#i held off because i wanted to read both parts but seriously guys???

[dio-icarticaae]

Had a busy week but reading this week's WFA and finishing up Duke's 2 part episode was a great treat.

I liked that they addressed that Duke does have powers, and I hope we get to see him using them in the future. And also how they went through some of his history in comics.

Really like that it was Luke who he had this conversation with too.

[notsopersonalcharlie]

Honey Belle

Biker!Bucky Barnes x fem!reader fluff - Part of the Biker!Bucky Series

One part lead-up to the future and one part how Bucky and belle met.

Warnings: Mentions of sex and alcohol, discussion of a past relationship that bordered on abusive (non-binary reference), more car talk because i love mini coopers.

Note: My apologizes because i lost all my progress on this when i was about halfway through. Also I just have brainrot about them now sorry in advance.

"No no no no, please baby you can make it its just a litt-" The engine shuddered and then gave out. You groaned, banging your head against the steering wheel as you pulled off to the side of the quiet street. It was getting stifling in the car very quickly. The heat wave was precisely why you needed to take Baby Blue in. Your phone showed another mile and a half on the map you saved. This shop was in some dead end town, but it was the only one that had agreed to service the vintage coop.

"Couldn't have saved me the walk?" you asked to the car as you grabbed your bag and hauled it over your shoulder. You scrawled a note to leave on the windshield and began down the straight road. The trees on either side provided some shade, but there was no sidewalk, so as you continued you could peek back at your car and to check on any oncoming traffic.

The first signs of life you saw came ten minutes into your walk. You hadn't gotten far. It was sweltering and you had to leave straight from work, so your shoes were the least comfortable thing to walk in as you sweat.

Two motorcycles were headed your way, and to your surprise they both stopped. One was wearing a light brown leather jacket, and he pulled off his helmet immediately. He had blond hair and a kind looking smile, but you were also alone in a mysterious location with no signal.

"Hey, you alright?" You stared at them, and took a step back when he took a step toward you.

"Uh-"

"You had an appointment at the Howling Commando? Twenty minutes ago? Blue vintage Austin Mini Cooper?" The other guy had popped up his visor, but hadn't taken off the helmet yet. His blue eyes were sharp, watching you. You took another two steps back.

"Buck, lose the helmet," the blond guy admonished, "We work there, you said when you called that you were worried about the heat and the engine, so when you no-showed we thought you might have gotten stuck. I'm Steve. We talked on the phone the first time I think, and then you talked to Yelena to get the details." The other guy pulled off his helmet and you thought your heart might stop. Sure the blond, Steve, was handsome in a clean cut preppy kind of way, but this guy looked like he walked out of one of the fantasy books your read as a kid. Dark eyebrows slanted over his bright blue eyes, his scruff adding to the rugged look he was sporting. He waved, a shy smile slicing away the fear you had held entirely. It changed his face, you wanted to make it happen again.

"Bucky. We'll get you all fixed up."

-/-/-/-/-

"Belle, ya home?" You looked up from your laptop. You hadn't been able to pull yourself away from the document you were building for the new hires.

"Yeah- I- oh shit. I forgot to start dinner." You turned to find Bucky stepping through the doorway from the kitchen. His grease stained tshirt was tossed over his shoulder already, leaving all his tattoos on display. One in particular always caught your attention, the sketch of a mini cooper right over his heart.

"How many time do I gotta tell you?" He asked, dropping the shirt in the hallway before coming over to you. You stood, tilting your chin to look up at him as he wrapped one arm around your back and cradled the back of your neck with the other.

"You don't have to worry about that stuff, honey. I'll take care of dinner. Finish up your work, it'll be done in no time."

"I need a break, baby, seriously. I'll help." His eyes narrowed.

"You sure?" You nodded, turning back to hit save and taking his outstretched hand to go back into the kitchen. You chopped veggies while he marinated chicken and he told you about his day at the shop. It was a familiar routine by now, three years into your relationship, but you couldn't help but feel the guilt in your stomach again. He spent all day on his feet.

"Hey, lose the face." You looked up at him.

"What?"

"I can feel your thoughts from over here." He set down the spices, rinsing his hands and patting them dry before coming over to you and wrapping you up in his arms. He was anything but weak, and carefully lifted you onto the unoccupied part of the counter and stood between your legs, looking you dead in the eye. You blinked slowly, trying not to fall into the trap of his icy-blue silence. It was impossible.

"I just feel bad is all, you spend all day on your feet and working and then you come home and make dinner. It feels, not fair." Bucky tilted his head to the side, eyebrows up. It was a conversation you had all the time, and you knew how he felt about it. He did serious very well, even if you knew there was a smile lurking just behind it.

"You know that's not how I feel. I love taking care of you. You work so hard every day trying to change the world for the better. I go dick around with my friends all day playing with cars." You snorted.

"I'm serious! My number one and most important job is taking care of my girl. I will make you dinner every night for the rest of our lives together, if that's what it takes to prove it."

"You don't have to do-"

"Nope, you're banished from the kitchen. Go feed Alpine. Get lost." You laughed, taking his face into your hands before he could lift you back off the counter. His lips were warm and soft, and his hands wrapped tighter around your middle as you tilted your head to deepen the kiss before pulling away. You rested your forehead against his, breathing in the smell of motor oil and coffee.

"I love you, James Barnes." He gave you that sweet smile, the one that transformed him into an entirely different man.

"I love you, honey belle. Now get the fuck outta my kitchen."

-/-/-/-/-

You woke up and stretched, yawning as your rubbed your eyes and sat up. And then you became aware again that you were not in your own room and you were laying in an empty bed. You glanced around, noting the distinct lack of a tall tattooed biker who had left hickeys on your chest and had all but fucked you to sleep the night before.

In his place lay a small gray cat, it sat up when you did and surveyed you before jumping gracefully off the bed and leaving out the open door. You stood up, glancing at yourself in the mirror. You were wearing a shirt that said the Howling Commandos Garage and Bar on the front. It was well worn and soft, with little frays on the bottom and the collar. Your hair was a mess and you smoothed it out before following the cat into the rest of the apartment. Your clothes which had been strewn across the living room were neatly folded in a pile on the back of the couch, and there was a note scrawled on top.

Had to head off to fix up your baby. Coffee in the pot. Stay if you'd like. Bucky

Bucky looked wistfully down the block at his apartment building.

"What is your deal today, Barnes?" Sam asked. He was newer, and Steve had brought him in to tend bar, but also help with the books at the garage. Bucky grumbled that they didn't need new people, and Steve returned with patience that just because Bucky didn't want to make new friends, didn't mean they didn't need new staff.

"He's got a crush," Steve laughed from the other side of a pickup.

"I'll have you know I sealed that deal," Bucky shot back. There was a thunk sound and then Steve appeared over the hood, rubbing the top of his head.

"What the hell are you doing there then?" Bucky shrugged.

"She was still asleep. I left her coffee and a note." Sam snorted.

"See her never."

"Her car is literally right in front of me."

"She's gonna take it somewhere else," Sam shot back. Bucky's eyes narrowed, dropping the wrench he had on hand. He was starting towards Sam when a new voice echoed through the garage.

"I would really appreciate it if you fixed my car, not got blood on it." You strolled in the front of the garage and Bucky considered falling to his knees and begging for you to stay with him forever. You were wearing your jeans and sandals from the night before, but on top you had on his Howling Commandos shirt with the original design and logo. You were holding one of the mugs from his kitchen and had an easy smile on your face.

"I thought I'd come check on the progress on my baby. Maybe learn a thing or two." Steve smirked at Bucky and turned back to his work. Sam had suddenly made himself scarce into the office.

"Sure thing, but can't let you learn too much, you might notice some things going wrong just so you can stop by to see me." You nudged Bucky with your elbow, taking a sip of coffee as you followed him back to your car.

"I don't know, I think I could have other reasons to stop by and see you."

-/-/-/-/-

You woke up to sunlight coming in through the open curtains. Bucky was sound asleep on his stomach, face pressed into his pillow and his arm thrown over you. After a moment of relishing the cuteness of him keeping you close while he was asleep, you slipped out of his grasp and headed for the kitchen.

It was mostly clean, and you started a pot of coffee for the morning before tidying up just a little bit more. Bucky had slipped in after you fell asleep. He was working the bar when you left full of a burger and with kisses pepper to your nose promising he'd be home soon. The rest of the staff had ribbed him endlessly while saying goodnight to you.

You grumbled to yourself about having to wake Bucky's whining ass up to take you to work when you noticed something on the counter. Your car keys. Trying not to get your hopes up, you peeked out the front windows and let out a squeal when you saw your car sitting in the driveway, a comically small bow on the hood.

"Wha-Who's there?" Bucky ran out in just his boxers, fists up prepared to fight an intruder apparently, but instead got a chestful of you.

"She's done?" It took him a moment to register what who you were and what you were referring to.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah, belle, she's done." You threw your arms around Bucky's shoulders, squeezing him tight.

"Thank you thank you thank you! She'll run for another three years? No problems?" Bucky held you tight, sleep already returning as he nuzzled against your neck.

"Even better. She should be alright for at least another five to ten." You pressed kisses to his face and then his hands, and kissed him goodbye for the day. Your outfit for the morning was already hanging in the bathroom and it made your morning to not have to pack extra clothes for the bike. Instead you put your coffee in a to go mug, your lunchbox in your purse, and headed for the door. The car started up with a hum and you patted the dash, turning on your favorite radio station and rolling down the windows on your way to work.

-/-/-/-/-

You sighed on your way into your apartment. Bucky said he was headed over after you left, and now you had to clean up and start on dinner. Work had been exhausting, and you had found yourself fixing other peoples' work first thing in the morning, which put you back on your own deadlines.

Still, you tossed your bag onto the black hole chair of random items in the bedroom and changed out of your work clothes into something comfy for movie night. You had bought all the ingredients for homemade pizzas over the weekend when you were ambitious about when you were going to get out of work.

"Five minutes on the couch," you muttered to yourself, "then back to work." Five minutes quickly turned into doom scrolling until Bucky knocked on your front door.

"Shit." You jumped off the couch and started pulling things out of the fridge frantically to make it look like you had already started the process. The knocking grew frantic after a minute and you rushed to the door. Bucky's eyes were wide, but he relaxed when he saw you were fine.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you." His soft smile melted your nerves a fraction, and he leaned down to press a kiss to your lips.

"You had a long day, I understand." He followed you into the kitchen, and you frowned at the array you had pulled out. Sure you had the pizza dough and sauce but also a jar of pickles, some miso, and a block of tofu.

"What were you planning on making?" Bucky asked, examining the contents of a mystery tupperware.

"Uh..." You considered coming up with a lie about cleaning your fridge, panic welling back up that he would be upset you had gotten sidetracked away from making dinner.

"I... I'm sorry, I panicked when I heard you because I hadn't started making dinner and I knew you would be hungry so I just started pulling things out of the fridge and I..." you could feel yourself beginning to ramble into a spiral.

"Woah! Woah, belle, calm down. It's okay!" Bucky came around the counter, hands on your shoulders to ground you.

"It is really okay, belle, I know you had a long day. You don't have to make me dinner. I mean it. You work long hours and clean up other people's messes all day." You could feel tears prickling at the corners of your eyes and looked down at the logo of some motorcycle brand on Bucky's shirt.

"You just work all day at the shop and I know that can be exhausting, so I just wanted to make you food so you'll be..." you trailed off. So he would be what? Had never gotten pissed at you because dinner wasn't on the table or that you didn't get him his drink before yours. He had never thrown his empty can in your direction when you didn't get a new one for him before it was empty. Bucky called your name, pushing your chin up to meet his eyes. They were big and blue and full of concern that grew when he saw the tears in yours.

"Honey, where is this coming from? We could have ordered takeout for all I cared?"

You swallowed and took a deep breath.

"My ex, they were blue collar. Worked in construction. They didn't... they thought I should do all the housework and make dinner since I sat at a desk all day. They would get... angry when I didn't or said I was too tired or it wasn't ready when they got home or I ran out of their favorite drink and... I just want you to be happy." Bucky's frown had deepened and the concern in his blue eyes had turned to anger.

"Where are they now? Who would ever do that to you?" His head turned to see if he could spot any memory of them in the apartment. To your surprise it made you laugh to see him be so protective over something that wasn't there.

"Long gone. I moved states away to leave them. It's why I've been working so much, honestly. When I switched positions I had to do it for a cut, since at the headquarters I was making more. I don't regret it for a second though." You were looking at him now, sincere. If you never moved you wouldn't have been looking for an apartment when your car overheated and you had to go to the Howling Commando. You would have never met Bucky or found an apartment a few blocks away from the bar and him.

"I'm glad you made it here too," he said finally. He wrapped his arms around you, big arms keeping you safe and his chin on your head grounding you to him.

"I know you spend every day working super hard with people you don't really like. I know you love what you do, but I would never hold any of that against you. I spend every day working with my best friends for as long as or short as I'd like. If you never cook me dinner again, I would still be happy as long as we get to sit down and eat together." He paused, and you could feel his heart beat a little faster, a shift in his posture. For the first time:

"And I love you." Your heart leapt, the tears that you had been wiping against his tshirt flowed again.

"I love you too, Bucky."

-/-/-/-/-

You texted Bucky on your way out of work, and blessedly got into your own car with air-conditioning and seatbelts. Not that you didn't trust Bucky or that you didn't like to ride with him, but it was nice to have a seat to sit in.

You began the journey home, it feeling a little longer than it had for the last few weeks when you clung to Bucky's middle with your eyes closed. You were most of the way home when a telltale rumble of motorcycles started up behind you on the long empty road. It reminded you of the first time you rode with Bucky, down this very same road when your car broke down and he took you back to the shop with him while Steve waited with the car. He had said, after securing his extra helmet to your head, that it would be only time you ever rode without the proper shoes or pants on. You had responded cheekily, since he was hot and it didn't seem like it could hurt the speed at which your car got fixed, that he was suggesting that there would be another time. He had followed that with a quick, "I have your phone number. I find another time."

The bikes were getting closer, four of them, and to your surprise Bucky wasn't with them. Steve and Sam rode on either side of you, offering salutes. You couldn't identify who the two behind were but you could tell one of them was Yelena or Natasha. It was not a regular procession, though when they did see your distinctive car when out riding, they always did stop by for a wave. Instead of leading you home, Sam and Steve guided your car to the parking lot at the Howling Commando. The fairy lights were up for the summer and a few of the regulars were already outside enjoying the weather.

"I was going to go home first you know," you whined at Steve, tossing your blazer into the passenger seat before getting out of the car.

"I think this is more important," he said, turning you away from the bar and toward the shop. The garage doors were open, but inside was obstructed by the shadows from the sunset. When you stepped in you froze. The cars and equipment had all been cleared out and a beautiful flower arrangement was across the floor, Bucky was standing a few feet away, looking nervous as the first time he came to pick you up for dinner. He spotted you and swallowed, standing up straighter as you walked towards him.

"Bucky..." You didn't have the words to say as you joined him in the array of flowers.

"Belle. I love you, I have loved you since the minute I saw you on the side of the road. From the second you wrapped your arms around me on my bike for the first time. The first night we spent together and every night since then I have known that I would spend the rest of my life with you. I promise I will make dinner every night if that's what it takes." You grinned at the little inside joke, tears pouring down your cheeks as he got down on one knee.

"Make me the happiest idiot in the world and marry me?"

"Of course I will. I love you."

[world0fmadness]

POKER FACE

fernando alonso x pro poker player! wife! reader

♡ general married headcanons for fernando with a pro poker player partner!

୨୧ just some fluff with nando and no age gap <3 i don’t have anything against age gaps, i just think a lot of older driver works have an age gap and wanted to switch it up! hope you all like it, mwah

♡ related smau available here | view my formula 1 masterlist here

reading music recommendations: poker face by lady gaga - west coast by lana del rey - beautiful, dirty, rich by lady gaga

♡ you guys met in 2006 when him and some of the other drivers were celebrating in a casino after the brazilian grand prix, fernando ecstatic after getting P2

୨୧ you just so happened to be there playing poker with some friends, not professionally at that moment, just for fun

♡ as soon as he laid eyes on you, he knew he just had to have you

୨୧ you were the most attractive person he’d ever had the pleasure of laying his eyes on…

♡ i mean, his jaw literally almost dropped to the floor like a cartoon character, earning him a slap on the back and laughter from jenson and mark who were trying to just get him to go and talk to you already

୨୧ but i mean seriously, he thought you were just… so beautiful… so elegant… but oh so sexy at the same time, you had a fire in your eyes that drew him in like a moth to a light

♡ so he did approach you! he kind of just blurted out how beautiful he thought you were and if you’d like to grab a drink at the bar

“ hello… you’re absolutely beautiful, i’m sorry, can i get you a drink at the bar? or you can pay for it yourself if you want, whatever you want, i don’t mind ” ( he was so uncharacteristically nervous of messing up… he just wanted you to say yes and be comfortable )

୨୧ you thought he was so sweet ( and definitely a looker ) so… why not? and well, you got along like gasoline to a flame, you just couldn’t stop talking to each other! when you eventually parted ways, the casino was closing and his friends had left hours ago, you made sure to trade numbers and promised to call in the morning

♡ and call you did ( well, he called first, he really couldn’t wait to hear your melodic voice again ) you arranged a date at the nearby beach, hoping to grab some ice cream, sit back on a bench and talk some more

୨୧ the date went amazing and you guys were practically inseparable by the end of it, sharing a soft kiss in the car when he drops you off at your hotel <3 it was crazy how much fernando talked to the other drivers about how much he admired this woman he had met just last night in a casino of all places… but they knew this meant you were special

♡ you guys were just an amazing couple

୨୧ you complimented each other so well and the other drivers loved you! they thought you were a perfect match for their nando, someone he needed in his life… when he saw how well you got along with the people he sees as brothers, he knew you were the one…

♡ you got married in 2011 after 5 years of dating, the ceremony being held in the same city you first met

୨୧ your gown was beautiful, handmade just for you, only one in existence…

♡ fernando began tearing up as soon as he saw you walking down the isle, a bright smile painted across his face

୨୧ you reach the alter and he shakily slips the ring, with a gorgeous sapphire on the top instead of a diamond, onto your finger

♡ your first kiss as a married couple isn’t on the lips, but you place it on his hand, calming his nerves almost immediately as he returns the kiss in the same place on your hand before pulling you in by the same hand for a deep kiss on the lips as your family and friends cheer you both on ( the drivers being the loudest, of course )

୨୧ the rest of the ceremony is forever etched into your memory, it was an event full of love and happiness and excitement for the future ( and just a bit of drinking )

♡ when you guys are in your mid 30’s, people start badgering both of you about when you plan to have children because “ your biological clock is ticking ”

୨୧ fernando is pissed and wants nothing more than to find where all of these people live and personally put a brick through all of their windows…

♡ you guys had already decided that for now, neither of you had any desire to have children!

୨୧ you both feel at peace with it just being you both and he absolutely hates how people talk about you like your only purpose as a woman is to bare children…

♡ thankfully, you assure him that these people mean nothing to you, the only opinion you care to listen to is his

୨୧ you guys go on SO many trips and vacations

♡ mainly to the most beautiful beaches a person could ever wish to visit, only the best for nando’s wife

୨୧ he has some boats that he loves to go on with you, the two of you spend hours just sunbathing, eating fruit and drinking champagne, taking in the peace and the sound of waves hitting the side of the boat, gently rocking it

♡ one of your favourite memories on the boat is when you saw two dolphins, beautifully swimming next to each other, just barely poking above the waves…

“ they’re beautiful hm, mi amor? almost as beautiful as you… ” ( the handsome smirk he gave you is still engraved in your brain )

୨୧ something you guys always do when on vacation is visit the little tourist stores, you pick up at least one cute handmade magnet to put on the fridge in your house

♡ the metal of your fridge door isn’t visible anymore and the sides are beginning to fill up too but you both love it, just looking at the magnets causes a rush of only the best memories

୨୧ in the summertime, you guys love to hold barbecues and invite some of the grid over! fernando is especially close to lance which means by extension, you are too! he sees you two as people he can always go to when he just needs to talk or needs advice on something, he spends a lot of time just hanging out with you guys ( and eating a lot of your food )

♡ watching them chat while fernando grills some burgers always brings a smile to your face… but lance is not a fan of the times fernando gets hands and flirty with you… the man has no shame and tells lance to get used to it because it isn’t stopping anytime soon!

“ lance, you’ll understand some day when you marry a beautiful woman and feel this type of love, trust me, so just get used to it because it’ll be you some day, kid! ” ( lance just lets out a soft laugh which is quickly cut off by a yell when he realises that, because fernando was so entranced by you, the burgers are burning… )

୨୧ whenever you’re playing poker, fernando is guaranteed to be seen sitting somewhere close by, drink in hand, admiring the beauty he has the pleasure of calling his wife <3

♡ and whenever you’re in the paddock, fans LOVE it! they love YOU! you’re aptly crowned with the title of “ coolest wag ” which is nothing if not flattering ( fernando agrees and eggs the fans on, he loves how much they love you )

୨୧ i can see you guys eventually getting a dog! a border collie you you name judy

♡ she quickly becomes your BABY, you both love her more than anything, always taking her on vacation with you both and to the paddock whenever you can

୨୧ introducing her to all of the other drivers’ dogs is a trip, an overload of fluff… she gets along best with leo <3

♡ whenever you guys don’t have poker or racing plans and you’re not on vacation, you can usually be found relaxing in your backyard!

୨୧ laid back on the patio next to the pool, toes dipped in, lemonades by your side, fingers intertwined, rings sparkling in the sun

♡ judy is either running around the garden or laying in between you guys, your joint hands resting on her soft coat! fernando sometimes getting up to run around with her and play fetch with a tennis ball, much to your delight as you slightly sit up and pull your sunglasses down the bridge of your nose ( hey, you get to lay back, look hot and watch your gorgeous husband run around in swim shorts with sweat glistening on his chest and a goofy smile on his face… why wouldn’t you admire the view? )

୨୧ he catches you staring at him and sends a cheeky wink your way, a silent declaration of the things to come when the sun sets ;)

♡ and what things they were…

fernandoalonso: judy and mi amour take on the beach and boat ⚓️ 🐟

ynalsonoln ✔️: a beach day with you and judy is my favourite type of day, always will be 🤍 💙

f1lover: judy is the cutest grid dog, fight me

> ferynforever: no one will fight you because they know it’s true 🫢

lancestroll ✔️: was that fourth picture necessary? someone collect their fossil, he’s posting pictures like this on instagram where there are children ( me )

> fernandoalondo ✔️: we’ve talked about this lance, one day… 👌

ferynforever: hottest grid couple and they’re literally like, 20 years older than most of the drivers lol

[anyarose011]

Christmas Time is Here {Angus Tully x Reader}

Summary: Christmas (FINALLY) has arrived! What better way to spend the day full of cheer than with your family (and the boy you previously didn't really care for until just a few days prior). It'd be better if you could spend it in Boston as well...

Part 7 of ?? (Masterlist)

Warnings: Making out, swearing, talk of sex, and jokes about pimping out one's father.

Heyyyyyyy, what's uppppp, it's meeeeee. So...okay, long story short, I got back from strudying abroad and have been using this summer to just readjust to America (it's been rough, low key). So I just want to apologize for the long wait, and I hope this chapter is worth it. Also, because the main characters in this story (reader and Angus) are minors, I WILL NOT be adding smut. Still, thank you guys so much for your patience!

Word Count: 6.4k

You thought you slept in at first, until you glanced at the clock on the nightstand and read ‘7:30am’. Groaning, you sat up, rubbing your face when the realization hit you: It was Christmas!

That’s what caused you to leap out of your bed and immediately look under it, pulling out the three horribly wrapped gifts in newspapers tied with a twine ribbon. Before you could do anything else, a light knock on the doorway made you flinch.

“Yeah?” You whispered.

“Are you decent?”

Giggling at Angus’ use of your words from last night, you said. “Not really, I’m still in my pajamas.”

“Get dressed, I wanna show you something.”

You snorted. “You’re not gonna kill me or something, are you?”

“No, but on an unrelated note, we’re going off campus.”

“Wait,” your face dropped. “seriously?”

He snickered. “No. It’s just in the theater.”

You shook your head. “Okay, I’ll meet you in the hall.”

His footsteps echoed outside, and you decided to give him his gift early. After changing into a long-sleeved shirt and pants, then your socks and boots, you slipped out of the door whilst hiding the present behind your back.

“What’s behind your back?” Angus immediately asked once he saw you.

“Merry Christmas to you too.” You teased. “It’s nothing.”

“Amy…”

Sighing overdramatically, you held out the gift. His eyes grew to the size of the moon (both things that you still think are beautiful) as he took it from you. “I…what is this?”

“Well,” you shrugged. “it’s a present, but you kind of have to open it to-.”

“-No, I mean…I didn’t get you anything.”

“That’s okay, I don’t want anything.”

“Hey-.”

“-Ordinary people say ‘thank you’ and open the damn thing.” You smirked.

He mirrored your expression before tearing the newspapers. It was almost funny to you how Angus Tully looked as if his breath was stolen from his lungs just at the sight of Little Women in his hands.

“This is yours.”

“Well, it’s yours now. That’s kind of how gifts work.”

“It’s your favorite though.”

“Who told you it’s my favorite?” You tilted your head, as if challenging him.

You’d never seen a face whiter than the snow outside. “I-I, um, shit.”

“No,” you shook your head. “you’re telling me you kiss me so hard my lips turned blue in the kitchen-!”

“-Hey, hey! Shut up!” He tried to be serious but only ended up laughing.

“But you can’t remember what my favorite book is?!”

Taking a deep breath, Angus then said. “I’m sorry, okay?”

A smile pulled onto your lips. “Yeah, I’m just messing with you.”

“You’re horrible.”

“Thank you.” A giggle fell from you. “Oh god, I hope my dad didn’t hear that.”

“I checked his bed, he’s out somewhere.”

“Alright,” you shrugged. “escort me to the theater then.”

He grinned from ear to ear as he led you through the halls. Unashamedly, you were a bit disappointed; you wished he’d taken your hand. Still, despite the sun being out, to your knowledge, you were the only two people awake. You wouldn’t blame Mary for sleeping in, and it was Christmas, no way Danny would waste his time with you three; that man had family in Worcester.

When you and Angus made it to the theater, you both walked up the steps to the stage and after he set the book down on the floor, he leaned against the piano.

You crossed your arms, smirking. “Mr. Tully, you better not serenade me.”

“I’m not singing.” He tried not to smile.

“So, there is a God.”

“Quit it.” He snickered. “Sit down, I’m gonna teach you how to play the piano.”

Raising your brow, you said. “You told me you hadn’t played since you were ten.”

“I hadn’t taken lessons since I was ten. We have a piano back at home, so I still play sometimes.”

“Never here?”

“Never here. Come on.” he tilted his head to the bench.

Rolling your eyes, you sat down, placing your hands on the keys. Angus came to stand beside you. “Okay, you know the alphabet?”

“What the hell is that?”

“Perfect.” He scoffed, then pointed to the white keys. “So, you only have to know ‘A’ to ‘G’. If this,” he pressed the white key in the middle of the piano between two black keys. “is ‘D’, then what is this?” He hovered his finger above the white key to the right of it.

“E.” You said simply. “I do know that this ‘B’ key is out of tuned though.”

You reached over his arm and played the ‘C’ an octave above, bringing your face just a little closer to his. He smiled. “Okay smartass, you do know what the alphabet it.”

“Yeah, I just don’t know how to play anything, that’s all.”

Angus took your right hand in his hand (fucking finally), and brought your fingers to play the ‘E’ and ‘D#’ a few times before then ‘B’, ‘D’, ‘C’, and ‘A’.

“Know that one?” He asked.

“‘Fur Elise’.” You grinned at the name. “And you’re sure you wish I was your first kiss?”

He answered plain and simple. “I’m sure.”

“Okay,” you decided to keep toying with him. “what comes next? And I’m pretty sure I have to use my other hand at some point.”

You expected a retort from him, but he only went behind you and grabbed your left hand. Gently, he pressed his fingers over yours, and guided you to slowly play the piece by Beethoven. It was peaceful to say the least; well, as peaceful as it could be while your heart was trying to beat itself out of your chest.

As his chest hovered against your back, you decided to soothe your own worries.

“Son of a bitch, you just wanted to hold my hand!” You teased.

The music stopped as he pressed his face against your shoulder while laughing. It should’ve made you uneasy how just at ease he was around you; but perhaps you both had already acted like this before you kissed. Perhaps, with only being around him for a week, you had come to know him as a close friend (even with how much you loathed him at first).

He took his head off your shoulder and looked at you, his nose practically against yours. “And what if I did?”

This was the part where you were supposed to say something smart in return and make him feel just a bit stupid. But…were his eyes always that brown and beautiful?

You were just a girl; no one should blame you for immediately throwing your arms around his neck and kissing him.

Luckily, unlike the night before, he was less surprised this time. His arms were around your waist, and whether he meant to or not, he pulled you down to the floor with him when his own legs gave out.

Still, even though the sudden shift of your body caused you to squeak out in surprise, your lips didn’t leave his as your hands soon carded through his hair, and his moved further down your hips.

“I don’t want to do anything more,” you said quickly between kisses. “I don’t want to do anything more!”

His lips moved down to your neck, one of his hands came back up to cradle your jaw tenderly. “Me neither.”

“Okay.” You answered, your voice slightly pitched as he kissed your neck. Angus laid you down as softly as he could on the stage and hovered above you; his kisses never leaving your skin. His hand found yours and held it above your head as he brought his lips back up to yours. Even with it being clumsy, nothing in your whole life had felt so…good.

You wondered just how anyone on earth could get anything done after being kissed like this for the first time.

Perhaps it is because they hear their father calling their name.

At the sound of your father’s voice echoing through the halls, you and Angus froze. With one look, you both immediately pulled away, and he got off you, sitting on the piano bench and putting his hands on the keys.

It was quite comedic how that was the first time you heard him play; and he was quite good at it.

Luckily, you managed to get up and lean against the piano the moment the door to the auditorium opened and soon slammed shut. Angus stopped playing, and you both looked up and saw your father, huffing as if to catch his breath from running around everywhere.

“Merry Christmas.” Were his first words, and after both you and Angus repeated his sentiment, he then asked. “Where the hell have you been?”

You shrugged. “Just here.”

His eyes traveled to you and then to Angus, who, like any nervous teen boy who’d nearly been caught after making out with the teacher’s daughter, waved. Your father simply nodded. “Well, come on. I have something to show you two.”

He left through the doors he came in, and after you and Angus glanced at each other, you both followed; Angus picking up the book of course. Your father took you both to the dining hall where Mary had been waiting, and proudly presented a frankly shabby Christmas tree with some wrapped gifts to you.

“No ornaments?” Angus asked.

“Oh,” your father sighed. “I’m sure we can round up some ornaments somewhere. Uh, now.” He picked up one of the gifts, handing it to Angus. “This is for you.”

The boy glanced up at him as if he handed him the best thing he could receive that day (next to your copy of Little Women of course). He tore it open, and it was revealed to be another book.

“‘Meditations.’” Your father read the title. “by Marcus Aurelius. For my money, it’s like the Bible, the Koran and the Bhagavad Gita all rolled up into one. And the best part is not one mention of God.”

Mary huffed, obviously not a fan.

“And this,” he handed her the other package under the tree. “is for you.”

She opened it, revealing another book of ‘Meditations’. “So, you just give this to everyone?”

“And.” He gave her the other gift under the tree; that being a horribly wrapped bottle of whiskey.

That got her to smile wide as she took it. Your father, grabbing the final package under the tree, then handed it to you. “Yes, it’s a book, no, it’s not ‘Meditations’.”

Smiling, you unwrapped it and stood absolutely still in shock before exploding into a cheer. “Where did you get this?! I couldn’t find even in Boston!”

“The day trip we took to New York for Thanksgiving? Found it while you wandered off in the bookstore.” He joked.

Rolling your eyes, you couldn’t wipe the smile off your face if you tried.

“What is it?” Angus asked, looking over your shoulder.

“Maria,” you answered. “by Mary Wollstonecraft. She’s Mary Shelley’s mom.”

“Like, Frankenstein Mary Shelley?”

Oh, how much you wanted to kiss him just because he knew the author of a popular book. Still, you didn’t know how many men even knew a woman wrote one of the most iconic stories of all time. Still, your father and closest woman you had to a mother in years were watching you, so you settled on shoving him.

“That’s right; maybe you’re not that stupid.” Before he could verbally respond, you were almost out the door. “I got something for you guys, be right back!”

You felt like a little girl again as you ran through the halls and up the stairs into the infirmary room before taking the shittly wrapped presents off your bed. You slid down the main staircase railing before barging back into the dining hall where it looked like barely anything had changed.

“What was my time?” You asked your father, a huge smile on your face.

He gave a look. “You didn’t ask us to time you.”

“Happy Christmas.” You handed him his gift, then repeated the same action and sentiment to Mary.

Your father was the first one to open his, and a pleasant smile spread upon his face while holding it up to you; a coloring book of ancient Rome.

“How’d you know I wanted this?” He joked. He had perhaps almost every single book on Roman history, so you had to get creative.

You shrugged. “Oh, you wouldn’t stop talking about it, remember?”

Mary opened hers next, grinning from ear to ear once it was unwrapped. A pink pocket-sized prayer book. “How’d you know I lost mine?”

“Because you told me.”

She hugged you, pinching your cheek when she pulled away. “You’re an angel.”

“Oh, Angus,” Your father took the forgotten envelope out from under the tree, handing it to the boy beside you. “this came in the mail for you.”

He opened it, and glancing over his arm, you saw cash stuffed inside of the card with “Greetings of the Season and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year” printed inside, with the only written words being: “Love, Mom and Stanley.” Not any personalized notes or words of adoration anywhere to be found.

You wanted to squeeze his hand, give him any traditional sense of comfort; yet you weren’t ready to explain to your father and mother figure about the both of you…you weren’t dating, but you were something. So, instead, you merely pushed yourself against his side and acted annoying.

“Fuck, you’re loaded.” Mary scoldingly said your name, but you continued. “Well, he is! Yeesh, you should be paying off my father’s retirement if you hate him that much.”

“Merry Christmas to you too, Emma Woodhouse.” You father rolled his eyes.

Angus, fortunately, snorted. “I’ll think about it.”

“Alright,” Mary placed her hands on her hips. “now who’s hungry?”

As usual, the four of you had a lovely breakfast; although, this time, per Christmas tradition, you each had a little piece of chocolate with your pancakes she made. When helping her with the dishes, you saw that only one Christmas cookie you left out the night prior had remained.

When the dishes were done, you and Mary pulled the men into the teacher’s lounge.

“So why are we being held against out will?” Angus joked.

Your father sighed. “It’s almost ten-thirty.”

“And?”

“Charlie Brown!” You cheered, plopping yourself down on the carpet in front of the TV to turn it on.

“It’s the one tradition we have each Christmas,” your father explained and lowered his voice to Angus and Mary. “and one I wouldn’t mind getting rid of.”

“If you want to go drink alone while reading Agatha Christie, go ahead.” You announced, not turning to look at him as you flipped through the channels.

Mary and Angus merely laughed, and you proudly sat down on the couch. Your father mumbled incoherently, but before he could take a seat beside you, Mary grabbed his arm.

“Now, now, come help me make popcorn for the movie.”

Sighing, he let her lead him out of the teacher’s lounge and into the kitchen. Angus soon sat where your father would’ve if not for Mary. You smiled.

“Hi.”

“Hey.” He grinned, and there was silence (as always) between the two of you. One that was broken with. “Thank you.”

You tilted your head. “What for?”

“Just…” He laughed. “for liking me I guess. Also, for what you said about the stupid card and everything.”

Smiling, you glanced up to see if your father and Mary were close by. When you determined they weren’t, you took his face into your hands and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“You don’t have to thank me for that, dumbass.” You pulled away, looking back at the movie as little children start to sing Christmas Time is Here. “Just don’t bitch for the rest of the day.”

He snorted. “I’ll try my best.”

And he did. The four of you watched the movie, and after that, you and Angus went back up to the infirmary and spent the rest of the afternoon reading. Definitely not kissing at all; for sure not.

When you weren’t reading, you were either talking about stupid shit-.

“I thought I heard somewhere that plants can feel pain, do you think that’s true?” You asked, looking up at him while you laid at the end of his bed, your feet by his head.

“…I just want to thank you for letting me peek inside your mind and to see how weird it is.”

Or, surprisingly emotional conversations.

Angus nodded as he laid on the bed, you at his side. “Yeah, I mean…I had a good childhood, it just felt…weird sometimes.”

“I get it.” You rested your head on his shoulder as you both stared at the ceiling.

Still, it was perhaps the longest and most intimate interaction you ever had with a person up until then. How strange it was with a boy you hated only days ago.

Hours later, Mary called you both down for supper (luckily what was reheated from the previous night), and despite there only being four of you, you felt less lonely than when you had at the party. You sat beside Mary, not minding when the smoke of her cigarette tickled your nose.

“Thank you Mary,” your father smiled at her once he was finished. “that was just lovely.”

“Oh, is that an actual compliment?” You never heard Mary sound so surprised. He sighed heavily, and you didn’t bother holding back your laughter.

Angus set down his silverware. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a real family Christmas like this. Christmas dinner, I mean, family style, out of the oven, all the trimmings. My mom always just orders in from Delmonico’s.”

Mary nodded. “She’s got the right idea. Next year, I’m ordering from Delmonico’s.”

“Anyway, thank you, Mary.”

She winked at him, then turned to you. “Well? You got something to say?”

You squinted your eyes mid-chew. After swallowing, you replied with. “The meat’s a bit raw, don’t you think?”

“Oh, none of that today!” She scolded you as everyone else giggled. “Ungrateful child on Christmas.”

“It’s great, Mary.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.”

Your father rose a glass. “I’d like to propose a toast. To my two unlikely companions on this snowy island, to my lovely daughter, and to our absent friends and family.” There was a pause much obviously for your mother and Curtis as if they were at the table with you. “I realize that none of us is here because he or she wants to be, so if there’s anything I can do to make the holidays a little cheerier for any of you, just say the word.”

“Copenhagen.” You didn’t miss a beat.

“Try again next year, Josephine.”

Angus shrugged. “Boston.”

“Boston?” Your father wrinkled his nose. “Why?”

“Why not? I want a real Christmas. I want to go ice skating. I want to see a real Christmas tree with ornaments, not that stupid thing.”

That was what you couldn’t take (as a joke, obviously). “How dare you. You put some respect on that tree my father grew with his blood, sweat, tears, and other fluids.”

Whilst the adults groaned your name in disgust, Angus stared down at his plate, his body trembling with repressed laughter.

“You both said it was nice.” Your father reencountered.

“It is nice.” Mary defended.

Angus, after recovering from his amusement, continued. “Come on, let’s get out of here. Let’s have a real holiday.”

 Your father huffed. “We’re not going to Boston. It’s out of the question.”

“You just told the kids ‘anything’. So, if Copenhagen doesn’t work, then why not Boston?” Mary argued.

“Mary, we’re not allowed to leave campus or the immediate environs.”

Well, it was your moment to shine. Now, here’s the trick: Usually, the ‘puppy dog eyes’ only work on parents from the ages of birth to nine. Sometimes, but not in your case, it can go on longer into the early 30s (that is, if your parents are total pushovers, or you’re a master manipulator). So, what do you do instead? Well, if it’s with your father, you do this:

Glance at him one last time as if to make a final plea, but then act as if you already know the answer and look down as if you’re trying not to show your sadness. You cannot be angry at all, just sad and disappointed so that he can assume you’re judging all of his life choices that he had made previously to lead him to this.

…It’s not easy, but it certainly gets you what you want (…there was like a 76% success rate last time you calculated it).

“But,” your father sighed upon looking at you and Angus. “I suppose we could call it a field trip. A field trip would fall under the ambit of additional academic pursuits. There’s even a fund set aside for additional academic pursuits.”

Despite him looking annoyed, you had a feeling deep down, he wouldn’t mind getting out of Barton. Angus gleefully rose out of his chair.

“I’ll go pack!”

You knew you couldn’t chase after him excitedly, so instead, you focused on your father.

“Now wait a minute,” you scowled. “so you not only listened but also let him persuade you into having us go to Boston, but you didn’t even bother with Copenhagen? That’s really sexist of you.”

He sighed, exhaustedly saying your name. “You’re a smart girl, so you should know that there’s a difference between a ten-hour flight across the world, and a-!” Of course he stopped when he saw your shit eating grin. “…and you’re a smart girl because you played me like a fiddle.”

Grinning from ear to ear, you got up from your seat and wrapped your arms around him, kissing his cheek. “Thank you, papa!”

He waved you off with a smile as you gathered up your dishes and glass, then went into the kitchen and placing them in the sink. You dashed up the stairs to the infirmary, to which you were greeted by Angus’ arms entrapping you.

Laughing, you reciprocated. “Why’re you like this?”

“I’m just happy, is that so shocking?”

“Yes.”

He pulled away only to then cup your cheeks in his hands and bring your lips to his. You sigh into his mouth, kissing him back.

“Does it ever stop?” You asked between kisses.

“What?” He led you to lie on the bed.

“You kissing me all the time."

“Do you want me to stop?”

“Don’t you dare.” You meekly threatened, pulling him back down.

Neither of you started packing for another fifteen minutes; not until you heard your father’s footsteps in the hallway.

You surprised yourself by how well you slept that night. Usually, before an exciting day, you are restless. Yet, you actually jumped out of bed to get ready once your father came in to wake you up.

After a quick breakfast and an hour of waiting, the four of you were in the car on the way to Boston. A curse that you never thought possible is that you could not read in the car without throwing up; so, that forced Angus to read aloud (something that wasn’t a curse).

“‘That boy is a perfect Cyclops, isn’t he?’ said Amy.”

“That’s not what Amy sounds like.” You said matter of factly, laying almost flat in the backseat.

Angus sighed. “Well, she does today.”

“Mr. Tully,” your father looked in the rearview mirror. “is she implying that Amy usually sounds different?”

You grinned. “Yes I am.”

“Oh?” Mary arched her brow in interest.

“I’m not doing a voice.” Angus immediately retaliated.

Sighing dramatically, you stuck your bottom lip out. “Just this one line? Please?”

He stared at you as if you had him under a spell; either that, or your face was a monstrosity so terrible he couldn’t look away. It’s nice to think the first one. So, breathing heavily through his nose, he pitched his voice up.

“‘That boy ith a perfect thyclops, ithn’t he?’ said Amy.”

Needless to say, the car erupted into laughter.

You can’t quite remember what else was discussed between the four of you on that long drive. All you can recall is that you never once felt sorrow or pain from your mother’s absence. It was…lovely actually.

Soon, the car stopped outside Peggy Lamb’s triple decker apartment in Roxbury neighborhood. You hadn’t been there since you were thirteen for Thanksgiving. When, after your mother passed, Mary and Curtis invited both you and your father to dinner for the holiday. Then, just all of a sudden (much like Miss Crane’s Christmas parties), you stopped going.

“Here we are.” Mary announced.

“That’s an awful lot of stairs…” Your father trailed off.

“Probably icy too…”

Nope, not going to give your kissing buddy (what was Angus Tully to you? What were you to him?) a clue.

“Mr. Tully.”

“Right.” He nodded once he finally took the hint from your dad. He smiled. “Mary, can I help you with your bags?”

“Yes, please.” She smiled, and Angus got out of the car.

You leaned against Mary’s seat. “Mary, may I help you with your bags.”

“You may.”

You heard your father prod at just why you would want to go into the cold air and help Angus carry the bags but paid him no mind. You did though when it was Angus who asked.

“What’re you doing out here?” He popped the trunk.

“Mary asked me to help too.” You pulled out the large suitcase with all your strength. “She knew your noodle arms couldn’t handle it all.”

Scoffing, he took the hatbox and closed the trunk. “Seems like you’re handling it perfectly.”

“Of course, I am.” You did your best to hide the ache in your arms already forming as you led the way.

Mary, with her window rolled down, stopped you at the foot of the stairs. “Hey, why’s she carrying the suitcase?”

“She said she could handle it.” Angus replied.

“That’s not very gentlemanly of you.”

“Yeah, Angus.” You taunted as if him only carrying the box was his idea.

This was certainly not the first nor the last time you’d make his jaw drop from your wittiness. Sighing, he held out his hand for the suitcase, and you traded it for the hatbox.

“And be careful with the box,” Mary called your name. “Knowing you, you’ll drop it.”

You just stuck your tongue out playfully and continued up the stairs, Angus lugging the suitcase. “What do you think she packed in here, rocks?”

“I’d tell you, but you’d make a joke about how much women need to pack even though ‘We’re only here for a few days’.” You said in an accent that any man with low self-esteem would deem offensive.

He scoffed, stopping on the first floor. “Yeah, maybe.”

You tutted. “Ah, ah, ah, one more floor up.”

“What?”

“Peggy lives on the top floor.”

Angus sighed all the air that was left in his body before taking a deep breath. “I should’ve let you carry the damn bag.”

“But ya didn’t.” You smirked, leading him, once again, up the stairs.

When you both finally got to the top, you didn’t even need to knock on the door before Peggy and her husband came out to greet you.

“Oh, my goodness!” Peggy wrapped her arms around you once you set the box down. “It’s been too long.”

You laughed, hugging her back. “I know, I know. I’m sorry.”

She pulled away, but still holding your arms. “Never apologize, honey. And who’s this with you?”

Obviously, she was looking at the scraggly, 6’1 white boy behind you. Still, smiling, you introduced him.

“Angus; he goes to school at Barton and has been spending the holidays with us.”

“Aw,” Peggy shook his hand. “it’s nice to meet you.”

He nodded, grinning. “Nice to meet you too.”

“So,” she looked at you. “where’s that sister of mine?”

You tilted your head over ledge, and she and her husband walked over, waving and calling Mary’s name. Peggy turned back to you.

“Well, it’s been great seeing you again. If you ever need anything, you’re always welcome here.”

You nodded, smiling unwavering. “I’ll keep that in mind. Have a Happy New Year.”

She repeated the pleasantries and hugged you one final time before you and Angus started descending the stairs. When you passed by Mary, wishing her goodbye, she stopped you.

“Not yet, now you’ve gotta help me up there.”

“Oh yeah,” Angus offered her his arm. “sure thing.”

You resisted. “I already said hi to Peggy, am I excused?”

“I guess so.” She sighed as if you annoyed her.

Happy with her answer, you hugged her tightly and rushed into the front seat of the car, enjoying the warmth. In the corner of your eye, you saw your father arch his.

“You and Mr. Tully seem to be getting along finally.”

Glancing over, you nodded. “Yeah. He’s still a bit of an ass, but he’s not so bad.”

“What made you change your mind?”

“Time.” You shrugged, hoping your years of (somewhat) lying paid off. “I guess forcing us together for a week in the cold really helps.”

He hummed, turning back to look at the front as if there was anything eye-catching about the road. Thankfully, it didn’t take Angus that long to walk Mary up the stairs, and he was soon in the back of the car.

Your father drove into the city centre of Boston, and parked outside of the hotel you three would be staying at. Of course, you had a room all to yourself (although, you only had a single bed and not a twin, but you were happy nonetheless).

After twenty minutes of getting situated, the three of you went out to explore the city (a city the three of you had been to multiple times but was still just as beautiful as the first day you saw it). You went through more parks you could count, streets that almost all looked the same but still something unique about each of them; it was just nice enough to walk and talk with your companions.

“Alright,” your father lit his pipe after the three of you had lunch. “it’s about one-thirty right now, what’s one thing everyone want to do today?”

“I have two things.” You said.

“One for now, Josephine.”

“Brattle’s Books.”

“Very good, even though you already have too many. Mr. Tully, what about you?”

He shrugged. “Just ice skating, honestly.”

“Wow.” your father released his breath. “I must say, I am impressed with how simple both your suggestions are.”

“What do you wanna do?” You asked.

“The Museum of Fine Arts, of course.” He began walking. You and Angus sighed as if it was the worst convenience in the world. Your father defended. “Oh, quit your bellyaching, both of you! This is still technically a field trip. Okay, what’s the second thing you want to do?” He asked you.

“A milkshake and fries.”

“That’s it?” He wrinkled his nose. “That disgusting concoction, is it?”

“Yes, and it’s not disgusting, you’re just a picky eater.”

Angus chimed in. “It doesn’t sound that appealing.”

“Who asked you?” You questioned.

Your argument ended there as the three of you made the journey to Brattle’s Book Store. Just as you did in the car, you talked about nothing and everything at the same time; perhaps that’s why those little moments of transitioning matter the most to you.

When you made it to Brattle’s, you spent a little time inside the actual store, but more of it outside in the large empty space between the two buildings. It was like it was another floor on the old bookstore, several upon several shelves hugging the walls, and smaller ones creating aisles on the floor.

You primarily were by yourself, keeping a mental list of more books to buy for later, and lose yourself quickly in between the pages and old smell of them. You hadn’t even noticed it’d begun to snow until Angus was beside you.

“So, you’re telling me it couldn’t have snowed all the times we were indoors?” He joked.

You looked up. “Of course not, God’s angry at us.”

“Why?”

Smirking, you nudged him. “Kissing outside of wedlock.”

“The worst of all sins.” He played along.

“Above heresy, even.”

“Hi there handsome,” a woman’s voice penetrated the air. “got a cigarette?”

Neither of you wanted to turn around to see who she was talking to (or acknowledge her if she was talking to Angus). So, communicating with just one look, you stayed put.

“No, sorry. I smoke a pipe.”

Well, so much for staying still. At the sound of your father’s answer, both you and Angus turned slowly. A woman with red hair tied up in a messy bun wearing the ugliest shade of yellow and a raggedy fur coat graced your presence.

“How about a date, then?” She tried again. “You want a date?”

“No thank you.” He took the pipe out, smiling nervously.

“Oh, come on, let’s go somewhere warm!”

“Go ahead.” Angus teased. “We can wait here.”

Jaw on the floor, you couldn’t even say anything at first.

“See?” The woman stuck her hands in her pockets. “They can wait here, read some books. They don’t mind if daddy gets a little candy cane.”

“Thank you, but I never really liked candy canes.” Your father picked up a book. “Plus, I’m prediabetic.”

She scowled, and turned over her shoulder, leaving. Angus leaned over the bookshelf in between the two of you and your father.

“You know, if you do want a little candy cane, I won’t tell anyone.”

You swatted him, finally. “Stop trying to pimp out my father, you…you…”

“What?” He grinned from ear to ear. “What am I?”

“Papa, cover your ears.” You looked at him.

“Mister Tully,” he said instead. “for most people, sex is ninety-nine percent friction and one percent good-will. Call me old fashioned, but I place value on physical intimacy, and so should you two.”

“I never-!”

“-You know,” Angus interrupted. “if it wasn’t for your kid in front of me right now, I would’ve thought you never had sex.”

Again, you struck him; this time, enough to leave a bruise.

“Ow!” He cradled his arm.

“You know,” you used his words. “if it wasn’t for your mom sending you to private school, I would’ve thought you were a cheap, common whore.”

Instead of scolding you, your father laughed. It’s not as if he never did, it was always just...a rarity and almost a blessing to hear him be so carefree.

“Mr. Tully, cover my daughter’s ears, would you?”

Angus followed through and you let him.

“Believe it or not,” your father continued. “there was a time when the fire in my loins burned white hot.”

“You’re full of shit.” Angus snickered.

“No, the details would curl your toes.”

“Okay, then let’s hear.”

He shook his head. “Whatever happened between my wife and I is none of your business; especially our daughter’s.”

“She can’t hear anything.”

“Yes, I can.”

His hands left your ears, leading both men to laugh. Nothing more was (thankfully) said about your father and mother’s sex life. It was after another ten minutes outside when your father announced it was time to go; not before having to use the bookstore’s bathroom. So, that left you and Agnus by yourselves for the first time since arriving.

“You’re horrible.” You playfully kicked his feet.

“You hit me!”

“You deserved it. God, you’re such a man.”

He didn’t respond verbally. Instead, with a smile, he reached into his coat pocket and brought something out. In his hands, he held a somewhat worn copy of The Little Prince, and two different colored ribbons.

Freezing where you stood, you could only stare at them. “What’s this?”

“Merry Christmas.”

Looking up at him, your parted lips couldn’t form words to express just the…surprise of it all. So, Angus continued.

“I bought it; the book at least. I found it inside, asked your dad for the money so I could get it for you, and that was it. The-the ribbons, I got one that was your favorite color, but then I remembered my mom would talk about how there’s some colors that look better in a girl’s hair, so I got one I thought-.”

You threw your arms around Angus and held him so close to you people would think you were using him for warmth. He froze at first before immediately melting into your embrace. You brought his face down to yours, kissing the tip of his nose before pulling away and taking the gifts into your hands.

“Holy shit…you’re too sweet.” You giggled, flipping through the book.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “So, you like it?”

“I love it, you idiot.”

“And if you find the book at your house when you go back-.”

“-I’ll keep this one too.” you cut him off. “You’re thoughtful, you know that?”

Angus stuck his hands in his pockets, kicking the snow at his feet. “It’s nothing.”

“Fuck you, it’s everything.”

“Well,” he shrugged, smiling. “since you said it so eloquently.”

You rolled your eyes with a playful grin, then held up the colored ribbon he deemed (and was correct about) would look good in your hair. “Can you put this one on, please?”

“Uh, yeah,” he cleared his throat. “sure.”

You handed it to him, turning around. It wasn’t the first time he put his hands in your hair, but this time, with your back to him, it felt strange. Strange in a good way, but perhaps there wasn’t anything sensual about it, it felt that way.

And it was nice.

The feeling of it anyway; other than that, he had no idea what he was doing.

“What do you want it as?” He asked.

“Half-up, half-down.” You took a hair tie off your wrist, holding it our for him.

“What?”

“Like, instead of an actual ponytail, just make the top of my hair one, and leave the rest down.”

You didn’t even have to look at this man to know there was nothing going on inside his head trying to figure out what the hell you just said.

Thankfully, your father came out of the store.

“And what’s going on here?”

Angus looked over his shoulder. “I uh…”

“Step aside please, Mr. Tully.”

He did, and your father snatched the hair tie you were holding. “Half-up, half-down?”

“Yes, please.” You nodded.

“Do you know how to braid hair, Angus?” He asked, tying the hair tie around the ponytail he made.

“No.”

He hummed disapprovingly, sliding the ribbon into the hair tie and beginning to make a bow. “You should; it’s quite an important skill for a man.”

[mmelionsblog]

LIGHT SHOWER [sam golbach x reader]

a/n: this was requested by a special someone in my inbox (tysm for requesting and reading my work!!)

warnings: angst, cheating, mention of slight sex, cussing, fluff

it was another normal tuesday night with the two famous youtubers, sam and colby. you were invited to their house just to hang out with them and some of their other friends of course. though your boyfriend of the time, daniel, had called you for the past 20 minutes and had spammed your phone with too many messages to count.

you rolled your eyes at your phone, deciding to finally answer him. “yes, dan?” sam perked up at the mention of your boyfriend’s name. his eyes glared at nothing for a second, but quickly switched back to normal when a friend of his called him to set up a ping pong game. “please- hic- could you please come pick me up?” you clenched the bridge of your nose, annoyed that you had to leave early due to your douche of a boyfriend. “send me your address.” you heavily sighed.

you walked over to the coat racket, bringing your jacket and placing it on your body. “well. looks like i’m leaving early tonight guys,” you smiled sadly towards your friends. “no.., please don’t tell me it’s because of your douche-y boyfriend daniel?” devyn whined. “i’ll be the only girl here now.” you noticed sam snapped his head a bit rather quickly when you told them the information. “you’ll have tara arrive in a few, you’ll be fine dev.” you gave her a hug, waving to the others and walking to the door.

sam jogged slightly over to you, “are you sure you’re okay to drive? i’m sober and can easily take you home.” you waved him off, “i’m fine really. i only had a drink, barely. plus i’m out to go get daniel. that little piss of shit is already drunk and it isn’t even nine yet.”

sam huffed at that, “i seriously don’t know why you’re still with him.” your heart hammered at that. “we’re… high school sweethearts, sam. even if i ever wanted to leave him, we live in the same apartment.” sam chucked at that, “you can always stay at ours. i’m pretty sure colby wouldn’t mind, we both love you you know.”

you gave him a small smile. “and i really appreciate it, sam. i’ll text you when we arrive home safely. goodnight.” you gave him a side hug, and departed from the party. you walked to your car and put the destination into your phone and it was ten minutes away.

finally arriving there, it looked to be a sketchy apartment building. your face reeked of disgust by the way it looked, ‘must be a 2 star review. or maybe even lower..’ you shudder as you walked in.

your eyes locked to the lady at the front desk who gave you a weird look, “i’ve never seen you around this part of town. who are you here for?” she asked with a thick accent, you sighed. “my boyfriend.” you responded. she awe’d and went back to whatever the generation type of computer looking was on her desk.

you called daniel twice now, but he had declined. he finally sent you a message two minutes later with floor six and room number 665. you groaned, already knowing that it will smell of frat boys in the apartment and that you’ll have to drag daniel all the way down your car. thank goodness the front parking spot was not taken. as you reached the door, something felt odd.

there was no loud, banging music, and there wasn’t usual girls and guys making out in the corridor the party would be held at. you gulped, knocking on the door. you waited for a minute but no one seemed to be home— though you knew daniel was here since you saw his regular blazer out in the front laying dirty on the floor. ‘gross,’ you thought.

your heart hammered loudly enough for you to hear, and without even thinking you decided to slowly open the wooden brown old door in front of you and take a peek into the room. the hallway light was on and you then heard it. moans. daniel’s moans specifically, and a girls one at that too. it smelt disgusting as well with whatever was living in here. almost vomiting, you held it in together and walked towards the living room where the light was on and you could clearly see daniel getting fucked by two blonde complete naked women. and you snapped.

“what the FUCK,” you screamed. the three heads turn towards you, daniel’s mouth wide open as it was being used by a dildo toy from a women sticking it down his throat. “bb-baby,” he struggled to get out, his hand grabbing towards you. “do not EVER, call me baby. don’t even think for a second you can come back to me or the apartment either.”

you look at the two women who seemed to already be in their thirties, and you looked at them disgusted seeing how daniel was only 25. “we’re done. daniel, have a good life.” before you left, you looked around to see if he had the keys to the apartment and you spotted them scattered on the floor. you picked them up with your pinky, careful to try and not to touch it seeing as it was on the dirty nasty floor in the room with them.

as soon as you got into the lobby, the lady only looked at you and sighed. “i should’ve said it sooner baby, but this apartment is only used to for partners to cheat on their significant other’s and mostly— it’s usually threesomes that are in here.” she gave you a sympathetic look but you only looked at her in disgust, quickly leaving the place.

you got into your car, locking the doors seeing as it was now 10 a clock and you did not want any type of stranger trying to get into it. your eyes were blurry, and you didn’t even know if you could even drive back home let alone if you even wanted to go there.

then, you thought of sam. you bit your lip, contemplating if calling him up would be ruining the party for the others too. but you said ‘fuck it, i need him more than they need him.’ so you dialed in sam’s number, and after a second ring he answered. though you could barely hear him, seeing as the party got louder and music was blasting. “sam,” you hiccuped into the phone.

at the other end of the phone, sam’s eyes widen. he ignored the calls for his name, and rushed out to the window to where it was peaceful and quiet enough to hear you. “hey, hey are you okay? what happened? what did douche bag daniel do to you?” sam asked, bombarding you with questions.

you hiccuped even more, tears finally streaming down your face. “please pick me up, i don’t think i can drive right now at a time like this. i don’t feel safe here either.” you asked him, and even though he knew you didn’t see him, he nodded. “yes of course i’ll pick you up. i’ll get colby to drive his car and i’ll drive yours. where’s the address?” and you sent him the address as soon as he asked for it.

you sat there for a good ten minutes till you saw colby’s car pulling up. he parked next to you, and the two men got out. you were drenched in your own tears, shaking so little but they could still see you were a complete wreck. “i’m gonna fuck him up,” colby rolled his shoulder, walking up to the glass doors but sam immediately stopped him and signaled his head to you. “y-you don’t wanna go in there, trust me that place is nothing but filth.” you got out. your face not knowing what to chose, confusion, disgust, anger, sadness.

colby’s face held sympathy for you, giving you a big hug from the front. “alright. well tell me when you two go to your apartment—“ you cut him off there. “i was wondering if i could still attend the party? i don’t think i wanna go back..” you mumbled, your hand softly tugging on colby’s sleeve. he smiled, “of course you can come. and i’m gladly willingly to let you stay here too of course, in my room…” he wiggled his eyebrows, sam glared at him for that. “or sam’s! or sam’s… i guess.” he shrugged. he peaced the two of you out, getting into his car and driving back to their own apartment.

“i told you, colby wouldn’t have minded.” sam smiled at you. the two of you outside of the side door to your car. “thank you sam really, this means a lot to me.” you hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go. but a cough made you jump from it being so quiet outside at night. “the fuck are you doing with sam?” daniel slurred, staggering left and right. “i told you were done, daniel.” you glared at him. sam felt the tension and placed you behind him, his arm wrapped around your waist carefully. “please leave her alone.” sam spoke

daniel looked at him with wide eyes, “don’t tell me what to fucking do with my girlfriend,” he spat, another stagger towards sam. “get in the car,” he whispered into your ear. your eyes widen at when he told you that, but you listened nonetheless. “the fuck are you doing with her?!” daniel shouted, shoving sam. your eyes looked to daniel in horror when he tried to open your door, but sam of course sam pushed him back. “she’s not yours anymore, you fucked up.” sam shouted back, “and you known what? i’m glad you did. she never deserved you. you’re a fucking asshole!” sam shoved him all the way back to the doors and the last push had daniel flat to the floor.

“you’re a dead man when i get to you, samuel.” daniel sneered out, “you’ve done fucked up.” sam started off, “and i am so glad you did. now,” sam looked back at you who was looking through the windows down at them.

“i have her all to my self. and i will treat her so much more better than you ever have and ever will, she’s a queen and you and i both know that. but you fucked up.” sam pushed harshly onto daniel’s chest, his eyes glaring deep into daniel’s green ones. “she isn’t yours anymore.” sam sneered, walking away from the drunk man and getting into the car.

he huffed out, blowing his hair. “well tonight has been crazy.” you didn’t pay attention to him, more to daniel the way how he looked at sam as if he was the devil. you grinned slightly to sam, “what the hell did you say to him?” you laughed lightly.

sam side eyed you with a gaping smile, pulling out of the parking lot and driving back to his apartment “you don’t wanna know sweetheart.” at the mention of that nick name, your heart beat raced up and your cheeks were a bit red but you thanked it was late because if it wasn’t, sam definitely would’ve seen.

by the time you to got to sam and colby’s place, colby texted sam that he threw the party out for you. your heart ached, “you didn’t have to do that colby.” you said as you entered the kitchen where he was, already cleaning up the mess. “they’d be as confused to why you returned with tears down your face. i didn’t want them to bombared you with everything while you’re still trying to comprehend it all.” he smiled at you. you gave him a smile back, hugging him tightly.

“i don’t have any clothes to change to,” you spoke. you were in jeans and a silky sphageti silver top, so you felt uncomfortable in the outfit you picked tonight. “i got some clothes, go ahead and go take a shower if you want too,” sam ruffled your hair and you flipped him off, but thanked him and walked towards the shower.

after your nightly shower routine, you got out and called sam over. “i need underwear,” you breathed out awkwardly, embarrassment all over your face. sam’s face had reddened at that, “uh- uhm, well we don’t have any here… uh i can- hand you over some of my boxers?” he squeaked out. you chuckled nervously, “thanks sam. and a pair of tshirt and some basketball shorts maybe?” he nodded and left you, but came back a minute later. “here you go.” you thanked him once more and got dressed.

you walked out, dressed all in sam’s clothes and colby had spotted you. “wow, now look at that. sam is finally getting the girl,” your eyebrow raised. his face looked in horror as sam looked from behind him with a ‘she doesn’t know yet!’ look. “oh er— you know, kidding! kidding,” he laughed off. “i can help you clean,” you suggested. colby shrugged, “nah sam and i both got it. where are you sleeping by the way?” he asked you.

you totally forgot about that. “sam if you don’t mind…” you trailed off, your eyes towards his room. “of course! you can always use my room if you want. i’ll sleep in the living room.” your heart hammered. “oh! uhm, okay,” you gave him a small smile, then walked into his room.

colby looked at his best friend with a straight face. “dude. she clearly wanted you in there,” he spoke. sam looked at him, “it’s just—, i want to give her some time. as long as she needs. just because as soon as she’s off the market, doesn’t mean she probably wants to date just now.” he mumbled. “yeah but, you could at least comfort her more.” colby smirked. sam rolled his eyes at him, and flipped him off. “i’m gonna go talk to her,” sam spoke. “hey! you need to clean too.” sam waved him off once more.

he knocked slightly on his own white door, opening a crack. he saw you on his bed, comfy with your phone out. “sam,” you smiled. he smiled back. “hi,” he spoke. he closed the door behind him, and sat on his bed next to you. “you know you can sleep here too, it is your bed after all.” you said. sam’s eyes widen, “are you sure? i don’t wanna push you a bit overboard.” you giggled at that, “sam i’m inviting you too. this is YOUR bed.” and so he climbed, he was already in his pajamas and got comfy into the bed.

“i’m sorry about your ex.” he mumbled, playing with his thumbs. “it was bound to happen. he was getting rather annoying this past couple of months, and being such a dick to my friends, and especially to you more often. which i never got,” you scoffed. but you could feel the moment sam froze. “do you want to know what i said to him, when we were fighting?” he asked you.

you looked at him and nodded. “i’ve been thinking about that since we’ve got here.” sam took a deep breath and breathed. “we started fighting about you. i told him how he fucked up, you deserved better. that you are a queen, and he lost the only good queen he’d ever find in this life..” he mumbled, “and that i was glad he lost you.” you looked at him confused, and he looked at you right back.

“i was so glad to hear you finally had broken up with him, because ive liked you for too long.” sam breathed. your breathing came to a halt, shock was written all over your face. “it’s okay if you don’t wanna be a thing or a thing at this moment,” he reassured you. “or if you don’t even like me—“ he was cut off from you, when he felt lips on his.

his eyes widen at that, but soon closed softly. “we can take it slow.” you spoke after you broke the kiss, “please let’s take it both slow. daniel was my ever fist everything, seeing as he was my high school sweetheart. so sam, if you do wish to date me, i want to do it the right way with you.” sam nodded, his head softly placed on yours. “it’s okay if we cuddle though, tonight?” he asked sheepishly, you smiled brightly and giggled just a little bit, “i suppose it’s okay.”

and after a bit more talking, the two of you got into a cute night position. you as the little spoon, and sam as the big spoon, protecting you from anything that would happen.

A/N: it has been MONTHSS since i’ve uploaded a fic, but here is one that was requested! thanks to the one and only anon! tysm :) (even if it took two months because i felt unmotivated and a bit busy at the time)

[mangosrar]

Middle game.

chris sturniolo x fem reader.

an: just because it’s more than 1 part i decided to use a name rather than y/n. i hope y’all like her 🤍

warnings: suggestive, angst, idk read it or don’t.

more parts coming soon !!!

pt2 here ‘tough guy jasper’

Waking up, he saw her back. The small and shallow ups and downs of it, her breaths washing in and out of her body like the most tranquil ocean waves. Never had the dip of a spine been so beautiful. But then again, it was no surprise that she was the one to show him there was beauty in absolutely everything, even the small of a back of a girl you love, rhythmically moving up and down, keeping her body grounded to the bed so her dreams couldn’t lift her away. He traced his finger down the length of her spine, noticing the hairs on her back stand on end as he awoke each individual nerve. She nuzzled her face into the pillow, letting out a small hum. He drew his hand back, immediately missing the warm sparks she had sent through his finger, his hand, his entire body.

Turning over, she was faced with a sleepy Chris lying on his back. His hair was messy and his chest was bare. He looked so soft she couldn’t help but smile, running a hand down the side of his face and resting on his chest. She loved times like this, the event of the night before evident in the marks on his neck and chest, and probably her own, the warm sun shining softly through the window reflecting the mellow aptmnosphere. The only thing on her mind being Chris. And Jasper.

Jasper.

"FUCK" Her face fell and she shot up from her lying position to a sitting one, pulling the sheets up to cover her bare chest, snatching her phone off the night stand to see numerous missed calls from Jasper and many more unanswered texts.

It was now her turn to run a hand down the side of her own face as she sprung out of bed and desperately started getting dressed.

Chris on the other hand was not so panicked. "You know, if you just told your ass hat of a boyfriend i make you come more than he does, you wouldnt have to pull a muscle every time you get out of my bed." He was now lying on his side, head proped up by his arm. A smug lazy smirk on his face.

"Yeah well if you told youre bimbo of a girlfriend im on top of you more than she is, i wouldn’t be getting out of your bed." Buttoning up her jeans, she faced him with her head tilted, and a srcastic smile plastered on her face.

"We both know thats not true Victoria." He stated matter of factly. Her face grimiced at the use of her full name. "I hate when you called me that." Now pulling her shirt over her head.

Chris pulls himself out of bed and slowls pads his way over to where shes standing, stopping short just a few inches infront of her, one hand resting loosley on his hip. "What would you prefer me to call you? Baby, love, sweetheart, angel, mine? Theres plenty of options." His hands were now resting on her waist, pulling her closer to him, His face leaning down inches away from hers, his lips almost brushing against her own.

She knew the game he was playing, in the time her and Chris have been like this she had studdied him. He worked her meticulously, knowing what buttons to push and when to push them. She was small and delicate. A single gardenrose. He picked her from the earth and stripped her of her thorns and held her in his hands, ever so gently to avoid creasing her petals, ever so softly as to not wakening her stem. He displayed her on a vase and placed it on the main peace to be gazed upon. Admired. Never to be touched. Never to be spoiled. Sitting in the confined of her glass dome. Not a single petal out of place. The picture of perfection.

She wanted to give in so bad, and his sweatpants hanging dangerously low on his waist and the lack of a shirt were seriously gnawing away at her self control.

"Rue is fine." She snapped and pushed him away, grabbing her bag and phone before making a bee line to his bedroom door.

Chris huffed out a laugh through his nose, dropping his head and placing both hands on his hips. "Same time tonight?" His tongue poked at the inside of his cheek, that infuriating smirk still on his face.

"Dont count on it" Rue flung open his bedroom door and made her way to the front door of the house, not even turning back to look at him when she spoke.

"You know i will, sweetheart!" She heard him shout. She couldnt help but roll her eyes, Shaking her head from side to side in annoyance and dissapointment in her self. Chris and Rue hadn’t always been like this. Up until a few long few months ago, it was nothing but pure innocent freindship. Chris always says he dont remember how the pair came to have this complicated 'will they wont they' relationship, but Rue remembers every intricate detail of the breaking point. She remebers his face, his words, his tone, his hands. There was not one single thing she had missed and hadn’t stored away for later use.

February 2023

Neither of them were sure how they ended up in this situation. All that was intended was a smoke sesh after the two of them left a party and went back to his place, leaving their freinds to carry on drinking, but there she was on Chris’s lap, fighting the urge to rock her hips against his while he was confessing his undying love for her.

There was a heavy silence, and the distinct inpression of the walls felt like they were trembling at the tone of his voice.

“It’s kind of like chess. I like to think long before making decisions, I plan it out. But this isnt a matter of logic, quite honestly��� It’s like, I don’t know if I should take the risk and move my king out in the open field, or if I should hold him back and keep him protected. What if I can’t back out and I’m cornered and I lose?” Rue honeslty had no fucking clue what he was talking about, the poor girl was so faded, all she could focus on was his hands on her hips.

"I think its better to take the risk than to never know at all..." Her voice was so soft it ignited something within him, a fire only her body could snuff out.

And now 8 rocky and complicated months later, Chris still hadn’t taken the risk, he hasn’t moved his king out into the open feild, but...he might be cornered and he definitely can’t back out.

EEEEK POOKIES IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS !!!!!

i’m pretty sure there’s gonna be another 2 maybe 3 parts so stay tuned!!! love bee 🫶

@christinarowie332 @biimpanicking @sturniolostvrs @soursturniolo @urmyslxt @jcwrites-blog @sturnphilia @sssturniolofart @cupidtoast @lividnity @sukiwaterhousestan @kitaysworld @freshlovehacker @soursturniolo

[milksuu]

I’ve been on the Ezreal brainrot ever since I discovered Heartsteel. And my little brain has been scheming

How would a relationship with him work out if his partner is an idol too and they have to sneak out to have fun together??👀

(Btw, unrelated, but I love how you write, it’s super fun and easy to read)

Dirty Little Secret | (O1)

❥ prompt: Let's face it. You and Ezreal hardly have time for anything with your busy idol lives. Unfortunately, things get a bit messy after you first meet. Luckily, both of you share a secret hobby nobody knows about. And boy, does it come in handy. ❥ content/warnings: ecchi, drama bomb, forbidden romance ❥ characters/pairings: Heartsteel!ezreal x idol!f!reader , Heartsteel gang an: omggg tysvm anon! honestly, im so sorry but looks like your ask is getting a part two lmfao! guess i went overboard with my idea, and so, your actual req. will be fulfilled in the next part. i also blame all american rejects for my non-original title. thanks for understanding.

No one knew about Ezreal's secret hobby. When anyone asked where he was going with a black gym duffle bag, he gave everyone the same answer. "J-Just heading to the main studio to warm-up before you guys get there. Nothing else." Little did they know, that's not where he was going. Instead, he was heading to a photoshoot. A very specific kind: a cosplay photoshoot.

I mean, who wouldn't want to dress up as their favorite anime/manga character, superhero, or original fantasy creation? Even better, who wouldn't want to be photographed while doing it? Ezreal felt he could be anyone and anything. Adored with attention in more ways than one. Best part was, with so many cosplays to shift through, no one ever knew it was him. Except you did.

And that all happened because you went to that same photoshoot. It was a group event held in a public park, surrounded by retail shops. It was perfect for both slice of slice or nature-esque shots. It was by coincidence your character and Ezreal's character were canon together in the anime lore you were cosplaying. Which sparked you two being asked to pose romantically with one another, and pretend to be going in for a kiss.

You gave your consent and Ezreal tipped your chin up, his face mere inches away from yours. You squinted your eyes against his features and whispered. "You look kind of familiar." As if you had seen him walking around your workplace just the other day. Maybe somewhere else you frequented? You couldn't quite place a finger on it. Ezreal couldn't shake off the feeling either. He tilted your face another way for a different angle. He laughed nervously, whispering back. "That's funny. I'm pretty sure this is the first time we've met. Maybe we're at the same cosplay shoots a lot. And now we've just noticed each other."

You accepted the rational. Either way, you didn't want to press it, in case he flipped the coin around and started asking you personal questions. Cosplay and anonymity were one in the same for certain individuals—especially in your case.

After a couple more pictures, you parted ways. Ezreal felt his phone buzz. He checked his messages:

[Yone:] Where are you? You're late. I believe you said earlier you would be here before us to 'get in some extra practice'. [Yone:] Care to explain?

OH CRAP! Ezreal didn't realize how late the hour was. He'd been so distracted, he forgot to set his reminder. And now he was officially going to be late— or, well, late-er. Sweating bullets, Ezreal quickly let his fingers type:

[Ezreal:] i'm there! just in the bathroom. might be a while. lunch is kicking my butt. 😳🚽💩💩💩

[Yone:] Thank you for the TMI. Hurry up then.

Ezreal wiped at his brow. He was running on borrowed time. Yone was sure to find out if he wasn't back within the next fifteen minutes. Snatching his bag from the public lockers, he ran to the public restroom. To his utter surprise, there was a line for the men's restroom. Seriously!? That never happened. And it's not like he could waltz into the women's restroom (which, not surprisingly, also had a line). He went around, and found a private unisex bathroom.

VACANT

He flung himself inside, locked it, and striped away his cosplay. Something shifted in the corner of his eyes—it was you. And there you both were, standing in awkward positions down to your undergarments. You pointed at each other accusingly, and shouted at the same time; "I do know you!" You both recognized each other as idols; him being with Heartsteel, and you as a solo-artist. Even though brief, you two bumped into each other more than once at the company building.

"G-get out! I was here first." You blushed, taking your moon-wand and smacking him with it. "Ouch—it said vacant!" He cried out, trying to block your magical melee attacks. "It was your fault for not locking it. How was I supposed to know?"

"I really don't have time for this. Do whatever you want." You tossed your wand into your bag, fetching your skirt. You shot a narrowed look. "Just don't look over here, or else."

"Fine." Ezreal huffed, rubbing at his sore collar bone. "Don't look over here either."

With grumbles and protests, the two of you changed back to back. All the while, still bickering. He heard you struggling, turned over his shoulder, and found you trying to reach your back zipper. He sighed, helping you raise it to the back of your neck. You turned sharply. "I told you not to look but...thank you." You peeked down and noticed his pants weren't zipped up. You reached and returned the favor. He blushed, suddenly feeling self-conscious. He gulped. "Don't sweat it. Thanks for catching that for me."

A silent truce settled between the two of you as you finished dressing, and shared the mirror to freshen up. Ezreal realized you were also in a rush to get ot the studio as well. He called an Uber for the both of you. His phone buzzed and buzzed, blowing up with messages. He opened his group chat:

[Aphelios:] yone is pissed btw. rip ez. ☠️

[Kayn:] YEAAAA YONE'S GONNA GROUND YOU. 😈😈😈

[Sett:] Sorry, Ez. We tried to cover for ya'h. Hope you're alright. 😓

[K'Sante:] I'm sure he's fine. For now. Once Yone finds him, we may not see him again in one piece. hehe.

[Kayn:] HAHAHA HE'S SO SCREWED HAHAHAAAAA

[Sett:] Watch it, Kayn. Else im tellin' Yone you snuck out on the motorcycle last night.

[Apehlios:] i have footage from the house cam. 😏

[Kayn:] YOU GUYS BETTER NOT ISTFG 🤬🤬🤬

Ezreal sank down into the back seat. Kayn was right—he was so screwed. You watched his whirlwind of expressions from the side of your lashes. You couldn't help but feel bad for him. You were right on time for your schedule. And it was all too apparent he wasn't. You stared out the car window. It really was tough to balance certain things as an idol, and some were better at it than others.

When you both arrived at the Riot building, and walked passed the double swinging doors, there was definitely Hell to be paid. A bead of sweat ran Ezreal's temple. Finding Yone standing with his arms crossed, and looking down with a razor-sharp gaze.

"Is this why you were late?" Yone directed the comment towards you. Ezreal bit his bottom lip. Yone tapped his foot against the ground. "You have exactly five seconds, or I'm addressing your conduct with Alune. And if that happens, I promise, you won't like the result of our conversation."

He stumbled to get the proper words out. "No—I—it has nothing to do with her—I was just—"

"Ezreal did nothing wrong. I'm the one responsible for making him late." You stepped forward, garnering Yone's interrogative attention. "You see. I'm absolutely crazy in love with him." The whole lobby fell to dumbstruck silence. "I blackmailed him into going out with me today. I even went as far as to give him this hickey," you pulled down the top his shirt, revealing the bluish bruise against his clavicle from when you smacked him. "I took a picture of it. And told him if he didn't finish our date, I would tell all his precious fans he was taken. So...." you trailed off, unsure of what else to say. Ezreal's eyes were as wide as saucers from the blatant forgery of your lie.

Yone narrowed his gaze against you, as if trying to siphon the real truth. You only stared harder in return, solidifying your stance. Yone breathed out a tensive puff of air. "I'll be speaking to your manager then. Whoever it is, they'll be responsible for reprimanding you. In any case, don't you ever come near him again. Or else you won't have a career in this business—I'll make sure of that. Do you understand?" You paused, then gave a veiled smile. "Of course."

Before Ezreal could speak up again, Yone snapped a finger, pointing for Ezreal to head in the direction of the recording studio. He took a breath, as if wanting to say something—anything to you. But Yone spoke with a silent bite. "Don't make the rest of your team wait for you any longer." Ezreal nodded, bit the inside of his cheek, and walked away. About to turn into a hallway, he gave one last glance over his shoulder. Catching his stare, you placed a finger against your lips, before disappearing with Yone into an elevator.

And all Ezreal could think was: he really needed to see you again.

to be continued...

[kel-lance]

Team Bonding: JJK students x reader x sukuna Part 1

- TW: Dead dove dont read (DDDR) Minors do not interact (MDNI): SA, Physical Assault, DubCon, NonCon, Mindbreak, Public Humiliation, Multiple manipulation, RWORD, PTSD, a lot more.

- Premise: Characters are (18+) (Reader is 21) Jujutsu College au where things are the same but they found yuuji/He ate the finger at 18/+ the start of college.

- Yuuji “came back” after two months of “being dead” and you’re in charge of the training for today for the kyoto sister event.

- Sukuna switches with yuuji in this and chaos ensues :/

Edit: I reread this a month later and guys oh my god. i wrote these time patches of time, right after hitting the rig, and then blacking out after a few paragraphs im sorry ill actually write this time.

You were coming back from a mission that took about 2 weeks due to traveling and tracking down a spirit as the higher ups were testing your Light Manipulation. You know it was hard for everyone the death of one of the freshmen, now you look after Nobara with Megumi. 

You’re the only 3rd year and they all knew you loved your pride. Something about being the “oldest” (since the seniors are all granted weekly missions.), the authority that just made looking up at them, was just an excuse to point your nose up high, and only got depressed for a /day/ when you found out Kamo was 5 days older than you. 

You’re like an older sister or mom to them, with a few exceptions. The days were leading up to the Kyoto sisterhood school match, while everyone was meeting up to train, Gojo introduces Yuuji back to everyone. 

You’re all shocked to say the least. Gojo was acting normally the whole time, that bastard. “(Y/n)’s in charge of sparring today. I’ll come back later with Shoko in case Yuta’s too tired.” He teased at his baby cousin before he left. He was probably referencing to take it easy pn yuta, he probably beat his ass showing him a new technique.  

You ignored him yet again and started to pair everyone up. “Nobara and Yuta, Panda and Maki, Toge and Megumi,” leaving you with Yuuji. “We’ll take it slow zombie.” 

- Into the match you cursed, “Shit- he’s so durable.” But you loved that. You threw yourself back and used your fingers to catch and push yourself away from Yuuji’s next punch. “He’s a close range fighter, too.” You feel like you found your match in terms of adaptability. 

You fix your stance, both legs balances one in front of the other, knees bend, your body lowers and fingers and knees bent, ready at any time to change from offense to defense. You find his eyes again and don’t dare break contact as he’s fast. Faster than you, a blink could be worse than a misstep.

This was new as you always held yourself back from seriously harming your classmates. That pride doesn’t come from nowhere. Your favorite sparring partner is Todo, because he can get close and handle/not hold back punches. 

It felt like you were getting beaten with respect, not like what I want to do to my underclassmen. What good would they learn from losing a time from sitting in the infirmary so often? But this was different.

You felt like you were fighting Maki on drugs, or with cursed energy, and was face to face to Yuuji, as he pinned you down. He was almost like Todo, but you couldn’t read him since you just met.

“Where’s your pride now?” He had enough of your poking and prodding. No warm welcome, not even a nice reaction from his friends. But he knew it was serious to you, so out of respect, he’ll follow suite. He’ll show off what he learned in his training with Gojo. 

“Shut up Cannibal Corpse.” You teased back, smashing your forehead into the T of his face, hoping he’d be able to take it. 

He backs and stands up, hand covering his face. He stopped in a way to let you know he needed a second. Blood coming from his nose? Or his mouth?

“Oh shit, are you okay?” You stand up too, turning to yell for your medic. “Yuu-“ You’re thrown back by the scruff of your collar landing on your shoulder, butt and hands, scratching them. 

“Woah, dude, look I’m sorry,” You huff, rubbing your scraped skin as you slowly stood again. “I thought you could handle it.” You tried to ease the tension, coming close to him to see if he was alright.

He doesn’t look at you, but you feel an energy forming around him. You didn’t know what this could be, his cursed energy? Why does it feel so suffocating? 

“(Y/N)!” Megumi tries to get his shikigami to get you out of his proximity but they were slaughtered in a a blink of an eye. 

“What the hell was going on, where is the enemy?” You quickly looked up and down, about to grab Yuuji and run. 

But your face was cupped so hard your chin could’ve snapped. Pinkie was looking down at you with cold eyes. Why were you letting this happen? You were in charge, you’re the oldest. You don’t resist but give a look of what the fuck back to him. 

“Sukuna! Let her Go!” Megumi screamed. The other students semi surrounding you both.

“She’s so fun, though.” Yuuji cocks a smile, your brain still trying to make sense of what’s happening and who was really in danger here. You glare harder at him, knowing if you struggled, he would like it, and that it was cause you more pain. You couldn’t freak them out anymore, you’ve gotta get this under control. 

“Tell you what, since /I’m/ the oldest,” He gave your cheeks a squeeze. “I’ll take over this bonding sparring whatever ur stupid sensei said. Putting a woman in charge… ha! I’ll show you a type of bond you all can share.”

He tears off the front of your shirt, holding your body closer, but you still say nothing but feel hate for him. Trying to humiliate you in front of your classmates, like you’re not in your sports bra most of the time. It didn’t bother you that you were semi exposed, you knew you looked good, but what was the reason?

Everyone started to yell and tell him to stop, ignoring the embarrassing sight Sukuna tried to use. Of course they didn’t care about your body, they had to figure out a way to separate you both carefully. You turn to face your classmates.

“It’s okay guys, if he wanted me dead he would’ve killed me by now.” You shoot your eyes back and look glare into Sukuna’s eyes, not the same bright, round eyes you first saw before anything else. You look harder.

“Yuuji’s still in there somewhere.”

Sukuna laughs. “You guys misunderstand. I said I’m in charge,” His other arm that was holding your torso back starts to move down the curve of your body, stopping at your outer thigh and squeezing roughly. “Todays lesson is, endurance. This one here,” He holds you up by your neck, as you’re trying to use your upper body strength up get higher, to get some air but his wrists alone are strong enough for him to pick u up easily. “will stomach all I will give her.” 

He brings you back down, coughing for air as licks a tear from your cheek. He reverts his eyes back to your helpless friends. “Your part now is to endure, all the way til the end, then my game can start.” 

You honestly couldn’t care what he was talking about, you could take whatever ridiculous match he has set up but to involve your mates? it wasn’t a sense of pride anymore but of respect of your friends. You just met this prick, the only thing stopping you from beating his ass to hell is that you saw their reaction about his supposed death. You didn’t want to be the real reason this time, well could you?

If worse comes to worst, you should be fine. You could take a beating, you had no problem being fought by a special grade curses and even showing off before Gojo gets here. Once you get out of his grip you can get everyone to attack. You’re the only thing in the way though you wouldn’t mind being taken with him if it comes to it. how heroic would that date be.

“Interrupt at all, even think about it, and I will end them, you, then anyone else I can find after.” He says to no-one. The parasite everyone was so on edge about needed a moment to breathe?

He huffs for a second, you thought there was a light in his eyes as he tried to let you go. You soften your look when- “Ah ah ah.” Sukuna takes over again, pinning you back to him, his other hand clapping around your neck. “I said I’d end them, and then you all.” He repeats to Yuuji. “Just shut up, watch, and then I’ll go away. It’s so boring being cooped up in this brat all day.” In all this, Yuuji’s trying to fight back? He can see this? Was anyone going to tell you what the fuck was going on. “Id rather be in this one instead.” 

You felt the energies around you shrink down, though, agitated. It seems they knew about what was happening to Yuuji and seeing them scared like this wasn’t really a good sign for you. They can get scared of course, but all of them? Together like this? This was not how you wanted to traumatize them, what would they learn other than powerlessness?

“Let go already, you’ll leave a mark on my neck.” You choked out. 

“You don’t have the brains to worry about that after I’m done with you.”

You roll your eyes at him earning a slap. You fell the ground shake and your friends winced at the sound. “Fuck-“ You shot up from the ground holding your steering hot cheek, right before he kicks you back down, leaving you sprawled and confused at the assault. 

You haven’t been hit like that in years. Tears weld up in your eyes and you choke on a memory that’s created this boastful monster.

Sukuna frowned, “I thought you were tougher than that. Maybe this won’t be as fun as I thought. I knew I should’ve started with the short girl over there.” 

You spit at him. “Don’t touch her, I’ll fucking kill you.” You blink to clear your vision and suppress the overwhelming memory. You glare at him before finding Nobara’s eyes. If they were 2+ years younger than you, you’d joke that they’re just a kid, but Nobi, your new baby sister,Like hell you’d let anyone make her feel how you felt. She was tough like you, even tougher you thought, because of how different you were, but still ended up similar.

“Tell me have any of you tried her out yet?” 

You could only look out to see your friends gritting their teeth and weapons. Panda speaks up, “She’s our best fighter.” Hoping to lead away from this devious situation. You’ve already fought them all, and won. Is kuna trying to piss you off more? You ignore his assaults, the unfamiliar hands now controlling you. 

“That’s just perfect.” He pulls your hips to connect to his, and your heart stops. You can feel it.

You actually freeze this time. Is he actually going to do it? You’d rather be beaten half to death or even to death, but how hard he was behind you, it birthed a black hole in your stomach. 

Your body goes limp, unconsciously submitting to him, your eyes fall, not being able to look at anyone else. Will he be quick, will they fight for me? Is this what he really wants? Or is this just the start? 

He picks you up and drops you to your knees painfully, still holding onto your collar. “Don’t try to run unless u want all their heads stringed together.” He says to you. 

Everyone else watches, clutching each other or their weapons tighter, trying to think of a way, when they can go in, or if they even see when Gojo was coming back . 

Grabbing your chin and lifting it up, he looks down at you and smacks you again. Your ear is on fire. The strike of his finger felt like a whip onto the side of your face. He hits you again, then again, and again. 

You huff, picking yourself up slowly each time. If you didn’t, he’d step on your fingers, almost trying to grind the bones inside. 

Sukuna raises his hand as you stare down and with this one, he sends you to the feet of Toge, Yuta, and Panda. 

They look down at you, mixed feelings of guilt, anger, sorrow,. You speak to them through swelling cheeks, “Don’t worry you guys, I’ll be even stronger after this. Get ready cause next tim-”

Sukuna comes by and grabs you by the hair, dragging you to back to your original spot, tears and blood now messing up your face. 

“You look so stupid right now.” He sneers. “You should see yourself.”  At this point you were exhausted from holding yourself back from beating the shit out of him. 

“Everyone,” He raises his voice for an announcement. “take your phones out and take a picture from your favorite parts of the lesson, okay?” 

He tilts your head towards his, takes out Yuuji’’s phone from his pocket and snaps a picture of you both. *click*

[shattersstar]

Please use this as a free pass to write "admiring them from afar" with anyone you want :^)

the hellcat spangled shalalala

pairing: college!au jason todd x reader

prompt: blossoming romance - admiring them from afar

warning: harassment mention (in joking context)

a/n: more college basketball au bc i say so! seriously tho thank u for the request it worked out as a great free pass ☺️ this can be read as a stand-alone or taking place after drawstring. comments r appreciated and i hope y’all enjoy ! and expect another part soonish <3

—

shot at the night series.

—

when your judgment’s on the run, and you’re acting like a stranger cause you thought it looked fun.

The morning sun casted a milky glow, pouring in through the windows and lighting up the store as clouds moved on. Summer began to roll through, exams a thing of the past as Gotham hummed with warmth. You were going to the beach sometime next week, even if it was over a two hour drive away, you were beyond excited. It had been easy to forget all about school, despite the fact the summer term was coming up and you were taking a course. On top of working at a cafe during the week, the gas station on weekend mornings, and still unpacking your new place, you were surprisingly busy.

It was why you hadn’t really seen Jason. Or at least what you had told yourself. You two were in a confusing place, you both knew you liked each other, had worked through some things, but you wanted time. To figure out how genuine your feelings were or if they were just because Jason admitted to liking you. It was nice to be desired, to be sought after, but you didn’t want to string Jason along.

Even if Jason took forever to tell you how he felt and handled it like an ass, he didn’t deserve that.

No one did.

The thought made you sigh as you looked over the columns of scratch and lotto tickets. You had never bought one when you turned of age and always wished you did. It seemed fun, if a bit pointless. You were engrossed with the paper coated in gossamer film that glimmered in the sunlight when the bell above the door rang. You peered through your lashes at whoever came in, heart skipping a beat as the object of your affection breezed through like an early morning fantasy. Jason sent you a quick smile before ducking towards the fridges in the back and scanning through the drinks.

You watched his tall figure from where you perched behind the counter. Elbows resting on the plastic case holding the tickets that no longer occupied your attention. His broad shoulders rose and fell with a sigh, black waves brushing the back of his neck. He was in track pants that hung low on his hips, shirt partially tucked in and giving you a chance to take in how his waist curved and held muscle and fat you could only imagine the delicious sight of.

“You guys don’t have anymore Propel?” Jason called, looking over his shoulder.

You nearly fell over being caught staring, opting to scrunch your nose at the question. “Unfortunately not sir. They don’t sell well because, personally, those drinks are grossly sweet.” You said in your best customer service voice, a grin pulling at Jason’s mouth as he turned back to the fridge.

“Uh huh. Thank you for your input.”

“I live to serve.” You chimed, loud enough for him to hear over the hum of the fridges and the quiet playlist you had put on. Jason snorted from the distance, prompting you to steal another look at him before you busied yourself with refilling the lighter display, which you had abandoned in favour of zoning out earlier.

You had always told Jason you were tired and bored on shift, opening at 5am most weekends. It had become a habit during the school year for him to stop by, usually on a run, but today with a bag slung across his body, you were sure he was heading to the gym on campus. Off season practice you supposed.

You also realized it likely meant when Jason moved off campus, it was still nearby if he was able to stop by before heading to campus. That or he went out of his way to see you, which made your heart skip another beat. You looked back over to Jason at the sound of the fridge door closing, trying to keep your eyes low as you followed his footsteps. He walked up the furthest aisle than down the one closest to the register, lingering while you shifted behind the counter.

“Anything I can help you find?” You called, sweetly.

Jason shook his head no, looking over at you that crooked smile. “Nah, I don’t think you guys carry what I’m looking for.” He opened the energy drink he picked, taking a sip while you smiled in return.

“Yeah unfortunately we don’t carry steroids.” You shrugged. Jason nearly spat out his drink as he laughed, and you were unable to contain your giggles from behind your hand. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, picking up a bag of chips before turning towards the cash. Jason placed both his items on the counter and tossed a granola bar there after pursuing the treats that sat below the register for a minute.

“That’s all.” He said, while you pointed at the drink.

“In future, we ask customers wait till purchase before opening food or drink.” You said, the playful air in your voice still there.

“Oh give my apologies to the owner.” Jason remarked, while you scanned his items.

“Will do…its been a while since you came in. And you didn’t get a patty today.” You muttered, looking at the screen. You had become used to your early morning meetings, even if exams and everything that happened between you two had kept Jason away since the term ended. It didn’t make it hurt less, but it wasn’t because of him. You knew you were the one putting up distance when he finally opened up to you.

“You remember all your regulars that well?” Jason asked tentatively.

“Only the cute ones,” You said, tapping the screen before adding, “Like that redhead you used to come in with whose dropped dead gorgeous. You ever give out his name or number?” You teased, Jason was well aware you knew Roy and his number.

“What does he normally get again?” Jason countered, and you pulled your lip between your teeth as you met his gaze. You stayed silent before raising your hands in defeat, you knew when you lost your battles.

The computer beeped at you for taking too long, and you chuckled awkwardly before pressing a few buttons. You could feel his eyes taking in your side profile as he often did. You wondered how you didn’t know Jason’s true feelings before when you caught him admiring you so often. And worse, how could you think your feelings were anything, but genuine when every time Jason did something like that, your heart raced.

He was so beautiful and could have anyone, a sentiment you felt tenfold when you learned he played for the university’s basketball team, but Jason chose you. He looked at you and made you feel like no one else did and you had been foolish to deny that for so long.

“It’s 9.55.” You said, as he handed you cash.

“You can keep the change.” Jason said, shoving his snacks into his bag.

“I definitely don’t get paid enough so thanks.”

Jason hummed, fiddling with the lid on his drink, and despite the platform the counter sat on, he was still taller than you. You were almost eye level like this, but Jason still had to glance down as he spoke his next words. “You called me cute earlier.”

“Oh I did?” You played dumb and Jason’s jaw shifted, but you knew he wasn’t angry. The ease that normally flowered between you two took over your conversation as he nodded.

“Pretty sure.”

“Well if you wanna file a harassment claim, it’ll be with the owner you owe an apology too.”

“Maybe that makes us even.” Jason said, quiet.

“Maybe…or you could pick me up after my shift if you really wanna square things. I finish earlier today.” You said, gaze flickering between the lotto tickets and Jason’s face. A boyish grin took over his expression as genuine excitement seemed to fill him.

“Fuck yeah—I mean yeah, that’d be great. What time?” He reeled himself in while you toyed with his receipt.

“Noon instead of three.” Jason nodded, that wild glint in his eyes spelt trouble in the best way. He adjusted the strap on his shoulder and while distracted, you placed your palms flat on the counter and pushed yourself to his height. You pressed a quick kiss on Jason’s cheek before settling onto the stool behind you. Jason nearly dropped his bottle as he processed what you just did.

“See you later Jason, I’ll save you a patty if all the construction guys don’t get to them first.” You promised, as he headed towards the door, running his fingers through his hair and looking back at you with indiscernibility. It was shock and awe you supposed.

“See ya baby!” Jason called as he left, dazed tone and pet name threatened to set you on fire as a group of kids barrelled in and darted straight to the freezer. You paid no mind to their yells and counted the hours till Jason picked you up for your first date.

shalalala.

~

title/lyrics from the hellcat spangled shalalala by arctic monkeys

more reading: college/uni hcs + jason todd

[fl3shm4id3n]

𝕾𝖊𝖊𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝕳𝖊𝖑𝖕

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐤𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐧'𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩. 𝐒𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐠𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐲’𝐀𝐦𝐡𝐮𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐧.

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: ɴᴇᴛᴇʏᴀᴍ x ɢɴ! ɴᴀ'ᴠɪ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ x ᴀᴏ'ɴᴜɴɢ

Tw: Mentions of war, skypeople mentioned, fire, blood, mentions of na’vi sacrifices, mentions of cannibalism, the clan isn’t very friendly at first, mentions of death, Neteyam isn’t dead, mentions of titties out and about.

Author’s note: I didn’t know how to start with this, sorry if it feels rushed, I just didn’t know how to begin the story. I also used a translator for Yucaten, I’m sure if its accurate sentences, so don’t take it seriously. I tried to fit in things that you guys had commenting. This time for the songs, I’m not sure what kind of music I’ll be adding, I might add Korn or Rammstein . I am also trying to make this parts as long as possible, to give you guys more to read because, I feel as if I’m not writing enough. I hope you like the first part, leave a comment, I’d like to hear some feedback. 

P.s. Don’t worry, I’m still working on Fish Girl. Also thank you to everyone who has helped me! I really appreciate it. :)

Masterlist

A year has passed since the war, many had suffered the consequences. Now no one knew for sure if a war will happen again. So both Tonowari and Jakesully had had a discussion on forming an alliance with other clan. “It is our best option, we can’t risk this happening again, who knows if they’ll be back” Jake told the chief who was thinking, he knew of a clan that lived in the South but he wasn’t sure if they should seek for their help. 

“I know of a clan, they live in the South, but I must warn you, they’re not the friendliest” Tonowari told the other na’vi. Ronal then spoke “They’re also a female dominated clan, it would be best that I or Neytiri go to negotiate.” she said as she held her months old child close to her. “We have to at least try, if not them, we’ll try another one.” Jake said “Alright, we shall seek for their help, or like you said, we should at least try. It was settled then, both the male will try and negotiate with the clan from the South.

The next week, Ronal along with Ao’nung, Neteyam and Neytiri were on their way to the South, they thought it would be safe that they only took their eldest in case of anything. Neither Ronal and Neytiri wanted to leave but it was for the safety of their people. 

They had said their goodbyes to their families before leaving on their ilus and Neytiri on her Banshee, still sadden that they had to leave for who knows how long. The trip took a total of almost two weeks, the south was very far, until finally they got to the South. They arrived at an island with a huge volcano in the middle of the island. Once they got off their ilus they group began to walk into the jungle in search of the clan. They had their weapons in case of anything.

They had been walking for what felt hours, tired from their week long trip. Hoping to find the village soon. Until they had come across noises, the group got close towards the noise. Then they saw a group of women, this woman were different, they had pale white skin instead of blue, instead of stripped markings they had slightly darker dotted patterns, their eyes looked an amber or red color, and their hair was also a pale color. They were na’vi for sure, they also had different attire, some had their whole body covered while others displayed their chest out with no coverings of any kind. 

The group didn’t know how to approach them “How do we approach them?” Neteyam asked his mother who seemed to be thinking. “I’m not sure, should we make our selves present first” Neytiri suggested as Neteyam spoke “that’s the safest option, is best that we show them peace since we don’t know what they’re capable off” he said, all agreeing. 

Neytiri was the first one to step out, making the women stare at her, they looked at her with curiosity then they got their weapons and held them up, some even hissing at them if they stared a bit too much, they noticed their fangs were slightly longer and sharper, along with their finger nails, their nails were longer and sharper too. “I’m sorry to interrupt but, we ask you to take us to your leader” she said as now Ronal, Neteyam and Ao’nung stepped out. The woman had them surrounded, looking at them and seeing their different features. Both Neteyam and Ao’nung greeted them with the gesture of ‘I see you’. “Where are they from?” “What kind of Na’vi are they?” they asked among each other. 

One of the women, wearing only a skirt that was wrapped around her waist and went down to her calf came close. She didn’t have anything that covered her chest, she had blue and black paint on her face and chest, her hair was laying on her back. Neytiri was looking at her face, not wanting to show any kind of disrespect. “You wish to speak to our ahaw ?” she asked as Neytiri nodded. “Yes, we wish to speak to them” she said then the woman nodded and signaled them to follow her. As the group walked the woman followed. 

They walked for a little while until they got to their village, the village was bigger than they expected. Their was small houses everywhere, a small river in the middle in which boats were, most of the villagers their were women, children, and a few men, they had never seen such a place. The woman guided group towards a large stair case, into a platform. A small crowed formed around them, they looked just the women, they had pale skin and amber or red eyes. They looked at them, mumbling towards one another, the children near by looked amazed by the small group.

The woman stopped in the middle of the steps, then asked for someone to go get their ahaw, the group remained surrounded by the woman who lead them into the village, mean while the villagers that had surrounded them were trying to get a better look. “Who are they?” “Are they from the forest?”” “Why are their tales that way?” That’s what they heard until they saw three figures coming down what seemed a pyramid like building with a bunch of stairs, one of a older woman and two other figures following.

The older woman was wearing a dress that went from her chest to her ankles, the colors were of both red and orange. She had on white paint on her chest and arms with red lines on her hands and red surrounding her forehead to jawline. She wore what seemed to be a jade beaded web like neckless that went from her neck and down her shoulders. She also has a huge nose ring, big earrings, and lastly she wore a large feathered headdress, the feathers were the colors same colors as her attire. 

“Nicté, they requested your presence” the woman from before said then the woman who they assumed is the ahaw. “I see you” the woman did the gesture and they repeated it. “What is it that you seek? Why did has the forest and water na’vi come here?” she asked, making the crowd mumble amoung themselves, as Neytiri spoke. “We came to as for an Alliance with you.” she said, then Nicté smirked and laughed, others laughing with her. “You, Naytiri, have come to ask for help? Why is that? Has your mate been causing more trouble I assume?” she asked looking at the other na’vi. “The sky people, they might return at any time but we aren’t so sure when, we want to be prepared and we wish for your help.” She said making the ahaw to speak.

“And why should we help you? Wasn’t your mate  Toruk Makto?” She asked looking at Neytiri. This time it was Ronal who spoke. “Yes, he was, but we still need your help, the sky people may come back, and stronger than before, if we don’t do anything, they will take our home.” She said, now pleading. “Hm, I see, well if you want our help, you must learn like us. You must evolve like us, fight like us, ride like us, and learn the ways of fire and ash.” Nicté said giving her a closer look.

“We will, we will learn your ways” Ronal spoke, as the woman then had moment of thought. “Very well, y/n, Yolotli” she called out for two people, two younger na’vi came close. The na’vi looked just like their mother, but their eyes were a deep red. They wore a top that seamed to be made out of bones and beads that fitted their chest perfectly. For the bottom they wore a skirt made out of red feathers, leather with jade on the front of the leathers, the waist band had larger pieces of jade with some bones hanging onto down. They also had their calf and feet wrapped in dark leather. They also wore a jade neckless around their neck, they also had large jade earrings on both ears, a nose piece that was placed on the bridge of their nose, and four strings with jade beads that were on both nostrils of their. They also had some kind of painted markings on their face, and finally a similar crown like headpiece adorned with red feathers. Their hair wasn’t too long or short, it landed on her shoulder blades, and the ends were what seemed to be dyed a deep red.

The girl next to y/n, had eyes just like their sibling, she wore a brown leather top with tassels on the sides, with green colored beads that hanged on the bottom. She had on a black beaded hip scarf, she wore big jade earrings, her bottom lip was pierced with a small jade cylinder, on her brows she also had on two sets of jade jewelry, two strings of jade beaded strings on both her nostrils and her neck was adorned with loads of different sized jade necklaces. Her hair was down and long, it reached her mid back, she also had her ends colored red and she had the same face markings painted on her face. She didn’t have a headdress like her mother and y/n. She gave them a toothy smile “I see you” she said using the greeting gesture. 

“This are my twins, y/n and Yolotli,  they will be ones to teach your children”  Nicté said as the oldest na’vi spoke “ Ba'ale' na', Ba'axten K'a'abet in -” but mother why do I have to- they were cut off by their mother “ Mak a chi'ex, u jala'ach wíinik t'aan, teech k'a'abéet a ka'ansik ti' leti'ob, lelo' definitivo.” silence, the chief speaks, you are to teach them, that is final she said. Y/n rolled her eyes and hissed in anger, clearly frustrated by this, it was clear that she didn’t want that duty. “Y/n please take our guest and give them a home, they must be exhausted from their trip” Nicté told her child, y/n nodded and motioned them to follow them.

Y/n was guiding the group into the village, some villager kept eyeing them as the group walked down the path. The group noticed kids running around with torches lit with fire, some even had fire in their small hands, showing it off to who they assumed was their parents. Some villagers were giving them some nasty looks, as if they didn’t want them here for being different from them. Finally they got to their small home, y/n walked over to the small entrance of the home. It was big enough to fit four na’vi. “This will be were you’ll be staying” they said as the group walked in looking at the home. “If you do not like it, then you can leave” y/n said with an attitude and clearly angry, they reminded Neytiri of herself when she first met Jake. “No, its great, thank you very much” Neytiri said turning to the small party, y/n left them to get settled in.

After all of them had their rest, a girl known as Yolotli walked in holding a basket of what they assumed was food, y/n walked in after her with a big plate. “Good evening, I’ve brought you something to eat” she said as she placed the food on the table. She said as Ronal asked her. “You’re their sister?” she asked as Yolotli nodded. “Yes, well I hope you enjoy the food” she said with a smile and left. She had brought enough food for the four of them. They each got their own portion and ate, Yolotli had brought them corn, squash, some fruit and something called tamales, they were very spicy but everything was eaten, they had not eaten properly the whole week, only eating raw fish. 

“Tomorrow we’ll begin, get some sleep” y/n said as they got up and walked out of their home. Yolotli also got up from her spot “sorry about them” she said giving them an apologetic smile at the four. “I’ll see you all in the morning, I hope you all have a good sleep.” She said sweetly and left behind their sibling.

“I’m surprised that we’re alive, y/n looked like they wanted to skin us alive” Neteyam said as he laid on a hammock, still a bit shaken up by y/n. Ao’nung then spoke “yeah, I though the whole clan was going to kill us, they seemed... very intimidating” he admitted. Ronal then got their attention “here is what we’ll do, we will not cause any kind of trouble, we don’t know what they are capable of, we already have their help and we don’t want to loose it, and I doubt that any of you would want to be there next sacrifice.” She said to all them. They all nodded. Neytiri spoke again “Alright, go to bed” he said as they all laid down in their hammock.

Back at y/ns home, they were getting ready for bed, they had taken off their headdress, jewelry to sleep comfortably, they laid down on a cot next to Yolotli’s. Their sister was already laying down, ready to fall asleep. “y/n?” Yolotli said towards them “what is it?” they said closing their eyes. “What are your thoughts on them?” she asked as their sibling responded “I think they won’t make it, I doubt they’ll be able to master fire, they’ll be like babies learning how to walk” they said as Yolotli spoke again. “Give them a chance, I’m sure they can do it” she said as y/n just nodded, already dozing off. “Yeah, yeah whatever” they said as Yolotli got comfortable on her cot. “ Ma'alo'ob áak'ab” Goodnight she said to y/n who was already in deep slumber.

That morning, y/n and Yolotli came back to see how they were doing, they had brought them food like yesterday, but this time they had also brought some kind of stew. It was called menudo it was made out of Tarpirus stomach, again it was spicy, but very good. Yolotli seemed very nice while y/n didn’t seam to like being told what do you. It was clear when their mother told them to. They all sat down and Yolotli was talking about stuff that they did.

It was very different than what they did. They were also a very isolated clan, they did not like to be bothered by other clans, so they decided to move into South to stay away from every other clan. It was also obvious that it was female dominated clan, they did have males but the women were the ones in charge. When it came to children, majority of the time it were females that were born more than the males.

Every harvest they would na’vi sacrifices as a way to give back to Eywa who had given them a lot, so as a way to give back to the great mother, they gave back with blood. Sometimes they’d even eat the sacrifice as a way to nourish Eywa and seek guidance. Some sacrifices involved being thrown into the volcano or their hearts being taken out publicly, the practice seemed terrifying, but they saw this as an honorable way to go to Eywa. They had creatures called a  Nì’awve, which meant Fire, and the being is able to swim with its ridder in the lava of the volcano. When a bond was made with the creature, one could not burn with fire, but with lava, when it came to an amount of time being in the lava, then they’ll burn. They also spoke another tongue besides Na’vi, they spoke something called Yucatec, it was their own kind of language no other na’vi but them knew.

They also practice something called Polyamory, it was when one na’vi had more than one mate, didn’t matter if they either male or female, it was considered normal here. Yolotli had mentioned that Nicté has a female mate, if she wanted, she could have another or even more.

When they questioned about the twins birth, Yolotli had mentioned that their mothers had given Eywa a life, a sacrifice, in return, so that one of the females could carry a life of her own, but Eywa had been so generous to the Tsahìk and her mate, gifting them two lives in each of their womb at the same time, creating twins. Y/n being born first, and Yolotli second.

They had learned that Y/n will be the next Tsahìk, due to being the oldest, they had more responsibility than Yolotli. They were the opposite, they were like the sun and moon. Y/n being the sun showing firmness, strength and power, and Yolotli being the moon showing calmness, beauty, and nurturing. It made even more since that they were twins. 

“Now that you all know some history, this is where the fun begins” y/n said with a smirk on their face, showing them her sharp fangs, that smirk was of one of mischief and pure chaos.Both Neteyam and Ao’nung looked at each other a bit worried. “If anything happens to me, tell my family I love them” he whispered to Ao’nung who responded. “Same here” he said giving y/n and Yolotli a nervous smile.  Yolotli only smiled at them in the most kindess way possible. “I’ll be good fun though” she said, seeing the nervous expression the males faces.

Taglist: @Katelyn1234, @1witch-hybrid1, @luvlykrispy, @luvkeu, @ssc7514​, @spqce-buns​

[iztarshi]

Mirage TMNT and Ideological Violence (Part One)

This essay is going to be missing some things because I haven’t read or watched everything in the TMNT franchise. Most importantly, I haven’t read volumes three and four of Mirage, and I thought about putting this off until I had. Ultimately, though, I don’t think it’s going to matter. Mirage volumes three and four might have influenced TMNT 2012 or Rise, although I have my doubts, but TMNT 87 and 03 pre-date them. The influence that echoes down through the franchise comes almost entirely from volume 1 and that's what I want to focus on.

Mirage Volume 1 surprised me by having satisfying character arcs for both the turtles and Casey Jones that are also cohesive, centering around violence committed for ideals, the choice not to commit violence, and situations where violence is still necessary. Mirage is not entirely a deconstruction, it’s certainly not Watchmen, but it draws on some violent comics and bounces between parody, deconstruction, and simply playing it straight enough to enjoy the gore and grit. It’s having fun even at its most deconstructive and while I’m most interested in that deconstruction I don’t want to make it sound like this is a comic that’s trying to be taken seriously. I do think, however, that it manages to have themes and something real to say in the process.

I also want to cover TMNT 87, the 90’s Movie, TMNT 03, TMNT 12 and Rise of the TMNT and the ways in which these themes are not carried through the franchise even when they could be. But even just the essay about these themes in Mirage might take multiple posts.

-

The Turtles: the cycle of revenge and choosing to leave it

First up, the violence Mirage deconstructs and comments on is comic book violence, it's very familiar with its own genre and has things to say about it. This is especially the case with the arc focused on the Turtles themselves because the authors don't know anything about Japan. The Turtles are named after artists because Eastman and Laird didn't know enough Japanese names. So, um, we're going to be talking a lot about revenge and honour and cycles of revenge caused by a warrior code, and all of that has a lot more to do with how Western comics were using Japan at the time than it does with Japan. I'm not really qualified to answer questions about whether it was a bad idea to found a franchise on this (I love the franchise but it probably was a bad idea), and it certainly baked "being weird about Japan" into the franchise from the very start, but I do think I need to acknowledge it. And maybe apologise for not saying more about it in this essay.

That said, I'm going to move on to talking about the Turtles and their story.

I do rather love that Splinter's just straight up "kill a guy for me". You get used to the Splinters in later versions who are reluctant to get the Turtles involved in their beef with Shredder, but not this one.

Before giving them this task Splinter also tells them his backstory and I think it's important thematically that, unlike in later versions that follow roughly this backstory, the cycle of violence has already started cycling and it didn't start with Shredder. Shredder was not Hamato Yoshi's rival for Tang Shen, instead his older brother Nagi was. Shredder was seven when Yoshi killed his brother and we see him weeping on his brother's coffin. The Foot raised him to avenge his brother in a similar way to Splinter has raised the Turtles to avenge is master. Nor is Yoshi a good guy, particularly. He did kill Nagi to protect Tang Shen, but he was also an assassin. What ninjas are is not glossed over here. It's not about right and wrong, but only about the belief that you owe it to people you love to avenge them, a belief held by both sides.

The Turtles defeat Shredder and then prove that for them revenge is a matter of honour (and also that not knowing the difference between ninja and samurai has a long history in the franchise).

I think this is important because I was talking about ideological violence and for the Turtles this is a matter of ideology. In being raised as Splinter's sons they have taken on the responsibility of avenging Yoshi as a member of their clan. And here we see them act on that ideology without hesitation.

This comes back to bite them in the Farmhouse arc. Shredder's ressurection means that he is ultimately able to return to avenge himself. Leonardo nearly dies and the Turtles are left feeling vulnerable and defeated in the wake of this.

The Turtles stay at the farmhouse for almost exactly a year. Unlike later versions they don't really have a status quo this is disrupting. They lived in the sewers, which they weren't very happy about, until April offered them an apartment in her building. They lived there until her building was destroyed and they moved to the farmhouse and they stay in the farmhouse for most of the rest of volume one even after going back to New York to defeat Shredder. For them being driven out of New York is a personal loss, neither the world nor the civilian population is more at risk for them being somewhere else, and they don't have any particular duty to go back.

But Raphael can't accept that. He hates giving up after losing a fight, he feels it's wrong to accept defeat instead of avenging what was done to Leo, and he hates that Leo is more anxious and passive as a result of what was done to him. Raphael and Leo get into what may be the first ever Raph vs Leo fight in the franchise, Raph throws Leo through a wall and storms off to return to the city by himself if the others won't come. The others - as Raphael knew they would - follow him home rather than let him face danger by himself and he is able to force the confrontation with Shredder.

During the infiltration of the Foot headquarters Raphael breaks away again leaving the others in a fight with deformed Shredder-clones (which make more sense here than in 03 since Shredder was cloned to bring him back from the dead) to chase after Shredder. Leo follows, thinking furiously that Raph is ignoring that they were taught to stay together and watch each other's backs. This is Raph and Leo as a clash of personalities and ideologies, Splinter taught them both to stick together as a family and to see vengeance as honourable, now his sons take different tacks.

This time running off ahead works out badly for Raphael and he acknowledges this. He then sends Leonardo ahead to fight Shredder. What he sees as his error was taking a fight that was not his - as the most hurt the vengeance should be Leo's - as well as one he wasn't capable of winning.

This arc ends with Leo acknowledging Shredder's death as necessary to restore their honour before burning his body. Thanks to Raph's pushing he has decided to revert to the ideology of revenge Splinter taught them.

If the first defeat of Shredder was simple, the Turtles united in their task and with no doubts, this one is much more complicated. The question of whether they want to re-engage in a cycle of revenge that got their tails kicked hangs over them. It's not a matter of ending someone else's battle now and they don't all agree on what should be done.

As with Shredder's first death they assume they've put an end to things here once they finish "one final task" and as with the first death they have not. It will be a while before they reckon with the Foot clan and truly start to question the ideals Splinter taught them.

City at War begins with the turtles returning to New York. The remains of the Foot clan has gone to war with itself and, as Raph puts it "we cut off the head but the body's still kicking". For those familiar with this arc from 03 it might be surprising to learn that Raph is the one who feels responsible and wants to help clean up while Leo is unsure. This is partly because these are more lethal turtles. Previously they've been willing to kill the Foot clan, seeing them as Shredder's and therefore as part of the feud, while they hesitate to kill non-ninjas even when those people are domestic terrorists. Here, Leo does not want to try to kill an entire organisation and when challenged on whether that's what he wants Raph hesitates too.

The Turtles are at a loose end. They attempt to fight crime on a small scale - stopping muggers - in order to do some good without risking making things worse, but make little difference. When they do face the Foot their presence escalates the violence. They simply don't know what to do.

They face the fact that previously the things they've done have been for Splinter and they've turned to him when unsure. It's time for them to grow up and that means questioning the ideals he raised them with.

Karai offers them another option. She is the head of the Foot in Japan (and not Saki's daughter, since she has an adult daughter of her own she's almost certainly older than him) and even though she starts negotiations by blowing up the water tower the Turtles are staying in and taking Leo hostage she offers them a chance to make peace with the Foot clan.

(Ignore the incredibly skintight outfit. The way women are drawn in Mirage is beside the point right now.)

The cycle of vengeance could never end with them killing Shredder, but it can end here if they make peace with Karai.

I love Leo's line here, "I don't know if I can give him my life". Following Splinter's teaching would mean spending the rest of their lives in the cycle of vengeance that Leo wants to escape.

The Turtles do bring up other considerations. Raph and Don especially question whether it's all been about vengeance and whether they can make peace with an organisation that does the things the Foot does. But all the same, these Turtles have never been crime fighters in general. It has been about personal vengeance with the Foot.

It's not a non-violent solution. This is sort of important - as we'll see in Casey's story - Mirage does not really offer non-violent solutions. It's a matter of choosing what you're going to commit violence for and trying to limit its reach. Karai wants them to help her kill Shredder's elite force, which they do. Donatello in particular has to shoot one of the elite to save Karai. The Mirage TMNT hate guns and Don hates them in particular, he is required to inflict violence in a way he would never have chosen in order to save an ally and he is traumatised afterwards.

It ends with Karai returning to her duties in Japan, still bound to the needs of her clan as the Turtles no longer are, and wishing them well in their new life.

The Turtles have made decisions outside the ideology of violence and reprisal they were raised with and, at least for the end of this volume, they are free.

[itsgrimeytime]

Magnolia in May (Part Sixteen) || Rick Grimes (TWD) x Greene!f!reader Regency AU

Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15...

Taglist: @loliakeoghan23 @belaballs @curlycarley @queenie32 @mgparker

rick grimes taglist: @golden-hoax

AVAILABLE ON AO3

Inspiration (in honor of Speak Now Taylor's Version): Enchanted by Taylor Swift.

Summary: Your town was small, not the smallest you knew, but anyone of high fortune was the gossip of the week. Predictably, Richard Grimes was a thing of whispers -rumors of a search for marriage among the grassy hills. You weren't one to buy into town gossip, but something about him... just seemed a little too intriguing.

TWS: drama, crying, blood, injury, death mention, dueling mention, gun violence mention, unconscious mention, head injury, and marriage mention.

[[A/N: This gif has been under my radar for a while girlies. Epitome of this Rick Grimes on god. Y'all wanted some of Rick's thoughts, I present to you this creatively framed chapter. Love this so much, ly guys <333. Thanks for reading!!! ]]

Because -if you were to believe your eyes- Mr. Grimes held to his chest a deadly still, what you assumed to be, Mr. Walsh.

"Oh my god," you spoke, rather displaced -voice shaking and hands just the same, "-Mr. Grimes."

He startled, blue eyes flickering to you -unexpected, frantically tracing your features in the candlelight, "Ms. Greene? What are you-"

"Oh my lord," your Father interrupted, gathered by your side -voice rather serious, "-Richard, is he...?"

"No," he pulled his eyes from you, following your father as he was ushered inside, "-no. He's just unconscious. I... I knocked 'im unconscious."

"Okay, okay," Father spoke rather seriously, directing him, "-place him on the couch, I need to check him over. Y/N?"

"Yes?"

"Tend to Mr. Grimes's wounds, will ya?" he continued, "-I believe I taught you such things, yes?"

"You have," you answered -confident, "-well."

"Good," Father responded, before turning to the man, who now stood awkwardly by the couch -blue eyes kept dashing to him, "-Mr. Grimes, sit in the loveseat and allow her to care for you, please. I'm afraid I cannot tend to you both."

"'Course," he hummed -slowly, leaning into the chair, "-I trust her with my life, sir."

Lord, you were going to kill him.

"Do not speak of such things lightly," you criticized, leaning into his space -you scanned over his face, lit by your own candle now. (One of the ones scattered along the room for the evening.)

Just as you saw before he had a rather surface cut along his cheekbone -light but still enough to clean up, he seemed to breathe out a moment before responding.

"I apologize," he spoke -tired and perhaps a little off, "-I know not to treat such things as inconsequential to you."

"Good," you raised an eyebrow, slightly confused -this cut was not what you had expected, "-these. These wounds are not that of a gun. Did you not... Did you not duel?"

"It was intended," he spoke, rather breathlessly -eyes only portraying guilt, like he was asking for forgiveness, "-but I would not raise my gun."

"What? At a duel?"

He laughed, sort of airy -your eyes drifted to the wound on his head you tended to, "I found it to be ungentlemanly."

"That's ridiculous," you responded, quick with frustration, with anger "-what if he was to shoot you? What if he was to kill you with a shot?"

"He didn't," he spoke -almost as if he was reassuring you, "-I'm rather fortunate to know the man well enough that he wouldn't shoot me instantly."

"Instantly?" you countered, leaning back to match his eyes, "-Was he...?"

"Eventually, he held the gun up," Mr. Grimes recalled -eyes pulled from you and a sort of gloom held over the blue, "-I suppose I should've been scared, but I was close enough to move such a weapon to my advantage."

"You... You knocked him unconscious."

"Yes," he responded, eyes back on your own, reverent, "-I... Ever since you visited my estate, I couldn't... I couldn't think straight, I couldn't allow such a tiny thing to lose you."

Oh, you realized, such a heavy look -heavy with emotion, was for you. For you. He viewed you as divine as if you were the only being in his world.

"Mr. Grimes..."

"And upon arriving all I could think about was you and the children... I-" he seemed to center himself, before setting his gaze resolutely on yours, "-I could not do it. I could not... I couldn't lose you all. You must understand-"

"Mr. Grimes-"

"I did it for you," he continued, "-I took your word as a guide. You must know what such affections mean."

"Mr. Grimes, please," you breathed out, a slow cautious breath -betrayed by the tears in your eyes and the smile that ran across your lips, "-we will discuss such things later, yes? When you aren't bleeding?"

"Why?" he hummed, teasingly, "-Is such a settin' not romantic?"

"Mr. Grimes-" you retorted with a smile pulling at your lips -anxiety silenced for a mere second. It didn't last long.

"Alright," your Father interrupted, standing to his feet (from where he kneeled by the couch), "-I thoroughly believe Mr. Walsh to be stable. Such a wound will surely not be easy to deal with, but not impossible."

"So," you stood to attention at your Father's tone, "-he is to be alright?"

"For tonight," he addressed the room really, "-in the morning I shall bring him to the clinic. Early enough that maybe gossip won't arise, hopefully."

"Thank you, Dr. Greene," Mr. Grimes responded, a deep sorrow of noise of genuine emotion.

"My dear," your Father suddenly turned to you -pointedly, "-would you head to bed? I shall tend to his wounds myself from here."

You couldn't help yourself, "And he's alright then? He's not going to-"

"Ms. Greene," he soothed, "-I'm alright. Please, on my part, get some rest."

You merely shifted for a moment, eyes darting between the pair rather quickly. You weren't sure if you should believe them, but something tugged at your eyes -exhaustion, and you knew your father to be a terrific doctor. If there were any hands you'd trust to care for him, it would be his.

"Okay," you breathed out, "-okay, just. If something were to happen-"

"I would wake you up," Father spoke, thoughtfully, "-I know my track record is not one of good prospects, but I wish you to know I would tell you if things didn't stand well."

"Alright," you echoed out, slow and careful, "-thank you, Father. And Mr. Grimes-"

"Stay alive," he interrupted, eyes still heavy on your frame, "-I know, I will. I await the morning anxiously."

Something in you relaxed at his words, your shoulders slumping and your eyes rather heavy. Nightgown flowing in the space, you wiped at your eyes -much like a toddler would. You supposed suddenly you looked rather improper, perhaps maybe even childish. He had seen you in your nightgown-

"Goodnight," you spoke, rather rushed, and gathered yourself up the stairs -quick movements to hide the crimson rushing up your cheeks.

You suppose you hadn't really thought about just what they would talk about. And just how much it involved you.

"Dr. Greene," Mr. Grimes's voice echoed through the halls -you startled in your step, "-if you don't mind, there's something I'd like to discuss."

Father laughed, a sort of chuckle, despite the heavy sort of tension in your room, "Eager, are you not?"

"The most I believe I've ever been," Mr. Grimes spoke, earnestly.

You sunk to your feet against the wall -almost on instinct, and your heart bloomed in your chest. With a range of emotions bubbling, you felt suddenly rather speechless; you knew you should go to bed. It was rather rude to eavesdrop, you could practically hear the Headmistress now.

As if on cue, a door scraped open. You stilled as if the movement would showcase your improper behavior; instead, you realized it to be your room. Well, you and your sisters' room, you should clarify. On instinct, your hand flew to your mouth -shushing the figure cloaked in a rather eerie darkness.

Beth, you realized, as her figure was revealed in the swipe of a candle, blonde curls rather untamed but still even upon waking she remained beautiful. You could hardly speak for yourself.

She understood quickly, slinking to the wall beside you -her body warmth welcome in the rather thin nightgown you wore in the night. Beth gathered close to your side, whispering light and airy -barely a hiss along her lips.

"What's hap-"

Another voice interrupted her, one from downstairs: your Father.

"My apologies, Mr. Grimes," he spoke, "-such wounds will not be kind to clean. But, I await such a conversation eagerly."

"Your daughter," he responded, a sort of breathless tone, "-you must be well aware of my intentions. Despite... Despite everything."

"What of Mrs. Lori?" Father echoed, tone drawn rather seriously, "-You are technically married, are you not?"

Beth stilled by your side, bright blue eyes widening with a sort of shock you hadn't seen in some time, "Should you be listening to such a conversation?"

"I already am," you responded pointedly -you were sure she understood such a dilemma, "-and I'm not leaving now."

"Not..." Mr. Grimes echoed, "-Not technically. Upon her first departure, I fully intended to send her such paperwork. She merely didn't sign it. Until..."

"Until?"

"The day of her return, she..." he continued, rather in disbelief, "-she spoke to Ms. Greene, and asked me of my intentions with herself. She seemed as though if I had any, she was going to convince me otherwise."

Father seemed to pause for a moment, digesting, "She signed them then, after... after meeting her."

"'She loves you, you know,'" Mr. Grimes seemed to quote, before laughing in a sort of disbelief, "-and she told me of their conversation. And I... I was suddenly confronted with a life without her."

Your breath halted in your chest, tears gathering behind your eyes. Beth noticed, and in the dark, she intertwined her fingers with yours -leaning her head upon your shoulder.

"I..." Father sighed, "-I apologize for the confusion, it was a call I should've disputed. I just, it seemed the best for the time."

"I understand, Dr. Greene," he echoed, tone rather a happy sort of infliction, "-it's all much forgiven. I could 'ave no such problem with her family, and if Judith... if she was in such a situation, I'm not sure I'd act any different."

"So," your Father sighed, heavily as if a burden was lifted, "-you truly love her."

"Beyond comprehension," Mr. Grimes said -wistfully.

You wiped at your eyes, as Beth carefully squeezed your hand -despite that you heard such a sniffle on her part. She stood strong for you.

"And you wish to, what?" Father echoed, it was a tone you only heard when he spoke of work -serious and direct, "-Court her? Ask for her hand?"

Your breath slinked through your teeth, held in your chest like a balloon ready to pop. A sort of tension slinking over yourself, a wonderous sort of emotion bubbling in your throat, but you held it back -remaining silent.

"Both, eventually," he responded, "-but I find my courting has been entirely lacking as it stands, so I'd like to start there. If you wish me to."

Father was silent, and your heartbeats felt so loud that your ribcage shook -so loud that it felt that such a noise would give you away. Beth stilled herself, her head laid upon your shoulder entirely static, and her breaths suddenly regarded as indefinite.

"You must speak to the Headmistress in the morning, but-" Father tilted, a sort of mixed tone shaking with his words -bittersweet, "-I believe your intentions are pure, and I'd be happy to support my daughter's happiness... Which you so obviously are a part of."

"Dr. Greene-"

Your heartbeat was so frequent in your chest then, as a sob slipped from your lips, covered with your hand and lips upturned into a smile. Beth was in the same sort of boat, grabbing your hand tightly, blue eyes matching yours with a sort of spark that made your heart leap in a way of excitement.

"He wishes to marry me, truly," you echoed -light.

"Mr. Grimes, you have my permission," he reiterated, a little choked up, "-fully. I know fully well you're capable of giving her the happiness she so desires."

"He wants to marry me," you repeated, as a giggle slipped through your lips, "-to court me and wed me."

"You must promise, though," Father continued, "-such issues should be solved promptly now. I wish no longer to see her cry, especially at your own hand."

"I promise," Mr. Grimes responded, so devoted it was as if he was reciting a prayer, "-I promise."

Hands over your heart, you let out a long breath -flushed cheeks and heart beating out of your chest. Beth matched your composure, her blue eyes watery, and mouth covered by her hand.

Within the next few seconds, she wrapped you into a hug -warm and soft, just as she was, "Congratulations, sister."

Congratulations, indeed.

Even the scream of Headmistress, early the next morning upon seeing Mr. Grimes lying on her couch without explanation, couldn't bring your brain from the high it had reached.

[uraveragelonelyhuman]

Lovingly throwing your Arcane S/O over your shoulder

                               VI

You both were arguing about how much she comes back home scuffed up

It always was yelling matches, she got loud very quickly as you just tried to get your point across

She was adamant she won and always said 'you should see the other guy'

Quite a annoying

And then the next part was she would storm out

Going to go get air as you waited for her to come back or go to sleep to talk about it in the morning

But that wasn't the case this time

    "Oh my god," Vi groaned, running her hand down her face as you sighed. You then saw her begin to walk towards the door, you assumed to grab her jacket. "What the hell now?" You asked, tired of it all and quite frankly annoyed.

"Leaving. I'll be back." She stated, brushing past you. She would always say she would be back, just for you and herself to know she wasn't gonna stay gone.        

"You can't run away." You scoffed, the woman staying silent as she grabbed her jacket and put it on. That's when you walked towards her.

Once she set her hand on the door handle she felt you grab her arm and turn her towards you. "What-" she was cut off by you throwing her over your shoulder.

"W-what the?! Oh." She said, falling silent as you tossed her on the couch. "No, enough with the fucking leaving."

She stared at you, her eyes wide with an unfamiliar facial expression. "Why are you looking at me like that?" You asked, your anger slowly leaving as you looked back at her confused.

"I didn't know you were that strong…" she trailed off quietly, this whole time was a lie?! You're strong as hell but you let her carry your stuff when merely walking around?!

She then started laughing. "Damn babe!" She smiled, you began to laugh along with her.

"Why didn't you tell me?! Last week you made me carry Jericho's takeout!"

"That's because I didn't want to."

"I love you so goddamn much."

                           CAITLYN

You were arguing about how she wanted to prove herself so much and with the case she was investigating

You thought it was dangerous as she merely brushed it off

She was so sure she just needed to crack the case and she would be respected amongst her coworkers

Or how you put it "The asshole squad"

You didn't get how she wanted to be respected amongst those group of assholes

Who barely even held their jobs

And with the case she got so deep into it

Losing sleep and not wanting much to do with anything else

And you were so tired

"Seriously Cait, why?" You asked, sitting up from the bed and looking at her as she connected a red string across the pictures on the ground.

"I just need a few more minutes, love." She didn't look up at you, standing up as she looked over the whole map again for what seemed like the millionth time.

"We have stuff to do tomorrow, you're gonna be tired." You state as she didn't answer, you snuck a glance at the digital clock on the bedside table.

2:13 AM, it read. You groaned before standing out of the bed, walking over to her and standing beside her. That was when she finally looked at you, only for a moment though before you threw her over your shoulder.

She yelped, startled and slightly scared you would drop you. "What are you doing?" She asked. "Going to sleep." You answered, with your back to the bed as you dropped her off your shoulders.

You turned around. "I didn't know you were strong enough to hold me. Much less on your shoulders." She said, utterly confused as you yawned. 

"Pay attention next time. Sleepy time." You waved her off, climbing under the blanket and pulling her down with you. She laughed, shaking her head at you before settling into the bed.

She was for sure going to know have to find a way to stop you from picking her up now…probably gonna use it against her if she doesn't.

                                JINX

She wanted to use her bombs and blow up a girl who flirted with you at the last drop

She had left for a few minutes and when she came back and saw the girl who would not take a hint

She said blowing her up was the only way

But you didn't want that, you were sorta against her blowing up people

Y'know she wouldn't hurt you, but you were against her hurting others for small inconvenience

You dealt with it, got the girl to go away as Jinx glared at her over your shoulder

But she said it wasn't enough

That she would "Come back"

You knew why she didn't want to worry about her, you got it but you wouldnt let it happen

But she was so adamant on it

You had no choice

But could you blame yourself?!

The girl has a very…short fuse and she simply had a new bomb to test out

"I'm gonna go! You can't stop me!" She yelled, getting her bombs as you sighed. 

"You can't use bombs as an answer all the time." You reminded, the girl waving you off over her shoulder as she smiled when she pulled out a new bomb she had been working on.

"Liar! And this is a perfect opportunity to test out John-John!" She laughed, her bag with her bombs thrown over her shoulder as she went to skip past you.

You had to think quickly, so you grabbed the bag over her shoulder. "Hey!" She said, looking at you before you threw her over your shoulder.

"Nope. Not today, not ever." You said, bag in your hand as you supported her with your other and walked back to her desk. "Ooh! I didn't know you were strong!" She giggled, poking your arm as she kicked her feet.

"You're light anyways," you shrugged, dropping the bag and taking her off your shoulders. You held her in your arms as she acted as if this was a sort of carnival game and kept laughing.

You then put her on her small work chair. "Enough with the bombs. You're gonna need to find a new solution one day." You looked down at her, the girl tilting her head back as she groaned.

"But the other options are so boring!" 

"Fine, then at least not for the girl at the bar." She thought about it for a moment, humming as she slumped over her desk. She then smirked, looking up at you.

"Fineee," she dragged out the word, you sighing before looking down at her as she held her arm up. "Only if you carry me!"

You laughed, shaking your head before tossing her back over your shoulder as she squealed with delightment.

From that day on she always made you carry her, she didn't care how as long as her feet were off the ground.

                            EKKO

You had a small disagreement about you going on a firelight mission

The last one went south and as you had to help another firelight a beam from above you

You were fine, except for small cuts and narrowly avoiding the beam

But Ekko was terrified

He realized in that moment that if the beam had fallen on you, he would've lost you

So he said you should sit this one out

But you didn't want to

You were tired of sitting around and wanted to help

But he couldn't bring himself to put you in danger after the beam

"I'll be fine, Ekko." You state, the boy shaking his head as you collected your mask. "You have to sit this one out. At Least just for a little while." He argued, turning back to him.

"Your idea of sitting out is atleast a couple weeks. I'm not doing that." You shook your head, the boy sighing.

"You can't go, Y/n. That's final." He stated, standing in front of the door as you slowly turned to him.

"That's final? That's funny." You laughed, Ekko deflating. He never did win arguments with you. "Okay, move. We gotta head out soon." You said, walking to the door but stopping as he didn't move.

"Come on, Ekko." You groaned. "No, you have to stay, Y/n." You looked at him with a raised eye brow before sighing. You didn't want it to come to this. Ekko looked at you confused before you swiftly tossed him over your shoulder and began walking to the bed.

"Hey! Put me down!" He said, you granting his wish as you dropped him on the bed and quickly headed towards the door. As you walked out he sat on the bed for a minute, thinking about what just happened.

Have you been that strong this whole time? Without him knowing? Uh…what?!

He quickly stood off the bed, grabbing his mask on the way out as he ran after you.

"Hey?! What the hell was that?" He asked, catching up to you as you looked up at him confused. "What was what?" You asked, stopping your walk as he looked between you and the room you both just came out of.

When you put it together you laughed, patting his cheek before throwing down your hoverboard and stepping on it, guiding it to take you down the tree.

He stood there frozen for a moment, thinking if he liked it or not. Because in a way he did, but how the hell did he not how about how strong you were?! You certainly didn't look strong like that!

He stood there like a statue for a good few minutes before snapping out of it as you yelled at him from the bottom of the tree to hurry up.

[ladykailitha]

Little Runaway Part 7

Oh my god you guys, seriously you all are amazing. I am really loving the reactions to this story. There is just one more part to go and it’s a sweet little epilogue. This is the showdown. The moment you’ve all been waiting for.

Also if you asked to be tagged after the limit of twenty, I’m sorry. I have the limit for a reason. I’m not doing it because I’m being elitist or whatever, my poor little ADHD brain starts getting frustrated and wanting to cry just doing the 20 I’ve got, but I do it because it makes me happy people want to be informed the next time a part goes up. I don’t know how people with dozens do it.

Plus tagging adds more time putting up the parts. Something that would take five minutes on AO3 (because they keep track of all the chapters for you) could take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on how many parts there are, and how many have been put up (I go and crosslink on EVERY part to make sure if a part in the middle gets found in the wild all by its lonesome the person can read the previous and subsequent parts). Add tagging to that and you can see the time starts to really add up. 

Again thank you for all the love and support this little story has gotten. The last part will be up tonight after I eat dinner and then (cold permitting) I’ll put up the first part of Ser Stephan of Harring’s Town before I go to bed.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

*

Eddie walked into the police station and right up to Hopper’s desk. He leaned on it with both hands and stared directly into Hopper’s eyes.

“I need you to arrest me,” he bit out. “Now.”

“What the hell?” Hopper asked, leaning back in his chair.

“Mr Harrington knows I know where Steve is,” he breathed. “I can’t let him get to me to get to Steve. If you need a reason, I have two baggies of weed in my jacket pocket. Please. I don’t want to see him get hurt.”

Hopper gulped. “Well there is a rumor you kidnapped him, so...”

Eddie nodded and held out his hands together at the wrist. “Save him, please.”

*

Steve was sitting on the sofa reading when Wayne came home from work.

“Where’s Eddie?” he asked on his way to the fridge.

Steve shrugged. “He just said he had errands to run.”

Wayne came back with two beers and handed one to Steve. Steve swung his feet off the sofa to let Wayne sit down. Steve set the book down and popped the lid off his bottle and then did the same for Wayne’s when the older man raised an eyebrow.

“Neat trick,” Wayne said, taking a swig.

Steve shrugged. “Turns out years of baseball, basketball, and swimming make you a strong person. I don’t do those things anymore, but I keep working out to keep that strength up.”

“That how you were able to break Clint’s nose?” Wayne asked.

“Yeah,” Steve murmured. “I didn’t mean to, I don’t know how much to hold back when punching, because when I hit most of the time there is no holding back.”

“What have you got to be hitting that needs to be hit that hard, boy?” he asked.

Steve’s shoulders slumped. “I can’t tell you. I can get into a lot of trouble if I tell people. The only ones that know are the ones that have seen it for themselves. But I have seen things that have made grown men shit their pants. I have been hunted by things that would haunt the nightmares of the hardest of souls. I have been actually tortured and drugged. And yet face to face with my own father and I chickened out like a bitch.”

Wayne stared at the boy that should have had the dream life. Rich parents, everything he could have asked for. But instead nothing but heartache and loss for this kid. Because despite Steve almost being twenty, he was still a kid.

He put his hand on Steve’s shoulder and was about to say something when the phone rang. He frowned and got up to answer it.

As he said hello, a curly haired teenager in a trucker hat came barreling through his front door.

“Steve!” Dustin yelled. “Someone at Hellfire snitched and your dad is on his way here.”

Steve worked to calm Dustin while Wayne listened to the other person on the other end of the line, making the appropriate noises. Then he hung up.

“You must be Dustin,” Wayne said coming back over to the sofa.

Dustin looked over at Wayne as if he was seeing him for the first time. “Oh. Yeah. Um...sorry. For barging in like that, but I really needed to see Steve.”

Wayne chuckled. “Don’t worry, your friend here is going to be just fine.” He cocked his head to the side. “How did you get here so fast? I just barely got the call myself what was going down.”

“My mom drove me,” Dustin said, staring at the floor.

“Claudia is here?” Wayne asked. Dustin nodded. “Good. The more the merrier.” He turned to Steve. “Under the sink, behind the Draino is your bag. It’ll be up to you to decide what you want to do with it.”

Steve nodded.

Wayne walked outside.

There standing in a semi-circle was Claudia Henderson, Joyce Byers, and Sheriff Jim Hopper. Standing off to the side, was Eddie who was hugging his ribs. Wayne joined the semi-circle just as Clint Harrington pulled up to the trailer park and got out of his car.

“Sheriff!” Clint yelled. “I want that man arrested for kidnapping my son!” He pointed angrily at Eddie, who looked down.

“I don’t know about that,” Wayne said. “Hey, Steve! You being held against your will?”

Dustin and Steve came out of the trailer slowly, the backpack slung over one shoulder.

“No, sir,” Steve said, looking his father in the eye. “I am not.”

“Liar!” Clint bellowed. “Don’t you be believing a word out of his mouth. He’s been brainwashed.”

“No I haven’t,” Steve said, feeling a little bit more bold knowing he had people who would protect him.

“You leave that boy alone,” Joyce said. “He’s gone through enough.”

Claudia crossed her arms. “Agreed.”

“You better get out of my way,” Clint growled.

Hopped pulled out a piece of paper and held it up. “This here is a warrant for your arrest for the assault of Steven Harrington.”

Clint laughed. “You can’t prove a god damn thing.”

“Actually we can,” Hopper continued. “Steve was smart enough to take pictures after your little tussle and the bruises will match up with your ring.”

Clint went to work it off his finger, but Wayne stepped up to stop him. “I think I’ll be taking that for the Sheriff if you don’t mind.”

Clint growled, but handed it over. He walked back over to Hopper who was holding a baggy for Wayne to drop it into. Hopper sealed the bag and stuck it in his pocket.

“What do you say, Steve?” Hopper called over his shoulder. “Should we lock up this bastard and throw away the key?”

Steve held out his hand to Eddie. Eddie looked at it, unsure and then came over to take it. Steve pressed his forehead to Eddie’s. “What do you think I should do?”

Eddie cupped Steve’s face with his free hand. “You know what to do. You’re a good person, Steve. Do what feels right.”

“You fag, get away from my son!” Clint shouted. He tried to push past the four adults, but they closed ranks and wouldn’t let him through.

Steve breathed in.

“You’ve got this, baby,” Eddie assured him.

Steve nodded. He stepped away from Eddie and tossed the backpack at his dad. “Everything you want is in there. Just take it and leave. Know this. If I or any of my friends see you in Hawkins ever again, the Sheriff will arrest you.”

Hopper grinned. “I like that plan.”

“I’ll cut you off!” Clint snarled. “You’ll be penniless and homeless without me, you ingrate!”

Steve laughed. “I could stay at any number of these fine people’s houses and be welcome for as long as I needed. And as for penniless? I’ve already got a job lined up that I think will make me very happy. And maybe if I’m lucky, a boy who loves me.” He turned to Eddie, who was blushing deep.

Wayne chuckled. “You heard the man, Clint. Get the hell out of Dodge and stay the fuck away from my boys.”

Clint growled and stalked off to his car, the tires peeling out on the gravel as he tore out of the trailer pack as if the hounds of hell were on his tail.

Steve shook his head. “Doesn’t he know that’s bad for his tires?”

Everyone turned to look at Steve in shock and amazement before bursting into laughter.

Claudia took Dustin home and Hopper took Joyce, leaving Steve with the Munsons.

“Is it over?” Eddie asked.

“I’d give Clint a couple days to clear out,” Wayne said. “But yeah. I think it’s over.”

“Does this mean I can stay?” Steve asked, looking up through his lashes.

Wayne rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I was thinking of upgrading to a double wide with two bedrooms. I think we could just about afford it if you help pay rent.”

Steve lit up and turned to Eddie. “You hear that? You’re stuck with me now.”

Eddie smiled and leaned in. “I think it’s the other way round. You’re stuck here with me.”

Steve smiled softly. “And I couldn’t be happier.”

Epilogue

Tag List: @tauntedperfume  @marivictal @eddiemunsonswife @namelessssho @dbquills @goodolefashionedloverboi @steve-the-hairrington @sadcanadianwinter @yearningagain @books-are-my-life-since-1996 @swimmingbirdrunningrock @homohomohoe @knightofthieves @flusteredcas @moonage-daydreaming @goblin-eddie @marvelousforlife @silversnaffles @satan-is-obsessed @yikes-a-bee

[queen-of-writing-bad-things]

Henry Danger Reader Insert | Captain Man x Reader: SEASON 1

Episode 13: Spoiler Alert

~Henry's house~

Henry, Jasper and Charlotte had all gathered at Henry's house to watch their favourite show. They stared intensely at the TV screen as sirens and shouts blared out from the speakers. A gunshot fired, making them all jump back in fright. A scene where a car crashed and a machine gun fired made them wince for the characters that were onscreen. However, they all giggled when a guy was killed.

"AHHH!" A man growled on the monitor suddenly, giving them all a huge scare. Jasper jumped on Charlotte as they all screamed.

"Get off." She deadpanned, not thinking that it was that scary. Jasper decided that Henry would be a better person to hold onto as the zombies groaned on the TV.

"Piper, please keep it down in there!" Henry managed to say on Jasper's head whenPiper began rattling around in the kitchen.

"Don't tell me how to live my life." She sassed him, so Henry shrugged Jasper off and continued to watch the TV show.

"That show is intense." Henry looked at the other two teens, his adrenaline still high. He had switched off the programme once it had finished.

"My heart's all cramped up," Charlotte said, massaging the part of her chest over the organ. 

"I'm sweating...more than usual," Jasper told them as he rubbed his fingers together. 

"Use your rag." Henry reminded him.

"Oh yeah, my rag." The curly-haired boy pulled a cloth from his pocket and began to wipe his hands dry.

"Seriously, you guys, that was, like, the best episode ever," Henry told them, and they both agreed. After all, who doesn't like an adrenaline-inducing, zombie-filled thriller?

"Oh yeah."

"Totally. But I'm so sad." Jasper said as he tucked his rag back into his pocket.

"Why?" Charlotte asked him.

"Only one more episode left of Walking Orange. And...I don't want it to end." The boy answered emotionally.

"Are you crying?" The girl next to him asked, not believing that he was crying over a TV show.

"No, my eyes are just sweating." Jasper quickly lied, walking away from the couch so they wouldn't see him cry.

"Rag." Henry reminded him again.

"Oh yeah, my rag." He took the material out and used it to dry his eyes.

"Hey, I read online that next week's episode is going to--" Charlotte began to say, but the boys shouted over her, not wanting to hear any spoilers. They each picked a cushion and pushed her into the couch to shut her up.

Please, don't tell us anything about the series finale." 

"Don't spoil it!"They pleaded and released her from the soft prison.

"I was just gonna say that after the series finale, they're gonna rerun the first episode." Charlotte held her hands up to shield herself from the cushions.

"Ohhhh..." The boys said together.

"So you can put the pillows down." Charlotte hissed at them and made them drop the pillows to the floor.

"Hey! I need one of you to be my cameraman." Piper shouted at them from the kitchen bar, so the teens walked to the kitchen to see what she was up to.

"What kind of video are you making?" Charlotte asked the little girl as she analysed all the junk she had on the island.

"The kind that gets me into the Man Fans," Piper replied excitedly. She had been wanting to get into the number one fan club of Captain Man for ages, and now she had her chance.

"The Man Fans?" Henry asked her. It seemed that despite his status as Captain Man's sidekick, he had never heard of the club.

"It's a club. A bunch of fans of Captain Man." Jasper told him.

"And Kid Danger," Charlotte added, inflating Henry's ego.

"It's really hard to get in. I tried to join and they wouldn't even take me." Jasper said, making Charlotte raise her eyebrows.

"Hey, everyone who's surprised by that, raise your hand. Ooo, look, no one." Piper retorted sarcastically.

"Just be careful." The dark-haired teen walked over to the little girl as she set up her video.

"Why?" Piper asked, not seeing what could go wrong.

"Because that girl who's president of the Man Fans, uh, Paula Macchiato, she's mean," Charlotte warned her, having heard of the things the child president had done.

"Well, she said I could join the Man Fans if I pass my initiation," Piper explained.

"Which is?" Henry asked as he and Jasper munched on grapes.

"I gotta make a video of me eating hair soup." Piper moved a bowl of dark, thick sludge into their view, and the look of the slimy hair made them all gag.

"What kind of soup?" Jasper exclaimed, thinking he had heard her wrong.

"Hair! I got this big bag of it fresh from a barbershop floor." Piper lifted a sack of different shades of hair.

"You can't eat soup with a bunch of hair in it," Henry told his sister. As annoying as she was, he didn't want her to get sick from eating hair and messing up her intestines.

"Okay, first, the things you say don't matter. And second, I am going to eat the hair soup so I can join the Man Fans." His sister stood firm. She wasn't going to pass up the chance to join her favourite club.

"Hold my phone." She passed the device to her hesitant brother, who began to record the setup.

"Hi, Paula Macchiato. I want to join the Man Fans so much, I'm going to eat a bowl of...hair soup." Piper said to the camera and lifted up a spoon full of hair. She looked disgusted but put the spoonful in her mouth as Henry, Charlotte and Jasper started to wretch.

Piper gave a thumbs up to them as she struggled to swallow the hair, her expression miserable. 

"Can I have some?" Jasper asked, curious to see what it tasted like, which made Henry and Charlotte looked at him in bewilderment.

~The Man Cave~

Schwoz was setting up the TV for viewing, as Ray, (y/n), Henry and Charlotte grabbed loads of snacks from the auto-snacker. It was finally time for the series finale of Walking Orange and they were so ready to see how the show ended.

"Yeah, baby! Series finale of "Walking Orange." Henry exclaimed in excitement as they brought the food to the couch.

"I can't believe we're about to watch the last episode ever." Ray shared his eagerness as they all climbed over the back and settled down. Henry passed the sodas out as (y/n) put a large pizza in her lap. Ray sat down on the floor between her legs after taking a slice and she rested her arms around his neck. The TV began to play some random Awards show and they all began to panic as they realised they were on the wrong channel. 

(y/n) put the pizza behind her as Schwoz scrambled to find the remote. 

"I put it on the wrong channel." Schwoz cried as he jammed the station button with his thumb. 

"There, there, I fix it, I FIX IT!" He yelled at the shouting group and sat back down once the show came on, just in time for them to watch it.

"Previously, on Walking Orange..." The man on the TV recounted the story. They all squirmed in excitement at the prospect of seeing what was going to happen.

"I'm so excited!" (y/n) squealed in Ray's ear.

"I know!" He said, just as all their phones dinged from receiving messages. They all pulled their cells out and checked the message, but what they read freaked them out.

"Ohhhh, nooooo" Henry screamed at his phone and they all got up from their seats in anger and frustration. Ray beat a pillow against the ground, as Henry and Charlotte threw the skeezits and pizza in their hands. (y/n) ripped her popcorn box in half, the contents spilling over her lap, but she didn't care. Schwoz watched them all in confusion as they threw their tantrums.

"Just turn it off," Ray said in a strained voice. Schwoz switched off the TV in confusion.

"What happened? Why do we not watch Walking Orange? Why you heave your pizza and your poopcorn?" He asked the all, as (y/n) hugged herself into Ray's back in sadness. The evening had been ruined.

"Because The Spoiler ruined Walking Orange," Henry told him in anger.

"Stupid The Spoiler," Charlotte said in a sulk.

"Who is The Spoiler?" Schwoz wanted to know.

"He's this jerky teenager here in Swellview. He finds out what's gonna happen on TV shows and movies..." Ray stood up swiftly, his hair messed up from beating the pillow around.

"And then he tells people the ending." (y/n) ended for him, lying back on the couch and speaking in a whiny voice.

"He ruins it for everyone." Charlotte pitched in.

"Not for me. I am smart. I turn my phone off." Schwoz bragged to them, annoying his friends.

"Well, yip-dee-doo for you, Schwoz." Henry shouted at him in annoyance, and the alarm started to sound. Letting out a groan, (y/n) and Charlotte walked to the computer and opened the camera link.

"Wat, Gooch?" Ray asked the man up in Junk-N-Stuff.

"Do you know what The Spoiler did?" The Indian man asked them, and Schwoz covered his ears against the spoilers.

"Yeah, he texted all three of us," Henry replied.

"No, he texted everyone in Swellview and told them the ending of Walking Orange," Gooch revealed, as Schwoz pressed his hands even harder against his ears.

"No, don't tell me!" The little genius cried. 

"He said that Rodriguez killed Mallory," Gooch told the story, torturing Schwoz.

"Tell him, let him suffer like us!" (y/n) smirked in her seat at the computer.

"And that he's really a cop!" The storekeeper spilt the biggest secret and Schwoz fell to the floor dramatically, feeling the same anger that the others had felt. 

"Thanks for the info, Gooch," Ray said and closed the link. 

"Okay, how'd The Spoiler figure out how to send a message to everyone in Swellview?" Charlotte asked as she picked up the little man on the floor.

"Oh, I don't know." Ray sighed.

"How smart does someone have to be to pull something off like this, Schwoz?" (y/n) spun around to look at the two.

"Anyone with level five computer knowledge could figure out how to do it." He explained.

Well, somebody's got to stop The Spoiler." Charlotte said, and the young woman nodded and stood up to Ray.

"Good thing we know a certain superhero and his sidekick." She hinted.

"Right, that person is us." He said huskily.

"You mean...those people...are us. You used bad grammar." Henry corrected him, but it didn't sound as cool. Feeling miffed, Ray shot a quick laser at his shoulder.

"Okay, do I have to confiscate that?" (y/n) looked up at him with a frown and a stern voice, similar to a teacher's.

"No, mom." Ray groaned.

"Don't call me that, you're so much older than me." She teased him, wanting to ruffle his feathers.

"Hey!" 

~The next day~

(y/n) was sat with Ray and Henry as the two males played cards and ate chips. She wasn't particularly interested in the game, she was just there to eat their food and scroll through her phone.

However, to Henry and Ray, this wasn't a game, this was a battle to see who could come out on top. They stared each other down as they crunched on the chips in their mouths.

"Only one chip left," Henry mentioned, eyeing the lone snack at the bottom of the bowl.

"Race you for it," Ray said, determined to get that damn chip.

"Okay, I'll try," Henry said, putting his hands down. (y/n) looked up from her phone and saw that they were taking it way too seriously.

"Hands on the table, On three," Ray said, and Henry tapped his fingers in preparation.

"One--" Ray started to count, but (y/n) reached across the table and ate the chip for herself, smirking in her victory over them.

"Come on!" Henry yelled."

"You. Little. Chip-snatcher." Ray spoke slowly at her, but she didn't care. 

"Sorry, the testosterone levels between you two were pissing me off." She said as an incoming alert sounded. The three of them scrambled to the supercomputer. The woman slammed her hand against the panel to open up the Gooch camera.

"Hey, Gooch, what's up?" Ray asked as he stood next to her.

"Spoiler alert," Gooch said, and Henry put his hands on his ears.

"Wait! Don't say anything about The Good Wife, I'm not caught up yet!" He pleaded with the shopkeeper.

"Er, I think he means The Spoiler." (y/n) said, but the boy couldn't hear her, so Ray forced Henry's hands off his head, and pointed to the screen.

"What do you know about The Spoiler?" Ray asked.

"We received a tip that's he's planning to show up at the Swellview Monoplex tomorrow at midnight," Gooch explained.

"Hmm, I wonder why," Ray muttered himself, as they all thought about what The Spoiler would be interested in ruining.

"Tomorrow night is the worldwide premiere of Galaxy Wars 9," Henry remembered that the geeky movie was one of the biggest releases of the year.

"Oh god, yeah. I'm taking Charlotte, I'm so excited and that damn Spoiler guy better not ruin it." (y/n) told them.

"Oh my god. Thanks, Gooch." Ray breathed out and ended the call. He stood up and walked to the middle of the Man Cave.

"The Spoiler must have had inside information about what happens in the movie." The superhero theorised.

"He's going to ruin it for everyone." Henry agreed, knowing they had to stop him. 

"Not if you two stop him." (y/n) encouraged them. 

"Yeah, you and me." Ray nodded at his sidekick.

"You and I." Henry corrected him, annoying Ray.

"That's what I said." The large man said back.

"You said "you and me"." The teen liked to be correct with his grammar, but it really wasn't the time for an English lesson.

"Okay, who cares?" (y/n) butted in, being the referee for them as usual.

"Okay, we have grammar rules for a reason." Henry protested at her.

"Okay, guess what?" Ray said reaching into his jean pocket.

"What?" Henry asked, as Ray pulled out his laser remote and fired at his chest, the child inside him coming out to play.

"Yeah, there you go." He said with a proud smirk on his face, as (y/n) growled at the males in frustration.

"Raymond!" She barked, reaching for the remote, but Henry joined in too.

"You know, I got one, too." He said and used his whiz watch to fire a green laser at the man. They started to engage in a laser fight, (y/n) stepping back to avoid getting hit.

"AH! Not the face!" Henry yelled as Ray got him in the eye, so he began to rapidly fire his laser back at his boss.

"AHHH! Not the butt!" Ray ran around the Man Cave to avoid getting hit. (y/n) was crouching next to the couch, and stood between them when the fight began to get serious.

"OKAY! THAT'S ENOU---OW!" Her loud voice was interrupted as one of the lasers hit her, but she couldn't tell who fired it. The pair of superheroes ceased their fire as she rubbed her arm and glared at them.

"Oops." Henry laughed nervously.

"Sorry, (y/n/n)." Ray tried to give her a hug, but she just snatched the remote from his hands.

"I accept your apology." She smiled at him sweetly, making them think that she wasn't angry. Oh boy, they were wrong.

"Now, I'm going to kill you both!" She raised Ray's remote and shot lasers at them both, chasing them around the Man Cave.

~The next day, Henry's house~

"But I tried to get a selfie with Captain Man! I had a great plan, but it didn't work." Henry walked into the kitchen and heard his little sister talking to someone on her PearBook. She sounded really upset, and at the mention of his boss, Henry was more than intrigued.

"If you want to join my club, then get a selfie with Captain Man!" A rude, little girl said from the speakers, causing Piper's face to crumple with sadness. Whoever this girl was, Henry did not like her.

"But, I don't know where he is. How do I find him?" Piper asked her in distress.

"Wahh. 'How do I find him?" Wahhh. That's how you sound!" The girl snapped at Piper and mocked her. Henry normally didn't care about what Piper did, but he didn't like it when brats bullied her.

"Sorry, I didn't realise." The youngest Hart apologised, not wanting to upset the president. 

"You see this? That's how much time you have to get a selfie with Captain Man, or else you'll never join the Man Fans." The mean girl raged at her and ended the call. Piper slammed her PearBook shut and ran to the sofa to cry. She jumped face down onto the cushions and Henry decided he should talk to her.

"Hey, Pipes. Everything okay?" He asked, acting like he hadn't just heard everything.

"Yes, I'm not upset. Now, shut up." Piper wiped her eyes and tried to appear fine. But Henry could see she was anything but okay.

"Uh, I overheard you talking to that girl from the Man Fans." He told her, switching to his caring big brother mode.

"So?" Piper asked in an uncharacteristically sad and quiet voice.

"Why do you join that club so bad?" Henry questioned, sitting down on the couch arm.

"Well, I just think Kid Danger's really cute," Piper told him, not realising she was saying these things about her brother.

"Ughhh, kill me." Henry gagged at the thought but carried on listening.

"And every week, the Man Fans get together and talk about stuff that Captain Man and Kid Danger are doing, and I just wanna be a part of it. But how am I going to get a stupid selfie with Captain Man?" Piper said rhetorically. She'd never find the superhero in time.

"All right, listen." Henry probably shouldn't have told her this, but he could see how much this meant to his little sister, so he rationalised that a little hint wouldn't hurt. He sat down next to her and leaned in close.

"I read a rumour online that Captain Man might be going to the Galaxy Wars premiere tonight," Henry said as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Really? Where online?" Piper asked, grabbing her phone to search for the information.

"Oh, uh...they took it down, but I saw it and it said he was going to be there." He lied, but it was enough to get her to stop typing.

"Wait. Where am I gonna get a ticket?" Piper said sadly, knowing that they'd all sold out months ago.

Uh. My boss, (y/n) is taking Charlotte, and she has a spare ticket. I could ask her to take you too." Henry smiled at her, knowing that the woman wouldn't mind taking Piper along too.

"Why are you being nice to me?" Piper asked her brother since he didn't usually help her out. Normally, they were always at each other's throats.

"Because...you're my little sister and I...I don't know, shut up!" Henry said, getting up quickly and walking away from all the mushy, sentimental stuff. He walked to the kitchen and saw Jasper through the kitchen window. He was dangling upside down and waving a sock around.

"Henry, look! I got your sock!" Henry looked at Piper, who just shrugged her shoulders in fake innocence.

~The Man Cave~

Charlotte and (y/n) were waiting for Ray and Henry to get ready for the movie premiere. They were sat checking the criminal records on the computer as they waited. The door next to the computer opened and the two males came out chattering to each other. 

"Hey," Henry said through his costume's mask. It was a red, futuristic set of armour that appeared in the movie and at a geeky premiere, he'd fit in.

"You find anything?" Ray asked her, also dressed up. His costume looked more medieval, but it was still in line with the film's lore. Even dressed as a nerd, he looked hot.

"Yeah, we found a great pic---" The girls turned around and burst out laughing at how they looked. It was pretty funny to see them fully geeked out.

"What's funny?" Henry asked Ray, he thought their costumes were good.

"All right," Ray said with a bored tone.

"Seriously? You're gonna make fun of us?" Henry looked at the two girls, who were holding their stomachs from laughing so hard.

"Knock it off. Come on. Enough." Ray said to them, feeling uncomfortable that his crush found him hilarious in the dork costume.

"Ok, ok." The woman and the younger girl breathed in deeply to calm themselves down.

"So, you're a skynaught?" Charlotte asked Henry, having seen every Galaxy Wars movie, she knew every character.

"A red skynaught." Henry lifted his mask so he could speak clearly.

"And I'm Duke Starjacker." Ray said and (y/n) admired how accurate the costume was.

"I can't believe you chose my favourite character. You even got the gold necklace right." She smiled at him and suddenly, the costume didn't seem so bad to him. Charlotte, though, found their lack of knowledge of the film amusing.

"Yeah, yeah. You won't be laughing when we catch The Spoiler." Henry snarked at her.

"Oh, right, about The Spoiler. Here's a new pic of him from a month ago." Charlotte brought up an image on the monitor and showed a cocky-looking teen's mugshot. Ray and (y/n) took a photo of the boy's face so they knew who they were looking for.

"Got it." He said.

"Hey, and you're going to take Piper to the movie tonight?" Henry asked (y/n) as she looked up from her phone.

"Yeah, I got an extra ticket from one of my nerd friends. I'll even buy her popcorn." She smiled at the boy and checked her watch.

"Oh, it's nearly eleven, we should go pick her up, Char." She said to the girl, and they both grabbed their purses.

"Okay. We'll see you at the monoplex." Henry said to them.

"Yep," Charlotte replied and they walked to the elevator.

"Bye!" (y/n) waved as the doors slid shut and Ray turned to look at her from the auto-snacker.

"Stay safe!" He shouted. He ordered some popcorn from the machine and poured it into the satchel on his costume. 

"Uh...what you doing with that popcorn?" Henry asked him in confusion.

"Putting it in my adventure sack," Ray told him and closed the bag.

"Y'know they sell popcorn at the movie theatre." His sidekick said to him, wondering why wouldn't just buy it when they got there.

"Yeah, for like a billion dollars," Ray replied, thinking he was a genius. 

"Okay, let's go, corn smuggler," Henry said as they walked to the tubes together. Ray tucked his gold cloaked behind his back as the tube came down and Henry brought his mask back down.

"Up the tube." His filtered voice said, and they shot up the tube. Sadly though, the suction caused all of Ray's popcorn to fall out of his sack.

"No, my popcorn!" He cried.

"Ha! Your sack has a hole in it." Henry laughed at him. Looks like he'd have to buy some at the cinema after all.

~Swellview Monoplex~

(y/n) led Charlotte and Piper into the movie theatre and stopped at a food kiosk.

"Hey, Piper, do you want some popcorn?" She smiled at the little girl and pulled her credit card out. Even if she didn't, the young woman definitely wanted some of the sweet, corn snack.

"Yes, please. Can I have a soda too?" Piper asked her in a polite voice. She was too excited to see if Captain Man was here to be her usual rude self.

"Sure. Char, do you want anything?" The woman joined the queue and looked at the teen.

"Just a soda for me please." (y/n) nodded and ordered two large popcorns and three large sodas, quickly paying for them so they could get to the movie room. She spotted Ray and Henry walking through the doors and nudged Charlotte, who also saw them giving their tickets to the man at the entrance. 

"Can I go to the bathroom?" Piper tugged her sleeve, not realising that the two other girls wanted to meet up with Henry and Ray.

"Sure, sweetie. Take your popcorn and drink. Do you mind going with her, Charlotte?" The woman jerked her head and winked at the two males to give the dark-haired girl a hint. Luckily, she picked it up.

"Yeah, sure. You go get some seats." Charlotte gave her the chance to get away and walked off to the toilets with Piper. Once they had disappeared into the crowd, (y/n) made her way over to the two disguised superheroes.

"Hey! You made it!" She greeted them and they smiled when they saw her.

"Where are Piper and Charlotte?" Henry asked some concern in his voice for his little sister. 

"Bathroom, I told them I'd meet them in there." The woman pointed to the room where the movie was being shown.

"Let's go then," Ray said, guiding her in with a hand in the small of her back.

The viewing room was filled with animated chatter from countless Galaxy Wars fans, some dressed as their favourite characters.

"You see The Spoiler?" Ray asked them both, all three pairs of eyes scanning the rows.

"No, not yet," Henry said, as an overenthusiastic dork came down the steps and spoke to them, 

"Red Skynaught. You are the sworn enemy of Mento." The teenager spoke, confusing the two males, but since she'd watched all the movies with Charlotte, (y/n) got his references.

"Sorry. We don't speak nerd." Henry said to the boy.

"He's talking about the war between the warriors of Mento and the Red Skynaughts in the Years of the Ethereal Light." (y/n) explained and the nerdy boy smiled at her knowledge. Her friends, however, just looked at her with confusion.

"Tranya! You have insulted my tribe and the fair maiden in your company! Now taste the Tassel of Tinklon and I shall claim her for my people!" The dork slapped Henry across the face with his 'tassel', as Ray put (y/n)'s hand into his. No nerd was 'claiming' her on his watch. The fake weapon in his hand didn't really hurt Henry, it just really annoyed him.

Henry grabbed the boy's glow bat and broke it over his knee. He handed the two pieces back to the teary-eyed boy.

"Why'd you do that? Mom! A kid just broke my glow bat!" The teenager ran back to his mother on one of the back rows.

"How about those two seats right there?" Ray said to Henry, pointing to the seats.

"Cool." Henry agreed and (y/n) let go of Ray's hand to wait by the doors.

"I need to wait for Charlotte and Piper, you two go ahead." She smiled at them, but Ray didn't want to leave her. Henry shoved him up the stairs.

"Dude, she's a grown woman and we can see her from our seats." He hissed into the older man's ear.

"Ugh!" Ray groaned but carried on walking until Henry spotted the mean girl who had been bullying Piper.

"Hey, hey. See that girl over there?" Henry subtly pointed at the girl in the pink shirt.

"Mm-hmm, the one wearing the me button?" Ray asked when he saw the girl's page with his face on it.

"Yeah. That's the president of our fan club, the Man Fans. She's the one who's being really mean to my sister." The boy explained the backstory to his boss.

"Wow." Ray breathed out.

"What?" Henry looked at him in confusion.

"Her button. That's a fantastic picture of me--" Ray said, his ego showing.

"Oh, let's just sit down." Henry pushed him into their seats.

Charlotte and Piper walked in and met up with the woman who was looking after her.

"Hey, everything okay?" (y/n) smiled at them. Charlotte saw where Ray and Henry were sat and nodded, both at her words and at them.

"Um, where do you wanna sit?" Charlotte asked Piper, wanting to keep the temperamental girl happy, but she just gasped and started to jump in excitement when she saw the girl on the back row.

"What?" (y/n) asked, wondering what had gotten her so excited.

"That's Paula Macchiato." Piper cried, and ran up the stairs to where the girl was sat.

"Hi, Paula." She said happily, thinking that the president of the Man Fans would also be happy to see her. However, Paula lolled her head into the headrest and rolled her eyes.

"'Sup, Paula?" Piper reiterated her greeting when the girl ignored her.

"Until you get a selfie with Captain Man, don't talk to me, don't look at me, and don't even think about sitting with us." She yelled at Piper who looked like she was gonna cry. Henry, Charlotte and (y/n) looked on in sympathy and anger at how horrible the girl was. Not even Piper deserved to be spoken to like that. 

"Okay, sorry." Piper sadly plodded back down the steps to where the two girls were waiting for her.

"Hold my popcorn, Charlotte, I'm gonna go say something to that brat." (y/n) said and rolled up her sleeves with a huff.

"Shhh. Don't upset her, please. I need her to like me." Piper stopped her from going anywhere.

"Okay, but if she looks at me, I'm gonna give her one of these," Charlotte said to Piper and pulled an angry face at the girl at the back.

"And I'm going to give her this." (y/n) went to stick up her middle finger, but Charlotte held her hand down before Paula could notice or Piper could tell what she was doing. She let out a sigh and took the younger girls to some free seats before she could swear in front of more children.

"Hey, I want popcorn," Ray whined to Henry as he watched (y/n) and Charlotte sat down with his sidekick's sister.

"There's none left in your adventure sack?" Henry asked him, still looking through the crowd.

"You know there's not! Be right back." The large man snapped, knowing that Henry was teasing him. He stood up to go to the foyer and grab a box.

"Keep an eye out for The Spoiler." The boy reminded him.

"You too." Ray left him and walked down the steps next to their seats. He had only been gone a minute when a man emerged from the crowd and started to speak.

"Uhhhh. Excuse me! Hey, people, listen up!" He shouted to everyone, and everyone fell silent. Henry looked at him in suspicion as he knew The Spoiler had made himself known.

"It's The Spoiler!" Charlotte cried and pointed to him, sending the room into a panic.

"He's going to ruin everything!" The dorky boy from before shouted from the back. 

"I got some information about the movie!" The Spoiler addressed the crowd.

"Ray?" Henry needed his friend with him at a time like this. If only he hadn't been thinking of his stomach. He got up from his seat and ran to go find him at the popcorn kiosk.

"So, get this..."The Spoiler started, but (y/n) was quicker than him.

"Quick, everyone do this! La, la, la, la, la." She told everyone with her fingers in her ears to block out what he was saying. Everyone copied her actions, and the noise they made together meant they couldn't hear what the cocky teenager was saying.

"No, don't do that! Hear me! Hear me!" The Spoiler shouted, agitated that the crowd had some power over him. 

Henry walked back into the room as Kid Danger, ready to fight the guy who was a menace to everyone in Swellview. 

"Hey, you!" He shouted.

"What?" The Spoiler wasn't scared of some sidekick.

"Shut up!" Henry told him, as Piper noticed the new presence in the room.

"It's Kid Danger!" She yelled in happiness, as Charlotte and (y/n) breathed a sigh of relief that The Spoiler was about to meet his match.

"Oh my god, we love you, Kid Danger!" She yelled and grabbed onto her companions' arms as Henry stalked towards The Spoiler.

"Spoiler alert, I'm about to spoil you." Henry sassed the dude.

"Yes! That was the perfect quip!" Piper said fangirling over the boy she didn't know was her brother. 

"Get outta here!" The Spoiler hissed at Henry and shoved him back onto the floor. The crowd 'oooh'd at the attack. Kid Danger got back to his feet and tackled the other teen to the floor. The crowd cheered and clapped as the two brawled and Henry got a few punches to the guy's stomach. However, the older teen was stronger and he managed to twist Henry's arm until he was pinned on the floor. The audience was in horror as the sidekick struggled against the criminal. 

"Maybe I'll just break your arm and ruin the movie for everyone." The Spoiler said as he held Kid Danger's arm over his knee and gripped his throat harshly. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Piper ran from her seat, stealing a glow bat on her way down the stairs.

"Get your hands off Kid Danger!" She yelled at the thug and began whacking as hard as she could on the man's back. He fell to the floor in pain, letting go of Henry, but she carried on her attack. The crowd applauded her brave actions, especially Charlotte and (y/n). It seemed that courage and selflessness ran in the family, even if Piper rarely showed it.

Ray ran in as Captain Man to see his sidekick on the floor, wide-eyed at how viciously his sister was hitting The Spoiler. 

"It's Captain Man!" The nerd boy said, and the crowd cheered even louder. Ray helped Henry up and lifted Piper away from The Spoiler. 

"Calm down." He told her, but she went back to hitting the teen on the floor, making him pick her up again.

"Go, Piper!" Charlotte yelled as she clapped.

"Hit the crap outta him!" (y/n) joined in, loving the way the child was taking down a criminal for Captain Man. Having gotten Piper to calm down, Ray picked the teenager up by the scruff of his neck.

"Well, The Spoiler...I'm about to spoil..." Ray lifted his fist to punch the guy.

"I already quipped that." Henry chipped in, so Ray just chucked the guy to the awaiting cops instead.

"Kid Danger, can I have a hug?" Piper asked, but Henry freaked out at the idea. He couldn't get close enough to his sister that she recognised him.

"Uhhh, not right now, I need to go stand over there." He excused himself in a fake voice, so Piper turned to Captain Man instead. However, Paula Macchiato wasn't about to be outshone by her rival.

"Move!" The president ran down the steps and pushed Piper into the free seats at the front. (y/n) and Charlotte frowned and crossed their arms at the girl's spiteful actions.

"Captain Man, I'm Paula Macchiato, the president of your fan club, the Man Fans. I'm awesome." She said, which made Ray briefly look up at (y/n) who was pointing at her and mouthing the word 'bitch'. 

"Yeah, I heard about you." He said, whilst also looking at Henry who shook his head at the girl.

"What's your name, little girl?" Ray asked Piper, knowing he had to be nice to her and not Paula.

"Piper Hart. Remember? One time you shot an alien off my face with Exterminator Phalange?" Piper said to jog his memory.

"Oh yeah. Well, Piper Hart, you showed extreme bravery by using this glow bat to beat The Spoiler nearly half to death." The superhero praised her.

"Thanks. I loved it!" She said in jubilation, as Paula Macchiato frowned next to her.

"And you...you just sat there, like a pile of nothing." He said to the brat.

"But, I was going to do something." Paula whinged. 

"Wahh. But I was gonna do something. Wahh. That's how you sound." Piper spat the words the girl had said to her earlier on back at Paula. The crowd laughed at her joke and Henry looked on proudly.

"And now, I, Captain Man, declare you, Piper Hart, the new president of the Man Fans." He told Piper, which the Man Fan members in the crowd loved to hear. Paula, however, did not. Walking forward in front of Ray, she punched him as hard as she could in his stomach, however, the girl's measly strength meant that it was more of a tickle. (y/n) snorted at her pathetic attempt.

"I'm okay," Ray said his catchphrase sarcastically, and Paula just stormed off in anger. 

"Now, what do you say we all watch Galaxy Wars 9?" Captain Man shouted at the cheering crowd, as Piper ran back to where Charlotte and (y/n) were waiting for her.

"Wait, wait!" The geek said, quieting everyone down.

"As guardian of the Throne of Krandor, I challenge both Captain Man and Kid Danger to the duel--" The two superheroes didn't want to hear anymore nerd-talk from the boy, so they just stunned him with their lasers. They began to walk back to their seats when Ray spotted that a woman had a carton of popcorn.

"Hey, what's that?" He pointed at something on the wall and took her box when she wasn't looking and rushed to join Henry, where they could enjoy the movie together. 

~After the movie~

"Oh man, that was so good!" (y/n) said to Ray, Henry and Charlotte as they drove home from the movie. Piper was asleep on the back seat, so they were driving her home as quickly as they could.

"I know! Especially when Duke Starjacker blew up the space station!" Charlotte quietly geeked out with her. Ray and Henry liked the movie, it was good enough to satisfy their love for them, but for two fans of Galaxy Wars like the girls, it was out of this world.

"Aren't you glad you chose to be the best character now?" (y/n) poked Ray's cheek in her teasing. He smiled at her quickly but looked back to the road again.

"Yeah, yeah. It was a good costume." He said to keep her happy. They pulled up to the sidewalk outside Henry's house and Henry and Charlotte gently picked up Piper, him holding her head, and her taking her legs. The boy had transformed out of his super-suit after they left the movie theatre, meaning he could sneak back into his house and if his parents were awake, he wouldn't have to answer any hard questions. 

"Ok, I can walk back to my house from here guys," Charlotte whispered to them through the Man Van's open window.

"Okay Char, have a good night," Ray said, and (y/n) waved to her as he pressed down on the gas and they drove off. The woman leaned back into her seat, the long and exciting night making her feel sleepy. The heater made her feel even drowsier, so she closed her eyes and leaned her cheek against the window.

"You getting tired on me?" Ray spoke up, noticing down she had fallen silent. 

"Mm-hmm." She gave a small nod, and the man smiled at her. She was adorable when she got tired, as she clung to him and instinctively sort out his warm body. He knew that they were about fifteen minutes away from the Man Cave, enough time for her to doze.

"Sleep tight, princess. I'll be here when we get home." He put a hand on her knee and she fell into her dreams, imagining Ray as Duke Starjacker and her as a warrior of Mento fighting the galaxy side by side, her love for him burning as bright as the twin suns of Krandor.

[wormlette]

Your fic "a good dog" lives rent free in my brain and I'm so glad bc the characterization and the introspection and LAIOS SERVICING CHILCHUCK just make me go feral, can't wait to read what comes next ❤️

(and the noises I made while reading "fervent, writhing" could only be heard by shrimps).

PS: Y'all at the chilaios council are tempting me so hard to create a Chilaios sideblog bc all your brains are so HUGE

OK FIRST OF ALL sorry for hanging onto this ask for so long, I have been cradling it in my hands like a good luck charm while I write ❤️ I appreciate you so much. ALSO "noises that could only be heard by shrimps" is part of my lexicon now lmao.

I've been trying to get a good dog arranged into some sort of satisfying narrative -- I don't know how obvious it is, but even when I was writing more regularly, I still mostly only ever wrote drabble type things that are unconnected. Writing an actual story is my bane in life, but I've been very inspired to try because of all of you.

Here is a good dog snippet I'm particularly proud of!! It's a flashback!!!

“If I can ask…” Laios held up a finger, like a kid raising their hand. Chil raised a brow, and he and Falin watched curiously to see what would come next.

“…why did I upset you?”

Chilchuck sighed and ran his hand through his hair, messing it up further. He resisted the urge to grab it and tug. This guy really needed that said?

“Okay, but I want you to think for a minute, first. Have you ever seen a party lead by a half-foot, Laios? Have you ever even heard of one?”

Laios looked at the ceiling, hmm-ing. “…I guess not?”

“Right. That’s because the things a party leader needs, half-foots don’t have. That’s what people think. Long-legs think anyone who can’t fight can’t be in charge.” He shrugged. “They don’t say it, but it’s like that.”

Laios frowned and started to open his mouth. Chil waved his hand to cut him off. “The way people perceive you is everything in an adventurer’s party. ‘S just how it is.”

The siblings stayed silent. Were they twins? He realized he didn’t know. He’d been a bit incurious about them as well, truthfully. Assuming he’d work for them a little while before they parted ways, probably from pissing each other off. That hadn’t happened yet, so…

“Well. And that's exactly why YOU-“ he swung his empty mug at Laios - “have got to start taking this more seriously! This exact kind of thing is what I’m talking about!” They let him rant on. Having both of their attention on him was not a new feeling, but he ignored it. “The reactions people will have to you are exactly what a leader needs to be aware of! You can’t just say whatever you want!” He was ranting. “You’ll damage their trust in you if you’re careless. Think about how they’ll think, Laios.” It was so obvious, but Laios’ eyes were alight. Had nobody ever had talks like this with him? “And if you can’t figure *that* out, then at least listen to the people around you.” They were listening like he was bestowing crucial information on them. Chilchuck suddenly felt like laughing. There was something funny about these two overgrown dummies, so eerily at home in the dungeon but so in need of caretaking outside of that. They’d followed him around like puppies on errands across town to the bank and the slums, and now they were hanging on his every word. Eventually, he paused, raising his mug and drinking deeply until only foam was left. A warm feeling was in his gut.

“So it’s ok if I ask you, next time?” Laios looked at him with glimmering eyes. “If it’s an imposition, we could renegotiate…”

The idea of Laios renegotiating was laughable enough to make Chilchuck reach for the pitcher, but Laios beat him to it and leaned over to give him a refill. Ha! Maybe he wasn’t completely helpless. He was thinking now, wanting not to offend, wanting to be helpful. This was the kind of thing a party leader needed to practice, so it suddenly seemed very appropriate to reinforce him. “Yes! Like that! Good boy!”

If not for his keen senses, he would’ve never noticed. As it was, most of the time Chilchuck convinced himself he’d imagined it. The look in Laios’ eyes, in that instant, was feral.