cupboard would you?”

Peter grins and turns to grab the flour like Tony requested. He doesn’t even have to think about it anymore, he knows exactly which shelf to reach for with the same sort of instinct that he has in his and May’s apartment.

(Even with all three of their hands on deck, the second round of cookie pops only end up looking mildly more appetizing than the first, but at least all of Morgan’s tiny friends won’t have uncooked, crumbly cookie dough forced on them so Tony claims it as a win - he’s never had the patience to deal with other kids’ whining parents anyway.)

---

Peter sleeps in the next morning, and the house is silent when he wakes. The first thing he notices is the way he’s shivering, even in the balmy morning sun streaming through his windows. There’s nausea as well, constantly threatening to make its way up his throat as it sits at the bottom of his stomach, churning and rolling uncomfortably,

The second thing he notices is a note sitting on his bedside table as he fumbles out one arm to grab his phone and check the time. Peter recognises Tony’s scrawl immediately.

Morning, sleepyhead. Gone to drop Morgan off to her party. Be home soon. T

He’s content to lie there for a while and wallow in his own misery and how dreadful he feels while he’s all alone in the house until his stomach lurches violently and he’s hauling himself out of bed, sweaty covers pooling around his feet. The room around him is spinning, but the singular thought occupying his hazy mind is get to the bathroom, Parker. Just make it to the damn bathroom.

He does, even though his legs are shaky underneath him, and he just manages to stumble through the open doorway of the bathroom and drop to his knees in front of the toilet. He doesn’t even register the pain that shoots through his knees and up his legs as he slams into the tile.

A charming mix of gas station hot dog, Morgan and Tony’s tragic attempt at a cookie pop and the lasagna Tony made for dinner last night ends up swimming at the bottom of the toilet bowl.

Gross.

“Peter?”

That’s his name. It sounds like it’s coming from somewhere down near his bedroom. He tries to call back, but acid coats his raw throat and he can’t seem to get the words out. He retches again, before dipping forward to lean up against the ceramic of the toilet.

“Peter, oh, there you are-” Tony begins, but he drops off as Peter sees him appear around the corner of the bathroom door and take in the scene in front of him. “What’s going on?”

He blinks up at Tony through cloudy eyes.

“Think ‘m sick.”

“I thought you couldn’t even get sick?”

Peter tries to give a coherent answer, he thinks, but all that comes out is a whine. He looks up at Tony, eyes pleading. He’s not sure what he’s asking for, really. He just wants someone to make it better.

“Okay, okay, got it. That’s not really the point right now.”

Peter isn’t quite sure what he’s expecting as Tony hovers around the doorway. He wants comfort, he wants Tony, but he doesn’t dare to move far from the toilet.

“Oh, shit. Kid, you actually ate that garbage attempt of baking that Morgan gave you yesterday, didn’t you? There was raw egg in that.”

Peter just nods feebly, not entirely listening. His head is head still resting on the toilet seat. He doesn’t have the energy to lift it.

“I hate to break it to you, kid, but maybe Spidey is just as susceptible to food poisoning as the rest of us.”

Peter’s certainly listening now, his glazed eyes shooting open. Weak displeasure simmers within them.

“You poisoned me?”

Morgan’s surprise has now definitely landed on the bad side this week, leaning towards absolutely-fucking-awful.

“Technically, Morgan poisoned you. I just operated all the heavy machinery,” Tony says. Peter glares at him, but it’s so pathetic that Tony’s own stomach clenches in sympathy.

“You’re the adult-” Peter points out, feeble indignation in his voice before he cuts himself off with another round of heaving.

“Oh, Pete,” Tony sighs, stepping further into the bathroom at the sight. He lowers himself to the floor right next to Peter. A warm hand finds his back, rubbing in slow circles right at the base. A fraction of the tension leaves Peter’s body.

“You’re alright, bud” Tony soothes. His voice is gentle and calming, and Peter lets it wash over him. He’s always loved just listening to Tony talk. “You’ll feel so much better once it’s all back up.”

Peter finds that hard to believe because caught right in the throes of pain, shivering and feeling like a total and utter mess, he struggles to remember a time when he wasn’t wholly consumed by Morgan’s attempt to poison him.

There’s nothing left for Peter to bring up eventually, and he’s left gasping for air.

“Think you’re done?”

Peter nods, stomach still clenching painfully. He shoves himself away from the toilet, legs giving way underneath him as he slumps into a pile of shaky, sweaty limbs against the bathroom counter. This doesn’t seem to faze Tony though, and Peter watches through bleary eyes as he goes into Dad Mode. It all fades in and out in front of him, but he registers the corners of his mouth being wipes gently with a warm washcloth, the hair being brushes back from his sweaty forehead, a cool glass of water being tipped down his throat.

It was because of moments like this that after the snap, it took Peter a while to correlate his Tony with Morgan’s Tony.

His Tony had only ever cared from afar and he usually shied away from physical affection and comfort unless either of them were on their deathbeds. They always loved each other, but it was sort of a given. An undeniable fact with little physical expression. Now though? Morgan’s Tony tucks her into bed at night and smoothes kisses into her hair and lets her curl into his lap during lazy evenings on the couch with absolutely no reservations or qualms. He tells her he loves her at least five times a day.

It then took Peter even longer to realise that Morgan’s Tony wasn’t exclusively hers. He’s just Tony, softened around the edges a little with parenthood and settling down, but he’s Peter’s as well, still.

That’s evident in the way that instead of leaving Peter to his own devices once he’s taken care of him and cleaned up his mess, Tony just leads him gently downstairs instead, a warm solid hand wrapped around his forearm to make sure he doesn’t stumble forward and end up on his face.

Tony lies him down on the couch, before taking a seat himself. He lets Peter pillow himself against him, head buried into the soft cotton of his t-shirt. Tony’s hands trail along their time-worn path in Peter’s hair, the action almost second nature.

“I’m never eating anything you make me ever again, I swear,” Peter mumbles into Tony’s chest. His words are quiet, scraping against the rawness of his throat but Tony hears him loud and clear. He chuckles.

“Fair enough, buddy.”

---

Peter’s nap is only interrupted when Morgan bursts into the room sometime in the afternoon. He blinks slowly from where he’s resting against Tony’s chest, head tucked up against his collarbone.

Morgan has a goody bag clutched in her grip and a few flyaway pink streamers caught in her hair. She beelines for the couch.

“Petey, Mommy said that I need to apologise for poisoning you!”

Peter feels a deep rumble in Tony’s chest as he attempts to stifle a laugh. He can’t quite muster up the energy (and he’s far too comfortable anyway) to get up from his position resting against Tony to hug Morgan, so he just gives her the warmest smile he can manage.

“It’s okay, bug, I know you didn’t mean to. I forgive you.”

She beams up at him. “There was one cookie pop left so I saved it for you, see?” she says, rattling her goody bag around, which Peter presumes contains the cursed treat. “They’re really good, I promise!”

Peter’s stomach churns again at the thought.

“That’s really nice of you, Mo, but I think I might give cookies a miss for a while.”

[szopenhauer]

Are you more positive or a debbie downer? Debbie Downer should be my name lol

What would you love to drink right now? I’m drinking water rn, second mug in a row, my belly is going to explode

Is that an alcoholic drink or not? it’s not this kind of water :P

Oh good. What would you love to eat right now? I’m not hungry...

How many meals do you eat a day? depends

Do you brush your tongue with your tooth brush? sometimes

What are you favorite type of jeans? I’d say skinny even tho I don’t wear jeans anymore ^^”

Do you eat your nails? wait what swallow? ewww I don’t even bite them :o 

Do you enjoy making or taking surveys? taking them more 

Name something that is blue that you like Sadness from Inside out

Name something pink that you like PYNK music video by Janelle Monae? XD

If you could have one more pet, what? meh

If you could sleep next to a tame wild animal what? woah 

Would you rather have an owl or a snake? both are cool

What would you name it? Bowl for owl and for snake either Ksysio or Wonsz żmieja?

Do you eat the ice in your drink? no

Have you ever been addicted to cigarettes? I had one cigarette in my whole life but I still keep a package in my room :x

Which do you use more? Facebook or Instagram? fb, I don’t care for insta 

Do you watch beauty videos on You Tube? nah

Do you like Star Wars? love

What kind of surveys do you like the most? interesting, not just YES or NO questions, I want to go deeper 

Have you ever dropped something down the garbage disposal on accident? omg luckily not 

What CD would you never buy for yourself? anything Justin Bieber for sure

Is sex a must in your life? absolutely not

Would you rather be cute and ugly or hot and stupid? cute and ugly? lmfao ok 

Are you evil in any way? everyone is, more or less

Would you rather be a clown or a garbage man? can’t decide :D

Would you rather be a rockstar or a librarian? librarian but rock star ain’t that bad of a choice ;)

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE? again? I just got this question on ask today and that really made me anxious

Did you and your mum ever have a big fight that caused you to move out? sigh... Has the last person you kissed ever been to your house? yep but not to my room as I’m super ashamed of it, it’s not what I really want, it’s more like a storage room for mine and my mom’s things, I wish I could move and out and do what I want instead of cleaning this mess just to have it ruined days after, not that I have money now to fix things the way I imagine my bedroom to be someday :( Have you had a good day today or was yesterday better? yesterday was better but today I got a T-shirt so that was a good moment Do you have any plans for the upcoming weekend? hospital

Could you date someone very attractive, but who thought they were better than everyone else? blergh, r u kidding me?... Do you always feel like you’re making mistakes? constantly Does anybody have a tattoo with your name on it? not because of me but someone somewhere definitely has that name on them for another reason How would you feel if you got the person you liked? I'm in a relationship Is there anyone who likes you? it seems If the last person you kissed saw you kissing someone else, would they be mad? of course  What’s the first thing you heard this morning? you mean a sound (doorbell) or words (I don’t remember)? If you fell pregnant to the last person you kissed, what would you think? not possible Are you young or old? young, at least according to my ID and being childish Are there always other fish in the sea? there are but maybe I don’t want them and/or they don’t want to be catched etc. What can your tongue do? pfft Do chickens have feelings? sorta Do you think the body is the most beautiful thing that was ever made? ...  So how are you feeling today? not good enough Where is your sister right now? don’t know nor care What do you smell like? it’s so hot, I smell like sweat and I can’t stand it but I can’t shower all day long What colour is your mum’s hair? grey  When was the last time you talked to one of your siblings? last week Do you like fire? as an element of magic in fantasy movies  Does your mum vacuum early in the morning while you’re asleep? she’s noisy in different ways Does wearing glasses really make people look smart? that’s a lame stereotype Do your band-aids have cartoons on them? they’re useless but one time I bought Moomin ones because I’ve been walking through the store and they fallen right under my feet and there was nobody around nor the shelf/aisle that they could come from so it was weird and I love Moomins so I took them home (I paid) and they’re probably stored somewhere  Have you ever kissed someone you shouldn’t have? what do you mean? Who’s the funniest drunk person you know? my gf apparently - in a cute way - that’s surprising for a teetotalist like me  What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? my tee came! When was the last time you saw your father? he just left for work and I was waving to him through the window which is our tradition  What if your partner went through your cellphone? I have nothing to hide Has anyone ever been with you while you were throwing up? my parents and sister

Robert Downey Jr. — Bet you have a crush on him. he’s handsome but I’d prefer to be him instead of having a crush on sex I’m not attracted to

What would you do if you were to get stuck on a ski lift overnight? ... freeze? and pee myself Have you ever received an anonymous gift? one time when we were really poor that we couldn’t afford food someone left a package under our door, knocked and ran, bless this person whoever knew we have hard times :* What kind of laugh do you have? many kinds that happen randomly Will you have a Valentine next year? I have a bigger chance than any other year before  Macaroon or a cupcake? cupcake Did you kiss or hug anyone today? hug my mom and my dad too Are you currently waiting on someone to do something for you/to you? kinda Do you know anyone, personally, who is in an abusive relationship? Are you? I’m not in an abusive relationship but I know those who are as it’s common and it’s really sad that ppl think only beating makes relationship toxic Are you planning on going anywhere with someone, some time today? I’ll stay home  Do you find your school to be loaded with hot guys or not so much? I remember E.W. once said that we have a lot of elves around because LOTR movie had very ugly ones as we did in high school, I tried to find that pic someone posted back in the day but I failed, it was from the council from what I remember 

Is there anyone you are currently trying to get out of trouble? Why? mostly I just keep my eye on my father and my mother all the time because of covid (and not only because of it) if that counts Are you plotting anything at the moment? another chapter of the book? Have you ever wanted your significant other to get rid of a friend? because they were evil to them, it wasn’t about ME If you have siblings, have they moved out or do they still live with you? she moved out :3

Do you have a therapist? no longer Have you ever gotten a good grade in math class? yeah, in middle school I was getting awesome grades in math class What do you think of the last person you texted? we’re dating Have you ever gotten a bloody nose from snorting cocaine? I’ve never done cocaine wtf

Do you post pictures were you look good but your friends look bad? I ask them first  Are you friends with any of your exes? me and one of my exes are together Are you a whiskey person? I’m a no alcohol person

Has anyone ever made fun of your taste in music? tiny bit, wasn’t that bad

Have you ever overflown a bathtub? I have not Have you ever thrown food at a stranger in a movie theater? not in a movie theater Are you somewhat of a perfectionist? somewhat Do you like sour candy? by Lady Gaga  not eat Do you usually wear sunglasses when you’re driving? but I don’t drive Is there ever a time that you enjoy cold showers? brrrr no way Are you good at painting nails? am not but it doesn’t matter Are you good at filling silence in awkward situations? doubt it What word should you really probably remove from your vocabulary? kurwa Do you rip out the page if you make a mistake writing, or cross it out? cross it out, if I ripped the page then there would be nothing left  Do you use a full length mirror daily? we don’t own one Can you walk in heels, or do you feel awkward in them? I think they don’t match my style and they’re uncomfy in a long term Mac or PC? PC Will you tell someone if there’s something in their teeth? sorry but probably not Do you ever actually make your bed? when I have guests Do you make an effort to eat healthy? yup The last time you kissed someone, what color of shirt were they wearing? black, that’s easy What’s something you want to purchase next time you’re at the mall? food If you had to choose between a million dollars or to be able to change a regret? money because one regret won’t help me and even might make things worse Are you taller than your mom? almost 10 cm What would you do if your best friend told you they were moving today? my gf - break up  my dad - try to stop him or move out with him You’re locked in a room with the person you last kissed, problems? no problems  Do you have any ‘naughty’ photos on your phone? 0 Could you handle living with a male roommate? my dad, no one else What were you doing at 10:00 this morning? waking up Why aren’t you texting the last person you kissed? who said we aren’t texting? Do you think you’ll actually live a happy life with somebody? don’t feed my paranoia Connection between you and the last person who messaged you? love Where is your biological father right now? bus/job already Who else is in the room with you? I’m alone Water with ice or no ice? no ice  Are you wrapped in a blanket? too hot for that

Has anyone done anything nice for you today? I’m thankful for all those nice things people do for me - big or small The last time you hung out with your sibling(s), what did you do? took a walk

Do you usually bring or buy a lunch for school? bring

The last time you had sex, was it in their bed or yours? their

How old were you when you figured out you were definitely straight, or bi, or whatever? middle school was the beginning 

Do you fit in at work or in school? I was always an outcast

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Oh God, Ew.”? 99% of time

Have you ever cried at a real wedding? nope

Is there someone you need to forgive? *annoyed sound*

What’s your brother(s) / sister(s) names? personal

Suppose you saw your crush/bf/gf kissing another girl/guy, what would you do? why tho

What is your favorite color for bridesmaid dresses? whatever bridesmaid wanna wear besides white

Do you have a secret crush right now? it’s no secret

Do you know anyone who doesn’t want to have kids? me

Would you rather visit Tokyo or Paris? dunno

Do you think you would like living in New York or Chicago? Why or why not? too overcrowded/loud etc.

Name 3 celebrities who are the same height as you. Lady Gaga, Ellen Page, Reese Witherspoon

Are you happy with your height? I’d like to be taller, not too much tho

Do you have big or small hands? small

Have you been baptized?  I have been 

Have you ever been abused in any way? sadly

Do you like unicorns? they’re fine

Is there one book you have read over and over again because it’s so good? if so, which is it? I don’t reread books

Do you play games on your phone a lot? recently I became obsessed with LOVE ISLAND game 

Have you ever had to put out a kitchen fire? my mom took care of it but it wasn’t a big deal tbh

Have you ever been kidnapped? wut

Do you have anything glow in the dark in your room? stars

Do you wear a scarf, if so, what does it look like? not rn

Is there a video or computer game that you can get lost in for hours? mhm but not too long

Do you get breadsticks with your pizza? breadsticks and pizza? it’s like bread with bread - no thx

Did you ever have a waterbed? I hate those

What toy from your childhood do you miss? rubber toys?

Did you sleep in late today? yes

When was the last time you were disappointed? this day

Do you like listening to love songs? I like a variety of music which includes love songs

In your group of friends, are you the smart one, athletic one, etc.? funny mom friend... ok, fine, a dad because my puns are daddy jokes

Has any of your friends’ family ever yelled at you? no but they said bad things about me behind my back

Did you ever watch the show Full House? with my sister What was the last thing that scared you? how I feel physically Do the librarians at your library know you by name? they do

What ten people would you most likely bring on a roadtrip? 10 ppl?! shoot me...

Is there anything you’re really stressed out about right now? health issues

What was the last thing that made you cry? I’m about to cry...

What are the last three songs you listened to? Crystal Castles - Suffocation  frnkiero andthe cellabration - neverenders  Major Lazer - Be Together (Feat. Wild Belle)

[oh-boleyn]

te para tres

words: 3662, language: english. jane & kat (kind of mom/daughter relationship)

author’s note: I wanted to keep multichapters on my ao3 but I actually kind of like this fic, and so I thought to post it here too! anyway it is also in ao3

tags: jane & kat - centric, kat is homeless, jane is trying her best, canon abuse/non con, tw abuse, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Families of Choice, Light Angst, pregnant!jane, sickness

Las tazas sobre el mantel

Moving into London was quite a thing. Something Jane had waited so long to do; she could almost not remember how much she dreamed when the opportunity first presented to her.

Having been born in Wiltshire, and later moved to Somerset meant that her life usually revolved around being in wide open spaces, with a lot of green grass and sometimes even animals. Small towns where everyone knew each other. Nothing compared to a big, global city like the capital of England.

Her apartment was quite small, but still enough for her. Jane had luckily secured herself a job in a fashion magazine, as a photograph designer, which meant that all she needed for an apartment was space for herself and any clothes she might need to recycle or fit for the next session.

Something she didn’t expect was seeing a young teen living in the street below her apartment.

Obviously, she knew her social status wasn’t the one everyone had. Her father, a college professor, was wealthy enough to grant her a good education and loan her money until she can get back on her feet. Investing almost all her money into coming straight to the city after breaking up with her boyfriend with whom she shared a house back in Devon wasn’t her wisest decision. But seeing such a young girl living on the street frightened her to no end.

(…)

“Hey, would you like to eat something with me?” Jane asked after the third day.

She made sure to always leave money to the girl, who could usually be found singing or drawing near the underground station during day hours. But having a little spare time and already began to take a liking to the girl made her want to offer just a little more.

The girl did not react, just watched her wide eyed, without moving.

“I would prefer not to.” Her voice is so small it’s barely audible for Jane.

It comes as a surprise, taking into consideration that she would hear her singing loud and clear for the past days, but now her voice sounded nothing like that.

“It’s okay, I’m sorry.” The older smiles.

She put some money into the hat that sat at her feet and started walking away.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

(…)

Catherine of Aragon is a stern, tall woman.

She is the chief editor of the magazine, and the tickling of her shoes can be heard from miles away. Her way to hold herself is just as stylish and elegant that Jane doesn’t think anyone in Somerset, or Devon was ever a half of it.

She smiles and nods at Jane, and it feels like a blessing has been given.

(…)

That night, when returning to her apartment, she makes a stop at the first fast food chain she can find, buying something for herself and to the girl. Jane goes back as soon as she can after that, trying to get the food to still be hot. The girl is sitting outside an empty store, with the art supplies already saved in her backpack.

“Hi, I brought you food.” Jane says.

“That’s really kind.” The girl smiles, taking the paper bag.

“I’m Jane.” She introduces herself.

“Katherine, with a K.” The younger mimics a smile, which is not really convincing.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Same to you.”

(…)

The next day Katherine is no longer where she was the night before, but the paper bag is still there, left totally untouched. It shocks Jane, who thought that it was a good gesture to begin with. Having no time to get offended, she keeps walking until arriving at the magazine.

The camera was already on its tripod, and the models were getting changed into their outfits for the day.

“Hi Jane!” Anna of Cleves, the photographer, greeted. “What’s up with that face?”

“Nothing it’s just… I brought food for a girl living in the street, and I saw it today and it was untouched.” She explained, getting out of her coat and hanging it.

“How do you know it was left untouched?” Anna questioned. “Did you go through the garbage?”

“No!” Seymour sounds offended. “I mean maybe… It’s just I saw the bag there and I wanted to know if she ate.”

Anna chuckles. “Have you considered that maybe getting food from strangers is like… rule number one of what not to do?”

“But it’s different she can trust me.” Jane tries to clarify.

“I know that, and you know that, but she doesn’t. Maybe next time buy her something closed, that you couldn’t possibly poison.” Cleves offer. “Now, how about we use this leather jacket but with that skirt?”

(…)

“Hi Jane.” Katherine smiles at the woman when she is passing through the street.

“Hi Katherine, I bought you this, I don’t know if you like it but I love them.”

Opening her backpack, she offers a box of Cadbury cookies. Those are nowhere near nutritious, not that fast food is, but the cookies can’t be even considered a meal.

“Thank you so much.” The girl says, opening the package and shoving a cookie on her mouth.

Jane can’t contain her smile, and takes the chance to say: “No problem, the offer for lunch is still up, just for your information.”

Katherine seems suddenly frightened, but keeps the smile on her face. “I would, but I’m busy right now.”

She shows the pencil in her hand.

“It’s alright, another day.” Seymour is about to leave when she decides against it. “Do you have a phone?”

“I don’t, sorry.” The teenager answers sadly.

“It’s okay…” She searches for a paper, writing down her address. “If you ever need something, just come.”

The girl gives a puzzled look. “Thank you, I will.”

(…)

Next morning is quite chaotic, and she doesn’t make it on time to check on Katherine.

First, she can’t get up from the bed, exhaustion keeping her down even when she doesn’t know why. Then, once she does get up, a dizziness invades her, almost making her go back to bed and call in sick, except that she can’t do that, not in a new job at least.

Jane tries to make herself the time, but she can’t. That doesn’t stop her from worrying about the girl for the rest of the day.

(…)

A week goes by and Katherine never comes, but still she slowly acts a little less nervous and automatic around Jane, even accepting Starbucks food that is well closed and some water bottles. Jane is sure the girl doesn’t trust her enough yet, but things start getting slowly better.

“Morning Katherine.” Jane greets, smiling.

The girl smiles back. Her smile never gets to her eyes, instead it looks quite sad. Just polite. Jane would probably also describe it as anxious, every time she hears her own name, she straightens the spine just a bit, trying to look taller or intimidating.

“Good morning, Jane.”

“I brought some stuff; I was wondering if you like hot chocolate? It’s getting pretty cold with the winter around the corner.” She offers Katherine the trail, which contains two hot chocolates.

Something she learned was that, if she let Katherine choose her drink, she would drink it. But if there was ever the slight difference between a cup and the other, she would just gently decline, justifying that she already ate or any other excuse that Jane was sure it was a lie.

“It’s not cold yet.” Katherine says, choosing a cup. “Thank you so much.”

“It’s no trouble.”

Jane takes a sip from the other cup, and just as she finishes it, the teenager takes a sip from hers.

“I brought a muffin too. I have to go to the office, but we can split it in halves, if that’s okay.”

“It’s not necessary. You don’t have to do that.” The younger replies, but Jane just offers it anyway.

“I have to go now, have a nice morning.”

“You too.”

Jane starts walking, getting away from Katherine.

A part of her wishes she could do more, but the younger girl just won’t ask for anything. Kat didn’t even always eat the food she was offered, and Jane was afraid of just giving the girl money. She heard it all, how you should never give money to someone in the streets because they will waste it on alcohol, or drugs. But Katherine was so amicable, she wouldn’t do that. Jane was almost sure. Almost.

It was the great barrier she was afraid of. Jane could still not be sure of what to do with a girl who she met just a week and a half ago, even the desire to help stopped her to just blindly trust the teenager.

She got to the magazine, just to find Catherine Parr already buzzing on caffeine.

“Morning Seymour!”

“Good morning, what have you drank?” She watches the woman’s hand. “Or how many of those?”

“Three? Maybe four? I don’t know. Aragon wants the photos for the article today, as soon as possible.” She explains.

“I sent them yesterday.”

“I know, but… She might have decided to change the whole article and we need more photos.”

“What? You know, never mind, I’m going to text Anna.” Jane takes her phone. ”What is the new article?”

“Blue, the new black.”

“Okay.” Jane finally takes a breath. “What are we supposed to do with the coats from the last cover?”

“Uh, keep them if you want?” Catherine questions, confused. “After all we are meant to do like those photos never existed.”

“Do you really think I can keep them?” Jane asks, thinking how good those could be for Katherine.

“Yes, keep them. In case someone needs them, I take the blame, but please send her the photos.” Parr begs.

(…)

The photos resulted in a quick shoot, consisting of a navy-blue background and different blue coats, going from light pale to dark night blue. The only problem consisted in a piece they weren’t sure if it was a blue green colour or turquoise. She hoped to have made the right decision for Aragon.

Going back home was harder than the shoot itself, since she had her hands full of the coats they didn’t need anymore. It varied from bring pink, to some black ones. Some of them were heavy, winter ones while others were perfect for summer rain.

“Katherine!” She exclaimed when she saw the brown locks of her hair.

“Jane…” The teenager went to help her.

“I have all of these from work, I thought you might like them.”

The girl shifted uncomfortably, her eyes looking at the ground. Jane noticed that she bit her lip. It was a sign that she was baffled about something.

“You don’t have to take them all, but I wish you would choose one. It will give me peace of mind.” Jane says, hoping not to sound as if she is trying to manipulate Katherine in any way.

The girl inspects for a second, before grabbing a black one with pink buttons: “May I keep this one?”

Jane nods.

(…)

“Hi, Edward.” She smiles at the camera.

Facetiming past midnight with her brother had become more and more common in the last days. Jane was not used to being far from her siblings, nor the rest of the family. Still, even with her strange headaches and fatigue, life in London was something incredible. The city had so much life, and history. Even so many curious tourists helped the atmosphere. It pained her to not be with her family, but her new life was joyful nonetheless.

“Hi Janey, tell me, how is it going?”

“Quite good. I’m so tired though.”

“Tired? How many parties did you attend?” He questions, half joking.

“Funny.” She retorts. “I have just been going to work and to check up on Katherine.”

“Just work? Lame.” Edward mocks his sister. “Who is Katherine?”

“She is a girl living down the street… She, uhm, literally lives on the street.”

Ripping the band aid off quickly was the best thing she could do.

“You are checking up on a girl living in the street?” He sighs. “You are the only one who does it…”

“Don’t say it as if it’s something bad.” Jane returns.

“It’s weird.”

“It shouldn’t be.” She is quick to defend herself.

“Chill out Jane, it’s not that deep.”

“But maybe it is.” Jane can feel her how it’s getting harder to talk without starting to cry. “I don’t understand how much it is… She doesn’t even want to accept food. Yesterday I left her a coat and I’m almost sure she left it anywhere because she can’t accept anything. For goodness sake, I don’t think I have heard her say any other thing that ‘it was not necessary’ or ‘thank you’! So maybe it is that deep.”

She takes a deep breath, while Edward tries to excuse himself saying: “I’m sorry, I didn’t think it meant that much.”

“Yeah, you didn’t. Good night.”

Jane doesn’t wait for him to say something, instead just hangs up the call.

(…)

Next morning was just horrible. She feels nauseous and her brain is almost exploding, but she still gets up and prepares herself for work. Walking through the streets is harder than she can remember, and panic creeps in when there is a street with a bloody name she never saw.

“Jane?” She feels a voice calling. “Are you okay?”

Everything goes slowly blur, finishing in Jane summoned into a total darkness.

(…)

Waking up in the hospital is not something she was waiting for. Her fatigue is obvious when she wakes up, and her faded memories give her the anticipated news of what she already knew. She had fainted. Jane can barely keep her eyes open when the doctor enters the room, trying to get all the information he can.

He also informs that Katherine is outside, and she was the one who called an ambulance. Jane couldn’t possibly be more thankful for the acts of the girl, but in her dizzy state words can’t come out of her mind as she wanted them to come. Instead she keeps just answering questions.

The only moment that stands clearly in her mind is when the doctor starts talking about blood test results, words like anaemia and HCG are glimpses that she catches until the three words that sat heavy on her stomach.

“You are pregnant.”

(…)

When the older one is released, it’s raining outside. They, or rather Jane, decide to take a cab home. Once there, Katherine just simply says goodbye and leaves, walking back to the place where Jane usually found her. Jane notices the girl doesn’t have the coat she left her the other day.

“Katherine!” Jane screams. The girl turns around.

“Go to your house, it’s raining. You have to take care of yourself.”

“Come with me.” She asks. The girl opens her eyes wide.

“No, I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. It’s raining.” Jane says as if it wasn’t obvious.

“I know, I’m used to it. Go to your house.” She wraps her arms around, making a barrier between her and Jane.

“Please just come. Just one night.” The teenager clearly doesn’t want to, but Jane can’t leave her alone. “Or I will stay here.”

Jane knows inside her it is wrong. She shouldn’t be trying to manipulate the younger into doing something she doesn’t want to, but the raining and the news is too much. She feels so on edge, that if she said that bringing Katherine in was a selfless act, that would be plainly lying.

“You can’t stay here. It’s not safe.”

“I say the same to you.” Jane takes a breath. “Please.”

“I can’t go in there.”

“Let me take you out for dinner then.”

Katherine seems to think about it for a moment, before nodding. Jane takes the lead and starts walking to a diner a block away. The teenager doesn’t say a word, instead just walks as fast as she can, and lets Jane walk where she is less likely to get damp with the rain. Once they arrive, they settle for a table near a window.

“You can ask for whatever you want, take this as a thank you for helping me today.” Jane speaks calmly.

Maybe saying that can make Katherine know she earned it, and the girl will actually order something.

“It’s not necessary.”

“But I want to. I don’t know what could’ve happened to me without you.” The older smiles.

“Probably someone else could’ve helped.” Katherine smiles timidly.

“I’m not sure, people here in London don’t seem quite amicable.” Jane shrugged.

“In London? Do you come from somewhere else?”

“Yes, I lived in Devon with my ex before moving here.” Katherine opens her mouth when Jane finishes talking, but quickly shuts it. “It’s okay if you want to ask questions, if the question is if the baby is his, the answer is yes.”

The teen gives a sympathetic look, but talks: “I have always lived here, in London, except for a summer I spent in my step-grandmother’s house in Sussex.”

“That sounds nice.” Jane says, but quickly regrets it when the younger flinches.

“Do you mind if I order pasta?” Katherine questions, voice small.

“No! No problem, I think I will do the same.”

“I haven’t had pasta in a long time, I think since I was thirteen.”

“How old are you?” Jane wonders, hoping not to sound rude.

“Fifteen, I turn sixteen in two months.”

The older is lost for words, this girl is just a kid. She probably hasn’t even finished secondary school, and is living all by herself apparently. Under this new information, Jane can totally see it now. How small her contexture is, not grown up, the way she sits, her nails bitten down. There are a lot of indicators of her age, and Jane feels more uneasy than before.

“I know I look older; I’ve been told that.” Katherine breaks the silence, uncomfortable.

“No, it’s not that.” Jane snaps out of her thoughts. “I was just processing today’s information.”

Katherine nods, clearly uncomfortable, but for Jane’s luck the waiter quickly arrives with water and asks for their orders. The teenager asks for plain pasta, until Jane reassures her it’s okay to ask for more. She changes it just to add some sauce that doesn’t sound too gross, and the older happily asks for the same. They stay a moment like that, with Kat just taking in the restaurant.

If she said she remembered going to one like this, she would be lying. After her mother died, her memories are plagued by being in her house, alone with Henry Manox. The summer spent with her step-grandmother is just a vague memory of something her brain tried to forget. Then it’s all about living in the street, trying to live by with what charities offered and painting and singing to anyone who could lend her some money.

“In case you want another coat, I still have the rest in my apartment.” Jane says.

“Why are you doing this?” Katherine asks, manners forgotten. “What do you want?”

Jane purses her lips for a second and then releases them: “I don’t want anything, but I am worried about you. I don’t want to see you suffer.”

“I’m not suffering.” The teenager responds, even if she is not sure. “I don’t need your worry.”

Jane is lost for words.

“I’m sorry for being rude.” Katherine murmurs.

“Don’t be. I get it.” Jane takes a sip of her water. “I just want to do something good. I had a hard time with my ex. We didn’t break up in good terms, nowhere near it. I needed help and even if my family loves me, they weren’t there for me. I wanted to just try and help someone, and I thought you would want help.”

The younger takes a moment before talking. Jane looks vulnerable, something adults usually don’t look. A part of her wants to just believe this is a lie, and nobody is going to just help because they had a rough time. All the kindness the woman showed her is enough to prevent her from just storming out of the room.

“I don’t want help, but I appreciate it.” She concludes, before putting a smile. “What is your favourite colour?”

Jane laughs at the lightness that question brings to the conversation.

(…)

Jane takes her time, and decides to have the baby. She is not ready, and she knows it. Utter fear rises from her every time she thinks about it, but still she manages to make that decision.

Her neat calendar starts to become full of the different doctor appointments and parental classes. She tries to get her hands in any parenting book she can find. Her usual morning coffee changes for tea, and she changes her diet trying to avoid the morning sickness.

The only thing that remains without a change is worrying about Katherine, who starts taking dinner once a week with Jane, and asks her about how the pregnancy is going. The teenager is the only one aware of it, and it brings joy to the older having the chance to talk about it.

(…)

One-night Jane wakes up abruptly, a tremendous noise ringing in her ears. She realizes it’s the buzzer and moves to the intercom. 

“Hello? Who is downstairs?”

“Katherine.” She says between sobs. “I’m sorry to bother you- “

Jane talks before she can finish: “I’m going to get you wait a second.”

She throws a coat and goes straight into the elevator, once she gets out the first thing she notices is Katherine with tears streaming down her face. Jane almost runs, and when she opens the door, the younger clings to her.

“I think I saw Manox.”

Jane starts drawing paths on her back, trying to get her to calm down.

“Do you want to go upstairs, sweetheart?”

Katherine finally nods.

[smol-and-grumpy]

Dear Dean (Chapter 14)

Re-post

Pairing: Dean Winchester x OFC (Jamie Blum)

WC: 5.4k

Summary: After taking Saint Lo, by sheer dumb luck, Lieutenant Dean Winchester from the 29th Infantry Division, Baker Company, received a truckload of replacements for his platoon that was falling apart. Little did he know, that one recruit would change his life forever.

Chapter Warnings: Fluff, angst, “minor” character death

SERIES MASTERLIST

September 12th, 1944

Dean knew that good things don’t last. He learned that life lesson long ago and it was the only thing he remembered.

That little family of his? It didn’t last. The dream of just staying back home, work and pay for Sam’s studies? It didn’t last. The good thing with Bambi? That frankly didn’t last either, even though it wasn’t over. Not technically. Not when Dean could still find a way back to her. But the days in Brest with hot showers and hot food, that certainly couldn’t last. He knew that and still he was angry that they had to move back to the front line again. It was too soon. There was never enough time.

Dean waited with his platoon on the parade square. They were packed and ready to march out come Twenty-one-hundred-hours. Moral had been low ever since Bambi left, but they all knew that they had to keep on moving, had to keep on going and Dean wasn’t crazy about keeping Cas alive anymore. He wanted to keep his platoon together. Without them, he’d be lost and lonely.

It was Twenty-thirty-nine-hours and the men are going through their belongings, checking if they had everything. Dean did the same, to be thorough. He checked his haversack, his webbing, and then he looked into the pocket where he kept his flask. It was empty now. He knew that he should have filled it before they left, but it was too late. He knew he could use the space for something more important, so he took it out to put it into his haversack. His eyebrows came together when his fingers brushed a piece of paper in the pocket beside the flask.

He unfolded it. The lighting wasn’t the greatest on the parade square, but it was enough for him to read what was on it.

Dear Dean,

I don’t even know if you’ll find this and if you do - congratulations!

Come home soon, alright? I never said it, because I don’t know how to say it, but I think I love you with all my heart.

Bambi (shut up, I quite like that nickname)

Dean chuckled to himself and shit, his eyes were welling up.

“One Platoon, ready?” Castiel could be heard shouting from the front.

Dean folded the note and tucked it back into the side pocket of his combat pants. He stood at attention. Looking into the eyes of his men before he answered. “One Platoon, ready sir!”

***

September 15th, 1944

Baker company joined the battle at Fort Montbarey.

Castiel sent in one platoon after another, and each of them had to retreat back. They were losing men, and Dean’s platoon suffered with some wounded and unfortunately, Dopey was hit in the jaw.

Thankfully there were no more casualties. Dean didn’t know if he would be able to cope with that. They were a family and losing one meant losing a piece of themselves.

“Sir, there’s no way that we can get through.” Dean said as he knelt beside Cas.

“I know that. It was an order. Dammit Dean, you wanna switch places? I don’t know how much longer I can do this. Risking the lives of our men just because some stupid strategist thinks it do-able?”

“Cas,” Dean tried to calm his CO down, but Cas stood up and walked away swiftly.

Later that day, they had support from the British 79th Armoured Tanks, and they were able to break through.

***

September 17th, 1944

They finally captured the whole of Brest, and the whole of Baker company (or what was left of it) had time to recover. Thankfully, Dean’s platoon only had wounded apart from Dopey. Harvelle had a ricochet grazing his ass, but he was fine. At least there was that.

Dean finally had the time to find a barber, or at least someone with a steady hand who wouldn’t cut off his ear if he let them near his hair.

He walked the streets of Brest with a couple men of his platoon when they came across a barbershop - excuse Dean - it’s called coiffure here, how fancy!

The shop belonged to a French woman who introduced herself as Lisa. She was very friendly to his men and a couple of the women who worked there even offered some massages in the back of the salon. Dean didn’t even want to know what kind they meant by that, but he was sure that it didn’t involve scalp massages.

Sneezy followed a girl back to the back room with a shy smile on his face.

“Hey, Sneezy, if you’ve got a rash, I’m not scratching it, alright!” Dean called out, and there was laughter from a couple of other men behind him.

They were provided with condoms again, thank god. Too late for him, but not too late for his men, Dean guessed. The French women were all kinds of very, very thankful that the Allied Forces liberated them from the Nazis, and they were not shy about showing it.

It was Dean’s turn, and he took a seat. Lisa threaded her hands in Dean’s hair and he couldn’t lie. It felt great.

“What can I do for you, sir?” She asked him with a heavy French accent.

“Just cut it, I don’t really care.” He said truthfully, and he really didn’t. It was only hair and he wasn’t fuzzy. It would be covered by his helmet anyway.

“You have very nice hair, sir.” She hinted, her red lips curved up into a smile.

“Lieutenant, I think she likes you.” Tran, who sat on the worn out couch, watching them, chimed in.

Dean sent him a side eye, because he didn’t want Lisa to cut his ear off if he tilted his head. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Maybe she’ll give you a massage. You’d deserve it, sir.” Tran winked and raised an eyebrow.

“I would love to give you a massage.” Lisa whispered into Dean’s ear, as she cut at the hair above it.

Dean chuckled then. “I’m alright, thank you.”

“That’s too bad. You know, if you change your mind, you and me could have a good time.” She was persistent, and Dean thought that she probably didn’t get turned down a lot. It wasn’t hard to imagine since she was easy on the eye, and the soldiers were all desperate.

“You know where I am.” She said as she brushed off the hair she just cut from his shoulders. Dean stood up to pay, thanking her.

“Well, I might want a massage.” Tran said, grinning like a winner.

Dean frowned. “Tran, you have a sweetheart at home.”

“Sir, she doesn’t need to know. I’m..uh… have needs.”

“Well, you do you. I’ll see you all tonight at briefing.” Dean said, nodding as he walked out. He could only hear Lisa saying, “I’m alright, thank you.” to Tran and everyone started to laugh before the door closed behind him.

Dear Bambi,

I know I have only sent you a letter more than 10 days ago and you’re probably not even home yet.

Just wanted to keep you in the loop of what’s going on. We captured Brest. You’d be proud of us all. Dopey didn’t make it though, I’m sorry about that, Jamie. There was nothing I could have done to prevent it. It’s not that I didn’t try. I told him to stay back, but I guess my men had taken a liking to you and your ways of not listening to me. He was a fine man, and I’m sorry that I couldn’t keep him alive.

How are you? Did you arrive home alright? Is everything still the same? I’m dying to know about your life back home. Actually, anything that you could tell me that would take my mind off the war would be greatly appreciated.

I haven’t heard from Sam in a while and that’s been bothering me. I kept sending him letters, but I haven’t received anything back. I put Cas on it, to try to find out, but Cas is rather busy and finding Sam is not his priority right now. There’s nothing I can do other than to sit here and wait.

Fuck, Bambi, I miss you. I wish you were here. No wait, scratch that. If I could have a wish granted, I’d wish I would be there with you. Far away from war. That’d be great.

I found your note, by the way. Did you really think that I wouldn’t find it?

Shit Bambi, I never knew what love felt like. I have never said the L-word to anyone else except of Sam and if I did in my youth, it was said without meaning, so I get it when you’re not ready to say it yet. Like I said, I never knew how it felt like, that’s why I had to ask Sam. You heard the letter I read to you. It feels like this, doesn’t it?

I’ll write again whenever I can. You take care and wait for me, alright? And please, this time, for once, do what I tell you to.

Enclosed you can find a picture of me after I had a haircut today. Just so you remember how handsome I am.

Yours,

Dean

***

September 24th, 1944

Dear Dean,

I’ve just arrived home yesterday. Your letter was not the only letter to greet me, but the only one to welcome me home. Thank you for that. Only it doesn’t feel like home. Home is where the heart is, or so they say, and my heart’s still with you. Do you hear it beating? Hold it tight and don’t let go, alright?

I have been reading through the letters my brothers sent to me during my absence. They must have been worried that I wasn’t writing them back. You remember Jim, right? He was with the paratroopers. He dropped off a package for me when he was in Saint Lo. It’s his reserve parachute. He said “it’s pure silk, Jamie. I’ve been holding on to it since I landed, and I want you to have it. I saw you today, and I could have given it to you, but I thought that you didn’t need to carry another useless garbage in your haversack. Make a wedding dress out of it, alright? You’ll look great in it. I love you, kid.” So, I’ve been crying since, but I’m alright, don’t you worry.

Thank you for your picture, I’ll hang it on the door as to repel visitors.

If I can find a decent one of me without snot hanging out of my nose or without one of my brothers in the frame with me, I’ll send it to you.

I was joking, as you can see, there’s a picture of me, which Jameson took at our graduation. Behind the girl with long hair in her summer dress, you see our garden and our house.

It feels so lonely here, Dean, and yes, I wish you could be here with me.

I’m sorry about Dopey, too. Dean, it’s not your fault. I’ll go visit Trenton’s mom in the next couple of days. I’ve sent a telegram out to her right after I arrived. I thought I’d do that while I still have short hair. Wish me luck.

Shit, I’m sorry to hear about Sam. I hope Cas can get on the case. He’s alright, Dean. He has to be.

There’s not much news from here. Unless you want to read about what I need to clean next in the house? I don’t think it’s going to be of great interest, to be perfectly honest with you. As soon as everything settles around here, I plan to go back to school. Training to be a nurse or a teacher, I haven’t decided yet. So, there’s that about me. I’m quite the plain jane as you can see.

Dean, before I end this letter, I wanted to thank you. Thanks for not exposing me and keeping me a secret. And maybe you think that once I’m back, I will go back to my old life, find a decent man who’s around, whom I could start a family with. I know you think that you and me, what we had was just a fling. Maybe it was a chance that we both took because we didn’t have anyone else around, but the truth is, I chose you, Dean and if I could go back, I’d choose you all over again. From the moment that you screamed in my face and looked at me with your angry green eyes, you had me.

Thank you for keeping me alive.

Love, Bambi

***

October 2nd, 1944

Dean ran into Cas on the way out. They moved out towards Herzogenrath and things had been wild. Everyone scrambled around, picking up things that needed to be moved, and Dean still hadn’t heard from Sam.

“Cas! Sir!” He didn’t know how he should address Cas in the open, he tried both and Cas stopped.

“Dean,”

“Yeah. It’s me. Look, I know that we are moving out today and all. I just wanted to know if you’ve heard from Sam, is all.”

“No, not yet, Dean. I can put a word in today before we move out, alright?” He put a hand on Dean’s shoulder to calm him. Cas knew how close Dean and Sam were.

“Great. Thanks.” Dean nodded and he turned to walk out to the square when Cas called after him.

“I got a letter for you, almost forgot!”

Dean ran back to retrieve it. There was no address on it, but Dean knew from the writing that it was from Jamie. She was probably extra careful not to put any return address on it, just in case.

“Thanks.” He smiled brightly at Cas.

Dean sat on the steps as he read through it laughing at her use of his picture. He tucked the letter neatly back into his haversack and took his time to look at the photograph. Jamie, with long flowing brown hair. Her eyes were still as wide as he remembered them, and Dean wished for nothing more than to be able to hold her in his arms again.

The house in the back was big and old. It could use some fixing, and maybe Dean was thinking way ahead, but he would love to get his hands on the house and make it nice and homey again.

It was time to move out and Dean tucked the photograph in to his helmet, keeping it safe next to the note from Jamie and the picture of Sam - he had cut Anna and him out - and as close to him as possible.

Dear Bambi,

We’ve moved out again. Baker’s time of retreat is over. It was too good to be true anyway. They even had a movie theater set up, but I spent my time reading. It wasn’t like I haven’t seen the movies 100 times over.

I hope you’re well. Please tell me that you’re well. At least, I’d have some good news.

I’m still so sorry about your brothers, Jamie. Jim was a fine man. He looked out for you. I bet you’d look fabulous in white silk, too. Maybe it’s a bit too far fetched but.. I don’t know.. could you maybe. Shit, I don’t even know how to phrase that. By the way, if you could see me, you’d be laughing at me because I’m red as a tomato. Well, to go back to what I’ve started, and I know you’d be mad at me if I would just change the subject; When you told me about the silk dress, I could picture you in it and shit, Bambi, in my imagination you look perfect, alright. I wish you’d make a wedding dress out of it and if it’s not too much to ask for - you can call me crazy - I don’t know, maybe I do secretly wish that the man who is standing beside you at your wedding would be me? Would that be too crazy?

How did Trenton’s mom react to your visit? If you haven’t been yet. Tell her that I said hi and that it was an honor for me to have him in my platoon. He did some excellent work and I mean, he was great, and I considered myself lucky that I was his leader. Tell her that if you’re still in contact, alright? Cas probably wrote out a letter to her already, but I wanted for her to hear it from me, too.

Still no word from Sam, Jamie. I’m so fucking worried. Would you..I mean, could you maybe write to him, too? I mean, if it’s not too much trouble. I just… don’t know how else I could reach him. I don’t know, but maybe letters from home would reach him. Maybe it’s just our communication that’s been cut off? Honestly, I would like to abandon my platoon and go look for Sam, but that would get my ass in jail. It would mean that I wouldn’t get to go home to you either, so that’s not an option at the moment. Besides, I can’t leave family behind. I have written Sam’s coordinates down, in case you want to try to reach him.

Did you see what I wrote? Family. It never felt like that until you came along. Thank you for that. You did something special, Bambi. You kept us together, you cared for us all and that meant something.

You’re wrong on one thing, though. I didn’t think that it was just a fling. You are so much more, and maybe I’m wrong, but I knew the moment I screamed at you, sprayed my spit in your face, and looked into your big brown eyes that there was something wrong with you. I wrote to Sam about it, telling him that there’s something about you that I can’t put my finger on, and I felt it in my gut. So maybe we chose each other, huh? I’m glad it was you, and I’m glad it’s still you.

I think you must have received a lot of letters from the men, didn’t you? I saw them penning letters to you. Tran and Harvelle. Even Sneezy. They all miss you. Me included, but you know that already.

Alright, we’ve got Herzogenrath to assault. I will try to keep myself alive.

And oh, Bambi? Please don’t put my photograph on your door? I mean, unless you want random women to come knocking it down asking who that handsome fella is, because they want to ask me out on a date, then yeah, just keep it there.

Bye sweetheart. I’m coming home pretty soon. I can feel it.

I love you. There, I said it. I miss you with every breath I take.

Yours,

Dean

***

October 9th, 1944

“Take cover! Get off the streets!” Dean could only yell as a shell hits the building behind him, leaving a hole as big as himself as it rained cinder blocks as big as his head.

He took his feet in his hand an ran for his life, pulling at the webbings of his men who stood there frozen when he passed them, getting them to run with him. “Get the fuck out! Move move!”

Dean screamed for his men to fucking get out of there, to fall the fuck back, and when he finally saw that everyone of them was running to their rendezvous point, he put his hand on his helmet, swung his rifle over his shoulders and ran.

There’s no way they were getting in. They had to find another way. He didn’t like to risk his men and Cas damn well knew it.

***

October 11th, 1944

Baker was tucked away sleeping in abandoned apartments and houses. Fox was on sentry and Dog was out on patrol. Baker had the night to regain their strength, and they fucking needed it. Herzogenrath was almost done, but there were still a couple of villages around that had German outpost that they need to take out. Dean could finally breathe again.

He was billeted with a couple men of his platoon. They didn’t have beds so they were just lying on the ground. Harvelle found a metal bucket and lit up a fire in the middle of the room. Some of the men were heating water for coffee.

Dean had his back against the wall, his helmet was lying next to him, and he took out the picture of Sam. Still no sign of him. To say that Dean was worried was an understatement.

“Coffee, sir?” Tran held out a metal mug and Dean took it, thanking him. Tran took the liberty to sit next to Dean, and they drank their coffee in silence.

Tran saw the picture in Dean’s hand. “Is that Sam?”

“Huh?” Dean then chuckled, tracing his fingers along his brother’s face on the picture. “Yeah, my brother. He’s in the field. I haven’t heard from him.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“It’s alright. I still have hope.” Dean tucked the picture back with his free hand.

“And that other picture?” Tran asked curiously.

Dean hesitated at first, he didn’t know if he should show it but then he thought, why not. Everyone was bragging about their sweethearts and besides, apart from the big eyes, Jamie didn’t look like the private Jamie. She looked like a woman and not a skinny private. “This?” He said, taking it out and showed it to Tran.

“That your girl, Lieutenant?”

“Huh,” Dean chuckled, his tongue wetting his bottom lip before he bit on it. “Yeah. That’s my girl.” There was a shy smile on Dean’s face. He never really had a girl to call his own, and to be able to say that, was kind of weird, but the good kind. Dean could get used to it.

“She’s fucking beautiful.” Tran was still looking at the picture.

“Yeah, she is.” Dean trailed his fingers along her picture as if he tried to touch her.

“Shit, Harvelle, the Lieutenant has a total babe at home. Fuck, look at that.” Tran called out for Harvelle to come over and when Harvelle sat down, he peeked at the picture.

“Damn, Lieutenant. How did we not know?”

“Was that why you didn’t want to have a massage with what’s her name? Lana?” Tran asked Harvelle, probably deliberately saying a wrong name because he was still butthurt Lisa didn’t want to massage him, and Harvelle answered with Lisa.

“I’m not a big fan of screwing around.” Dean said dryly, and it was the truth. He did that a lot when he was younger, but no, he wasn’t going to do it when he had Jamie to go home to. He wasn’t going to fuck up the only thing that kept him going forward, the only thing that kept him alive.

“Well, I’m a big fan of her.” Harvelle pointed his chin at the picture.

“Me too.” Tran said as he looked at the picture again. “And she looks so familiar.”

Dean’s heart started to drum harder.

“Say, Lieutenant, is she maybe someone famous? I mean, I think I’ve seen her somewhere. I just don’t know where.”

“Yeah, you’re right. She looks damn familiar.” Harvelle agreed.

“Letters from home!” Gabriel walked by, and Dean had never been more happy about seeing Gabriel.

“Here, Winchester!” Gabe threw him the letters to his feet.

Dean tucked the picture back into his helmet before he got on to his feet to distribute the letters to his men.

He received one as well. It wasn’t from Sam, which he hoped that it would be. It was from Jamie which was really the next best thing.

He ripped the letter open, eager to read it and all the others did the same.

Dear Dean,

Did you hear from Sam yet? I’ve penned him a letter, it should reach him the same day as you get that letter from me. I didn’t know what I should write to him, so I did my best in Jamie-style awkward letter penning. I hope it makes him smile a little.

Your letter arrived just before I was about to leave to see Trenton’s mom. It took her longer to accept. I think she had to convince herself that she actually wanted to see me, so that’s a good thing, I guess, because then I could tell her about what you wanted me to. Dean, it was so emotional. She said that I should thank you from her. Trenton’s been writing home and telling them how good of a leader you are. He thought highly of you, and he wanted to be like you. She told me that Trenton also wrote them about me. About me being his best friend. I cried - you can probably imagine. She thanks you from the bottom of her heart, and she prays for you to come back home. Dean, never doubt yourself and your leadership, alright? I’m rooting for you. I’m waiting for you to come back. You were Trenton’s hero, and you are still mine.

I wore a dress today. First time in what seemed like forever. Since I’ve been back, I walked around in Jameson’s clothes that are way too big for me. But today I thought I could try on my dress and it fits. I just need to remind myself that I should eat more so the dress will fit right again. Guess the front line does things to your body, huh? You would have loved it, though. But again, I think that you would love everything I put on. Even if it’s just some old men’s cotton underwear and a military undershirt and combat pants. But Dean, I looked really cute. Just saying. I found my mom’s old hat to go with it. You know, the hair is not long enough yet, but I’m getting there.

The reason I wore a dress to venture out is that I’ve been feeling bad lately. I can’t keep food down, and I went to see my GP. He put it down to stress that I’m under - oh boy, if he only knew - but I think it’s something different so I went to see another GP.

Everything’s fine, Dean. Don’t you worry about me, alright? I’m good. Better than good. You just take care of yourself and make sure you’re coming home to me. That’s your only job. Apart from killing Nazis, I mean.

There’s big news that I’d like to tell you about but I can’t do it through a letter. I don’t know how to word. You’ve gotta come home so I can tell you, alright?

Hey, if I could I would roll my eyes at you right now for your comment about your picture. I’ll keep it save, don’t worry. Don’t need my neighbors coming around to ask who that fine dreamboat of a man is that’s been hanging on the front door. Because for now, you’re a secret I like to keep to myself. I’m not ready to share you yet.

And to tell you the truth, you’re not crazy for imagining standing next to me on my wedding day. I’ve been doing the same.

I love you deeply.

Always,

Jamie

“Lieutenant?” A young private, probably one of the replacements, pulled Dean back to reality.

Dean looked up from the letter, his eyes a little teary. “Yeah?”

“Sir, Lieutenant Novak wants to see you.”

Dean cleared his throat as he folded the letter back and tucked it into his jacket. “Yeah, sure.”

He walked with the runner to the Company CP where Cas was waiting for him.

“Sir?”

“Dean,” Cas said and that was Dean’s clue that they were at ease. Otherwise, he was Lieutenant Winchester. “You wanna sit?” Cas turned the chair around for Dean.

Dean shook his head. “Nah, I’m good.”

Cas shrugged. “Alright,” He sat back on his desk and as usual, he grabbed his cigarette tin and took one out. “I’m not going to ask if you want one.”

“No.”

“I should cut the chase.” He lit one up and inhaled. “Dean, fuck, I don’t know how I should tell you this.”

No. Don’t.

Dean felt nauseous.

“It’s Sam, Dean. They were on a patrol mission, clearing out a German outpost. He was standing where the grenade went off and was killed on impact.”

Dean didn’t hear the rest of the sentence. He dropped his helmet where he was stood and walked to the nearest wall to throw up, right there in the fucking company office, and he didn’t care one little bit.

He used both his hands to brace the wall and Dean knew that his stomach was empty, he hadn’t been eating properly in days and there was nothing going to come out anymore, but the feeling of throwing up was still there so Dean choked and retched until he felt his head spin.

“Dean, hey, hey.” Cas put his arm around Dean’s shoulder and Dean tucked his head between his hands, the cool wall on his forehead providing little relief. His body began to shake and vibrate, and Dean didn’t even know that he was crying. The sound that came out were alien to him. He felt tears dropping from the tip of his nose.

Sam.

Dean clenched his fists, punching at the wall, and he kept on crying and punching until the skin around his knuckles felt raw. Until his knuckles were bleeding.

Sammy.

“Shit, Dean. I’m so sorry.” Cas started to say, his hand rubbing at Dean’s back as he stood there. He’s here for him as a friend and not his CO. Dean knew that much. It soothed him and it made him calm down, because he realized that he wasn’t alone. That he was still in the middle of a war and fuck, he just wanted to go home. He just wanted to crawl into Bambi’s arms and cry his eyes out. She’d hold him. She’d be the rock that he was missing.

He wanted to ask if he could see Sammy for one last time, but he knew that it was logistically not possible. Besides, he didn’t even know if there was enough left of Sam to be identified.

Oh fuck, Sammy!

It took a while for Dean to regain his composure, to feel like he wasn’t in a fucking nightmare.

He rubbed his bloody and bruised hand over his eyes and face and pinched the bridge of his nose before his hands searched for the chair Cas offered. He took a seat and picked up his helmet from the floor. He took out Sam’s picture to look at his brother.

“Fuck, Dean. It means you can go home. The regiment will take you off, deem you 4-G. you’re getting to go home.”

Dean didn’t want to tell Cas that home wouldn’t be the same if Sam wasn’t in it. There was no home without Sam. It never had been a home to him when he couldn’t get back to Sam at the end of the day. But then he thought of Jamie and took out her picture. He still had Jamie to live for, and he knew that Sam wouldn’t want to have it any other way. Sam would rip him a new one if Dean backed out from going home. If Dean backed out of having a future that was cut short for Sam. Sam would want him to be happy.

Shit, Sam!

Dean buried his head back in his hand, the pictures crumbling in his palms.

“When will I go?” It was a whisper, but Dean knew that Cas heard him well.

“That’s the thing. You’d have to wait until we reach Aachen. Can you do that? You’ll get to go as soon as we reach Aachen. The regiment can’t send someone to fetch you while we’re still here.”

Dean sniffed and brushed the back of his hand at his nose. “Yeah, okay.” He felt numb.

“I hate to see you go, Dean.”

Dean nodded. He wanted to say something. Anything. Maybe something along the lines of I don’t wanna go either, Cas, or I don’t want to abandon my family. But the words wouldn’t come out. Because more than anything, he wanted to go home.

“Take a rest. We’ll be moving forward soon.”

CHAPTER 15

[lefandomlayf]

ChrAshley Oneshot

Summary: A strange girl in a hoodie captures Chris’ attention. How will he handle these new feelings? Will something ever blossom between these two? (I suck at summaries)

Words: 1073

Notes: This fandom needs more fanfics and this ship deserves more love. So I made a oneshot... That’s all you need to know. It’s from Until Dawn and I cross posted this on wattpad. No it’s not on ao3. Yes I know lots of fanfiction on wattpad are garbage. YES I know the fandom is dead. Do I care? No. Will it stop me from writing this fic? No. So please, sit back, relax, and prepare for a diabetic ride of cringe and fluff.

The girl sits in her usual chair in the library. I don't know what it is about her that makes me so... curious. All I know is that she wears a hoodie that covers her whole face, revealing only her button nose and auburn hair. She wears it everyday.

She often goes in the library, nose deep in the book she's reading. She brings a different book with her everyday. We've been in the same school ever since fourth grade, but up to now, I still don't know her name.

There are only a few students in the library. I notice a girl staring at me. She motions her hand to the emty seat beside her.

"Hey Chris. You can sit here if you like.", she says.

"Uh, no thanks, I'm sitting with someone else today."

I grab a random book from the shelf and walk towards the girl with the hoodie.

"Hey, um, is this seat taken?", I ask, pointing to the chair next to her.

She flinches as she realizes, that I was speaking to her.

"No, uh, just go ahead, no one's sitting there.", she replies not taking her eyes off her book.

I sit down next to her. As I 'read' my book, I try to catch occasional glimpses through her heavy hood.

"Are you done staring yet?", she asks sarcastically, still not taking her eyes of her book.

Shit. She must've caught me looking at her.

"Oh, I - uh. I was just, um. I was just-"

"You don't have to look at me like I'm some zoo animal. I know I don't look exactly 'ravishing'.", she says, waving her arms at the last word. She was now fully facing me, though her hood was covering the entirety of her face.

"Oh, I - I didn't mean it like that. I - I'm sorry.", I say looking down. I could feel her lips twitch upwards in her hood as she looked down at me.

"Ashley. Ashley Brown.", she says extending her hand, for me to shake.

"Christopher. Hartley.", I reply, looking up, accepting her hand. Her skin is soft against mine.

"Nice to meet you Christopher.", she says, and continues on reading her book. I try to read my book too, but I can't, so I sit down, book in hand, reading, but not really.

The entirety if my being in the library next to her was an awkward silence. After a couple of minutes, she gets up, picks up her book and walks towards the exit. Before she's completely out of hearing range, she stops and speaks, her back facing me.

"By the way, I didn't expect you to be the type of person who likes to read 'Tinker Bell' in a public library, and upside down.", she says and walks away, I could feel her mouth twitch as she smirked at me from her back.

I look at the book in my hands. True enough, the cover on the book was labeled 'The Adventures of Tinker Bell' and it was upside down!

Crap! That was embarassing.

Later that night, my bestfriend, Josh, texts me.

Josh: Hey Cochise! Saw you in the library earlier 2day. Who's the new chick? You gonna bang her?

Chris: Hey Josh! Her name is Ashley. No! I barely even know her bro.

Josh: Bro, she's weird. I don't know about you, but I usually go for hot chicks, but then again, you do have weird preferences.

Chris: Wut do u mean by that?

Josh: Nvm about it dude. G'night.

(Next Day)

After school, I make a quick stop at the library, eager to see the girl again. I spot her at her usual seat. She's not alone.

As I get closer to her chair, I see a group of students in a circle around her. I hide behind a shelf, as I do, I hear muffled insults.

"Bitch! You don't deserve to be friends with Chris!"

"I mean, look at you. However you look in that hoodie. Chris will never like you. Because you're ugly!"

"What's up with that hoodie anyway?", one of the girls taunts, trying to tug off Ashley's hoodie. She pulls it back down, trying desperately to cover her face. It's then that I notice that the girl picking on her was the girl who asked me to sit beside her in the library yesterday. Crap. I couldn't stand it. I step out of the bookshelf I was hiding in and I walk to the group of girls around Ashley.

"Hey! What do you guys think you're doing? Who gave you the authority to pick on her like that?"

"Geez Chris, can't you like, take a joke or something."

"Bullshit! Do you actually think that phsically torturing others is a joke. Is bullying a joke to you?!", I shout (luckily the librarian was very far that she couldn't hear what was going on), just noticing that she had miniature bruises on her skin.

"We were just messing around Chris.", a girl says.

"Piss of, the lot of you. You guys make me sick.", almost immediately, they all leave. I rush to Ashley's side.

"Hey, you ok?", I ask.

"Yeah.", she sniffles. "I'm fine. I'm just gonna' go home now."

"Oh, well then, I'll drive you back there."

"You don't need to do that.", she says, standing up and walking towards the exit. In long strides, I catch up to her.

"Trust me, I do. Who knows, what if those girls come back?"

"They won't"

"How do you know?"

"I just do."

"C'mon, atleast let me take you home. I worry so."

"Alright. Fine", she says looking back at me. "If it means you shutting up, then fine."

I take her to my car. We're both silent as I drive her back to her home, speaking occasionaly when I ask her for directions. We stop in front of her house.

"Thanks.", Ashley says, getting out of the car. I drive back to my house, still thinking of her. A faint scent of her cologne lingers in my car. I take a deep breath.

Later that night as I lay in bed, I think about what the girl told Ashley earlier, 'What's up with that hoodie anyway?' and what did she mean by 'you don't deserve to be with Chris'? As I fall asleep, the last thing that I think of is Ashley. 'Does she like me? Do I like her?'

[letters-from-eros]

She did what?!? | Todoroki Shouto|

❄️Requested by @otaku-explosion

🔥 @otaku-explosion said - “Would you be willing to make a soulmate au scenario about how Todoroki Shouto told his friends how he met his soulmate? She fell out of a trash shoot while covering her baby ferret friend when he came across a burning building . Why a trash shoot? “it was the only thing that hasn’t caught fire around her and if she died from the landing on something below at least her furry friend would have a cushion to land safely on” she said. Please and thank you”

❄️Format? - Scenario | Soulmate AU - Your soulmate and yourself share a matching mark in the same spot, and it burns after first touching your soulmate!

🔥Writer? Mod CJ!

❄️ A/N: Oh. My. God. I am so sorry!!!!! I swear this wonderful request has been in here ever since I opened the ask box!! Maybe even before! I’ve been so scared to write this cause I’m not the best at scenarios! My deepest, deepest apologies! 

🔥 P.S: pretty much all in the 3rd person with female pronouns!

              -The accident-

Just another day for Todoroki. Early in the morning, he was heading to school. The only new thing happening today is the sound of sirens and the distant yet visible cloud smoke in the general direction of a burning apartment building in the exact opposite way to get to UA from his home. There was an inkling od him that wanted to go, but he knew that it was just a fire, albeit a big one since he can see it from where he is. Firefighters can still handle it. If he went to check it out, even though he’s going to class relatively early, he would be late. He took the left, while the apartment was to the right... He only made it 5 steps before turning around going to the fire. He just knew he could help in any sort of way. An ice quirk could prove useful in a situation like this, right?

He made it there in the heat of everything. The top half of the building was engulfed with flames, heroes with water Quirks tried their best along with the firefighters. Maybe he could freeze the building? No. They wouldn’t allow that. Help people out? No, he wished he was a pro hero already, instead of just a minor that couldn’t help out with anything. He covered his mouth and released a small cough, the smoke was getting worst. No one had noticed him yet to tell him to scram or at least give him a mask to cope with the breath stealing fumes that the apartment released. God he hoped he could accomplish something before he had to leave

Though the deafening sirens were blaring off he did manage to hear shuffling, thumping, a small crash and a... Squeak? Well, the noises were coming from the alley beside the building.. It could have very well just have been a mouse. Regardless of such, Todoroki still races into the alleyway to figure out what exactly made those noises. It could have been a person trying to fall to safety, and they could be hurt or burned. No matter how improbable he knew that was.

As he runs into the alley, he almost, just almost misses the girl. The girl was panting, almost hyperventilating. She was small, or at least was appearing a lot smaller from shrinking herself down to fit in between heaps of garbage bags. Or at least that was the excuse Shoto was gonna keep in his mind to almost not noticing her.

“Help-” The girl who’s lying in a small garbage pile squeaks out in a high pitch, hoarse voice. Somehow, someway, the voice calmed down Todoroki, who is in super high alert mode. When he spins around so be presented with just the most beautiful girl who has the warmest, softest glare. The girl has a ferret who’s hanging around her neck that looks like is on high alert as well.

“All you alright, ma’am?” Todoroki says, in a surprisingly calm voice. I mean, it literally shocked him too. This girl has and affect on him.

“Y- Yes, I’m not hurt too badly. I just-” The girl attempts to get up but just falls back into the trash.

Todoroki hurries to help her up but then suddenly he feels a burn on his shoulder blade, it was almost like a sharp pain. Todoroki, being so well acquainted with burning sensations brushes it off before he sees the young girl he’s trying to save grip her shoulder in pain too. She doesn’t look like it was excruciating, so Todoroki gives her a worried look with she just responded with a nod. Todoroki wasn’t these best with facial expression, but he was genuine worried for this girl’s safety. The little ferret makes a small clicking noice and repositions themselves into a better spot being wrapped around her neck.

It looked like they realized the obvious at the exact same time. Almost out of the alley, both of there eyes grew wide, hoping for the other to not realize, they both shyly look at each other as the girl whispers,

“Did you get the pain on your right shoulder as well?”

Shouto Todoroki wasn’t fed with the most information with soulmates, with all things considered on who his dad was and his dimener. But luckily for him he had his mother, who looked up to the ordeal of soulmates, since she wasn’t blessed enough to have one herself.

“That means... You’re my soulmate?” Shoto says, with a semi-shocked face. Again, he’s not the best with facial expressions.

The girl was dazed, smiling to herself the rest of the walk towards the ambulance. Right before Todoroki and the police got her into the ambulance to head straight to the hospital he used the new-found knowledge to his advantage,

“Sir, I’m her soulmate.” He says with a overconfident tone. The man lets him straight into the vehicle. He hops in while she’s having and argument with one of the EMT for letting her keep the ferret in the ambulance. She ultimately won when she said it was her comfort animal.

The EMT saw that the girl did not have any bad, immediate injuries that he could take care of. She was rarely coughing which means the amount of smoke inhalation was low. When they got to the hospital, the doctors could do more.

“Miss-“ Todoroki started, halfway in the ride to hospital

“Y/N.” The girl corrected Todoroki.

“Y/N... I hope you don’t mind me asking but, why did you go through a trash shoot?”

“Well,” She started “it was the only thing that hasn’t caught fire around me and if I died from the landing on something below at least my furry friend would have a cushion to land safely on” she said with a small smirk.

Telling his friends

Shoto was just in the locker room. Almost all his peers were already worried in why he called in sick yesterday. By the time he left the hospital with Y/N He already missed a good fraction of the day, plus Y/N insisted on hanging out more.

The crescent on his right shoulder had color now. It was a piercing white with one or two grey spots. Shoto was always curious what color it was going to be.

One of the boys must of picked up on it having color now. I hear a small quick gasp from who I think was Izuku. I let out a small sigh. I know I’m in for a long one...

“Y- You met your soulmate Todoroki?!” Izuku questioned. If any of the guys wasn’t already intrigued with the gasp, they are probably now.

They all walked out of the locker rooms, thankfully before the girls. A lot of was boys who was in the locker room are swarming Todoroki with questions about Y/N. Shoto was new to this type of attention.

It dimmed down a lot as we made it to the bleachers, but the other guys still haven’t let it go yet. The girls are taking an odd amount of time to get ready, though they usually do take a longer time than us.

“So, is she hot?” Kaminari asks and Mineta turns around awaiting some sort of answer. Todoroki shrugs this question off because I shouldn’t materialize Y/N, let alone any woman.

“Well, how’d you meet her?” Izuku asks in a light voice, trying not to overstep any boundaries. Izuku has yet to find his soulmate and didn’t know which questions were acceptable or not. In fact, Shoto was the first boy in 1A to find his soulmate, though a few of the girls have.

 “That fire yesterday,” he started answering his question, all the boys listening, even Bakugo who was trying to play it off. “I came to check it out and she was in the apartment building,” with every sentence trapped the boys even more with wonder. “She fell out the trash shoot with her pet ferret, and I helped her. We have a date later on today.” That wonder of his fellow classmates turned into confusion, playing off the date part there was a small uproar, of light whispers and theories of why she fell out of a trash shoot. But two voices stranded out from the rest.

“Why a trash shoot?” Says Bakugo with aggression like always, and Kirshima, with general confusion, it had to be asked, so he just got it through.

They glared at each other as Bakugo mumbles a low, but completely audible “shitty hair...” small laughs from the exchange but soon the attention falls back on Todoroki, awaiting an answer.

“She said the reason for the trash shoot is because ‘it was the only thing that wasn’t burning in the fire. And if she died from the fall at least her Ferret would have a safe landing’”

The hard and tough boys tried their hardest to not let out a ‘awwww’. It sounded like something straight out of a heartwarming movie. There’s no denying that they didn’t find that to be some form of cute.

The girls finally walk out of the locker rooms and a small look of realization and disappointment waves over Todoroki as he registers that he’s gonna have to repeat the story for the girls.

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

That was way longer than it needed it to be. I can’t believe I actually got this done. I really hope you like it.

[zoeygreensimblr]

How You get the Girl (Episode 34)

Most people start their Monday mornings with cursing the alarm clock, wishing the weekend didn't just fly by, they may have a light breakfast, a strong coffee or a cold shower to wake up. Angus starts his Mondays with push-ups and crunches, by choice, as I lay sprawled naked across the bed watching him, wishing for that strong coffee, this boy wakes up energised.

He finishes his last set of crunches, light sweat beaming off his bare chest and he slides over to the side of the bed and kisses me deeply, passionately.

"I loved my surprise baby" He tells me, cheeky smile spreading across his face.

"I have 3 others too, if you're a good boy I'll let you see me in them" I tease him and he reaches up and spanks me on my behind.

"Im always a good boy Princess" He professes and I laugh

"You're cheeky baby" I tell him as I lean in for another kiss.

"You looked hot Zoey" He tells me and I'm floored, I've never been the hot girl before, always the cute girl, but he likes cute.

"You look hot everyday Angus" I inform him and he blushes, first time I've ever seen Angus get shy.

"Only you think that Zo" He says with a little chuckle

"Ah no, I'm not, Claudia spends most of her working day checking you out, I use to watch her watching you" I laugh

"Claudia now runs Pectoral Fitness. You remember that gym in Del Sol Valley that I bought?" He informs me and I smile

"So now she can check out someone else's boyfriend." I say satisfied

"Baby, like she had a chance, I only want you, even when we were apart, it was always you" He promises me.

"You said you were looking though when I asked if you were moving on" I say sadly, thinking back to the formal.

"I was playing it cool Zoey, I couldn't just come out and tell you that I checked your Simstagram regularly for updates, I even got suspicious of Sam at one point because you were in group photos with him and I'd never met the kid, that wasn't a good day for me" He replies, matching my sadness

"Stalker"I laugh, poking him in the ribs, he scoops me up in his arms and pulls me down to where he is on the floor.

"Zoey you hate being tickled right?" He asks me knowing I detest it as his fingers move lightly under my arms, making me squirm

"Angus stop" I plead with him while laughing

"Am I a stalker?" He laughs, tickling my ribs

"No, you're my boyfriend and if you love me you will stop" I plead with him again and this time it works, he holds his hands up to show he won't tickle me anymore, I kiss his neck as a thank you and he wraps his arms around me, he feels hot and sweaty.

"Come shower with me Princess, I'll be a good boy" He promises me

"But I love it more when you're bad" I laugh

"We can't have sex in the shower Zoey" Angus tells me in a serious tone, "Not until you get back on the pill" He says kissing me, I reach up and grab my phone from the bedside table and look up doctors on the island with appointments available that morning, find one not far from us and book the appointment, he sits there watching me intently.

"Will you come with me?" I ask him

"Of course baby, I would never make you go alone" He says, kissing me softly

The island doctor is not at all like the city doctor, there's no questions asked about getting tested or if we are using other protection, this doctor just writes the prescription and sends me on my way and I have it filled at the pharmacy.

"That was easy" I exclaim, "Now what shall we do" I ask, knowing he knows the island so well

"I have something I want us to do together, it's something I like to do whenever I come out here and it's not going to be exciting or glamorous but it will be rewarding." He says and I'm curious to what it is.

We catch a small boat to one of the popular tourist beaches on the island, at first glance the beach looks like paradise with golden sand and crystal clear water but as our small boat docks I see that the beach is covered in garbage, left behind by the tourists. We walk up to the lifesavers hut where Angus introduces me to Richard, one of the lifeguards on duty.

"Here to do the dirty work again Angus?" Richard asks as he hands Angus keys to the locked shed at the side of the hut.

"I hate the way they just leave this place, no respect" Angus says as he unlocks the small shed and hands me gloves and a garbage bag then grabs supplies for himself, he locks the shed and hands the keys back to Richard and we make our way along the beach, filling our bags with garbage.

"How often do you do this?" I ask Angus

"Whenever I come to the island I like to spend a day or two cleaning up, it's like giving back to the spirits who watch over Sulani" He explains

"You never mentioned it before" I say, surprised that it has never come up before today

"It's no big deal Zo" He replies as he grabs a beer can sticking out of the sand

"It is a big deal Angus, it's selfless" I applaud him and he just gives me a small smile.

"Well now you're selfless too baby" He says, "Thank you for helping out, I'm sorry it's not as exciting as our other adventures"

"I'm happy to help and I'd be happy to help again whenever you come out" I offer

"You're a good person Zo" He says, kissing me on the cheek.

That afternoon we pack our bags to leave the hotel and drive back to the holiday home.

"We didn't have a spa" I comment as we check out, Angus looks at me and smiles

"Well we will just have to come back and try it out won't we Princess?" He offers and I'm excited.

Angus drives the scenic route back to the house, along the coastline, I see families playing in the sand and surfers riding waves, giant palm trees and even a pod of dolphins swimming far out in the ocean.

"I really do love it here" I remark as he pulls up at the house

"I should of taken you here instead of Del Sol Valley, maybe we wouldn't of broken up" He jokes

"Yeah, because the location was the issue"I laugh and he goes quiet, I place my hand on his leg to let him know that we are good, we're past it now.

"Wait here" He says, he gets out of the car and comes around to open my door, I get out and he pulls me in close to him, his cologne smells amazing.

"I had a fantastic holiday with you Angus, when we went to Del Sol Valley, I never thanked you for taking me but I loved it" I tell him and he smiles brightly.

"I'll take you back there one day, we will finish it with better memories" He promises, taking my hand and we walk into the house.

Tess is in the kitchen with Declan and you can cut the tension between them with a knife, she's snapping at every move he makes to help her prepare dinner, I've seen them have fights before but seems to be becoming more annoyed by Declan more often.

"Hey guys, do you need help?" I offer

"No thanks, I've got this"Tess shouts  as she takes the chopping board away from Declan

"Are you sure because it's a lot of work, cooking for 8 people Tess" Angus pushes

"Yeah, I'm all good, if Declan would just move out of my way then I'd be able to get it all ready" She says, pushing him aside

"I'm trying to help" Declan protests

"You're not helping, you're creating more work" She snaps back at him, I can see that she's going to erupt any moment now and it's probably best to get Declan out of the firing line before she blows.

"Can you take Declan down to the beach, I'll talk to Tess" I whisper to Angus and he nods. The boys leave the room and I cautiously approach my sister.

"What's going on" I ask her

"Declan is just pissing me off and not just today, he's just so immature and makes stupid jokes , like what he said to you yesterday morning about your hand and on Friday how he made that comment about Imogen" She scoffs

"Do you think you just need some time apart? Like you've been around each other since Thursday night, maybe you just need a night off from him?" I suggest

"We've been together since year 9 Zoey, I grew up and he didn't and I see it now, I see how Angus is with you, how he doesn't make crude jokes or talk about how hot his friend's sister is. Even Sam, who is our age seems more mature than Declan. I'm just sick of his stupid humour" She cries

"Well what are you going to do?" I ask her, Tess and Declan have had fights in the past but never broken up officially, they usually make up by the next day but this feels different with the way she's talking

"I'm going to see how we are by the end of the holiday and if I'm still feeling like this then I'm going to end it." She says sadly

"I'm here for you Teresa, whatever you do" I tell her, wrapping my arms around her.

"I know Zoey" She says and I can hear the quiver in her tone. I pick up a knife and start chopping carrots and Tess adds the potatoes to the roasting pan with the turkey, together we finishing chopping the rest of the vegetables and place them in the steamer. Tess and I have always worked well together in the kitchen, I see her dark mood is lifting when she puts the radio on and starts dancing and it's hard not to get caught up in all the fun. By the time Angus and Declan have returned from the beach Tess and I are in high spirits, the bad tension is completely gone. Cassie, Sam, Annabelle and Steph arrive home, they've spent the day cruising around the island and are now looking beautifully sun kissed.

"How was last night hun?" Steph whispers to me while everyone else is busy chatting about their day.

"Really good, he liked his surprise" I tell her smiling shyly

"I'm glad he liked it and I'm sure you looked hot too" She praises me and I hug her, I love talking with Steph, it's like having a big sister who always has the best advice. I pull her outside, away from the group, away from Angus. I have questions I need to ask.

"When you and Angus were together did he make plans, for your future?" I question her and she laughs to herself

"The only plan Angus made while he was with me was how drunk he could get and Brian and I would struggle to get his ass home. He got drunk and ruined my 18th and then his 18th, our anniversary, then it became a Friday night regular thing" She tells me and I realise it's the first time she's brought up Brian.

"Is that why You and Brian ended up together?" I ask her tentatively, I know it's none of my business but I have wondered.

"Brian and Angus were like brothers, they grew up together and Brian's family took Angus in for a while after his parents died because Imogen wasn't in the right head space to be raising a teenage boy, it took Angus and Imogen a while to find their way, She had to go from being his older sister to his parent while still holding up her career. Brian and Angus did everything together until I came between them, Brian liked me and I liked Angus and Brian pulled away from Angus when we started seeing each other" She explains

"And thats why Angus started drinking?" I ask her and she nods

"He was filling a void left by Brian and still hadn't dealt with his parents deaths, he was pretty messed up I didn't know how to handle it so I'd yell at him a lot, I was very nasty to Angus because I felt neglected by him and the more angry I got the more he would drink to escape and I started leaning on Brian, calling him to come help, hoping he could pull Angus out of the dark place but Brian was everything I was missing, he was sweet and affectionate. I'm not proud of what I did but I fell in love with Brian, it wasn't just sex, we had a relationship" She informs me, I feel so bad for bringing this all back up to the surface for her but I have to know.

"Why did you and Brian break up?" I ask her

"Guilt tore us apart, he lost a brother in Angus and we both lost our friend. Angus deserved better, I deserved better, we should of ended it in high school and maybe Angus and Brian would still be friends" She says sadly

"Do you think Angus and Brian could ever be friends again? It would break my heart if I couldn't talk to Tess or Cassie ever again, surely enough water has passed under the bridge" I wonder

"I doubt it, Angus and I are friends now because he has nothing to lose by letting me back in but with Brian it's different, Brian took something from Angus and Angus wouldn't risk that happening again, not with you Zoey" She tells me, I put my arms around her to let her know that I don't pass any judgement.

"There you two are" Angus says, stepping out onto the porch with us, "I've been looking for you, dinner is ready ladies"

We go back inside and take out seats at the table and I'm grateful to Steph for being open and honest with me, my relationship with Angus is completely different to the one she had with him because he's different, he learnt from his mistakes.

Later that night, while we are lying together in bed I snuggle into Angus and he kisses me softly.

"You're a good boyfriend Angus McKenzie and a good person too" I tell him and he looks me and smiles

"Where's this coming from Zo?" He questions me

"I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate you and that I love you. I like that you include me in your future plans because I see you in mine too" I say, kissing him deeply and running my fingers through his hair.

"I do have big plans for us baby" He teases as he moves his lips down to my neck and slides his hand up my thigh

"You're trying to distract me so I don't ask any questions about these plans, I'm on to you Angus" I laugh

"We should move this outside, down on the beach, under the stars" He suggests, ignoring me

"In public? Where everyone can see us?" I fret, I know I've come a long way with my social anxiety but the thought of strangers watching us isn't exactly a turn on

"It's a private beach Zoey, there's only two houses that have access and no one is staying in the other house right now, I checked it out before we came up here. Everyone's in bed, no-one will hear us" He whispers to me, "Plus I find it hard to get intimate with your sister down the hall" He confesses, winning me over.

We made love under the stars with the sound of the waves crashing and the smell of the salty sea air as he explored my my body, my captain had seduced me by the sea.

[notreallyuseless]

Chase’s day (END)

Previous [x]

When Chase woke up the next day, he felt like a truck had drive over him fifteen times in a row. He just felt like staying in bed and ignore the world around him. Everyone was doing their things, going on about their day, while Chase was stuck in this timeless space where a minute could stretch itself into hours of self-loathing. He didn’t want to stumble upon the others. He felt bad for thinking badly of them. He was the one in the wrong, he should be happy to have friends around him most days. One day without them didn’t have to mean the end, right? But it did. It did because he needed his friends the most on Father’s Day. And they weren’t there, by choice or not. If one of them called out to Chase to spend time with him because he needed someone, he’d drop everything to get to him. But Chase didn’t reach out. So, he really was in the wrong. But once again, they knew how that day was hard for him. He rolled over and expected to fall off the couch but was surprise to discover the couch was magically wider than he expected. He opened his eyes and quickly shut them up again. The sunlight through the window was blinding. Even if he was still hangover, he knew there was no window that close to the couch. He sat up, eyes still closed and patted around him. He was in bed, so someone must have brought him to a room, most likely his. He finally stood up and staggered toward what he thought was a door, but he didn’t even do two steps forward that he fell on the floor, knocking down a few things with him. He had hit his head on something hard and the once painful headache was even worst now. That’s what happen when you try to do something when your life is falling apart. He felt two hands placed themselves on his armpit and straighten him up. He still wasn’t stable on his feet, so he leaned on the person behind him.

“Chase, I’m maybe a superhero, but you’re really heavy if you put all your weight on me. Can’t you help me a little?”

He tried standing up, but his legs were still wobbly. He felt sick. Very sick.

“Batman.”

At this word, Jackie grabbed an empty trashcan in the blink of an eye and placed it in Chase’s hand. Not a second later, Chase’s head was buried in the trashcan, emptying his stomach. They both sat down on the floor, Jackie slowly rubbing Chase’s back. Even if his vision was still blocked off by the plastic of the trashcan, Chase knew that the others had meet up in the room.

“Chase... we’re...we’re sorry for yesterday.”

“Don’t... I don’t care anymore.”

It was silence in the room. He could hardly hear someone shuffling on his feet and someone else messing up his hair. He felt a hand on his shoulder and removed his head from the bin to look at Jamie that sign at him, smiling.

“But we do care.”

“It’s... it’s nothing guys. I’ll get over it. It was one of my bad days and it fell on Father’s day on all days so... don’t bother. It’s one of my depressing moment.”

“Then we’ll treat it as such”, said Henrik a little too loud for Chase’s ears. Chase then felt hands take his ankle and lift him up with the help of Jackie.

“Wait! What are you-”, began to say Chase before another wave of sickness took him. Henrik motioned Jamie with his head to stay near Chase with the bin, in which Chase didn’t wait to use again.

After a small trip throughout the house, with a few stops for Chase to be sick and some others for Marvin to also be sick, they finally arrived into the living room. Chase could remember how messy the place was after his drinking. Bottles were scattered everywhere, all pillows on the floor to let him have all the couch and the already messy floor was intact. But now, the room was cleaned up. Like nothing happened. No bottles, no snacks, no pillows on the floor. Henrik and Jackie gently placed Chase on the couch and wrapped him up in Chase’s bed sheets.

“What are you doing, guys?”

“Taking care of you, silly”, answered Jamie still smiling.

They all left the room, one after the other except for Jamie who sat down on the floor next to the couch. He looked up at Chase, his smile never leaving his face. Chase started crying softly.

“Why did you all leave me alone yesterday? I needed you...”

“Marvin and I forgot about Father’s Day. We are sorry. This day does not mean much to us, since we have no father, but we should have thought of you. It was selfish of us.”

“No, it’s selfish of me to think you should cancel something you’re excited about because of me.”

“I’m sure if you would have called us, we would have left the show in a heartbeat.”

Jamie looked around the room while signing, like it was a secret.

“Marvin’s magic tricks were better than this fraud of a magician.”

Chase’s laugh filled out the quiet room. His cheeks were still stained by his tears, but he knew deep down that he could count on Jamie and Marvin to distract him. Not long after, the other three came back in the room, all bringing something. Henrik had a tray filled with steaming cup followed by Marvin, also bringing a tray but this one filled with dry cereals. They gently put the two trays on the small table in the living room before Marvin plopped down on the floor next to Jamie and Henrik pushed Chase a little bit on the couch to have a spot. Jackie then entered the room and had so many bedsheets on him, the others could only see his blue shoes. Faking anger, he threw the sheets on the other four, making them disappear under the amount of fabric there was. They had wrapped Chase so tightly first, he couldn’t even move. After almost spilling his tea on himself, Jackie unwrapped a little bit Chase, without letting him have access to his feet.

A few movies later, and a few cups of hot drinks, they were all chatting happily together. Chase often tried to tell them they didn’t have to spend time with him but none of them wanted to hear him. They felt bad for leaving him alone at home and making him feel like drinking alcohol was the only solution. Chase didn’t want to dwell on yesterday, but he needed to know something.

“Jackie...where were you yesterday? When I didn’t find you, I thought immediately that you were fighting crimes in the city.”

“Oh..Uh... In fact, I was stuck in the basement.”

All eyes turned to him, a mixture of confusion and amusement in their eyes.

“A shelf fell off next to the door and broke the handle”, some laugh could be heard amongst them, “Stop laughing! I thought I was gonna die! Anyway, I decided to try breaking the window but since it’s at floor level, and it was raining, I didn’t want to flood the basement.”

“A light rain wouldn’t have flood the basement.”

“Shut up! I was panicking, OK? Anyway, after hours of going in circles, and after night fall, I THEN tried pushing the door to see if I could open it and...it did. I just had to push it.”

They all laughed together at how silly Jackie was sometimes. This guy was supposed to save people and he couldn’t even leave a room. Chase’s sides were aching. Maybe his day had been bad and depressing, but at least he hadn’t been stuck in the basement.

“Guys, calm down! Well, after I left the room, I went around the house and found you on the couch, clutching a bottle in your hand. You kept mumbling the same thing over and over, but I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. I’m the one who brought you to your room and cleaned up.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Ja-“

“Don’t you dare apologize. I had to at least do this for you. I couldn’t even spend time with you yesterday. None of us could. Sometimes, small actions have a big impact on people. I knew you’d wake up feeling like garbage today, but I wanted you to only feel like it, not be surrounded by it.”

“And I could have found a moment between two surgery to call you, see how you were doing. I was so caught up on making sure people around me felt better that I never thought of making sure you were alright. You’re my friend, my dearest friend, and I should have make some time to let you know how good of a friend and father you are.”

“Guys... Stop...”, whispered Chase with new tears falling from his eyes. Jamie shush him up with the wave of his hand

“We will not stop until you understand how good of a person you are, Chase. You are always there for us, even when you do not feel like it. You get joy by trying to help us and we should do the same to you. You are always trying your best, even if you are far from being the best at some things, like cooking. You are my inspiration Chase. I want to be as good as a person as you.”

“It’s my turn I guess... Chase, you’re like a father to me. I hardly ever tell you that. But you’re the most hardworking, kind and determined person I know. You’re always trusting us and encouraging us to try new things, even if it means we blow up the kitchen. No one should feel like they aren’t needed or like they can’t ask for help when in a crisis like yours. I want you to get through your thick skull that never in a million year would we feel annoyed by you asking for help.”

More tears rolled down Chase’s cheeks. He couldn’t understand how lucky he was to have such a good bunch of silly friends to have around. No one was perfect. But everyone of them tried to be the best. For once in a really long time, Chase felt like he deserved some happiness in his life. Not everything had to be grey and depressing, some moments could be lighthearted and colorful. Father’s Day was a bad day, like many other days before. But not all the following days should be like them. They could be better, or worst, but with friends like Chase had, every bad day could become a good one with a single call. He still had some doubts, he knew himself and asking for help would be harder than he thought, but he'd try nonetheless to be and to feel better. He stretched out his arm and they all hugged together, in a big messy pile of bedsheets and tears. Through tears, Marvin spoke softly.

“Without you, we’d fall apart.”

( I wrote it to apologize for the unwanted angst. It was nice to write something else than angst for once)

Tag List: @chase-brody-protection-squad, @enakane

[aticklishtem]

Something to Laugh About

((welp so~ I’m pretty new to writing this kinda thing but this Concept wouldn’t leave me alone, so I decided to give it a shot and yeah, maybe someone else will also enjoy this self indulgent trash pile, idk \o/ any kind of feedback is always welcome!!))

For a dame who made, employed, lived in and was even made out of so much candy, that Baroness Von Bon Bon could be an awful sourpuss.

In fact, Beppi wasn’t sure he’d ever seen her truly smile, and it sure wasn’t for lack of trying. Nothing filled his heart with more joy than a genuine, honest-to-goodness smile - the kids whose faces lit up with excitement when he handed them another of his balloon animal menagerie, the crowds who came by his tent to watch him willingly make a fool of himself, his fellow carnival workers and isle-dwellers, he treasured every single smirk, chuckle, giggle and reluctant grimace. Way back before he’d so much as dabbed the first lick of paint on his nose, Beppi had made it his mission to bring a smile to the faces of all of Inkwell, and he was proud to say that so far he had an almost perfect track record. Almost.

The Baroness’ place was over the other side of town, but the isle was small and even she had to venture outside to peddle her wares, so Beppi and Bon Bon had crossed paths plenty. Often enough that it seemed like he’d tried everything - his best jokes, his worst jokes, the pie gag, the seltzer, the banana peel, even his killer impressions of Djimmi and Wally and Grim and anyone else he could think of - to see her lips so much as twitch, but she still just looked at him like he was a piece of taffy stuck to her shoe.

Beppi wasn’t quite as much of a fool as he acted - he knew she fancied herself above him, above all of their colourful corner of carnival. She turned her nose up at their hot dogs and candy corn, declaring that her confectioneries were made with only the finest ingredients Inkwell had to offer, and she couldn’t imagine why anyone would opt to shovel all that greasy garbage down their throat instead. But he hadn’t gotten to where he was by giving up easy - it was that dogged determination that had coaxed chuckles out of some of Inkwell’s grumpiest inhabitants, after all. And it would’ve been too tragic just to let them all carry on their way, stomping through town so sour-faced: he couldn’t imagine anything worse than a life of stony silence. Laughter was Beppi’s lifeblood, long before it had been his living; it filled him up, made him feel big and shiny and swell like a balloon (metaphorically and sometimes literally) until he could just about burst, in the best way. He wanted - no, he needed to spread the joy all over town, all over Inkwell, every way he knew how, and remain hopeful that it’d prove just as infectious as it was irresistible, even for the sourest of pusses.

He was optimistic for another day of sunshine and smiles, during a brief break in the afternoon’s frivolities to relax under the shade of one of the colourful parasols in the square. Beppi had been in the middle of telling Djimmi all about yesterday’s unfortunate yet hilarious incident involving an overzealous balloon giraffe and a fruit hat when Bon Bon shimmied into view.

Without missing a beat, he broke off into a comical double take, and then figured he might just as well fall out of his chair in shock that the esteemed Baroness had seen fit to grace them with her presence. Djimmi just shook his head fondly, long used to his friend’s antics; Bon Bon opted to ignore Beppi entirely as she and Djimmi exchanged polite greetings, simply manoeuvre around him like a colourful puddle as she took the chair on the other side.

Typically tough crowd, but Beppi was prepared for that - and he had a good feeling about today, the fact that Bon Bon had willingly descended from her fancy castle to mingle with the common folk suggesting she might be in a good mood, or at least not quite as much of a sourball as usual. If he could pull just the right rib-tickler out of his hat, maybe she’d even -

Hot dawg - Beppi had to glance up to check if someone hadn’t lobbed a lightbulb right over his head as he scrambled back upright, because had he just been hit with a doozy of an idea.

“Hey, hey, Bonnie.” Beppi leaned in closer to her, his usual ear-to-ear grin turning just a tad more mischievous than usual as he nudged at her elbow. “Gotta question for ya.”

Bon Bon turned to him with a long-suffering sigh, her eyebrows knitting together as though it pained her even to look at him. “What do you want? And don’t call me that.”

“My sincerest of apologies, Baroness.” Beppi just managed to resist putting on his snootiest voice in response as he bowed and tipped his hat - he was happy to humour her this time, since her hoity-toity act would only make his eventual victory all the sweeter. “Aaaanyway. How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?”

“I neither know, not care to -“

“Ten-tickles!” he popped the punchline gleefully, sliding an arm around her waist and squeezing before she could get away. “One!” He felt her jump a little at the unexpected contact, but no giggles followed; undeterred, he kept it up, searching for a sweet spot with a few pokes to her ribs. “Two!” Still nothing: Bon Bon was just staring at him like he was doing something utterly ridiculous - which, in all (fun)fairness, was kinda what he was always doing. But this was getting weird, and not the fun kind - was this woman made of rock candy? “Three..?” Faltering for just a moment, he scribbled his fingers across her midsection and finally she reacted - but not how Beppi had hoped, as she seized his wrist and pushed him roughly away.

“Get off! What in the world do you think you’re…” Bon Bon’s big doe eyes widened even further, her eyebrows shooting up as realisation dawned. “Oh, I see - you were trying to tickle me, weren’t you?” Before Beppi could protest his innocence, she scoffed, tossing her chocolate curls. “Tough luck, Chuckles - you won’t get me to crack with such a cheap trick. Hmm, but I wonder…” Something almost in the vicinity of a smile slowly spread across her face, and it was more than a little unsettling, sharp as the glimmer of an idea in her eye as she glanced Beppi up and down, drumming her dainty fingers on the tabletop, and - whoops, he might’ve bitten off a tad more than he could chew after all.  “Perhaps someone else around here just might?”

“Ah - heh…” A nervous chuckle escaped as Beppi edged slowly away from her, until his back bumped against Djimmi’s broad chest and he pounced on the potential distraction. “Oooh - you talking about Djimbo here? He’s plenty ticklish - just watch this…”

Before he could attack, though, two strong arms shot out and grasped his noodly ones. Beppi let out an outraged squawk of protest as Djimmi effortlessly held him captive. “Hey - what gives…?”

“I’m sorry, my friend,” Djimmi replied with a shrug and such a grand-piano grin Beppi was surprised his pants didn’t burst into flame, “but, as karma dictates, what goes around…”

“Well said.” Bon Bon nodded, her gaze positively predatory now as it lingered on Beppi’s now-compromising position; a bundle of nervous butterflies fluttered in his belly as she took a few steps closer. “I’m glad to hear someone around here has some respect - putting your greasy paws all over royalty like that? Why, I could have you executed. But…” She paused, actually licking her candy-heart lips as they twisted into a sadistic smirk, and with the slightest wiggle of her fingers Beppi knew he was done for. “I can think of something more fun.”

“N-nohohow, Bonnie, no need to be too hasteeheeheehee…!” Giggles spilled out the moment she spidered her fingers up his sides, barely touching him yet somehow unbearable all at once.

“Isn’t it funny,” Bon Bon purred, her sugary teasing sing-song only intensifying the torture, “how one who so desperately chases the laughter of others can be so easily reduced to such a giggly mess himself?” As if to prove her point, she dug right into his vulnerable underarms, and Beppi’s laughter pitched; with Djimmi holding him just a couple inches off the ground, he could do nothing but cackle helplessly. “It’s kind of cute, though. I might even prefer you like this, laughing too much to prattle on with your pitiful excuse for comedy.”

Beppi might’ve felt himself blushing even redder under his makeup at that last remark, if he could focus on anything other than her wicked fingers as they danced down across his ribs. “We may even have a new attraction!” she continued cheerfully, pausing to squeeze at his hips a few times; he could feel the tips of her nails through her silky gloves and his thin suit, digging in just enough to drive Beppi loopy as the teasing circles she was now tracing around his stomach. “Forget the dunk tank - how many coins for a go on this silly, terribly ticklish clown?”

“Bohohohon, nohoho - nohohot there!”

“Hmm? Not here? But that’s right where the target is!” Bon Bon just sped up, drawing faster and smaller circles until without any warning, she dug one of her devious digits right into his bellybutton; Beppi howled, writhing and bucking uselessly in Djimmi’s iron grip in a vain attempt to escape. “Oooh, look at that, I believe I just hit the bullseye! Where’s my prize?”

She wiggled away until Beppi was honking and wheezing like old Charlie, unable to even beg her for mercy or at least to think of his makeup, which was bound to be in ruins from the tears starting to roll down his cheeks. So this was how it ended - tickled to death by a candy lady. Well, he did always say to always leave ‘em laughing…

“Alright, now, Baroness, I think he’s learned his lesson,” Djimmi’s deep voice intoned, as he dropped Beppi back on his feet, Bon Bon finally ceased her attack - sure, she’d listen to him - and he gasped in relief, gulping in sweet lungfuls of air as he flopped back into Djimmi’s arms in a giggly heap, before remembering that he was a dirty traitor. “We don’t want the poor fella to literally laugh his head off.” He grinned, apparently unconcerned by Beppi’s best wounded glare. “It’s been known to happen.”

“That,” Beppi eventually managed to say, pointing an accusing finger at the both of them, “was cruel. And unusual.”

Bon Bon tittered, smoothing down her dress. “Oh dear, funny boy, was I too much for you? Can’t even take what you attempt to dish out? Well, I’d best be taking a powder anyway - time is candy, fellas.” She caught Beppi’s eye as she rose to her feet and shot him a sly wink, and his heart might’ve done a tiny somersault when she fluttered her fingers at them. “Let’s do this again sometime, shall we?”

She turned to saunter back off to her candy land, leaving Beppi and Djimmi to sit/float under the parasol in silence. Well, he’d better get used to it, because Beppi was definitely never speaking to him again. Not a word, not for the rest of their days, no matter how much he begged or -

“Djimbo.” Whoopsie - he’d just have to ignore him forever later, as he was already leaning over to nudge him repeatedly in the side. “D’ja-hear that? Bonnie thinks I’m cute.”

Djimmi chuckled indulgently, taking a puff of his pipe. “Perhaps you should be more careful how you address the Baroness,” he pointed out, eyes twinkling with gentle amusement, “lest you find yourself in another such ticklish predicament.”

Beppi shuddered dramatically, but his goofy grin only grew wider - because, well, Bon Bon had been smiling when she’d been tickling him to pieces. More than he’d ever seen her before, so maybe his plan hadn’t backfired quite as spectacularly as it might seem.

Maybe he wouldn’t mind letting her get the last laugh every once in a while, after all.

[zecuddlyblumedic]

A Birthday Celebrated

"Where are we going?"

"If you ask me that one more time, I'm going to pull over and kick your ass out of the car. And no, I will not slow to a halt when I do it. You’re going to hit the pavement hard.”

“What pavement? The road’s nothing but dirt and rock. It’s a mountain trail.”

“Smartass.”

Unable to stop himself from smiling, Abelärd Haswell peered out of the window at the passing world around them. His brother, intent on driving, had decided to just use a company assigned truck. Because of that, he had to endure the rocky terrain and the winding path down from the mountain, all the while hoping that the engine didn't overheat. 

Or explode.

It was strange. Casting a quick glance at his brother, Abelärd tried to figure out just what it was he was thinking. It had been quite a strange thing seeing his brother enter the BLU infirmary unannounced. Even stranger was his attitude. He didn't have his usual dour disposition, nor was his silver tongue armed with any sarcastic openers or comments. He was very short and to the point about... all of it! 'Grab your coat, grab your scarf, we're going out', is all he had said. When pressured for the finer details, his stubborn older twin remained silent.

Rubbing his gloved hands together, he settled back and enjoyed the ride. He hoped to ignore the belching backfiring of the truck, that occasional hiccup in the automobile's function that reminded him that they were basically using a rusted piece of garbage that should have long ago been decommissioned. 

He had to try again. He had to find out where they were going. It wasn't every day that his brother wanted to do something with him.

"I know you don't want to tell me," he began slowly, his words chosen carefully, “but I’d like to know.” 

Speaking in his native tongue was a lot easier than speaking in English when it came to expressing himself. Plus, he knew his brother felt more comfortable speaking it. 

“I would like to know where we're going,” he continued. “Besides, it's not often we get to spend time together. And you usually tend to avoid me. I know, I annoy you. You hate spending time wi--"

"Dinner."

Puzzled, the BLU Medic looked his twin over. His brother's eyes locked on the road, his expression betrayed no ill intention or begrudgingly suppressed emotion. And even with his brother's scarf hiding most of his mouth, he could still tell that his brother wasn't clenching his jaw in rage, something he did often. 

"Dinner? You're taking me to--"

"For our birthday."

"...What?"

Their birthday!

How had he forgotten? A hot wave of panic washed over Abelärd. He couldn't believe he forgot that! Yesterday! 

They were born in Meißen, the best thing to have happened in the lives of Giselle and Friedrich Haswell. They had lived a humble life, idyllic in its childhood whimsy. Even with the heartache and their struggles, things were good for the most part. But that was to be expected. Times were tough, but times were always tough. Even now, in the present date in time, times weren't as easy as he had hoped they would have been. But that's life. That's how things just were.

"Our..." Running a hand through his salt-and-pepper flecked hair, Abelärd couldn't help but smile. "You're celebrating our birthdays?" He paused at that. Plural. Should he use the plural form of that? Technically they each had a birthday, but it seemed like the shared it, much like the shared most things in their life. "Birthdays, birthday. Birthday."

"Stop nitpicking over the grammar."

Sliding in the seat, he found himself pressed against the side of his door. Aldous had taken the turn sharply and was now driving right into town. He quietly prayed that they made it to their destination safely, but he didn’t have to pray long.

They arrived.

The town was pleasant enough. Quite homey, really. Just a typical town at the base of the mountain. A close-knit community, it was small enough where you came to know everyone and everything but it was still large enough to find things to do. It had several hotspots that the mercenaries often snuck off to, including the diners and restaurants. 

"But why dinner? You hate spending time with me."

"Normally, I do," Aldous conceded in a dry, flat tone. "But it's not as much as my choice as it was someone else's request."

Making a confused sort of sound, the BLU Medic watched as his brother fished around in a coat pocket. Skilled in looking for cigarettes while driving, Aldous was used to having only one hand on the wheel. As such, he found the note relatively quickly.

Aldous passed the note to his brother. "I found that today. Slipped under my door."

"Someone left this?" Opening it up, Abelärd flattened it on his knee. Adjusting his glasses, he read it twice before letting out a confused sounding 'hmm'. He flipped the note over, scanning it for something.

"No name, if you're looking for it."

"No name? No one signed the envelope?"

"No name."

"We don't know who left it?"

"Someone who had five hundred dollars to waste on the likes of us, that's who left it. Other than that, no. I don’t know who gave us that."

Chuckling softly to himself, the BLU Medic folded the note back up and tucked it, almost reverently, into his pocket. He had come to embrace his brother's dry way of responding. Sarcastic most of the time, defensive the rest of the time. He knew his brother well enough by now that he could tell that he, too, was confused. 

"I wonder who left it." Reaching over, he patted his brother's leg. "I bet it was Karl."

Turning down a road, Aldous slowed to a stop at a stoplight. The red light shone bright in the dulling light of the day. "Karl? And here I thought your first guess would have been your lover."

"Jane?"

Easing on the pedal, he put the truck into motion once the light flicked to green. "The Soldier is all about having us bond and having genuine 'brotherly' time."

The way his brother said that caused him to laugh. Abelärd unfolded the note amidst his laughter, examining the writing. "It wasn't him."

"How are you so sure?"

"His writing is too childlike." He shook his head. "What I mean is... it's messy. Innocently messy. Not at all neat. Big letters, sometimes it's hard to read."

"I don't know what you find in that man." Pulling the car into a parking lot, he scanned the expanse for the perfect place to park. "Crude, rude, loud, messy."

Feeling just a tad bit ruffled, Abelärd found himself coming to the Soldier's defense. He never got a word out, however, for his brother wasn't done speaking. He heard something muffled behind the cloth of his brother's scarf. And even with the fabric mostly covering his mouth, he could tell that he had said something. He saw his jaw move.

"What?"

Twisting the key in the ignition with a rather sharp gesture, the usually soured older twin let the engine die down before he replied.

"I said nothing."

"No, you said something."

"I said nothing,” he snapped. “You need your hearing checked."

Abelärd reached out, staying his brother's hand before he could unbuckle his seatbelt. His gray-blue eyes searching his, he squeezed his twin's hand. "Please," he whispered softly, "don't leave me out of things. I want to know what you said."

Silence settled in the car. Moving in his seat, Aldous turned to better look at his brother. His expression was stern, his gaze piercing and cold. A typical look for him. 

"Don't leave me out of your life," Abelärd urged. "I want to know what you think." Shaking his head, he squeezed his brother's hand once more. "I... know you don't like Jane. And I know you still struggle with the fact that I am the way I am, and that I love an American man, but--"

"I said," Aldous sharply interjected, his tone taunt and businesslike, "despite all of his flaws, I am... glad that you found him. You two were meant for each other."

Even as his brother opened his door and exited the truck, Abelärd sat there, grounded in his own shock. At first he wasn't sure he had heard what he had.

Perhaps he had misheard, and Aldous had said something else. Some nasty, sly, sarcastic comment that usually slipped out of him. But no. It was a miracle of all miracles, but instead of disapproval, his brother had showed his approval of his relationship with Jane. Approval, acceptance and understanding.

He had finally received his brother's blessings.

"--well, are you?"

Jolted back to reality, Abelärd looked up to find that his brother had opened his door. Aldous was reaching out to help him down from his seat. It wasn't that far of a drop from the truck cabin, but it did sit up high enough from the road that help was appreciated. 

"Am I..."

"Coming or not?" Scoffing to himself, Aldous impatiently frowned. "If you don't want to eat, fine. I'll go and spend all this money on me. I'll tell Karl, or Jane, or whoever sent the money and the note that I had a lovely dinner by myself because my brother was too much of an emotional sod to join me."

Taking off his glasses to quickly wipe his eyes on his sleeve, Abelärd happily took his brother's hand and hopped down from the truck cabin. He squeezed his brother's hand fondly before draping an arm across his twin's thinner shoulders.

"I don't want to disappoint them, so I think I'll join you, brother."

Aldous tried to hide the smirk playing on his lips, but he just couldn't. "I don't think they have tea here."

"Tea?" Eyebrows raised in mock surprise, Abelärd laughed. "The note mentioned wine, did it not?"

At this Aldous laughed. "You, drinking wine? And here I thought you were a stiff, unbudging health nut."

"Wine's healthy. In moderation. Good for the heart!"

"Oh, that’s right. You drink alcohol. You drink that disgusting swill with your American.”

“American beer isn’t that bad.”

“Just don't get drunk on me. I'm not about to drag your drunk ass back to the base and tuck you into bed."

Walking side-by-side, the two brothers made their way to the restaurant. And neither twin would admit to it, but they both felt a change. Perhaps getting older wasn't so bad. They had each other still. They had separate lives to live, of course, but they shared a birthday and, as such, shared that singular experience with doubled importance. Not everyone had the chance to be a twin to another. What they shared was something special.

"You have to tell me what's new in your life, brother. We need to catch up."

"You're such a nosy busy body, you know everything about my life. What do we need to catch up on?"

"Everything! For starters, tell me about anything you’ve researched lately. Or how about your upcoming vacation!"

"Fine, fine."

“And maybe...you can tell me how you and Alexei have been.”

“Don’t make me poison your food.”

Sometimes it wasn't as clear cut as Abelärd wanted it, but maybe they were doing alright after all. And just maybe they had finally achieved some sort of peace between them. They could live again as true brothers. No war, no strife marring their bonds. Perhaps a twisted sort of sarcasm, but that was alright. This was a start. They could try to regain what they had lost.

And, perhaps... this was how it was meant to be. And if some occasional tense squabbling was involved, or the sporadic spurts of chaotic discord came with the territory of being with his brother... well, then, Abelärd wouldn't change a thing.

Maybe it was alright to let go of past grievances and to finally forgive. His brother, and himself.