#i don’t wanna have kids because i think it’s a checkpoint or will make my adult life better

[evermoredeluxe]

just based on the last anon, ​it’s literally a fear of mine that i will be unable to have kids which sounds so ?? but yeah

[m1ckeyb3rry]

No because bro got the sample platter of trauma ok now I have a much better grasp of that discrepancy in his Bible entry about him being both selfless and selfish ugshsbsjs yuki :,)

SO REAL that’s basically what I was imagining too like we all know Aiku’s the 30 yr old uncle but Rin’s time reminds me of like a pissy mid 20 salaryman who hates his 9-5 job and life in general

Bro I don’t even need to be in the fandom to know that the people are WILD

I had to double take at first like did I forget a character’s name but OMGG Yayoi is such a cute name….something about the little oi sound at the end is just >>> and you’re right it does match tabito well?? I wonder if it’s maybe the presence of o and i (on those lines eita and Seiko both have ei? I have no idea if this is actually why the vibes are vibing but…) wait actually that makes me wanna find characters (like Japanese language characters) to match with their names….if this were irl I’d typically be worried if the names would actually be like, nameable in society LMAO but in most media names are usually chosen with specific etymology and meanings in mind to match their characteristics (exhibit A: Karasu LMFAO)

NO FR like let’s push aside the nagireo debate and talk about that??? Bro was HARASSED

LMFAOOOOOOO BRO ok well I’m now increasing my bid to 25k (wait just to clarify are we jumping from 4 to 20 or gradually moving from 4 to 20 my brain is not braining today) wait….thats a good question….for my indecisive ass…..I feel like it’s funny hearing your updates…but at the same time…..being surprised……ok um hm maybe keep me posted until you reach like…12k….i love hearing about your little checkpoint updates but I think we both know it’s gonna be more than 12k probably so don’t mention the wc beyond that so I can keep my estimation like…distant if that makes sense (??? This doesn’t sound like it makes sense but um, yeah! LMAO Honestly anything works just don’t tell me the final wc so I can scream when I see it posted HAHAHA)

Ok judging by this paragraph I’m assuming you meant gradual from 4-20 LOL but I’m laughing like “bro I saw you piss yourself in preschool as a snotty little kid” LMFAOO

Oh yeah huh I forgot about anime only spoiler things oops ok yeah that makes sense…maybe it’s also because we’ve seen them in the movie credits? (That doesn’t rlly explain Karasu’s lack of appearance though) But since kurona like, barely exists in the manga maybe they’re throwing a bone to the kurona fans LMAO

STOPPP NOT THE WHY DID ZANTETSU TAKE HIS GLASSES OFF SHDBDJJSHDOS THATS a good point though maybe his dark hair blends too much into the dark screen room they’re in…and you’re so right they literally could’ve panned the angle up a bit to show his smirk but NO it’s just his blank ass chin (at least we know he doesn’t leave any stubble on his face)

Yuki is such a shoujo male lead like WHAT WAS THAT?? The LN was so much more emotional than the others like you’d forget this is about soccer…between his development from a shy kid to his earnestness and the continued cherry blossom representation like??? And then the heart wrenching he sobs his eyes out after hearing his diagnosis….what also really got to me is how it details how he jumped in to help the boy without even thinking it through clearly putting himself in danger and then the moment of regret as he’s lying on the ground after the boy basically deserted him like??? He’s so real and I love how they show all the inner conflict he goes through….if Chigiri and yuki get kicked out because of injuries I’m gonna lose it like every time someone makes a tiktok about who’s most likely to leave it’s always THOSE TWO like NO but yeah….some other light novels had their sad moments too but it never felt as complex as yuki’s….i know Bachira was bullied too and niko and kinda Kunigami? Shit why is everyone getting bullied…but maybe it’s because I didn’t bother reading them in Japanese and there’s some nuances we missed? The only other one I have on me rn is the Kunigami Hiori Niko one so I’m definitely gonna go back and look but even so something tells me it still wasn’t the same…..I did actually read Hiori’s because I needed to see the original stalking scene in all its glory but I definitely laughed a lot more than I did for yuki’s….for obvious reasons….I’m pulling up what I wrote down for Hiori’s to compare….and it was definitely still really sad in some parts (where he’s like LMAO my parents don’t love me it’s time to disassociate and try to keep the family together) but we see a lot more light hearted moments since Karasu’s there for like half the time!! I think it’s also probably the nature of their struggles too like while Hiori’s question his like idk will to live/motivation?? It feels like the fact that yuki knows exactly what he wants and what he is but he’s fighting to not have it taken away makes it sadder imo. Also laughing my ass off at Karasu helps with forgetting all the sad bits

Starting Barous and off the bat it’s 5 year old Barou being like damn these unsophisticated kids (they’re in the same grade) are so easily pleased (I’m not that far in but that’s the vibe I’m getting from the first five sentences LMAOO)

Aryu’s is by far the shortest at 5 chapters and based off how half the chapter names involve OSHA I’m gonna assume this may be more crack laced HAHA

Part of me wants to imagine that Otoya’s hair was highlighter green and gradually darkened with age (kinda how some people are born redheads but eventually turn blonde) I think that one colored panel of bowl cut Otoya kinda disproves that slightly but I still think it’s funny

Anyways I’ll return with Seiko Yayoi kanji and Barou chapters o7

-Karasu anon

RIN AS A NANAMI KIN omg we got the whole jjk cast here…aiku as toji and yuki as yuta…dare i say barou as a todo equivalent 🤔

RIGHT i thought it was such a cute name when i was doing research!! i do think the i + o helps it fit w tabito well and then the “ei” sound in seiko and eita make them sound similar too 👆🏻 going to be real with you i have this one random website by some person really obsessed with name research bookmarked so i can find non-basic japanese names for when i need to come up w given names for random characters (orie, seiko, yayoi, etc) so as far as i know they’re all actual names?? just on the rarer side (she gives the data of how many babies are given that name per decade and whatnot too which is rlly cool and it mostly is like 0.001% of babies have that name LMAOO but that also abt how many babies were given the names tabito and eita so i think it’s okay). i do usually look up names i use on like linkedin to see if any irl people have them and for the most part there’s always been a few results!! the author of the website includes possible character variations as well but like idk japanese so idk how accurate it is JFDLSKK let me add screenshots!!

i think for seiko the kanji for “force, vigor, energy” (if that’s what it actually is) would make sense for obvious reasons 🤔

HAHAHA okay i will keep you posted until we get to 12k and then after that you can see how close you were to hitting the mark 🤩 i do believe it will be above 12k for sure considering we’re gradually going from 4-20 for karasu and watching them grow up sooo 😫 omg no literally like bro you made me play trains w you why would i make the connection that you’re attracted to me now

iirc reo shidou igaguri and kurona were all on the same second selection team so maybe that’s why?? like maybe they’ll show kunigami getting “kicked out”/sent to wildcard in one of the earlier episodes…that’s the only reason i can think of for that particular group to be there together 😫 nah if they gave karasu stubble i’d cry scream shit tears he does NOT need that i hate it on aiku i’d hate it even more on him

NO BECAUSE THEY STAY GETTING BULLIED WHY IS IT ALL OF THEM (except isagi)?? i think a lot of the light novels either felt like very typical struggles/things we had seen before (chigiri w his leg, half the cast getting bullied), too fantastical to relate to (reo’s rich ass, hiori’s mega strict childhood), or mostly humorous (nagi getting called a demon, hiori stalking karasu) but yuki’s just feels very real and personal almost?? everyone’s had a dream that for whatever reason smth got in the way of them achieving it so seeing yuki struggle like that is very touching!! plus unlike w chigiri where narratively yeah he’s probably going to hurt his leg again, in-universe it’s not a guarantee whereas w yuki he KNOWS it’s going to happen and that there’s nothing he can really do abt it. the sense of inevitability/desperation is so palpable which makes it worse imo!! he’s sooo shoujo coded though especially with the cherry blossoms like free my man from soccer prison and get him into a slice of life romance STAT!!

HAHA i’m glad barou is just him being his usual self idk what i’d do if his backstory was horrifically sad…i’m excited to see what the whole random aiku matchup was abt 🤔 and PLSSS not the osha 😓 aryu is so hard to take seriously like even in fwtkac i could not write him without making him seem ridiculous but he’s genuinely just like that

wait that would be funny but also as a resident horse girl i must give the alternative: grey horses are super dark (like basically black) when they’re young and get progressively lighter as they age until they’re basically white when they’re old SO imagine his streak was super dark when he was a baby and gradually gets lighter so when he’s like 30 it’s going to be mint green or smth 😭

OKAYY I CAN’T WAIT but make sure to rest your eyes 👆🏻 no need to strain them hehe

[thefanciestborrower]

Alright you heathens take these StarVores headcannons and run

First up we got my boy Luke 

Luke is 100% a prey lad no question

Despite that I don’t think he’d ever really been eaten before joining the rebellion aside from a few close calls

First person to actually eat him was Han out of necessity, and while he kinda freaked a bit he doesn’t mind so much anymore 

Probably only has a small handful of folks he’s okay being regularly eaten by

But he generally doesn’t have to worry about being grabbed 

I mean, would you try and eat a Jedi who didn’t wanna be eaten? 

Loves just being small in general tbh

Will perch on shoulders, in hair, sometimes you can even find him chillin in someone’s pocket 

He’s completely at ease around his x-wing buddies at any size and it’s real funny to see him using the force to hop from shoulder to shoulder with them like some sort of game 

Scares the crap out of c-3po every time 

Can and will use this ability to terrorize Han because that’s what friends do 

All in all he’s extremely competent even while all tiny and you don’t really have to worry about him 

When he’s eaten you can bet there’s gonna be a bit of theatrics accompanying it

Lots of playful fighting and laughter, though he settles down rather quickly once he’s swallowed 

He makes for good company and likes to chat while making himself comfy inside 

Unless you just ate 

He does NOT like sharing with food and will let you know 

Whiny Jedi lad 

Next up is Leia! 

She’s also a prey like Luke (cough they get it from Anakin cough) 

But unlike him she’s already used to being eaten long before episode 4

Comes with being an ambassador you know?

For her it’s generally more of a business thing than for fun 

Hidden transportation, easy escape should things go south, that sort of thing 

However I would not recommend just grabbing her either 

She might not be a Jedi but she can and will kick a tooth out should you try anything 

Ask Han

She treats getting eaten and being all small in general as the most normal thing in the world, cause for her it really is 

Likes perching in high out of the reach places just to keep an eye on everyone 

She enjoys shoulder rides as well 

And she’s super good at keeping her balance so you don’t really have to worry about her falling 

She generally won’t put up a fuss about being eaten if it needs to happen, and more often than not she’ll keep working or planning once she’s down 

Every once in a while though she might use it as a way to relax after a long day

And you best feel honored should she choose you for that  

Now for Han 

Poor Han is a pred for sure, and I feel like I gave him the short end of the stick here having to deal with prey Skywalker twins 

Being a smuggler it would shock me if the concept was completely foreign to him 

Not that he’s ever had to eat a person per say, but he’s worked with people who have and he’s certainly had to swallow his fair share of unpleasant things in order to get them past checkpoints and such

But living things had been a hard no for a while 

His first time eating someone was actually Luke’s first time getting eaten too, and it was rough on both of them 

But after that initial time he’s gotten a bit cheeky with it 

He’s grabby 

Tends to just grab people Luke whenever he feels like it and while the kid doesn’t mind, he got an earful after trying it with Leia 

Despite what most people think he actually has a hard time with excessive struggling and as such doesn’t like truly unwilling prey

Luke does it to annoy him 

Much as he isn’t a fan of struggling he’s weak for internal rubs 

Seriously you find the right spot and the man is putty in your hands 

He does have a habit of eating and drinking with people inside so watch out for that 

Usually it’s not on purpose unless whoever he’s got is being a pest 

But he tends to forget that whatever he eats is gonna end up the same place as them

Definitely not above threatening to eat someone if they get on his nerves 

Usually Leia 

But at the end of the day he’s fiercely protective of his friends and if you want them you’re gonna have to go through him 

[chandelier-s-notebook]

Hey look it’s chap 2! They won’t all come out today I promise.

(Also the other characters tagged appear later in this chapter after the :readmore: this isn’t cross tagged for publicity purposes)

Let me know if you wanna get tagged when I post new chapters in “These Streets Are Made For Walking”. @sleepysnails.

Ao3 Link

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

After school, Dream, George, and Sapnap tossed their bags into Techno’s trunk. Technically, he and Dream did have PowerPoint projects to complete, but it was a solo project and he already finished it at lunch.

Snagging the shotgun seat, Sapnap cheered, “To the mall!”

Techno grimaced. At least Sapnap was excited.

Actually, there was one good thing that came from them: friendship. Techno had met Dream at one of these mall fights while they went to different middle schools, then they ended up at the same high school and started to drag Dream’s other friends to them. Techno didn’t mind George and Sapnap, they were just more Dream’s friends than his.

Techno drove them out of the city, and they cruised down the highway for twenty minutes before pulling off to the exit towards the abandoned mall.

“I’ve never understood why this shit happens right after school,” George said.

Dream answered him, “It’s because the cops think this stuff happens at night. They don’t think to look for this stuff during the day.”

“Plus, there’s a lot more of the other stuff going on, so they’re busy.”

“Why do you know that, Sapnap?”

“Reasons.”

Techno rolled his eyes at the trio, and pulled the first aid kit and his backpack out of the trunk. “I’m gonna stay in the car today.” He handed the box to George. “Math homework due tomorrow,” he explained.

“Ah man. That’s too bad,” Dream said, stretching out his arms. “More practice for me.”

“Maybe you’ll even beat me next time,” Techno joked.

Dream wheezed, and Sapnap had to push him away towards the building.

Techno got back in his car, cranked the radio, and blasted the AC, shutting the windows tight. Throwing the bag into the seat next to him, Techno pulled out his binder, and opened it to a fresh piece of graph paper. Study time lasted all of forty minutes before the sirens rang out.

“Snitch,” he muttered to himself. He slumped down in his seat, and pulled out his phone. He debated who to text before deciding that George was least likely to be busy at any given moment.

Techno Got snitched Cops in lot

George Fuck Dream says leave Drop our stuff at Bad’s Drop Tubbo with Punz

Techno Roger

A squad of four cars descended on the parking lot. Most of the officers stormed the mall, but three stayed behind. Two began making their rounds around the parking lot, but--of course--the other was left behind to secure the entrance. It was standard procedure, so Techno wasn’t very surprised to see this happening.

Techno made the decision to continue doing his homework rather than try to get away. He tossed his phone on the passenger seat and turned the radio off.

He was calm. He was cool. He was doing his math homework. He was rolling down the window when prompted by a tap on the glass.

“Captain Craft,” the officer stated.

“Pleasure,” Techno responded.

“License and registration.”

Techno grabbed his wallet from his backpack and gave Captain Craft his license. He leaned over to the glove box to grab his car’s registration. “Afternoon Sir,” he muttered, handing over his paperwork.

“Techno Blade? Unique name.”

Techno snorted at the officer’s attempt at small talk. “Was born with it, I'm afraid.”

“That’s cool.” He handed Techno back his paperwork. “What are you doing here?”

Techno gestured to the paper in his lap. “Homework. Got a calculus test next week.”

“Smart kid.” Captain Craft was writing things down in his notebook. “Do you know why the police were called to this location?”

“No Sir.”

“What brings you here?”

“A quiet space to work, the foster home gets really loud. Normally this place is empty.”

“Normally it is,” Captain Craft agreed. “So you don’t know anything about a potential drug deal?”

The surprise on Techno’s face was genuine. Yeah this was an illegal ring, but drug deals? Really? “No Sir. I’m just doing my homework.”

“You promise?”

“Yeah,” Techno said, not playing the officer’s game.

Captain Craft leaned back to look at the backseat.

Techno had never been more thankful that Dream, Sapnap, and George liked throwing their stuff in the trunk for more leg room in the backseat.

Captain Craft patted the car. “Well. I feel comfortable letting you go free kid. Clearly you have nothing to do with this.”

“No Sir.”

“Techno Blade was it?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Do you have a number we could potentially call if need be?”

Now, Techno would have loved to give the officer his home number--giving the police a direct line of contact with his cell didn’t sound good--but that was a horrible idea. One of the other kids would pick up the phone, and they’d talk. Or the Foster Bitch would pick up, and she’d just cuss out the poor person who called. “Yeah. Let me get you my cell number.”

Captain Craft scribed the number down in his notebook. He flipped the page and ripped off the next page. “Doctor’s note to get you out of the parking lot.”

Techno snorted as he grabbed the paper. “Thanks.”

Techno shifted the car into reserve and pulled out of his parking spot. He drove towards the checkpoint and didn’t roll up the window until the officer standing guard approved his departure.

Techno arrived at Sapnap and Bad’s house. He pulled into the parking spot in the apartment’s garage that Bad paid for, so Sapnap’s friends could leave their cars when they came over. He grunted in annoyance at the weight of the three backpacks; there also wasn’t a convenient way to carry three backpacks. He rode the elevator up to the first floor and buzzed Bad’s apartments.

“Who’s there?” Bad’s voice crackles through the intercom.

“Techno, I’m here for delivery and pickup.”

Bad laughed.. “Hi Techno, they’re in the middle of something so it’ll be a little while.” The buzzer sounds and Techno steps into the room, taking the elevator to Bad’s floor, which was unreasonably high. How was Sapnap supposed to climb through the window late at night at this height?

Although Techno was required to have someone buzz him in, he conveniently had his own key for the door, and could use that. Techno couldn’t be bothered to remember which room was Sapnap’s, but he knew where the guest room was, so he tossed all their stuff in there.

“Hi Bad. Have any snacks?” Techno asked, entering the kitchen. Mario Kart sounds floated over from the living room. “It’s time to go home!” Techno called out to the kids.

“Why?” Tommy yelled back.

“Because. Also Tubbo, Dream said that I’m dropping you off with Purpled at Punz’s place.”

“Oh.” Techno could hear the way Tubbo’s face fell. “He got into something again?”

Techno took the plate of sandwiches from Bad and brought them out to the boys. He gave Tubbo a tight smile. “Apparently, but he’ll be fine.”

Once the boys finished their game--Ranboo won--they all bid Bad adieu and head back for Techno’s car. The boys and their backpacks file in. Tommy sat up front; Tubbo situated himself on the middle hump, and Purpled and Ranboo arranged their legs accordingly.

He let the boys karaoke on the way to Punz’s place. They were very loud, but it helps that he didn’t have to worry about where he was going, as he is far more familiar with these streets than he would have liked to be.

Techno pulls into the driveway. “Get out.”

“Thanks for the drive Blade!” Tubbo said, following Purpled out of the backseat.

“Good luck!” Ranboo yelled after them, stretching his legs into the newfound space he had at his disposal.

“Stay safe!” Tommy shouted, only half joking. “Let’s get out of here.”

Techno pulled out of the area once Tubbo and Purpled had made it into the house. He then drove them out of the slums to the richer areas of the city where Ranboo lived. He parked the car in Ranboo’s cul de sac.

“This is my stop,” Ranboo said lowly.

“This is your stop.” After a few minutes of silence Techno spoke again. “You gonna get out?”

“Yeah. Yeah.” Ranboo opened the door. “Thanks for the ride!” He pushed it shut once outside and walked up the lawn to his manor.

Tommy waved goodbye to his friend then turned to look straight ahead. “Let’s go back now.”

“Are you still mad at me for hanging out with Dream?”

Tommy didn’t respond.

Techno pressed on the gas and brought the car back to the main road. “I’m allowed to have friends, kid. I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

“Then stop. Stop defending yourself. You don’t need my approval.”

“When did you get older than me?”

“When you started hanging out with kids who get put in the newspaper for petty crimes!”

“I’ve been hanging out with Dream since long before you even got here.”

“And? People change. Little Dream isn't big Dream!”

“I know who my friends are,” Techno bit.

“I hope you do. Because Tubbo is having a sleepover with Purpled which means Dream isn’t home. And you were there. So what happened?”

All of Techno’s pent up energy left his body, and he fell into a steely expression. “Nothing.”

“Something happened! Why isn’t Dream home?”

Techno turned on the radio.

“Tell me bitch boy!”

“Do you want to eat tonight?” Techno shouted back at him, turning to face him directly now that they were stopped at a red light.

Tommy’s eyes were wide. He had one hand on his seat belt buckle and one on the door handle. He was as pressed away from Techno as he could get in the car. He was holding his breath and his body was tense. “Please,” he whimpered.

Techno tensed up as well. He had gone too far. He knew he had gone too far. That wasn’t cool playing on Tommy’s fears like that. “Tommy--”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ll shut up. Please. I know it’s your stash. Please.”

“Tommy.” The light turned green. “We’ve been over this. My stash is your stash.”

Tommy mutely shook his head, refusing to reply.

Internally sighing, Techno tapped his finger on the side of the steering wheel, his brain working hard. He should have known not to say that with Tommy, but of course he had to mess up again.

The car behind them honked its horn loudly, jerking Techno out of his thoughts. He lifted his foot from the brake, and placed it down on the gas, accelerating forwards, and allowing the long line of traffic behind him to go.

Tommy still hadn't spoken, but was shaking slightly, and it wasn't because he was cold.

“My stash is your stash,” Techno reiterated, if only to fill the silence.

“No it’s not,” Tommy said in a small voice. “You keep saying it is, but it’s not.”

“Then steal from my stash to make your own stash. You’ve done that before.”

“Not from people I need to like me.”

Techno stopped looking at Tommy in hopes he would calm down slightly. “I do like you,” he reassured. “If I didn’t I wouldn’t be trying to convince you that we share a stash.”

Tommy fiddled with the radio stations and made a noncommittal sound of what Techno pretended was agreement.

Techno and Tommy spent the rest of the ride home in silence, Techno glancing at Tommy out of the corner of his eye the whole time.

When they arrived home, Techno put the car in park, and undid his seatbelt, but made no move to get out of the car. Twisting his neck, he looked Tommy in the eyes.

Techno knew what Tommy needed to hear, even if he hated having to need to say it. “You can eat tonight. Grab whatever you want from my stash.”

“Really?” Tommy asked more hopefully than Techno was comfortable with.

“Yeah.”

Tommy then bolted out of the car, as if to make sure he did the thing while he had permission before it was taken away abruptly.

Which Techno would never do. Techno was feeling like shit playing on Tommy’s insecurities to get him to shut up. That wasn’t cool and he knew that. Techno slowly pulled himself out of the car. He grabbed his backpack, and the one Tommy had left in his haste.

Walking slowly to the house, Techno gave Tommy some time to settle in before entering their shared space. Yes he generally wished that Tommy was quieter after 10pm, but tonight it would be for the wrong reasons.

At least Tommy didn’t seem to think Techno was about to hit him.

[kyber-crystal]

➳ there and back again || s.r.

summary: it’s just a nice little competition to declare who comes out on top as the victor. what could possibly go wrong?

words: ~1.5k

warnings: a chaotic stevey/nsam trio. that’s it haha

a/n: trying a new layout! hope you guys like it teehee. this is an old oneshot so i apologize it’s poorly written. 

tags: @sunstalgia​ @wxstedhexrt​ @purpleskiesstorm​ @sylvie-writes​ hopefully this won’t flop if i tag a few mutuals teehee

"You boys ready to get your asses beat?" you teased as you tied your shoelaces.

"Don't get your hopes up, sweetheart," Steve warned. "I hate to brag, but I'm going to win."

Sam groaned. "I don't know why I agreed to this. Y'all are both fast as hell. Last time I got so winded trying to catch up with you."

"Winner gets twenty from the losers!" you quickly shouted, and both of your friends' faces lit up. "And also, bragging rights and glory."

"I swear, you people act more like 13 year-olds than 30-something year olds," Pietro commented as he leaned against the fridge, sipping an iced latte. "You making bets over who's gonna beat the other in a race?"

"Yup," you all replied in unison.

"Well then, see ya," he nodded, as you headed out the door.

"Alright," you breathed out, setting your hands on your hips as you surveyed your landscape. "So around Central Park, checkpoint at Cherry Hill."

"Got it," Steve nodded.

You tapped your wristwatch a few times, setting a timer. "Okay. On your marks. Get set. Go!"

You quickly broke into a sprint, feet pounding against the dewy pavement as you pumped your arms and legs as fast as you could go. You refused to look back, knowing that by doing so you'd be slowed down and fall behind both of them.

The scorching August heat was relentlessly beating down on your back, sweat rolling down your temples and causing your tank top and leggings to cling tightly to your skin. You kept going, though, despite your body screaming at you to stop.

Several minutes later you were not far behind Steve, with Sam only a few yards ahead of him as well. He didn't seem the least bit exhausted as he made a sharp turn and continued sprinting down the sidewalk, and if it hadn't been for your excessive training you would've given up within the first five minutes of starting.

"On your left," he said as he sprinted ahead of Sam.

"On your right!" you shouted as you zipped past both of them.

"Damn it!" you heard Sam let out a frustrated yell as he picked up the pace. “To think I was the top of my class in PE...”

"On your left," Steve informed him a few minutes later.

Then again. "On your left."

"Uh huh, on my left. Got it."

You were nowhere in sight at this point, and as Sam was still jogging Steve came around again from behind, starting from a new lap.

"Don't say it! Don't you say it!"

"On your left!"

"Come on!" he groaned. "Why don't you try targeting Y/N?"

Both men stopped for a moment and skidded to a halt, locking eyes with each other.

"Oh, shit."

"Language."

"Whatever. C’mon! We don't have any time to waste. If we lose, Y/N's never gonna let us live this down."

They continued on side by side while still keeping their pace, keeping close eyes and ears out for you; making sure to stay alert at all times.

"Christ, where'd she go?"

"I don't know—"

"On your right!" they heard you shout as you came bursting ahead of both of them, the wind from your speediness whipping them in their faces. "Come on, slowpokes! Last lap!"

"Are you kidding me?!" Sam yelled after you. 

Steve didn't slow down as they were chasing after you but after a bit, Sam grew frustrated and was unable to continue running, sitting down at the edge of the fountain to catch his breath.

"I win," you smirked as you took a sip out of your water bottle, wiping your mouth and letting out a satisfied sigh. "Victory sure is sweet."

"Need a medic?" the super-soldier looked over at the breathless Sam Wilson.

"I need a new set of lungs," he panted, "Dude, you guys just ran like, 13 miles in 30 minutes. Y/N, I don't even know where you went but you literally just pulled an Usain Bolt on my ass, what the hell."

"I guess I got a late start," Steve shrugged.

"Late start my ass," you snorted, crossing your arms over your chest. "Admit it, boys. I'm the champion here."

"Pfft. Why don't you go take another lap."

"Nah," you declined his offer, "I'd rather lounge around in bunny slippers while watching you do my dishes. Oh! And...you both owe me twenty."

They both took their wallets out of their back pockets, reluctantly placing twenty-dollar bills into your palm.

"Thank you," you smiled sweetly, before sliding the cash in your pocket.

"It's your beds, isn't it?"

"What?"

"Your beds, they're too soft. When I was over there I'd sleep on the ground and use rock for pillows, like a caveman. Now I'm here at the compound, lying in my bed, and it's like..."

"Lying on a marshmallow," Steve finished, "feel like I'm gonna sink right to the floor."

"Exactly."

"Also, since I won, you guys have to be my butlers for the rest of the day."

"Since when was that part of the rules?"

"It's always been part of the rules for anyone who wins anything," you defended yourself. "I'd like a piggyback ride all the way back to the subway station."

Steve just laughed and shook his head, bending his knees slightly. "Alright, alright. Get on."

"Hey, I'm just as strong as him!" Sam exclaimed. "You only want him to carry you so that you get a valid excuse to feel his muscles."

Your eyes widened at his statement, feeling a blush rise up your cheeks. "No I don't."

"Yes you do."

"Oh, shut up," you muttered, hopping onto Steve's back and wrapping your legs firmly around his torso. He hooked his arms underneath to hold you steady, as your arms went around his neck.

"Ew, you're sweaty. You smell. What happened to your blueberry and coffee cologne kind of scent? Why do you sweat so much? But I guess you wearing tight shirts make up for it, since—STEVE! Stop!" you let out a squeal as he leaned backwards slightly, your heart stopping momentarily as you came dangerously close to falling off his back. "You're gonna drop me! Stop!"

Steve let out a laugh, then proceeded to spin around and around to make you dizzy. You let out a high-pitched shriek, most likely catching the attention of a few passerby who wondered why Captain America had the normally serious Agent Y/N on his back and you were laughing like a little schoolgirl with goofy grins on both your faces.

"Say the magic words, then I'll let you down."

"I hate you."

"Wrong."

"We're no longer friends if you don't set me down right now."

"Nope."

"Steven Grant Rogers, you set me down right this instant or I'm going to beat your ass if you don't!" you threatened, kicking wildly and slapping his shoulders. "Let me down!"

"Those aren't the words," he said simply, rather amused by the frustration on your face. 

It was rather cute, if he was being honest.

"Okay, okay! I love Steve Rogers because he's the best Avenger and his muscles are like no other man here in New York! Now let me down!"

"There we go," he chuckled as he released his grip on you and you hopped off, dusting off your clothes. "See? That wasn't so hard."

"Attention-seeker," you accused, "you just wanted to do that so I'd be forced to compliment you. As good-looking as you are, I'm not putting effort into giving attention to someone who already gets so much of it every day."

"You think I'm good-looking?"

"Don't let it get to your head, Rogers," you rolled your eyes, but he could clearly see the pink tinge in your face which he knew wasn't from just running in the scorching heat. This only amused him further.

"If it makes you feel better, I think you're beautiful."

You almost choked on your own spit, going into a coughing fit and hitting your back to try and stop it.

"Don't mind me," Sam cleared his throat, "I'm just here, third wheeling. Or, chaperoning this couple who refuses to admit they're so in love with each other, if you'd like to put it that way. Oh wow, now Steve is blushing. Wow. Amazing. Y/N looks like she's going to faint. Wowwwww. What a beautiful love story. I totally don't feel left out."

"You wanna go for shawarma?" you offered. "I'm starving, and honestly, I could use the time away from Tony. He'll drag us down to play Mario Kart as soon as we get back home."

"Come on! Stop treating me as if I don't exist!"

You both looked over at Sam and laughed.

"I'm sorry," you sympathetically patted his shoulder. "It's quite the burden, dealing with Captain America on the daily."

"Damn right, now that you practically asked him out on a date and are set to become his girlfriend, I have to deal with even more excessive PDA."

"So, this is a date?" Steve raised an eyebrow at you. "Is that what this is?"

"No! It's not—" you let out a sigh of defeat, "well, if you want it to be, then...yes."

"It's a date, then," he smiled widely, kissing your cheek and sliding an arm around your waist.

"How come I never get the girls," Sam grumbled as he followed behind the two of you. "Life is so unfair."

[brooklel]

my thoughts on worlds end club, under the cut because it’ll probably be long and also spoilers

so i bought the game today at around 9am and played it until i beat it at around 11:30pm ish? so ha uh yeah it took a little while but i was very enthralled in the story

the story and characters are hands down the best part of the game. compared to literally any of the danganronpa games, i like the cast of characters so much more. like there’s always one or two in a danganronpa games group that i just don’t like but in wec i loved all of them. i’d usually dislike chuko’s tsundere character type but i actually ended up liking her. my least favorite is probably dragon power ranger kid whatshisname but i don’t hate him or anything i just found him to be the weakest character tbh. but i do really like his character design

speaking of the character designs OOF they’re all so good. i didn’t realize until looking up stuff on the characters but they’re all based on the animals of the Chinese zodiac which is cool and the design elements are subtle and it’s not narratively important but i mean they didn’t need to be. there’s a few offhand remarks here and there like comparing kansai to a tiger and chuko to a rat but they’re not really shoved in your face which is nice

oh also i wanna compliment pai in particular. she’s the boar character which first of all i feel like people would usually make male, and if they made her female, then she would be angry and stubborn and probably not conventionally attractive but she’s not any of those! also she’s a little heavier than the rest of the girls which 1. makes her even more adorable, and 2. no one in the game brings up or makes fun of her for which is nice. mowchan sadly didn’t get exactly the same treatment he was still the fat comic relief character. he deserved so much better.

the art is all so pretty as well like i already loved the art style from pokemon and in wec it’s even more exaggerated and i live for it. i also like the movie they’re watching at the beginning has more realistic humans that’s just kinda funny.

the humor is pretty good i guess but what i’m really here for is the fun childish but realistic portrayal of friendship and emotions like it does kinda take me back to my own little group of friends in elementary school, where sometimes there would be disagreements, but we were still always friends

i loved reicho as a canonically mute protag and how none of his friends ever minded or even brought it up like that’s so cute. but the reveal that reicho was basically just a big puppet kinda just made it feel a little different... like idk how to explain it but yeah

ANYWAY here’s my obligatory paragraph about pochi because he’s my son now. the writers knew what they were doing by making him a kinda shy gamer kid bc they knew people were gonna relate to him even when he had a somewhat smaller role in the story before turning into the full fledged protagonist. anyway this robot puppy boy is my son i will protect him

the scene where pochi basically gets dunked on by the rest of the team is weird to me like idk it just feels out of character for most of them to be like lol yeah pochis useless RIGHT after he drove an entire train to one of the specific places that those special mushrooms grow and now they can all see vanilla

also kinda unrelated but this is my second game in the past few months where i correctly guessed one of the characters was voiced by megumi ogata because dang i just love her voice. this time it was pochi and the other one was the protag in the famicom detective club games. i legit heard one line and was like HOL UP and googled it lmao

i’m still confused on why the story takes place in the 90s. it doesn’t have a particularly 90s aesthetic and most of the technology just doesn’t match up with 90s tech. like i feel like it works better if it takes place more near present day. if there’s more cultural reasons then i’m not sure what they are but i’m really curious about this. the game is very reliant on japanese culture and locations, which isn’t a bad thing but i’m an ignorant american who was also born after the 90s so im wondering if there’s some specific reason why it’s SPECIFICALLY 90s japan

oh yeah i haven’t even talked about the gameplay yet. it’s.... shitty. maybe i’m a little biased because i’m not a big platformer girl but even so it’s just not.... good...... i kinda got myself soft locked one time because a big snowman guy was blocking my way and i had no way to kill him or get around him, luckily you can just restart from your last checkpoint but still. some of the special abilities/attacks just didn’t feel that good to use, like dragon boi’s and chuko’s felt too short range at times and jennu’s and aniki’s felt a little too slow. the rest were fine i guess. the only one i felt like was done well was kansai’s.

i played on easy mode cuz it was the default one that was highlighted and idk if it effects the platforming sections or the “puzzles” but the puzzles were way too easy. most of them just felt like they were checking that you paid basic attention to the story. the ones at the end are somewhat harder but i still didn’t have any problems with them. the stuff the outright tell you would have mad better puzzles like the xxy thing but at the same time were you even supposed to realize that? the otherworlder aka you i guess says it like no big deal but like i guess the middle x looked slightly different? but not enough to be like OH OBVIOUSLY ITS X TIMES Y. on the flipside i solved the heaven map puzzle before i even had all of the pieces. i guess i have to give it some slack though because it would probably be a bit harder if you didn’t really know english kinda like the danganronpa 11037 thing

also am i just stupid or how were you supposed to know the year the phone displayed was the y number in that puzzle? i forgot to get it before trying to solve the puzzle so i knew it corresponded to the y because it was the only clue i didn’t have so i didn’t have to think about it that hard but like did the phone have something to do with the letter y or was it just like a what clue haven’t i used kinda thing

anyway apologies for the super long post if you read the whole thing then wow thanks i guess? anyway in conclusion pochi is my son

[kitchenangst]

Love in space? It’s more likely than you think.

Summary: (Bakugou Katsuki x gender neutral!reader) Fuck space, that shit ain’t easy. Also, listen to the Among Us menu music. 

Warnings: swearing, mutual pining?, dialogue heavy, characters’ deaths (including yours), mild gore, maybe ooc Bakusquad and deku team, last names only, Among Us terms used ((listen, i only played on skeld LOL) and very bad writing in 2nd POV -- lmk if I need more any specific warnings!

Word Count: 4401

Prompts: “I don’t mind if it’s you” + Among Us!BNHA (no quirks)

a/n: hi!! it’s my first time writing for BNHA, second POV, head cannons, angst AND gore,,, No like, I kid you not when I say there’s mild gore . Anyway, this is for @fromthewatertribe ’s 1k event!!!! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I wrote it!! happy reading :))  

Hey just because you’re on the botanical team does not mean you get to skip out on team workouts with the rest of the crew!! For a plant nerd, you sure love making everything in the gym a competition and Kirishima, Mina, Iida, Uraraka, and Deku very much live for it 

(Bakugou says it’s stupid, but joins anyway. He says it’s because he likes to watch everyone’s despair when he wins first place again. 

Kaminari surprisingly gets top 3, while Todoroki, Sero, and Tsuyu join just to humor you and maybe add more fire to the competition; they absolutely don’t care about winning but they love making the others struggle) 

Anyway, you guys have been preparing for Mission Polus for a LONG time now, and the playful tension between the crews on Ships UA, ShKs (Shiketsu), and LoV (League of Villains) was only making you guys more fired up than usual in your workouts and preparation

UA, being the biggest team, was going to launch last--only because Kaminari confidently lost in rock, paper, scissors,,, but no biggie! That just meant when ShKs and LOV land, everything should be prepped for you guys when you arrive!

Except, you find out things don’t come out as planned when UA arrives at the second checkpoint 

“I just got word that Ships ShKs and LoV’s crew is cut in half,” you start off grimly

“Hold on--like, the lower or upper half of their body?” 

You decided against your better judgement about throwing the closest thing at Sero until Kaminari added in, “Left half? Or right half?”

Y’know what? Maybe you’ll just throw him out of the ship. 

Apparently, it was initially thought to be some space flu

“If it’s that bad, then… Why are they still continuing the mission? Shouldn’t they handle it back at base?”

It’s probably the smartest question you’ve ever heard from Kaminari. “If it is some contagious space virus, they don’t want it to spread on Earth.”

“Whatever it is, it must be evolving fast. LoV is halfway to the 5th checkpoint, and ShKs is a quarter way to the 4th checkpoint. If they both received it around checkpoint 3 and they’re down to half their people… I just hope they’re quarantining.”

“Good thing you mention that, Deku. LoV and ShKs are changing course to go straight to Polus, and they’re going through the safety measures and cleaning procedures. Meanwhile, we’ll be skipping the 3rd and 4th checkpoints; we’ll pick up all the supplies and materials at the 5th checkpoint. 

“If the other ships’ flu or whatever started around the 3rd checkpoint, we don’t want to be infected. We’re probably setting everything up ourselves when we get to Polus.” 

Everyone is staring at you as they process this new information and you’d be surprised that Bakugou hasn’t said a word all meeting if it weren’t for the grave news this brought. 

“Which means we’ll have to ration our food supply…” Uraraka is the first to break the silence, and you pass a guilty look as you see the realization fall on the rest

The meeting wouldn’t have ended well if it weren’t for Midoriya reassuring everyone that the growing fruit should last them (assuming it was being rationed as well).

By heading straight to the 5th checkpoint, you’d be saving a lot more time as well

Theoretically, things should have gone smooth sailing if Ship UA was changing course. And it would have if all the information was correct. 

Uraraka found you frozen still near the corner of a bedroom when you didn’t return to the meeting. Having never seen you so shaken up before, all she could do was check whatever you were pointing at. 

You watched with bated breath, hoping Uraraka wouldn’t have the same reaction as you, that this was all a bad dream, that this was a prank; because whatever it was, it wasn’t fucking funny considering that deaths on a ship were now a thing.

A month hasn’t even passed since the terrible news. Ship UA was nowhere near the third checkpoint; there’s no way anyone could have been infected

it was all you could repeatedly think to not spiral 

You didn’t even notice when everyone else had arrive in the bedroom, only focusing on the screams and whispers and curses that continued to echo throughout the room and ring in your ear as everything suddenly turned dark; your hands instinctively grabbing onto whatever was around you

“Hey, it’s okay,” you heard, the familiar scent of pine not quite registering yet. “it’s alright, they’re taking care of it.”

You moved your head back to look at Bakugou, his face masking his fear well if it weren’t for the slight trembling in his hands holding you up. “‘It’?”

“The body. Mina’s body.” He took your hands still clutching onto the front of his suit, his gloved ones briefly squeezing yours to ground you. “C’mon, we’re discussing it in the meeting room.” 

God, you felt your body run cold at the thought of Mina’s corpse being called it, but figured maybe you were looking a little too into details at the moment

You focused on your breathing as he dragged you to the meeting room, where no one knew what had gone wrong. 

The only absurd detail was the hole that covered her palms, which left the rest of her body a sick, wrinkly grey. 

Deku was worried if this was what the space flu was about and Iida suggested a 2 week quarantine where one person goes on deck at a scheduled time, while Uraraka was rubbing circles on your back despite being quite shaken herself. 

“The only person who holds her hand is Kirishima” 

“Whoa, whoa whoa--what does that have to do with-”

“Everything!” and now suddenly Kaminari thinks he’s a detective.

A space flu so dangerous that it could kill you overnight was less threatening compared to what kaminari was suggesting

“Not only that, you’re the only one who goes into her room at night!”

“TMI, but… that’s unusual, isn’t it? Kaminari makes a good point.” and it’s another thing to have Sero agreeing 

“Are you suggesting we lock Kirishima in his room until he confesses his crime?” (What kind of fucking suggestion is that todoroki)

“No, I’m saying we just throw him off ship.” 

Okay, now that fucking took you out of your shock...into a different shock… and it seems everyone had the same reaction at how serious Kaminari was. 

“What the fuck are you suggesting, dunce face? We just lost a crewmate, and now you wanna toss someone out?” 

“I’m being smart for once! What if Kirishima did that to Mina instead of some space slug?”

“First off, what about me suggests that I can even do something like that? To my girlfriend, no less! Do I have to repeat that there was a hole in her hand?” 

Everyone waited for Kaminari’s response, to which he sighed and admitted that he was just thinking irrationally from this panic. 

Iida and Bakugou agreed to install cameras in the hallway with a security room while everyone returned to fulfilling their duties

The mood on the ship went downhill from there with Mina’s passing on everyone’s mind. Especially yours and Kirishima’s. 

Kirishima admitted that while he was hurt at Kaminari’s absurd suggestion, he still couldn’t hold it against him for panicking at the first death on the ship. Didn’t mean he had to talk to him though. 

On the other hand, Bakugou often visited you in the plant room, the plant lab, just… you. Anywhere he could find you. 

He told himself that he was just checking up on you, seeing if you were doing fine since Mina was one of the closest members to you 

Maybe if he had known her death would cause such hurting to you, maybe he would have… no, he shakes his head and reminds himself it’s pointless to cry over spilled milk

You didn’t need to look to know he had brought you lunch; judging from the smell, he picked your favorite too 

“You know we’re not supposed to eat in the plant room, right?”

“You know you’re not supposed to be skipping your stupid meal, right?”

“You know we’re supposed to be rationing our food, right?”

“Whatever, guess you don’t want my portion.” 

Banter like this is what always made you break the rules to eat in peace with Bakugou the last few weeks, like how he pretended to seethe at your obnoxious munching

just the simple act of giving his portion to you was touching enough, and it made you relieved how he never touched on the topic of Mina’s death; only listening whenever you brought it up 

You did, however, become concerned when he started giving you his full portion of lunch. 

“No, I’m not hungry,” he’d say after you left him half his lunch, which, normally, you wouldn’t do! you always ate more than half! 

He didn’t have an appetite, he’d insist. And he seemed uncomfortable talking about it, so you dropped the subject. 

It didn’t stop you from guiltily eating his portions, though. 

Motivation and optimism only went up when Uraraka and Tsuyu came out with decorations and stickers on their suits one day

(Sero had taped the tape roll to his head; Deku and Todoroki both carried a fake flower pot in their chest pocket; 

Iida said his pen was decorative enough but put a car sticker on the side of his arm; Kirishima wore Mina’s bracelet on his ankle; and Kaminari took up bringing a toilet plunger with him everywhere.)

You brought up the cute headband with bear ears for Bakugou, and he gave you a paper crown he “spent 5 seconds making” 

(it was just slightly bigger than your head, but it was in your favorite color)

Everything was fine, everyone was better, nothing bad has happened the past 2 months, and everything was going back to normal!

Until Tsuyu found blood in the drainage 

(no one was on their period at the time either!!)

Bakugou stayed back with you in your restroom while everyone else prepped Sero’s body for discarding 

He heard the heaving from his door, similar to the ones he had after his first meal. He recalls the stench of his being so awful, he could almost taste it bubbling at the back of his throat 

So why did yours smell so sweet? 

He continued rubbing and patting your back, the same way you had done for him awhile back. He kept telling himself it was because he didn’t want you to choke, but he knew it was to distract him from the smell

you slept in his arms the following few months when everyone agreed Sero’s death was done in cold blood, and no one knew who it was 

The irony, he learned to love, was how you were the one who suggested the curfew, the placement of the cameras to be in the bedroom hallway and other places, and the idea that no one should go to each other’s rooms 

yet you still wanted to be in his with him late into the night, to “take your mind off things” as you said, and you two would talk until the other fell asleep first 

he loved that you broke your own rule to be with him 

and he found it oddly comforting to feel the pressure of your head on his chest 

and it was fascinating to him... that he could practically taste your fear when you had a nightmare, how you sought comfort in his arms first before anything else

he was probably enjoying it way more than he should when you trusted him this much to comfort you at night, to hold you, to not break you in more ways than one

his favorite part was having a routine with you

joining you in the lab at x o’clock to watch you take care of the plants, to make observations of you as you made yours on plants, hearing you talk about the progress of growing plants in space, kissing you-

wait, kissing you? that was new. 

The forehead kisses when he left you to do his duties and before either of you fell asleep

the cheek kisses when he brought you lunch (you’re convinced that’s the payment for bringing you food)

the cute little peck you do on the corner of his mouth to stop him messing up the files in the lab 

They were so tiny and often he hadn’t even noticed when they integrated themselves into this routine 

it’s also why he wasn’t surprised when he leaned in to kiss you to stop your rambling 

“there. as long as that’s there,” he gestured vaguely at whatever that was, “you aren’t going to die. not on my watch.” 

“So that’s a thing now?” you raised an eyebrow in amusement 

“What.”

“That.” 

Oh don’t do that, don’t do that fucking grin of yours when you’re mocking his dismissive attitude 

“Y’know. Seal of protection.” 

He is not going to give in-

“You’ll do that when-”

God, who he is to resist when you’re practically asking him to shut you up 

It’s been another few months since Sero’s death, and he had been cautious in taking advantage? of your emotional state? in taking a step further? --either way, he didn’t know what held him back in the first place and he wasn’t sure how to put it in words

He also didn’t know how to explain it to you that he couldn’t kiss you more than the simple peck anymore

not when he felt the sudden surge to take more of you and definitely not when his jaw was starting to hurt 

And he didn’t know why he felt so relieved to have you be so understanding 

Of course, everyone was still on their toes about a possible murderer on ship, but no one expected a sudden electrical outage 

The nice thing about the lab was that it had a backup generator for lights, but it didn’t cover for the use of equipment 

This wouldn’t normally be a problem, not when you still have months to go before reaching the 5th checkpoint, but you weren’t going to be a sitting duck waiting to look a plant cell

With a sigh, you began to make your way to electrical, hand sliding against the walls to make sure you wouldn’t trip over anyth-

honestly what the fuck, you swear you’re going to get Kaminari for leaving a puddle of water around with that plunger of his. 

whatever, it’ll dry eventually. still a hazard though. 

and honestly what the fuck, it’s been ten minutes and no one still hasn’t gotten the lights. the bystander effect is starting to make the crew lazy. 

But no surprises here, only two people had gathered there, and stupidly, no one bothered to use a light to adjust the right switches. 

When the lights got back on, Kirishima jumped at the sight of you. 

“Relax, I just came here to fix the li-”

“No, not-”

“Why do you have blood on you?” 

You turned to Deku, and fuck you haven’t seen him this scared since Mina and Sero’s passing 

You’re about to ask what he means when you feel it

the crunch your gloves give, the stiffness of your suit, and you should’ve known the stickiness from your boots wasn’t from water 

“What the-” it nearly sends you in a panic, to see your suit covered nearly everywhere-

“Whoa, hey, hey, stop!” Kirishima and Deku have to physically restrain you from trying to take your suit off with the way you’re digging at it 

And it’s not too long before Kaminari and Bakugou come rushing in, panting from their sprint 

There’s another four dead bodies. 

And oh, oh, oh shit it looks so bad-

“It wasn’t Y/N.” 

“And how are you so sure?”

“Just ask engine over here. We were watching security together, and there was still light coming from the lab. I only left when Y/N left, and there’s no way 4 fucking bodies could have been killed during that time.”

“Bakugou is, indeed, correct. The infrared cameras seem to have been shut down for some time now, so it’s hard to make out who was in the locations.” 

Right, right. This was no fucking flu--you all confirmed that with Sero’s body. 

It didn’t stop you from feeling sick to your stomach, though: seeing the scratches and marks on your 2 crew mates to the point of no recognition 

even worse when you saw the same sickly grey skin on the other two with holes in their palms as well

Mina’s had happened over night... there was no way a slug or flu killed them within 10 minutes

Kaminari points out Deku’s locations before the lights went out

Iida vouches for Bakugou and you (Bakugou vouches for him, too, of course)

and Deku, Iida, and Bakugou vouch for you

....why couldn’t anyone vouch for Kaminari, Deku, or Kirishima? 

Did it make sense for Deku to immediately leave the lab to fix lights?

Did it make sense for Kirishima to avenge Mina’s death? 

You’re not even sure where to begin thinking of Kaminari-- like with his sudden claim of throwing Kirishima off the ship earlier on

Iida, with the grace of angels and levelheadedness of lions, suggested the best plan to find the killer. 

A group of three, a pairing, and lone wolf 

Of course everyone agreed. 

it was no brainer that you and bakugou would stick together--you two were practically stuck at the hips 

Kaminari was grouped with Deku and Kirishima while Iida volunteered to work on his own. 

Everyone was tense: keeping distances away from each other, keeping tabs on the other... 

whether there was one or two killers, it had to be within the group of 3, and you were bound to catch him at some point. 

And while they stressed on who the murderer was, you and Bakugou... well, you felt a bit bad for enjoying the alone time you two got 

“Hmm,” you drawled out one night. 

Oh yeah, don’t think Bakugou didn’t know where this was going

But, oh, don’t think he’ll play along. 

You pushed the pen and notepad away from his face when he ignored you and flopped onto his chest. 

it was nearing curfew, and you still hadn’t gone back to sleep in your own room after all these months 

(only Kaminari had the balls to call you out for leaving his bedroom early to sneak into yours, and honestly that’s good enough reason for you to suspect him)

“Hmmm...” 

okay how dare Bakugou go back to writing on a tiny notepad the size of his ego 

Even after you cover his eyes, he still continues to write on the notepad 

“C’mon, you know I hate it when I have to ask” 

Big mistake, you should’ve uncovered his eyes and attacked him with your own deathly cute look 

He pauses his writing to jab the pen into the back of your head. 

“Weren’t you the one who said consent was everything?” 

“I also said it was very sexy of you to not swear.” 

“What the fuck am I swearing on?”

He finally drops the pen and notebook to hold onto your back

He loved feeling your breathy laugh sweep over his skin, to feel your body come to life at something he said

and like all those months ago, he removes your loose hands from his eyes 

(”They’re sweaty whenever you leave them there too long,” he once complained, yet he’s always the one holding onto you longer)

and this time you’re able to look into his eyes with clarity, to see all the smiles in the crinkles at the corner of his eyes, to see a spark light up in the reflection of you 

and maybe bad experiences in space brought you closer than the misfortunes on earth did

“Kiss?” 

Who is he to deny you one when you look at him so expectantly and full of love at the moment 

“That’s the bye I’ll see you in two minutes kiss!” you cried when he kissed your forehead. “Neither of us are leaving anytime soon!”

“That’s the I got you lunch kiss...” from the cheek. You giggled stupidly when he kissed your nose. The stop being cute kiss. 

“You’re alllllmost there” 

“Almost where? You just asked for one kiss, and I gave you three.” 

Seriously, he made it so easy, so easy to get mad at him and then you made it so very easy for him to tell you, you weren’t being specific 

“Where’s the wittle shweal of pwotection?” 

and it isn’t the first time you see him roll his eyes this hard 

and yeah, that’s right, you’re going to make him do all the work now as you keep your face in place, your eyes closing in trust 

the only way you knew he was leaning in was when you felt his lips brush yours with the most featherlight touch, making you smile instantly

“you don’t need it when I’m constantly with you though.” 

and the bastard has the audacity to tease you like this!!! are you the only one pulling the weight in this dumb relationship? because you put all that shit into the kiss, including your feelings, frustration, worries, and you both press deeper when Bakugou reciprocates with the same enthusiasm

obviously you punch him when you see him with that dumb smirk after pulling back 

“That’s what you get.” He shrugged. “You’re not going to die on my watch. Stop fucking worrying.” 

You don’t laugh like you usually do, at how he throws in a swear when his voice becomes rough and soft and gentle at the same time

it’s how he knows you’re worried with the unchanging look on your face and yet your eyes continue to search for the answer in his 

“What about you?”

“I’m not going to die.” when you don’t press further, he says, “We’re not going to die.”

“How’re you so sure?”

“Was the shweal of pwotection not enough?” He’s relieved when a grin breaks on your face. 

“You’re right. We didn’t get this far without it, after all.”

It was so silly how a kiss started with a hopeful promise, had made you believe in Bakugou’s words 

But it wasn’t enough

Kirishima had intercepted you two on the way to fix the communications room, panicking and barely able to get his words out

all you made out was “reactor” and “suit”; and the way he said Deku’s name made you latch onto Bakugou’s hand to run in that direction

You gripped his hand to the point of bruising, not even noticing you’d been digging your gloved fingers into your own palm

Honestly, you had no idea what was wrong, but the fact that Kirishima needed to leave the Kaminari with Deku to find someone, anyone, was already concerning

“What’s wrong with-” nothing prepared you for what you saw. 

Kaminari looked up from his spot, surprise defensively taking over his face. “I know it looks bad-”

“Kaminari-” you gasped, taking a step back as he neared you like one would to an animal

“-because it is! Please, Midoriya just looked so vulnerable! How could you resist that?”

God how can he say that as if he was talking about a puppy

He laughed when you backed into a wall; laughed because the way your eyes expressed so much disgust at his admittance would be much more delightful at the big reveal; laughed because he wasn’t even close enough to harm you and yet you still looked so frightened of him

Laughed even more when you cringed upon seeing his gnarly set of teeth

Kaminari started licking the blood off his teeth and lips once he calmed down, and when he stared at you with the most predatory eyes, you nearly mistook the pounding rush of footsteps as the blood in your ears 

“Bakugou!” Kaminari didn’t need to take his eyes off you to know it was him. “Did you tell Kirishima the news?”

You’re a little too relieved at having Bakugou here to comprehend Kaminari’s words. 

“Back off, dunce face.” 

"Where’s Kirishima?” you ask when you notice his absence

“He ran off. Or tried to.”

everything is too still for your liking 

“Then the-the blood on your suit?” 

“His body exploded.” 

And fear washes over your body as you try to comprehend that Kirishima exploded? 

Everything starts to blue as you try to piece everything. 

No, no, no-

“That’s a terrible lie, even coming from you, Bakugou. Off your game?”

-it can’t be-

“It would’ve been cleaner if I weren’t in a rush to cover your ass.”

-you don’t have time-

“Feeling betrayed yet, Y/N? That your boyfriend-”

-there’s nowhere to run-

“Don’t fucking do it, dunce face.”

-what about Iida-

“I promise you, it won’t hurt one bit.”

And honestly, you’re wondering if the other ships had made it past this point.

Iida had heard Kirishima’s distressed panic before making it to the communications room, understanding he would go on his own to fix it 

The Bystander Effect, as you once called it, made him believe you and Bakugou would handle Kirishima’s situation. He wouldn’t be of any help if the radio signal wasn’t up on time to solve this emergency!

He recalled Kirishima mentioned the reactor, and hastily made his way there once he finished fixing 

Some noble class person would call the splatter of deep red across the floors and wall “art”, with how the bits of black and gray nearly bring it to life. 

How ironic that it had cost a life. 

He had to force himself to look away from the mess in the lower engine when he heard Bakugou’s almost feral growl. 

“I don’t mind if it’s you.”

 By the time he arrived, Iida found the reactor in the same mess as the lower engine. 

He couldn’t help but think what an art critic would have to say about this, were it to be a painting. 

Green liquid streaked the room with a pattern similar to the red

The same green dripping from Bakugou’s hands as he cradled what was left of your head

the same green that oozed out of Kaminari’s grayed body that was in equal parts unrecognizable 

He wonders what the art critics would say about the four bodies surrounding the only one alive 

a/n: wow u made it to the end huh,,,,,,,,thank you so much for reading!! I hope the music really set up the mood I was going for. Also, I didn’t want to spoil anything, but I read somewhere that it can be very triggering to write about the reader’s death esp if it was in 2nd pov!! Ik i said it’d be gory but I figured I could skim over it! anyway i love u nina this one was dedicated to all our among us plays 

I dont think i conveyed it very well but bakugou was basically gonna eat u for dinner. But kaminari got to u first and bakugou figured u had to taste as good even tho kaminari already digested u, right?

[supernaturallyobsessedchic]

7 Days to Die - Part 3

Escape

Pairing: Jensen x Reader

Warnings: Language, mentions of cannibalism, blood, SPN level gore, I’m making non-con poking around a women's “area” a thing, consider it a warning, violence, nightmares, night-time cuddles (fluff).

Word Count: 2,926

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

Main Masterlist

7 Days to Die Masterlist

Mobile Masterlist

Summary: After traveling all day, the reader gets physically exhausted and suggests to rest up in a nearby house. They are in for a fight for their lives, and need to escape.

~

They walked down the long dirt path, winding and turning, changing from dirt to gravel. Silent, yet the occasional distant gunfire.

“So,” Y/N begins.

“Y/N, sweetheart, I’m sorry but I’m not in the mood to talk.” Jensen says. Shoulders slumped, as he still works through his friend’s death.

“I know, it’s just so quiet I feel like I’m gonna lose my mind.” She says. “We gotta talk, lighten up the mood somehow.” She adds.

He sighs. “What do you wanna talk about?” he asks. Giving in.

“I want to learn more about the camp. Are there more jobs than the ones you and Jared talked about? Are there schools? What do you do?” she asks.

“There are schools, like we said a lot of us had to step into these roles, learning as we went.” He explains simply.

“How was the family? When you last seen them, I mean.” She asks.

“Well, kind of hard to determine when they’re sick. We’re going through a sickness of some kind at the camp. That’s why Jared and I were in that town, we were scavenging in pharmacies, and finding some hard-core meds for them.” He explains. “Danneel and the kids aren’t doing too hot. Fever, chills, worse than the flu.” He adds.

“Let’s scavenge more while we’re heading back. Maybe we’ll find something.” She says.

“I’m planning on it, but I haven’t seen much, other than the occasional military checkpoints that are now abandoned and wiped clean.” He says.

“Let’s set up camp then, look at that map of yours and see if we can’t find checkpoints.” She says.

“My map doesn’t have checkpoints on them.” Jensen states.

“No, but mine does.” She says. Pulling her map out of her backpacks side pouch.

“You’re just now mentioning this?” Jensen asked.

“Didn’t know why you’re scavenging. But I’m mentioning now.” She says.

“Well we still got a ways till the next hold out of ours. We’ll head there, map out our next move and plan on scavenging tomorrow.” He says.

“Sounds like a plan stan.” She says with a smile.

 Sun was starting to set, a light rumble of thunder heard in the distance can be heard. Even a flash lighting up the forest.

“Jay, are we almost there, my legs are shaking.” Y/N whined. He lifts the map up to see how far they were.

“Shit, we still got a few miles yet, but we’re close.” He says. Stretching his legs, a bit, he was getting tired too.

“But there’s a mansion right there, let’s just head there.” She says pointing to a large house like mansion. Similar looking to the house in Home Alone or even Achilles’s house in Assassin’s Creed III.

But her knees decided to give out at her weight. Jensen heard the thud of her hitting the ground, hurries to her side, wrapping an arm around her, helping to lift her up to her feet. Leaning against him, in his side she tries to walk.

“Alright, we’ll head to the mansion, rest up but we got to head to the hold out, never know who could be occupying these places.” Jensen says, helping her to the mansion.

 They get to the door; it was as if there was someone waiting on them. As they ascended the stairs the main entrance opened.

An old lady, definite grey hairs peppered in her old styled bun. She dressed out of time, dressed like it was colonial times.

“Oh, lovely, a lost couple.” She says, wiping her hands on her apron on her dress. A pretty blue dress with a  white apron at her waist. “You are more than welcome to stay.” She adds.

“We’re just gonna rest up for a bit.” Jensen says.

“That’s fine dearie, dinner’s in the oven, you two can freshen up in my guest bedroom.” She says. Letting them in. On cue for the storm to let out a down pour. She gazed up at the sky from the door, despite the porch being there. “And just in time too.” She adds.

“Yeah.” Jensen agrees.

“Follow me, I’ll show you to your room.” She says.

“Wait, she said couple when we walked up,” Y/N says.

“Oh, we’re not a couple, just acquaintances.” Jensen says.

“Oh don’t fuss honey, I know a couple when I see one.” She says.

“She needs her eyes checked then.” Y/N whispered. Jensen holding back a chuckle.

They head up some more stairs and she leads them into a very large room. Filled with a large bed, a small couch, and even a bathroom.

“I’ll leave you be; dinner will be ready around 7.” She says. And heads down the stairs.

“I have a bad vibe about this place.” Y/N says.

“Me too, just sit, rest up. I’ll shower real quick. If your up to it, I want you to shower too. And we’ll be out of her hair.” He says.

“I like that plan.” She says.

Jensen sets her on the bed, Y/N rubs her legs to relax the muscles a bit and help blood flow.

Sounds of footsteps could be heard climbing the stairs, an old man in a butler suit stood at the door.

“If the mister and misses are ready, the mistress would like you to join her in the sitting room.” He says. Even his voice sounded aged, he looked older than the old lady, but tall and slender.

“In a minute, he’s just now getting in the shower.” She told him.

“Very well.” The butler says before bowing his head before leaving.

This is too strange. She thought.

She continued to massage her legs to soothe the ache from them.

She heard the shower shut off, and moments later a refreshed Jensen left the bathroom.

“She must be relying on a water tank or well, because I lost the hot water through that.” He said, looking relaxed.

“At least you look better, more relaxed.” She said.

He smiled, seeing a hint of a bright pink on his cheeks.

I made him blush. She thought with a giggle.

“She wants us with her in the sitting room, she sent a butler.” Y/N says getting up on more stable legs.

“Feeling better yourself by the looks of it.” he comments.

“Yeah, just needed to sit and massage my legs a bit.” She says.

They exited the room and descended down the elegant stairs to find the butler near her in a sitting room.

“You cleaned up so well.” She says as they entered.

“Thanks.” Jensen says.

“Just needed company or something?” Y/N asked kindly.

“Yes, an old lady like myself living out here all by her lonesome, it can feel really lonely out here.” She says.

“What’s your name?” Jensen asked.

“Gretchen.” She answered.

“Gretchen, you did well with the upkeep of this house.” Jensen commented.

“Thank you.” She says. “Please, have some tea.” She offers.

Y/N and Jensen pick up the cups full of the amber colored drinks. Taking small sips.

“And might I ask what your names are?” she asked.

“I’m Jensen Ackles.” Jensen introduced.

“And I’m Y/N Y/L/N.” She introduces.

“Y/N, well, that’s a very pretty name.” she says.

Before they know it they finished their teas. But Y/N was the first to feel something.

“You okay Y/N?” Jensen asked.

“I feel, funny.” She says, blinking a few times to adjust her eyes.

Jensen slowly felt similar effects. Growing drowsy, the both of them.

“What’d you put in our tea lady?” Jensen asked.

“You’ve been traveling a long way; you need to relax.” She said mischievously.

Y/N slumped back into the couch, passed out, Jensen fell at his side, landing in Y/N’s lap. Passed out as well.

“Tommy, take them to the lab. I’m sure Herbert will want to see if we can harvest them.” She says.

The tall old butler doing as told.

 Jensen woke in a strange place, feeling woozy and funny. Shaking his head to shake the feeling away as best he could he gets up. Y/N did the same.

As they wake up more, they’re not in the same cell. An empty cell separated them.

“Y/N, you okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, freaked out. But yeah.” She answers.

A slight pause.

“I told you I had bad vibes from that woman.” She hissed.

“I know. Old people, they’re easy to fool us like that. Because we always think of them as vulnerable.” He says.

“Not entirely true, sample A, the crazy Gretchen lady.” Y/N said. “God, it was my stupid idea to come here.” She begins to panic.

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up. You didn’t know it was occupied.” Jensen says trying to lift her spirits.

Footsteps interrupted them, and there stood a fat old man. Bald, wore the white lab coat with black rubber gloves up to his forearms. And wore old style goggles. He looked like a mad scientist.

“Women, frail looking yet strong.” He says. Accent matching to any mad scientist. German.

“Excuse me!” Y/N says, offended.

And the scientist moves to look at Jensen.

“Nice healthy build.” He says.

Pacing between Jensen and Y/N, he decides on his next subject.

“Let’s have a look at you.” He says pointing at Y/N.

Terror filled Y/N. What was he going to do to her?

A big assistant, god awful looking. Covered in scars, burns, stitches, no eyelids or lips, hideous long claws. Big, strong, borderline overweight and muscular. He was let into her cell for him to lift over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry to the scientists lab and table.

She screams and fights him as hard as she could, but it didn’t faze him.

“No!” Jensen shouts. Yanking at his cells door. “Y/N!” he shouts.

“Jensen!” she shouts back.

I lost Jared and now I’m gonna lose her. Jensen thought. As he tries to find a way to escape, with tears threatening to escape.

He hears the first of her screams of pain. The screams thrashed her throat.

Jensen yanked his cell doors again, and noticed it giving.

He looks at the frame, it’s rusted. Rusted bolts, that should hold it in place in the threshold.

“Keep at it, I’ll break free.” Jensen says, as he continued to yank at his door. Harder. And harder.

The screams got louder. He yanked harder. Then the crack and snap of rusted metal. His door fell out of the threshold and his hands. Out of his cell he looks around him, he needs a weapon to take on that big fucking guy.

Finding a machete on the nearby tool table in a room adjacent from Y/N’s cell she was in.

“Hang in there kiddo, please be alive when I get there.” He prayed.

She was stripped down to nothing, covered in cuts, some deep and gushing blood darker than red. Laid on a vertical table.

She shook against her restraints as he worked at her in her sensitive areas. One of the areas being between her legs.

“Still fertile, that’s good.” The scientist says as he stood up. Holding up makeshift tools to do a PAP smear.

“Little pig!” was heard behind Jensen.

Instinctively, he swung his machete high, hiding the big fucking guy in the neck. Severing arteries, the big guy bled out, falling to his knees.

Jensen quickly turned his attention back to Y/N. And she was alone.

Where is he? He thought.

He hurries to her.

“Hey, talk to me sweetheart. You okay?” he asks.

“I’m still alive, if that’s what your asking.” She groaned, panting. The amount of pain she endured in that short period of time was enough.

“Okay, we don’t have time to find your clothes, we need to get you out of here.” He says.

“Okay.” She agrees.

He works at her bindings. Getting her hands free.

“Behind you!” she shouts.

Jensen takes his machete to swing high at head height again, but the scientist ducked, and with a short blade, stabs Jensen’s side.

Jensen let out a grunt from the pain.

“NO!” Y/N shouts.

“Can’t have you leave just yet, you’re the main course.” He says.

Cannibals, these people eat people! Y/N thought. As she worked to get her feet free.

“Yeah well,” Jensen begins. Taking his machete stabbing the scientist in the chest. “We aren’t hungry.” He says.

The scientist drops dead. Jensen withdrawing the blade.

“Herbert?” the old lady called out.

Jensen was growing annoyed.

“I won’t be offended if you just killed her out right, I mean she did drug us for this.” Y/N said.

“Agreed.” Jensen says.

“NO!” the old lady screamed when she saw them escaping.

The sound of a chainsaw filled them with pure fear. Nightmares come true.

“She’s got a chainsaw!” Y/N shouts.

Jensen turns, dodging her swings of the power saw. Y/N manages to get her feet fully free and she slides off the vertical table.

The lady cackled like a witch as she tried to take Jensen out.

Despite her pain, she managed to find a knife, very sizable. It was shorter than a machete but longer than your typical tactical knife. She grabs it and with the witch’s back turned Y/N slashes the back of her neck. The witch flinches at the pain, swinging the chainsaw at Y/N. Y/N ducks, missing the attack. And stabs the witch under her chin. Seeing the tip of the blade go through her head.

Withdrawing the blade the old lady drops dead.

“I hope that butler don’t put up a fight.” Jensen says panting.

“Same.” Y/N says.

 They managed to escape the lab, with no further fighting. Jensen setting aside some of his clothes for Y/N. And utilizing the old hags medical tools, Jensen was able to patch Y/N up, and she patched Jensen up as well.

“I still blame myself; I mean all of this would have been avoided if I just toughened up and walked a few more miles.” She says as she stitched up his side.

“Well don’t. I don’t blame you.” Jensen says.

They sat in silence as she finished stitching him up.

“I’m just glad the butler didn’t put up a fight.” She says.

“Right, for an old lady she really put up a fight. I was getting tired.” Jensen says.

“Well, either the sun’s rising or setting, we haven’t eaten. Running on adrenaline alone can only give you so much energy.” Y/N says.

She wraps a bandage around his torso, also holding down a gauze in place to apply some pressure to the wound. Taping it down with a light tap.

“Your set though.” She says.

“Not a bad job, better than Jared. Either too tight or too loose the man couldn’t figure it out.” He says.

“I don’t blame him; I mean he’s patching up his best friend who’s like a brother to him.” She says. “I wouldn’t want to make it worse or even have it be not enough.” She adds.

“Yeah.” Jensen says, agreeing.

“Do we hide out here, or head to your hold out?” She asked.

“This place, though it looks nice. It freaks me out, after what we’ve been through.” He says.

“I agree.” She says.

“Let’s hit it.” He says, grabbing his pack. And she grabbed hers, along with Jared’s old one that held the medical supplies they managed to loot earlier. Escaping, more like walking out, with their lives.

On their short walk, Jensen wraps an comforting arm around her shoulders, holding her close. She leaned into his side as they walked. Feeling safe. Jensen getting a fire going in the cabins fireplace, like he does at every cabin. She crashes on the couch.

“Why do you always sleep on the couch?” Jensen asks. “There is a bed in the hallway you can crash in, I bet your back will thank you.” He says.

“The last cabin I crashed at; the bed was…gross. Covered in a wet dust, smelled of mold and mildew.” She says.

“These cabins we stay in, Jared and I stayed in them in the past. We’ve cleaned up each time. And they’re cabins we always crash at on hunts. Come on, go to bed.” Jensen says, taking her hand, guiding her to a room that had two full beds.

“I mean they do look clean.” She says with a shrug.

“They are.” Jensen says. “Sleep. I’ll be in, in a minute, got to look around, make sure we don’t get jumped in the night.” He says.

“Okay.” She says with a yawn.

 It was a while that he was out putting the zombie blood painted border to keep walkers away, but he managed to make sure they’re safe. As he reenters the cabin he hears a cry.

“Jensen!” it was Y/N, she was crying out his name.

“Y/N!” Jensen shouts back.

Enters the bedroom to find her in bed, completely fine. But her face, showing signs she’s in the midst of a very bad nightmare.

“No, not him!” she shouts. She writhes, cringing at whatever horrible vision she was seeing.

“Hey, hey, sweetheart, I’m right here.” He says, sitting at her side on her bed.

It’s like she can sense him there. She tosses and turns toward him, trying to cling to him.

It’s settled, I’m sleeping with her. He thought.

He takes his boots off, dressing in comfortable bottoms, still in his t-shirt he climbs in her bed. Brings her into his chest, cuddling her. Feeling her tremble under him, he holds her tight. Whispering in her ear she’s fine, he’s fine. They’re all okay.

She eventually stopped, and relaxed. As did he, letting sleep take him.

~

Keep the feedback coming, What do you think? Favorite part? Was it too scary? Or not scary enough? Comment or ask to let me know what you think so far. :)

Copying and reposting someone else’s content is plagiarism and illegal. This work is property of supernaturallyobsessedchic. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. These works contain material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of these works may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. An electronic reference link to the original posted work may be provided for purposes of promotion or assistance of publication by the readers discretion, if proper credits are given to the author in the re-post. 10/14/2020

~

Jensen Tags:

@luci-in-trenchcoats​, @supernatural-jackles​, @becs-bunker​, @mlovesstories​, @winchesters-favorite-girl​, @backseat-of-deans-67chevy​, @salt-n-burn-em-all​, @moonlight-on-her-skin

[sugar-kisser]

hi, I’m a huge fan of your writings !! sorry if you’re not receiving requests rn but can you do a pt2 for jongho!mafia au x anything related to family/pregnancy etc? thank you and I wish you a great day/night! :)

Thank you for liking all that I write! It really means a lot!! I hope you enjoy! Also sorry for being extremely m.i.a. uni has kept me  b u s y. I also got really soft writing this and I just wanna scream because now I need to just see ATEEZ go to like a daycare for a day and play with other babies.

Old Habits 

Part 1: Black Hour  Warnings: mafia affiliated acts, cussing, death, implied mention of sex (but there is none I promise), no-mercy violence, partial psychotic break(?)  Featuring: ATEEZ   word count: 6965

You pull the tight black turtle neck down your head and quickly push your arms through the sleeves in order to push away the static your hair gains. You tuck your shirt quickly into your black army pants and tie the laces on your boots before moving over to your weapons closet you have in your room. You first pull off the newly reformed bullet proof vest and strap it onto your body. You then begin to hand pick out the explosives you were asked to bring along for your mission tonight. 

You kept your promise with Jongho and stopped all the nonsense, ruckus, and raids. Jongho did, however, find use for you on his team and that’s where he placed you after you both recovered from the Black Hour incident. Since then the two of you actually wed and are now husband and wife, and both of you are content about it. You are happy Jongho finally came around after putting your differences aside. You had actually asked on your wedding night if he could your differences aside and he was taken back at your request. He had put his hatred towards you aside the day you came to get him from the prison, and he felt bad that it still seemed like he could not stand you. So he made a promise that night that he’d show just how much he appreciates and grows to love you every single day.

A knock on your door doesn’t pull you from your train of thought as you go over your list of explosives and make sure they’re ready to go and not loose enough to explode on you.

“We don’t leave for another two hours,” Jongho’s voice cuts the silence.

“I know. But I just need something to do. I feel antsy just waiting,” you respond, turning you head and softly smiling at him. You return back to your toys, and change a couple of them out as Jongho walks over to you. He wraps his arms around you and they sit lightly on your waist, and he rests his chin on your shoulder. You feel his warm lips leave a kiss on your cheek which causes you to smile sweetly but you continue to focus on your task. You continue to feel his lips trace down your chin and to your neck, causing you to slightly giggle because how ticklish you can be.

“Jongho,” you warn while trying to shoo him off.

“Yes?” He asks as if there is nothing wrong.

“Not now. I just changed,” you tell him, “besides I’m not going to be exhausted going into this. Tonight.”

“Fine,” Jongho pouts as he lets go of you. You smile sweetly at your husband, who’s currently acting like a little toddler, and give him a quick kiss to his lips before grabbing all the explosives and placing them into your one strapped backpack that’s resting on the ground. As you bend down to carefully place all the little bombs into your bag you feel Jongho’s hand smack your ass. You drop a handful of the bombs into the bag before standing up looking at the giggling boy who’s already running out the door.

“Jongho!” You holler and chase him out of the bedroom and down the hallway. You can hear his laughs echoing off the walls and you follow him down the staircase. To beat him down you sit on the railing and slide down. You jump and tackle him to the ground just past the bottom of the stairs.

“Ha!” You laugh as you have him pinned down. You hold his wrists to the floor as you basically straddle his waist to keep him pinned down.

“You sure?” Jongho asks before pushing you off and pinning you down to the floor. Instead of needing both his hands to pin your wrists to the floor he only uses one while the other lightly grabs ahold oh your chin.

“AHHHHHH! AGAIN? COME ON! YOU HAVE A ROOM!” Wooyoung screeches as he walks out of the kitchen and immediately covers his eyes.

“Oh shut up. We’re just messing around,” Jongho rolls his eyes.

“You said that last time too!” Wooyoung counters.

“Wooyoung this is OUR house,” you tell him.

“And I’m forced to live here with everyone else on the team. Nice try,” Wooyoung sasses.

“You can look! We aren’t doing anything!” Jongho tells him as he climbs off of you and helps you sit up.

“I don’t trust you,” Wooyoung answers. You grab a magazine sitting on a nearby small circular table and throw it at Wooyoung hitting him in the head.

“Hey!” Wooyoung trips back and looks at you. You shrug and push your self off the floor and brush yourself off and straighten your shirt which slightly twisted. Jongho joins you and stands up as well. Before Jongho follows Wooyoung into the conference room you smack his ass in return for earlier and he yelps.

“Ooooh. You’re in for it later,” Jongho points at you as he laughs. He smirks before disappearing into the conference room. You take a deep breath and turn to head back to the staircase to finish packing your explosives.

———

You cough as you hurry away from mission point, having completed your part of the mission. All your explosives were put to good use, although it’s not how you probably would of done it before you stopped your raids. You run down the pitch black road that’s on the more abandon side of town and head to your checkpoint stop. You breathe heavily as you continue to keep your fast pace although you’re tired, slightly cut, and bruised from the slight ambush you had when everybody first arrived. You push yourself to your checkpoint and slow yourself to a jog then a walk as you approach the abandon orphanage. You see bright car headlights heading in your direction and you hurry down the side of a building and flatten yourself against the wall and wait for the car to pass… but it doesn’t.

You poke your head out of the side and watch as the car sits in front of the orphanage, the car lights on low, so you’re able to see. You watch as someone gets out of the car, heads to the back, pull something out, and carry it possibly to the door step of the orphanage, but your view is slightly restricted. You can’t see much beyond the front steps to the building.

But why would someone bring something to an abandon building? Unless your team was wrong about it being abandoned? You watch as the person returns to their car and quickly gets in and turns their bright lights back on and you pull yourself behind the wall again and you hear the car speed down the street and you watch it pass by you. You count to ten before poking your head out. You cautiously walk up to your checkpoint and your head perks up when you hear crying… well almost screaming. But you recognized it as a child’s. You hurry up the steps but cautiously to not scare the kid.

But you’re almost taken aback when you see more of an infant laying on the old worn down mat wrapped loosely in a thin blanket. You slightly begin to panic but you crouch down in front of the baby and slowly pick it up as you shush it. You try to wrap it a little better in the blanket without thrashing it around, and you continue to hush the baby. You stand up and even try to lightly bounce the baby which calms it’s cries a little. You look down at the little infant in your arms as it cries and make the assumptions it’s got to at least be a year old or just over, but you are no doctor to confirm.

After waiting the hour your told to, the baby has fallen asleep from it’s own exhaustion. You sit on the stairs looking down at the baby unsure what you should do with it. The person who brought it here seemed to no longer want it. But it could of been kidnapped and its’ parents could be worried sick for it. You take another deep sigh but your attention is grabbed by a van pulling up to the house. You stand up and cautiously walk to the car. You give a notion to have someone open the door and you step in and take a seat immediately ‘shhhing’ everyone.

“Is that a baby?” Yoesang gasps.

“Yes. I watched someone abandon it as I approached the checkpoint,” you whisper, “I couldn’t just leave it there.”

“Wait till Jongho see’s this,” Yeosang nervously tells you.

“I’m going to look into it being possibly kidnapped or anything related because I don’t think you keep a baby this long and then just abandon it for dead. That orphanage was deserted,” you explain to him. You look down at the baby and watch it as it sleeps peacefully.

“Will you keep a look out on missing babies for me?” You ask Yeosang who nods his head. Yeosang even peeks over your shoulder, watching the baby sleep. San even leans forward and over the seat to look at the baby as well.

“What if this baby isn’t missing and someone did actually abandon it?” San asks quietly.

You sigh, “I don’t know. I mean…. I-“

“We know you can’t and would love to keep it,” Yeosang answers for you knowing well that you can’t have kids of your own. You sigh again and you look out the window, familiar scenery coming into view.

“I’ll head in first and tell everyone to shut the hell up,” San tells you as he hops out of the back of the van when it comes to a stop in front of the mansion. You watch him head inside and you wait with Yeosang for a minute before heading in. Yeosang opens the door and you walk in and you watch as the rest of the team’s eyes practically fall out of their eye sockets, especially Jongho’s.

“Where did you find that?” Jongho points to the baby.

“Someone abandoned it at my checkpoint just before I got there. I saw everything. I couldn’t leave it there,” you tell him, “I asked Yeosang to keep an eye out for missing babies just incase.”

“Y/N, we need to take it somewhere where someone can actually take care of it,” Jongho tells you with sincerity in his voice as he already knows that you’ll want to keep it if it’s not missing.

“Jongho,” you voice breaks as you look at the baby then at him tears in your eyes, “you know there is nothing more I want in the world, and I can’t physically do it.” Jongho inhales a sharp breath in remembering when you had been kidnapped as young teen and were tortured to the point where people had damaged several of your organs and you lost both your ovaries due to it. You had also lost one kidney and almost even lost your liver but that was barely saved.

You watch as Jongho can’t find a thought out response to give you and even trips as he begins to start several sentences, and you storm off towards your room, the baby cradled in your arms. You rest the baby on the bed and quickly change out of your work attire and into a hoodie and shorts. You pick the baby once again and slowly climb into your side of the bed and prop your pillows up and rest the child on your chest.

“You’re a pretty heavy sleeper,” you whisper as your lightly brush some of the hair on the top of its head. You feel a couple of hot tears rush down your face and you take a shaky breath in before exhaling.

“He doesn’t understand,” you whisper to yourself.

“I do, Y/N,” Jongho quietly states hearing you as he enters the room, standing just at the door.

“You sure?” You slightly snap, “because it doesn’t seem like that.” Jongho almost winces at your harsh tone and the look in his eyes drop even more.

“Y/N,” Jongho starts.

“I don’t want to hear it, Jongho,” you tell him and you wipe more tears that fall from your eyes, “at least not tonight.”

“Okay,” Jongho quietly whispers. You look down at the baby and you hear the door close. You let more tears fall down your cheeks and just allow them to this time. You eventually shift the baby into the space next to you and lay down fully. You turn your body to face the baby and fall asleep.

———

You slightly stir in your sleep before eventually waking yourself up. You open your eyes and slightly push your upper body off the mattress and run your left hand through your messy and tangled hair to get it out of your face. You turn too look at the other side of the bed and your heart drops, and you begin to panic as the baby isn’t laying on the bed next to you. You scramble and fall out of your bed with a out thud and begin scrambling around the entire room before running outside. You know exactly who you were heading to, and you stormed your way.

“Jongho!” You scream. You run down the stairs and hurry into his office but it’s empty. You close the door and you turn around and almost bump into Yeosang.

“Where. Is. He,” you demand from the quiet boy. Yeosang’s eyes widen in fear and he points towards the kitchen. You brush past Yeosang and storm into the kitchen and Yeosang tries to call out for your name.

“JONG-“ you stop yourself when you watch Jongho turn to face you, the baby in his arms as he stands in the middle of a messy kitchen.

“Y/N,” Yeosang calls your name and you turn to him slightly still distressed, “there are currently no reports of missing babies or children that match him.” He hands you the missing children’s papers he found and you look over them.

“I would like a small team on this please. Find these kids,” you tell him as you hand him back the four papers. He nods his head and exits the kitchen. You then turn back to Jongho and look at him.

“Why in the hell would you give me a scare like that?” You demand from him.

“I didn’t want him waking you up. You need your sleep,” Jongho tells you as he slowly moves about the kitchen while holding the baby.

“Let me see him,” you pout. Jongho lightly laughs and hands him over. You carefully take him and hold him gently in your arms as he slightly sits on your hip.

“Hi,” you whisper to him. The baby stares back at you, his brown eyes seem even lighter than yesterday.

“I’m starting to wonder if you love that baby more than me,” Jongho states as he continues to clean up the mess in the kitchen.

“Oh, stop. You’re just jealous,” you tease as you shift the little human in your arms. 

“I totally am,” Jongho sarcastically responds. You walk over to him and hit him in the arm and pick up something to eat from one of the bowls on the counter.

“Hey!” Jongho playfully snaps and you shrug your shoulders smiling cheekily.

“Yes?” You innocently ask. Jongho gives you a “your kidding, right” face before lightly laughing and running up to you to kiss you.

“You guys are so gross,” Wooyoung calls from the kitchen table. The two of you stop and turn towards the purple haired boy who’s trying to eat his food in an awkward space.

“How long have you been there?” Jongho asks.

“When am I not in the kitchen?” Wooyoung counters as he takes another bite of his pop tart.

“You need to go do something with San or bully Seonghwa,” you tell him.

“I’ll do that later,” Wooyoung brushes you off. You roll your eyes and turn on your heels and head out of the kitchen with Jongho on your tail.

“What does your day look like?” You ask Jongho as you head into your living room and take a seat on the floor, setting the baby down who instantly begins crawling off.

“I’ve got a few things to take care of that have to do with last night. After San says he needs help with something. I still don’t know what but I’m probably not going to like it,” Jongho sighs. You nod your head and turn your head to check on the infant who’s now running away.

“Hey!” You call and chase after the little baby who begins laughing when he hears you. You pick him up and swing him around to run back towards where you were sitting. The baby instantly starts running off giggling again.

“I assume you’ll be busy with him today?” Jongho asks smiling as he watches the baby run towards him. You nod your head and take a seat on the couch. The baby watches you and tries his best to try climbing the couch. Jongho laughs helping him up and giving you one last kiss before leaving towards his office.

“Well hello,” you say brightly at the little infant who plops to a sitting position on the couch after realizing the couch is a softer surface, “now what are we going to name you?”

———

“Are you sure we need all of this?” Jongho asks looking at everything San had bought and stored in the garage.

“Jongho. I’m pretty sure that if this baby was kidnapped, then it would of been reported missing by now,” San tells him. Jongho sighs and nods his head.

“Okay. You boys have this all set up I’ll keep Y/N busy. But you do know you have like an hour because she catches on to things quickly,” Jongho tells him.

“Already ahead of you. Everyone already knows what they are doing,” San informs. Jongho pats him on the back before heading inside the house to find you.

“Oh Y/N,” Jongho calls in a sugary voice.

“Okay, you clearly want something that I’m not going to willingly give,” you sigh as you walk out of your studio room, the baby sitting on your hip. Jongho’s mouth drops in shock to your response and his eyebrows even slightly raise.

“What mak- never mind,” Jongho starts, “I was going to find you and see if you would like to go buy some clothes for the baby. He’s been in that since last night.” You instantly light up and agree.

“Hold him while I go put actual clothes on. I can not go out in my pjs,” you tell him before sprinting upstairs to change. Jongho slightly begins to bounce the baby he’s holding to keep it entertained and even talks to it quietly.

“You have a good day? Yeah?” He asks as the boy reaches out for Jongho’s hand. Jongho hears a couple of stifled laughs and turns around to find Wooyoung and San carrying in a large box while trying not to laugh at their “oh so fearsome leader”. 

“You better move before I split your heads like apples,” Jongho warns and the boy’s’ eyes widen and they quickly leave the room. You finally return in a new set of clothes and even brought one of your too small and old cardigans.

“Hand me Minjoon,” you tell Jongho.

“Minjoon? You decided a name?” Jongho asks as he hands him over.

“Yeah. I like it. He’ll grow into it,” you tell him as you brightly smile at Minjoon. You manage to place him in the cardigan, although it’s just more wrapped around him if anything. You begin to head towards the garage but Jongho pulls you to walk out the front door with him. You instantly find it a little odd that he wants to go out the front door.

“I know you’re hiding something. But I’ll just let it play out,” you tell him as he opens the front door.

“This has to be your new record,” Jongho laughs and the two of you head to a car already waiting in the horseshoe driveway. Jongho opens the back door for you and helps you in before climbing in himself. Jongho gives the driver the location and the car shifts into drive.

“Have you told Chaeyoung yet?” Jongho asks, knowing that you tell your best friend everything.

“Yeah. She actually came over a little while ago on her free time. It was a short visit but you know she’s busy running things internationally,” you answer him.

“Do you want me to pull her from that position to keep her closer?” Jongho offers.

“No, no, no, no. She loves what she’s doing and she likes being busy,” you decline immediately. Jongho nods his head and looks out the windshield window. Minjoon makes little noises which captures your attention and you let him grab onto a couple of your fingers.

Jongho helps you out of the car when it pulls up to the first baby clothing store he could think of that you might like… well San gave him a list and this place was written first, so here you are. He follows you inside and the two of you begin looking for clothes.

“We are not putting him in a leather jacket,” you tell Jongho for the fourth time as he’s already shown you ten leather jackets.

“Oh come on,” Jongho whines.

“It is the middle of summer! He’ll melt!” You tell him as you turn to face another rack of clothes. Jongho audibly huffs and looks down at the three leather jackets in his hand.

“I don’t know why she’ll telling me no,” Jongho mumbles, “I’m the one buying it all.” He then goes to face you again, “Y/N. We can get him two and he can wear them when the heat co- Y/N?” Jongho looks at the spot you were standing in not even ten seconds ago, but you’re no longer there. Or anywhere in the near by area. Jongho turns on his heels and looks in every direction.

“Y/N?” Jongho calls out but there is no response. As he tries to decide on which way to head to begin looking for her, he hears a scream coming from an isle not to far from him. Out of instinct he heads that way but only to find you knocked out, some blood coming out of a cut from your head.

“Y/N!” Jongho yells and pushes past everyone. He looks over your face and quickly checks your pulse, then he realizes.

“Where’s Minjoon?” He quickly looks up and around, “has anyone seen a baby boy? Black hair. Big light brown eyes. My son isn’t here.” A couple people in the small crowd begin checking other isles and the areas around. Jongho returns to trying to wake you up.

“Come on Y/N,” he begs, a chill running down his back which is rare. Your eyes slowly begin to open, and you blink a few times while slowly beginning to move around.

“Wha-“

“You’re okay. You got hit,” Jongho whispers helping you sit up, “do you know who hit you?”

“I’m not sure. I need a minute,” you tell him. You raise you hand to your head but wince as your hand brushes against the cut on your forehead.

“It’s just a cut. Come on. We need to get back,” Jongho whispers and helps you fully up. You, still in a daze, nod your head and let him guide you outside and to your car. Once the two of you are in the car and it’s pulling out onto the highway, realization hits you real quick.

“Where’s Minjoon?” You ask looking around the car before stopping on Jongho who looks like he might just fear for his life.

“The person who hit you most likely took him,” Jongho cautiously tells you. You feel your body tremble in horror. Your heart shatters and falls, and your emotions quickly flood you. Before you could even do anything Jongho is on the phone.

“I need you to find the security footage for that, Hongjoong. I want it before we are home. I also want the assailant identified,” Jongho tells him, “because we all know what’s going to happen.” You know exactly what Jongho’s talking about. It’s the scariest thing your city has ever seen. The scariest thing Jongho and the rest of his team have ever seen, and they only ever saw it once. 

And that’s when Y/N cracks. Loses all sanity and goes on a rampage.

You’ve always threatened people if they are to ever touch anyone you love they would die horrifically. Nobody ever tested that till the Black Hour incident last year. There were a few other occasions where you got close to breaking and even severally injured people so others could learn their lesson.

But you know Jongho is right. You’re going to break as soon as you get your eyes on a target. It’s going to be game over, and no one is capable of stopping you. 

“Yeah,” Jongho sighs, “we’ll figure something out. Most likely not. We’ll be going into this blind. Be ready.” Jongho ends his call with Hongjoong, and the two of you wait in a tense silence the rest of the way back to the house. Your emotions growing with your anger and Jongho can sense the change in atmosphere. So when the two of you arrive to the house he let’s you storm inside first. Jongho quickly following after you.

All the boys stand ready to go whenever, and Hongjoong is already holding out a couple pieces of paper. His hands slightly shaking because of his impending fear you might just sucker punch him if you’re mad enough. You take the papers from him instantly and look over them. The first paper a clear picture of a location- probably where this person is. When you pull out the second piece of paper from behind the first you feel everything just drop. The easily recognizable picture of the prison president’s face and a background check on the second piece of paper.

“He’s not dead,” you state, “I watched them bury him. I saw the autopsy report. I wanted to make sure!” You’re fuming at this point and everyone has taken at least 3 steps away from you but Wooyoung- who’s still within two feet of you which is ballsy. You swing your fist and put it through the wall right next to Wooyoung’s head, but he doesn’t flinch.

“Well are we going?” Wooyoung asks, face and voice unwavering from the pervious moment. 

“Hell yeah we are. You got 30 seconds boys to be on your bikes,” you tell them all before storming your way to your special garage in the house. You grab your secret emergency bag not even Jongho knows about, your bullet proof jacket, and motorbike helmet. You put all three on before opening your garage already sitting on your bike ready to race as soon as the garage opens. You look down at the location, and map it out quickly in your head.

Just as the garage door is just open enough you zoom out of the room, race down the driveway, and onto the street in record speed. You soon have eight other motorbikes following in suit, and they are having no trouble keeping up with you. You take streets that you know will be closer to empty but even still you weave in and out of cars. You block out all noise and focus on when you need to turn and how much time you have left. In your head you have this mental clock and if you reach zero before your destination, it’s not going to be good wherever you are. Because half the city can go down along with this location, you’re got no problem making that happen if it means you got to make a statement to everyone. Because clearly not everyone knows your memo. 

You swing your bike to a quick halt and jump off. You pull your helmet and carry it with you as you calmly approach one of the many abandoned buildings on the more “quiet” side of town. 

“She’s way too calm,” San states.

“Nobody gets to laugh if I actually shit myself,” Mingi states as he pulls his helmet off his head.

“This might just be worse than last time,” Jongho looks over at them as he climbs off his bike, taking his first few steps towards the building the rest of the seven boys in tow.

“Yeah, how did you survive last time? We watched that place go down,” Yeosang says. Jongho doesn’t answer as he stops, ten feet from you. The other stop behind Jongho and they all watch as you just stare at the door. You wait, inhaling and exhaling. Your mental clock finally counting down to zero. You look up and with a devilish smile on your face you turn around. Your smile alone terrifies all the boys.

“Lock and load ‘em boys,” you cheerfully state before turning on your heels. You lift up your foot and with a ear pitching scream you kick in the wooden door, taking it completely off it’s hinges and knocking the two men hiding behind it. You reach into your bag, pulling out a single tear gas bomb and throw it inside. You listen to it beep before it not only releasing tear gas but exploding immediately after sending the first room into a panic. 

Now it’s time to play.

You calmly walk in pulling out your two hand guns, and without a care head into the first room. Parts are in flames, fresh littered bodies in random areas, blood splatters, and some still alive but severely injured. The eight boys follow in behind you checking their surroundings- you would think they looked like those agents from FBI shows with they way they’re moving around the room. Something you 1) do not care for 2) do not have time for. You take a look at the three different directions you can take, all potentially leading somewhere, and possibly leading you the opposite way you’re wanting to go.

“Mics on,” you tell the boys as you pull out your emergency ear com and stick it into your ear. Everyone divides up evenly into groups without discussion. Seonghwa, San, and Mingi take the door the furthest from where you all originally entered from. Yeosang, Yunho, and Hongjoong take the hallway on the opposite wall to the first door chosen. Finally Wooyoung, Jongho, and you take the door right next to the entrance point. You can feel your body itching to just go on a rampage, and you normally would but you don’t know the layout of the building. You’re going in blind… you all are. 

You take the lead and walk into the room, Wooyoung and Jongho behind you both with automatics in their hands ready to fire at any given second. The room isn’t very big, possibly a conference room, but there is another exit door which catches your eye at first, but the quiet hushes are what catch you second. In a heartbeat you turn around and tackle Jongho and Wooyoung to the floor before bullets fly through the frosted glass, sending piecing flying with the bullets. You reach into you back and pull out a small little box. You lift the lid open and throw it through a corner part of the window that remains untouched so no bullet can strike it before it lands. On impact the little box detonates and sends anybody within a seven foot radius flying, killing all within three and a half feet easily. You push yourself off the floor and slouch your body ridiculously so you’re still below the windows incase there is still anyone standing. You push open the bullet infested door and your guns click, ready to fire. But again, the room just looks similar to the first one you destroyed. You loudly huff in frustration and walk through the room looking for any other way out.

“Y/N,” Wooyoung calls. You turn on your heels and Wooyoung nods his head to a large metal plate leaning up against the wall. Jongho and him quickly push it aside, revealing a door that could potentially lead them where they need to go… or it could be a dead end. You wait for Wooyoung to pull the door open Jongho and you ready to fire but you instead are presented with a staircase leading to a second level. You immediately take the lead and rush up the stairs with no idea what could be waiting. At the top you move to one side of the staircase trying to view what’s in front of you the best you can without poking your head out, and you do the same with the other side. You walk out into the open but immediately put your guns up, pointing at the person to your right when you hear their guns load and click.

“I about blew your head off,” you growl at San. San, Seonghwa, and Mingi immediately lower their weapons in relief.

“Yeosang? Where are you guys?” You ask into your coms as a majority of everyone has managed to find their way to the second floor.

“In the basement,” Yeosang answers.

“Everyone else is on the second floor. Don’t rush up if you haven’t cleared everything,” you tell him.

“Got it,” Yeosang answers before it’s all silent again. 

“We’ve already cleared everything behind us up to this point,” Seonghwa explains nodding his head backwards to indicate the area they searched. You nod you head and lead now five boys to your left as you walk through the second rest of the second floor. Room by room you clear and there is no sign of anyone. 

“We’ve had to miss something,” Jongho states as you guys search the last couple of rooms. You mentally agree with him, and look up and down the small hallway.

“Wooyoung, Soenghwa, and I will double back to make sure we didn’t miss anything from the other side,” San suggests before the three quickly move out. You on the other hand have been starring at an awkward space of wall near the end of the hallway next to the emergency exit point.

“Y/N? What are you thinking?” Jongho asks, noticing your concentration on a blank wall. Instead of answering you walk down the rest of the hallway and run your hand over the wall. You then lightly knock on the wall next to the closest door and every few inches you move closer to the emergency exit sign, still lightly knocking. Then you caught it, a hollow sound. You smile and look around you quickly. You smile even wider when you find a fire extinguisher. You pull it off the wall and adjust it in your hands before slamming it into the wall creating a large hole. You continue to smash holes until you can easily pull away pieces with your hand. You walk through the small hole and you just get excited. You find the jackpot. Your target.

“Well, well, Y/N,” the man sadistically smiles sitting in a chair next to a crib, “didn’t expect you to take this long.” You tilt your head to the side and smile sweetly. But in a swift motion your pull your gun out from it’s harness and shoot the president square blank in the head. You even, for fun, put a couple… okay, maybe a dozen more bullets into his body.

“Y/N!” Jongho yells, “I think that’s enough.” You turn and look at your husband who reaches out for your gun.

“I. Want. To. Be. Sure,” you growl. Despite your anger you allow Jongho to take the gun from your hand. Jongho then walks over to the crib, you quickly following him, but your heart breaks when you notice it empty. Only a note in there.

“Ha. You killed me and don’t know where you precious little bundle of joy is. You’ll never find him,” You read. With your anger easily refueled you pull out your other gun and empty the magazine into the president’s dead body, leaving him almost unrecognizable. This time Jongho doesn’t stop you.

“We’re going to find him. Yeosang, Hongjoong, and Yunho are still checking the basement,” Jongho tells you after your moment, “let’s go join them.” You take a deep breath and nod your head. You turn and Mingi is the first to head out of the room, you second, and Jongho closely behind you.

“Have you guys found anything?” You ask, speaking into your coms.

“We’re checking the last co- oh, Yunho found something,” Yeosang stops mid sentence.

“We’re coming to join you. We found the president, but no Minjoon,” you explain. Wooyoung, San, and Seonghwa quickly rejoin you guys by the staircase and your clothes alone tell them what had happened. Mingi’s pale skin also told them what happened, the poor giant won’t sleep for weeks probably. You all head down the staircase and begin making your way to the route in which Yeosang, Yunho, and Hongjoong took.

“Y/N!” Yunho exclaims and you stop as the rest of you reach the top of the basement staircase, ready to descend, “we found him.” With not only the pick up of you heartbeat, you pick up your pace and practically jump down the stairs you begin calling for Yunho, Yeosang, and Hongjoong. Yeosang greets you guys halfway as he responds to your calls.

“Where is he?” You ask, but Yeosang grabs you.

“He’s breathing. He’s alive,” Yeosang tells you.

“But?” Your voice falls flat.

“He’s attached to a bomb,” Yeosang tells you, “the ones that will go off if they can’t feel a heartbeat anymore. So we can’t detach it or cut a wire without it exploding on him.” You take a deep breath in and hold it.

“But,” you repeat, your voice becoming vulnerable.

“Hongjoong has started to work on it,” Yeosang explains then looks at Mingi, “he needs you.” Mingi pushes by and jogs down the rest of the hallway towards Yunho and Hongjoong. You begin to feel yourself hitting your wall. Your sanity break finally calming because you got what you wanted… well almost. You still muster all the energy you have left and you try to pull from Yeosang’s grip but it’s too strong.

“Please,” you beg quietly. Yeosang gives you a slight look of pity but holds his ground. He shakes his and that’s when you give up. Your mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted, and you just fall to the floor. You lean yourself up against a wall and stare at the ceiling at a bright light- it not only damaging your eyes but keeping you awake. You begin the most dreadful part of the day: waiting. Waiting for something that might never come back.

“Almost!” You hear Mingi yell out in frustration, which just hurts you more. Hot tears stream down your face, and Jongho crouches in front of you. He reaches out to wipe them from your face and you notice he’s got tears of his own.

“Why can’t we ever have one nice thing?” you ask him, your voice just above a whisper. The tone of your voice isn’t what breaks Jongho’s heart, but the question. He knows neither of you chose the lives you live. You never got anything easy, and the one time you do it’s potentially going to be taken from you. You begin to feel the numbness of you body sink in, and it’s only a matter of minutes before your body shuts down and passes out, but you won’t allow it.

Your head begins to pound and you raise your hand to the cut on your head you still haven’t tended to. Which is probably a reason why this headache feels so strong.

“Did they get it?” Jongho asks, immediately standing up as he hears cheers coming from down the hallway. You’re barely hanging onto staying conscious and watch and Jongho springs down the hallway and disappear into a room. Not even ten seconds later four boys are booking it out of the room.

“We gotta go!” Hongjoong yells, “this whole place gonna blow.” Th other boys begin making their way to the staircase to get out of the basement. Jongho quickly picks you up and carries you towards the staircase.

“Minjoon?” You ask quietly.

“Yunho’s got him,” Jongho tells you as he carefully carries you up the stairs, “he’s sleeping he was slightly drugged himself. But he’ll be okay.” You huff in relief and smile in victory. Everyone manages to get out of the building but that doesn’t stop you guys from getting far away. You guys pass the few next building before stopping. Jongho sets you down in order to catch his breath. That’s when the ground violently shakes, the bomb in the basement detonating. Following you hear potentially a majority, if not all, of the building beginning to collapse.

“I’ll call someone to pick us up,” San says in-between breaths before pulling out his phone. You watch lazily as Yunho hands something off to Jongho who then joins you sitting on the ground. You look over into his arms and see Minjoon peacefully sleeping away. Jongho shifts Minjoon to lay into one arm and wraps his other around you.

“We can have one nice thing,” Jongho whispers to you.

[yusuke-of-valla]

like rats fleeing a sinking ship, pt. 3

intermission i

A/N: “intermission,” basically just means I couldn’t get a Whumptober prompt in there.

TW: mentions of being shot

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AO3

After a bit of arguing, Akira gives his bag to Haru with Morgana inside it, and takes Akechi with him to Crossroads. If given the choice, Akira would have preferred leaving Akechi at Takemi’s apartment to rest, but over the last three days since the notice for the Phantom Thieves’ arrest went out, Akechi has proven that he will refuse to sit still even if it’s for his own health, so he’s coming with Akira.

Akira lets Akechi get a seat on the train and stands up, watching the people on the train mutter amongst themselves. The news bulletin is giving updates about the “dangerous thieves at large.”

“...my aunt had a change of heart before she collapsed...”

“I heard they’ve given mental shutdowns to children too...”

“...put her name on the PhanSite. I hope Shido catches those thieves before something happens to her. She may be a bitch but I don’t want her to die.”

“So quick to turn on their supposed heroes,” Akechi mutters.

Akira hums.

Crossroads is empty when they arrive, save for Ohya and Lala, as usual.

When the door opens, Ohya perks up, her eyes going from Akira, then quickly settling on Akechi. “What’s he doing here?”

“He’s on our side,” Akira says. “Shido doesn’t like him either.”

“Sweet. The enemy of my enemy and all that.”

“I suppose you boys aren’t here for a social visit?” Lala asks, pouring them each a glass of water.

“I’d really like this to be, but we can’t.”

Ohya sits up. “Right. It’s not great.”

“Sources don’t have a lot of info?”

“It’s not that. The ones I can get in touch with are happy to talk about how their search for the Phantom Thieves won’t rest until they’re dealt with and explaining some of their procedures like setting up checkpoints in and out of the city. They’re also teaming up with some tech company to monitor phones and texts.”

“Lovely,” Akechi says, “things we could’ve already deduced. Do you have anything that isn’t coming from propagandists?”

“You can tell a lot from what people don’t say as much as what they do. They’re talking a big game, but only have Sakura-san’s arrest to back it up so it’s safe to say they haven’t gotten anyone else. They’re focused on the major areas, the subway, Central Street. Stuff like that. And they’re being flooded with tips, so even though people are happy to turn you in, they also don’t have time to go over everything.”

“So the mob’s working against them,” Akira says.

“Right,” Ohya winks. Then she gives Akechi a pointed look. “And I still have some inside info. Like apparently Shido’s been fighting with this one government agency for awhile now, blocking funding and access for them. They’re called the “Shadow Ops,” and Shido is putting a lot of effort into getting them out of the way.”

“And how is that helpful to us now?" Goro asks.

“Enemy of my enemy,” Akira suggests.

“Well if we can figure out how to get in touch with them that’ll be fine, but it’s still more trouble than it’s worth.”

“What is your problem?" Akira snaps.

“My problem is we’re wasting time! You’re supposed to be the leader yet you can’t conceive of the bigger picture.”

“Akechi you’ve been shot.”

“Stop pretending you’re holding back for my sake,” Akechi says, rolling his eyes. “We could go into the Metaverse right now and get this healed. You just can’t do anything without your ragtag bunch of misfits around to sing your praises.”

“Then why don’t you go.” Akira asks. “Why haven’t you left? Is it because after we played you like a damn fiddle and you were betrayed by your boss you realized you might not be as strong or as clever as you thought?”

Akechi crosses his arms and glares at Akira. “Fine. You’ve got me. I don’t think I can take Shido on my own. I could use your help. Yours. But the others are superfluous, we don’t need them.”

“The others have saved my life on more than one occasion, and they’ve saved yours before too. One week, and we go in and fight like hell, but since you need me and you kinda owe me for that little ‘attempted murder incident’, we’re doing it on my terms when we’ve found as many members of my team as we can.”

“Does the thought cross your mind that gathering them all in one place might just be putting them in more danger?”

“I have to know they’re safe.”

They stare daggers at each other.

Akechi gives in first, getting up with a huff. “If you have any useful information, Ohya-san then please let me know. Until then I’ll be waiting outside.” He strides out the door, and lets it slam shut behind him.

“I’m sorry about that,” Akira says to Ohya and Lala, who he’s just realized heard that entire conversation.

“No problem. You okay, kid?”

“I’m fine. Any other news?”

“Not really. I can tell you that the police have the big public areas covered, but I doubt you’ll be going to any concerts any time soon.”

“Nah. But seriously thank you, this’ll help us plan our movements.”

“Stop by tomorrow, I’ll see if I have anything new for you.”

“Actually, do you mind if one of my friends does it? She’s closer at the moment.”

“Sure, just tell me what to look for.”

Akira gives Haru’s description, thanks Lala again, then heads out.

“Are we done?” Akechi asks.

“One more stop in Shinjuku.” Akira leads Akechi a few blocks down to Chihaya’s booth.

“Akira! It’s good to see you!” Chihaya says.

“Hey Chihaya. We’re here for a reading.”

“Do you know everyone in this city?” Akechi mutters.

Chihaya lays out the cards in front of them. “Do you need a specific reading?”

“Can you give me a reading that’ll tell me where my friends are?”

“I’ll do my best!” Chihaya says. She flips the cards over one by one, and there’s a familiar sensation like something snapping. Even Akechi seems caught off guard by it. Chihaya looks at the spread and frowns. “Hesitation will be your undoing, but don’t be reckless. And I’m not sure about the nine of swords, something to do with Gemini?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Akira sees the way Akechi’s eyes widen at that, then he quickly cools his expression again.

“That’s all I can see,” Chihaya says.

“Thank you.” Akira says, getting up.

Akechi walks back towards the train station quickly, and Akira trails behind. He pauses at the sight of a familiar blue prison door.

“Hey inmate!” Caroline says. “You wanna go in?”

Akira considers it, but shakes his head. He doesn’t want to see Igor right now. “Hey, Caroline, how much do you know about stuff that’s going on. You obviously know more than I do.”

“Well duh! How’re we supposed to help with your rehabilitation if we’re as clueless as you?”

“Then do you know where my friends are?”

Caroline’s grin fades. “W-we couldn’t tell you that even if we did know!”

“Alright, thanks.”

“What are you waiting for?” Akechi calls.

Akira waves at Caroline, and runs to catch up with Akechi.

~_~_~_~

After parting ways with Akira and Akechi, Haru at least takes a little joy in the familiar weight of Morgana in her bag. When they arrive in Aoyama-Itchome, Haru hangs back in an alleyway as Morgana pops his head out of the bag.

“Alright, wait until there aren’t as many students leaving, then slip around the back way there.” Morgana says, helping Haru slip in the same way Akira had been getting up to the roof to meet her while he’s presumed dead.

Her first stop is her vegetable garden. Despite everything, her babies have been growing pretty well.

“It’s too bad we can’t bring the whole thing,” she says picking the tomatoes and pulling up the carrots.

“We can see about starting a garden at Takemi’s,” Morgana offers. “There’s one windowsill that gets a lot of really nice sunlight, even in the winter. I like to take naps there, but I’m willing to give it up for your vegetables.”

“Aw, thank you Mona-chan,” Haru gives him a pat on the head before bagging up the rest of her vegetables. “You’re up next.”

Haru slips out the back and heads back to the alley, watching the school until Morgana comes out, Kawakami trailing behind him.

“Hey, slow down kitty, I’,- Okumura?” Kawakami stares at Haru taking in her new hair and clothes. “So that is Kurusu’s cat?”

Haru smiles and picks Morgana up, helping him back into the bag. “Yeah, he’s a very smart little guy.”

“So does that mean Kurusu’s alright, at least?”

“Yes. But we still need to find the others.”

“Any way I can help?”

“Do you have Shiho Suzui’s address?”

Kawakami’s eyebrows furrow in confusion, then she seems to understand. “Oh yes, I suppose that makes sense. I should be able to get it. Hold on.”

Kawakami walks back into the school, and ten minutes later comes out with a sheet of paper. One has an address on it, the other has a phone number.

“Here you go. And if you need anything, give that number a call and ask for Becky. I’ll know it’s you and be right over.”

“I can’t ask you to get more involved in this,” Haru says.

Kawakami laughs. “I’m already neck deep in the Phantom Thieves business. You’ve helped me and so many others, and more importantly, you’re my students. It’s my job to make sure you’re all safe.”

Haru holds the sheet of paper to her chest. “Thank you. Your support means more than you know.”

“Let me know if you need anything.”

Haru grabs a tourist map from the train station and follows the address Kawakami gave them. The Suzui residence is a nice small house near one of the smaller parks.

“Ready to go Haru?”

“Yep.”

Haru knocks on the door, and a middle aged man opens it. “Hello, who are you?”

“I’m here to return your cat!” Haru says, holding Morgana up to the man’s face.

“We don’t ha-” Morgana leaps out of Haru’s arms and runs into the house.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Haru says.

The man curses. “Stay here,” he says, running after Morgana.

There are more voices, and then…

“Morgana?”

“Lady Ann! So you are here!”

“Ann!” Haru calls, running in the direction of the voices. She finds an open door leading downstairs, and the man from earlier is there, along with Ann, Morgana, and a girl who must be Suzui, who immediately steps in front of Ann protectively.

“Who are you,” Suzui demands.

“Shiho! It’s fine, this is Haru,” Ann says, “she’s part of the team.”

“Haru Okumura?” the man— Suzui’s father, probably— asks.

“Yes, we’re so sorry for the disturbance,” Haru says.

Mr. Suzui waves her off, and then pinches the bridge of his nose. “It’s fine, I guess. Would you like some tea Okumura-san? You and Ann probably have a lot to catch up on.”

“That’d be great, thanks!” Ann says. Haru nods as well, and Mr. Suzui heads back upstairs. Once he’s gone, Shiho shuts the door and Ann gives Haru a hug. “Good to see you! I thought you booked it for the countryside!”

“A little misdirection on my part. It’s a bit of a story.”

“We have so much to tell you!” Morgana says.

“I’m sure.” Ann says, picking him up.

“So, I’m guessing this is the famous Morgana?” Suzui asks.

Morgana perks up. “Oh? You told her about me?”

“How could I not,” Ann laughs, “I mean you’re kinda important to the whole story.”

“I’m important!”

“Wow, you can really understand him?” Suzui asks, stepping closer.

Haru nods. “Yes. How much has Ann told you?”

“Everything, pretty much,” Ann says. She and Suzui share a look, before Suzui pulls up some bean bag chairs.

“C’mon, sit. I’m sure things must have been crazy for you guys.”

“That’s a bit of an understatement,” Haru laughs. “But do you want to tell your story first?”

Ann nods.

[yoongi-sugaglider]

Daegu Quarantine

Jungkook x reader

Gang/ zombie apocalypse au

Warnings:

Gore, violence, zombies, mention of drugs and drug dealing, weapons discharge in self defense, main character death, zombies, course language, zombies, drinking, did I mention zombies?

Summary:

They were the top of their game, known throughout the city as the smartest and most dangerous crew to ever hit the Daegu streets. But what’s going to happen when this group of young men encounter something right out of a horror film?

Word count: 2394

Part 10===Part 11===Part 12

“Alright Tae Bae, let’s see what’s going on with your system.”

In the time it had taken us to clean up after dinner, Taehyung had already set up everything he needed in order to communicate through remote video feed with his mentor.

I’d decided to join Taehyung and Jeanette in the security area of our basement living room, sliding in beside Jeanette on the overly large sofa and snuggling up beneath her blanket with a smile sent her way before focusing in on the conversation unfolding before us.

Tae was posted up on the floor, feet crossed in his lap and a large keyboard situated on top of his knees as his eyes roamed the information displayed on the massive tv hung on the wall. The screen itself flashed a myriad of information, lines of code and text along with a small set of squares at the bottom left corner that gave us a live view of the surrounding grounds and security checkpoints.

In the top left was a video feed of Black Rose, a sweet looking woman roughly my age whose smile lit up her whole face every time her eyes glanced back to what I assumed was Taehyung’s face displayed on her own screen. I couldn’t help but feel there was something more than the connection of mentor and apprentice between the two.

“I managed to trace the outside signal as far as the local area before I got cut off from it. Whatever it was that let them in was enough for them to feed my cameras a signal to loop come a certain time of day. That’s when the attack happened.” Taehyung frowned, glancing at the video image of the ashen haired woman and blushing brightly as he averted his gaze elsewhere.

“Sounds to me like they’ve been in your system before. Or are at least familiar with the type of code you were writing for it…”

I couldn’t help but glance over at Jeanette who seemed just as bewildered as I felt with all the technical jargon being thrown back and forth between them.

“Any idea what they’re saying?” I asked in an overly dramatic stage whisper.

Jeanette shook her head, blowing a bit of curly hair out of her eyes with a huff. “None in the slightest honestly. I’ve heard Jangmi talk like this before but it always goes way over my head.”

Tae snorted, his eyes darting to the two of us for a moment before focusing back in on his job. “Since I’ve got you here, could you run a backdoor screen for me? At least then I’ll know what I’m missing before we go whole hog on the fuckers.”

Black Rose shook her head, sighing lazily before typing quickly on her end. The sound of high speed clicking filled the speakers along with the sound of Taehyung’s own. The screen glowed a dark green color as line after line of letters and numbers and symbols flashed across it. Everything moved so fast that for a moment I grew dizzy just trying to keep up with it all.

Jungkook at that point wandered into the room, coming around the sofa to sit on its arm beside me and throw an extra long arm around my shoulders.

“Anything?” He asked, knowing that his words would interrupt Taehyung’s focus, he’d spoken in a low whisper just as Jeanette and I had.

“No clue to be honest, but damn if I wouldn’t be able to tell you anyway.” I glanced up at Kookie, blushing as he threw me a charming smile that, no matter how many times I’d seen it, still managed to make my insides flutter.

“Well let me see…” He looked over to the tv, eyes darting back and forth as he watched the words fly by.

“Every computer system, no matter how complicated, has a back door. They’re usually protected by something called a firewall, basically a shield the system has in place so your information can’t get stolen or your software can’t get hacked.” Jungkook’s fingers trailed along my shoulder, leaving trails of heat in their wake as he continued to watch the two computer geniuses work.

“What’s basically happening is Jangmi is attacking Tae’s firewall, trying to find any weaknesses in it to see how exactly the hackers got into our system.”

“HA!” A triumphant shout echoed through the speakers, jolting Taehyung out of his hyper focused stupor and causing him to stare at the screen in shock.

“Are you serious? That one line of god damn…”

“And here I thought I taught you well, little grasshopper. Such a shame that a tiny bit of code like that could cause such a massive amount of damage…” Black Rose hummed.

I couldn’t help but to watch in fascination as Taehyung basically melted down in front of us, rolling on the floor after discarding his keyboard and gripping his hair. He wailed like a little child, cursing and fussing and drawing full on belly laughs out of each of us as we watched him go on.

“One!! One goddamn misplaced comma...are you kidding me?” He groaned, reluctantly righting himself and pulling the keyboard into his lap once more.

“Well, fix it ya soggy noodle.” The woman paused, pulling a large cup into view and sipping from it before groaning in pleasure at the flavor of whatever her drink of choice was.

“I see you’re taking full advantage of the macchiato machine I got you.” Tae grunted, though his fierce typing belied the brief moment of a glance he’d made at her screen.

“Ya damn right I am.” Contrary to the accent she’d been speaking with, these words took on a distinctly New Yorker accent, one I’d only heard in movies and on youtube, but the change was so incredibly adorable I couldn’t help but giggle at her.

“I don’t uh...I don’t wanna interrupt but.” I glanced over to Tae who’s full attention was now on me.

“What is it Boss Lady?”

“Well, I’ve heard of like espresso machines but...a macchiato machine?”

Taehyung and Black Rose chuckled together, grinning a secret grin between the two of them.

“It’s not really like an espresso machine. Think of it like one of those industrial mixers you see in gas stations and stuff.” Tae typed into his keyboard, pulling up an image of the machine he mentioned. “It’s like a frozen yogurt machine but for macchiato mix.”

“It’s rather ingenious actually. All I had to do was get the right kind of mix and I’ve got all of my caffeine needs right here at my desk.”

“I prefer mine through a direct iv line.” A muttered voice spoke from behind the couch, drawing our attention to Yoongi who’d apparently been listening in on what we’d been talking over this whole time.

“Ah! A man after my own heart!” Black Rose grinned, giving Yoongi a thumbs up which he returned with a small smile in kind.

“Boss, we got an issue with Seokjin upstairs.” Yoongi frowned at Jungkook, though the look seemed to be more one of frustration than actual danger.

“What happened?” Jungkook stood, giving me a kiss to my forehead before heading back upstairs with Yoongi.

“Apparently his ‘second’ and I quote, ‘Is a no talent hack who couldn’t strip the paint off the broad side of a barn.”

“Overwatch?”

Yoongi sighed, “No, campaign mode on Halo…”

Taehyung snorted, returning his attention to the tv screen. “Alright. Let’s get that firewall fixed up and reverse track the signal.”

***

“Rose and Tae make a pretty incredible team huh?” Jeanette smiled softly as we watched the two work. We’d decided that speaking quieter gave us less of a chance of interrupting their focus as they worked.

“Yeah, But I kind of get the feeling there’s something between them. Don’t you?”

“Hmm…” 

I’d known Tae for only a short time, he’d come to us only a few years ago. And even though it’d been going on nearly 4 years I still couldn’t help but notice that the young man hardly ever really smiled unless Jimin was around.

Of course it could have been because they were so close in age, but it seemed like he preferred to stay by himself. With his line of expertise and the type of work he did I ended up, well not really avoiding him so much as just giving him space. But he seemed to really appreciate it. We became close in our distance. And that was okay.

“Are you seriously eating gummy bears while you’re at your computer?” Tae snorted, shaking his head as he watched his partner sheepishly grin.

“Hey, the last time we worked together like this you fussed at me because I was eating seaweed snacks over my keyboard. I’ll have no more of you fussing at me you hear!”

The two laughed, seeming to enjoy egging each other on as they worked. It felt comfortable, and was definitely a side of Taehyung I’d never seen before.

“Any luck?” Jeanette asked. She cuddled further into the blanket, seeming on edge as she watched the interaction happen.

“Does East Side ring a bell?” Black Rose’s eyes wandered her screen, eyebrows furrowed and a small frown tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Yeah...actually it does.” I grunted, pushing further  back into the comfort of the sofa.

“We were joined with them. A smaller branch of our main group that was in charge of keeping the East side of the city safe.Tension’s been high with them, even before all this mess came along.”

“I see. Well it seems like it was more than just tension.” Rose leaned back in her chair, iced coffee in hand as she pulled up an aerial view of the city for us all to see.

“This is satellite feed from a remote military camera that was monitoring the area a day ago. From the looks of things and going solely on the data I traced from Tae’s security hack, seems like these bastards have been plotting something for a while now.”

We watched intently as the feed zoomed in on the warehouse Kook, Yoongi, and I had run a rescue mission on not too long ago.

A group of people approached the front side of the building, busying themselves with something we couldn’t see while keeping a lookout for chatterers that happened to come their way. Rose accelerated the footage and we watched as, after moments more of fussing with whatever they were up to they retreated from the door.

“What the actual hell?” Tae whispered before yelping as a bright orange ball of what we could only assume was flames erupted at the door.

“So that’s how those things got in…” My body had tensed up at this point, anger pouring from me in waves as I leaned forward to glare at the tiny bodies pouring into the warehouse.

Rose cut the footage, a frown creeping onto her face as she glossed over what we now couldn’t see. “Looks like they made off with a bunch of stuff, some boxes and shit but dipped out before they could get overwhelmed. There’s no way anybody in there survived the wave of creepos that poured into the building after the fire settled.”

“Two of them survived...but not for very long.” I spat the words out bitterly, rising from the sofa and letting the blanket fall from my form as I began pacing behind the sofa.

Namjoon walked in, eyes following my every move as he walked around the sofa to sit in my place beside Jeanette, though he sat back at a respectable distance.

“I take it there’s bad news?”

Jungkook’s second in command was nothing if not astute and true to form; he'd gauged the atmosphere with no trouble.

“No oppa...shit news actually.”

I glanced over at him, eyes burning a hole into the back of his head despite the blush of red creeping up the back of his neck at the term of endearment.

“Well?” He turned to Tae, an eyebrow raised in question. But before the younger man could speak the sound of an explosion roared through the speakers, one so loud I could have sworn the ceiling above us rumbled along with the noise.

“What in the actual fuck?” I bolted over to the sofa, eyes wide as I scanned Rose’s video feed.

It seemed she’d been knocked out of view of the camera, which itself had been thrown from whatever stand she had set it up on and now lay on the ground. The only thing we could see was the trembling of the floor and a pale set of feet.

“Rose??? Rose can you hear me?” Jeanette had jumped from her seat, rushing over to the tv monitor and hastily scanning the live feed in the hopes of seeing her friend move.

“Shit...I’m okay...fuck...fucking god damn it what the hell?” A continued string of curses poured from the speakers as the feet finally began to move before disappearing from view.

Rose’s face finally came into focus as the camera lifted from the ground to focus on her dazed expression.”I don’t know what the hell that was but holy shit that fucking sucked donkey dick hole.”

“Bruh, the mouth on this woman I swear…” Namjoon shook his head, though the look of concern on his face never wavered.

“You good kid?” I asked, knowing the answer wouldn’t be pleasant.

“Yeah, though, the building I’m in probably isn’t.”

“Talk to me Jangmi, what happened?” Tae sat on his knees, seeming as if every inch of him was screaming to come to her defense.

“Well. From what my screens are telling me. Looks like those East Side assholes found me and are on their way up to my room.”

“Excuse me?” Jungkook had come down, surely drawn in by the commotion coming from the speakers that’d probably been heard all through the house. The others followed closely behind him, each wearing matching faces of either murder death stare or concern.

“I’m at the Daegu Grand Hotel. Have been for a while now. And like I said, from the looks of things the very people trying to get all of ya’lls shit are on their way up to greet me with a very impolite Korean gangster hello.”

[call-me-rei]

Chapter 32

“I’m scared to get close, and I hate being alone.”

---

Vic didn’t go to music appreciation on Tuesday after our...talk. I couldn’t blame him; I wouldn’t want to be around me either.

That’s why I avoided him on Wednesday. If I noticed him down the hall I went in a different direction. I was glad we didn’t have any classes together on B days because I probably would have skipped them.

But today was Thursday and Vic and I had two periods together. Two periods that I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to. I wanted to call in sick or just hang out somewhere else until lunch, but my anxiety kept telling me that I’d missed a week of school and I couldn’t afford to miss any more. So I convinced myself to sit in my government class and ignore the obsessive thoughts in my head.

Lucky for me Vic didn’t show up to government.

By the time lunch rolled around I was getting the slightest bit worried. I hadn’t seen Vic all day. His brother was at school with Jaime and Tony, but Vic was nowhere to be found. Part of me wanted to talk to them and ask where he was, but they were still intimidating even after all this time.

I walked with my friends to the back courtyard for lunch. We figured a change of scenery was needed for all of us after all of the events of the week, even if that change was going outside to eat cafeteria food.

We sat down at a table and discussed weekend plans. None of us had any so Ashley suggested following her along to a concert. She wanted to get the chance to photograph bands and this was a way to start.

We were talking logistics and money when I saw Kortney’s eyes widen. She scooted away from Savannah and made room at the circular table we were sitting at. She tapped on Sav’s shoulder and pointed behind her. Sav turned to look and scooted down as well.

I looked at them with a raised eyebrow. “What’s going on?”

Before I could turn to look at what had gotten Kortney’s attention, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at the culprit, my breath hitching slightly. He smiled widely at me before asking if he could join us. None of us knew what to say so we didn’t say anything. He took that as a cue to sit right next to me in the space that Sav had left. His two friends followed suit, sitting next to Lynn who was on my right and in between Kortney and Ashley.

“So, what are we talking about?” We all looked at him, not knowing what to say.

“Um,” Lynn started. I could tell she was trying to ask a question and not come off as rude.

Savannah didn’t have that problem, so she spoke. “What gives? Why are you sitting with us?”

“Can’t we sit with our friends?”

“I didn’t think we were friends,” Sav answered.

“Vic asked us to.” Mike shot daggers at Tony who only shrugged. “What? It’s the truth.”

“Yeah, but don’t tell them that,” Mike chastised.

“So what should I have said?” Tony asked with attitude.

“Not that,” Mike answered.

I cleared my throat which brought the two boys’ attention away from each other. “Why’d he ask you to sit with us?” I asked, genuinely curious.

Mike sighed. “My brother may have heard some shit about Jacob wanting revenge for Monday, and since he’s been MIA today, he texted saying we should hang around you guys.”

“To protect us?” Jaime nodded. “So we need bodyguards?” Did Jacob really want to hurt me that badly?

“Kinda,” Tony said, answering my spoken and unspoken questions.

“Fuck,” I groaned. This meant that I theoretically couldn’t go anywhere without Vic or one of his friends around. And here I thought that it was intimidating just to ask them where Vic was.

“Aw, c’mon Kellin, we’re not that bad,” Jaime said. I involuntarily rolled my eyes. I noticed that Mike, Jaime, and Tony shared a look. I didn’t ask them about it, but it was weird.

“Speaking of, where is the little man?” Savannah asked. I stared at her with big eyes as I almost choked on my water. She just winked at me with a smirk on her lips.

Mike answered. “Don’t know, but that doesn’t matter.” He reached over and took a fry from my tray. “I heard something about a concert?”

***

Music appreciation was after that weird lunch. We were sitting in class waiting for Ms. Pope to give us instructions for the lesson. We were able to work independently on our projects on Tuesday so many of us were hoping that we could do the same today.

“Remember class, we have our checkpoints next Wednesday and Friday. Today and Monday are your last days to work on this next section with your teammates.”

Ms. Pope gave us permission to work. I looked over and sighed. Vic wasn’t in class again. Maybe I could get out of looking stupid if I went to the nurse and complained about my arm hurting from surgery. I already had the cast so that wouldn’t be an unbelievable statement. I thought about it and decided that would be the best course of action. That was until Ms. Pope gave us the chance to use the practice rooms if we needed a quiet space. I didn’t think twice about it and got up and left the classroom.

I went down the hall with my things. I passed by the taken rooms with kids who were either practicing for band or orchestra or were in my class and had gotten there before me. I continued to walk until I reached the room that I always seemed to find myself in whenever I needed space. There was something, or someone rather, that caught my attention.

I looked through the window of the door and saw him sitting on the piano bench with his guitar against his body. He was staring down at his hands, seemingly frustrated that he couldn’t get the chords right. He bit his lip before writing something down on the page in front of him, then went back to strumming the strings.

You should go in, my mind told me.

No, that’s a dumb idea.

Is it?

Yes! He’s mad at me.

But do you want him to be?

No…

I kept looking at him through the window. He was sighing a lot in between playing chords and writing. What was he writing? What was making him so upset? I didn’t want to make him more upset by going in there, but I also didn’t want to keep staring at him through the window like a creeper.

So I sucked it up and opened the door.

Vic turned around when he heard the click of the doorknob. He didn’t say anything to me, just stared, something he’d been doing a lot more of these days. I couldn’t tell if he was still upset with me or was waiting for me to speak first. I went with the latter.

“What’re you working on?” I asked.

“Nothing much, just had some ideas and I wanted to try them out.” I nodded. “Why are you here?”

I bit my lip out of nervousness. “Ms. Pope is letting us work on our projects. The checkpoint is next week.”

“Right.”

We continued to look at each for a minute or two. I still wasn’t sure if he wanted me there or not. His actions made him seem indifferent, so I kept talking to avoid it being awkward.

“So, uh, how long have you been in here? I thought you weren’t at school today.”

He shrugged. “I didn’t feel like going to government, so I didn’t. I’ve been in here since lunch.”

“Oh.” I nervously scratched the back of my neck. “Listen-”

“Close the door,” he cut me off. I looked at him questionably. Did he want me to leave? “Come in and close the door,” he answered my unasked question with a small sigh. I followed his instructions and stood against the wall when I was done.

We looked at each other again. I didn’t know how to start the conversation I knew we needed to have, but I knew this was the time to do it. The last time we were in this room I said things out of anger and frustration. Now that that feeling was gone and replaced with guilt, I didn’t know if he’d listen like he had the other day.

“Kellin,” Vic started. I was taken away from my thoughts and focused my attention on him. I watched as he bit his lower lip and sighed before he continued. “I’m sorry.”

I tilted my head to the side. “You’re sorry?”

He sighed again. “Yeah. I owe you an explanation for what happened last week.” I nodded.

“Yeah, you do.” He put his guitar down on its stand and turned his body so he was completely facing me.

“I just…I don’t know where to start,” he said hesitantly.

I looked him dead in the eye as I asked, “Why’d you leave that day?”

I knew he knew what day I was referring to. Vic rubbed his hand over his face before speaking. “I like you Kells, I do. It’s just that I don’t know what to do about liking you.”

“What do you mean?”

He breathed out heavily from his nose. “Before you woke up a doctor had come in and said that there was a chance that you weren’t going to. You’d been out for at least forty-eight hours and they were monitoring your vitals and brain activity after your first surgery. You were stable but they didn’t know why you weren’t waking up. Then another twelve hours goes by and there’s still nothing.

“I’m not gonna lie to you, I was scared. I didn’t want to watch you die. I didn’t want to have to go down the hall and tell your mom that her son…” He stopped his sentence short to take a shaky breath.

I took some steps closer to him and sat beside him on the piano bench. I put my hand on top of the one he was resting on his lap. Vic looked at our hands for a second, seeming to calm down before he continued.

“Obviously you woke up and everything was okay, but for two and a half days I didn’t know if I’d ever talk to you again.”

“Then why did you stop talking to me?”

He blew out a breath. “I’m conflicted with things and I needed time to figure it all out.”

“Things?” He nodded. I bit my lip, not knowing if I wanted to ask the question that had been on my mind for days. “Vic?” He hummed. “Are you out?”

He licked his lips. “No.”

“Really?”

“I mean, I’m pretty sure Mike knows because he’s my brother and all, but I haven’t told him explicitly. My mom may know because mother’s intuition and shit. I know my dad doesn’t know. Not sure if I ever wanna tell him. Tony’s really astute so he may know or at least have a suspicion. Jaime’s kinda all over the place so who knows what he knows. Other than that, you’re the only person who really knows.”

I hummed in response. There wasn’t anything I could say to that. If he was still in the closet then I could only support him until he was ready to come out.

Vic’s confession did raise a question. “So you ignored me for days because you’re not out?”

He sighed. “It’s not that.” He looked down at our hands; mine was still on top of his. He flipped his hand over so our palms were touching, then he locked our fingers.

“After thinking you were dying and watching you wake up, I just wanted to kiss you. Then the doctor walked in and I realized that I didn’t know how I could do that in public without outing myself. I’m not ready for that yet, but I wanna be for you. I wanna be with you.”

I blushed a little. “That’s sweet, but you don’t need to come out for me.”

“It’s just...I just like that you’re you and you’re not hiding who you are. I wish I could do that. I wanna be able to walk down the hall holding your hand and not care about what anyone would say. I wanna kiss you before class and take you out on public dates. I don’t wanna hide.”

Vic started playing with my fingers with his other hand. I could tell it was a nervous reaction. I’d be nervous too if I’d just spilled my guts like that to my crush.

“So you stopped talking to me because you’re in the closet?” I asked. He looked up at me and shook his head.

“I stopped talking to you because I thought you deserved better. You’re unapologetically you and I’m too ashamed to admit who I am. You made this great group of friends here on your first day. Hell, you stood up to me on your first day without caring about the consequences. And as much as I would like to try to deny it, I have to admit that I kinda found it hot.” I blushed and so did he. I had to clear my throat and regain my composure before I spoke.

“That’s sweet, but you don’t get to decide what I deserve. I like you too. Even though you’re an asshole I think you have some adhering qualities.” He chuckled. “But you ignoring me didn’t add to those.”

He sighed. “I know. That’s kinda why I made the playlist. I wanted you to know that I was sorry, and even if you never went on Spotify and listened to it, I at least knew it was out there.”

I nodded. I knew where he was coming from and I couldn’t blame him for trying.

“Are we good?” he asked after we had sat in a comfortable silence.

I nodded with a smile. “Yeah, we’re good. But the next time something like this happens please be honest with me. You can’t say you like me then push me away.”

“I know, and I will. Promise.”

“Thanks,” I said. “And I’m sorry for what I said to you the other day.”

He shook his head to stop me. “You don’t need to apologize. I deserved it for how I treated you.”

“Let’s just say we won’t be stupid again.”

“I can’t promise that, but I can say that I’ll try.”

I smiled and squeezed his hand that was still holding mine. “So, you think I’m hot?” I asked with a cocky grin.

“So hot,” he answered.

We didn’t have much to say after that so we worked on our project. We were supposed to have a minute of the song recorded so Ms. Pope could grade it but recording in the practice room was terrible.

“The acoustics in here suck,” I complained.

“Yeah, they do,” Vic responded. “Wanna go back to my place and make out?”

I blushed. “W-What?” I stuttered. That came out of nowhere.

“I mean, we can go back to my place and record then make out, but as long as making out is part of it.”

“We can’t do that.”

“Sure we can. Class is almost over. We can leave right now. Or we could make out in the back of my car.”

I rolled my eyes. “But it’s December. It’s cold.”

“It’s December in San Diego.”

“You’re also wearing a hoodie and long pants. That’s how I know it’s cold,” I pointed out.

Vic chuckled. “Fair point, but my offer still stands.”

I shook my head and turned back to my notebook that was in front of me. “Keep it in your pants, Fuentes.”

“Are you sure that’s where you want me to put it?”

My eyes widened. “Shut up!”

“Make me,” he challenged.

I bit my lip to keep from saying anything stupid. Although maybe I wanted to take him up on that…

“You know, you’re so cute when you’re flustered,” he said, taking my mind off of the dirty things I was thinking.

“And you’re a jerk,” I argued.

“Sorry, but you’re so easy to mess with.”

I rolled my eyes again. “Can we just work on this project before we fail the checkpoint?”

He chuckled. “Sure, but I’m serious about what I said. My dad soundproofed the basement so Mike and I could practice our instruments. Come over today and we can get the recording done.”

“That sounds good,” I said with a nod.

He had a devilish look in his eyes before he spoke again. “But best believe we’re gonna have some fun when we’re done.” The husky tone of his voice made me blush again which caused him to laugh. “It’s so easy!” he exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes. “Fuck you,” I said with a deep scowl on my face.

He still had a smile playing on his lips. “You wanna?”

I scoffed. “Please, I doubt you could handle me.” I didn’t intend for that to sound suggestive, but I saw lust take over Vic’s eyes after that sentence left my lips.

He looked me up and down while biting his lip. My heart began to beat heavily as I held his gaze. He put his hand on my thigh and moved it up before he spoke. “Challenge accepted.”

[queeniewritesce]

Have a Magical Day 1/?

Pairing: Chris Evans x You, Chris Evans x OFC

Summary: A deserved break from work with your best friend turns your life upside when you meet the Evans Family while at Disney World. Follow along as Belle and Chris get to know each other over 10 days at the Most Magical Place on Earth™. Will they have a fairytale happy ending or is this just a vacation fling?

Warnings: Disney Rides Spoilers?, Mild Swearing, Chris Evans is a big kid, Fluff, Eventual Smut, long ass descriptions of rides, I don’t know how to write without turning it into a 10K fic, sorry ‘bout that

“Well, maybe next time we ‘Drink Around the World’ you’ll listen to me. I told you we should’ve eaten a pretzel in Germany or Fish and Chips at England.”

This was supposed to be your first night at Epcot and now your best friend was drunk and looking like hell warmed over.

“Bitch don’t talk food to me damnit, I’m so close to throwing up.” He leaned back into the bench and pinched his eyes. ‘Look, I’m sorry alright, I know it’s tradition, but Illuminations will have to wait till next week. I’m walking back to the Boardwalk, the fresh air might help, you stay and enjoy Extra Magic Hours.”

You sighed and asked if he was sure he’d make back to the hotel and he waved you off, saying it’s like walking backing home, which was true, you ever only stayed at The Boardwalk Villas as that was your DVC resort.

“OK, I’m skipping the firework and going back to Future World, Test Track was down all afternoon and I just looked at the app and it’s back on.” You kissed his cheek and he knew he was a bit better when he exclaimed ‘ewww girl slob’ at you, pulling a face.

You left him by International Gateway and started to your left when you heard someone behind you.

“Excuse me miss, you said Test Track was back on?” a sharp voice asked.

Turning around you saw a group of about 10 people, adults and a couple of kids plus a stroller. The voice belonged to one of the three males, he was tall, had on a character black shirt and had a NASA baseball cap pulled down low on his head.

“Yes? I just checked the app two minutes ago.” You pulled your phone from your shell cross body purse, opened the app again and confirmed it’s on. “Are you guys on site? Extra Magic Hour is on till 11 pm.”

“We are! We arrived this afternoon and didn’t look at the time schedule yet, thanks!” A short brunette answered you.

“No problem, you guys have a magical day.” You groaned when your cast member training kicked in.

Waving, you start to walk but could hear them talking and when you looked back the guy who had first talked to you, a shorter blond guy and the brunette girl had broken from the group and were now a few paces behind you.

You knew him from somewhere, didn’t you? When your mind couldn’t provide the answer, you shrugged.

You made your way through England and Canada, people watching as you went. People were lining up near the lagoon to watch Illuminations but seeing it alone wasn’t the same and you continued your way. You debated whether or not to stop at Starbucks and 15 minutes later you’re happily sipping on your Iced Caramel Macchiato while walking the corridors of Mouse Gear on a brisk pace.

You were checking your Twitter feed, head down and immersed on your phone when you walked into a wall. Because that what felt like right, who on earth was that hard?

“Ughh,” looking up you saw the same man from before, hat even lower now. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry”.

You both said it at the same time, while you put your phone away.

“No, no, I was on my phone and didn’t see you there. You’re okay?”

You were near one of the least used exits of the store, and for a moment you thought that he as hiding. You quickly put that thought away, why would someone hide inside Mouse Gear anyways?

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry, I was… some people saw…” he scrunched his nose, rubbing his eyes with both hands.

“Don’t sweat it, crowds can be a bitch sometimes.” You had seen your fair share of people having panic attacks, anyone could have them. “I’m glad I didn’t pour my drink all over you. Sorry again.”

Just when you turned to leave you saw his companions looking around and making their way over.

“Hey Ch…” the blond stopped when he saw you. He looked at you a little suspicious. “Hey.”

“Hi again! I’m glad you’re here, your friend’s not really doing well, but he does a nice wall cosplay!”

“She’s cool man, I wasn’t looking where I was going, and we collided. She’s been keeping me company while my panic attack goes away.” He looked funny when he said panic attack but you let it go. He turned to you, “Meet my brother and my sister, Scott and Shanna. I’m… Chris.”

Oh. OH.

“Nice to meet you all, I’m Belle.” You’re prepared for the reactions that followed because let’s face it, that was just too much of a coincidence.

“Like the princess?

“No, you’re not!”

“It suits you.”

The last one came from Chris. That wasn’t new but wasn’t a norm either. You choose to ignore the blush rising on your neck and turned to the others.

“It’s Isobel... But Belle is easier. It was nice meeting you guys, see you around.”

You had the feeling the Scott Evans wasn’t overly fond of you, so you made yourself scarce. You heard someone calling for you to wait, but you’re already halfway through the door.

Captain freaking America. Talk about timing.

You heard the last booms signaling Illuminations was over and hurried to Test Track before the throng of people descended from World Showcase.

The few day guests are still in line, but you went through the single rider line and was quickly seated. Although you loved the thrill the ride offered, they placed you on your least favorite seat, so you made your way back to the front entrance and got into the normal line, scanning your Magic Band to show you’re staying at one of the Disney hotels and could ride during the extra time.

Making your way through the queue you got to the designing room and was excited to design a cool car. You had just started when someone cleared their throat behind you.

“And we meet again!” Chris and his brothers were standing at the same station as you. “I guess we have to share our car making skills.”

“Hurry up, we only have one minute and a half left.” Captain freaking America or not, no one messed your mojo when it was time to design your Test Track model car.

Turning back to the screen you tried to pick the shape of your car, laughing when Chris tried to turn it to a sports car but coming up with a beetle-like car. You argued about the color and accessories, pushing each other from the control panel and when the countdown reached zero, you had a bit of a Frankenstein car in front of you.

“It’s… cute?” you laughed when the green stripped car turned around the screen. Not your best work for sure, but you’d had a good time.

“It’s something alright, but cute it ain’t.”

You both laughed and Chris scanned his magic band to lock the car to your group and the doors opened to the final part of the queue.

“After you, Mademoiselle,” you laughed when he sang the first few lines of Be Our Guest when you did a little curtsy.

Scott was right behind you in line and he holds your elbow when the queue stopped moving.

“Sorry about earlier, I’m kinda protective about my brother.”

“It’s all good really. Water, bridges and all that.” you reserved judgment on the younger man, understanding his need to protect his family’s privacy. “You said you arrived today?”

“Yeah, unpacked and came straight to EPCOT, had dinner at Le Cellier,” Shanna said from somewhere behind Chris. She was a tiny thing when compared with her muscled big brother. “We’re heading back but heard you talking to your friend about Test Track and here we are!”

“Yeah, it’s down most of the day, we arrived around noon and every time I searched the wait times Test Track was unavailable. I’m glad they got it back together for EMH.”

“What about you Belle? It’s not your last day or anything is it?” Well, that was… interesting? Chris seemed eager somehow and on the back of your mind you chucked it for anxiety. Hadn’t you read somewhere he had anxiety? “Your friend seemed upset when he said you’d miss Illuminations.”

The queue moved and you could see the cars on the loading dock.

“It’s our little tradition, Corey and I came up with it like 10 years ago. We have to watch a fireworks show on our first park day. But he overdid it during the afternoon, especially because we were already a little drunk from Jelly Rolls last night.” They were next in line now. “How do you wanna play this?”

“First row!” You jumped when both Scott and Shanna screamed.

“Any place is fine really,” Chris said.

“Well, I’ a firm believer in the back row, right side, so you can have the left.” You looked around and saw that the single rider line was now closed. “With the number of people here, I don’t think they’re gonna force single riders on us.”

The cast member manning the loading area asked you how many but it was Scott who answered. A girl pointed you to the last loading station, the cars pulling up as you walked.

“You went to Jelly Rolls last night?” Chris asked, a hand out to help you enter the ride.

“Thank you. Yes, we arrived yesterday and mostly hanged on the Boardwalk. Saw some magic shows and had a way later night than we’d planned. But Jelly Rolls was awesome, I love the place and the sangria was so good.”

Chris nodded, sitting down and sprawling his long legs. “We love the place, there’s just something about live karaoke with a band, people are either really good or really fucking bad, it’s fun either way!”

The four of you snapped on your seat belts while you talked, and the car launched to the checkpoint. The girl making the checks must’ve been either new or slacking because she never asked Chris to remove his hat.

The car launched again, the usual spiel starting and then you’re off, speeding on the make-believe vehicle safety test drive. A particular turn had you moving on your seat so bad a hand shot out to hold you in place, landing on your knee and staying there. The fastest part of the ride arrived and everyone screamed, the wind outside making you tear up a little. Chris almost lost his hat and you made a mental note to send a memo to the ride’s crew leader.

Then it was over. The car made its way to the unloading dock while you clapped and then you’re cleared to open your seatbelts.

“Well, now we know why they put six people in the car, I was afraid you’d fly out of your seat when we hit 85 mph.” Chris again helped you out the car.

Gosh, that was fun, wasn’t it? You smiled at him waiting for Scott who had his seatbelt stuck somehow. Then an idea struck you.

“You guys wanna go again?” you took a chance because you’re having fun and damnit, he might be Captain freaking America but he was also cute as hell with that thick beard, plump lips and blue eyes, and if you could prolong this just one ride more, well, why not?

“Won’t we lose too much time going around front again? Looks like there are quite a few people in line behind us.” Chris looked at you and you could see the cogs turning inside his head, a frown forming. Maybe he thought he’d use his status to get another ride? You scoffed. As if.

“Nah, I got connections man.” You grinned at him and went to the guy you knew was the person in charge. Patrick laughed and hugged you with one arm, claiming you need to catch up before calling on his radio and them directed you again to the last dock.

“Thanks, Patrick, I owe you one” you bumped fists before the car moved forward.

This time when the car moved to the checkpoint a young man asked Chris to remove his hat. He did it with a sigh, fingers trying to tame the hair back in place and you had to struggle a giggle when the other guy working on the checkpoint squeaked.

You kept on a detached face and send a smile his way. The man was here to have fun, the best you could do was not bring attention to who he was. Besides, you were really enjoying his laid back attitude. He could’ve used a guide or gone through backstage, but here he was, waiting for his time in the queue like everyone else and you’re the one actually using your job to get what you wanted.

Chris once again helped you out and you were tempted to run your fingers through Chris’ hair, the wind had played havoc with the locks.

“This is the best ride ever, my favorite by far.” Shanna skipped ahead to see the automated picture and scan her Magic Band to move it to their Disney account.

You walked behind with Chris and Scott and it took you a few seconds to realize you still were holding hands with Chris. You raised an eyebrow at him but he just shrugged, a smile on his lips.

“Mine is definitely the whole Avatar area and of course Flight of Passage,” Scott said and then also raised an eyebrow at Chris but he got a friendly tap to the head when tried to actually point it out.

“Nah, it’s the classics, the best will always be Space Mountain.” He took the NASA cap off again, turning it backward when the three of you got outside and he did it all without letting go of your hand. Impressive fella, wasn’t he?

“Sorry to burst your bubble but Space Mountain sucks, at least here in Florida. My knees hurt just thinking about it.” You faked a shudder, also making a face for good measure.

“Oh, them be fighting words!” Chris tickled your side making you squirm and laugh.

Shanna reappeared a few seconds later, asking where to next.

You’re having way too much fun but didn’t want to intrude and started to say goodbye when both Shanna and Chris protested.

“No, no, come with us, you don’t need to hang out alone, what’s the fun in that?” Chris was right by your side when you turned to leave. He cocked his head to the side, beckoning you back to him.

“Are you sure you don’t mind? I don’t want to impose or anything.”

“Believe me when I say I don’t do anything I don’t want to.  Come on.” His little hand wave calling you to him was enough to give you butterflies in your belly as you took his hand, lacing your fingers together.

“Again I ask, where to?” Shanna pulled free the sweater she had tied around her waist and put it on and you realized that the early December night was indeed a bit chilly but you didn’t have a sweater and Mouse Gears was closed during the extended hours.

“Anyone up for Mission: Space?” Chris wasn’t looking at anyone when he asked but rummaging around the left pocket of his long shorts. With a little ‘aha’ he found what he was looking for and before straightening up now wearing a pair of prescription glasses.

Your uterus may or may not have imploded at the sight, but you’d never tell.

Clearing your throat, you shook your head.

“You guys go ahead, if I set foot inside one of those enclosed capsules after 11 drinks in three hours, I’ll make the girl in The Exorcist look like she just burped a little.”

Scott guffawed, doubling over, hands on his knees. “Oh, that was fun! Ok, girlie, you’re an okay person, I give whatever this is my blessing!” He moved your hand between you and Chris.

“For fuck’s sake Scott!” Chris groaned, his free hand slapping his forehead.

“Why thank you messier, merci beaucoup.” You took off an imaginary hat to him and he returned the gesture chuckling.

“Don’t go getting your tighty whities in a bunch brother,” Scott grabbed Shanna by the arm and brought her closer to him. “$50 bucks for your sweater, Shanna.”

“No Scott, next time you listen to Mom. I say no to Mission Space, yes to Nemo.” She said looking at Chris.

“Mine.” Scott pulled at her sweater.

“Are they always like this?” you stage whispered to Chris.

“Sometimes I say they’re distant cousins, but the fucker looks way too much like me for that to stick.” He laughed when following Scott and Shanna with his eyes, his brother was running after Shanna screaming ‘mine, mine, mine’ Shanna was doing a great job evading Scott till he faked left and grabbed her by the arm when she tried to go right. “Children!”

“You playing a hot dad next? Might need a few tips from Pratt for that.” The hand that smacked Scott upside the head was Shanna’s. “Watch the hair woman.”

“Just how much sugar have you guys had so far?” You could barely keep up with them, but they were fun to be around. Like oversized retriever puppies. Times a million or something.

“Not enough Miss Connections, but I’ll have the tea anyway.” Scott fell into step next to you as you walked by Fountain of Nations.

“You speak gay? Are you and my friend Corey cut from the same cloth my dear Scott?” you ask and he laughs next to you.

“Sparkly lumberjack? Hell yes. Now come on, gimme, I hate cold tea.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about and I don’t think I want to know.” Chris shook his head. What a sweet beautiful Labrador, you just wanted to eat him up with a spoon.

“He wants to know what’s my job with Disney.”

“Oh, in that case, I wanna know too. What gives?”

“I’m one of the four VPs for Media and Public Relations.” You proudly say. You had worked hard for that job, starting as rider operator way back then, putting yourself through college while working long hours under the hot Floridian sun.

“Oh, fancy. I thought you worked here, you seen to know everyone.” Scott commented.

“I worked here for 15 years. Ride operator, character handler, parade dancer…” she lowered her voice, “I was also friends with my namesake and Snow White for two years as well.”

“You’re friends with Belle? Oh, OH!” Chris’ eyes widened. “You’ve played the princesses.”

“Never, ever say that.” You looked around. “You say Marvel has snipers but so does Disney! All princess and characters are real; we just get to be friends with them. Know what I mean?”

“Sorry! I consider myself pretty versed in Disney speak but I never heard that one before.”

“Yeah, manly cast members know that one.” You agreed. “After I graduated I worked my way up to Media Relations here in Orlando and two years ago I finally got my dream job, and I’ve been in Los Angeles since then. I work with promotions, social media, and influencers. It’s a pretty sweet job.”

“Need an assistant?” Shanna asked as you entered the line for Nemo. “That sounds pretty rad!”

“Do you have any experience in PR?”

You separated into two groups when the cast member asked ‘how many’, Chris and Scott, you and Shanna. You entered your shell with the brunette still talking about a possible job and what she’d need to get it.

On the other shell, Chris looked confused.

“Did she just ditched me?” He asked his brother dumbfounded.

Scott laughed and shook his head.

“Oh, how the mighty have fallen.” He laughed again. “Welcome to the real world brother! Not everyone will fawn over you, as hard it is to believe it!”

“I thought we’re hitting it pretty well,” he got comfortable on the ride vehicle, taking off his hat so he could see the aquariums and screens where Dory, Marlin, and Nemo played, “did I read it all wrong?”

“Nah, she’s into you as well, as far as I could see.” Scott nodded. “She strikes me as a sisters before misters kinda woman, and she was talking to Shanna while we waited we queued.”

Chris uhmed in agreement.

He hoped you’re not putting up a front for him, because he liked you from the moment he bumped into you at Mouse Gears. He saw the moment you realized who he was but you had been pretty cool so far, and besides the sniper comment, you hadn’t made a big deal out of it. Definitely a breath of fresh air, it had been a while since he could be himself outside his immediate circle of friends. The fact you knew that joke told him you had seen some of his or his co-star interviews but as you worked handling the media and social media accounts for Disney he believed seeing footage of his movies was part of your job and that put his mind at ease and he decided to give that little spark between you a chance.

You were beautiful, full heart-shaped lips, long mahogany hair, aquamarine eyes, and a soft but toned body. He wanted to get to know you better, see if you felt the same connection he did.

The ride reached the end and he saw you getting out, still talking to Shanna.

“I mean it, send it to me, I’ll see what I can do.”

“The fact that I’d have to move to Los Angeles is a concern, but that kind of job would be fun. Thanks, Belle, I’ll think about it.”

“You’re most welcome. But don’t forget, I can only get your foot inside the door, you’d have to walk whenever you want to be by yourself.” You saw Chris and Scott approaching and a huge smile broke up on your face. “How about we go fly around the world?”

“Yes, finally! Soarin’ has been calling my name since we left Test Track!” Scott exclaimed.

He linked his arms with Shanna and dragged her along in front of you and Chris.

“He’s not very subtle, is he?” You questioned Chris when he stepped next to you.

Chris laughed and put his baseball cap back on backward. He looked ridiculously handsome, his longish hair escaping on the sides, his black ‘I am smiling’ Grumpy T-shirt stretched along his hard chest and biceps, black and white basketball shorts hugging that delectable ass he had. You licked your lips and gave him your brightest smile when he caught you staring.

“I guess neither is you.” He winked at you and grabbed your hand.

“Yeah, sue me, I refuse to play the virgin giggling girl when I see something I like.”

“Do you see me complaining?”

You shook your head as you play catch up to Shanna and Scott, who were already inside The Land pavilion.

“You never answered when I asked you if this was your last day,” Chris said while you rode the escalator to the lower floor.

“It isn’t; we’re staying for 10 days.” You saw Scott waving you over to the ride entrance. “Why’s that?”

Before Chris had a chance to answer Shanna bellowed.

“Come on slowpokes! We’re wasting time here.”

“Can we go on Living with The Land before Soarin’? I forgot it was open during EMH. I’ve never seen it at night.”

“Oh come on Scott, Living is so boring!” Shanna complained.

“Living with the Land is not boring,” Chris argued back, siding with Scott.

“It is so.”

“Not.”

“Children!” You waved a hand between them and they stopped. “How ‘bout this, we do Soarin’ once, get back to Living and quickly backtrack and do Soarin’ again?”

“Finally, someone with a plan.” Chris clapped. “But do we have time?”

You checked your watch.

“There are 45 minutes left before the park closes, I believe we can make it if we hurry.”

“Let’s do this then.

You hurried up the queue for Soarin’, once again cursing Disney Imaginners for making it so freaking long. There was a decent amount of people in front of you when you got to the split before the theaters. If things were the same there would be only one theater open for the extended hours and with about 150 people on the queue it would take about 10 minutes to get to the front of the line.

Scott lowered his voice.

“Now remember, it’s B1 or nothing alright? I don’t want to look up and see dangling feet in front of me.”

“Ah, a man after my own heart.” You agreed.

“Have you seen the new film? I liked it but I miss the old one.” Chris commented. “I was hoping they’d keep the Soarin’ Over California in Anaheim but they are all the same now.”

“I really like the soaring around the world aspect, but I miss the orange smell. Childhood memories and all that.” You walked over to the line for the first row of the second string of seats, dead center inside the theater. Those were indeed the best seats in the house and you’re surprised Scott knew about them.

“This is not our first rodeo, Miss Connections! We’ve been coming to Disney twice a year for the past thirty plus years, sometimes more if Chris can swing it.” Scott explained. “You’ve probably even seen us before, or operated a ride while we were on it.”

“You’re probably right!” Shanna gasped. “Oh my god, you might even be in our pictures, Belle.”

“No way, I would remember taking pictures with this hot beefcake by my side.” You pointed to Chris making it seem he was showing him off with your hands.

“But would you really?” Chris said in a lower voice. “I barely remember the face of the girl who asked me for a picture this morning at the airport. How many pictures you would take in one day?”

You looked shocked, they did have a point. Could you really be in a picture with Chris and his family?

“There were always two friends taking turns during the set but it was a freaking lot. Akershus alone might make that number reach a thousand during the holidays.”

“I’m pulling all the photo albums from the library when we get back home, I’m really curious right now!”

Shanna looked excited at the prospect of finding you in their family photos, and you tried to jog your memories of thousands of families you met over the years. Chris was right, there was no way you could have remembered them, especially if it was before his Captain America days.

You talked through the whole pre-boarding video and were now being directed to your seats. B1 was a popular choice so Scott played buffer and sat between Chris and the other guest, you sat beside Chris with Shanna by your side. He waited till the cast member checking the seatbelt got to him before removing his hat and sticking it on the bin below his seat.

The ride started and the music swirled around you as the seats were lifted from the ground, making it appear as you were indeed soaring around big blue skies, mountains, and lakes around the world. You smiled as the powerful aroma of roses reached your nose while flying over the Taj-Mahal, giggling when the sea breeze smell reached your nose when you glided over Fiji and squealing when the turned upwards to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower. Soarin’ was probably your favorite ride in all parks and the smile on your face when the ride ended with fireworks over Epcot was a testament to that.

You unbuckled your seatbelt and were one of the first out of the theater, walking so fast a cast member reminded you no running was allowed. Chris sent a sorry his way but your group didn’t slow down, cruising the corridors to get to Living with The Land.

Shanna checked his watch when you got there and cheered when there was only a family of three in line for the boat.

“Ok, guys 27 minutes left. How long is this ride anyway? I want to ride Soarin’ again!”

They all turned to you waiting for an answer.

“20 minutes.”  You said and Shanna groaned. “We’re gonna cut close, but as long as we’re inside the queue for Soarin’ before 11 pm they will let us in. We might not get B1 again though.”

“It’s ok, we’re coming back to Epcot to hit more of the food booths anyway, I can live without the best seats for once.” Scott nodded.

You let the family in front of you get on the boat that was docked and waited for the next one.  Thankfully there was no one else behind you so you got the next boat all to yourselves.

Scott seated with Shanna, who immediately opened her phone, earning a glare from Scott.

You sat with Chris two rows behind them, Chris entering first and offering you his hand to help you inside the boat.

“Why thank you, Prince Charming.” You accepted his hand, noticing he didn’t let go when you sat beside him. Which suited you just as well because you had your own plans for him.

“I thought I was Prince Adam to your Belle?” He got closer as the boat started its journey through different types of nature scenes, putting his arm around your shoulder as you entered the rain forest and the boat waved a bit.

Oh, he was a smooth one. You grinned at him and scooted a little closer your sides now pressed together.

“You know Adam is not an official name right?”

“That’s not possible, his name’s Adam.” He doubted you.

“Nope, he’s never named during the animation. The actor who voices him is just credited as ‘Beast’.”

You loved Disney Trivia and could quote the most obscure facts and anecdotes about the parks, movies, and Walt’s life.

“Well, my childhood has been ruined. Thank you for that.”

He tickled your sides in retaliation, making you squirm and giggle. When you tried to tickle him back he grabbed your hands and pinned them down between the two of you.

Your laugh subsided when you noticed Chris looking at your lips and you subconsciously licked them because they suddenly felt dry as sandpaper. He looked at your eyes and back to your mouth in a silent question, blue eyes searching your face for what could happen next.

You nod almost imperceptibly and Chris smiles, leaning towards you, full lips slighted parted.

“How much trouble would I be if plucked a miracle fruit from the tree over th… oh my bad!”

Chris curses his brother and you blink away the nervousness that surrounded you.

“Do not try to pick up a berry, that’s cause for revoking your annual pass and you’ll be escorted out of the park.” You speak as you try to control your beating heart.

“No way!”

“I’ve been the one waiting for the poor soul at the end of the ride Scott. Not a very fun part of the job and also so many forms to fill out.”

Maybe it was better this way. You knew you were attracted to each other but all rides were full of cameras, it’d only take one less than honest cast member to sell the footage to TMZ anyway.

Chris didn’t try to kiss you again but kept on holding your hand as the boat glided over the murky water, passing through the suspended hydroponics plants, the self-sustained display with fish and plants and finally reaching the end of the ride.

The boat wasn’t even properly docked and Shanna was already on the move, making a tight turn on the tunnel leading to Soarin’.

You had two minutes to get there before they closed the queue so you hurried over, Chris pulling you along, your legs barely keeping up with his stride.

You entered the line with seconds to spare and as soon as you did the cast member pulled a rope behind you, indicating the end of operation hours.

The four of you laughed while making your way up to concourse C, the only theater that was open.

“I don’t think I’ve run so much at Disney before.” Scott breathlessly said.

“That’s because you have an escort who gets you backstage and takes you to the front of the line! Us mere mortals are the ones queueing for six hours for Flight of Passage.”

“As if you ever waited that long.” Shanna quipped from the front of the line.

“Uhm… who’s to say I didn’t?” You winked at her. Chris looked at you quizzically. “Okay, so maybe I haven’t, but I’ve done the running thing before, I do wonder to the dark side and Escape from Gringotts is almost as bad as Flight of Passage. People run like crazy mofos to get there.”

“You cheat on the Mouse?” Scott put a hand over his heart.

“Say it louder to the people in the back.” You hit him in the shoulder. You turn to one of the corners of the queue, playing as if there was a camera there. You move your hand as if bowing, “It’s all lies oh Big Cheese who reigns supreme and all hear and all see, I’d never cheat on you!”

Chris guffawed, both hands grabbing his chest.

“You’re crazy!” He laughed.

“Shhhhh, you never know who’s listening!” You winked at him.

As it turned out there were only four other people waiting for the last flight of the night and as you approached the end of the line you were directed to B1 anyway, as each row of seats sat 10 people each.

You decided to let all brothers be together and sat on the outside this time, Chris by your side.

He turned to say something to you at the same time you leaned over to let him know there was a hidden Mickey on the flight over Monument Valley and his lips grazed yours. You both paused, surprised at the sudden touch. Then he was kissing you for real, full lips pressed over yours, sending sparks all over your body. He brought his right hand to your neck, holding you close as he deepened the kiss, your lips danced together.

As fast as first kisses went, you ranked this one a solid 13 in a one to five scales. He never pressured you to open your mouth or tried to slip you the tongue, his lips were plump and he moved them with purpose, alternating hard pressed and feathered touches. You opened your eyes when he moved away and he gave you a little nod which you returned, grinning at each other.

The ride was over before you knew it and the cast member was ushering you out, saying good night.

Your little group made your way over World Showcase again, you saying goodnight to all cast members you passed by, thanking them for staying back during Extra Magic Hours.

“You sound sincere too,” Shanna commented as you walked the dark path leading you to Canada.

“That’s because I am. Most of them will have a shift no later than 10 am tomorrow and they won’t leave here for another two hours. Sometimes more. Saying thank you is the least I can do.”

“And could you do more?” Chris inquired.

“I can actually. All visiting cast members fill a form when we get back to work, citing areas we think the parks can improve, what was good, bad and exceptional.”

“That’s cool, I wish we could do something like that,” Chris commented.

“Actually you can. In 2014 we introduced Cast Compliments.” The three of them looked at you, never reading about it before. “Say you wanna say something nice about a particular cast member; you get their name, go on Twitter and tag either @DisneylandToday or @WDWToday using the hashtag CastCompliment. Write their name, location, and your motive. We will print your twit, and take a picture of the cast member with it. They also get a mark on their file. Every 5 marks they receive a monetary bonus.”

“Wow, that’s crazy cool. And you came up with this idea?” Shanna was already on her phone looking up the hashtag. She gave the phone to Chris and he scrolled through the feed, smiling at the amount of love being shared.

“My team and I did, together with HR” you nodded.

“That’s amazing and so thoughtful Belle!” Scott was the one looking at the phone now.

“They are the ones keeping the park running after all.” You smiled.

You reached International Gateway, waving to the guards and everyone said goodnight this time.

The temperature had dropped quite a bit and you shivered, Chris immediately pulling you close and running his hands over your arms. You smiled at him in thanks and asked where they are staying.

“We’re at the Grand, it’s our favorite resort,” Chris answered. “How about you?”

“I’m a DVC member, I’m right over there at the Boardwalk Villas.” You pointed to the red building on the other side of the man-made lake.

“Mind we walked you over to the lobby? That way I know we got back home safely and we can call a Minnie Van?” Chris smiled at you.

“Absolutely!”

You crossed the bridge to Boardwalk Inn in silence, just appreciating each other companies. When you reached the well-manicured lawn of back gardens he stopped you, mentioning for his siblings to go ahead.

He brought you under the canopy of a huge tree, giving you a little privacy from the passersby.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” He inquired, his back leaning on the tree trunk.

“My friend and I have brunch reservations at Boma, so we’ll be at Animal Kingdom till around 11 am. Our fast passes are for Hollywood Studios but they don’t start till 3 pm.”

“Damn, we’re staying at the Magic Kingdom all day, the kids really want to see the parade.”

“I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time with your family.” You nodded. It was a shame you would be at different parks but you had fast passes for Slinky Dog Dash and that was one ride, not even you could swing your non-existent badge at the cast member and get in on a whim so you weren’t changing your own plans.

“I will, but I also wanna see you again.” He whined and you giggled, he was the perfect mix of gorgeous man and little boy and the butterflies in your belly certainly agreed. “MK closes at six for the Christmas Party though, and we’re not going till Tuesday. Mind if I join you after we leave?”

“I’d love to see you again too, so I don’t mind it at all. Word of warning though, Corey will freak out, even with me telling him you’ll be joining us, so come prepared.”

“How bad are we talking about?” Chris sighed. You had been so cool-headed about everything, almost no one recognized him today and now your friend was almost guaranteed to make a scene.

“I’ll try to prep him over carbs while we have brunch, but he’ll stare and be mute for a while.” You told Chris the truth. Corey had a major crush on both Chris and Sebastian Stan and was a diehard Stucky shipper. That would be an interesting conversation to have.

“As long as he doesn’t draw attention, I can deal with some staring.” Chris acquiesced. He wanted to spend more time with you, see if there was anything else besides physical attraction drawing him in.

He pulled out his phone and asked for your number before sending you a text so you could have his.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.” You looked over at him with a little smile. You started walking backward still holding his hand.

“Not so fast!”

Chris pulled you back so fast you fell on his chest with a little oomph. He tilted your head up with two fingers and his lips descended on yours, kissing you long and hard. You gripped the sides of his T-shirt, hands digging on his waist as he held your head closer to him, one hand bunching up your hair, the other touching your neck and cheek in slow circles. You felt his soft beard brushing your skin, heightening your pleasure. A warm feeling spread all over you and you melted into Chris, parting your lips slightly. When his tongue skimmed yours you kissed him harder, tongues touching languidly.

You had been kissed quite well in the past but Chris was definitely the best one so far, he maintained full body contact and he kissed you like he had nothing else to do for the rest of his life. He pulled your lower lip as he broke the kiss, his thumb caressing the bite while he alternated between nips and kisses over your chin and neck.

Your hands got under his T-shirt and ran over the hard v on his waist, circling it to press your thumbs on the dimples on the small of his back. Your fingers touched his back vehemently, nails dragging a line just under the band of his shorts. He rocked against you and you felt him pressed against your belly, your hands itching to get closer.

“God, you’re beautiful.” He whispered against your skin. “I want to take you back to my room and kiss you all over and see if the rest of you are as soft as your lips.”

You shivered again and you weren’t sure if it was the draft wind or your reaction to his words, but you’d put good money on the latter. You felt your hardened nipples and the damp spot in your underwear and a quick look down was enough to see the hard on the basketball shorts could barely conceal. You definitely clicked on a physical level, never a kiss had such an impact on you before.

Your brain took over as you remembered you’re in a public space and you took a little step back, just enough so you could think straight.

“Maybe this is enough for one night.” You exhaled hard, trying to clear your head.

Chris nodded, he never lost control so quickly with anyone before, you barely touched his skin and he was almost rutting you to the ground right by Disney’s Boardwalk.

“Right, you’re right.” He kissed your forehead before pushing himself off the tree trunk and adjusting himself as best as he could. “Want me to walk you to your room?”

“I’m good, let’s not tempt faith, shall we?”

You had rented a two-bedroom suite so you and Corey could have more privacy, so it wouldn’t be hard to sneak Chris back to your room, lock the door and spend the rest of the night learning each other’s body.

He nodded and rested his head over your shoulder. You stayed like that till his phone vibrated on his pocket.

“That was Scott, Minnie van is here.” Chris looked over from his phone. “Thank you for today, for hanging out with me, I really liked it. I really liked you, Belle.”

“I really liked you too Chris.” You pressed a chaste kiss on his lips, hugging him for good measure.

“I’ll text you and we can work out the details for tomorrow ok?” He said while hugging you back.

“Alright.”

Neither of you moved and his phone ringed.

Chris rolled his eyes when he answered.

“I’m on my way meathead, give me one second. No, he won’t leave, you know they can wait for a while. Alright, I’m going, Jesus, hold your damn horses.”

You giggled and let go of him, telling him to go.

“Bye princess Belle.”

With a quick peck on your lips, he was off, taking the stairs to the main floor two at a time.

You stayed at the same spot till he disappeared upstairs before making your way to the Villas side of the Boardwalk, quickening up your pace to get away from the cold air.

Entering your room, you sighed against the door as you closed it.

This had been indeed the most special Extra Magic Hour you ever spent at EPCOT and you couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring.

[evien-stark]

✧I Need You✧ Chapter 30

Things seemed cleared up. You’d call Tony soon to check in. The situation was handled. With that in mind, you hiked the strap of your bag up over your shoulder and followed the second squadron of cops out of the back, through the destruction of the theater, and onto the front steps. Crowd control. That was what was left to you. Crowds and public image. Was that all you were good for?

The park seemed quieter, but there was still this underlying panic in the air that was hard to ignore. That and rubble laying just about everywhere. Waving over an attendant who was shakily having a smoke, “Do you have a visitor map and a marker on you?”

She just nodded meekly. “Yes, ma’am.” Unfolding one from her pocket and uncapping the pen hanging on her lanyard. You spied the name Lara on her badge.

“Excuse me.” Grabbing the attention of the cops who were chatting on the front steps. They turned and you stepped into their circle. “When the rest of the units arrive I need them stationed here and here- and I want checkpoints set up here and here… Have some buses here and here to take people home. Stark Industries will pay for the costs.” Making sure to double circle all the spots. “Ivan Vanko is still on the loose, he should be top priority after making sure the people are alright.”

“That dude that died in that prison break in Monaco?” One of the cops was scratching the back of his neck looking like he really regretted coming to work this evening.

“Unfortunately he’s very much alive and very much unaccounted for. Please be careful.” Handing the map over to them.

They all just gave a weak group nod. “Are you coming with us?”

“I’m going to stay to make sure the park is completely clear.” The only thing you could offer to the world right now. Another nod, though with more shrugging than anything, and the police moved on their way. Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you recapped the marker, going to hand it back-

And then spotting a very young figure crouched beneath the base of the archway at the top of the steps to your right. Moving closer, you saw their clothing a little worse for wear- sporting an Iron Man mask, no less. “Hey… are you okay? Are your parents nearby?” There was a little shake of their head but their line of sight was up in the sky. Coming closer you moved to take a knee. “What are you doing?”

“I’m waiting.” A small boy’s voice came from underneath the mask and you could hear the stifled pants for air.

“Waiting for who?”

“Iron Man.”

This was in no way surprising. “Did you see Iron Man?”

An enthusiastic nod came, the mask shifting back and forth. “He was here! He was right here. We fought off a big robot!”

“You did?” He nodded again and raise his hand to the sky with a tiny little pwah!!, showing off one of those little plastic light up repulsors. A soft smile took hold of you before you could help yourself. “Well I’m sure he’ll be back soon. He’s off fighting those big robots still. You know… I work for Iron Man.”

Finally he turned to look and you could just barely make out a set of watery brown eyes in the holes of the mask. “Oh- oh yeah! I’ve seen you on TV.” A little perk in his tone. He raised his hand to you next. “Lady Iron!”

You found enough courage to reach out and tip his mask up. His face was smudged with dirt. “Do you watch the news a lot?” The jury was still out on whether or not you liked that name. Probably leaning a little more towards no. Just because that was more Tony’s thing. Not that you minded being a duo… It also made little difference that the media had labeled you Woman of Iron as more of a clever headline. But this boy had said Lady… somehow it sounded a touch more sophisticated.

Lady Iron was a proper superhero name. Not meant for someone like you.

He sniffled, reaching up to wipe his nose on the back of his sleeve. “My uncle has it on a lot.”

“Is your uncle here?” Wondering where his guardians were. Hoping against hope that they weren’t hurt.

“Yeah. My aunt, too. But I dunno where they are.” Another sniffle, another wipe of his nose on his sleeve. “-but I’m waiting for Iron Man.” Clearly on to you that you may ask him to go somewhere.

Going into your bag, you got a few tissues out from a small pack and leaned in to wipe his face off softly. No blood, at least. He didn’t fight, instead setting his eyes back up on the sky. “I’ll wait with you, okay? What’s your name, sweetheart?” Gently you reached out, wrapping him up in whatever emotional blanket you could.

He was just a kid, after all. It didn’t surprise you his brave face was just for show, and cracking around the seams. You didn’t need powers to see that. So you offered to him some calm where you could, letting him focus on his excitement that he’d gotten to meet his favorite superhero.

Finally, as he looked at you again, he smiled. “Peter.”

“Peter!!” Sounding off at the same time, his small voice overshadowed by a cry. You looked up, seeing a woman racing up the steps, coming to a kneel to take him into her arms. Even though he’d been playing very brave, his arms wound around her and he hid his face in her shoulder. “Peter- oh thank god-”

“May...” His voice muffled in her shirt.

“He’s alright.” You got to your feet when she stood with him, taking his hand in hers. “He helped Iron Man. He was just waiting.”

“You did?? Of course you did. Are you okay? You’re okay, right? But we should go now, honey. Uncle Ben is in a tizzy. We were so worried- And- Oh- thank you for watching him- oh! You’re-!” She was talking a mile a minute, clearly eager to get the hell out of here. You couldn’t blame her.

You just waved at her. “Iron Man’s helper.” Giving Peter a little wink, something you found yourself delighting in when he grinned.

“Lady Iron.” Correcting you. Though he did tug at her hand. “May-” Whining. “I wanna wait-”

“It’s okay, Peter. I’ll make sure to tell Iron Man you stayed behind and helped all the civilians get to safety.” Looking over your shoulder you called, “Lara!”

The attendant stood straight as a pin and then quickly jogged over. “Yes, ma’am???”

“Can you please escort Peter and his aunt out of the park- and stop at a gift booth on your way to the parking lot. Whatever he wants, he can have it.”

The stars lit up in his eyes and he jumped slightly. “Really?!”

Crouching down again you held out your hand. “Really. We have to reward you for your heroism.” When he curiously mirrored you, you shook his hand firmly. “Thank you, Peter. The city is safer tonight because of you.”

When he let go of your hand, it went over his forehead in a salute. “Just doing my job!” You gave him a salute right on back.

Standing, this Aunt May smiled warmly at you. “Thank you so much.” Then leaning in to murmur, “I’ll make sure he doesn’t clean house.”

You gave him a little wave, one he enthusiastically returned as he was being led away, “Goodbye! Don’t forget!”

“I won’t- Peter, what’s your last name- so I can have Iron Man send you a personal thank you note!” Tony could do at least that much.

“Peter Parker!!!”

Smiling, you raised your voice slightly to reach him, “Thank you for your help, Peter Parker!”

“You’re welcome!!!!!!” He shouted at the top of his lungs. You heard him chattering excitedly about Iron Man and the big scary robots and how he pew pew blam!! blasted them all, his voice dying down in the distance.

You finally felt like you could breathe again. The night air was calm. Only for a moment. Lulled into foolishness until it was too late. A presence behind you-

And then a lash of pain tight around your neck. An arm came around your shoulders, pulling you into a broad body behind. “You want to play game? Okay. We play game.” Just barely recognizing the voice as you tried to catch your breath. “Talk your way out of this.” He tugged you back onto the front of the main steps.

Holding his prize out for all to see. “You-” There was a zap that sizzled across your skin, silencing you in an instant.

He laughed. “Was joke. I don’t want to hear you. Get smart with me and see what happens.” He pulled you hard, tightening that whip around your throat, forcing you to wheeze for air. “Get your phone.”

You’d become a liability. There was only one place this was going. You had no choice to obey, dipping your hand shakily into your bag, feeling around for your cell. Something nudged against your hand. Realization dawned. Briefly.

Worried I’m going to get robbed?

Not so much.

 Before you could even pretend you had the guts to help yourself, your phone went off and you raised it to him. He took hold of it, grinning. Tony’s voice was suddenly less calm than you remembered after a brief silence dragged. “Honey, tell me you’re okay.”

Ivan’s voice by contrast was sinister and easy. “Never been better.”

The line went dead, and the sound of thrusters over in a different dome- not too far- maybe if you could- if you could just focus- if you could- get your hand back in your bag-

“What you think? You think he will save you?” He laughed darkly. “He will try. And he will fail.”

Forcing a breath in, “What is it you want?” Looking up you saw the suit coming down, cutting the power to drop in front of the two of you.

Tony was quick, little mini guns tilting up from the armor’s shoulders, but Ivan remained steady. “If I lose control...” Tightening the wires around your neck, forcing a pained a noise. “She die.”

You needed to be better than this.

You had to be better than this.

You didn’t have to talk, right? If you could just… if you could just- just think- for a moment- not panic- no- you needed- you needed to-

The suit opened up, your eyes watering as you watched him step out. Ivan was all too pleased. “That’s smart.”

Tony held his palms outward, “Why don’t you let her go. She’s not like us. She’s normal. We’re the same.”

If you could pass a thousand apologies between the two of you, you would have.

 I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m sorry…

 He looked terrified.

 “The same?” Ivan still sounded terribly amused. “Not yet. You know what it’s like… to see your name destroyed?” Arm releasing you in one quick move as he shot his second whip out to take hold of Tony’s throat. Holding the both of you now at bay.

But his focus had shifted- grinding his teeth as he watched Tony suffer-

Tony’s eyes were moving- to you- back to Ivan as he pulled him closer- to you again-

The sound of another set of thrusts- Rhodey- Rhodey was coming in. They had a plan. You couldn’t stand idly by. Slowly. Slowly you dipped your hand into your bag to grab a hold of that lump of metal. No longer self defense. Now a weapon.

“We will only be the same when you lose everything...” Ivan continued. You pressed the glove tight onto the back of your hand, letting it spread over your skin. “When you lose everything that you love.”

Tony’s eyes went skyward, as did yours, seeing Rhodey there, then he quickly looked to you and nodded. Raw determination to live took over. Forcing shock forward, into Ivan, enough to freeze him for just a few seconds- you settled your hand over the line on Tony’s wires, pulling them in a snap, taking the handle of your own next to yank it away from him. Breath in- then out- steady, you held the glove out and then forced it forward, pulse of light, knocking the both of you off your feet.

You didn’t go far, into Tony’s arms- he’d rushed back into the suit during the fray. “Incoming!” Just barely making out the word over the sound of your own heart hammering.

Laughter sounded off, unhinged-

Tony lifted off and you clung to him as a whistle of a drop sounded in the air, heat of a sudden explosion licking your skin. Not just one- multiple. The whole park was lighting up in explosions- no doubt some last ditch effort on Ivan’s part.

When you felt solid ground beneath your feet, on some roof somewhere, your knees went out and you went down. Tony pulled his helmet off, dropping it as he knelt beside you. His hands touched over your face, over your neck. “Hey- look at me- are you okay- did he hurt you-”

Raising your arm, you tugged at the underside of the glove, shaking your hand to get it off once it went slack. You wanted to be stronger, but you weren’t, and the tears came. “I’m sorry-”

“You’re sorry?” The panels on the arms of the suit lifted off, leaving his bare hands there holding the sides of your face.

“I should’ve been better- I shouldn’t have let him sneak up on me and- and-” You had been seconds away from dying. You knew that. You understood it. And because of it, you’d almost cost Tony his life, too.

“Stop- stop- it’s me. It’s always me. It’s my fault. He was after me. If you anything had happened to you it would have been my fault. It is my fault.” His eyes were searching yours, a wetness shining there reflected by all the lights in the city.

Desperation punched through you. Followed by a lance of sadness.

You had to pull yourself together. For him. So, you offered a weak smile. “Can I get that in writing?” Nudging him, you moved to stand, taking hold of his arms to help yourself up.

“Whatever you want.” He seemed uneasy still, but slowly warming up to that things might finally be okay. Things were okay… right? Finally? “It’ll make things easier in the future. You can just pull it out whenever you need to. Although I reserve the right to revoke my guilt on a case-by-case basis.”

You sniffled, shaking your head. Finally taking stock of him. His suit was extremely damaged, he had a small cut across the top of his right cheek, he looked like he’d walked out of a war. ...but the glow of the Arc Reactor was bright and steady- and you realized, “You’re not dying anymore? You promise?” Settling your hands over the inverted triangle there on his chest piece now. “Did changing the shape help?” Teasing. Just a little.

His hands came over yours, grinning softly. “You’re already making critiques? Yes. The shape is very important, thank you. And. Yes. I promise. Not currently dying anymore. At least not any more than anyone else-”

It would have been easy to let him go on, but the swell of relief took you up on your tiptoes, laying an almost helpless kiss to his lips. There were no words close enough to tell him how much you loved him. There never would be. Even through all of this. This craziness. Life and death situations become too frequent. Superhero nonsense. Your life hypothetically and literally blowing up around you.

“Alright, I was cool with it before, but now that the two of you are snotting all over each other, I’m gonna have to ask you to stop.” You and Tony parted to cast a glance at Rhodey, who just happened to be sitting down a few feet away.

Arching a brow, “How long have you been sitting there?”

“The whole time.”

Tony waved a hand. “And you didn’t say anything?”

Rhodey smiled. “We had all the greatest hits playing. She’s sorry, you’re guilty. I couldn’t bring myself to interrupt. But now it’s getting weird.”

You made a face at him. “Well feel free to leave.”

He grinned. “I got here first. Get a roof.”

Parts of the Expo were still on fire. You and Tony had most likely come really close to death tonight. Yet despite all that, the three of you found it in yourselves to laugh. Though it was Tony who broke the chuckles first, “I thought you were out of one liners?”

“That’s the last one.” Some joke between them- no doubt had on the battlefield.

Tony just shook his head, still smiling. “You kicked ass back there, by the way.”

“Thank you. You, too.”

Chancing the moment, you looked him over. “Does this mean we’re all friends again?” It had been extremely tense for too long a time. You didn’t like fighting with Rhodey, or Rhodey fighting with Tony. It was better like this. Far better.

He smiled at you. “Yeah. Until you two do something else stupid.” At this you couldn’t really protest. “Listen, my car got taken out in the explosions, so I’m gonna have to hang on to your suit for a minute. Okay?”

Tony pressed his lips together. “Mn.. not okay. Not okay with that.”

Rhodey stood. “Wasn’t a question.” The face mask of the suit slipped down and he boosted off into the night, leaving the two of you alone.

You breathed out a sigh. “I guess I should tell Burt to stop action on that lawsuit.”

Incredulous laughter bubbled out next to you. “You were suing Rhodey?”

A light shrug, “The military, if I had to.”

He grinned, putting an arm around your shoulder. “You are… absolutely incredible.”

You laid a hand over the Arc Reactor. “And don’t you forget it.”

“Did you make those dinner reservations?”

“I was kind of busy handing Hammer over to the police and then trying not to die.” Giving him just a tiny sharp look. Even though he was probably joking.

His eyes lit up. “Hammer is sitting in a prison cell right now?” Bending in, he slipped his other arm underneath the crook of your legs, lifting you. “You are incredible.”

[whumphoarder]

Grand Entrance

Prompt/Summary: "Would you ever write something in which Peter gets carsick with Tony taking care of him?"

Or, in which Tony and Peter attend a science expo just north of the border and Peter vomits his way into Canada.

Word count: 1,869

Genre: Sickfic, whump, hurt/comfort

A/N: Shout outs to @sallyidss for beta reading and being ever so helpfully Canadian, and to @xxx-cat-xxx for all your edits and ideas!

Link to read on Ao3

“I still can’t believe I’m going to be in a room with Søren Thygesen,” Peter says in awe. He’s scrolling through the conference workshop list on Tony’s Starkpad. “Do you think since you’re a speaker too, we can get backstage and meet him? Will he sign my textbook?”

Tony scoffs as he shifts gears on the Audi to overtake a slow-moving semi truck. Peter grins—he loves the rush of the 532 horsepower V10 engine lurching forward. “You have to be the only teenager in this country excited to see a three-hour lecture by an eighty-two-year-old Danish astrophysicist,” Tony remarks.

“A world-renowned Danish astrophysicist,” Peter corrects, looking up from the tablet. “Plus, he’s like the god of clean energy!” At Tony’s raised eyebrows, he quickly throws in, “Well, besides you, of course.”

Tony rolls his eyes. “Don’t worry kid, I’m not feeling threatened by your Scandinavian grandfather.”

“He’s just so awesome,” Peter gushes. “If anyone is going to figure out how to get humans on Mars, it’s Thygesen.” He lets out a long sigh. “I really want to go to the Q&A panel on Saturday, but I don’t know what questions I would even ask.”

“You know you don’t actually have to ask a question to go to a panel, right?” Tony points out for the second time that day. “You can just sit and listen.”

“I know,” Peter groans, “but I don’t wanna waste what might be my only opportunity to ever speak to him.”

Tony snorts. “That’s a good point—he is eighty-two. Probably doesn’t have a lot of science expos left in him.”

Peter whips his head around to throw his mentor a horrified look. “Mr. Stark!” he gasps.

“I’m just saying ...” Tony chuckles. “Toronto isn’t exactly a stone’s throw from Denmark.”

“He can’t die,” Peter says firmly. “He’s Søren Thygesen.”

“What is he, the new Chuck Norris?”

Peter’s brow furrows in confusion. “Who?”

“Never mind. God, you’re young...” his mentor mutters. Tony shifts over to the right lane to take the next exit. “Alright, alright, what about asking him something related to his biosphere project?” he suggests. “Or the new Mars Land Rover design, now that Oppy’s kicked the bucket?”

Peter sticks his lip out in a pout. “Too soon, Mr. Stark...” he complains.

X

After a brief stop for gas, they pull back onto the highway and Peter spends the next half hour pouring over the tablet, looking up every article he can find related to Thygesen’s Mars exploration research. Most of the journals are written in abstract, theoretical language, but Peter has always been a good reader and he can usually get the gist. Whenever he comes across a term or concept he’s unfamiliar with, he reads the paragraph aloud and Tony helps him work out the meaning.

Peter just forgot one little fact.

He can’t fucking read in the car.

The nausea doesn’t come all at once. It creeps up on Peter—slowly, gradually—until he has no choice but to pay attention. By the time he realizes he’s not feeling well, his stomach is already churning inside of him and a headache is pounding in his temples, leaving him feeling as though his forehead has been stretched too tightly around his skull.

He abandons the Starkpad, shifting his gaze to look out the window and doing his best to take deep, even breaths. Tony flips his blinker on and speeds up to pass another truck. The lurch of the engine is the same, but this time Peter’s expression is more of a grimace.

“Um… Mr. Stark?” he mumbles. “Are we almost there?”

“About ten more miles to the border, and then another eighty or so to the conference center,” Tony replies. “Don’t worry, you’ll see your elderly man crush soon enough.”

“Oh.” Peter swallows hard in an effort to push the queasiness back down. “Like, how many minutes is that?”

“Minutes are not a measure of distance, kid,” Tony retorts.

Peter groans and rolls his eyes, then immediately regrets it as his stomach rolls as well. He quickly locks his gaze back on the horizon. Between carefully measured breaths, he mutters, “I was just wondering if we’re going to stop soon.”

Tony frowns at him. “I asked you twice if you needed the bathroom at the gas station, and you said no. It’s been less than an hour and now you need to go?”

Peter feels his cheeks flush slightly. “Never mind, I’m fine,” he mutters. “Just wanted to stretch my legs, but I can wait.”

“Damn right,” Tony scoffs. Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, he fishes around on the car’s floor with the other for an empty plastic Gatorade bottle and tosses it onto Peter’s lap. “If you have to pee, use this. I’m not stopping because you suddenly remembered you have a bladder.”

“Ha, ha. Very funny,” Peter huffs. He shoves the empty bottle back in the cup holder before twisting in his seat to press his cheek to the cool glass of the window. “I’m fine, Mr. Stark.”

X

Fifteen minutes later, Peter is no longer fine.

“Got your passport ready?” Tony checks as the car rolls to a stop behind a silver SUV.

Peter nods, his lips pressed into a thin line. That’s not entirely accurate—the passport is actually in the front pocket of his backpack, which is currently sitting on the floor beside his feet—but he doesn’t feel quite up to bending down to get it at the moment. Beads of cold sweat are dripping down the back of his neck and it’s all Peter can do to keep his stomach in place as they inch their way towards the border crossing.

“I’m thinking we’ll stop for dinner somewhere around the Falls,” Tony goes on. “Have you ever had poutine?”

Peter chances opening his mouth just long enough to breathe out a quick, “Um, don’t think so.”

Tony hums as he follows the SUV forward another couple meters before braking again. “Gotta admit, I was skeptical the first time Rhodey made me try it, but it’s not nearly as gross as it looks. You’d think it would be soggy, what with the gravy soaking into the fries and the cheese curds sort of half melting, but—”

“Yeah, sounds great,” Peter cuts his mentor off. Saliva’s been pooling in his mouth for the past five minutes, but it’s definitely not from the prospect of eating traditional Canadian food. He swallows hard and breathes carefully through his mouth.

A red minivan ahead of them clears the security checkpoint and each vehicle in their lane rolls another car’s length forward.

“Butter tart isn’t bad either,” Tony remarks, braking again. “And Montreal bagels put New York ones to shame. But if you breathe a word of that to anyone, I’ll deny it.”

With a small grunt of acknowledgment, Peter squeezes his eyes closed, silently praying the man will just shut up.

The border patrol officer waves the next car through.

“Alright, passport time,” Tony announces while the SUV ahead of them moves into the inspection zone. He holds one hand out expectantly over the kid’s lap. “Hit me.”

“It’s in my backpack,” Peter mumbles without making a move for it. His ears are ringing and he’s actually dizzy now. For a brief moment, he wonders if it’s possible to pass out from motion sickness. If only he could be so lucky.

Tony frowns, retrieving his own passport from behind the sun visor. “Well, hurry up. We’re next.”

“Right, right…” Carefully—ever so carefully—Peter bends forward to unzip the backpack. He fishes out the passport, but just as he starts to sit back up, the SUV drives off and the border patrol agent waves Tony forward.

Peter’s stomach lurches along with the car’s movement and he burps, tasting the pickles and ketchup from the hamburger he’d had for lunch. Bile is rising in the back of his throat and instantly Peter knows he has mere seconds to prevent a tragedy. His eyes dart around desperately for a cup, a plastic bag, a tissue box, anything. But there’s nothing. Absolutely nothing.

In pure desperation, he does the only thing he can think of to save Tony’s custom leather interior.

The moment the Audi rolls to a stop at the checkpoint, Peter yanks the collar of his hoodie up over his mouth and pukes all down the inside.

At the sound of the kid’s gag, Tony whips his head around. “Jesus, kid!” he swears in surprise.

Standing just outside, the border patrol agent—a gangly red-haired kid who looks to be fresh out of high school—is staring wide-eyed at the gasping teenager in the passenger seat.

Tony blinks at Peter, his expression morphing as the initial shock is replaced with concern. “Are... Are you okay?”

Peter gives a small nod and blushes, trying not to move any more than necessary. Inside his hoodie, hot, gross vomit is running all down his front, soaking through his t-shirt. “Yeah, sorry,” he rasps out. “Just… got kinda carsick.”

Tony blinks again. With barely concealed disgust, he reaches over and starts trying to wiggle the passport out from the kid’s grip, but the officer intervenes.

“Uh, it’s fine. You can just pull on through,” the redhead instructs, still staring at Peter as he waves the car forward. “There’s, uh, there’s a rest stop not too far from here.”

Peter flashes the other boy a grateful thumbs up as he pulls the sweatshirt back up over his face and heaves again.

X

When Peter emerges from the rest stop bathroom, he’s wearing a completely new set of clothes and carrying a knotted plastic Pharmasave bag containing his vomit-soaked hoodie and jeans. In the other hand, he’s clutching the remaining quarter of a package of baby wipes.

Tony is standing in the parking lot beside the car, his arms crossed casually over his chest and a mildly amused look on his face. “Feeling better now?”

Peter gives a half-hearted shrug and deposits the bag and baby wipes in the backseat. Tony passes him the bottle of PC lemon-lime soda he just purchased from the vending machine.

“I’ll rephrase,” Tony tries again. “Feeling better enough to get back in the car? We’re about seventy minutes out from the hotel.”

“Minutes are not a measure of distance, Mr. Stark,” Peter deadpans.

Tony rolls his eyes. “Just answer the question.”

Peter hesitates, opening the soda to take a cautious sip. He’s feeling less sick now that he’s on solid ground and his stomach is blissfully empty, but the thought of getting back in the car still makes him queasy. “Um, maybe in another five minutes?” he mumbles. “If that’s alright…?”

“Sure,” Tony agrees easily. “We can go take a walk by the Falls or something. Maybe pick you up some Dramamine.” His brow furrows in thought. “Although that might knock you out, and your buddy is giving the keynote tonight.”

“I’ll be okay,” Peter assures. “Just need a few minutes.”

Tony huffs out a quick laugh. “Yeah, can’t risk missing Thygesen. Even if you just vomited your way into Canada.”

In spite of everything, Peter grins. “May always said I liked a grand entrance.”

Click here for chapter 2!

A/N: Additional shoutout to @awesomesockes for for helping to invent the exceedingly awesome character of Søren Thygesen, for whom we now hold so many dumb irrelevant headcanons (such as that he holds the Guinness world record for the longest nose hair and can play the didgeridoo).

Fic Masterlist

[purplebenjy]

1997 Part Three

Ollie starts kissing his neck and Benjy drops his controller. He laughs when his boyfriend picks it up and places it in his hand.

“Keep playing.”

Benjy sticks out his lower lip “but I wanna kiss you.”

Ollie smiles at him and tugs at the back of Benjy’s white tank top, pulling it over his head and pressing a kiss to his collarbone.

“You can kiss me in a minute. I wanna see how long you can last playing the game with me distracting you.”

A thrill shoots through Benjy at that, Ollie’s light eyes suddenly quite dark.

“Um, okay...”

He hits start, and when his screen pulls up the beginning of the level, Ollie starts too. He settles on his knees between Benjy’s legs, kissing down his chest.

“You’re killing me.

Ollie laughs. “You’re so dramatic.”

Benjy watches as Mario flashes twice before falling off the screen.

“I mean literally. In the game.”

They both laugh but Benjy’s turns into a gasp as Ollie presses a kiss just above the top of his jeans.

“What are you doing?”

“Eyes on the screen, Fenwick.”

Benjy groans slightly but does what he’s told, his hands tightening on the controls when Ollie undos his jeans and presses a kiss to his erection over his boxers.

“Jesus Christ.”

His voice is too loud, it echoes in his room. Ollie pauses.

“You’ve got to be quiet, Benj. Unless you don’t want me to do this?”

“I’ll be quiet, I’ll be quiet. Please don’t stop-“

Ollie smirks at him from his position between his legs. It’s the hottest thing Benjy has ever seen.

“I wont stop if you don’t stop. Keep playing.”

Benjy takes a hand and cups the back of Ollie’s head for a minute, takes a breath, and turns his attention to the screen. Ollie keeps kissing him over his underwear, and Benjy heats him chuckle softly when he grows harder at the attention. Benjy lifts up his hips when Ollie starts tugging at his boxers and soon enough he’s naked, playing fucking Super Mario, and trying not to come right there.

“You get to the checkpoint yet?”

“Uh...yeah?” Benjy says, his voice shaking with lust. Without warning, Ollie licks a stripe up Benjy’s shaft, making him moan.

“Ollie...please-“

He whines before he can stop himself, forcing himself to keep his eyes on the screen. Ollie laughs softly.

“Did you just whine?”

“Um...no?”

“God that was hot. You’re so fucking hot, Benjy.”

A noise of need escapes him but he falls totally silent when Ollies lips close around the head of his cock.

“Oh my god-“

He tries to keep playing, his hands shaking so badly the control can’t keep still. Ollie lets out a breath close to a laugh and his hand catches Benjy’s wrist, gently pushing the controller away. It clatters you the floor loudly, but Benjy doesn’t even notice. His hands fist in Ollie’s hair and Benjy forces himself to keep his eyes open so he can take it all in. Ollie’s breath is hot and wet and his mouth feels so perfect-Benjy doesn’t last long. He watches in disbelief as Ollie swallows his cum and collapses against Benjy’s legs. Benjy flops backwards onto the bed, spent and soon enough he feels Ollie get on the bed with him too. “I didn’t last long”

Ollie picks up his hand and kisses his knuckles.

“That’s okay.”

“I meant in the game.”

Ollie laughs and Benjy lolls his head to the side to smile at him.

“That’s okay too.”

Ollie looks so beautiful just then that Benjy almost wants to cry. His hair is framed perfectly by the dark green of Benjy’s comforter, his smile coming to him easy. His smile that’s just for Benjy. He’s not in love with him, but for the first time, Benjy wonders if he could be some day.

“I’m nicer than you.” Benjy says, sitting up on his elbows. Ollie’s smile clouds with confusion.

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

Benjy slides off of the bed onto his knees.

“Cause I’m gonna blow you and I’m not gonna play games.”

Ollie’s laugh seems to get stuck in his throat as Benjy starts undoing his pants.

~

“Ollie did the FUNNIEST thing yesterday-“

“You never shut up about that kid.” Curt says, cutting Benjy off. “You a fruit for him or something?”

It’s Sunday, which means all of his siblings are there to witness Benjy turn bright red.

“No-“

“You never shut up about him. It’s kind of f*ggy isn’t it? You’ve got a crush, sounds like.”

“Hey man, fuck you.” Robbie says, almost spitting at their step dad, before Benjy can get another word in.

“He was in the middle of a story.”

“Robbie-“ Suki says, her voice dangerous.

“Ma, I’m not gonna let this dipshit you married disrespect my brother like that.”

“Robbie, cool it on the swearing maybe?” Jules says, her hands over Izzie’s ears. She catches Benjy’s eyes and smiles at him.

“What was funny, Benj?”

“Forget it.” He says, looking down at his plate. He feels Mack hit him with her foot but he doesn’t say anything.

“Ma, I dont understand why you got married again.” Leo pipes up, his mouth full of potatoes.

“I wont be disrespected in my own house!” Curt says, his pale skin flushing with anger. Drew laughs, nudging Robbie. “His house, you hear that? Hilarious.”

“Enough!” Suki shouts, causing everyone at the table to turn to her in surprise. She never raised her voice.

“Curt is my husband, and as long as you are in MY home, you will treat him with respect.

“That’s the thing Ma, I don’t exactly respect him.”

“Then you can get the hell out of my house, Robert Muhammad.”

The anger in their mother’s face is unnervingly palpable. Robbie sucks his head, his voice low.

“Alright, alright. I’m sorry.”

“He was picking on Benjy.” Mack speaks for the first time that night. Her hair has purple in it on the bottom, Benjy just noticed. “You never would’ve let that happen before. You wouldn’t let anyone treat us like that. Not before him.”

“Mackenzie-“

His sister pushes her chair back so violently it falls over, her fork clatters onto the plate and she stomps off down the hallway towards the back door.

“I’ll go.” Benjy says, setting her chair upright and following before anyone else can say anything. He walks out onto the back patio and sees his sister sitting beside the pool, her head in her hands. Benjy rolls up the legs of his skinny jeans and crosses the yard, sticking his feet in as he sits beside her. Wordlessly, Mack puts her head on his shoulder.

“I miss dad.”

Benjy hears the tears in her voice without even needing to look at her.

“I know.”

“You don’t, Bb-“ BB standing for Baby Brother, a nickname he’d only recently grown to like. Usually.

He inches away from her, hurt filling him suddenly.

“Just because I dont remember him doesn’t mean I dont miss him! Do you have any idea what it’s like? Living with fucking Curt? It makes me miss Dad so much cause like-I can almost see what it would’ve been like. But it’s not. Not even close. He’s such a dick. And you all treat me like I’m a stupid baby who can’t stand up for myself or-“

“Hey.” His sister turns to him and takes one of his closed fists in her hands. She rubs on the back of his palm until he starts to relax, just like she used to when they were little kids.

“You’re right Benj. I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair of me. I wish he was he here. God. He loved us all so much. You look like him the most I think. He would’ve loved that. He always used to joke that we were all Mom’s clones.”

Benjy smiles slightly, turning so he’s the one resting against his sister. He kicks his feet slightly and makes waves in the pool.

“You can come live with me.”

Benjy snorts. “Funny.”

He glances over at his sister and sees how serious her expression is.

“Mack. You live in a studio apartment.”

“We could make it work.”

“How would I get to school?”

“I could drive you.”

He thinks about it. He lets himself picture it. They’d drive each other nuts, but they’d have a lot of fun. He lets it go.

“I dont want to leave mom alone with him.”

“It’s that bad?”

Benjy shrugs. “I mean they fight constantly? About a bunch of different shit. It’s never gotten you know, physical-“

“I don’t think he’d still be alive if it did.” Mack says with a laugh. “Mom isn’t one of those weak people who stays with someone who hits her.”

Neither of them know it yet, but in a few years, Benjy will play this sentiment over and over in his head. It’ll be the reason he keeps his first ever secret from his sister. Now though, Benjy decides Mack can be the one to know the truth.

“He was right though.”

“Who?”

“Curt. I uh, have a crush on Ollie.”

Mack tucks some of his hair behind his free ear.

“Yeah? Are you...are you gay?”

“Nah.” Benjy sits up to look at her. Her expression is soft but hard to read.

“I’m bisexual. But uh, even though I like girls still I...I think I like boys more?”

He hadn’t told anyone that part. Mack takes his hand and squeezes it.

“Whoever you like is okay as long as they’re nice to you. Do you think Ollie likes you back?”

“Well he gave me a blowjob yesterday so I’m thinking yes?”

“Ew!”

Mack laughs and smacks his shoulder. “Don’t tell me that! You’re like, eight still. You don’t know what blowjobs are.”

“Hmm except I knew what they were then too cause I heard Robbie and Drew talking about if they thought Drew Barrymore would give good ones.”

“Oh my god.”

“He’s my boyfriend, Mack. I mean, as much as he can be with me not uh, telling anyone.”

His sister raises her eyebrows. “Mom doesn’t know?”

Benjy shakes his head. “No uh, I dont want to be the subject of more fights with her and Curt. And uh...”

He didn’t wanna lose his mom too. He’s too afraid to say it. Even to Mack.

“I’m just not ready.”

“So I’m the first person you’ve told?”

“Yeah-“

His sister pulls him into a bone crushing hug, her feet knocking against his in the water.

“I’m so proud of you, BB.”

Benjy squirms out of her grasp and fixes his hair.

“Thanks? I mean, I didnt like, decide this or anything.”

“I know. So what was this funny thing your boyfriend did the other day?”

Benjy feels warmth spread through him at Mack’s easy acceptance. At how she doesn’t even have to tell him that she’ll keep his secret. At how she’s still got her hand over his as she looks at him, waiting to hear his story.

“He uh, used both of our skateboards like skis and made me push him around the park.”

“Jesus. He sounds perfect for you.”

~

“Benjy!” Ollie waves him over from his car on the street. Instead of skating into the park, Benjy skates up along side him.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

They look each other up and down. Benjy lets himself imagine a time in the future where he could greet him with a kiss.

“You up for an adventure today, Fenwick?

Benjy’s face breaks into a wide grin.

“Always.”

They chat about nothing and everything as Ollie drives them to their mystery destination. Benjy sings along terribly to Nirvana and makes Ollie laugh. As they get closer to the ocean, Benjy’s curiosity gets the best of him.

“Where are we going?”

“We’ve never been on a real date.” Ollie says as he slows at a stop light. “Thought I’d change that with the beach.”

Benjy’s heart stops. A date at the beach. Out in the open. Where people can see them together. Where people can see them together and start talking. Where they’re out in the open.

“Ollie-“

“It doesn’t have to be the beach, we can go anywhere really-“

“I can’t.”

As Benjy says that, they pull into a parking lot covered with sand. Ollie doesn’t say anything until he parks. When he turns to face Benjy, pain is obvious on his face.

“How is this different than us meeting at the park?”

Benjy shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “I dunno. It just is.”

“Is it cause I called it a date?”

Yes.

“No.”

Ollie doesn’t believe him. He nods once, his mouth twisting to the side, upset.

“I’m sorry.” Benjy says, almost a whisper.

“No, I’m sorry. Really.” There’s no malice in Ollie’s voice, which almost makes it worse. He’s not pissed-just sad. “You told me you’re not ready. I shouldn’t have pushed it.”

He backs out of the parking space, Benjy’s hand tentatively comes to cover Ollie’s. He watches him smile slightly in profile.

“I want to go on a beach date with you so badly. So bad, Olls. But I-“

“Can’t. I know, Benj. It’s alright. I should’ve said something before I drove out here.”

They don’t say much on the drive back, but Benjy’s hand never leaves his. He was going to tell Ollie that he’d come out to Mack, but it seemed out of place now. When they get to Benjy’s house, instead of pulling in the driveway, Ollie idles on the curb.

“I need to get home. My dad and Chris are uh, leaving for vacation tonight and I wanna see them before they go.”

Benjy hopes his face doesn’t look as crestfallen as he feels.

“Oh okay.”

Another silence.

“Can I kiss you?”

Ollie sighs and smiles at him.

“Of course you can. I’m not being fair.”

Benjy kisses him deeply.

“Maybe not. But you’re allowed to be upset.”

They kiss for several minutes, the strangeness between them disappearing as they bite at each other’s lips.

“I’d come in, Benj. But Chris and my dad really are leaving.”

Benjy laughs. “I believed you.” He kisses him again as the thought crosses his mind.

“So with your sister at camp...you have the house to yourself?”

Ollie’s eyes glint. “I do.”

“Could uh, I come over? Is it rude to invite myself?”

Ollie kisses him. “Absolutely and absolutely.”

Benjy laughs, his hand closing on the door handle as he gets out to grab his skateboard. He walks back to the open passenger door and looks at Ollie, his eyes flitting to his kiss swollen lips.

“Well good. Cause uh, I’m not ready for a date. But I think I’m ready to be done with this whole “Virgin” thing.”

Ollie groans. “Oh my god.”

“If you’re okay with that.”

“You’re something else, Benjy. You know that?”

Benjy grins at his boyfriend, wishing fiercely he could be everything Ollie needs, but glad he can at least be something else.

“Oh, I’m well aware. See you tomorrow, baby.”

Benjy blows him a kiss and turns on his heel to all but skip up the driveway. When he looks over his shoulder, Ollie is still parked, watching him. He waves, his heart skipping a beat, realizing that before tomorrow was over, everything would be different.

He had no idea how right he was.