#i just wanted to take a nap dude and I have a nightmare about spilling a cup of water

[scenicphoenix]

Just had the silliest nightmare of someone handing me a full cup of water while I was half asleep and I proceeded to spill this seemingly never ending water cup every where, especially over my electronics. How did they get into my locked apartment and why did they do it to hand half asleep dream me a cup of water?

[corpse-husband-simp]

Fic recs masterlist

Masterlist part 2

❤️ =means smut :). 🧡 = social media au. 💛 = headcanon 💙 = blurb/drabble (short Fic). 💜 = oneshot (Long Fic). This means deleted.

Last updated 17/11/20 (Im taking a break) <3

none of these belong to me, full credit goes to the writer

If you know any fics that are not on here please let me know :)

Let me know if any links are broken :)

If you are the owner of any of these fics and dont want it to be on here, Please tell me an they Will be removed from the list :)

I Can only add a hundred links to one post so to Read the fics listed tap “Read here” :)

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@fairysimp. Read here. The prettiest flower 17/10/20. 💙 If you’re a fairy, so am i 18/10/20. 💙 Corpse classic 19/10/20. 💙 You’re on! 20/10/20.💙 Sucks to suck 23/10/20. 💙 What are you afraid of 24/10/20.💙 Cupcakes, sugar and sundresses 24/10/20. 💙 I told the stars about you 24/10/20 💙 Feather light 27/10/20 💙 Soft vibes 27/10/20💙 Danny devito 17/11/20 💙~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@ewritesthangs. Read here. Blurb 17/10/20.💙 Q and a time 18/10/20. 💜 Oneshot 22/10/20.💜 Blurb 23/10/20. 💙 Oneshot 25/10/20. 💜 Cake tasting 26/01/20 💙 The Big day 31/10/20 💜 Losing a pet 03/11/20 💙. Extrovert reader 15/11/20 💛~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@marvelandsuchstuff. Read here. Sleepness nights and Golden sunlight 17/10/20💜 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@corpsehusband-simp. Read here. Lazy day 15/10/20. 💙 Opposites attract 16/10/20.💙 Oops 1 20/10/20. 💙 Oops 2 26/10/20💜 Insecure 08/11/20 💜~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@laysfics. Read here. Spell 16/10/20. 💜 Spell 2 18/10/20. 💜 Spell 3 19/10/20. 💜 Dinner 20/10/20 💙 Happily ever after 23/10/20💙 Bad days 01/11/20 💙~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@bastillewolf. Read here. Shinigami eyes 1 13/10/20.💜 Shinigami eyes 2 16/10/20 💜 Panic attack 28/19/20💙 Kinda sketchy 29/10/20💜 #corpsebride 09/11/20 💜~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@sttalkr Read here. Your voice 15/10/20.💙❤️ My little pet 19/10/20 💙❤️~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@artist-bby. Read here. Deadass 1 12/10/20.💜 Prepare for trouble... Make it double 2 14/10/20.💜 A tired man needs his Well deserved cuddles 25/10/20 💙 Belly rubs 27/10/20💙 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@fandomlit. Read here. Voice impressions 13/10/20. 💙 Destracted 13/10/20. 💙 Mad 13/10/20.💙 Fangirling 13/10/20.💙 Daddy (deleted). 💙 Flustered 25/10/20 💙~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@skyeet-the-writer. Read here. Id never snitch on daddy 9/10/20. 💜 My mind is restles with the toughts of u 13/10/2 💜. You have my heart 26/10/20 💜 This is a shoutout to my ex 26/10/20 💜 And if you wanna stay, Please stay 07/11/20 💜~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@ghostgamer. Read here. Comforting you 8/10/20. 💙 Calm nights 11/10/20. 💙~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@iamsuchasimp. Read here. Simp 12/10/20. 💙 Simply simping 15/10/20. 💙🧡 Extra 16/10/20.💙🧡 Making amends 16/10/20.💙 Headcanons 1 17/10/20.💛 Headcanons 2 18/10/20.💛 Miss you 19/10/20.💙 Meant to be? 19/10/20.💙 Alibi 20/10/20.💙 Trending 22/10/20.💙 Ship 25/10/20 💙 Headcanon 27/10/20💛 Popular 29/10/20 💙 Bodyguard 08/11/20 💜~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@introverted-mushroom-san. Read here. Just a human (series) 16/10/20 💜 Confession 07/11/20 💜~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@harleysarchive. Read here. Among you and me 13/10/20. Among you and me 2 19/10/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@storiesforallfandoms. Read here. Propostion 19/10/20 Caught feelings 04/11/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@star-gaz3rs. Read here. Unspoken words and read messages 19/10/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@locallolli. Read here. Corpse head canon 19/10/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@corpsedaydream. Read here. #concepts. Neon banter 19/10/20. Sore loser 20/10/20. Cold hands, warm neck 21/10/20. It’s fine 21/10/20. Beach baby 22/10/20. Im okay 25/10/20. Wine night 001 25/10/20. Flappy bird 26/10/20. Yeah baby thats Nice 26/10/20 Monthly 27/10/20 Painted nails 27/10/20 Pet names 26/10/20 A Long week 27/10/20 Crash 01/11/20 Wet hair and warm cuddles 04/11/20 Chaotic s/o 05/11/20 Car 05/11/20 Spooning 05/11/20 Carry on 05/11/20. Corpse does Your makeup 06/11/20. Healing kisses 06/11/20. Fruit salad 06/11/20. Stress and refresh 06/11/20. Pre/post streaming 07/11/20 A fright 10/11/20. Paint wars 11/11/20. See you in the morning 11/11/20 Golden hour 12/11/20 Swing 13/11/20 Carrots 17/11/20 💜~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@randomafwritings Read here. It’s 2 am dude... 19/10/20. Missing prank 28/10/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@corpseglider Read here. Soft!boy hours 20/10/20. Mute Your mic 20/10/20. Attention seeker 21/10/20. Want some company? 22/10/20. You’re sus 23/10/20. Flower fingers 24/10/20. Jealous tendencies 25/10/20. Mirror 26/10/20 You’re beautiful 27/10/20 Flower fingers 2 29/10/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@moonjelly-princesa Read here. Simp 12/10/20 Next time 20/10/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@bakubabes-hatake Read here. Muted infatuation 20/10/20. Sweater weather 24/10/20 Sleepy sessions 31/10/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@divinecorpse Read here. Date and snowman’s 20/10/20. Podcasts and announcements 22/10/20. You are in love 25/10/20 It’s never not for you 31/10/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@foxypuppy Read here. Secret snuggles 20/10/20. Back to you 21/10/20. Sweet Cakes and first dates 25/10/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@breathygasps Read here. A scarier possibility 1 21/10/20. A scarier possibility 2 23/10/20. Sick day 24/10/20 A scarier possibility 3 29/10/20 A muffin run gone wrong 30/10/20 Odd hours 12/11/20 A scarier possibility 4 14/11/20 French tongue 16/11/20 💙. Dog days 16/11/20 💜~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@xoxoyourdad Read here. Blurb* 22/10/20. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@bitch-im-your-biggest-nightmare Read here. It doesnt matter What they say 23/10/20. Stars 1 23/10/20. Stars 2 23/10/20. Welp, i guess the cat is out of the bag 23/10/20. Stars 3 24/10/20. Stars 4 24/10/20. Stars 5 25/10/20. Sick boi hours are over 25/10/20. Disaster 25/10/20. Allergies are not fun 25/10/20. Tears falling down at the party 25/10/20. Stars 6 (finale) 26/10/20 Panic attacks suck man 26/10/20 Goddamit kid now they know Im a single father 27/10/20 Parents fucking suck bro 27/10/20 No! This isnt how you’re supposed to play the game 28/19/20 The blood on our hands is a Bond 31/10/20 Happily ever after 01/11/20 Parenting 101 03/11/20 Parenting 200 05/11/20. Summertime Sadness 07/11/20. Panick attack in gorcery store 07/11/10 Headcanon 10/11/20 Riddle me this 15/11/20 💙 Sorry 15/11/20 💙~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@flowersforcorpse Read here. Under the bus 22/10/20. To distraction 24/10/20 The cat Got out 27/10/20 Marination 30/10/20 Limbo 08/11/20 Zoned out 10/11/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@apricauts Read here. A sleeping corpse 23/10/20. A lovely day 24/10/20. Nsfw headcanons* 24/10/20. Nsfw headcanons 2* 25/10/20. Nsfw headcanons 3* 26/10/20. The lion sleeps tonight 26/10/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@crystalg6m Read here. Trust 23/10/20. Secret player 04/11/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@monsterenergysimp Read here. Permanance 24/10/20. Reckless endangerment 25/10/20 Oh my god, they were roommates 27/10/10 Feel better 27/10/20 Forget today 28/10/29 Interruptions 28/10/20 Father of the year 29/10/20 Lock screen 30/10/20 Building Snowmen 31/10/20 This is halloween (father of the year 2) 01/11/20 Closer 02/11/20 Unravel 02/11/20 Snap, crackle, pop 03/11/20 Fluffy concept 04/11/20 Sleepy 05/11/20. Mute 07/11/20. His anxiety 07/11/20 Forgetful 13/11/20 Permanance 2 17/11/20 💙~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@myherotrashbin Read here. Soft smiles and warm hugs 24/10/20. Just let it out 25/10/20. First kiss 25/10/20. Cuddles are needed 25/10/20. Well this happened 26/10/20. Just a little love 04/11/20 I just wanna hold you damn hand 04/11/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@mmonamona Read here. Beautiful 23/10/20. Petty fights and lonely nights 20/10/20 I Think Im in love with you and Im terrified 26/10/20 Halloween 28/10/20 Alls hair in love and war 02/11/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@uhithinkthefucknot Read here. Respectful simp 25/10/20. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@letsloveimagines Read here. Crush 25/10/20. Forever 26/10/10 Crush 2 05/11/20 A friend that is a Girl 09/11/20 Murderer 12/11/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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@sloppythots-com Read here. Reaction 24/10/20 Nails and reassurance 24/10/20. Hugs 27/10/20. Sweetie 29/10/20 Innocent 01/11/20 Believe 01/11/20. Eyeliner 06/11/20. One time 06/11/20 Favorite Girl 12/11/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Mothers arent always the best 12/11/20 Soft voices 13/11/20. Shy reader 13/11/20. Without you Im just a sad song 14/11/20. Actress/actor reader 14/11/20. Faceless YouTuber reader 14/11/20. Reader owning an etsy. 14/11 Simping for 2 16/11/20. 💙 One last time 16/11/20n.💙 Nightmare 16/11/20 💙~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@corpserose Read here. Mornings 28/10/20. Paint my nails 31/10/20 Snack time 02/11/20 Home 04/11/20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@shelswrites Read here. The Sound of a voice 28/10/10. 💙 Blurb 28/10/20.💙 Livestreams 28/10/20💙 Q and a 29/10/20 💙 Famous!singer reader 29/10/20 💙 Fight 29/10/20 💙 Tall!reader 30/10/20💙 Hand 30/10/20 💙 Nicknames 30/10/20💙 Roommate 30/10/20 💙 Nicknames 30/10/20 💙 First night at corpses House 31/10/20 💙 Painting nails 31/10/20 💙 The feel of a touch 31/10/20💙 Playing with his hair 01/11/20 💙 Period 01/11/20 💙 24 hour livestream 01/11/20💙 Corpse in maid dress 01/11/20 💙 Knitted blanket 02/11/20💙 Dyeing eachothers hair 02/11/20 💙 Taking Care of his hair 02/11/20 💙 Playing with his hands 03/11/20 💙 Sharing clothes 03/11/20💙 Bisexual 03/11/20 💙 Imposter duo 03/11/20💙 Cat ears for corpsie 04/11/20💙 Holding grugdes 04/11/20 💙 Laying on Your lab 05/11/20💙 Studying 05/11/20💙 Helping him with his anxiety 05/11/20💙

Laying on Your chest 05/11/20 💙 Eyeliner 06/11/20 💙 Plus size s/o 06/11/20💙 Your hands 07/11/20💙 Putting eyeliner on him 07/11/20💙. Corpse failing at cooking 08/11/20.💙 Eyeliner and skirt 08/11/20. 💙 Cooking 09/11/20 💙 Like real people do 09/11/20.💙 Sleepy corpse 09/11/20. 💙 Comforting him 10/11/10.💙 Blushy corpsie 10/11/20💙 Holiday 13/11/20. 💙 Tired corpse laying in Your lap 13/11/20. 💙 Corpse having a bad day 14/11/20 💙. Bf not gf 16/11/20.💙 Long distance 16/11/20. 💙 Making a yt Channel together 16/11/20.💙 Playing and answering questions 16/11/20 💙~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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@b-star-wonder Read here Headcanon 30/10/20. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@moonlightsimp Read here. Cuddles headcanon 01/11/20.💛 Choose me 03/11/20 Simp 05/11/20 Needy 06/11/20 Shower feels 10/11/20 Social media au 13/11/20🧡 Social media au 13/11/20 🧡 Moving in 14/11/29 Pretty baby 16/11/20 💙~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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@bibliofilia Read here Ships passing in the night 03/11/20. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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@thotasshoebitch Read here. I know you did not just grab my Boob 15/11/20💙 Rain on me 16/11/20💙. My hair 16/11/20 💙~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[haitanizzz]

!contains tokyo revengers manga spoilers!

cw: angst, swearing, alcohol mention, slight violence, blood/bruises mention, slight sa? (non-consensual kiss), spelling errors

characters: draken and inui

summary: draken gets drunk and got his ass into a fight. inui picks him up and takes care of him but draken can't seem to move on from emma. inui can't tell the difference between platonic and romantic attraction, kinda one-sided love?, draken basically being depressed lol also set in the timeline where they own a bikeshop together

note: i don't ship them but i don't have anything against the ppl who do, i just thought their relationship was a great angst material :) i rushed the end a bit tho cuz i was getting out of ideas lol hope you enjoy!! also big thanks to the people who requested from us and we're a bit slow, but we're working on them don't worry!<3

-L

"hey inui! inui! seishu are you okay?"

draken was having it rough for a few days now, his nightmares about emma coming back to him each night like a curse from the past. inui noticed that his friend was more tense around him or when draken would hesitate to call out to him, but he didn't say anything since he knew that mental health was a touchy subject for his partner because of a certain girl. he was having a hard time ignoring it though as it left a bad taste in his mouth, but he didn't know why. is it because draken is his dear friend or maybe it is because he was in love? ken was so nice to him and he was his friend because he was inui seishu and not somebody else, right? he was so lost in his thoughts he didn't even hear draken call out to him.

"huh?"

"i've called out to you 3 times already! you look like you've been stressing so much lately-"

"oh no, no! im totally fine don't worry about it, i was just daydreaming a little bit!" he said as he let out an awkward laugh.

draken flashed him a gentle smile and patted his back.

"if you say so! but don't hesitate to ask for anything if you're not feeling well, aight?"

"got it boss"

"hey! i told u stop with that!" he playfully scolded inui as both of them began laughing. "anyways i just wanted to ask if you could close the shop today? i'm going out with some friends to drink, so.."

"of course! you can count on me, just give me the keys and you can go!

"thanks inupi! i owe you one!"

it was already dark outside when draken began to pack his things and passed the keys to inui.

"don't forget to close it or i'll beat ya ass if anything is missing tomorrow!"

"yeah yeah, just go already!" inui said as he pushed his friend through the door of their office.

"see you tomorrow seishu! "

he woke up to his ringtone, phone buzzing on the table as he got up and tried to wipe the sleep from his eyes. he didn't even have the energy to look at who was calling him so he just picked it up.

"yeah! see ya!" he sighed and almost slammed the door shut on accident. he was nervous but why? he could feel a pit in his stomach like when something bad is about to happen but he ignored the feeling and chose to dose off for a small nap on the sofa that was in the office.

-

"hello?" he answered the phone with a groggy voice.

"hey inui! sorry to call you this late but i need you to come here!"

"kazutora? it's not often that you call me, what's wrong?" he was dumbfounded that kazutora callled him as they barley even kept contact with each other.

"it's draken."

"what?"

"that idiot got drunk and punched a dude."

"oh god, again? " inui pinched the bridge of his nose not wanting to get up and drive there because he didn't like dealing with drunk people especially when it was ryuguji who got drunk. "im coming don't worry, thanks for giving me a call kazutora.

"thanks inui, we're at the new bar, just 2 streets down. we'll wait for you at the entrance!" kazutora said and immediately hang up.

"i swear that dumbass is going to be my death one day.." inui murmured and grabbed his jacket and the keys to his bike. "thank god it's not that far, just 2 streets down or i wouldn't even go to get his drunk ass."

the engine of his motorbike roared as he stopped in front of a bar, that had neon lights around it. everything was so bright he got a little dizzy and almost had to close his eyes. he spotted kazutora and draken sitting together at a random shop's staircase that was next to the bar. he got up from his bike and began walking towards them and it was when he got closer, that's when he noticed the blood sitting on draken's white shirt and bruises all over his face.

"what the fuck happened?!"

the two of them jumped at inui's voice not expecting him to shout at them.

"sorry to drag you out to get him this late, i could've bring him home myself but chifuyu and the others are still in there and im kinda worried what would they do when there's nobody to look out for them." kazutora said as he slightly bowed his head as an apology.

"don't worry about it man, don't apologize." inui gave kazutora a slight smile as he took draken's arm around his shoulder to make sure he wouldn't fall. "i'll be taking him home now..thanks for looking out for him."

"it's nothing. have a safe drive and call me if something is up!"

"yeah will do!" inui said as he began walking back to his bike with now draken slumped over him. it was very strange that draken wasn't talking at all, he was usually very loud.

"im not a kid you know? i can take care of myself inupi."

"oh so you now know how to talk? and it didn't seem like you were doing so good, so just shut up and let me drive you home!"

draken let out a laugh as he sat on the back of the motorcycle and grabbed the spare helmet.

"aight, aight! just don't be so loud, my head is killing me.."

"i wonder why?" inui scoffed as he sat on the front. "just make sure you don't fall off or you'll have to go to the hospital by yourself."

the drive to draken's apartment was quiet. none of them talked, the only thing that was making noise was the motorbike and those few cars that passed them. they were almost there when inui felt arms wrap around his waist and felt some weight on his left shoulder and he tensed under draken's touch, his heart hammering in his chest.

"i swear to god if you puke on me-"

"are you mad?" draken's voice was soft, almost like when a child got caught stealing candies.

inui didn't answer not knowing what to say to a question like that so he just kept quiet.

they soon arrived to draken's apartment complex and inui parked his bike.

none of them said a word and seishu helped his friend up the stairs, then to his door. keys jingled as draken searched his pockets and struggled to fit the key to his door inside the keyhole. inui gently pushed him away and opened the door and draken almost immediately went and crashed on the couch. seishu shaked his head and closed the door behind him, took off his shoes then followed draken to his livingroom.

"come on man, we need to get you patched up and change! i promise you can sleep all you want after we're done." draken just groaned and put his head on inui's shoulder s a sign to help him to his bedroom.

"i think the booze is really starting to get to me.." draken said as his words were slightly slurred from the alcohol he had consumed. inui helped him up and staring walking towards draken's room and sat him down onto the bed and turned on the lights. draken hissed at the sudden brightness and inui just let out a chuckle then went to the bathroom to get the first-aid kit. he came back with the box and sat next to draken and grabbed his chin.

"come on this gonna hurt a bit, but i'll be as careful and quick as i can so bear with it 'kay?" the tatted male just hummed as an answer and inui took it as a sign to start cleaning his bruises. he started dabbing under his eye first, then right under his jaw with careful movements. draken didn't seem to be giving any reaction so he just continued until his eyes sat on his slightly busted lip. seishu looked away for a moment then went to dab the sanitizer on his lip when draken took a hold of his wrist and he dopped the cottonball he was holding.

"what's wro-" seishu's words were cut off when draken kissed him. inui's whole body froze as memories from his high school years started to pry at his mind and tears filled his eyes. he didn't know what to do. was it the right thing that he just sat there without doing anything but his hands shaking? he will never know the answer to that. he only came back to reality when draken pulled away and smiled at him with red dusting his cheeks, inui didn't know if it was from the alcohol or because draken was embarrassed.

"i love you..emma." draken whispered against inui's neck and passed out. seishu couldn't process what was happening and his chest started to hurt. he quickly pushed draken off of him (who surprisingly didn't even budge) and stood up with wide eyes, tears threatening to spill out of them. he didn't even bother to pack the first aid kit as he was almost running to the door. he slammed the shop's keys on draken's kitchen island and left.

-

the next morning draken woke up with a headache.

"..what happened?" he said as he looked through his room, the first-aid kit on the floor. he tried to remember what happened last night as he went to get dressed for work.

he was confused when inui didn't came to work that day.

[overlyimmersed]

LIVE BLOG TIME AGAIN

Spoilers ahead, you know the drill by now. Oh also strong language this time. I have a lot of feelings and some of them involve cuss words.

OOOOHHHH Blight drama! Also Kiki's little mocking XD

OH MY GOD LUZ'A TINY PONY TAIL!!!

aww he just wants to help. Let him see what he can do!

replacements...lovely... fuck face Bitch-los...

XD Eber's hiss

Flesh...eating...beetles...? EWWW! "Only a few people would get eaten" XD dude...

O.O oh...my god... OH MY GOD...OH.MY.GOD... boy that's a plan...that's not computing super good. that's...one...idea... i don't know HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS IDEA!!

an egg?...She carved an egg?...you can do that?... I need to know more about how palismen are made. Aww, that's so cute.

Aww, what a lovely moment :) ...Why does it make me NERVOUS!

aww... King... You'll do fine little titan.

OOHHH!!! KATYA'S PALISMAN! YES! We still need to see Raine's though. STILL WAITING FOR THAT DANA!

OH MY GOD! NEW OUTFITS! THEY LOOK AMAZING!!

*GASP* MAH BOI!!! HUNTER BB IS BACK AND ROCKING SOME NEW THREADS!! OH MY GOSH!! YAY!! boyo still needs a nap though :p someday he'll get to sleep.

Aaaand he's still buggin... poor Hunny. OH BUT THAT'S LITTLE HEADBUTT/HANDSHAKE! SO CUTE! BABY BOY'S GOT FRIENDS!!

And timeframe. Luz was gone for a week.

XD Hunter apologizing to the coven scout. Yeah that's fair, he's just doin his job.

they tried to burn down that factory...GUYS!

Aw, I love when the siblings are nice to each other.

OH! OHOHOH!!! OOOOOOHHHH!!! you're all going nuts aren't ya XD I expect this is all the fandom will be talking about for the next week. WAY TO WIN, OWL HOUSE CREW! The animation for that moment was something. Also Luz what was that? XD

Agreed, Raine. I have some... very weird emotions about this. Haha.

I *know* Eda pulled her/Raine's head off, I did not watch that, covered my eyes. I don't need *THOSE* nightmares...

Oh oh...I don't know if I can watch *this* either...I'm sure when this is all said and done the sigils won't even be a thing anymore, but still this is soooo not cool :(

OH COME ON! LET KING HELP!

oh...

huh?

700 snorse power XD

And Kikimora likes to be tall XD Someone edit that one meme! Has that been done? Do it again!

Wow guys...

NOT THE ANNOYING VOICE THING AGAIN! I LIKE HIS VOICE! Also on no they're in trouble now... He held a grudge XD

That blue haired wild witch is cute :) Also not having a good day :(

Oh! that trail of trash led to Alador. Didn't expect that. AWW! Cute! OH! KING'S SPILLING THE BEANS!? OH! HECK!

Oh man...she is THE WORST mom!! makes mine look like a saint

She didn't know they were dating!? Ooooh...

HOORAY! DAD TO THE RESCUE! this is about to go very bad isn't it... OH... that's gonna be a messy divorce.

i am filled with rage. i had to get up and take a moment to be obscenely angry. i am shaking.

Wait... I saw that. Luz doing Hunter's teleport magic thing. Are they disguised as each other?

holy god, Willow...

XD Alador. Y'know I'm glad he wound up being on our side. I knew I liked his vibe from the start. WHOA, his eyes!

Yep. Called that.

[batarella]

I Don’t Hate You - Part 3 (Jason Todd x Reader)

OKAY LEMME TELL YOU ALL I’VE NEVER POSTED ANYTHING THIS LONG. AND I’VE NEVER SMILED SO MUCH WHILE WRITING A SINGLE FIC IN MY LIFE. IT’S 2K WORDS LONGER THAN THE COMMANDER FINALE. TALK ABOUT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.

REMEMBER WHY JADE WEST WAS SO ICONIC IN VICTORIOUS? READ ON!

WORDS: A WHOPPING 7404 WORDS FOR A SINGLE PART OF A SERIES WARNINGS: NEVER HAD THIS MUCH FLUFF IN MY LIFE

Masterlist

I DON’T HATE YOU - MASTERLIST

-----

Hands flat on Ms. Peterson’s desk, you flashed the brightest fake smile you could. She looked up from her computer, probably the fifth round of solitaire for the day, and cocked up an eyebrow. She did not at all look amused at you storming in.

But you’ve been in the library for twenty minutes and this woman has not given you anything to do to keep you in here.

“Listen, Ms. Peterson. As much as we just love hanging out in this outdated hellhole, I’d rather we go home than just sit here and do nothing for the next hour and a half.”

Her shaky hands didn’t flinch. And she turned her attention back at her screen.

“I’m told to keep you in here for another eight weeks. I’ve had this job for fifty years and I’m not about to lose it to two whiny brats.”

“She’s the only whiny brat here, Ms. P.” Jason rested his elbows on the desk and leaned over beside you. “If you let us out, it’ll be our little secret. C’mon.”

Obviously, that sort of trick works for Jason more times than it would for any ordinary person. But Ms. Peterson was not the one to charm with. And she had the same, dead look in her eye when she turned her head at the young man.

“Sit. Down.”

“What the hell are we supposed to do?”

“I don’t care. Just get your asses on those chairs and sit. Oh look! A person in need of service. There’s your job. Go do it.”

Only one guy was standing behind you. You snarled at him, eyes narrowed. You were almost growling beneath your breath which made him visibly stand back. Jason looked at him over his shoulder with less fear factor but with the same annoyance.

The sight of you both made him almost piss his pants.

“Uhm,” he gulped. “Can you please show me where sci fi books are at?”

You cocked up an eyebrow, glancing at your nails before nudging Jason with your shoulder. He grunted at you, giving you that same ‘I really fucking hate you’ look on his face he’s practically embedded onto his own skin by now. You shrugged, looking back at your nails. Then Jason stood straight and held the guy by the shoulder.

“Go through that aisle. Third shelf from the right.”

“He asked you to go with him, Todd.”

His glare on you was really starting to show. “He can find it himself.”

The poor guy gulped and viciously nodded to agree with Jason. He walked away, making sure not to catch your eye. You lifted your elbows from the librarian’s desk and spared the old lady another snarky look, to which she didn’t even bother to notice. Both of you sitting back on the empty table, Jason placed his arm crossed over the other on the surface and leaned his head over to at least try having a nap. His hair was all sprawled out. You, on the other hand, leaned back, head hanging on your neck, and closing your eyes hoping time would fly by faster that way.

It didn’t.

Two weeks. It had been two fucking weeks. And yet, you were far from being halfway through this macabre series of events. Why couldn’t you have just punched that Maxwell kid in the face? Or threatened to murder him in his sleep? Anything else would have been better. Anything that would’ve landed you in an entirely different situation than to be stuck here with an old woman stricter than a Belle Reeves prison guard.

You could either look at the windows out the library, find a book and actually read one of them (though if they had any more of Poe’s you’d likely get your hands on them).

Or just stare at the eye candy in front of you.

Your smirk was less obvious when you glanced over the veins on his large, muscled arms, folded on top of the other with his skin stretched. His thick, black hair that was long enough to cover most of his forehead, now sticking onto his arm. His neck that was long and thick, his thin shirt and how even more lean muscles would pop out when he’d unintentionally flex. You often caught sight of his stomach when he’d reach over a shelf that was at the top most level, and the ‘V’ shape on his skin was more than eminent enough for you to picture. He wasn’t absolutely huge, especially since he was just 17. But he was definitely fit.

You wouldn’t mind looking at that for a while. Not until he starts talking, anyway. For long minutes, that was what you did, then you got bored.

The tip of your boots kicked his shin under the table. He jumped up, startled, almost growling at you with dark bags under his eyes.

“The fuck do you want now?”

“Someone’s a bit angsty today,” your evil little smirk ticked off another of his nerves. You could tell. He let out a large sigh, started leaning back against the back of his chair, then spread out his arms behind his head to stretch.

Ooooooh shit. There is was. The veins.

“I didn’t sleep last night.” Jason finished stretching and went back to lean against the table. “You done gawking?”

“Cute.” You scrunched up your face to mock him. “I’m bored.”

“And what am I supposed to do with that?”

“Help me sneak out of here.”

“Two weeks here. You think I haven’t tried sneaking out once or twice? That woman’s got the eye of a fucking hawk.”

“Is there any other way out of here?”

“I doubt it.”

Your groan was indefinitely long, stretching the back of your neck when you opted to reach for your phone.

“I’m at three percent.”

Jason took out his own phone. “Mine’s at five.”

“That blackout from last night reach your monster mansion, too?”

He snarled at you and rolled his eyes. “Bruce has generators to power up the whole place when we need it.”

“Then why are you at five percent?”

“Because I’ve been tinkering on this sorry little fucker the last thirty minutes.” He held it up with just his fingers. It had a cracked screen. It looked too old to even be used. “Battery drains faster than my patience.”

“Can’t your new rich dad buy you another one?”

“He did. I don’t wanna use it. Just doesn’t feel like mine.”

“Ah. You're one of those guys. ‘My parents are rich, not me’ kind of dudes. You’re all the same kinds of annoying.”

“I don’t act all high and mighty, for your information.”

“I’m just saying,” you raised your arms up. “If I were you’d I’d at least enjoy his wealth. It’s stupid if you don’t take advantage of things you clearly already have.””

He silently shook his head and looked to the side like you wouldn’t understand even if you tried. Scoffing, you turned away, and you caught the eye of Maxwell, who had a sling on his arm still.

“Holy fuck,” you reached for your bag. “I can't believe I fucking forgot.”

“What?”

Pouring out the contents, you mumbled. “Help me with this thing and I swear I owe you a huge favor.”

“I think watching you wallow in your pain would be more worth my time.”

“That sounds more like my line. You’re taking after me. Good. And I’d say likewise if I wasn’t so desperate, Todd.” You started pouring out pieces of paper, a bottle of glue, and a pair of the largest scissors Jason’s ever seen.

“Is that-“

“The scissors that sent that guy to therapy?” You pointed at Maxwell. “Yes. Yes they are.”

“Jesus.” He took it from your hands. “No fucking wonder.”

“Stop ogling and help me.”

“What the fuck are you supposed to do?”

“Remember the project that kid spilled his coffee on? This is it. I finished it that day and now I have to do it all over again. They gave me another two weeks to do it and I completely forgot about it until now. I’m supposed to make a stained-glass kind of picture. But with cutting pieces of colored paper.”

Jason took the paper you had on the table.

“These are all white, black, gray, and one sheet that’s dark red.”

You shrugged. “I like working with those colors. Now help me. I wanna do this.” You pulled out your phone and showed him a saved photo of one you’d like to copy. He almost jumped out of his seat when you suddenly showed him a picture of a deranged clown with a big red nose, a smile much larger than half his face, and eyes dark and dwelling enough to give him nightmares.

“I wanna know what type of dark shit you’re on.”

“It’s just a clown.”

“I am not helping you on your little art project.”

“Please.” Your hands were down, your eyes widened but not the threatening kind. And your voice, it was definitely the softest he’s ever heard it. Twitching an eyebrow like he was watching your every move, Jason didn’t flinch.

He looked at the clock. Then back at you with his eyeballs rolled all the way around.

“You’re lucky I literally have nothing better to do.”

You propped your shoulders up and gave him a black piece of paper and a pair of scissors. “Great. Cut these into the shapes I drew here.”

A disgruntled groan and a sharp snatch from your hands, Jason looked just as cranky as you usually were. It was amusing. He glared at you and you just smiled back. “Thanks, Jay.”

“Shut up and get to work.”

Your eyes lingered a bit longer on him, even when he’d started to fiddle with your too-large scissors, and you rolled your eyes with a bit of a smile.

“What’s making you so grumpy today?”

He didn’t bother looking up at you. His brows were all scrunched up as he cut the black piece of paper.

“I told you. I didn’t get to sleep last night. I was… out. Why are you grumpy all the time?”

You squinted your eyes at him then went to work. Carefully, he went through the first paper and gave you the shapes you wanted. You set aside your own batch and you took out the larger, white paper on which you’d glue it all on.

“Okay. Give me the shapes.”

You took out the glue and started pouring it on the paper.

“You’re doing it all wrong.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

“You clearly don’t.” He snatched it from you and started wiping the glue off with his finger, spreading it around. “I can't believe I’m fucking doing this.”

“And what are you doing exactly?” you snarled.

“Pouring the glue in will make it all sticky. You should’ve traced over the outer lines so it wouldn’t crumple.”

“I know that.” You took the glue away from him again, then placed the shape onto the paper. “One down.”

“Fucking kill me now.”

“Keep cutting. I’ll handle the glue.”

“Do it right, then.”

You stuck your tongue out at him. He started again with your scissors and went back to snipping off the pieces of paper. Gluing the shapes one by one, you started taking out a red marker and traced the outlines to mimic the flow of blood.

Jason stared at it, then at you, eyes wide with disbelief, then went back to his scissors.

“Excuse me,” a girl went up to you. A freshman, you could tell. “That lady told me you could show me to the young adult section?”

“No. Go away.”

You kept with your glue, not even looking at the girl who just stared at you awkwardly. Jason pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a deep, long sigh. “Go down that aisle. Fifth shelf. Down the very end.”

“Uh. Thanks.” She walked over to where Jason was pointing at. You still didn’t look up from your work. And instead, watched on as Jason continued with cutting the shapes. “You need to chill.”

“Finish those up. That’s the last one.”

Jason rolled his eyes even more, angrily cutting through the pieces of red paper the size of the clown’s big red nose. He dropped the scissors onto the table and just continued to watch you gluing the pieces together with way too much glue.

He gave you no warning before grabbing the glue bottle from you and the shapes, stretching his arm out so you can't reach them.

“TODD.”

“YOU’RE RUINING THE WHOLE THING.”

“NO, I’M NOT.” You cursed with his name and stood up from your chair, reaching out with your arms all the way to him while he desperately wiped off the excess glue for your sake. “GIVE THAT BACK.”

“SIT DOWN.” He cried back at you.

You heard the shrillest shush Ms. Peterson has ever made, before you went back to fumbling with Jason. Your table was at the far end, and she was no longer at your line of sight. He held your wrist, wiping off the rest of the glue, then finally handed the bottle back to you. Putting the shapes onto the paper, you groaned when you slumped back on the chair.

“It looks horrible,” he tried to stifle a laugh.

“Fuck you.”

“At least you’re almost done, right?”

“You put the glue on the shapes then, genius. I’ll paste them on.”

Grumbling with his deep voice, he took the glue bottle and swiped the shapes back over to him. Using thin, barely visible lines, he was so stingy with the glue you wanted to tear your hair out.

“That won't even stick to a fly trap.”

“You want your work to look all crumpled? Go ahead.”

“Just put a bit more.”

“I have the fucking glue bottle,” his eyebrows were raised. “You sit there and wait for me, then you stick them yourself. Start with this.”

He slammed a shape onto the table and you took it, careful not to hit your fingers with the glue. Biting into your gums, you wondered how you’ll be able to handle yet another eight weeks with his kid.

Your bickering didn’t even stop there. It went on, and Jason had to cut even more shapes to make up for some that were far too small. He was practically yelling at this point, and you weren’t about to get yelled at and not respond.

“YOU’RE THE ONE WHO CUT THEM, DINGUS.”

“HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THE RIGHT FUCKING SIZE.”

“I GAVE YOU THE PATTERN. YOU ONLY HAD TO FOLLOW IT.”

“WELL I WOULD HAVE IF YOUR SCISSORS WEREN’T SO DAMN BIG.”

“THEY’RE THE BEST PAIR IN EXISTENCE. YOU JUST CAN'T HANDLE IT.”

“I THINK I CAN HANDLE A PAIR OF SCISSORS.”

“THEN WHY CAN'T YOU CUT BETTER THAN A FUCKING SEVEN-YEAR-OLD.”

“’CUZ THEY DON’T HAVE A FUCKING PARROT SCREAMING AT THEM EVERY FIVE GODDAMN MINUTES.”

The silent yelling didn’t stop. At the end, your voices were too loud that Ms. Peterson would’ve eventually shushed you for the last time and probably throw her slipper at you. Thankfully, she’d gone out to the bathroom and you were left alone.

Everyone else had left. It was almost 5 pm, and you refused to go if your project still wasn’t finished.

“This. Is. The worst day. Of my entire life. And I used to live in the streets.”

“You're not going anywhere. Stay.”

A deep, agonizingly painful groan. He slumped onto the table and buried his face into his arms. “Why can't you just kill me?”

Another set of long minutes, with your attention directly at the glue and scraping off the excess to make it look presentable. It didn’t actually look that bad. The second set of cut shapes were just the right size. Jason didn’t bother looking up. He might have even fallen asleep with you being silent for the longest time since you got there.

No one was left in the library, and it was just starting to get dark.

“Aaaaand THERE.” You placed the finished project onto the table and clapped your hands together in a grinning happiness. Jason, on the other hand, looked as good as dead.

“You may go.”

“You owe me fucking big time, kid.”

You smirked at him when he violently pushed his chair back, grabbed his backpack and went out for the door. You took your time, especially since going home late didn’t seem like such a drag anymore when Dad moved back in. You carefully slipped your collage into your folder and slung your bag over your shoulder.

Jason was still standing in front of the door, hand frozen on the handle you pushed him away and turned it, only for your hand to come at an abrupt stop and the sound of gears halting its turn.

“Where the fuck is Mother Goose?”

“The bathroom-“

But she wasn’t at the bathroom. Unless Ms. Peterson took her large purse and computer along with her to the toilet, she probably wasn’t in there.

“Are we-“

“There has to be a key here.” Jason rummaged through the librarian’s desk. Every drawer he could forcefully pull out, he did.

You pulled out your phone, which was a dead 0%, the image of a drained-out battery staring back at you, and that’s when you started to feel the panic slowly rise. You rushed to the library’s telephone, but you couldn’t even hear a dial tone. The phone was off. Jason’s phone was probably just as dead.

You rushed to the lights to turn them on, but nothing happened.

Fuck. Another blackout. FUCK.

“No key,” he rested his hands on the table. “Shit. FUCK.”

You only stared at each other, feeling that panic start to settle in when you realized you were out of options.

“M-Maybe. Your dad will come pick us up?”

Jason shook his head. “The last time I ran away for the night, he said he wasn’t gonna go around Gotham to pick me up anymore.” He looked at you. “Your parents?”

“Said the exact same thing.”

Your back hit the wall, and you slid down with your head up in the ceiling. Both silent. None of you even said it out loud.

Jason looked like he wanted to scream.

-----

You laid on your back, flat against the table, with just your arm over your eyes to shield it from the light posts outside the window on the driveway. You tried to drown out Jason’s fiddling with his lock pick and the door handle. Two hours had passed, and you’d barely gone by the evening.

“That’s not gonna work.”

“You have a better option, Lydia Deetz?”

You clenched your jaw and sneered. “You’ve been at it for an hour.”

“I’m almost through this.” He kept with his pick, a hairpin he found on the ground which he spent another hour looking for. “Juuuust- THERE!”

You shot up from the table, feet landing enthusiastically onto the floor and you sprinted to Jason’s back. “Here’s to freedom.”

Too eagerly, he turned the handle and pulled the door with a victorious grin.

Only for his hand to jolt at another abrupt stop. The door wouldn’t budge, only peering open through an inch. The grin on his face was immediately lost, and he almost feel out of his feet when you violently pushed him away, pulling on the door yourself and failing.

You could see the deadbolt, but something outside was holding the double doors from opening, no matter which one you pulled on.

“That batshit crazy old witch,” you growled. “Fucking chain locked the door.”

A loud, frustrated groan from Jason as he threw the hairpin to the ground like he would’ve a knife. “WHO CHAIN LOCKS A LIBRARY?”’

You walked away from the door, going back to the tables so you could bend over and stuff your face into your hands. Jason was even more of a mess.

Your dad started his first big fight with mom since he moved back in last night, just when you thought they’d finalized the divorce, he squirms back in. And your room was never far enough to drown out their screams.

That night you wished you were somewhere else. And you ended up somewhere even worse.

Jason was sitting on the floor, back flat against the wall, and his eyes were shut close while you laid back down on top of the table.

“I’m hungry.”

“The fuck you want me to do about that?” Jason kept his eyes shut.

“You got any food?”

“No.”

“Don’t you have something in your bag?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“You think you can stab me with those scissors? ‘Cuz I feel like choking on my own blood right now.”

You rolled over so you were laying on your stomach. Craning your head up to look at Jason, your chin resting on your fingers, you grinned. “I’d rather not spend the night being stuck with your rotting flesh. I’ll kill you in the morning.”

Jason screamed into his hands. “We are not gonna be stuck here until fucking morning.”

“Either you die tonight still in denial or we actually try to survive. Now do you have anything in your bag or what?”

He didn’t give in to picking out his bag without leaving you a dark glare. The sky was completely dark by now. And the only light source you had were three lamp posts outside the window. The power was still off, which meant it was going to be this dark the whole fucking night.

“Would you look at that?” He took out a small protein bar from his smaller pocket. “Forgot that was there.”

You jumped off the table again. “Great. I’m starving.”

You walked too fast to Jason, who immediately stood up and hold you by the shoulder, raising his hand away from your reach. “Ey. Mine. From my bag, remember?”

“I don’t have anything in mine!” you reached and tried to push him, but had no luck against his strength. “Come on!”

“I have way more body mass than you. I need this.”

You pursed your lips, glowering at him even when you knew he still wouldn’t budge. He kept pushing your shoulder from him until you backed away reluctantly.

“WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO EAT?”

You whined and grunted with your back hitting the wall. Jason stepped away facing you and opened the protein bar, took a large bite that left it with almost a third of the whole thing left.

“You know. That thing with the scissors stuck into your neck doesn’t seem like a bad idea anymore.” You grumbled.

Chewing profusely at the bar, he folded his one arm over his chest and smirked while watching you silently grovel in annoyance. You leaned on your side and made sure he wouldn’t hear your stomach starting to growl.

“Fine,” he groaned. “Here.”

A little over a quarter of the protein bar left. Jason handed it over to you and you gritted your teeth.

“There’s barely anything left, you bile-headed twat.”

“You want me to finish it?”

Snatching the bar away from him, you cursed under your breath right before you gobbled up what was left of the snack. It did little to nothing to make you feel less hungry, but at least you weren’t going to die.

“You're welcome.”

You threw the wrapper onto the floor and went back to sitting on the table. “Got anymore bright ideas?”

“Maybe if you’d help, I’d actually be able to tolerate you.”

Jason walked over to the classics shelf, pulled out a book and did the same as you. He swung his legs over on top of the table across you, bringing his knees up so he could rest his elbows on them. He then opened his book.

“You're reading,” you bit your gums. “You’re actually reading at a time like this.”

“What else are we supposed to do in a fucking library?”

Your hands met the surface of the table behind you and you threw your head back. “We have at least until the power comes back on. GOD, this place in insufferable.”

“Never mind the helping. You shutting up would be enough not to drive me insane.”

“And you're less of an ass when you're not a grouch, dickhead.”

“I’m ignoring you now.”

The vein on your forehead started to throb. You weren’t tired yet, and you wouldn’t be able to sleep at this hour even if you tried. You rolled around the table, desperate for any position that wouldn’t drive your limbs numb.

You jolted when you heard Jason curse.

“This fucking lamp post’s too dim. Can't even see shit.”

He set the book aside, laid down on his back and watched the ceiling with you.

“How did we even get locked up?”

“Maybe if you didn’t keep me captive with that stupid clown project for three hours we wouldn’t be in the mess.”

“So it’s my fault now? You're the one who fell asleep!”

“How could you have possibly missed the time? You know the library closes at five!”

“I didn’t fucking know that! I leave before that old witch does every time!”

“Just-.” Jason shut his eyes. “Can we stop screaming for ONE SECOND? Especially since we’re gonna stuck here the whole night?!”

The mocking noise you made was almost inhuman. Jason didn’t bother snarling back.

You saw a car pass by, the headlights shining through the window for the shortest moment. You kneeled on the table and waved your arms around.

“HEY. GET US OUT OF HERE!”

The car kept moving, and the headlights passed through the whole of the window until it left. You slumped back to lay down and groaned. “Fuck everything.”

You grabbed your bag, rummaging through everything inside just to find anything to do or anything that could possibly help you. Nothing. Not even a fan to cool you off when you started to feel the temperature rise.

“Did you call the number I gave you?”

You licked your teeth. “I used the piece of paper you gave me as a bookmark.”

Jason lifted his arm off his head. “No shame in asking for help.”

“I told you, I’m not being fucking abused.” You started picking on the leather of your boots, tracing along the creases of where your toes folded. “I don’t know what the hell made you think I was.”

“It doesn’t have to be actual physical abuse,” he sat up on his elbows.

“You really wanna make us feel uncomfortable? Why do you come to school with bruises all the time?”

“It’s not what you think.”

“Then what is it?”

He cleared his throat. “I’m not gonna fucking tell you, Y/LN.”

“Fine. Then let’s not talk about this.”

You had that usual condescending tone, but you didn’t sound like you were on the verge of lashing out. You sounded like you were pleading, even. Jason bit his lower lip. “Okay. What do you wanna talk about? It’s too early to sleep.”

You brought your knees up to sit cross legged and you leaned in on your elbows.

“Wanna play a game?”

Jason drummed his fingers on the table and sighed. “What?”

You scooched closer to him and swung your legs over the edge of the table. He did the same and faced you. “Give me your hand.”

“What?”

“Just give me your hand, Todd. Don’t be a pussy.”

“Don’t fucking call me that.”

“Then give me your hand.”

Jason snorted, leaning his elbow over his lap and giving his other hand over to you. You took it, smiling at him, then gripping firmly onto his wrist. “Make a fist.”

He fisted his hand and you could see a few veins pop out on his arm. You started rubbing the outside of his fingers. His eyes scrunched up, watching you. “Open your hand.”

He opened it, then you lightly slapped it with your own palm. “Fist,” you said again. He breathed and pulled it again to a fist. You repeated your first action with a growing smirk. “If I come out of this with one hand left-“

“Shut up. Open again.”

He opened his palm. And with a single finger, you tapped onto the center of his hand, then released your grip on his wrist.

Jason widened his eyes, amused. “It tingles.”

“I know right.” You folded your arms.

“Where’d you learn to do that?”

“That’s a secret.”

He then reached out his other hand to you. “Do it again.”

You laughed and snorted before grabbing his wrist, rubbed his fingers the same way you did the first time. Jason leaned over closer to look at your movements, and his nose was all scrunched up like it would when he was focused on a book. The corner of your mouth lifted, then you tapped his hand with your finger and let go.

“What sorcery is this?”

You shrugged, leaning back and folding your arms. “You have any tricks of your own?”

“Yes I do,” he said, swinging his legs over the edge of the table. “Hold out your hand.”

You did so without hesitation. Jason held your fist, then looked straight at you. “Pick a finger and don’t tell me what it is.”

“Okay?” Your ring finger. Easy enough.

“Look straight into my eyes. Don’t look down.”

You rolled your eyes slightly to the side, licking the inside of your teeth, then did as told.

He was looking straight at you, not even trying to blink. A smirk formed on his lips, and his eyes had that same flick of a glare, but there was a little shine on them from the dim lamp post. You shook your head while still maintaining eye contact and felt his other hand start toying with your fingers.

“It’s your ring finger.”

“Huh,” you shuffled closer to him. “Do it again. I wanna watch your hands.”

“No. You have to look straight at my eyes.”

“Fine. Just do it again. I’ll pay more attention.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled, and you both tried your best to hold back emerging bursts of laughter while he continued to toy with your fingers and trying not to blink.

“You're not choosing a finger.” He said.

“Not true. You just suck.”

It was true. You forgot to choose a finger. The middle finger this time. You shifted your focus, but the way he’d try to hold back a laugh made you choke. “Stop laughing.”

“I’m not.” He so was. You felt him touch your fingers, moving around them one by one. “You’re trying to look for movements.”

“Nope. It’s the middle finger.” He kept at it. Over and over, with you refusing to admit he read your mind.

His hands started feeling warmer each time. You didn’t know you noticed.

-----

A bustling, screeching noise of a cart being hauled around the room for the past ten minutes. You’ve been here for five hours. You were tired, starving, and sweating. You covered most of your face and ears with your hands, but the cart’s noises just kept going.

You shot up from the table. “DUDE. STOP.”

You normally had more insults to scream at him, but at that point of the night, you were all out.

Jason kept going and ignored you. Starting from one end of the library, he pushed the handles of the empty cart, accelerating it with his feet. When he gained the momentum, he placed his feet on the metal and rode it across the room. “Real mature.”

“Don’t be an old hag.”

He accelerated again from the opposite end, then climbed on. Jason went faster this time and just narrowly missed a shelf.

“There’s another cart right there if you have the balls to join me.”

You placed your weight on your arm, watching Jason sprint from one end of the room to the next. With a loud grunt, knowing you wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, you jumped off the table.

You emptied the cart from the remaining books and pushed it to Jason’s side, who waited for you just by the shelves. “Jump when it speeds up.”

“I know what to do.”

He laughed. “Race you to the other side.”

You gripped on the handle firmly, watching the end of the room, the one lined with heavy bookshelves, and readied yourself. “GO.”

You sprinted the two carts and grabbed on with your life as you sped down the large enough room, feeling the air slightly cooler when it was rushing past your skin and hair. You laughed playfully, stopping just before you hit the shelf. “I win.”

“Are you kidding me? I was waiting for you.”

“One more lap.”

“You’re on.”

Again, you sped past the room. You held onto one side of the handle too hard and accidentally hit Jason’s cart, both of you almost tumbling to the ground. “I call foul!”

“It was an accident!” you laughed, then took the cart again to finish the lap. He caught up with you and you no longer stopped in between, continuously sprinting and jumping onto the metal all across the room. You rode past the shelves, the narrow aisles, narrowly missing the books. You almost hit the tables with the carts and you definitely hit the wall too hard when you stopped too late. Jason was trailing right beside you, then he went about his own route.

That’s when he purposefully hit the front your cart with your own, throwing you off on the ground. “FUCK”

He laughed too hard. “Come on. I have another game.”

Holding his hand out to you, you grabbed on and he pulled you up to your feet. You stood close to him, both of you still laughing. And you were staring too long at his face being close to yours. You pulled away from his lingering grip, looking at the ground.

Setting his own cart aside, he pulled on yours, settling it between the aisle of the shelves. It went straight through the longest path down the room, and you’d have to be lucky to miss the shelves. “Hop on.”

“Todd, if you throw me out the window-“

“Come on. Don’t be a pussy.”

You felt the rush, and you liked how free you felt rushing through the air. You climbed into the cart, grabbing hold of the edges and focused on the end of the room.

Jason leaned in to your ear. “Don’t scream.”

“JASON.”

He was incredibly strong, pushing you in the cart like you weighed nothing and sped through the room faster than he previously had. The cart was growling and was so ready to break apart, but you never felt that kind of thrill since you last rode a coaster. You definitely screamed, a high-pitched shriek you know Jason must never mention to anyone, ever. But you were also laughing your stomach out when Jason turned you around, sped to the other end again. And this time, his feet jumping onto the cart.

You threw your head back, laughing, then you caught a glimpse of his face flashing the brightest smile you’ve ever seen on him.

Your laughter came to an abrupt stop when he stopped the cart too late and crashed against the shelf. You both stood still, watching it toppling like an unsteady jenga tower.

Holding your breath, you heard books fall to the floor, then the shaking mellowed down and you released your breaths when it finally stopped. Turning to Jason and falling into the cart laughing, you clutched at your stomach. “JESUS CHRIST.”

“Not funny!” he cried out, but even he was stifling a laugh. He walked over to the front and placed the books into the cart with you. Some fell on your lap, and you took the books from him and placed them to your side.

“At least we have something to do now.”

“Yeah. Especially since you put these books in the wrong shelf. These belong over there.” He pointed to a shelf nearby.

“Let’s fix it then,” you said, still not moving from the cart. He placed all the books from the floor onto you and moved the cart to the corner.

“You’re heavy.”

“Shut up. From now on, we shelf books this way.” You took a book from your lap and gave it to him, who placed the book in its right place.

“Top shelf,” you smirked.

“I know where to put them.” He took it from your hand and shoved it in place. You didn’t have many books to begin with, but even after that, he continued to push the cart, with you still hitching a ride, and you walked around the library to just look at all the books.

“Everything’s in the right section.”

“Because of me. You made a shit ton of mistakes.”

You threw your head back, looking at him. And from that angle you could see his glare turn into a smile. You leaned against the back of the cart, your head lightly touching his arm.

When you’ve managed to tour the whole library, you sat up.

“You're turn. Get in here.”

Jason wanted to laugh at that. “You’d never be able to lift me.”

“Watch me try.”

You hopped off the cart, pushing him aside from the handle. He shook his head, but eventually climbed on like you had. He was bigger than you, so he looked a lot more uncomfortable with his knees folded way up and his arms barely fitting inside the cart.

He was really heavy. But you managed. Pushing the cart slowly at first, Jason leaned in to the left side to steer you off. “Jason!”

“I see stray books. Go over there.”

You pushed the cart with whatever might you had. When you reached the desk, Jason took the books you previously set aside and placed them on his lap. “Braille,” he said. “These go all the way to the back.”

“I can handle this. I’m a big girl.”

You pushed the cart, eventually gaining speed, but it wasn’t nearly as fast as when he’d pushed you around. You reached the far back, with two sharp turns that nearly killed your back, then stopped with a loud breath.

“You're right. We should do this more often.”

You were panting by that time, and Jason handed you the books to place on the shelf. “Chop chop.”

-----

Two fucking am. The power was still out. Jason was definitely going to call the electricity company when you both get out of here. You were sat cross legged on one side of the long, narrow table, fiddling with your sleeves since you couldn’t sleep. He was laying on the same table but facing the opposite way, closing his eyes and feeling the beginnings of light slumber. His back was going to kill him eventually, but when the rush from that cart fiasco died down, he was so awfully tired.

Jason laid his head on his arm, closing his eyes as tightly as he could.

Then a warm, soothing melody started to buzz through his ears, a tune he’s never quite heard of before. His eyelids suddenly grew softer, feeling the humming song vibrate through him.

Where was it coming from?

He slowly opened his eyes, trying to find the source. Jason craned his head up to you, with your back turned to him, and realized you were the one humming.

You turned to him, and he went back to closing his eyes, pretending to sleep. “Jason?” you lightly asked, not enough to wake him if he was actually asleep. You turned your back around and crouched over to relax.

He wasn’t sleeping anymore, but he kept closing his eyes. A little while later, with you thinking he wasn’t conscious, he heard you actually start to sing.

 You got a fast car

I want a ticket to anywhere

Maybe we make a deal

Maybe together we can get somewhere

Anyplace is better

Starting from zero got nothing to lose

Maybe we'll make something

Me, myself I got nothing to prove

 Then you paused. Your voice was so soft and light, he never would’ve have heard it if there was anyone else in the room or if he wasn’t awake. You never would’ve sung if you knew he was, though.

You had the most beautiful voice he’s ever heard in his life.

 You got a fast car

I got a plan to get us out of here

I been working at the convenience store

Managed to save just a little bit of money

Won't have to drive too far

Just 'cross the border and into the city

You and I can both get jobs

And finally see what it means to be living

 Your voice was low, a beautiful, vibrating low. An alto. And there was that deep, breathy growl when you reached the lower notes with ease. A light vibrato at the end of the vowels, and there was that drowsy, slow feel to it that just made it seem like you didn’t make that much effort at all. At some points, you whispered the words, like your everyday screaming never affected your vocal chords at all.

There was a tug at his chest, his face started to burn up. He was wide awake by now, and there was that thudding within him that was too hard to ignore. And it worsened each time you breathed out the end of the verses.

You managed to finish the song, and by then, he was a mess.

You didn’t sing anything more, no matter how much he wished you would. He ended up fighting his tiredness, just in case he’d miss another song.

But right before he drifted to sleep, he realized he’d been smiling his cheeks off.

-----

Twelve hours.

You were stuck in the library.

For twelve fucking hours.

Both of you shot up from the table the moment you heard the chains outside the door clink to the ground. You and Jason raced out the door, and before the security guard could totally open it, you violently pushed it aside and raced out into the wide-open space of the driveway outside the gates. The poor guard looked puzzlingly at you. But since he was too old to care or even ask about what happened, he shrugged it off.

The cool air felt heavenly against your skin, and the bright sun, smiling back at you against your face. You spread your arms out and took in the breeze as much as you could. Jason was fanning himself with the collar of his shirt, raising his arms up the same way you were. “AHHHHH.” He screamed. And you did the same. The frustration went out the window as fast as you’d ran.

“FUCKING FINALLY.”

“THAT IS NEVER HAPPENING AGAIN.”

“NEVER.”

You faced the sky, still taking the deep, fresh intakes of air. Jason placed his hands on his hips and ruffled his sweat covered hair.

“Don’t tell anyone about this.”

“Agreed,” you said. “Not even Ms. Peterson.”

“Not a single soul.”

You both faced each other, raising your brows, no longer from a glare or out of annoyance. Your body felt light. Your chest felt lighter. You were smiling.

“I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Kudos to us for surviving.”

A high five. And you both laughed, still feeling that flush of relief flow throughout your limbs. No one was in school yet. It was Saturday, though. No one but a few of the faculty members were going to show up.

But the sky looked pink, mixed with a bright yellowish orange. The driveway never looked so clean, and the breeze was so wonderfully cold, with the autumn leaves still floating on the grass and the roads, you just felt happy. Your lingering gaze on Jason helped with that bright smile.

As if twelve hours in the library was nothing. As if it wasn’t torture at all.

As if it was, in fact, the most fun you’ve had in a single night in a long, long time.

“Walk safe.”

“Bye, Todd.”

Walking towards opposite ends of the sidewalk, hands on your sides and not in your pockets like you usually would. You couldn’t stop grinning.

Sparing one last glance behind you, seeing him get on his motorcycle, you turned to the corner of the street.

-----

I DON’T HATE YOU - MASTERLIST

-------

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH PLS TELL ME YOU ENJOYED THAT CUZ I CERTAINLY DID

THE SINGING SCENE IS REALLY INSPIRED BY LIZ GILLIES (REMEMBER THE READER IS BASED ON JADE WEST) SO THE FAST CAR SINGING SCENE WAS ACTUALLY INSPIRED BY THIS VIDEO

Taglist: everyartistwas-firstanamateur  @sarcasmismyfirstlove @damned-queen-of-gotham @idkmanicantenglish @wunderstell @birdy-bat-riya @get-loki@everyday-imfangirling @comic-nerd-dc @multifandoms916 @icequeen208@offendedfishnoises @egdolan @xemiefx @arkhamtoddler @elsenthal@mythicbitchx @supremehaunter @ burning-alive  @lucy-roo  roseangel013bf @ loxbbg  reclusive-chicken-nugget http-cherries shadowsndaisies 

[rosesgonerogue]

How to be a Dad 101

Chapter Six - Modeling

Jasonette July Day Eight

Masterlist

When Jason was a kid, his family was too poor to take any sort of trip, which at the moment he was missing. He didn’t have any concept of how normal people travelled, but it turned out that even if you were travelling to Paris in a private jet, doing so with your entire family was a downright nightmare.

“Does everyone have all of their bags?” Bruce was calling above the din. “And passports? We need to act like a normal family, so you need to exchange your money for euros when we get there, we shouldn’t just show up with them.”

“B, you’ve already said that at least fifteen times,” Stephanie complained.

“Why exactly is she coming on a family vacation?” Damian demanded. “She’s not even dating Drake anymore.”

“Face it, Damian. Your family chose me, they were stuck with you.”

“Father, you need to choose between Brown and Drake. I cannot be expected to tolerate both for an extended period of time.”

“Oh calm down, Little D. It’ll be fun!” Dick said, slinging an arm over his youngest brother’s shoulder.

Jason sidled over to Cass and whispered, “How many weapons did Bruce say we could bring?”

She looked at him with her unreadable dark eyes. “None.”

“Okay, that’s what he said, but how many are you bringing?”

Silently she held up seven fingers.

“Damn, I have eight. Do you think I can get away with that?” They looked at each other a moment. “You’re right, B definitely has more than that.”

“If you all don’t get yourselves and your belongings on the plane within the next five minutes you’re finding your own way to Paris!” Selina called over the noise.

“Move it, suckers!” Babs yelled, running at least three people’s feet over with her wheelchair in her haste. Despite the pain she caused, once she got to the plane, she was able to expertly maneuver herself onto it, letting Dick struggle aboard with both of their luggage. Jason kept himself as far away from the eldest Wayne child as possible. Every time Dick looked at Jason, he could see the apology in his brother’s eyes, which only served to piss him off all over again. Maybe he was being irrational, and maybe he was just on edge because they were heading to Paris, but Jason couldn’t really find it in himself to care.

He slept fitfully on the flight, doing his best to ignore his family, be it Dick and Babs being the disgusting newlywed couple, or just Damian being… Damian. His dreams were strange and disjointed, filled with blue eyes and whispered French.

After dealing with customs and getting checked into their hotel (which was almost exclusively inhabited by their party, because of course it was), Jason had no desire to ever go on another family trip ever again. The thought of doing all of that without skipping lines and cutting corners they were able to thanks to Bruce’s money was almost painful. But then again, people with less money also didn’t have to deal with Damian and Tim in the same space for an extended period of time.

Thanks to the nap he’d had on the plane and the fact that he was in Paris, Jason found he couldn’t sleep. He found himself wandering the hotel, taking in the opulent surroundings. He thought he would only see hotel staff if he were to see anyone, but on his way to the hotel’s twenty-four hour gym, he stumbled across a blonde dressed vaguely like a bumblebee who was arguing with someone on the phone.

“Listen, Dupain-Cheng, you are not taking advantage of these clients. No! You’ve been staying up at all hours of the night – don’t you dare argue with me, you’re up right now, aren’t you? And you have to take care of gremlins in the morning. No, she agreed to do it, it’s not exploiting them, it’s allowing them to pay you back for the giant favor you’re doing them! Fine, I will give her a discount, but this is not how you build a brand! Now go to sleep, the photoshoot is tomorrow. Don’t give me that, we both know you’ll finish things up with time to spare. Now go. To. Sleep.”

After a few moments the blonde hung up, and she seemed to be in a foul mood when she saw Jason. “And what do you want?”

“To get to the gym? You’re blocking the door.”

“And you were just eavesdropping. Your French isn’t bad for an American,” she said, flouncing away with a hair flip. “But your accent is horrible.”

“It can’t be as bad as your attitude,” he sneered under his breath before shoving into the exercise room.

Once inside, Jason ran himself to exhaustion, grateful when he collapsed into bed and fell asleep almost immediately. His dreamless sleep was fleeting, though, because it felt like only moments later that he was jolted awake by the sound of his phone ringing.

Glaring at the offending technology, he considered silencing it, but when he saw it was Selina, he thought better of that.

“Yes?”

“You have an hour to look awake and presentable. Meet up in the hotel lobby.”

She hung up as abruptly as she had called, leaving Jason blinking at his phone. He considered rolling over and going back to sleep, but he’d probably need the entire hour just to get his hair to Selina’s standards.

Cass was already in the lobby when Jason was finally ready, and thankfully Dick was nowhere to be seen. Sidling up next to his sister, Jason asked, “Do you know what we’re doing?” His level of concern grew exponentially when she shook her head. Everyone knew Bruce was weak for Cass, so if Cass didn’t know, that meant that the scheme was entirely Selina’s.

Unsurprisingly, Grayson the peacock was the last person to make it to the group. Babs was too annoyed with him to even make some sort of innuendo, she just complained about how long it took for him to do his hair.

“So what’s the plan, Selina?” Stephanie asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“You’ll find out when we get there. Follow me, we have a ways to walk,” Selina said, smiling wickedly.

The family obediently trudged after Selina, grouping up as they moved. Jason saw Dick make a beeline for him, but Babs caught his arm. “Babe, will you stick with Damian to make sure that he doesn’t maim any Parisians?”

“Sure, babe,” he said, deflating a bit.

As expected, only moments later Babs rolled up next to him. “Listen here, you giant. If you’re going to make me catch up to you, the least you can do is push my wheelchair.”

“Whatever,” Jason said, doing as she asked.

“I hope you know you’re killing my husband, by the way. He’s goingi crazy because he doesn’t know what to do to apologize to you.”

“Good.”

“I know you don’t mean that, Jason, and I know that because we both know I’m the one you’re actually mad at.”

“Am I?”

“Bringing up the French girl was a low blow. You told me about that in confidence, and I threw it in your face. I’m sorry, Jason.”

“That did piss me off, I just… Babs, why did you marry Dick?”

“Is that a trick question? Because I love him, stupid.”

“But how did you know that you loved him that much? Because ever since I met my ‘French girl,’ I can’t even think about looking at someone else. It’s insane because I knew her for like a day, but I’ve never… I’ve never felt like that with anyone before, but I didn’t feel right trying to make anything more out of what we had because of how royally screwed up our lives are. How could I subject someone who is possibly a literal angel to our lives? I’ve never questioned my decision on that before, but lately I can’t stop thinking about her, and now we’re here, in Paris where she lives.”

“Wow.” Babs said. “I didn’t know… That’s a lot, Jay.”

“Thanks.”

“Give a girl some time to process, okay? Geez. I don’t know if I believe in fate and that kind of crap, but this feels eerily like destiny. Maybe you’re meant to meet her here in Paris. If you do, then don’t run away. Stick it out for at least as long as we’re here. You wouldn’t be the first of us to have a relationship with a civilian.”

“But what if—”

“Jason, bothering yourself about all of the ‘what ifs’ is only going to drive you crazy. We don’t even know if you’re going to meet her here. Let things run their course.”

He sighed. “You’re right, thanks Babs. And I’ll tell your husband that I forgive him, the sap.”

“That’s all I ask.”

After a few blocks more, Selina abruptly stopped in front of a building. It was clearly some sort of business, but the doors only said, “MDC” across them. “This is it, kids. Come on in.”

Tim could be heard freaking out about something or other, but Jason found himself hoping that whatever was happening would be quick and painless. Inside, curiously enough, the same blonde from last night was waiting for them.

“You must be the Wayne family, here for the photoshoot,” she said in flawless English. “MDC had some personal affairs to tend to, so she will be here shortly.”

“Photoshoot?” Bruce asked, looking at Selina.

“This is the shop of the designer who is making my dress,” Selina purred with a winning smile. “Ordinarily she wouldn’t have been able to fit me, you and all the kids in with how little time we gave her, but she’s releasing her first line of clothes to the general public, and her normal models are away. It’s a fairly sizeable line, and she wanted diversity, so I volunteered our beautiful family.”

“We’re going to be modeling?” Damian asked, disgusted.

“We’re going to be modeling for MDC?!” Tim asked, nearly bouncing with excitement.

“Dude, you’re a CEO. Have some shame,” Babs said, elbowing him.

“You’re already booked and committed. Once MDC gets here she’ll decide who will be wearing what, and then we’ll get started,” the blonde said. As if on cue, there was a crash in the back room, and the blonde sighed. “That will be MDC now.”

Jason was only mildly curious what this designer might be like, but it seemed that things would be at least a bit entertaining. Even before she burst from the backroom, she was spewing frantic French to the blonde.

“Chloe, I’m so sorry I’m late, Jules kept spilling things on himself on purpose, and then the babysitter was sick, so I had to find someone else, and then I missed the train and –”

Emerging from the backroom was a beautiful pixie-like girl, a girl who had starred in almost every dream Jason had had since they’d met. Jason was completely frozen at the sight of her.

Marinette. Marinette was MDC, the only designer Selina would think of wearing on her wedding day.

She stopped at seeing the mass of people in her store, but she immediately smiled sincerely, eyes flitting from person to person. In English she said, “You must be the Wayne family, thank you so much for agreeing to model for me. It really—” she cut off mid-sentence, eyes wide. “Jason? Is that really you?”

Taglist: 

@jasonette-july-2k20 @ira-sairain @myazael @pawsitivelymiraculous @nik-nak-3 @dast218 @queen-of-the-trash-planet-tm  @vixen-uchiha @momothefemur @toodaloo-kangaroo @marinettepotterandplagg @goddessofthewestwind

Note: 

In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t done yesterday’s prompt yet. It’s in the works, but my life is complete chaos, and it will just have to be late. Even though it was such a fun prompt, I have been having some severe writer’s block. Anyway, I’m super excited for the next few chapters, it’s happening! 

[imaginesmai]

Peter Parker - A phone call away

This if fluff. I don’t know why I’m so soft lately. 

Plot: Peter is having a hard time sleeping, and doesn’t know how to tell you. Eventually, someone catches him sleeping on a public place and you find out. The thing is, you love him and Peter should know that you’re always there for him. Even if it’s just by a phone call.

It was a matter of time until Peter fucked up somehow.

He had been huddled over Ned’s phone in the most isolated school washroom, sharing a set of earbuds. They were both running late for second period, but they needed to check out the news everyone at school seemed to be laughing at. On the screen, a local news began on headline ‘Spider-Man or Siesta-Man?”. It was accompanied by a video of Peter, fully clad in his suit and hanging upside-down from a bus shelter on 45th street, snoring dramatically.

About ten seconds into the video, the camera operator yelled something and Peter yelped in surprise, crashing to the ground and gracelessly landing on his head in a heap. He groaned and rolled over dramatically, stumbling to his feet. Peter was about to yell something when the screen went black.

Back in the school, Peter face palmed in embarrassment and slumped to the bathroom floor, sitting with his back to a stall door. Ned quickly shut off the video and crouched in front of his friend, putting a supportive hand on his shoulder.

“I’m dead” Peter whispered, feeling dread filling him. “She’s gonna find out, and I’m – she’s gonna kill me, Ned. She’s gonna rip me limb by –“

“Hey, hey. It’s alright, dude” Ned cut his friend. “It’s just the news of the day. She might not see it. Go do something heroic tonight and you’ll be everyone’s hero tonight.”

“Come on, Ned, she has an alert on my name on the Internet, just like Mr Stark” Peter sighed, knowing it would be very unlikely you hadn’t seen it yet. “She’s gonna have my head”

“Well” Ned swallowed, trying to look for something. “At least she’s your girlfriend? It might make things better”

“That only makes it worse. Honestly, I would prefer Mr Stark”

The words left his mouth without thinking much. He didn’t know which one was worse; if daughter or father. The video of Spiderman wouldn’t be that of a big deal, if it wasn’t because both of the Starks were worried about the thing with the accords and the vigilantes. Still, Peter couldn’t find an inch of fear in his body; he was too tired to care about the consequences, due to the fact that he hadn’t been sleeping for, at least, two weeks. Sure, some naps here and there and sometimes he blinked for too long. But he was still tired, because everytime he closed his eyes, there was something bad waiting for him.

Something bad, as a building collapsing on top of him. Or the vulture killing him in the car. The worst one were when you were with him, in that warehouse. Peter Parker had problems sleeping, but he wasn’t about to accept that.

“Are you sure you’re… okay?” Ned asked, wary. He had noticed how his friend seemed more and more down every day. “This isn’t like you”

“I’m just tired” Peter answered, not having the energy for his usual creatively evasive excuses.

As Ned raised a sceptical eyebrow and opened his mouth to question further, Peter’s phone buzzed, and finally the fear made room in Peter’s mind.

Incoming FaceTime from GORGEOUS Stark

Peter saw the notification and bit his lip. He knew you weren’t in highschool, being home-schooled and all that shit; and from the looks of it, you knew he wasn’t in class, because you were calling him. In his screen stood the photo of Peter and you on the lab, faces full of a thick white foam you had created acting as moustaches. The seconds went by and eventually the photo disappeared, leaving Peter’s dark phone.

Then, it started again.

“Peter! Pick it up!” Ned almost shouted, his voice coming out two octaves higher than usual.

“No” Peter frowned. “If I take it, she will know I’m not in class. And if she finds out? You don’t want to –“

“Peter, seriously. She is going to get more mad if –“

Before Ned could finish his sentence, the phone beeped and the call was forced through, showing your annoyed face on the screen. Behind you, Peter could see you room; so that wasn’t that bad, because your father was still out of sight. Your frown and hard eyes were enough to make Ned step out of sight and Peter to swallow hard.

“Did you just ghosted me?”

“That was rude” Peter tried to joke. “Since when can you do that? I could have been busy”

“Ruder than you ghosting me?” you chuckled humourlessly “Since I have a mess of a boyfriend that can’t stay still”

“I’m in class, darling” Peter whispered, trying to end the call; but he knew better than to hang up on you.

“Really? Because I don’t know much about highschool, but that seems like a bathroom floor” you looked around, and finally settled in Peter.

In a second, Peter relaxed. He saw how your eyes went softer when you took into his tired face. With a vague gesture, he made Ned leave, and Peter was alone in the bathroom. He saw you from the other side moving to your bed, leaving the phone on a pillow while you accommodated in it. From that angle, he could see the AC/DC shit you were wearing; and the spidey pyjamas he had bought you as a joke.

When your face came back into the screen, he could see that you were no longer angry, just concerned. Peter finished to slide against the wall, stretching his legs in front of him and smiling shakily. He didn’t know why, but he wanted to cry.

“You look like shit” you teased.

“I’m fine” Peter said softly. He glanced at the small image of his face on the screen. He was pale against the bathroom wall behind him, his cheeks looked like sunken-in shadows, and the dark purple bags underneath his eyes stuck out like tattoos against his skin.

“Yeah, definitely fine. When was the last time you slept, Parker?”

“Last night”

Technically, he had fallen asleep for a while inside of the bus shelter. He had been listening to the playlist you had made for him the first time you guessed his sleeping problems, called ‘Spidey Lullabies’. Peter had to admit that, even if he had denied listening to it when you made it, he had thanked the stars for having you last night. It was a mix of the songs he loved the most, and if he closed his eyes and let his mind wander, he would almost feel you pressed against his body, hugging his nightmares away.

His dream was short lived when he saw you raising a brow.

“Let me rephrase that. When was the last time you slept somewhere other than inside the bus shelter? In a bed, maybe?”

“So you have seen it?” Peter grimaced in embarrassment.

“You know we have the Google alert. Besides, it’s viral” There was a pregnant pause, before you looked down and Peter felt like the worst human being. “I know I haven’t been paying you much attention. I’m sorry – I’m sorry if this is somehow my fault. Pete, I want you to talk to me. If I have done –“

“No!” Peter interrupted you. He propped himself up from the door, and gripped the phone with both of his hands. “No, Y/N, I promise this is not about it. I – it’s just me, it has nothing to do with you. You’re perfect, and I love you. Please, believe me. You haven’t done anything”

Of all things, Peter would have preferred you to get angry. To yell at him for being so careless and for sleeping in the bus shelter. He would have preferred for you to give him the silent treatment. He didn’t blame you for having a life, for trying to balance your normal life with the superhero one. Your father was Tony Stark, you didn’t need to deal with more shit already.

“Hey” your gentle voice broke him from his thoughts, and he focused once more in you. That time, you were closer to the phone, and had a smile on your face. “It’s okay, it’s none of our faults. I don’t blame you for what happened, we all have our days. I love you 3000, Pete. I’m here for everything, baby”

For some reason, your words hit him harder than before. They were full of worry and love, so full of them, that Peter had to clamp his lips shut tightly, holding back a sob as fat tears began to fill his eyes. The first one spilled down his cheeks as the exhaustion, the memories and the fear made it to him.

He closed his eyes tightly and banged his head hard against the stall behind him. He tried to take in a shaky breath through his nose, because he was not about th blubber on the bathroom floor in front of you. You didn’t seem to mind, so he gave it a try.

“I’m not sleeping” he confessed, his voice low and broken. He didn’t care about how vulnerable. “I can’t – the building, t-the gun… it – everything c-comes back to me. When I… I close my eyes, h-he’s there. And – and, sometimes, you’re th-there too. A-and I, I can’t –“

“You know” you cut Peter off, sensing that if he kept talking in that dirty and small stall he would fall into an anxiety attack. “Thermophysics is actually pretty boring, and I bet you already know everything that can be taught in that hell hole. What do you say if we’re teenagers without responsibilities and, you know, ditch school? I heard Mr Delmar is trying new sandwiches, and it’s a pretty day to try them in Central park”

Peter chuckled wetly at you saying, ‘ditch school’. As the daughter of Tony Stark, believe it or not, you were forced to be extremely responsible and focused. It was the first time you proposed doing something that your mother Pepper wouldn’t approve, so Peter nodded weakly. He didn’t have strength to move out of the bathroom, he just wanted to have you close and hug you. He needed physical attention, and he nodded stronger a second time.

You smiled at him and bit your lower lip. You were pretty. It had been a while since Peter had seen you, too focused on patrolling and not dying out of exhaustion, and you looked to him like an angelical version of yourself.

“I’ll be there in five, I won’t tell my father if you don’t either”

“Promise. I think he would be angrier at me, anyway” Peter cringed when he thought about Tony angry. “Does he, you know, have – uh, seen the –“

“No, don’t worry. He’s locked in the lab, and mom and I took care of it” you winked at him. The phone moved and you were up, the sun on your face. “Give me five to get dressed, I’ll be there in ten. Don’t move, Parker. I’ll be very disappointed if you ghost me for the second time”

“Don’t think of it” Peter sighed, happy. “See you. I, uh, I love you. A lot”

“Me too, Pete. Try not to fall asleep, I’m coming to the rescue”

The phone-call ended, and Peter closed his eyes. He felt a lot better – and tired – than when it started.

True to your word, on the ninth minute you were there. You helped him to get up, washed his hands and face and led him out of the school. You bought some sandwiches and sat on Central Park, on the shadow of a tree. You ate and occasionally talked, Peter just listened until his body naturally gravitated to your side.

Finally, he laid down on your lap, and while you played with his hair and told him about thermophysics and how boring it was, Peter fell asleep. For the three and a half hours that were left from school, Peter slept without nightmares.

How could he have them, when he had his own saviour with him?

Peter Parker taglist:

@delicately-important-trash​

@lexxxistrips​

@smilexcaptainx​

@aikaterrina​

Want to know more about me? Here is my Masterlist! Feedback is always appreciated!!

[thealphabetmurders]

Laundry Day

Pairing: Prinxiety

Word Count: 3580

Summary: Virgil walks in on Roman with the door unlocked, causing him to realize some feelings he didn't know he had.From the sentence prompt: "I'm sorry, I thought this door was locked."

Triggers: anxiety, suggestive themes

Authors Note: This is my second Prinxiety fic in a month, what is happening to me? 

Thank you to Koko on my Discord for the sentence prompt. This was really fun to write. 

(Read on AO3)

Virgil didn’t mind his roommates, not at all. Sure, living in a city apartment with 3 other people sounded like a nightmare, and it was sometimes, but they worked together great. Logan was a surprisingly component chef, Patton was good at keeping the peace whenever tensions rose, and Roman encouraged them all to be active to match his own fitness lifestyle. Of course, they are also all close friends, but they had all had their own fair share of bad roommates, and after two years of the 4 of them living together, there was no reason to stop or for that to change. They were in a comfortable, domestic heaven.

***

The Home-osexuals Chat

P: Hey kiddos! Remember I wont be home for the next week because of the convention in Jersey, please do not slack on your chores, I will be upset if I come back to the house and nothing is done :(

L: This is Logan. I believe we still have the list you wrote out for us, we will do our best to abide by it.

R: You have nothing to fear Padre, we will complete everything you need us to!

Virgil looked at his phone, smirking, before placing back in his pocket, blasting the music from his large headphones as he gathered up his laundry as well as his roommates. He felt proud of himself for actually being ahead of schedule and doing his and his roommates laundry a day ahead of schedule.

Normally, laundry would be a task left up to the individual to complete, but 3 months into living with each other, Virgil quickly found out that his roommate absolutely despised doing laundry- a formidable task that Virgil had never had an issue with. So, his job was to wash, dry, and fold everyone’s clothes for that week. It was a bit awkward folding his very platonic roommates undergarments the first time, but after doing it for years, he barely bats an eye now.

With a huff, he reached down, and grabbed the three smaller plastic laundry bins and one large one on top of one another, the stacking made the baskets reach his chin. He struggled to the elevator but eventually made it up to the 14th floor and set the laundry down so he could begin folding.

Virgil began with the large basket- Princey’s laundry. It was the biggest and the most daunting out of the 3. With work out clothes and dancing attire and the fact that Roman spills on himself a lot, he goes through a lot of laundry. No matter. He begins his work at a steady pace, folding the shirts and shorts in the way that he knows Roman likes, separating the clothes in the basket by the occasion. Work out clothes and undergarments go on the bottom, everyday in the middle, and dancing/theater attire goes on top. Virgil let his mind wander about a couple projects he has to complete for work and a potential promotion that is in the works at his job. He bites his lip, shaking his head, wanting to distract himself from the pressures of work on his day off. He steadies himself and focuses on the polyester fabric between his fingertips and the sound of Hayley Williams’ voice.

Once he was finished, Virgil put the basket on his hip, feeling like quite the 19th century maid, and made his way up the stairs where Roman bedroom was. Patton and Roman essentially had control of the upstairs (it only being their two rooms and a bathroom) while Logan and Virgil claimed a hallway for their corner of the house. It didn’t take long to realise that Roman blasting show tunes while Logan was studying for his Masters was not going to work out.

Virgil sighed, knocking twice on the door decorated with golden stars and fairy lights draping on the outside. There was music Virgil couldn’t quite make out play from inside the room, so it is very likely he could have just not heard Virgil’s subtle knocks, “Ro, I have your laundry,” Virgil said, to no avail. He tried the door handle and it twisted successfully, so Virgil pushed himself into the room, “Roman, where do you want me-”

He cut himself off, unable to form any sentences after seeing Roman. It wasn’t Roman fault, Virgil caught him off guard. And it’s not like he was doing anything bad, and yet Virgil’s palm seemed to sweat and his throat dry once he saw Roman doing flexibility stretches. Roman was sat on the floor, holding his right ankle with both his hands behind his head, his other leg bent on the floor in front of him. Maybe it was because Roman was also completely shirtless or maybe it was the small and tight shorts that did not leave a lot to the imagination or maybe it was the way Roman’s olive skin gleamed with sweat under the lights, paired with his Adonis like body. Maybe it was all of that. Maybe it was none. But Virgil’s brain just went white as all he could do was stare.

“Ah, Virgil!” Roman let go of his ankle, and relaxed himself cross-legged on the floor, “I’m sorry, I thought this door was locked,” He stood up, towering over Virgil, stretching his arms a bit. Virgil nodded, dumbly, “Yea, uh, I knocked but the music-” Roman walked over to the speakers and turned off whatever cheesy pop song was playing, and now Virgil could clearly hear all the blood rushing in his ears. “The music is… Is no longer playing,”

“You okay there, Raggedy Angst?” Roman chuckled, clapping a hand onto his shoulder.

Virgil nodded, feeling the color in his cheeks rising and he is praying to God Roman is dumb enough to not notice the way he is avoiding his gaze, “Yea, uh, just a bit tired, didn’t get a lot of, um, anything to eat today?” He tried that, hoping he would believe him.

Thankfully, Roman did, sucking in a breath through his teeth, “Yikes, no sleep and no eating, that is really bad for you Virge,”

Roman grabbed the laundry basket from Virgil and it took all of his strength to not whine as his fingertips brushed against Virgil’s waist. Roman was talking, most likely about his sleep schedule or eating, but Virgil was not there.

Virgil was transported into his own personal 80’s style fantasy dream sequence, where Roman had him backed up against a wall. He had on that smirk that used to make him roll his eyes but now has him weak in the knees. Roman brushed the loose hairs out of Virgil’s face, which made him bite his lip and hold back a gasp.

Roman smiled, “You’re so sensitive,” And then he was manhandled onto the bed, Virgil imagining just how soft those silky red sheets would be against his back, as Roman straddled him and lightly kissed his neck before nibbling his ear, whispering into it, “You want me to show you how flexible I can be?” And Virgil wanted that. He really, really needed that. But he was shaken out of his daydream by Roman, the real Roman, shaking his shoulder.

“Geez, you really are out of it,” Roman crossed his arms, concern all over his face.

“Huh?” It took him a moment to process what Roman said, “Yea, I- uh, might have a nap,” He swallowed thickly, his conscious eating away at him from what he just imagined, “Do you- uh…” Virgil trailed off, attempting to find the words, “Do you always workout li-like, y’know… Without clothes,”

“Not typically, no,” Roman shrugged casually, seeming unbothered by the question, “It is just you were doing my laundry when I normally do my stretching, and I didn’t have any clothes to wear. You are a day early,”

Virgil nodded, biting his lip, rubbing under his nose, “Right well, uh, I am gonna have that nap now. Uh,” Virgil did a two finger salute, causing Roman to raise an eyebrow at the awkwardness, “Sorry, I am tired,” His eyes flickered to the left and right before exiting the room.

Virgil closed the door behind him, leaning against it for a moment, before groaning, “Well, fuck,”

***

Virgil may have gotten sleep but it certainly was not peaceful. The unwanted thoughts kept plaguing his mind, not even his favorite conspiracies YouTube channel could get his mind off of the golden-toned man.

“So, you’re having anxiety ‘cause… You find Roman attractive?” Remy took a long sip from his coffee before rolling closer to Virgil’s chair, “I dunno babe, this one is on you,”

Virgil spun around, angry, “How is this on me?”

“You should have seen that Roman is hot as fuck earlier,” Remy shrugged, “I look at him and am like ‘congratulations dude, you’re literally a 10’. I am honestly surprised none of you gays had a sexy dream about him sooner,”

Virgil cheeks warmed as he gripped the front of his fringe, “I did not have a…” He looked around, making sure there were no co-workers to overhear, “Have a sexy dream about Roman!” Remy raises an eyebrow and Virgil bit his lip, “Not in… So much detail,”

Remy cackles and pulled out his phone, shaking his head, “Ah man, that’s hilarious,”

“Look, it’s not like I have never thought Roman was attractive before, of course he is, but like, I don’t understand why I am having this… Reaction,”

Virgil and Remy were silent for a while, the the latter spoke up, “Maybe it’s all been like, building up and it just took one thing to make you realise, and that was Roman lewdly stretching out on the floor,”

He nodded, “I guess I do find my self seeking Roman’s company more so than anyone else, and we are like, always talking and texting,”

“So it was just a matter of your dumb brain making you realise you have feelings for him, so you’re not just in denial for the rest of your life,”

Virgil raised an eyebrow, “Well, that’s rich coming from you,”

Remy’s expression flickered from smug to sheepish, but blink and you would have missed it, “I don’t know what you are referring to,” He scratched the side of his face and took a long sip of his coffee while Virgil scooted in closer, placing his hands on his knees.

“Oh really? So, you are just never going to address the absolutely giant crush you have on Logan? How you keep having problems with your coursework that only he can help with? How every time you’re around him you always bring your Louis Vuitton galaxy bag in hopes that he’ll ramble about space?” Remy kept sipping his coffee, avoiding eye contact very casually, “We’re not going to talk about that?”

Remy stopping drinking, smacking his lips together and sighing, “Nope,” Virgil rolled his eyes, crossing his arms, “Do you even want to date Roman, or do you just want to f-”

“That’s a good question,” Virgil cut him off, as one of their coworkers walked by to get coffee from the breakroom, “I’ve been thinking about that, and I am not 100% sure. I know I am attracted to him in some weird, ambiguous way, but I haven’t even seen him since the- since the ‘incident’ so I guess I just have to find out,”

Remy nodded, “Well, good news is, you can find out right now,” He gestured his now empty cup towards reception where the devil himself was standing, dressed in his favorite form fitting red sweater tucked into black jeans. “Mm, he looks so good in casual wear,”

“Remy!”

“What?” Remy smirked, “Getting jealous? I may not want to date him but I am also not blind,” Roman walked over to the two men, waving with one hand, holding a drink carrier in the other one, flashing a classic 1000 watt smile.

“God, I bet he doesn’t even know how beautiful he is,” Virgil muttered to Remy, who just nodded.

“Hey, gorgeous, this certainly is a surprise,” Remy smiled, standing up. Roman set the drinks down before pulling him into a hug. He looked over to the drink carrier, pulling out the frappuccino he assumed was his, and collapsed back into his chair.

“What are you doing here today, Ro? You didn’t tell me you were coming?” Virgil frowned.

Roman leaned against Virgil’s desk, ruffling his hair a bit that was damp with moisture. His curly brown locks looked like that of a supermodel, or a 1920’s Hollywood actor. He sighed, putting on a soft smile, “Well, I got done with my lessons early and was in the area, thought I would surprise the two boys that are hard at work,” He looked around the office at everyone either on their phone or browsing Facebook on their computer, “Busy day, I take it?”

Virgil groaned, “We all just finished our projects for the month, so there is nothing new to work on, so we are just at work for the sake of being at work,”

Remy rolled his eyes, “I hate it here,”

“Capitalism really does suck sometimes. The 40 hour work day isn’t even productive. Studies find that people in typical office jobs can accomplish all their work in 3 hours, and to force someone to be at their job for more than double than length actually can cause a sharp decrease in productivity, or, what was that called, Virgil?”

Virgil was taken aback, “It’s called presenteeism. Wait, you were actually listening while I was rambling about that?”

Roman shrugged, like it was the most obvious thing the world, “Of course I did, why wouldn’t I want to listen to you, Virgil?” He softly smiled at Virgil, placing a hand tenderly on his bicep.

Remy smirked into his frappuccino, trying not to say anything while Virgil attempted to not scream.

Internally, he let out the biggest groan, “Well, fuck,”

***

Was Virgil avoiding Roman? Yes. Was he doing it in a way that was super obvious? Of course. Did Logan scold him for a little bit for taking over the kitchen table with unfolded laundry? Undoubtedly. When Virgil finally calmed down a bit from his gay panic (and regular panic), he tackled the pile of laundry he had been avoiding. Many of the clothes were now wrinkled from sitting out so long, so he had to get out the ironing board and tend to those as needed.

He hummed to the lo-fi beats coming from his headphones, ironing one of Logan’s shirts, beginning to relax, when his headphones were ripped right off his head, just as he was beginning to get lost in thought and maladaptive daydream.

“What the hell?” Virgil looked up and saw Roman holding the headphones on the tip of his finger, an eyebrow raised. He was wearing a show shirt that he cut the sleeves off of as well as most of the torso to make into a 00’s style crop top. “Oh, h-hey Roman,”

Virgil was distracted. Distracted that the object of his fantasies was standing right in front of him, looking a bit annoyed and confused, as well as the fact that he was wearing that particular crop top and Roman always looked so good in white… He was distracted, so he ran over his own finger with the iron.

“Ow, fuck!” He exclaimed, gripping his right finger, tears pricking in the corners of his eyes.

“Oh my Lord!” Roman rushed over to the kitchen and began frantically opening cupboard doors, “Where is the first aid kit, where is it,” He muttered to him,

Virgil breathed out heavily, “Roman, don't worry about helping, I- I got it,” He rushed away, making a beeline for his and Logan’s bathroom. He turned on the cold water and thrust his entire hand underneath the rushing water, the cold mixed with the warm from the burn made for an uncomfortable sensation.

“Okay, what is going on with you?” Roman opened the bathroom door (shit, Virgil forgot to lock it) holding the first aid kit, “You have been avoiding me and been weird ever since I came to see you at work. Was it the fact that I surprised you at work, or something?”

Virgil was not sure if Roman could see the bright blush on his cheeks but he would be a fool not to notice the stutter in his voice, as he pulled his hand away from the sink, “O-oh I really didn’t min-”

“Ooh, that looked really bad,” He commented, interrupting Virgil. He manhandled him closer towards himself and held a tight grip on his wrist and he uncapped the burn cream and liberally spread it across his finger, “I have been burned multiple times before, don’t worry, I will take good care of you,”

Virgil is on fire. He is on fire and he is dead. Roman’s eyes twinkled a bit as he hummed lowly an adage that he did not recognize, but it had the melody of Disney. His lips were parted slightly, thankfully not noticing the long minutes Virgil was staring at them. When Roman dragged a tongue across the bottom one and bit it as he was wrapping the bandages, it took all of his willpower to not say something, instead opting to cover his entire face with the hand not being treated.

“There you are, all finished!” Roman patted down the wrap and kissed the bandages, just to add insult to injury.

Virgil nodded vigorously, “Okay, thanks Roman, bye,” He attempted to move around Roman, but Roman’s wide frame compared to Virgil’s small one made it a losing battle.

“Easy, you’re still being weird, what is going on with you?” Roman gripped Virgil shoulders, and he was avoiding eye contact with the beautiful man in front of him.

Virgil should just say something, tell Roman, rip the band-aid off, and they can get on with their lives after a couple weeks of awkwardness. These past couple days have been absolute torture, he doesn’t know if he can keep it up.

But, his anxiety has something else to say.

“Just, forget about it Roman, I’ll tell you some other day,” Virgil mumbled, if the bathroom hadn’t been so quiet, neither of them would have been able to hear it.

The other man sighed, dejected, and Virgil felt a pang of guilt, “Okay, fine, you are under no obligation to tell me, just know I miss talking to you,” Roman lifted his hand to brush the hair out of Virgil face, and of course, his body had to betray him with a involuntary whine, “and I-” Roman cut himself off, raising an eyebrow at the noise. Virgil wanted nothing more than for the floor to open up and swallow him whole. He is sure he is going to be the first person to actually die from embarrassment.

“Virgil?”

He swallowed thickly, eyes squeezed shut, “Yea?”

A beat. “You like me, don’t you?”

Normally, Virgil would respond with some snark or a belittling comment towards Roman, but his nerves were turned up to 10 and he couldn’t even think straight (more so than usual), so in the vast sea of sassy remarks, there was not one to be found.

“Yes,” He responded, honestly.

There were a couple moments of deafening silence in the bathroom where Virgil thought Roman was going to sigh, disappointed in him or hit him or kill him. All irrational, but all seemed very likely in his anxious state.

“Virgil?” Roman asked again, his voice softer.

“Yea?”

Roman placed a hand on his shoulder, “Can you look at me?”

Virgil sighed, slowly placing his hands down to his side, looking up into Roman’s wide brown eyes. He had on a soft smile. Before Virgil could even register what was happening, he was being lifted up by his thighs, his legs instinctively going around Romans waist and arms around his neck. Roman then pushed Virgil back against the wall, holding him there for a passionate kiss.

At first, he didn’t kiss back, so shocked by Roman’s bold actions that his brain was lagging like a 2006 Chrome browser. Roman began to pull away, but once Virgil’s brain caught up with his body, he pulled himself closer to his partner and kissed back with a passion and fervor that he is sure Roman did not expect.

If this were a movie, the lightbulbs in the bathroom would have burst and the music would have swelled, but instead, all Virgil could sense was the softness of Roman’s lips and the heavy weight lifted off of his shoulders. The feeling of ecstasy made his legs tingle, almost causing him to lose his grip on Roman and collapse onto the tile.

Virgil one the one to break the kiss, resting his forehead against Roman’s chuckling slightly, “So, I am guessing you like me back?”

“Have for a while now, Virge,”

The two of them chuckled, peppering soft kisses onto each other’s faces that would normally make Virgil gag, but now it made his heart swell.

They heard the front door open and slam shut and a sigh came from the kitchen, “Really kiddo?” They heard Patton yell, “You couldn’t get the laundry done before I came home?”

Virgil sighed, frustrated, leaning his forehead on Roman’s shoulder.

Roman chuckled, amused that Virgil was about to get chewed out, “Someone is in trouble,”

He groaned, tightening the grip on Roman’s waist, “Well, fuck,”

A/N: By the way, here is the link to the stretch that Roman was doing. I did my best to describe it, but if you need a visual, here. 

[gale-gentlepenguin]

ML fic: A Kiss to Remember: Part 7

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6)

_______________________________________________________________________

“I can't believe you are doing this.” The cat Kwami spoke with a deadpan tone.

“Well how else am I going to help Marinette find happiness with Luka?” Adrien questioned.

“I... I have no words. I am just gonna nap.” Plagg resigned himself of the situation and went into Adrien’s bag, allowing the model to walk into the classroom.

He walked in with a smile and eyes filled with determination. He went and took his usual seat next to his best friend.

“Well you seem a lot better today.” The DJ commented as he noticed his friend was not a sleep deprived Zombie.

“Thanks, I have something important to do today and I will not let anything get in the way.”

“You do what you gotta do dude. If you need my help with that, let me know.” Nino reclined in his chair.

“I appreciate it Nino. I might take you up on that if I need it.” The blond flashes him a sincere smile. __________________________________________

Marinette was a whirlwind of emotions. She couldn't focus in class. 

She found herself thinking about what happened with Chat noir, and if thats not all, Adrien keeps looking back at her, smiling sweetly ever so often. 

The designer found her mind was trying to keep her steady as she processed all of this. Before she realized it, class was over and it was time for lunch.

Marinette was gathering her things when she notices the handsome model that sits in front of her was standing nearby.

“Hey Marinette.” He greeted with a sweetness that could only be found in strawberry macaroons.

“H-Hey Adrien.” Marinette managed to respond, almost knocking over her bag.

“I don't have anything scheduled for after school today. I was wondering if you wanted to grab some ice cream?” Adrien inquired.

“Oh, Sure Yes! Sounds wonderful. I am sure Alya and Nino would love to hear you’re free.” Marinette answered, happy to get some time with her crush.

“Actually Marinette.... could this be just the two of us?” Adrien asked, feeling a bit nervous asking, he had no idea why this was the case.

Marinette felt everything freeze. She needed to process what the beautiful boy had just asked.

“You are free to say no. I don't want to put you on the spot. I would be fine with inviting Nino and Alya if you want.”

Marinette managed to kick herself out of her shock, her one chance to get ice cream alone with Adrien is in jeopardy! She needed to speak up.

“No!” Marinette exclaimed louder then intended.

“No?” Adrien repeated.

“No... need to invite them. I am sure they would like their couple time. I love y- To! I would love to get Ice cream with you just the two of us. me and you. You and me together. Yes.” Marinette responded quickly, She felt embarrassed about her  word vomit but thankfully this did not impact Adrien’s response.

“Great. I will meet you outside of school and we can grab some.” He smiled, “See you after school.”

Marinette felt her pulse quicken as the blond left the classroom.

“Tikki? Did what happen, really just happen?” Marinette asked the red Kwami as she popped out of her bag.

“It sounds like you have a date with Adrien after school.” Tikki answered with a smile. “This is your chance Marinette.”

“You really think so?”

“This is the most indirectly direct way I have seen of someone asking another person out. He even specified that he wanted it to just be just you and him. I don't see how he could mean anything else.”

Marinette couldn't help the smile that seemed to stick itself on her face. She had a date with Adrien! It was a dream come true! A dream that could easily turn into a nightmare. She needed Alya.

__________________________________________

“Step one is complete.” Adrien smiled as he told Plagg. “Now Marinette and I will be able to talk in private. I can find out everything she is looking for in a guy, then I can help Luka in any area he is lacking. I can set the two up and Marinette will have an amazing love life.” 

“You do realized you asked her out on a date right?” Plagg pointed out.

“What? We are just getting ice cream and talking.”

“Adrien, What is the definition of a date?” Plagg asked.

“Its when two people meet at a certain time for an activity... oh OH! “Adrien responded. 

Adrien realizes that the way he phrased it made it sound even more like a date. Since he specified just the two of them, after school, for Ice cream. 

“Plagg... I think I just asked Marinette out on a date.” Adrien spoke his thoughts aloud, not entirely sure how to feel about it.

“Yup. Though considering how you are. She probably isn't taking it seriously.” Plagg eased the blond. __________________________________________

“Breathe Mari. Are you absolutely sure that happened?” Alya asked, holding her friends shoulders trying to keep her from bouncing all over the room.

“He asked me to get ice cream with him after school.” Marinette answered with a massive smile.

“Like he was planning for Nino and I to go with?”

“He said he wanted just the two of us.” 

Alya felt her jaw drop.

“You’re serious?”

Marinette nodding as she was practically hopping in place with joy.

“Girl! I am so happy for you. But you need to keep calm. This is your opportunity to strike.” Alya stated, now in wing woman mode.

Marinette’s joyous excitement turned to nervousness and anxiety.

“Wait, what if I mess this up? What if I spill ice cream on him? What if a flock of pigeons attack and cause a super severe allergic reaction which kills him? What if I...”

“Relax girl. I have your back. I will get the girls together. We will make this date a success. I swear on my ladyblog that I will help you nail this date.”

Marinette tackle hugged her friend.

“Thanks Alya. I know I can count on you.” ————————-———————————————

(So ends part 7. Please tell me your thoughts on this chapter. I would love your feedback. 

[stellarune]

Heyyyyyyyyyyy

It’s me with a new fic ! I’ve always had a sweet spot for sickfics, so here you gooooo.

Title : why Elwin can never take a break

Word count : 2k

Pairing : Tam/Keefe

Rating : T

Tw : sickness, vomiting (nothing graffic), fever

Keefe felt weird, weirder than usual. He had had his eight hours of required beauty sleep, but he still felt tired. Nothing that would stop him to hang out with his friends at the sleepover that night, but his throat felt weird too, scratchy, but not enough to make him cough. It was probably nothing, something he had eaten.

He shivered. Why was it so cold in here ? Did Juline come to Everglen earlier ? Keefe rummaged through his drawers to find the comfiest, biggest hoodie he had. Better. As the warmth flooded all over him, he flopped back on the bed. Taking a nap 20 minutes after waking up couldn't be a bad idea, right ?

When he woke up, he felt better, less tired. The scratchiness was gone,so even if he had a faint headache now, he was fine ! He felt awfully hot though, why had he thought for a second that it was a good idea to go to sleep in a hoodie ? Keefe was covered in sweat now, and this hoodie retched.

The shower would help, nevermind the water was so cold it felt like icicles against his skin. He was waiting for the water to warm up, but after all, cold water was good for his hair, so he felt with it. He was still dying for a warm shower right now, all of his muscles were sore. Tam knocked on the bathroom’s door.

“You’ve been in here for an hour, hurry up ! I need to use the shower too !” How had it been an hour ? The water hadn’t even warmed up yet. He finished showering quickly, and grabbed the fuzziest, softest towel of them all, who cared if it was Sophie’s, and got out.

“Whoa dude, you look more like shit than usual.”

“Thanks, you too, bangs boy.” Keefe, rolled his eyes. He wanted to go back to his dark, cold room. Why was it even that hot here ? He had been shivering under the shower a minute ago. Now, he was sweating like…

He felt a cold hand on his shoulder. “Hey, I- why are you so hot ?”

Keefe smirked “Aw, you think I’m hot !” That was cute, but now, he had a bed he had to get back to. Too bad that he couldn’t keep Tam’s hand with him, the cold felt nice. He felt like he had worked out for hours yesterday, and he hoped that lying with a blanket on top would help with the soreness. He wasn’t hungry anyways, so staying upstairs would be fine. He was starting to leave, but Tam stopped him.

“You’re burning up, dude” Tam was running cold, but it was alright, it was comfortable. Keefe raised his hand to his forehead. It wasn’t that bad, maybe a little hotter than usual, but nothing too alarming either.

“Don’t worry, Shadow Man, I’m fine.” It was probably a cold, Sophie had talked about these, and it was possible he had caught one while fighting the Neverseen in London. Right. Now he needed to get to his room. The problem was he wasn’t sure if he would be able to do that anymore, he kinda felt like he would fall if he took one step over. Okay he had to do this, he wasn’t gonna be stopped by a simple cold. One step at the time. Here we go. He could do this.

Keefe couldn’t. He still managed to take the first step. More or less. He fell right on Tam.

“Okay, Mr I’m Absolutely Not Sick, let's get you back to bed...” That… did sound better than he cared to admit.

Together, they walked to Keefe’s room. Well, it was more like Tam carrying Keefe and supporting ninety percent of his weight, but they made it all the same. Once Keefe was finally settled in, he fully realized how bad he was feeling. How did he think for a second he would be able to go to the sleepover ? He was swimming in his own sweat. Why was it so hot ? Did someone turn on the heat ? Everything was too hot, his bed, his pillow, his blanket… why did he even have a blanket ? Keefe pushed it away, but as soon as the air hit his skin he pulled it back up. His room was freezing ! They needed to turn the heat on. He couldn’t find a position where he was comfortable, all of his joints screaming each time he moved.

Tam left him. Keefe hadn’t even realized he was stroking his hair but now he was leaving and Keefe didn’t know what to do. He didn’t want him to leave, because if he was gone then that meant Keefe was all alone. And right now that sounded terrifying.

Then, as quickly as he was gone, Tam was back. But he didn’t go back to stroking his hair, instead he put a cold washcloth on Keefe’s forehead, and god if that didn’t feel amazing. Soon, it felt damp, water mixed with burning sweat. It hurt so bad it was ridiculous, his whole body was on fire. Tam changed the cloth three times before helping him sit up. The room was spinning fast. Did the Neverseen do something to it ? Who the heck was touching him ? What was in the glass they were giving him ? Was it poisoned? It had to be. He tried to take the cup and throw it at them, but his hands were shaking so hard he only managed to spill it on himself. It was so so so cold he was shaking from everywhere and his teeth were clacking.

“C’mon, you need to drink or you’ll dehydrate” he knew this voice. Oh. How had he forgotten Tam ? Keefe’d been in love with him for as long as he could remember.

“What ?” Oops. He had said that out loud. He hummed and tugged on Tam’s sleeve. He would deal with this latter, but right now he wanted cuddles.

“Come here” Tam lay beside him and snuggled his face in Keefe’s hair.

“I swear if I catch this thing, I’m gonna kill you.” Keefe could worry about that later. Right now, the guy he was in love with, who so happened to be the perfect temperature to be the nicest thing ever, was lying in bed with him. So he got on his side, grabbed Tam’s arm and tried to get comfortable

Keefe was woken up by the intense need to throw up. He rushed to the bathroom and all but falled to his knees in front of the toilets. His stomach was killing him, and he felt like he was going to throw up, but all he did was gag without being able to get anything out but too thick saliva and acid bile. Still, his body kept wanting to get more out. Before long, Tam was there, rubbing circles on his back and gently stroking his hair.

“It’s okay, get it all out.”

Once his stomach had finally settled, more or less, he slumped against the wall. Tam sat next to him. He was perfect for Keefe to put his head on his shoulder. The cool felt nice.

“Sorry I woke you.” He sounded awful, his voice all scratched up.

“‘S fine” he sounded even more tired than Keefe, who wasn’t as hot as before, so at least that was that. Soon, they were both asleep again.

To say the morning was worse was an understatement. Keefe wasn’t on fire anymore, he felt like he was in a freezer. He was shaking, shivering and coughing, and all of his body was in pain every time he breathed. He felt like his bones were cracking open, and his head was exploding. He let out a couple of white hot tears. His fever was even higher than the day before, and he hurt so much he didn’t even think he would be able to get to his bed without throwing up. Everything hurt, the wall behind him, the light filtering below the door, the faint noise of Verdi outside, everything.

Tam was panicking. He didn’t know what he could do to help. Just carrying Keefe to his bed had him whimpering in pain and shaking like crazy. Nothing he did seemed to help : he had tried to get Keefe’s fever down by turning on the air conditioning, and Keefe had started shivering in his sleep and clacking his teeth; Tam had tried to make him drink a bottle of Youth, but he had thrown it back up right away. The only thing he could do was to hold him during his fever induced nightmares and pray that Sophie would manage to contact Elwin so he could come back early from his mystery vacations.

This day was essentially Keefe passing in and out of consciousness and Tam trying to focus on the book he was reading. Yeah that wasn’t working. He just wanted Keefe to get better already so he could stop worrying about whether or not it was a good sign Keefe had stopped vomiting. He had stopped pretending not to worry hours ago, when Sophie had found him smoothing Keefe’s hair on his forehead.

He fell asleep while holding him during nightmare number 158 of the day.

When Keefe woke up with a personal living heater against his back, he didn’t question it, he pressed closer to Tam. He felt better, like he wasn’t going to pass out if he tried to walk. He wasn’t sweating either, so he supposed his fever had gone down a notch. He dozed off pretty quickly after that.

He woke up again, but without Tam behind him. That didn’t mean that he wasn’t here though, as he was stroking Keefe’s hair while holding a plate with a good dozen of rifflepuffs. He couldn’t help it, he leaned in the touch and hummed in contentement. What a sight to wake up too, his two favorite things in the world.

Tam chuckled . “I sure hope I pass before the rifflepuffs, though.” Oops. Keefe shrugged. He was too tired to care. He considered closing his eyes and going back to sleep for a split second, but the temptation of pastries was too strong. He sat up on the bed.

Tam tapped a finger to his chin, to look like he was considering pros and cons of giving a rifflepuff to Keefe before taking one and eating it himself. Keefe feigned to be outraged.

“How dare you do this to me ? My own flesh, my own blood !”

Tam rolled his eyes and tried to look annoyed, but the smile kinda gave it away. “I’ve been dealing with you for two entire days, I deserve to see you suffer.” He ate a second one.

Things kinda escalated from there. Keefe was trying to steal at least one pastry, while Tam ate them before he could. He still got the last one, and let out a cry of joy when he finally ate it. That didn’t last very long though, Tam almost immediately hit him with a pillow, and Keefe obviously had to get revenge, so now, they were sitting next to each other, laughing after the biggest pillow fight they ever had.

“You’re gonna kill me one day, you little shit.”

“You love me,” Keefe huffed. He was leaning on Tam, his head on his shoulder, and Tam was playing with Keefe’s hair.

Tam sighed, and kissed his hair. “I really do.” Keefe stood up immediately with his eyes open wide. What ? When did that happen ? Not that he was complaining or anything.

“What did I tell you ?” He couldn’t remember most of the last two days, still fuzzy and blurred, which wasn’t exactly surprising, but still. “Not that I’m not happy about… that,” he said, gesturing between them.

“Wouldn’t you like to know, honeybee,” Tam smirked. Keefe grunted and went back to Tam’s shoulder, pouting. Tam chuckled, the audacity, and resumed his stroking. He couldn’t help it, Keefe leaned in the touch, humming.

“‘My god. You’re a dog. How didn’t I see it sooner ?” How could Keefe still pout when he said that ? He stood up again, waiting for a sign that Tam would be alright with what he would do next. He nodded.

Keefe leaned in and suddenly, he was kissing Tam. There were no fireworks, no sparks, no butterflies, just warmth and peace. And if that wasn’t the best feeling ever, then Keefe didn’t know what it was. Tam’s hands were always in his hair, but now it was his turn. He had been dying to pass his finger through this hair for long enough. It felt amazing, and he was so so happy to be able to do that now. They broke the kiss for air after what felt like seconds.

He felt like he could keep kissing Tam forever, and maybe he actually could. Now if that wasn’t something to look forward to. Keefe broke into laughter.

“Why the heck did it take us so long ?”

[nyxdelanuit]

A Dream In Red Ch7

A03

Inasa had been looking for you after his class ended. He doubted you would have gone back to your dorm this early in the day, so he focused his search on the campus. He had thought that you would have stayed to yourself this early on in the semester, allowing him to settle back into your life and allowing him to become your sole confidant. He thought you would be all to himself, as you once had been. He knew it wasn’t very hero-like of him to be thinking this way, but you were the one thing he wanted to be selfish about. Why was he so hurt that you had made friends? He should be proud of you, breaking out of your stubborn shell that took him years to crack.

Maybe that was it, these new people had easily slipped through defenses that had taken him years to get through.

He finally saw you, angelic in his eyes. You were soundly asleep in the morning sun. The view would have warmed his heart if he hadn’t noticed who you had been laying on.

Kirishima smiled down at you, stroking your hair out of your eyes slowly. “Y/N, it’s time to get up. You’re going to sleep your whole break away.” Mina caught his eye as she made kissy faces at the redhead. He pinned her down with a stare, before turning back to your stirring form. “Come on, sleepyhead.” You stretched as you woke from a dreamless sleep. The chill wind helped you clear the sleep from your thoughts.

“G’morning Red.” you murmured, sitting up and rubbing at your eyes. You felt a pulse of joy from Kirishima, presumably from the affectionate nickname. You decided to pocket that information for later. Your eyes flitted over to Mina and Sero, the former with a mischievous glint in her eyes. She opened her mouth, no doubt to spill some sharp quip about your impromptu nap, but she was interrupted by a booming voice. Chill anger washed over your consciousness, causing a violent shiver to creep through your body.

“Y/N.” Inasa’s voice was rough and laden with emotion. You flinched slightly as you looked up at his imposing figure.

“H-hey ‘Nasa, what’s up?” you flashed him a nervous smile. You couldn’t remember the last time he was this angry.

“I was looking for you! Why weren’t you answering my messages?” A quick peek at your phone confirmed this, a slew of messages left unread.

“Sorry, ‘Nasa, I guess I was still tired. I kinda fell asleep.” You choked out a nervous giggle. This only seemed to stoke his anger.

“We talked about this! You can’t trust these people.” He seemed to spit these words like venom, causing your chest to ache.

“These people are my friends.” You struck back, your anger gathering from the pain.

“Friends? These aren’t friends! You haven’t even known them for 48 hours and you’re already letting your guard down enough to fall asleep on them?” His tone was scathing, and every word seemed to fall upon you like fire.

“Seems like we’re better friends than you.” Mina seemed to have had enough with his tirade, standing up to confront your longtime friend.

“You don’t get to make that decision, you don’t know her!” Inasa growled, causing Mina to flinch back. Sero stood behind her, backing her up. “And at least I’m not just friends with her to get in her pants.” Inasa leveled a glare at Kirishima, who flushed, but returned his own glare.

“Sounds like you need to get off Y/N’s dick.” A gravelly voice startled the group. Bakugou had finally found the squad and wasn’t too happy at the scene he walked in on. “Last time I checked, you weren’t her dad.” He scowled. This seemed to break Inasa out of his stride, allowing Mina to slip back into the squabble.

“Or her daddy. I don’t see her getting all wound up about all those girls you’ve been hanging out with.” Tears had begun to gather in your eyes. You didn’t want this. ���It sounds like you just want to lock her up all for yourself, dude. You need to learn some boundaries.” You had hoped Inasa could be friends with them too. You felt so naive. Your tear seemed to scald your skin as it wound its way down your face. The pain in your chest started to radiate, and you felt your mind latch onto Inasa’s.

No, no, no, no, no, not now. Not here, not this. You felt your eyes glaze over as your mind latched onto Inasa’s anger, making it real.

There it was before you. You saw yourself, ethereal and wanton. You were pressed between a ghostly bastardization of Kirishima and Bakugou. You watched, unable to look away as your ghostly form kiss Kirishima passionately, messily winding your tongue around his. The ephemeral Bakugou had locked his teeth on your neck, drawing muted moans from your form. The scene seemed to waver and change, as an exaggerated form of Inasa materialized, ripping Bakugou from your neck, dissolving the ghostly Bakugou. You watched in horror as Inasa’s form tore Kirishima away from you, his hand gripped tightly around the redhead’s throat until his eyes rolled back into his head. You were then tucked into Inasa’s arm, and the scene vanished. As it fell away, your eyes locked onto Inasa, the trickle of tears now pouring down your face. Bakugou, although you were sure he wasn’t thrilled at your inclusion in his group, stood between the two of you.

It was all you could do to whimper to Inasa. “Why?”

“It looks like it’s about time for you to leave.” Bakugou’s anger simmered in the back of your head, indignant. Kirishima and Mina joined him, forming a wall between you and your friend. Was he still your friend? He seemed to think of himself as more of a bodyguard or a savior, didn’t he? Your own hero. The thought sat bitterly in your head.

You felt yourself being pulled away. It felt as if it was a dream. A nightmare. You would wake up and it would all be gone, right? You’d wake up on Kirishima’s lap, and you’d laugh, apologize. You’d accept Mina’s teasing and throw it right back to her and it would all be normal. After all, today was good. It was warm and good and not this.

A quiet voice drew you out from your own mind. Sero had sat you at a table, far enough that you couldn’t see the group anymore. His trademark grin was lost from his face, and he was gently wiping the wetness from your face.

“That’s it, Y/N, nice, deep breaths for me. You’re doing good. It’s all good. It’s not your fault.” Calming circles were being drawn on your shoulder as Sero tried to settle your breathing. This was real. A dread sat heavy in your stomach.

“I didn’t mean to do that.” Your voice seemed foreign to you, almost childlike. “I lost control of my quirk, I swear, I didn’t mean it.” You knew aside from Bakugou, Sero was the least trusting of you and your powers. This would only make it worse.

“It’s alright, calm down.” He didn’t stop or pull away, in fact, he pulled you into his shoulder. “They won’t think any differently of you. You didn’t do anything besides show his true intentions. If anything, we now know how he feels about us and now we can do something about that. If anything, I’m sure everyone’s worried about you.” Sero’s face was uncharacteristically serious. “I am too. You know that’s not healthy, how he thinks about you?”

“He just wants me to be safe.” Your objection was heavy with emotion, and you weren’t sure if you even believed what you said.

“He just wants to be the only one to keep you safe. From danger, from having friends, from life, from having a life at all.” It hurt to hear, but it was a dull hurt. You knew already. You made excuses for him.

But he was the one that had pushed you for a private internship, away from the public and away from your friends. He was the one who told you everyone was afraid of your quirk, and it would be better if you stayed away from them. He had been your only friend, the only one you kept in touch with, for a reason. You just didn’t think it was this bad.

“Now I know a thing or two about denial, so if you need to talk about it, let me know.” Sero’s smile slipped back on your face as he saw you relax.

“Why are you being so nice to me? I know you don’t like my quirk.” The words spilled from your mouth unbidden.

“Why? Cause Mina likes you. And Kaminari, Kirishima. I know Bakugou’s an acquired taste, but he’ll come around. And I like you. Not many people fit into our ragtag group, but you slipped in like a missing puzzle piece. You were meant to be here, and don’t let that meathead tell you any differently.” Sero tickled your sides, pulling a laugh out of you. “And as far as your quirk… I like Mina. A lot. And I’m sure you already knew this, I just… don’t want anyone to know. Yet. I want to do this right. I was just scared that if I let you into my head, it would all come out. It will eventually, I just want it to be my decision, ya know?” Sero looked abashed at his confession. You nodded roughly.

“I won’t tell a soul! Promise! Just please do it soon, you guys are too cute.” You held out your pinky to Sero, who chuckled and linked his pinky in yours.

“It’s a promise.” You smiled at Sero, now at ease with your strengthened friendship.

Mina had walked up during your promised, smiling warmly as she watched you. You were huddled into Sero’s side, under his arm. Your pinkies were locked together, and she could see the moist fabric Sero had used to dry your eyes. It warmed her to see Sero taking such good care of her friend. She wondered how Inasa could feel angry about your new friendships when all Mina felt was happiness. Even if this meant that Sero liked you and not her, she didn’t think she could bring herself to be mad at either of you.

Mina slid into the bench next to you, wrapping her arm around your waist and pulling you into a side hug. “Hey there, darling, I hope you two didn’t miss me too much. The boys should be here soon, so we should all get some lunch.” You leaned into Mina’s shoulder, grateful for her understanding and affection. You slipped your hand into her free one and grasped Sero’s in a similar manner. Sero seemed a bit uncomfortable with this, but after a quick look to Mina, he relaxed. Between the two of them, you felt safe. It was nice, to feel safe.

Bakugou and Kirishima wandered up later, unscathed. Bakugou still seemed quietly angry, while Kirishima looked relieved to see you. Seeing you snug between two of his best friends and accepting their support made butterflies erupt in his chest. He smiled at you, and you smiled back. Being close to them didn’t have to be complicated, you decided.

They walked around you, like a barrier. Mina led the charge, navigating your group to the cafe. Kirishima was to your right and Sero to your left. Bakugou seemed to fall behind the group, uncaring, but you could tell he was making sure no one could sneak up on you. You really were blessed.

Lunch was blessedly uneventful. Everyone was back to joking around, Bakugou was back to scathing remarks, that you belatedly realized had no real bite to it. The more you saw of him, the more interesting he became.

All too soon, it was time for the group to go their separate ways. Kirishima caught your attention, pulling you off to the side. “Hey listen, I know no one has really talked about what happened earlier. We’re all worried about you though. I hope you don’t take it the wrong way, but we’d all feel better if you let one of us walk you to your classes today, okay?” He looked embarrassed to even ask. “We don’t, like, feel that you can’t take care of yourself or anything, we just want to make sure you have someone in your corner if you need. I can even walk you if you want?”

“Isn’t your next class halfway across campus from mine?” He nodded, not seeing anything wrong with that.

“Shitty hair, my class is closer to hers. I’ll walk her. Pinky can pick her up from that class.” Bakugou shouted out, annoyed that it was taking this long to find a solution. You let out a soft giggle, causing Bakugou to scoff and look away. Kirishima sadly relented, giving you a sad smile.

“Well, I’d better get going then. Take good care of her Bakubro.” Bakugou rolled his eyes before walking off, making you jog to catch up to him.

“Hey thanks, Bakugou. For this and for earlier.” You still felt a bit awkward around him, especially alone.

“Listen up. You’re not so bad, for an extra.” Bakugou didn’t even look at you as he spoke, “But that guy isn’t even good enough to be a sidekick for some D-Lister hero with how he treats people he says are important to him.” His eyes slid to yours, “You’re 100 times better than him. Just remember that I’m thousands of times better than any of you.” He stopped abruptly in front of the door to your next class. You nodded at him briefly before walking in. As soon as you were through the threshold of your class, Bakugou walked off.

Hand-to-hand combat was exactly what you needed. You could focus all your emotion into beating on this dummy and strengthen your physical skills as well. Your muscles ached with how far you pushed yourself, but it felt better than letting your thoughts consume you. By the time your class was done, you were drenched in sweat, and sore. A trip to the showers was sorely needed. You stripped off your gym clothes and walked, towel in hand, to the near-empty shower area. You hung up your towel and turned on the shower, letting it build up heat before stepping beneath the relaxing stream. Your mind drifted to delicious nothingness as you soothed your aching muscles.

You thought you must have been daydreaming as lithe arms wrapped themselves around your waist, but panic set in soon after. A plush chest was pressed into your back with a giggle.

“Settle down sweetness! It’s just me.” Mina giggled as she stepped into your shower with you. “Wow, girl, you’ve been hiding a bodyyyy from us.” She gaped in mock surprise. You chuckled at her, settling your racing heart.

“Mina! You scared me half to death. What are you doing here?” you whined.

“My class time was spent experimenting with using my acid to melt different substances. But that means I got a bunch of different stuff on me, so I needed to wash off. I was walking out to meet you after class, but lucky me, I spotted you in here.” She shot you a wink. You grinned and stepped back into the shower’s warmth as Mina started to towel off her hair. You reluctantly turned off the shower, quickly patting down your hair before wrapping the towel around you.

You and Mina changed quickly, eager to chat in between your classes. This break was sadly short, but you and Mina took advantage of what little time you had. It was easy to fall into conversation with Mina. She was more than happy to talk about anything and everything. Right now, you were going back and forth with her on the best foods from each major type of cuisine.

“Come on, Mina, you know pasta is better than gelato, gelato is just heavy ice cream.”

“Okay, no, but also, other places made pasta besides Italy. And gelato is not ice cream. Fight me.” You rolled your eyes but continued on.

“Oh come on, you know Italian pasta is better than any other types of noodles. Carbonara, Spaghetti, I could go on.”

“Our friend Todoroki is going to hate you for saying that. I think you just haven’t had good gelato.”

The two of you fell into friendly laughter easily, and your class was much too close for your liking.

The last class of the day went by in a flash. It was a minor support class, meant to refine your abilities in emergency first aid, support items, and other skills for heroes that might not be fit for the front lines. A quick rundown of the syllabus and some reviewing of basic skills took up the entire class, and you were grateful for the end of the day.

Slinking out of your classroom, you were surprised to see Kaminari and Tetsutetsu waving you down.

“Heya, Y/N. The boys asked us to walk you back to the field by the dorms. They said you had a fight with that Inasa dude. Need me to zap him for ya?” Kaminari let a few stray sparks loose as he talked, grinning wildly. You shook your head softly.

“Honestly? I just kinda want to forget it ever happened.” You accepted an arm from each boy, and Tetsutetsu took your things. You let yourself be led through the campus, distracting yourself with the flirtatious remarks of the boys next to you.

“Aw, Y/N, you know I could get you buzzing with excitement.” Kaminari waggled his eyebrows.

“Sorry, I’m not into being electrocuted.” You giggled, watching his eyebrows wiggle like worms.

“Maybe she wants something a little more solid than your static.” Tetsutetsu huffed, flexing the bicep under your fingers. Your giggles turned into full-blown laughter as they went back and forth, comparing their pros and cons.

As you neared the dorms, you felt as if there was someone watching you. You tried to glance around without drawing the suspicions of your friends, but you couldn’t find anyone nearby. The feeling grew stronger the closer you got to your dorm, and you thought you saw Inasa, waiting outside the door to your dorm. Panic briefly coursed through you, you weren’t ready to talk to him yet. Luckily, you weren’t going to your dorm. You were worried that you’d have to walk past him though.

Kirishima came into view then, coming from the field behind the dorms. He ran to you, a smile bright on his face. It was like he had blinders on, he raced right past Inasa without even a glance. You unlinked your arms from Kaminari and Tetsutetsu, hearing complaints from both boys as you allowed Kirishima to whip you up into his arms in a twirl. He quickly set you down.

“Hurry up and get on my back, Y/N. Let’s ditch these guys!” You giggled maniacally and acted without thought, wrapping your arms around his neck and letting him grab a hold of your thighs. Kirishima quickly ran off into the field, and you had forgotten about the boy standing at your dorm, watching it all unfold.

[sunsetscurving]

CHASING STARS

Ch. 8

ao3 link

In a world where reincarnation is common and expected, people stopped to care for a reason or how many times they already lived – they have no memory of their past life anymore.

But Lucas Lallemant can feel that this isn’t his first life, some shreds of his former life still present in his new one. He has this feeling that something from his past life tied him so much to it that he has to find it again in his new life.

Something. Or someone.

Eliott slowly closed the door behind him as he entered his room, leaning against the door and closing his eyes for a second, a big sigh escaping his mouth.

They nearly kissed.

He could’ve seen that Lucas wanted it, could’ve seen it in the way his eyes seemed to be alive with light, in the way his lips parted and in the way an impression of longing had been lingering on his face the whole time.

And Eliott just kept touching his messy hair which was also defying gravity in this life. 21 years ago, Eliott fell in love with Lucas when he spotted him on the hallway of their college, running his fingers through his hair while biting his lips and working on some kind of project for his courses. Since this very faithful moment, he had been in love with Lucas’ messy hair and the way it also seemed to move in his eyes, making him look like some kind of puppy.

The attraction he felt towards Lucas in that moment when he was standing in front of him, the helmet in his hand with his hair messier than usual, was unbelievable.

But Eliott was afraid.

He was afraid of where all of this would led and he was afraid that he would disappoint Lucas, that he would fail like he did before. Lucas deserved only the best life possible and right now, where Eliott was so fucking close to get back together with the love of his life, he didn’t know if this was the right way to go.

A smile appeared on Eliott’s lips nevertheless as another thought came to the surface of his mind.

Because Lucas wanted it.

Lucas wanted to be with him, to kiss him, to touch him. And all of that made Eliott’s head spin with all the possibilities lying ahead of him.

And wasn’t this about Lucas and his decisions after all? Shouldn’t Eliott stop being so selfish, only thinking about what he wants and start to think about what Lucas wants?

Before he could even continue to think about all of this, his phone vibrated, announcing a new incoming message. Eliott walked over to his bed, plopping himself down on it and letting his gaze wander over all the paintings and drawings which where connected to another part of his immortal life. His gaze lingered on one painting which showed Lucas asleep and a smile creeped onto Eliott’s lips. He always admired how beautiful Lucas looked asleep.

When he died, he also looked like this.

The smile disappeared as fast as it came, his thoughts getting darker and darker again.

Before Eliott could lost himself in regret and pain, he opened the message and found himself smiling yet again.

This day is an emotional rollercoaster.

lucallemant: hey stranger

This started to get an insider between the two of them, huh? Eliott smirked and started to type an answer.

srodulv: hey biker boy, got home safely?

lucallemant: yup, without hurting a pole ;)

Eliott chuckled to himself, leaning back on the bed and holding the phone up over his face.

srodulv: the poles from this world are not safe anymore when you’re on the street

lucallemant: I’m their biggest nightmare

srodulv: should I be scared now?

lucallemant: if you’re a pole, then yes

Eliott huffed a laugh.

lucallemant: and you should also be scared of you decline my invitation

Eliott froze with his childish laugh, frowning at the message of Lucas.

srodulv: now I’m curious, what invitation?

lucallemant: the invitation to the party from my dad for tomorrow night

The phone which Eliott was still holding above himself crashed into his face.

Did he just—

Eliott picked up the phone, rubbing over his face while doing so and kept staring at the message from Lucas.

srodulv: are you fucking kidding me?

lucallemant: why should I?

Because you just asked me out for some fucking kind of date thing where your parents will be too?

srodulv: idk, I just didn’t expect something like this

lucallemant: it’s not the usual kind of party tho, everyone will come in suit and tie and when the formalities are over, the adults will drink even more than the teenagers

so it’s basically a very noble party with good alcohol for free

and I thought that you would maybe like to join me and my friends

idk maybe it was a dumb idea

Eliott couldn’t believe all of this. Lucas really just invited him to one of the big parties which were usually thrown by his dad once in a month. Only really special people were invited to this and Lucas accordingly thought of Eliott as special because otherwise he wouldn’t invite him.

lucallemant: eliott?

Eliott didn’t even realize how long he had been staring at the opposite wall, thinking and thinking, one thought following the other. He nearly jumped as the phone in his hand vibrated again.

srodulv: yeah, I’m here

lucallemant: you can also just tell me if you don’t wanna come

srodulv: no, sorry, I was just overwhelmed by your invitation

lucallemant: so, you’ll come?

Eliott had to smile as he typed in his answer. It was apparently important for Lucas that Eliott came and he was very flattered by that.

srodulv: how could I say no to my biker boy?

lucallemant: ;)

srodulv: but only if your friends won’t kill me right away

lucallemant: I’ll tell them to wait till you are drunk

srodulv: merci

lucallemant: the least I could do

see you tomorrow, stranger

srodulv: good night biker boy

Was this really happening? Would he really go on a party where only Lucas and his friends and some random people would be? Would he really have the chance to do a fucking slow dance with the love of his life? Would the fate really shine upon him this much? Would he really see Lucas in a suit with a tie, looking absolutely drop-dead beautiful?

He had to believe it.

And he had to get a fucking suit really, really quick.

He was jumping up from the bed, a grin still very present on his face as the door slammed against the wall while he was running out onto the hallway of their apartment.

“IDRISS!”

The whole house and every person passing by on the street were surely hearing Eliott now but he couldn’t care less. There were things who needed his attention more than some random people who thought him crazy. And maybe he was crazy after all: crazy in love.

“Fuck, dude, where are you?”

Eliott never realized that their apartment was that big. But maybe it was just supported by the fact that he couldn’t wait to tell Idriss about it all.

“What the fuck, man, did you burn down the kitchen again?”

“It was one fucking time, okay?”

Idriss was coming around the corner now, looking really sleepily while yawning quietly. He apparently just took a nap and Eliott woke him up but as said before: Eliott couldn’t care less. And he also couldn’t hide the grin on his lips.

“Oh, did I woke the princess?”

“Fucking hell, shut up”, said Idriss but a smile tugged onto his lips nevertheless.

“So, why did you woke me from my beautiful nap?”

And now, Eliott couldn’t hold himself back anymore.

“Okay, so I had a date with Lucas and we were at the coffee shop around the corner and Lucas was just about to tell me what he wanted but I just literally screamed into his face what he usually took, in his former life, and it was still right and he was confused and I wanted to slap myself and then he took me home on his bike and holy fuck, this boy looks so hot and then I nearly kissed him but I couldn’t or I didn’t want to or, I don’t know, it just didn’t happen and I was afraid that Lucas thought I would reject him and now he messaged me and invited me for a party from his dad for tomorrow and I need a suit and a tie and oh my god, imagine Lucas with a suit, I mean—”

“ELIOTT!”

Eliott was out of breath by now, the need to get all of this out, to just tell someone about what happened, had been so overwhelming that the words didn’t stop spilling out from his mouth.

“Okay so”, said Idriss and took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a second to gather all his thoughts and to process everything he heard, “You nearly kissed Lucas?”

“Yes.”

“And… you didn’t do it in the end? Although you had been waiting for this moment 19 fucking years?”

“Y-Yes.”

Eliott threw his hands in the air now, suddenly feeling helpless and insecure again. Idriss also thought that he did the wrong thing and the opinion from his friend meant a lot to him. And now here he was, judging him for not taking that step. But something stopped him, Eliott didn’t even know what it was. Maybe it was some higher force or…

“I don’t know, man… It just didn’t feel right, you know? When I kiss him, it should be special and wonderful and perfect and…”

“Maybe this was the perfect moment for him.”

It’s not about you, Eliott, it’s about him.

“Stop making me feel even worse, Idriss”, said Eliott now before he could think more about the missed chance which will maybe probably not come back again, crossing his arms in front of his chest, “And however: It is over now and he still wants to see me tomorrow.”

“In a suit.”

“Yes, in a suit.”

“And from where should we get a fucking suit now?”, asked Idriss, a grin starting to form on his lips.

Eliott laid his arm around Idriss’ shoulder, his smile brighter than the sun on the sky. He always knew that his best friend would always be there for him and always support him, no matter how crazy and stupid the idea might be. They had been through too much already to let the other down.

“Well, my princess”, started Eliott with a smile on his face, wriggling his eyebrows, “We’re now going on the hunt for exactly that.”

[ain-t-bovvered]

Epiphany 12

read first ACT 1

EDIT:  @waywardbaby​

Summary: Less than two years later, you finally passed the men of letters’ initiation and, finally, you now set foot in America eager to be reunited with the Winchesters. But if Dean thought that you spent your days only with your nose in books and hands in monster’s guts, he was dead wrong. Your mission? Something that the British branch tried and failed miserably,  or at least that’s what they told you anyway.

Pairing: Dean X Reader

Characters: Dean, Sam, Castiel and Jack

Warnings: slow burn guys…slow burn. Also, some fluff, humor, feels and angst.

Letting your bags fall on the bunker’s floor, you stretched happily, enjoying the coolness that being underground provided while Dean had already disappeared into the kitchen.

“We’re back! “ you called out as Cass entered the war room.

“Hello Y/N,” he said. You sighed happily and leaned against him tiredly. “ …are you okay?” he asked worriedly as you hugged him.

“It’s good to be home…” you said smiling into his crisp white shirt as he returned the hug awkwardly. “Can't wait for a good, water pressure shower!”

“Hey, hey! Hands off my wom-friend… my friend!” Dean said, opening a can of beer and sitting in the chair, legs propped up the table, as usual.

Both Sam and Jack entered together, “Welcome back, Y/N!” Jack said, coming closer nervously. You nodded and pulled him into the hug too.

“Room for me too?” Sam asked, joking and you pulled him in too by his shirt.

“What is that? A hug fest?”

“Guys…that grumpy old man there is now my…boyfriend…” you said, voice muffled by the hugs. And you were suddenly freed.

“About damn time!”  

“ Really?!”  

“Congratulations!” were their respective reactions. 

Dean choked on his beer, spluttering it all over. “A little warning next time?”

“Well… I don’t want to sneak out of your room every morning like a teenager!”

“Why would you have to sneak out of Dean’s ro-OH…!” Jack blushed.

“Great! See what you did there? The kid’s corrupted now!” Dean snorted amused. Groaning he stood up, slowly. “I’m beat. I’m gonna take a nap.” he walked to you and you looked at him, confused.

“Wha- WOAH!” Dean disentangled you from the hugs and scooped you up on his shoulder.

“You are tired too. Let’s go!” 

You shot an apologetic look to the others as you dangled on Dean’s shoulder. Sam just shook his head, smiling.

The room was dark, but not that much. There was a thin line of light coming from the slit beneath the door, just enough to let you make out details. You caressed Dean’s cheek while he was asleep. Your fingers lightly traced every centimeter of his face. From is hairline, his delicate brow, down his temple, to his freckled cheekbone and nose. His mouth was slightly parted and his warm, regular breath tickled your thumb as you grazed his lips. The bedding was cool and crisp on your skin and smelled like washed laundry mixed with Dean. You cuddled yourself closer, sneaking under his arm. Unconsciously he put it around your waist, pulling you close. 

Tired, you tried to close your eyes but your head just wouldn’t let you fall asleep. You felt restless, fidgety like your mind and body were two separate things. Watching the pulse of Dean’s heart on his neck, you found comfort in it. Sliding your hand over it, you could now feel the steady beating under your fingers. Closing your eyes again you tried to match your own heart to his.

As you started to drift off, you noticed that Dean was now the one who was restless. His pulse was quicker. He suddenly tensed, locking you in his arms, almost painfully. You tried to sooth him gently, hugging him back, but to no use. He was still agitated and now his arms squeezed you, too tight. It was then when he let out a whimper, almost a sob. 

“Dean ...Dean, wake up,” you whispered softly, but it didn’t seem to reach him. He rolled on his back, pulling you over him. Holding his head in your hands, using your thumbs to stroke his cheeks, his face relaxed a bit. You heard some mumbling and you clearly made out the word ‘mom’. Of course, he was having a nightmare about her. 

You kissed him but he didn’t respond at first. His lips were tight and unmoving against yours as you straddled him. You kept kissing him and he started to slowly wake up, his lips starting to respond to yours before being fully awake. You knew he was conscious when you felt his hand sliding up to your head, pressing you to him as he deepened the kiss. You barely had time to remove your t-shirt before he rolled you on your back. His movements were hurried, desperate, rushed and you didn’t care. Right now, you wanted to give him your very own soul and this was the only way you could do that.

He tensed in your arm as he came and you held onto him as tight as you could, your muscles tired and burning. His head hidden in the crook of your neck, you could feel his quick breaths, hot on your skin, his lips brushing and soothing where he had marked you with his teeth. He rolled his body, taking you with him. The air felt cold on your damp skin, and your cheek stuck to his naked chest. Nothing in the world could make you move to cover yourself. You sensed hesitation in Dean as he probably was thinking about what to say and before he could do that you placed your hand tiredly on his mouth, missing it by inches.

“Don’t…” you said warmly, patting his face. He grasped and kissed your hand.  Without saying anything more, you both fell asleep.

The next weeks at the bunker passed between routine and research. You almost finished all your trips so you could help the guys with the search of dream walkers powerful enough that could help them. Those blackouts and missing hours kept recurring and you seriously considered having a check up but you were expecting Toni to arrive in the next few days, so now was not the right time. It could wait. 

“Who keeps texting you?” Dean asked, badly hiding his annoyance as the phone vibration shook the wooden table for the tenth time. You brought down your feet from the table as you started to search for the damn thing under stacks of papers and books.

“Where the fuck is that fuckin- ha ah, there you are!”

“Love it when you forget English!” he said smugly tilting his chin, trying to take a peek and you pushed his face away.

“Winchester, are you trying to spy on my phone?”

“Yes, absolutely!”

Rolling your eyes, you threw him a bone. “It’s just Toni, Dean. He’s letting me know where he will be landing so I can go and pick him up. Now that I think about it, I haven't even thought  about where we’ll be staying ...” Dean made a disapproving sound in the back of his throat.

“Y/N’s right, Dean. As much as I don’t like the idea of her staying somewhere else with someone we don’t know, you have to admit that we can’t bring him in the bunker. Man of Letters or not, you know we can’t trust most of them.”

“And remember that they don’t know she’s with you two.” Cass added, “I can see how that could cause her some problems.”

Dean’s what-the-hell-dude gesture to Cass made you laugh.

“Where’s Jack, by the way?”

“Dean sent him to pick up dinner…by car!”Cass said, smiling pleased. You and Sam slowly looked at Dean, amazed.

“What? I’m hungry and I had to finish this book … why - why are you looking at me like that?” 

You giggled looking at Sam who mirrorred you.

“Stop it you two!”

You both raised your hands in apology. 

“Ugh, I hate when you look like twins. It’s freaky and gross.”

A couple of days later you threw the last of your bags into the backseat of your new, rented pick-up.

“….and remember to-”

“... call you, text you and triple text you. Sam and Cass, yes I know.” You rolled your eyes and turned around, leaning on the car. You propped an eyebrow and crossed your arms, looking at Dean like a spoiled brat. He read your stance and straightened his posture, closing in on you, your eyes traveling up to his.

“... and you, Dean, rememb-”

“No yelling at Jack, no playing with your toys and eating a vegetable that is not ketchup. Yes, I know!” he mocked you. Smiling you slid a hand up his chest, gripping the fabric and pulling him to you.

“…aaand?” you asked, lips grazing his.

“..a...and?” his brow furrowed, looking confused.

You brushed your lips to his, letting the tip of your tongue skim in between, inviting. He hummed as he opened his mouth for you. You pressed your entire body to him so he could feel every curve and exposed flesh. Changing angle, you pulled him to you. Your back hit the car door again and his leg pushed yours apart until you were straddling it and a little gasp escaped your lips at the friction of his jeans. You felt him smiling in the kiss.

‘This little shit!’ you thought. ‘Since he wants to play this way I’m gonna have fun and enjoy it!’

Smiling back you began to roll your hips until your breaths quickened and you couldn’t stop the needy sounds that spilled out of your mouth and into his. He groaned and moaned as you continued to ride him, taking all the pleasure for yourself.  He kissed your neck while his hands gripped your hips, guiding your movements. You hadn't planned it but you were actually getting off just by that. When during a particularly slow and long stroke your hips came in contact with his, you felt him through his jeans, stiff, throbbing and hot. 

You mentally high fived yourself. 

Dean’s grip on your hips tightened and pushed his leg up a little more. The fucker could read your body better than yourself. That and him nibbling at your ear pushed you right off the edge. Leaning your weight on him still panting you looked up at him.

“If this is your way to make sure I don’t elope with hot men from my country, you're stuck with me now, boy.” 

Smiling hazily, you patted his chest. 

“…and this…” you said, your hand sliding down, stopping at his belt, looking down as you felt hip hips twitching against yours, “... this is me, making sure you’ll think of me!” 

You kissed him and pushed him away, as you quickly sat in the car, closing the door.

“W-what?!” he babbled, blinking.

“Bye, Dean! See you in a couple of days!” 

Blowing a kiss, you got out of the garage as fast as you could. After a few minutes of driving, you heard the pings of several texts coming in. Giggling you asked Siri to read them for you.

‘What the hell was that?’

‘Son of a bitch!’

‘Y/N, I swear to God’

‘You gonna regret this, you know that, right?’

A big laugh bubbled up inside of you.

‘You will beg, it’s a promise’

That laugh died in your throat. You squeezed your legs and asked yourself in how much trouble you really were.

Waiting in the front of the arrivals, bored as hell as you scanned every face in the tired crowd, you started to feel like you were watching a tennis match. You rubbed your eyes and sighed, pacing impatiently back and forth, scanning the crowd again. 

Toni did not have an ordinary face after all. Tall and well built, with dark, expressive, brown eyes, a jaw that could cut diamonds, olive skin, jet black hair probably pushed back and the usual short but well kept dark beard. Why was he taking so much? The plane landed ages ago. Suddenly, your vision was obstructed and you tensed. Quickly, sizing the unknown arm you turned around, twisting it painfully.

“Well ...I'd say your reflexes have majorly improved!”

“Toni!?” 

You let go, startled and gaped at you partner turning around, rubbing his shoulder.

“Hello, Smurf!” he smiled one of his killer smiles, engulfing you in a hug, and kissing your cheeks. You almost didn’t reciprocate. Snapping out your little stupor, you kissed him back feeling a bit uneasy doing so, but still. That’s how you always greeted people close to you.

“Don’t call me that!” you said, smacking his chest and smiling. “I was waiting for you.  Where did you materialize from? I didn’t see you coming out from there.”

“Oh, you didn’t know?” 

You went to grab his trolley but he circled you and passed an arm around your shoulders. Bending down your ear he whispered while walking to the exit, “They flew me in, privately.”

“Excuse me??!! I had to sit with peasants and three newborn babies for hours and they flew you in on a private jet? Whose ass did you kiss? “

“Mine!” he smirked.

Only that minute realizing what he had actually meant, you gaped at him. 

“Oh, shut your face!” 

He exploded in his classic, booming, loud laughter that made several people turn around.

“That’s not the way to talk to your new boss!” he winked, looking down at you.

“Ah, fuc -..err...I mean…” you pinched his upper arm. “Sorry boss!”

“Ugh … nope! Use my name when we are alone please, so I can still remember it.”

You walked him to the pick-up you had rented and he raised an eyebrow, eyes widening.

“Since when do you drive the kind of car where you need a ladder to climb in?”

“Oh, please! You know I always liked big cars and here there’s enough space to use these puppies.” you patted the hood. “Come on! I want to look at your face when you see the dump I found for us. It even has an empty pool. It’s amazing!”

“Uh...about that…”

It seems that being boss meant that you decided the budget and transportation and Toni made sure to splurge on it, happily. So, the motel you had found was replaced by-

“Eerr…Toni…. the fuck is this?” you asked, your dusty duffel bag dropping from your shoulder.

“…a loft suite?” he said while tipping the concierge that walked you from the lobby to the elevator, pressing buttons and opening doors for you. Said concierge, fucking, bowed and closed the double door.

“I can see that…” you said looking around the hotel room and the stairs leading to a second floor. 

“Don’t you think this is all…”  a fucking second floor?  “... a bit too much?”

“Relax!” he said, opening the curtains. You gasped looking at the wall of windows, floor to ceiling high. “I’m the boss. I approved of this.”

“…Ok…but I can’t afford to book a room here!” you dragged the bag to the windows and looked down, touching the glass with your hand.

“What?...No, no! you’re staying here!” he said bouncing on the sofa. 

You turned around.

“I can’t stay here! We are not gonna share a bed, mister!”

He stayed silent for a moment staring at you. Then letting out a frustrated sigh, he walked to you and gently grabbed your shoulders.

“This is a suite ...there's a guest room, right that way,” he said, pointing at a door at the end of the lounge space.

“I’m too under dressed to be here. I’m dusting the whole place up!”

Without saying anything, he took a shiny, new credit card out of his jacket, sliding it in your jeans’ pocket.

“Call it a bonus for your hard work until now.” 

You started to refuse and he blocked you raising a hand, “ Y/N …it’s an order from your boss. You, literally, can’t refuse.  You know?”

“Dammit! I’m gonna buy so many stupid, useless things to fuck with you just so you know!” you pouted, turning back to look out the window.

He laughed, amused. “I expect no less. But just so you know, we are gonna meet some important people and executives from other branches, so you might wanna buy something nice to wear.”

“Oh …I should warn my contacts here, or they’ll be wor- they won’t know where to find me if they need some supplies,” you said, patting your pockets in search of the phone.

Before you could dial the number, he tried to slip the phone from your hand. You looked at his reflection in the window, utterly confused, as he bent down staring into your eyes, his lips near your ear.

“There is no need for that,” he said. Your head started to hurt. You tried to blink but you couldn’t.

“…But - but I -”

“Y/N…There is no need for that,” he repeated slowly. Every word spoken clearly, slowly piercing through you. Your grip softened and Toni easily slipped the phone from your hand. 

“Understood?” he whispered, gently but firmly. Something cold slipped in place somewhere in your head, and suddenly you didn’t feel any more pain. Your expression blanked.

“There is no need for that,” you repeated, your tone cold and distant.

“Good girl.”

He patted your head and with his hands still on your shoulders, he walked you to the bathroom. 

“Now, wash all this dust away,” he said, helping you out of Dean’s plaid shirt that you had stolen from him that morning.

“Yes.” 

You handed the shirt to him at the same time struggling to let it go as he tugged.

He started to walk out of the bathroom when he looked down at said shirt. Rubbing the material between his fingers, he walked back and tossed it in the working fireplace above the bathtub. Your hands faltered at the jean’s zipper as you eyed the shirt burning. You felt your heart skip a beat. He walked up to you and knelt down, helping you out your boots.

“I’m gonna book you a styling and grooming session. Let’s rub the plaid off of you, yeah?” he said looking at you, his hands sliding up your legs and his fingers gripped your jeans, slowly dragging them down.

“Yes.”

Stepping out the pooled garment on the floor, you reached for the tank top. Removing it, your hands went to unhook your bra too. He kept staring at you until your hands trembled once they reached your underwear. He covered your hands with his, stopping you.

“Here, let me help.” 

He tried to move your hands away but your muscles tensed and you felt uneasy. Why would you tense, though? That was Toni. He tried again and a whimper escaped you. What? Wait…this feels wrong…wh… 

“I said ...let me help!” he repeated, demandingly.

“Yes.” your hands fell beside your hips without a second thought.

You watched as he smirked pleased. He slowly slid down the fabric, letting his hands caress your skin. You used his shoulders to help yourself out of that last garment and he, still kneeling, embraced your naked body and nuzzled his face against your tummy. He grunted when you stayed stiff and guided your hands in his hair. You automatically started to stroke his head.

“The spell still needs a bit of a push, but a couple of days and there will be no problems.” 

He kissed your skin, inhaling deeply. 

You felt sick. 

“Mmmm, oh how I missed you!” he slowly got up, hands around your hips as he pressed himself against you. You gasped, sensing his arousal. His head bent down, lips hovering on yours. 

“Tell me you missed me too.”

“I missed you too.” you complied and he kissed you. 

He was forceful, aggressive and you didn’t like that at all. You weakly pushed him away but he only pressed you to him more. You felt his stubble scratch your lips as he deepened the kiss and when you felt his tongue slide in, you realized how wrong it actually was.

Green eyes and freckles flashed before your closed eyes.

SLAP 

You opened your eyes to see Toni’s head turned to the side, eyes wide and an angry, red mark was starting to appear on his cheek. He smiled viciously turning to you. His hand curled around your neck dangerously, twisting your head to the side. Your eyes were blank and expressionless staring into nothing, as his traveled down and he eased his grip around your neck. His hand moved back your hair but he froze, his eyes widening.

“What is this, Y/N?” he said, tracing the little bruise you had under your ear with his finger. 

His face transformed then, eyes blown open and burning with anger. He wrapped your hair around his hand and pulled back, sharply. You cried out at the sudden pain as he forced you to look at him.

“…Tsk, tsk...it seems I’ll have to wash away the stink of the Winchesters, too.”

That name hit you, punching out the air from your lungs without knowing why.

“Now, be a good girl. I have to make some calls.”

With that, he left you alone in the middle of the bathroom, the hot water of the shower still going having fogged up the mirrors. You walked to the sink, feeling your throat dry. You took two careful breaths and rising a trembling hand you wiped the moisture from the mirror. The person looking back felt like a stranger. Your eyes wandered down to your neck, moving your hair out of the way and you angled your head to the side. With your finger, you traced the same spot Toni had as a tear you didn’t feel, slid down your cheek.

“Dean, calm down!” Sam said, running behind his brother as they made their way to the poor bastard at the lobby desk.

“How can I calm down Sam? She said she’d call ….it’s been 3 fucking days!!”

Sam didn’t argue. He was just as worried, Cass and Jack were already working on finding new information on this so-called Toni.

“You! I need information on a customer, room 45.”

“Eer ...I can’t let pers-” 

Dean grabbed the barely out of his teenager years boy by his t-shirt, almost lifting him off the floor.

“I don’t have time for this! You better tell me right here, right now!” Dean’s voice was dangerous and low.

“S - sir…please! I could g-get fired!”he cried.

“Dean…” Sam took out his badge.

The full in hunter mood Dean let the boy go and inhaled sharply. He reached in his breast pocket and threw the badge down on the counter.

“Let me try again…” 

Sam started through gritted teeth, trying to sound calm, but Dean wasn’t having it.

“FBI man! Talk! NOW!” 

Scared for dear life the boy typed something on the computer “That room is e-empty…”

Dean reached for the monitor, turning it around to read.

“It says that the reservation was ... canceled?” his tone now more panicked than angry and faltering as he said the last word.

“Yes. A couple came in. The woman said she had a reservation but she needed to cancel it. She said she was sorry and paid the cancellation fine plus a tip.”

“She wasn’t alone?” Sam asked.

“No. There was this other tall dude. A Mediterranean, looking guy.”

“Did she say or leave anything? A message, a note, a phone number, anything?”

“No…they were in a hurry. She had a slight accent and a strange satanic tattoo on her inner forearm. That’s all I know, I swear!”

Dean pushed himself from the lobby counter and nervously walked back and forth, rubbing his face, tiredly. Sam kept an eye on him while turning to the boy again.

“Adam…?  Right?” the boy nodded. “Listen, Adam. I need you to think very carefully about that moment. Do you remember anything ...anything at all? Did she look anxious, scared, nervous?”

“No…not at all. She was nice and smiled a lot.”

“And…and the man with her?”

“Didn’t say a word ...but-”

Dean gripped the counter again, “But…?”

“…I - I don’t know. He gave me a strange vibe. He was looking at her like …strangely ...it creeped me out a bit.”

“Son of a bitch!” Dean whispered.

“They left together, yeah?”

“Yep! In a big, dusty, beige pick up.”

“CCTV.” Dean’s hard tone made the boy flinch.

“W - what?”

“We need to look at the security tapes. Do you still have them?” Sam explained.

“ Y - yes we still have them. I’ll go make you a copy.” Adam disappeared, quickly.

“Sam, I have a bad feeling.”

“L- let’s not jump ahead of ourselves. I mean, you said this Toni and Y/N were close in the past?” 

Dean's head snapped up.

“What are you implying?”

“I’m not implying anything, Dean. I’m just saying that there’s a big chance she’s not in danger. That’s all.” Sam squeezed his brother shoulder, reassuringly.

Dean’s response was to silently clench his jaw.

“Guys, have you found anything?” Cass’ gravelly worried voice asked over the speaker.

“We should be asking you that!”

“…I still can’t sense her. She must be guarded or she’s somewhere guarded against angels and I also suspect demons.”

“She definitely left with her partner,” Sam said, re-watching the moment you left the motel smiling like always and you were also the one who drove away, so no kidnapping. “Fortunately I can run the plate”

Sam watched as his brother’s eyes were following your every movement as if to find something strange or out of the ordinary. But they had been looking at the same ten minutes of film over and over again and nothing seemed wrong.

“How’s Jack?” Sam asked.

“I managed to calm him down, but I’m not sure how long I can keep him from flying around Kansas, searching for Y/N.”

They all fell silent. It was Dean who broke it.

“Something’s wrong man. I just feel it.” 

“I know Dean. I find it unlikely for Y/N to have left like that.”

“…I don’t know Cass. She doesn’t seem to be in danger here and it’s been three days…I…”

“I’m fairly certain that something doesn't feel right.”

“How can you be sure-”

“She loves you, Dean.”

At those words, Dean looked out the window, knuckles whitening on the steering wheel. 

“Dean, I’m an angel I can feel things from people. You both love each other, I can feel it. So stop doubting it, snap out of it and focus.” The angel’s tone was heated and firm and the two hunters looked at each other, surprised.

The older hunter smiled sadly, “damn Cass! who died and made you boss..?”

“I can assure you that if something has really happened to Y/N, I’ll find the person responsible and personally escort their soul to hell.”

The call ended.

The brothers were silent while Sam ran the plate number, trying to find the last place this car was seen.

“Found her!” Sam exclaimed and then looked confused at the screen on his lap as Dean continued to drive, trying to watch the road ahead.

“What?”

“…She’s…at the Ambassador hotel…50 miles from us. At least the car is registered there as a guest’s”

“…What the hell?”

“I’ll let Cass and Jack know our position so they won’t materialize in some poor bastard’s suite.”

“Stop fidgeting!” Toni hissed in your ear as you pulled the fabric to cover your naked thigh peeking out the high slit. Your hand fell down, following the skirt, revealing your crossed legs again. You were sitting on the stool at the hotel bar beside him while he was entertaining some old dude whose name you already didn’t remember. Squirming slightly you tried to hide your legs under the bar counter but it was all in vein. The dress was as uncomfortable as it was gorgeous. White as marble, ankle length, it was tight around your hips and wrapped loosely around the rest of your body. It had a long slit that crept up, crossing to the waist, where a gold belt kept it all from falling down. Thank God the dress had a halter top necklin so at least your boobs were covered.

‘So uncomfortable’ had been your main thought since dressing up like that hours before.

Someone was braiding your hair in a low chignon, leaving some strands framing your face as you reached for your usual crystal pendant. “I think I’ll keep this.” Toni had said, grabbing it before you could. “How about the ones they prepared you?”

“Okay “

You had looked at yourself blankly in the elevator’s mirror, while he embraced you from behind.

“Beautiful. You look like the statue of a Roman goddess.” he had murmured behind you, kissing your neck as he pushed your head to the side to give himself more access.

“Thank you.” you had responded, not feeling the compliment nor gratitude.

Even your own face looked different. All that makeup felt heavy and gross on your skin, your cheekbones were like, glowing, your nose looked smaller, and let’s not even start with the eyebrows, square and darker. Thank God, your lips were spared.

You clutched the useless little empty bag you were given just for show and took the expectant arm waiting for you out of the elevator, letting it guide you to the spot where you were now seated.

“Order something to drink sweetheart. I have to go and talk to that gentleman, there.” you flinched at the pet name.

Your eyes slowly scanned the bartender in front of you “…Beer” you croaked, hoarsely.

“Sorry ma’am but at this hour we only serve cocktails or liquor.”

“ …Whiskey then…neat.”

“Sure. Would you like to see our selection?”

“…It’s fine, you choose.” 

The bartender bowed politely with his head and passed the order to the girl behind him as he took the other drinks and walked out the counter to serve at the tables.

The lounge bar was dark except for the soft gold lights from the bar counter and the candles on the tables. There were lush sofas and high puffed stools awaiting the rich hotel’s clientele. In the corner, someone was playing the piano and that has been the only thing keeping you company all evening. Your head swayed at the soft jazz music. People talked in hushed tones, couples exchanged heated touches or kisses in the corner tables, some old businessman eyed you like a piece of meat giving you the creeps. Thank God the bar counter was the least dark space in that room.

“Good evening ma’am. I hope this is to your liking...” the girl’s voice snapped out of your thoughts. Turning your head to her and your eyes down to where she placed the glass you nodded. Picking up the glass, you gulped down the whole thing. The waitress’s eyes widened. 

W - would…would you like another, ma’am?”

“Yes …please,” you whispered.

“Is everything okay?...ma’am?” she asked, placing you another glass in front of you. Your hands closed around it, your knuckles going white. A bright smile that didn’t reach your eyes, blossomed on your face.

“Of course. I’m just…lost in the music.”

“I don’t like this Dean.”

“Neither do I Cass, but we have to. The whole place is guarded. You and Jack can’t enter. We’ll search for the symbols too, but Y/N is priority. And please… ” he added, lowering his voice, “...keep an eye on the kid. Make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.”

Dean straightened his suit jacket, feeling uncomfortable out of his usual clothes but the place had a dress code and he and Sam needed to blend in. Ergo ...penguin suit.

“Ready, Dean?” Sam asked while smoothing out a little crease on the pants and combing his hair back with his hand.

Dean sighed. “Yeah…yeah let’s go,” he said, checking the gun under his jacket.

Leaving the car keys to the valet, the Winchesters made their way to hotel lobby. Before going in, Sam grabbed Dean’s arm.

“Dean…remember we are here to search for Y/N and nothing more…”

“For now.” 

“For now.” Sam agreed with Dean’s icy tone.

Calmly walking to the front desk, Sam pumped up his charm charade.  

“Good evening miss…” he flashed his FBI badge discreetly to her while bringing his finger to his lips winking. “I’d appreciate it, greatly, if you could point us to the whereabouts of a certain Miss Y/S.N. We know for sure she’s staying here, at the moment. She is a key witness in an ongoing investigation and we are keeping her here for safety.”

“The hotel’s policy bans me from disclosing her room number but… ” she bent towards Sam, whispering “….I can tell you that I saw her walking to the hotel bar…if that’s enough.”

“Yes. That’s great. Thank you very much.”

Sam turned around but Dean was already walking away, his pace nervous and hasty and disappearing behind what should be the lounge bar door.

You were at your third glass now and what remained of the amber liquid, swirled around. Toni occasionally checked on you, making sure you had your glass full or just to get what he wanted. It was annoying and frankly, you felt repulsion every time he touched you. That was confusing, though. You were a couple. Shying away from his touch wasn’t right so you complied.

The music changed half an hour ago into soft covers of random classic songs and you enjoyed trying to guess what songs they were playing.

Suddenly, you felt a faint commotion at your back but you didn’t care for it anyway. This song was one of your favorites and you had recognized it from the first couple of notes.

“Tangerine, Led Zeppelin.” you murmured into your glass, smirking before taking a sip and closing your eyes as the liquid burned.

“Correct.”

A husky voice said from behind. You felt a shiver running down your spine, not an unpleasant one. “I thought you didn’t care for classic rock ...Y/N.”

Your eyes widened hearing your name from a stranger and you turned around quickly.

[leviathan-open-ur-eyes]

(Here’s a short story of how Avery came into the fog. It’s also like 3 am and i wanted to crank this out before writers block struck again. anyways hope you enjoy~)

 Avery was walking through the woods in the moonlight. Her feet sore and blistered from the dirt path. As she got higher up the incline her lungs began to burn. How long had she been walking? Behind her she could hear someone faintly singing to her. Everything was feeling so magical. Then it all turned dark, she was being pushed, shoved in every direction, blows from unknown attackers hit her knocking her from left to right and then before she could regain her composure she lost her footing and came crashing down the side of the incline and landed on the jagged rocks below. The wind knocked out of her, she laid there gasping for air, her head felt heavy and she couldn’t move. Staring up at the darkened sky she could see the stars so perfectly, and then she saw it; an angel… no something different… coming towards her. It extended its claws and fog rolled in around her. She reached for it, despite the bad feeling in her gut, and whispered, “Please help me.” The unknown creature said nothing and then Avery blacked out.

         She sat up in her bed, clutching her stomach she looked around her dark room in a panic. Avery leaned over to turn on her lamp. Light flooded her room and she got up to go to the bathroom. The harsh light wasn’t as bad now that her eyes had adjusted, she went to the sink and turned the faucet on cold. Cupping her hands she filled them with cold water and splashed it on her face. “It was just some sort of terrible nightmare… nothing more.” She said looking at her reflection in the mirror. Water dripped down her cheeks and fell into the sink. Grabbing a towel, she dried her face off and sat down on the toilet. She tried to think about the dream, but every time she did it came back in a fog. Who or what was that thing reaching down for her? Who was singing? Her mind was spinning and suddenly she felt sick. Grabbing the small trash can she threw up, spilling the contents of her stomach inside the plastic bag. She wiped her mouth with toilet paper and threw that in the trash. Tying the bag and pulling it out of the can she decided after she was done with her business she would go throw it away outside.

         Walking down the stairs and into the kitchen she saw the clock on the wall blinking 3:30 am. She reached the back door, before unlocking it she heard something scamper across the floor, and she held her breath to make sure her mind wasn’t playing tricks on her. The scampering sounded like Clementine’s nails but she knew he was still upstairs asleep. Avery turned around slowly, preparing herself to scream or run if someone or something was in the house, but when she turned around nothing was there. She sighed and muttered to herself, “Get ahold of yourself old girl.” She unlocked the back door and walked out into the fresh summer air. It was crisp, wet from the rain and the ground helped soothe her heated body. Avery ran the vile bag to the trash and when she turned to go back to the house there was a sudden chill in the air. Fog slowly rolled in around her feet covering the grass in a thick blanket. She felt as if she was being watched, Avery went to scream but something told her not to. A voice filled her head, it was clearly a woman’s voice, sweet and angelic. The voice said:

You have called upon me. I am an angel. There is no need to be afraid. I will watch over you till your time is up.

The fog began to roll back as if it had never been there to begin with. Avery sneezed and rubbed the side of her arms trying to warm herself up. Walking back to the house she turned to stare back at the backyard, when she didn’t see anything or anyone she went inside and headed back up to her room. When she got up to her room she went over to her bed and fell down on it in defeat.

When she awoke the next day feeling drained and tired. She went downstairs and joined Elias at the island. “Morning sunshine.” He said to Avery. She smiled and grabbed the coffee cup he passed over to her. “How’d you sleep?” Avery’s eyes locked on his, “Not good. Had a nightmare.” Elias raised his eyebrows “Oh, care to talk about it?” he asked. “I was murdered dude. And then this angelic voice talked to me. Said she was an angel? I don’t know man.” She said. Elias stared at her as if what she said actually made sense, she began laughing at the serious look he had. “No more edibles for you.” He said laughing. “Man, come on.” She said rolling her eyes. “I’m serious Avery. But did you see anything in the dream?”

Avery got off the chair and took her dish to the sink, “All I recognized was the song. Maybe the voice was someone I know… maybe the angel.” She said. “So do you think it’s one of us?” his tone was serious and Avery felt him staring at her back, “W-what no. I don’t think any of you would kill me.” Elias scoffed, “You weren’t saying that last night.” Fuck she knew her loud mouth would get so stoned she’d say shit she’d regret. “What do you mean?” she asked. “You told me that someone would kill you. Do you really think one of us would harm you?” His tone was serious and she felt the chill run up her spine. “I was high.” She argued. “Yeah you always are.”

There was silence before Elias got up, “You really need to watch what you say. You’re going to create enemies instead of friends.” He placed his cup into the sink and placed his hand on her shoulder, “I’m going to go check and see if our band mates are up. We need to get some practice in we sounded a bit rusty.” And with that he left her standing alone in the kitchen.

Avery’s day played out how it normally would. She ate, played a few video games up in the family room with Marceline, practiced the band’s new songs, posed with Bonnie for Cynder’s new painting, and cleaned up the basement with Sloth. It was half past one when she finally sat down in the living room downstairs, the house was somewhat empty, Cynder went into town to do shopping for tonight’s dinner, Sloth and Ryann went to hit up their dealer for some more of that weed, Elias went to his campus to go talk to one of his professors about a grade and Dan was upstairs taking a nap. Avery’s mind began to recall the dream, she could feel her feet aching and her chest burning. The killer was about to be revealed but before she could make out who it was she was awoken with a loud slam of the front door. Getting up to see who it was she saw Ben marching into the kitchen. Avery looked down to see him tracking mud in. 

“Could you not?” Avery said. “What?” He asked annoyed at her tone. “Your boots are full of mud and I just cleaned this place as punishment so could you not?” Ben huffed but removed his boots and took them to the front door and dropped them. “There happy?” He said, “Actually yea I am.” Avery glared at him. Ben walked into the kitchen, when Avery didn’t hear anything she figured he left, getting up she went towards the kitchen but then she saw him staring out the window into the back yard. Looking through the window she could see Bonnie under the large tree reading. “She’s such a tease...” he muttered and Avery cleared her throat. He looked at her a bit embarrassed she had heard him say something about Bonnie. Without another word he took his leave. Avery decided to not tell Bonnie about this. Perhaps she would speak to Elias about his friend after dinner. When dinner was over Marceline requested a movie night, and things seemed to get weirder with Ben. Once the movie was done Avery had no energy to go find Elias to chat with him. All she wanted to do was sleep in her warm bed and never think of that nightmare again. But as a wise man once said all good things must come to an end.

Day 02

The nightmare hit her harder than the first two nights. She sat up and sighed, “Another restless fucking night.” She put her feet on the ground, the rain was coming down lightly and Avery got up to close the window. Again she felt as if someone were watching. Peering out into the night she could see the fog rolling back in, this time it higher, if she were outside it would be up to her knees. The voice called her name, and as if it belonged to a siren it lured Avery in. She doesn’t remember falling asleep but she awoke on the floor, the summer sun warming her through the open window. Avery grunted as she pushed herself up, her body felt stiff and hurt mostly near the middle of her back. A knock came to her door, “Come.” She said sitting up and stretching. The door opened to Elias, he came in looking very upset, “I heard from Ben you’ve been giving him a hard time. Is that true?” he crossed his arms looking down on her like a parent scolding their child. Avery looked up at him and rolled her eyes, “I only asked him to take his shoes off. That’s it.” she said. Elias sighed. “That’s not what Ben told me.” Avery rolled her eyes, “What did he say then?” she asked. “He said you gave him attitude. And on top of that he caught you saying creepy things about Bonnie. I know you like her but come on Avery what’s wrong with you?” he asked sitting down across from her.

         “I didn’t give him attitude…” Avery muttered, “And i sure as hell didn’t make creepy comments about Bonnie.” “I’m not sure I believe you. One minute you say something that proves me wrong and I believe in you again and then suddenly I get told you told one of our friends about this? Is this some sort of way to get attention?” He asked, “You don’t have to do that. Is there something bothering you to make you do this?” Avery stayed quiet to Elias’s questions. “No. I’m fine.” Avery said. “Are you sure? I’d hate to have this conversation again.” Avery nodded no longer wanting to talk.

         Elias got up, “Well we got practice, that’s what I actually came up here for, so let’s go.” He held out his hand to her and she took it. They went down to the basement to begin practicing for their upcoming gig. Avery believed things were actually going to look up for her. The band was getting better gigs, and soon they would have a record deal. After practice Avery went walking with Bonnie, Bonnie found a trail that would be perfect to train her legs for her ballet practice and Avery volunteered to try it with her. “It’s so good of you to join me Avery.” Bonnie said. Avery looked out the car window, “It’s no problem I needed to get out of the house anyways. Fresh air will do me some good ya know.” She said. Bonnie smiled, “Yup fresh air will do us both good.” 

The shortly arrived to their destination, Bonnie parked her car, got out and stretched. “Oh man this air smells so crisp and clean.” She said spinning around. Avery looked up at the trail before them, her head felt like it was splitting open and she grabbed it sinking down to the ground. “Hey are you okay?” Bonnie asked rushing to her side. Avery didn’t answer, she was gasping for air, the dream played out quickly this time she saw the trail, her death and the claws reaching for her. “AVERY!” Bonnie’s voice broke through to her and Avery snapped out of her trance. “Oh my god girl you scared me!” Bonnie hugged her tightly, “I thought you were having one of your attacks and I didn’t know what to do.” Avery looked at her and smiled, “No I’m fine sorry. Just really bad cramps I guess.” Bonnie let go of her and she stood up, “Well let’s get going then!” she turned and began walking up the trail.

         Avery followed close behind breathing heavily from the lack of oxygen in her lungs. They stopped at this bench overlooking the next trail up to a large waterfall, Avery’s mind raced with black and white images of that waterfall. That’s where her body would be washed up at. The foot of the waterfall. And from there the claws would come down to collect her. Shivers ran down her spine and only Bonnie’s sweet voice broke her from her melancholy thoughts.  “You almost ready to continue on?” Avery’s face felt hot, Bonnie’s voice and smile could brighten anyone’s day and make anything go away. “Y-yea i’m almost ready.” Once they were done resting they continued on. Bonnie noticed Avery lagging behind and decided to that they should turn back, she had gotten her exercise for today, so she turned to Avery and said, “Let’s go back to the car. It’s getting hella late and I’m sure they’re worried about us.” Avery nodded and let bonnie go ahead of her. Avery loved watching Bonnie do things she loved, her blue afro, her green eyes, freckles, lips… a blush crept across her face. She could never tell Bonnie she loved her.

Day 03

         Morning came just as quickly as the night had and as she laid in bed staring up at the ceiling. Each night that nightmare played out and each time she awoke there was fog and the voice. It wasn’t just some high dream she experienced the first time. This was something different and she was scared. She didn’t know what was happening or if it really meant any harm. But what she did know is that she wished the nightmares would stop.

Avery sighed and rolled out of bed, today the house was empty so she had it to herself, what she would do was up to her. She went down the stairs and decided to make herself some food. After she finished eating and cleaned up the mess she went to the living room to watch some tv. The voice talked to her again, it relaxed her and calmed her and she fell into a deep sleep. The nightmare was not here this time, instead woods filled her dream and fog settled on the ground. From the trees came a glowing light, a campfire, and a figure hidden away by the shadows. Avery walked towards it, no longer scared or at least didn’t have the concept of it. “Please… don’t go. Tell me who you are.” She spoke to the darkness. She saw a female figure emerge from the shadows and before she could make out any details she awoke.

         It was 8 pm, Avery had went into the back yard to lie in the grass and stare up at the sky. She heard the screen door open and then shut. She figured it must’ve been Ben or Elias coming to join her. But it wasn’t. Bonnie stood beside her and asked very quietly, “Do you mind if I join you?” Avery figured it wouldn’t hurt to let her, she nodded and Bonnie sat down. “I wanna talk to you.” She said, Avery looked over at her, “What is it?” Avery asked. “I wanted to talk to you about Ben.” Bonnie said. “What about him?”

“Has he been making you feel, I don’t know, creeped out?” Bonnie’s eyes met Avery’s.

“I mean he is kinda creepy but he is also Elias’s friend so I just try to ignore him the best I can.” Avery said.

“I know but lately it just feels like he’s been staring at me more and more and honestly I don’t like it but I can’t just tell him to stop you know? I mean what do I even say? Hey stop looking at me?” Bonnie chuckled a bit saying that last part. “I don’t know why he does.”

“Because you’re beautiful.” Avery said.

Bonnie looked at her, a blush formed on her cheeks, “O-oh? Am I?” she looked down at the grass. Avery couldn’t believe she blurted that out. Did Bonnie even like girls? God she was stupid. “I think you’re beautiful too Avery.” Bonnie smiled at her. A blush deepened on Avery’s face. Was this her chance? Should she tell her how she feels about her? Before she could say anything she felt someone spying on them. But when she looked around she didn’t see anything. Avery figured it was now or never.

“Actually Bonnie… I’ve been meaning to tell you something.” She began, Bonnie’s green eyes met hers and it caused Avery to freeze a moment. “I… I sorta like you. Like, like you like you. But I was worried you wouldn’t accept my feelings. I mean I don’t even know if you like girls. Sometimes I think of us sitting out here and star gazing. Or going on dates. It seems silly doesn’t it? I still don’t even know if you like me like I like you.” Avery said.

She giggled “Can I say something?” “Go for it.” Avery said, almost scared to know the answer. Bonnie leaned over and kissed Avery. It caught Avery off guard and when she pulled away the sound of the screen door slide back into place. Avery didn’t see who it was who closed it but that didn’t matter, did Bonnie just kiss her? “I have feelings for you too… I just feel this love for you. You’re so sweet and weird and just… amazing. I just didn’t know how to tell you.” Avery stared at Bonnie in shock, Avery felt happy. The girl she loved had felt the same about her. They were about to kiss again when the screen door opened and Ben had stepped out.

“Hey Elias told me to get you guys.” He began.

“Why? Is there something wrong?” Bonnie asked.

“No but there’s a fireworks show going on and he wanted us all to go, the others have left so it’s just us three who need to meet up with them. You guys ready?” he asked the two. Avery looked between the two before nodding, “Yea we’re ready.”  

XXXX

Avery stood at the top of the incline with her friends behind her, was Elias really up this far? It seems too high to even see the fireworks from here. “How much further is it Ben?” Avery asked. “Not much further.” He sang out the answer and it sent chills down her spine. “B-bonnie do you wanna come up here with me?” Avery held out her hand for her girlfriend to take. As Bonnie reached for it she heard Ben chuckle, “Isn’t this just the cutest shit you ever laid eyes on.” Avery was caught off guard as he stopped walking and just stood there staring at the two. Avery pushed Bonnie behind her, “Ben? Why’d you stop?” Avery crept closer to him, as she got within arm’s length he lashed out at her, grabbing her by the collar of her shirt and shaking her. “Why did she say she loved you?!” Ben pushed Avery to the ground, sitting on top of her he placed his hands around her throat. “What the hell is wrong with you! Stop it!” Bonnie screamed and Ben looked up at her, “Oh how cute you think you can stop me just by saying the words stop? Real fucking cute.” He sneered and got off of Avery. Avery turned onto her knees and coughed trying to refill her lungs and stop the pounding in her ears.

She managed to get to her feet in time to see Ben fighting with Bonnie. His grip on her wrists were tight as he tried to pull her into an unwanted embrace. “You’re shitting me right? Why are you doing this?!” Avery asked, Ben looked at her said, “Because I can’t stand you. If you never came into my life everything would be better.” Ben grabbed Bonnie and pulled her into his arms. “You’re such a waste of space! You’re scum of the fucking earth Avery! You don’t even care about what you did to me! Do you?!” He yelled at her and as Avery tried to approach him he pulling something out of his back pocket. A gun. Avery’s eyes widened in horror and she spoke softly hoping to talk him out of this, “Please stop this! I’m sorry for what I did okay! I’m sorry please stop!” He sneered and put the gun to Bonnie’s head. “You took her away from me. I was the one who sent the love notes, the candies, the flowers and yet YOU get the credit! I was supposed to be with Bonnie not you!”

Avery watched in horror as he cocked the gun, “You were supposed to love ME not her… I did everything for you… I loved you more than life itself… But you chose her. And now,” He looked at Avery, “You get to pay.” It went by so quickly the loud bang, the image of bonnie falling slowly to the ground and Ben realizing what he had done. Avery rushed to Bonnie, pulling her into her lap she wept. “Bonnie? Bonnie baby please talk to me.” Avery shook her, but she didn’t respond, her once vivid green eyes were now dull and lifeless, blood caked her blue hair and stained her yellow summer dress. Ben was a little ways away freaking out, he was yelling and screaming and slamming his fists on the ground. Avery’s cries muffled his tantrum and then the voice came to her. Oh my sweet, sweet Avery. You poor dear, this vile creature took the love of your life away from you. And for what? Nothing, he was jealous because she loved you so much instead of him. And now look at him, pathetic, as he cries over the one HE killed. Your heart no longer feels sadness oh no my poor dear, I sense revenge in you, and although your sadness was tasty this rage is so much more desirable. Use it and get revenge. Kill him. If you do I’ll bring back your precious Bonnie.

Avery had stopped crying and only Ben’s tantrum was still going on, Avery had shut Bonnie’s eyes and stood up. Walking over to Ben she grabbed him by his collar and looked him in the eyes. He didn’t recognize her anymore, instead his face contorted into fear and he panicked. “Let me go!” he screamed, Avery’s grip held tight as she moved him over to the edge of the incline. “You did this. You killed MY Bonnie.” Her voice wasn’t hers. It scared him and caused him to start struggling. “You couldn’t stand to see me happy could you!?” Avery snarled at him and outstretched her arms to where Ben would have to hold onto her so he wouldn’t fall. “P-please I’m… I’m sorry Avery.” He said, tears in his eyes, “Please don’t let me go.” Avery smiled and said, “Sorry doesn’t bring back the dead.” And with that she let go of his shirt and watched as he fell to the rocks below landing with a sick smack. His blood stained them red and she turned away. Walking over to Bonnie’s corpse she stood over her and felt the tears swell up again. But before she could weep the voice called out to her, and this time she let the claws and the fog take her.

[heedra]

living room for harv bedroom for sachi and... hmm. ATTIC for pho >:3c

OOOH a bunch

HarvHow does the character spend weekends? - Harv doesn’t pay attention to the weekday too much but he has a pretty reliable schedule if he’s holed up somewhere:-Wake up in the early evening, emerge from whatever bolthole/makeshift bunker he’s holed up in 

- Do a bit of begging for ‘breakfast’, lounge around outside local seedy pubs, throw some scraps to the retinue of local stray dogs who follow him around expectantly if he’s in one place for too long-once its dark out and the streets are quieter, go scrounging for ‘supplies’ -spend remainder of ‘day’ back in hidey hole working on necromancy stuff of just lyin’ aroundHe does tend to keep his head down more on days when people have work off and are out and about in larger numbers.What kind of movies does the character watch?- He doesn’t, lol, but if he did he’d be that guy who loves watching bad movies so he can peanut gallery them. Harv has a healthy instinct for loving a good-spirited communal gripe or five. God, he’d have a LOT of fun doing this.What do they do with friends?- He’s that guy whose always kinda looming in the corner clearly uncertain of whether he’s actually welcome or not. He seems content enough to kind of be included for a bit and just shoot the shit with some beers, but nobody’s really in the habit of saying “what do you wanna do, Harv? let’s do that”, likely because he radiates an aura that suggests that nobody is truly prepared to deal with the answer to that question.What’s their favourite pasttime? - Putting dead things together like a kid drunk on the power of a new tin of tinkertoys, in a manner that would make even the weirdest and artsiest weird artsy taxidermist go “dude, are you ok?”What’s their favourite TV show/Film? - Who knowsSachi How does this character sleep? (Position, sleeping habits, bedtime routines)- Sachi sprawls the fuck out when she sleeps and tends to kick the covers everywhere. She can be a nuisance to sleep next to cuz she might involuntarily kick you as well. She’s also sleepwalked once or twice. Just, in general, a rowdy sleeper. She used to fall out of her hammock on the party’s ship a lot. In terms of like, sleep schedule, she tends to be a morning person (she really savors the sights and sounds of sunrise) but can easily end up staying up way later than she plans if she’s focused on or excited about something, and more often then not ends up falling asleep with a book or pencil in hand.

What are their pyjamas like?- Sachi falls asleep in her clothes a lot because at the end of the day, she’s a very overhelmed and overworked invidivual who is in the middle of action in the field more often than not and has trouble putting things on pause to take a proper fucking nap. When she does take the time to change into sleeping clothes, she prefers things that are comfortable and loose, and if its warm out and she’s in her own room she usually just sleeps in comfy pants.What do they dream about usually?- She’s one of those people that often has ridiculous dreams that are straight outta left field. Occasionally she gets really bad anxiety dreams but those usually don’t have a lot of substance to them that can be described, she rarely remembers many details and they’re more just emotional.How neat/tidy is this character?- Oh she is an absolute mess. It’s lucky she owns very few material possessions, because otherwise any living space of hers would become a ‘damn bitch, you live like this?’ situation really fast. Her room on the ship is usually strewn with books and blankets and papers and a few humble but foreboding stacks of plates and bowls. It’s not because of any lack of desire to be neat, she’s just absentminded and busy!

How affectionate is this character?- She will sprawl across you on the sofa! She will punch you playfully on the arm! She will do a running leap to bearhug you! She will throw her arm around your shoulder and lean in real close to whisper you an extremely bad joke she made up on the spot. She will offer to braid your hair and also to arm wrestle you in the same breath! Sachi is extremely affectionate. (She was THAT ONE KID who thought it was really funny to lay on her belly and grab onto a caretaker’s leg and refused to let go when she was little.)PhoenixWhat is the character afraid of?- Ohhhhhhhh boyyyyyyyy. I could devote multiple pages to this question probably. I think his biggest fear bar none is losing control (of himself, not of others or of circumstances) and, by extension, hurting those he cares about. He’s been a conduit for the Neverborn before, with grisly results, and at another time suffered some frightening horror-hunger as a side effect of a wyld curse, which he still feels echos of. In a similar vein he does not like being immobilized or physically restrained against his will and it can make him really panic!In terms of bigger picture fears, he knows he has a lot of very powerful, very malicious enemies and the thought that they might try and do something to the people he loves, esp his found family, keeps him up at night. Sometimes, he has nightmares of being dragged back into a monstrance, and he’s never quite certain that the Whispers are really gone.On a lighter note, he’s really not fond of cows. Why? It’s a long story.How do they deal with bad memories?- He’s relatively open, if not big on elaborating, with regard to most of his past if people ask; its not a secret to begin with, but when it comes to the actual affect it had on him he tends to think that it’s his burden to bear, and tries to keep a lot of that to himself. He does have a few close friends who have known him long enough to be privy to most of it either cuz he’s told them or because they were there to see it, but even then he doesn’t really talk about it until he’s having a Really Bad Time and shows up on their doorstep a few drinks in and really needing to spill the contents of his brain to someone before it eats him up. Don’t do that, Pho, that isn’t healthy!What is this character’s role in a horror movie?- He’s either A. The tough jock with a heart of gold who dies heroically throwing himself at the monstrous lumbering axe murderer to give his friends time to run or B. The monstrous lumbering axe murderer, depending on what time in his life you are talking about.How do they hide their secrets?- Very, very poorly. He has guile 1. He simply resolutely doesn’t talk about things he doesn’t want to, but it’s easy enough to read that there is something he doesn’t want to talk about.Which of the Seven Deadly Sins does the character relate to most?- I’d almost say gluttony; not in the tired ‘haha this guy eats a lot’ sense but more in the more general sense that he indulges in things he finds comforting for indulgence’s sake or as a distraction from addressing his real problems, and can make kinda poor or impulsive decisions when it comes to those things. Wrath is also a big one for him; more in his past than now, but it still plagues him. The Mask ruled him through his rage at a senseless and cruel world, and he in turn channeled a lot of that rage back at the Mask and himself and Oblivion in general when he went renegade, and at the time it gave him what he needed to keep standing sometimes, but it’s really not so good at helping wounds to heal.

[secretlystephaniebrown]

Come On Home: 4/5

After the war, Locus ends up spending his days on Hawaii, where he meets Kai and Grif. Nothing will ever be the same.

Thanks as always to the phenomenal @a-taller-tale​ for the beta! And special thanks to every single person who has given feedback bc you guys are the freaking best.

Grimmons arrives! Chorus arrives! We're almost at the end!

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Also on Ao3

This planet is the fucking worst. Simmons leaves and joins Blue Team again, then Donut tells the rescue ship to leave, Caboose is constantly upset because Church ran off again, and on top of that Wash and Tucker won’t fucking shut up. Grif doesn’t know if they’re flirting or just haven’t slept enough lately, but he also doesn’t really care because they’re getting on his nerves. Blue Team problems. He knows better than to tamper with them.

So when an asshole in orange armor shows up, Grif is almost ready to write the whole thing off as yet another Blue Team misadventure about to start when the guy opens his mouth and Grif is suddenly a kid again.

“Run!” the man yells, and Grif stares. He’s wearing orange, bright orange, orange and charcoal, the same orange as sunglasses on a smug face—

“Excellent work soldiers.”

Grif’s been punched a lot since joining the army. He’s intimately familiar with the feeling of being punched in the chest, of the way the pain lingers, of struggling to breathe.

This is worse. This is so, so many times worse. Because a figure with cloaking like Tex, like the Meta, comes into sight, in a weird shade of green armor, with a helmet that has a familiar marking across the visor, and it’s unmistakable. No one else has a voice like that.

Grif would recognize his asshole big brother anywhere, even in armor, even more than ten years later.

He can’t speak, can’t breathe. He just stares, and then looks at Felix. There’s blood on his leg, where Sam shot him, and he can’t help but feel kind of… proud, or something… that Sam finally got around to ditching that guy, even if he ditched them first.

There’s some fucking posturing, some weird and ominous statements, but Grif can’t really hear them. His blood is pounding in his ears, and every single thing he’s wanted to say, every name he’s ever wanted to call Sam or Felix are trying to spill out over each other, and the result feels like choking.

And then…

Sam is gone, and they’re left with fucking Felix. Felix, who’s injured and just saved Wash… because Sam had just tried to put a bullet through Wash’s head?

His stomach feels gross and wrong, and his head aches just trying to put these pieces together.

He listens to the speech, like the rest of them. Felix calls them the “galaxy’s greatest soldiers”, and Grif has to bite his tongue to stop himself from calling bullshit.

He remembers Felix. He remembers a guy who was willing to feud with a twelve year old girl, who scared his sister so badly that when Grif came home from work, she’d been sitting on the couch holding a knife. Felix is trouble, and Grif doesn’t believe one inch of his story.

“Yeah,” he finally says, after the pitch. “I don’t buy it.”

Felix flinches suddenly, turning to stare at him. Grif doesn’t say anything else, just lets the others reject his offer. And when he tries to slip off to make a call or something, Grif follows him.

“What the fuck are you pulling?” Grif demands.

Felix turns. “So… it is you,” he says, but he’s tense. Ha, guess he hadn’t expected to find Grif here. Good. The guy deserves to be off balance.

“Man, you really pissed Sam off. He wouldn’t let us even kick you out of the house, and now he wants to kill you?”

Felix lets out a nervous laugh. “Uh, Grif, right? Locus he’s—he’s not the guy you knew, okay? He’s gone totally off the deep end.”

“Like I’d believe anything you say about him, you slimy fucker,” Grif says. “What. Happened?”

Suddenly, Felix’s body language shifts. “I’m not telling you shit,” Felix says, and there’s the familiar cocky asshole. The one who not only has all the cards, he’s stacked the deck, so he knows what cards you have. “You’re just some brat he got a soft spot for years ago. You’re not important.” They’re wearing helmets, so Grif can’t see his smile, but he can remember it. “He ran away from you and all of your fucking problems with his tail between his legs, remember? Couldn’t be fucked to stick around.”

So what if Felix is right? That doesn’t mean that he gets to win the conversation. He’s practically bragging. Sam chose him instead of them. But…

“At least he didn’t try to put a bullet in my head when he ran,” Grif says.

Felix laughs. “Yeah, well. Give him time. He doesn’t like reminders that he’s human.”

He leaves, and Grif lets him for now.

“Grif!” Simmons yells, back from the campsite. “Stop napping and come help us!”

Grif takes his eyes off Felix, and heads back towards Simmons, unable to shake the feeling that he’s being watched.

The others are preparing for battle, and Grif’s in the corner screwing with his future cubes when he hears the heavy footsteps behind him. He grabs his gun and swings around, even though a part of him knows exactly what he’s going to see.

“Dexter Grif,” the voice, that old, familiar voice, is almost too quiet to hear.

“The fuck are you doing, Sam?” Grif’s mouth is totally dry, and he grips his gun tightly, even if he’s not pointing it at Sam.

He’s… he’s never seen Sam in armor before. Somehow, in his head, wherever Sam had ended up, he’d be wearing the same goofy print tourist shirts and denim shorts that Kai always bought him and he’d worn without comment or complaint. Or maybe in the cargo pants and white tank top he’d worn the first time they’d met, which he’d put on again whenever he’d leave with Felix.

But in armor, it’s almost like he’s an entirely different person. Grif can’t see his face, can’t see where he’s looking, can’t see the twitches of his mouth and eyebrows that were always so expressive, that Grif had learned to read like a book. In armor, he’s even taller, even wider. For the first time, Grif thinks he can see why Mom had been scared of this guy. Sam looks… dangerous. Dangerous and alien.

Felix’s words echo in his head about Sam not liking reminders that he’s human, and he wonders if this is what he’d meant.

“Locus,” Sam corrects, and his voice was somehow even deeper than normal.

“No,” Grif says. “Fuck. You.” He takes a deep breath. But he’s had a bit more time now, a bit of time to rehearse this, to figure out the exact order of his questions. He’d never thought he’d get this chance, never thought he’d actually be able to say any of these things, but here he is. He’s got a chance to get answers. “What the fuck are you doing here, and why are you trying to kill Felix? And us?”

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Sam says, and there’s that weirdly earnest undertone that Grif remembers. He’s gone for fucking years without hearing that voice, without seeing him, but for a second, it’s like no time has passed at all. Sam looks away, and slings the fucking sniper rifle he’s been carrying back over his shoulder, his head tilting downwards. “My orders are to escort your friends to safety.”

“And Felix?” Grif demands. “Dude, I thought he was your friend.”  

Sam isn’t looking at him. “I—he—we had a—disagreement.”

“You said he should be glad you missed his head. Like holy shit Sam. You really took that friends-turned-mortal-enemies thing all the way.” But then Grif remembers that Sam abandoned them, and gets mad again. “Great. So you’re on the planet for a job. Let me guess, it’s super important, and so that’s why you never came home?”

Sam isn’t looking at him, Grif can tell. All that does is make him even more angry. There’s still a box of Sam’s things in the bottom of his closet back home, a box with a razor and those fucking books. The picture of the three of them is back in Blood Gulch. He’d left it with Kai for safe keepings, because he’d still have Simmons at least, unlike her.

“It was for the best.” Sam sounds like he really believes it too, and that just makes Grif even angrier.  

“The best?” Grif can’t fucking believe him. “Oh, fuck you. Kai fucking cried for—”

“Why are you here?” Sam interrupts him. Shame radiates from him and his shoulders are hunched. Good to know Kai crying is still an effective weapon, even now. “I know the deposits have been going through.”

Grif wants to laugh. Of course that’s what he’s focusing on. The money had just kept coming in. Sometimes small amounts, sometimes large. Never any notes or messages attached, just dollar signs. The only clue they’d had that Sam was even alive, out there wherever he was. But it hadn’t mattered. It just meant they didn’t starve, that there was more new clothes, that the house stopped looking like it was going to fall apart around them. “Didn’t go back to school. Got drafted.” Which he hadn’t even realized that Sam had been trying to prevent until he’d gotten the letter. And suddenly everything had fallen into place; his weird focus on school, his few vague mentions of college.

And after… everything, when Grif had started to get nightmares, he thought he might actually understand Sam for the first time in years.

“I… see.”

No, he didn’t. He didn’t get that Grif had kept skipping school even though he didn’t need to out of spite, hoping that Sam would come home just to make him go back. He didn’t see that Kai had followed him into the army, that Kai had fucking volunteered, even though she didn’t have to, because she was all alone and she missed him, and if that wasn’t a statement about how apparently no one in their family had any brains, that was.

“Dex,” Sam says, and there’s something twisted with the way that he says it, as if he can’t quite believe it. He straightens his shoulders suddenly, his posture changing completely and his voice becoming stronger. “You need to convince your friends to come with me. Felix is dangerous. The New Republic—”

“Spare me the fucking speech,” Grif says. “Don’t you guys fucking get it? We don’t care. Call off your guys in the fight, and then Felix will go away too. Just help us get a ship and I’ll be out of your hair and you can do your badass loner thing again.”

Sam seems to be about to respond when suddenly, loud, armored footsteps start to move towards them. “Oh Griiiiiiif,” Felix sings. “Got a present for you! One I’ve been saving for your kid sister, but I bet you’ll do just fine.”

Sam grabs him and starts pushing him back. For a second, Grif thinks he hears fear in his voice. “Run!”

“What, and leave Simmons with him?” Grif tries to twist out of Sam’s grip, but if he’d been strong before, he’s even stronger in armor. “I’m not going anywhere, dumbass, let me go—”

“Then I’m sorry,” Sam says. “This is for your own safety.” He lets Grif go, and for a second Grif thinks that’s the end of it, but then Sam moves. He draws his sniper rifle off his back, and before Grif can move away, the butt of it comes crashing down on his helmet, knocking him out cold.

Grif wakes up, lying on a medical cot. He knows it’s medical because of the smell; it’s like shit straight out of his nightmares. He only ever wakes up in med bays after… after shit goes really far up the creek.

It all comes back at once, and his eyes fly open.

Sam.

Felix.

Simmons.

He sits upright. Just like he thought, he’s in a medical bay, with nobody in sight except Sam, who’s sitting nearby, awkward in his full armor, perched in one of those uncomfortable plastic chairs that all hospitals seem to have.

“You’re awake.”

“What the fuck, asshole?” Suddenly, he realizes they’re far away from their crash site. “Where are my friends?”

“I… I managed to recover some of them.” Sam looks at his hands instead of Grif, and that’s… that’s not good.

“Some?” He has to bite down on the steady stream of “where’sSimmonswhere’sSimmons” that threatens to burst out. “Who?”

“Your Sergeant,” Sam says. “And Agent Washington.”

“Who else?” Grif says, feeling panic bubbling in his chest.  

“I… we also recovered the robot. He was badly damaged, but it would be possible to repair—”

“Simmons. Did you rescue Simmons?”

“… no.”

Grif swears, clambering to his feet. He’s in full armor, not even tucked it. Sam must have just dumped him on top of it like a dumbass jerk.

“Dex—” Sam gets to his feet, as if planning on making him sit back down.

“I’m not leaving Simmons out there with him. Or Caboose. Or Tucker. Or Donut. Or even Doc!”

“The Federal Army is currently unaware of the location of the Rebel Base,” Sam says, his hands on Grif’s shoulders.

Grif stares at him, the smooth visor with the familiar X, but larger and green than the scar on his face. “Bullshit.”

“It is unlikely we would have allowed them to remain if we did,” Sam sounds testy, almost like Grif is insulting him. “The location of their base is secret.”

“Bullshit! Take off that fucking helmet and look me in the eye and say it to my face.”

Sam hesitates for a moment. But then he takes a step closer, and draws the privacy curtain that surrounds the hospital bed.

He reaches up and removes the helmet slowly, as if scared at what’s going to happen next.

Sam looks old. That’s the first thing that Grif notices. There’s silver in his hair, which is held back in that familiar ponytail style. Instinctively, Grif looks for signs of Kai’s handiwork; braids or twists or flowers, but of course, there’s nothing there. It looks longer than it had been, and there’s traces of a beard on his face.

He looks tired too; there are wrinkles on his forehead and dark circles around hisi eyes. He doesn’t remove the rest of the armor, standing stiffly, almost alien in the bulk of it. His helmet stays in his hands, and he looks ready to put it back on, should someone approach or a loud noise occur.

Grif takes off his own helmet. Sam’s eyes go wide for a moment, surprised, probably, by the patches of Simmons on his face.

Simmons.

Who’s alone with Felix. Okay, maybe not alone, but there without Grif. Anxiety and fear churn his stomach.

“What happened?” Grif demands.

Sam looks away. “I needed to get you out. You were my priority. Felix…” he trails off, and Grif stops himself from shivering at the memory of Felix’s voice in the jungle. “He would have hurt you.”

Grif thinks of Felix and he knows the parts of him that are Simmons’ pale have gone green. “What about my friends?”

Sam can’t meet his eyes. “He has no reason to hurt them. He needs them. But you—”

“What?” Grif feels something bitter building in his chest. He’s relieved, sure, relieved because Sam is probably right, Felix needs the others, because the New Republic needs them. But Grif is exempt from that for some reason? The bitter feeling keeps rising, building. It’s not quite a laugh, not quite a sob, but almost both at the same time. He wants to puke. He wants to hug his brother. “He thinks he can, what? Hurt you with me? C’mon.”

Sam frowns, and Grif gives himself a moment to enjoy how it’s the exact same frown that he used to have whenever he’d find Kai doing some stupid shit. “Yes.”

Grif snorts. “Well. Guess we both know he’s wrong there.”

There’s a twitch, as if Sam wants to reach out, but if it happens, it’s aborted so quickly that Grif thinks he might have imagined it. But he looks like Grif slapped him.

“No,” Sam finally says. “He’s not.”

Grif feels the world grind to a halt.

Sam had left. This has been a fact of his life for years. He’d left, just like everyone else, because he hadn’t cared. Grif hasn’t ever doubted this; it’s a fact of his existence, like that Kai will do dumb shit the second his back is turned, or that Simmons is a fucking nerd, or that the sky is blue. Sure, Sam had sent money, but that was... guilt or something else. Maybe he had cared, but not enough to stay, and what else mattered? Kai had cried when he left. Left, and hadn’t even had the decency to tell them. He’d just… not come home.

But if Felix could... if Sam cares enough to…

When the world starts to move again, Sam is gone. There isn’t even a shimmer in the air.

The curtain parts suddenly, and a woman in white and purple armor bounces in. “Why hello Private Grif! Agent Washington just got out of surgery; I think Locus had to throw your Sergeant in the brig because he kept trying to stab me, but really I think he was just being silly!”

“What?” Grif says, staring at her blankly. “Who are you even? Where’s—” He stops himself from saying Sam’s name. She probably wouldn’t even know who he was talking about.

“I’m Doctor Grey, silly!” She spreads her hands out widely. “Welcome to the Federal Army of Chorus!”

Life with the Feds is fucking awful.

They’re at this weird, snow-covered base in the mountains, and the food is fucking shitty.

Grif is going out of his fucking mind with worry. The Feds have so many fucking rumors about Felix, and Grif can’t help but believe most of them are true. Things are fucking terrible; it’s all a mess, and even if the guys are on Felix’s side…

It’s hard not to imagine.

The Feds also have rumors about Sam though, and it’s just as weird.

Because this is Sam. The guy worked for a greengrocer and let Kai put flowers in his hair. He thought the beach was stupid and refused to sleep in Mom’s room and liked his curry so hot it made his eyes water. Sam, who walked Kai home from school every day, even after Mom kicked him out and who stayed up late with Grif looking through bills. The giant nerd who watched bad movies with him and had nightmares.

But the Feds have rumors, and so that’s how Grif knows there’s also Locus, who’s more machine than man, who breathes like Darth Vader, who’s scarred a thousand times over by the war until his face is ugly beyond human belief. He can teleport and fly and turn invisible. He’s unstable and dangerous, and his paycheck is the only reason he hasn’t murdered the entire Federal Army in their sleep, and his presence is the only thing that stops the Rebels from slaughtering them all.

By unspoken agreement, they don’t talk in front of the others. But calling Sam “Locus” feels wrong. It reminds him of that day, in the kitchen, listening to the way Sam seemed smaller, after Felix left. He’d bounced back, but… just for a little while, he’d seemed more worn down, more fragile, more… broken. Grif doesn’t like that name. It doesn’t feel like it belongs to his brother.

He writes to Kai every day, even though they can’t go through. Tells her all the stupid shit that Sam has done, as well as the other stuff that’s been happening all over the base. Like Sarge blowing up Warthogs or Wash getting Doyle to faint three times in a row.

Grif has his own quarters, for whatever reason, so sometimes Sam stops by, when he’s not on missions. He brings food, whatever he can scrape up. It’s usually better than whatever Grif’s eaten that day, so he never complains.

Sam never stays long, always hovering at the edge of Grif’s room, as if thinking that Grif is about to throw him out. And sometimes, Grif is. The guy left them. He left them alone with Mom, for the whole extra three weeks she’d stayed after Sam had left, and when she’d left, Kai had cried again, but Grif still isn’t sure if she’d been happy or sad to see Mom go.

They’d gone out to the airfield to watch for Sam every day for a week after Mom had left, hoping beyond hopes that maybe now he’d come back. But he never had.

One day, as Sam is preparing to leave after dropping off what appears to be a still-warm container of curry, Grif stops him.

“Take off your helmet and join me, asshole. You brought enough for two.”

Sam hesitates, but he does. Maybe it’s a sign that he missed Grif almost as much as Grif missed him, because apparently Sam never takes his helmet off elsewhere.

Maybe it’s because seeing the faces he makes would totally ruin his air of mystery though, because Sam still has the worst fucking poker face that Grif has ever seen. And just to prove it, Grif trounces him in Poker, Chorus Poker, Blood Gulch Poker, and Go-Fish.

Sam takes his defeats without complaining, but he always looks thoughtful.

It starts to become routine, eating food and playing games, sitting there in silence. Kai was always the talker of the three of them. There had never been a need for them to speak that much, not with her to fill the silence.

It’s not that Grif doesn’t miss her constantly, but right now, with Sam here, it feels even more obvious. Like he’s missing a limb, as well as Simmons and his other friends.

Sam, surprisingly, is the one who starts talking.

“How did you meet Agent Washington?” He asks one day, staring down at the full house that Grif had just smugly revealed. They’re playing for shiny rocks that Grif has been collecting, because he’s eaten all the candy Sam had discovered for them to play for.

“We ruined his plan to kill the Meta,” Grif says automatically, before stopping to stare. “Wait… why do you care?”

“Agent Washington is… peculiar. I do not understand him. I wish to correct this.”

Grif falls over onto his side, laughing.

Well, at least Sam’s taste in men isn’t always as awful as Felix.

In public, they don’t interact much. There’s no reason to; Grif mostly just dicks around, helping Grey in medical or Sarge in the armory or Wash with training. Locus is always off doing his weird dramatic missions or occasionally trying to have conversations with Wash that only ever seem to result in Wash wanting to punch someone.

But apparently people have managed to notice that Locus spends time near Grif’s room, even if they don’t knon the full story.

Ah, the power of military gossip.

“Be careful around him, Grif,” Wash says one day over lunch. “I don’t like how interested he is in you.”

“Dude, you’re the one he follows around,” Grif shoots back. “Think he’s got a boner for the Freelancer.”

Wash glares at him. “Take this seriously Grif, this guy is dangerous.”

“I think his crush on you is absolutely serious.”

The look Wash gives him is completely and utterly offended, which just makes it all the better. If Grif was a nicer brother, he’d probably either try to convince Wash that Sam wasn’t all that bad, or tell Sam that Wash getting flustered is just his normal state of mind, not necessarily a sign of interest.

But Grif isn’t a nice brother, and besides, Sam fucked off to go have a life of mercenary adventure with Felix. Grif is not about to throw Sam as much as a string, let alone a lifeline here.

Occasionally, Sam brings back snippets of information. Rumors of rebel activity, a few sightings of General Kimball or Felix. He sees Tucker, right before Tucker fucking blows up an entire building with people inside.

Jeez, those terrorists work fast on the brainwashing.

But Sam hasn’t seen Simmons.

“I’m certain he’s fine,” Sam says.

“You don’t know,” Grif points out. “You don’t know Simmons, okay? He’s going to be fucking falling apart without Sarge there. And Wash is like, his backup Sarge! He’s not going to have any leader to listen to, and that means he’ll try to be a leader, and the last time he got promoted, he buried Sarge alive!”

Sam tilts his head to one side. “Will… will your absence not cause any difference?”

“Oh, he’s probably fine with that,” Grif says dismissively, pretending he doesn’t care.  “He’s probably just glad I’m not there to steal his socks.”

“I… see.”

Grif doesn’t want to explain to Sam that Simmons leaves too. Joining Blue Team (twice), and always wanting to be as far away from Grif as possible. He doesn’t want to explain that if Simmons had been here instead of him, Sarge and Simmons probably would have been perfectly happy.

Sam doesn’t say anything else, just looks at him for a long, long time.

“Do you want me to braid your hair?” Grif says suddenly, because it’s falling into his face again, the way it always does when he needs it trimmed, and the only way to handle that is to braid it or get the scissors.

Sam startles, staring at him like he’s grown a second head or something. Which is dumb, because Sam watched Grif braid Kai’s hair for over a year. Sure, he’s never done it for Sam, but that’s because Kai liked to do it.

“… that would be… nice,” Sam finally says.

Grif isn’t as good at the fancy braids as Kai is, but he gets Sam’s hair into a respectable single braid pretty easily. It’s… nice. Sam seems to relax for the first time since they’ve found each other again, letting Grif slowly work on his hair. And Grif can pretend, just for a little while, that Sam never left. That Kai was just a few rooms away, napping or studying or texting her friends. That they were still home, and things were fine.

When he’s done, Sam gives him one of those rare, real smiles. Grif rolls his eyes. “You’re such a sap,” he says, even though Sam hasn’t said anything.

“You are the only one who would say so,” Sam says. Then he puts his helmet on, and leaves.

A few days pass. Sarge hooks up with Doctor Grey, and the entire base is put off their food when they’re caught making out in the hallway. Wash manages to get into an argument with Lopez, even though he doesn’t speaks Spanish. Sam is gone for those days, off on one of his longer missions, the ones where he always comes back from stressed but with better food.

When he sees Sam again, it’s early in the morning. He’s just back, and Grif is just awake.

“What is it?” Grif says. There’s something wrong with the way Sam is standing just outside of his room. His shoulders are hunched forwards, trying to curl in on themselves, like they always get after a nightmare. He looks… scared. He looks around, but they’re alone. “Sam?”

“Your friends are on their way,” Sam says, but there’s something distant in his voice.

“What?” Grif says. “That’s—holy shit you found them? Are they okay?”

“They’re fine.” He sounds almost automatic, like he’s rehearsed this. “For now.”

Grif stops. “What do you mean?”

Sam bows his head. He’s wearing his helmet, and it’s a weird sight. Locus, the terror of both armies, looking small and scared and reluctant.

He slowly straightens up, inch by inch, until he’s standing at his full height. Somewhere in the back of Grif’s mind, he thinks he should be scared, but he’s not sure he is. When Sam speaks again, his voice is perfectly steady.

“My orders are to kill the Reds and Blues, should they reunite.”

And that’s the last thing Grif hears before the world goes black.

He wakes up on the comfiest fucking bed he’s been on in years. It’s all super soft and downy. He can’t remember the last time he was on a bed like this. It’s the kind of bed that makes him want to sleep forever and ever, and never get up again.

It’s great, until he realizes he has no idea where he is.

The room is small, but there’s a fridge full of food, a comfy chair, and a note taped to the locked door.

This is for your own safety.

I’m sorry.

-S

The line with Control goes dead, and the room fills with a dangerous silence.

“So where is he?” Felix asks. There’s danger, boiling under the surface. Locus understands that now, perhaps better than ever. There had been a quiet glee to Felix when they’d received the orders to dispose of the Reds and Blues.

Locus had protected Dex by taking him to the Federal Army. Felix wants him dead. He knows too much, Felix insisted. He knows their faces, he knows Sam’s name, he might even know more than that. It’s impossible to tell what Dex has pulled together

Once, he had brought Felix into the Grif household. Now, Locus knows the depths of what he and Felix are capable of. He knows better than to allow Felix near anything good, anything kind, and especially anything that Locus cares for that Felix does not. Felix will either want it or want to destroy it, and he’s long since discarded any notion of possessing the Grifs. Dex knows too much. For that alone, Felix would want to kill him. But Locus has been protecting Dex from him, and Felix can’t forgive that.

“Where is he?” Felix says, louder this time. “C’mon, don’t think I didn’t notice he wasn’t there!”

Because Locus had moved him the moment the order had come to kill them.

“He has been taken care of.” Safe, and out of Felix’s reach. Dex may never forgive him for this, but he’s safe, and that’s what matters.

Felix looks at him. He knows, or at least suspects. Locus had hoped the evasion would have worked, but Felix knows him better than anyone.

“We’ve got orders, Locus.”

“I am aware.” Dex will never forgive him. “Simmons, is Simmons okay?”

Locus didn’t hold a gun on Richard Simmons when they’d been standing below him and his men, preparing to execute them. His gun had been on Agent Washington, the greatest threat.

But one of his men had been. And it wasn’t like Dex will care if it’s Locus or his men who kill Simmons. Who Simmons is to Dex, Locus isn’t sure. He can’t get a straight answer out of Dex, and his observations of Simmons have revealed no further answers. He doesn’t understand it, he doesn’t know how to handle it.

Locus can keep Dex safe. He can manage this much. He can protect him from this, from himself and from Felix.

Afterwards…

Locus doesn’t know what will happen next. Chorus will be dead, and with it, Dex’s friends. He will never forgive Locus for this.

And perhaps he’ll be right in that.

Locus has known for a long time now that he does not deserve Dex or Kai’s affection. He’s not meant for that. He is a soldier. His purpose is to follow orders. Nothing more, nothing less. He left them, telling himself it was for the best, and they both fell into the army anyway. Grif has scars he won’t explain; entire skin grafts that don’t even match. His files don’t have the answers, but they do tell Locus about a massacre, on a colony. A massacre of which Grif was the sole survivor.

At least Kai is safe, tucked away in Blood Gulch, a soldier, but one still untried by battle, unscarred by the horrors of war. After this, perhaps Locus can take Dex there. So at least they can be together, even if he’s not welcome.

Perhaps it would have been for the best had he never entered their lives. If not for him, maybe things would have been better.

“You’re hiding him,” Felix says. “You’re fucking hiding him.”

Locus says nothing. Let Felix think what he will.

“You’ve gone soft,” Felix marvels. “Holy shit, you’re…”

“Is there a point to this?”

“What happened to the perfect soldier?” Felix demands. “We’ve got orders, are you seriously going to throw it all away for one snot-nosed brat all grown up?”

Locus turns his back on Felix and goes to fetch his weapons. “We need to get going.”

“I’m going to find him,” Felix says, and there’s something almost unsteady to the way he’s speaking. “Our orders are to kill all of them, remember? I’m going to find him and then I’m going to do what you’re too weak to do—”

Locus moves without thinking, without blinking, without hesitating. He slams Felix up against the wall, hand wrapped around his throat, squeezing tightly.

“I said,” Locus growls, “the situation is handled.” Felix scrabbles at his hand, trying to break his grip. With his other hand, Locus grabs one of his wrists and pins it to the wall, out of reach of his knives. The other hand might be able to do something, but Locus’ reach is long, so he doubts Felix can reach anything fatal. Just in case, he drags Felix off the ground, and he kicks and struggles harder, breathing raggedly.

“What are you doing?” Felix gasps out, thrashing in his grip. “Let go of me, you—”

Locus lets go, and Felix drops to the ground, gasping. “So that’s how it is? Partner?” Felix spits.

“We have other targets to deal with,” Locus says. He feels cold and impassive, staring at Felix on the ground. The last time… it had been that night. The night he’d decided to not come back. Something about this is different. He can’t figure out what, exactly, it is, but things are different.

Felix is glaring at him through the helmet.

For a moment, Locus wonders if Felix is about to attack. But instead he laughs, getting to his feet. “Just remember, I’ve got dibs on Lavernius Tucker.”

“Very well. Get ready to leave.”

Dex will hate him for this, Locus thinks, picking up his sniper rifle as they prepare to move out. But he will be alive, and that is what matters. Locus will protect him.