#i love how i caught them blinking and it makes them look so fucking chuffed with themself

[vigilskeep]

the expressions were just so good here

[amerrierworld]

Hands Off

for the request: The world lacks Lou Miller x reader fics!! Can you do one where Lou gets mad and defensive over reader 

Summary: Lou’s friendly biker gang always welcomed you with open arms, except one.

Characters: Lou Miller x fem!reader

Word Count: 1,551

Warnings: fluff but defensive & angsty >:( Lou, harassment, swearing and a lil bit of physical violence (all within good reason I promise)

For the longest time, you thought Lou only really hung out with Debbie, some of the Ocean’s crew, and colleagues from her club. But a couple months into dating she casually slipped in how she hadn’t seen much of her biker gang lately.

“What?” you shrieked from the couch, dropping your book in your lap. She jumped and looked at you from the kitchen, nearly spilling her beer.

“You’re in a biker gang?”

“Well, yeah,” she said, rather matter-of-fact like, “I’ve got a bike. It’s only a matter of time until you’re in a group for bikers.”

“Really? What do you guys do, rob stores and terrify regular home-owners?”

“Yes to the second, no to the first,” she laughed, coming over to sit with you. You threw your legs over hers on the couch, still rather flabbergasted at this revelation.

“So you haven’t seen them in a while, you said? Why not invite them around?”

“You don’t know them, baby. They’re a bit intimidating.”

“Uh, yeah, not yet. Come on! I wanna know your friends, please?” you grinned, wiggling your toes. She caught one of your big toes between her fingers and held you still.

“Fine then, but you’ll have to get some proper biking attire.”

So now, after multiple trips and a few drink nights at Lou’s club, you were heartily welcomed into the biker gang even though you didn’t have a bike yourself, and mostly just tagged around with your girlfriend. And even then you didn’t come on all their trips, finding the cramps of sitting on the back of the bike for too long unbearable sometimes.

Mary was an older, chubby-faced biker, with the face of the neighbourhood grandma who bakes, yet covered from the neck down entirely in tattoos. Paul was her husband, with an afro as white as winter snow, and chains hanging from every pocket and belt loop.

The two of them chatted, joked and laughed with you when in slower traffic or making a much-needed burrito pit stop whenever you went out. The rest of the group was around Lou’s age or younger, and though you felt welcomed by them, you kept to the three of them mostly. It felt nice and familial to hang around, and Lou seemed the most comfortable around Mary and Paul as well.

Then there was one member of the club who would come and go, and you didn’t often see him around, but when you did you weren’t the most chuffed at the sight of him. Tommy was a middle-aged balding man who didn’t seem to really like anyone in the group, but was still there for reasons unknown.

Your distaste was clear to Lou, and you managed to successfully avoid him.. most of the time. On one trip you had taken a well-deserved break near Central Park, lounging in the cozy late-evening weather, with Lou donning her iconic all-black leather outfit and heeled boots that made you swoon.

You were wearing a pink leather jacket yourself. Lou had chortled with glee at the sight of you trying it on, so contrasted to her black leathers and jewel-toned fabrics. Perhaps the rosy coloured leather wasn’t something you would’ve bought for yourself, but every time you wore it, Lou would grin to the point where her eyes would shine nonstop. So you wore it almost every time you went out on her bike together. It was a little bit Pink Ladies-esque, but you quite liked the way it looked.

But Tommy had been looking at you quite.. harshly, somehow. But you could tell he wasn’t checking you out, rather just judging you and your look. He seemed set on being around Lou, who couldn’t be bothered to give him the time of day, only having eyes for you and talking to you as you relaxed by the park.

“Lou,” you began, watching him scamper off to the other side of the group. One of the nice things about being in a biker gang is no one seems to want to bother any of you, letting you hang around in peace.

“Hm?” one of her hands was running through your hair.

“Does Tommy like you?”

She slowly blinked at you in baffled amusement, “like me?”

“Yeah.. I mean either he likes you and is sizing me up cause I’m your girlfriend, or he just despises me as a person.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Don’t give him the time of day, love.”

“Why is he in the gang anyways?”

Lou shrugged, “him and Paul go way back. I don’t mind much, he’s usually not around anyways.”

You pursed your lips in worry, so Lou grasped you close in a tight embrace,

“Don’t worry about him, baby. He isn’t bothering you, is he?”

“No, just his annoying face.”

Lou looked over and saw that indeed, Tommy was giving you a repeated once-over, lingering on the small studs of the pink leather jacket, and her expression immediately soured.

“If he comes close again, I’m gonna clock him,” she growled.

“Hey now, don’t say that,” you giggled.

“Hmph.”

The rest of the time spent at the park seemed to be going fine, if it weren’t for the constant tugging at the back of your mind from Tommy’s incessant stares. The silent harassment from his eyes were making you uneasy, and Lou noticed.

“I am definitely going to clock him,” she said to you again. 

“Don’t,” you whined, but not very convincingly. 

Later on, Mary started a warm conversation with you, helping your nerves a bit.

“You’ll have to tell me where you got your jacket,” she said, “I have never for the life of me found a jacket with a colour like that. Only browns and blacks, and it’s so boring.”

You laughed, enjoying the way Lou absentmindedly rubbed your waist with her thumb.

“We’ll go shopping then,” you said, barely noticing Tommy walking in and joining in on the conversation, “I’m sure we can help you find something, Mary.”

“I don’t think pink is quite your colour, Mary,” Tommy piped up, eyeing you again, openly now that all focus was on you. You blushed, not from shy happiness like when Lou looked at you, but rather from sickening dread.

“Where’d you get this anyway, a cheap community theatre production of Grease?” Tommy grinned, tugging at the buckle of one of your shoulders. Your eyes flashed, and you slapped his hand away, every hair on your body standing up at his toothy smile, the ugly flash of a worn golden tooth growling back at you.

The tough crunch of Lou’s well-jewelled hand landing on Tommy’s cheek caught you by surprise.

He stumbled back into his parked bike, knocking it over as he landed on the ground, letting out a filthy curse as his nose began dripping blood.

“You broke my nose,” he cried out, “you bitch!”

“Wish I had done more than that,” Lou snarled, her hand still clenched in a fist. Mary and Paul had rushed forward to hold her back, but she didn’t seem too interested in punching him again.

She reached out for your hand and looked you up and down, as if he had given you a kick to the stomach rather than just bully and tug at your shoulder.

“Are you alright?” she asked, while your jaw was still a little unhinged.

“Y-yes, I’m fine,” you replied, a bit lost for words, “but what about you?”

She shrugged, but you noticed her tightly clenched fist and the redness of her skin. As you inspected her hand, Tommy had got up, managing to stop the bleed and gave a rude gesture towards Lou who simply glared back.

“Fuck you,” he said, hoisting his bike back up straight. No one else bothered to check on him or lend a helping hand as he clumsily sped off down the street, leaving the rest of your small group to hang around on the street. Paul sighed in disappointment, but didn’t seem bothered by him leaving. Hopefully for good, you thought.

Mary was the first to break the silence, clapping Lou on the shoulder and congratulating her on a job well done.

“I never liked him anyways,” Lou muttered, as you lifted her hand and kissed her reddening knuckles.

“I think we should get some take-away burritos, don’t you, Mary?” Paul suggested, locking down his bike.

“Oh, yes, come on all of you, on the house,” Mary grinned, taking his hand and heading down the street to the nearest burrito place, the rest following.

“Burritos?” you waggled your eyebrows at Lou, and slowly the anger dissipated from her eyes, because you shoved your hands in the pockets of your pink leather jacket, and with your combat boots and jewelled belt, she thought you had never looked more like a biker, while somehow being the cutest thing she’d ever seen.

“Alright,” she hooked here arm through yours, “but maybe don’t get the spicy one again? You didn’t seem to enjoy it much last time.”

You shoved her playfully, “yeah well, you said that I could take it, and I trusted you completely, which I never will again.”

“You wound me,” she gasped in mocked pain. You lifted her hand again and pressed it against your mouth,

“Only when you sucker punch creeps to defend my honour.”

A/N: Defensive girlfriend Lou Miller to the rescue? yes please!

[lyricalporcupine]

Talking about how much they love the other to friends/family pls 😊

Here ya go! I did both Yasha and Beau and there is a time skip. I also got carried away with Beau’s part so oops lmao

~~~

“You’re such a fucking sap,” Molly cajoled.

Yasha smirked and shoved her friend, causing him to stumble a bit on the street. He laughed as he regained his balance and turned around to face Yasha, walking backwards without regard to the other people.

“It’s true, darling,” he drawled with his own smirk.

Yasha felt herself flush and knew her face was red to the tips of her pointed ears. “She makes me happy,” Yasha said simply with a shrug and soft smile.

“Ugh,” Molly exclaimed, turning with a flourish that allowed Yasha close the small distance between them to allow them to walk side by side again. “Why?”

Yasha’s soft smile grew. “She’s strong. She’s really funny. She’s smart as hell. She’s honest,” Yasha said with a chuckle, “even if it hurts.”

“She’s an asshole,” Molly countered, to which Yasha laughed.

“I like that she’s an asshole,” Yasha said with a shrug.

Molly smirked at her. “You would.”

Yasha bumped his shoulder and he bumped hers in return.

“Anything else,” Molly asked after a few moments. “What else attracts you to the grumpy one?”

Yasha was silent for a while, hands shoved into her coat pockets. She was quiet for so long that Molly figured she wasn’t going to answer. But then, softly, Yasha said, “She makes me feel safe.”

Molly stared up at his friend. He knew exactly what that meant for her and how important it was. He finally realized that, to Yasha, Beau meant something so precious to her. Something Yasha had been looking for for years that Molly himself had tried to give her. Beau, to Yasha, meant home.

He huffed, his breath drifting up in front of him as steam in the cold air. He linked his arm through Yasha’s and pushed into her side. “You love her.” It wasn’t a question.

Yasha gave a small nod. “So much.”

Molly heaved a dramatic sigh. “Does this mean I can’t tease her anymore,” he asked with a pout.

Yasha chuffed. “She’d probably think you were sick if you didn’t bicker.”

“Well I am all about keeping up appearances,” he said with a self important sniffle.

Yasha laughed outright. “You’re an asshole,”’she said with all the affection she could muster for the tiefling. Which was quite a lot.

“Yes, I am,” he agreed happily. Then he smiled up at her. “But you like assholes. Remember?”

Yasha smirked down at him before kissing him on his horn. “Yes, I do.”

~~~~~~

It was a rare event that Beau visited her parents. She hated doing it, mostly because of her father. But she went, at least once a month, just to see TJ. Beau’s disdain for her parents wasn’t his fault and Beau hoped, that by spending time with him that he wouldn’t pick up their shitty attitude. As the years trudged on, TJ, thankfully, didn’t seem to be anything like their father.

Instead, much to their parents’ chagrin, TJ had instead picked up his sister’s mannerisms, quick wit, and snark. And as a pre-teen, it was only getting worse. Or better, if you asked Beau, who encouraged him.

Despite this, their parents would allow TJ to visit his sister for a week or so, mainly during the summer while school was out. He’d pack a bag and all but run to her car when she showed up and throw himself at her.

Now they sat on the floor of Beau and Yasha’s living room, playing a racing game TJ brought with him. They were neck and neck, tied in their wins. This was the last race and as

Beau was poised for a victory, Yasha walked out of the bedroom and kissed the top of Beau’s head, which caused her to completely forget the game and crash into a wall as she turned her attention to her fiancé.

“I’m meeting Molly,” she said as she checked her purse. Yasha wore a sun dress, something she didn’t often wear, and turned to smile at Beau and TJ when he turned to look at her after crossing the finish line. “I’ll be back later. I was thinking burgers for dinner?”

TJ’s face lit up. “And milkshakes,” he asked hopefully.

Yasha smiled and walked over to ruffle his slightly curly and very shaggy hair. “Only if you let Beau win,” Yasha teased.

“Oh, nevermind then,” he said and turned back to the tv.

“You little asshole,” Beau said with a laugh.

“Beau!”

“What,” Beau asked defensively. “He knows I’m kidding!”

“I know she’s kidding,” TJ echoed.

Yasha sighed and bent to kiss Beau. “Behave,” she said as she headed for the door.

An echo of “No!” followed her out the door.

Beau and TJ smiled at each other as he picked a new game and Beau set her controller aside, content to watch him play.

“Dad says you’re engaged,” TJ said as he got up and shuffled through his games. He looked over at Beau as she relocated to the couch.

“Yuppers,” she replied. “I was gonna talk to you about that, actually.” She smiled at him and asked, “Want to be a ring bearer?”

“I can’t be your best man,” he asked with a grin.

Beau laughed and raised up her arm, flattening her hand, palm down. “Sorry, you gotta be be at least this tall.”

He glared and flipped her off. She only laughed harder which caused him to smile. “Sure, I can be a ring bearer.”

“Excellent,” Beau said. “Yasha will be thrilled I finally asked.”

“When’s the wedding,” he asked as he finished picking a game and came to sit beside his sister, picking up his controller on the way.

“Next fall,” Beau answered. “Yasha likes the colors.”

“Neat,” TJ replied. “You and Yasha have been together a long time.”

Beau chuckled. “You sound like my friends. They think it’s overdue.”

TJ shrugged. “Maybe they’re right.”

Beau shrugged back. “Eh, we got there in the end. All that matters.”

“You inviting Dad,” TJ asked.

“Well if you and Mom are gonna be there, kinda have to invite the old man, too,” Beau said.

“I could accidentally on purpose break his leg so he has to stay home,” TJ offered.

Beau laughed. “Then you and Mom would have to stay home and take care of him.” She gave him a sideways smile. “Thanks for the offer, though, little brother.”

“Anytime,” he said with a laugh. “So, who asked who?”

Beau smiled and flashed her left hand and waggled her fingers until TJ turned to look at the small blue diamond on her ring finger. “She did.”

TJ looked at the ring then up at is sister. “She has poor taste.”

Beau’s mood fell a bit. “Like you’re some ring expert.”

“Not the ring,” he said. “You.”

Beau made a squawking noise and shoved TJ’s shoulder. “Fuck you!”

He laughed as he fell onto his side. “Fuck you, back!” He never paused in his game.

TJ eventually sat back and smiled. “So,how did you know?”

“How did I know what,” Beau asked.

“How did you know she was ‘the one,’” he asked, laying his controller down to air quote.

Beau smirked. “Really want to know? It’s sappy shit.”

TJ shrugged. “I mean. I did ask.”

“Fair.” Beau repositioned herself and draped her leg over the couch arm. “I always thought she was hot, ya know?”

“She is very pretty,” TJ cut in.

Beau smirked. “I’ll be sure to tell her you said that.”

TJ whipped around to face Beau, his dark skin turning darker with a blush. “Don’t you fucking dare!”

Beau laughed and gently nudged him. “Don’t be a shit and maybe I won’t.” TJ pouted at her and Beau laughed harder. “Anyway. She’s always been hot. And she’s sweet as hell. A literal fucking angel, ya know?”

TJ was nodded like he did, in fact, know.

“But there was a moment, so fucking small, that sealed the deal,” Beau said with a dreamy sigh.

“What was it,” TJ asked, finally pausing his game and turned to Beau, wholly focused on her and the story now.

“We’d been dating for a few months,” Beau continued. “And while out doing some errands, we decided, on a whim, to stop at this antiques store. Nothing there caught my eye,” Beau said before quickly standing and heading over to a bookshelf next to the tv. It held books, of course, but also a few knick knacks. Beau reached for a small clay figurine of a dog, one of a set of five, and turned back to TJ.

“She bought this set of dog figures,” Beau said, a dopey grin on her face. “She had been so excited to have found them. As excited as if they’d been real dogs.” Still holding the figure, Beau walked back over to the couch and sat down and handed the dog to TJ to look at. “You don’t really remember, cause you were still pretty little, but Yasha used to be really standoffish. She was quiet and didn’t talk much.” Beau smiled at her brother. “You fell in love with her immediately, nearly forgetting all about me when we came to visit.”

TJ blushed at Beau’s words.

Beau smiled warmly at him. “That was one of the first times she really came out of her shell.” Beau’s eyes slid shut as she recalled the memory, a large grin on her face. “She was so beautiful in that moment.” Beau’s eyes opened but she didn’t seem to really see TJ in front of her, still lost in her memories. Then she blinked and her eyes focused. “It was one of the cutest fucking things I’d ever seen. The way she lit up, little brother. Brighter than the sun.

“That’s when I knew I would spend the rest of my life with her.”

She smiled at her brother, who simply stared back. He finally handed back the clay dog and nodded. “You were right.”

Beau took the figure and cradled it to her chest. “About what?”

“It really was sappy shit.” Then he smiled at her.

Beau launched from her spot and tackled him, lightly pinching his shoulder as she sat on him.

They eventually came apart, laughing and sweaty from their tussle. Beau put the figure back on the shelf, grateful it didn’t break, and sat back on the couch. TJ went back to his game and they were content in their silence.

Finally TJ said, “I’m really happy you have Yasha. And I’m happy she has you, too.”

Bea smiled and ruffled TJ’s hair. “And I’m happy you’re here, too. We both love you.”

“Ugh,” TJ groaned. “Stop.”

Beau laughed and turned back towards the tv, happy with how her life had shaped up to be.

[realcube]

his offer || nishinoya x reader

  summary: nishinoya has one night to prove to you that he’d be the best boyfriend

not a song fic! but it might seem like that at the beginning

tw// swearing, sexual references, energy drinks, lord’s name in vain, murder references, fluff, angsty, crying, skirt wearing! reader

‘ ♪ shawty’s like a melody in my head, that i can’t keep out, got me singin’ like  ♪ ‘

You groaned, lifting your head off your essay which you fell asleep on while writing and rubbed your eyes, confused and disorientated. Not at the fact you had fallen asleep while studying - that was a fairly normal occurrence - but as to where that music was coming from? 

Surely, your neighbours hadn’t started a party at midnight - the time which you had caught a glimpse of on the My Melody clock sitting on your desk - especially because both of your neighbours were old couples but hey, you were in no position to judge their music choice.

Like any reasonable human-being, you got up from your desk and lolloped over to your bedroom window, where the music seemed to be blaring from. Once you reached the window, you opened the lock then proceed to push it open which required a lot more strength than you’d like to admit, but figured that you’d blame it on the fact you’re tired. 

You craned your neck out of the window to hiss as the chilly air suddenly nipped at your skin, then scanned the surroundings for a source of the music but there didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary: no lasers, no rave lights, no crowds of people and not a speaker in sight.

Sighing, you were just about to call it quits; blame the noises on sleep deprivation hallucinations and go to bed - until you heard a familiar voice call out to you from your back garden. 

“(Y/N)! Down here!” The voice yelled, lowering the volume of the music momentarily to guarantee that you heard their shout. 

You tossed your head back, letting out a fed-up groan as you instantly recognised who’s voice that was so when you squinted and through the darkness you saw the bi-haired boy - in his white pyjama set under his black puffer-jacket, with black trainers on - standing in your garden with a speaker on his shoulder, it only confirmed both of your suspicions; the first being that he was source of the obnoxious music that woke you up. 

The second suspicion being that the voice belonged to none other than the boy who has been on your ass for the last few months - Yū Nishinoya. 

“Oh my god.” You muttered, rubbing your temples, desperately trying to process the sight you had laid your eyes on - was he seriously blaring music outside your house right now? At midnight? “Nishinoy--”

“What?!” The boys screamed, cupping his ear to show that he was struggling to hear you due to the distance between you both but mostly because of the loud music which was blasting in his other ear and throughout most of the neighbourhood. 

“Turn the fucking music down!” You shrieked, something about the ear-splitting volume of the music causing your blood to boil. 

Nishinoya chuckled, complying with your request and in fact turning the speaker off all together, “As you wish, m’lady.” He joked, setting his speaker down on the bit of concrete just by the back door of your house, “Is it alright if I just leave this here for now?”

You quirked an eyebrow at his question, was he not going to explain to you what he was doing or were you just supposed to play it off as normal? “Sure.” You replied as if you were asking him a question. 

“Anyway,” You started, clearing your throat and attempting to regain your composure now that the music was gone. “What is the meaning of this, Nishinoya?” You inquired, resting your chin on your elbow which was perched on the windowsill. Relaxing as - knowing Nishinoya - this interaction was going to be far from brief. 

“I told you to call me Yū.” He complained, jogging back to the spot in your garden he was standing in prior to placing his speaker down, as from there he got an excellent view of your gorgeous moonlit face. “I’m here to make you an offer.” 

You let out another exasperated sigh as it was one of the only reactions you had enough energy to give. If it was anybody else, you would’ve just told ‘em to fuck off and went to bed but it was Nishinoya and something you’ve learned after months of dealing with his antics and endless advances, is that it is easier to listen to him than get him to leave you alone. “What’s your offer, Yū? Also, be quick about it.”

“Okay,” He began with a wide grin, chuffed to see that you’re actually conversing with him for a change, instead of just ignoring his whole existence. “I know you said that you’d never go out with me but I’m here to change your mind--”

His offer was interrupted by your murmur of disapproval from above, but he brushed it off with a chuckle and continued explaining his plan to make you fall in love with him. 

“Just an hour; that’s all I need! I won’t waste your time! And I chose tonight because it’s not a school night, I know how much you hate staying up late when you have school the next day!” 

A small smile tugged at the corners of your lips at the naïve boy’s reasonings -which you attempted to hide with your sleeve, you didn’t want him to think that you were the slightest bit charmed by his proposal. “Yū.” You mumbled, looking down at him with eyes filled with empathy. “I- I don’t know--”

It was clear that Noya’s offer wasn’t especially tempting yet, so he had no choice but to pull out the big guns. “If you come with me tonight, I’ll never annoy you ever again, on god!” 

You blinked a few times at what he just said - it seemed too good to be true. This drastically increased your chances of accepting his proposition but you still needed to be filled in with some information, “What are we going to do?”

Noya beamed, his pearly whites almost blinding you, “That’s a surprise!”

You rolled your eyes, mentally comparing the pros and cons of accepting his offer; the main pro being the fact he promised to leave you alone afterwards and Noya wasn’t one to purposefully break a promise.

The fatigue weighing on your mind wasn’t helping you conclude your decision either, hence resulting in you taking around a minute to think about it and once you eventually snapped out of your unrelated thoughts, you just blurted out the answer which had apparently been waiting on the tip of your tongue the whole time.

“Uh- fine.” You uttered, your reply causing Noya to pump his fist into the air with a bright smile on his face, “Yes!” He let out a celebratory cry, along with a little happy dance which made your heart flutter - not that you’d ever admit it though. 

“Alright.” You giggled, playfully scoffing at his actions as you hastily went to close your window, “I’ll be out in a moment--”

“Wait, (Y/N)!” 

You immediately halted in your tracks, “Yes?” You quirked an eyebrow at his sudden interjection, yet you were hardly surprised as random outbursts were far from uncommon for him.

“Make sure to wear shoes that are easy to run in.” He said, devilry laced in his voice as he tried his best - but failed - to resist a mischievous smile forming on his lips.

His comment was a tad suspicious but you thought nothing of it since it was coming from Noya - he probably just wanted to play tag or something. Locking the window, you swiftly turned on your heels, grabbed your coat and rushed to your backyard. 

Nishinoya probably chose the best day for his shenanigans as your parents were both abroad for a business trip and - since they had no reason not to - they trusted you to be left home alone, meaning that it’s not like you’d have to sneak by them on your way out or anything.

As you approached you back door, you realised that you had very limited choices when it came to shoes; that is, if you wanted to leave quickly. Lying by the back door were you school shoes, your gym shoes and a pair of flip flops; the favourable option was obvious. 

You slid on your gym shoes while internally scolding yourself for falling asleep in your tight, uncomfortable school clothes then you proceeded to jingle your keys around in the lock until you were able to slip outside and glance at Noya, who had taken a seat on the paving next to the door. 

Once he noticed your arrival, he hopped to his feet and that was when you noticed the bag - which was almost the same size as him - slung over his shoulders. “Hey, what’s the bag for?” You inquired, momentarily averting your gaze from it onto him as you noticed he had his arms wide open for a hug.

Perhaps it was the sleepless euphoria, or maybe it had something to do with the dreamy ambience held by the dark lunar night; but either way, it convinced you to do something you would never even consider doing in any other situation. You leaned in and snaked your arms around Noya’s chest, allowing him to hold you in his embrace for a solid 5 seconds - the best 5 seconds of his life.

Although you hated yourself for feeling this; something about the way the outline of his muscles flexed against your back and the tingling sensation of his warm breath against the soft skin of your neck caused an unfamiliar emotion - perhaps slight arousal but mostly admiration - to shoot through your body.

Feeling something so foreign made you immensely uncomfortable so jerked away from the hug before your brain had any time to process it. 

After you pulled away, it took a moment for the overwhelming bliss Noya felt to subside - and you could tell by his starry-eyes - but once it did, he gave you a somewhat straight answer to question you asked prior to the embrace. “Oh, the bag? It’s got all the the things we need for tonight in it: snacks, money, my Switch, a blanket, a ball, a first aid kit, a fake ID and just a few other things.” 

You snickered, hardly able to imagine what those ‘few other things’ were but knowing Noya, he was sure to surprise you; that’s one of the things you loved about him. 

However, you knew that if you ended up falling for him, it’d completely ruin your grades. If you were with Noya you’d probably end up going out on these little adventures every single night and although you weren’t opposed to the concept, in reality you needed to study as you were quite ambitious and the university you aspired to get into required nothing less than perfection in terms of GPA. 

So, it’s not like you didn’t have any romantic interest in Nishinoya - in fact, you’ve kinda had a crush on him since the beginning of the school year - it’s just that you knew it would be in both of your best interests if you remained friends. You’ve tried to explain that to Noya several times but he simply didn’t understand and he didn’t try to either, which is what irked you. Thus, you stopped your feeble attempts to reject him in a kind manner and moved on to just blocking him out entirely.

However, a new problem was afoot. Both you and Noya were coming into this ‘date’ with completely opposing incentives; he wanted to make you fall for him and you had to do everything in your power to suppress your feelings for him but if he continues being so damn sweet, that’s gonna make things a whole lot trickier for you. 

“Alright.” Noya chirped with his signature daring smile, “Let’s go! Follow me.”  He instructed, grabbing your hand and intertwining his fingers with yours before guiding you to the front gate of your house. Upon noticing how the gate was hanging wide open, you realised that your stupid-ass forgot to lock it, meaning that anybody could’ve waltzed right in. Noya seriously chose the best day to pull this little stunt. 

Your breath hitched slightly as he kept his cold fingers in with yours but you didn’t protest as this would be a great starting point in convincing yourself that you weren’t in love with Noya; his strong, possessive grip definitely did not make you blush and the way he caressed his thumb gently against the back of your hand resulted in mighty rage bubbling in your stomach - not butterflies - rage!

The pair slipped passed the gate and he paused in his tracks, momentarily releasing his grip on your hand to allow you to lock the gate behind you. But as soon as you finished, he immediately took your hand back with his own and began swinging it back and forth as he led you to an unknown destination.

You giggled at his childish - yet cute - action but the fun was short-lived as your blood ran cold as the romantic aura which was blinding you at first finally lifted, hence the reality of the situation hit you like a truck; Noya was taking you a location which he refused to disclose, he carried a large bag which could easily fit a body inside, he had taken you out alone in the dead of night, he had a powerful grip on your hand so you couldn’t run away and worst of all, because you were in a rush to leave, you forgot to bring your phone.

Of course, a large part of you doubted that Nishinoya - Karasuno’s guardian deity and #1 simp - had murderous intentions behind his actions, it was surely just all one big coincidence. However, it’d put you at ease if you mentioned it, “Yū, um, I kinda forgot my phone at home.”

Noya sensed the anxiety in your voice and in all honesty, he couldn’t blame you. He was aware that what he was doing was suspicious - to say the least - and he wanted to give you more clarity on what he was happening but he thought it’d be more engaging if he built up some suspense. “Oh, um, I mean, if you want, we can turn back so you can grab it but I also brought my phone, you can have mine if it’d make you less worried.”

You tensed your whole body at his suggestion, ‘don’t fall, don’t fall, don’t fall!’ you internally commanded yourself before shifting your attention onto your options. It’d certainly calm your nerves to have access to any mobile device you could use to call for help, but there were a few holes in his plan, “Well, that’d be nice..but what if I lose you and you need to phone someone?”

Nishinoya simply rolled his eyes as a cocky chuckle erupted from his throat, “As if! Why would I ever need to do that?”

“In so many situations: you could have a heart attack, injure yourself, set something on fire, throw-up, get possessed, be struck by lightening, fall in a river, get jumped--”

“That’s silly.” Noya scoffed, ignoring the fact you suggested he could be struck by lightening despite the fact that there was not a cloud in sight, instead he chose to focus on how you insinuated that someone could possibly assault him. “I could be jumped? Ha! In your dreams! If someone shady comes up to me - or you - I’ll give ‘em one of these-” Nishinoya jumped into an offensive stance and aggressively uppercutted the air, “And one of these too!” He followed up with a swift roundhouse kick before planting both of his feet on the ground and looking at you with sincere eyes, “Trust me, (Y/N). I won’t let any creeps lay a finger on either of us tonight - or ever.” 

You couldn’t help but smile at how eager he was to protect you; it made your heart flutter more than you’d like to admit. Also, upon seeing how keen Noya was to fight - plus, remembering that you had taken those 5 years of karate lessons for a reason - put your mind at ease slightly. 

Still, you were tempted to accept all the safety you could get your hands on. “That’s sweet, Yū. But if it isn’t an issue, could I keep your phone in my jacket pocket?”

Noya unzipped his jacket so he could reach into the pockets of his pyjama bottoms to grab his phone and once he did, he presented it to you, “If it’ll make you feel less tense, then take it.” He single-handedly zipped his jacket back up while shooting you a kind grin which caused your body to do the thing again.

Your expression softened as your gaze met his and in that moment, everything felt right; you weren’t stressing over exams, you weren’t thinking about your chores, you weren’t fretting over your friend group drama, all you worries seemed to just dissolve away into the background - in that moment, it was just you and Nishinoya, appreciating each others company on a empty country road.

But perhaps you appreciated his company for a bit too long as he snapped you out of your trance by teasing you, “Oh, you’re falling for me already?~ We haven’t even arrived at the surprise yet.” 

You blinked rapidly, instantly scowling and rolling your eyes at his silly comment - which you knew deep-down was true but let’s conceal those feelings for a bit longer. “Uh, no. I just zoned-out thinking about..how stupid you look in those pyjamas.”

Nishinoya gasped in an exaggerated manner before sticking his bottom lip out to form a pout, “I didn’t have time to change.” He dropped the first excuse that came to his mind before glancing at the phone which was still waiting patiently on the palm of his hand. “Are you gonna take it or?” 

You nodded, carefully picking up his phone and sliding it into your jacket pocket, “Thank you, Yū.” You muttered, tucking it in as deep as you could to secure it so it wouldn’t fall out. “I had no idea you were into Pokémon--” You said in reference to his lockscreen which lit up when your finger accidently grazed the power button. If you were ignorant enough, you probably could’ve mistaken his background for just a bunch of words written in a red font but in reality, those words were connected in such a way that they formed the outline of a Charmander.

Noya’s eyes widened at your comment, ‘Shit, I forgot to change my background- she probably thinks I am a nerd like Tsukishima now or something-’ he mentally rebuked himself, desperately scanning his surroundings to find a topic he could just blurt out to pretend as if he didn’t hear your comment. 

Fortunately for him, the ‘portal’ to the desired destination finally came into vision, so he hurriedly grabbed your hand again and bolted towards - what looked like to you - the entrance of the Forrest. “C’mon, (Y/N)! I can’t wait for you to see where we’re going!” 

You laughed at how obviously he tried to dismiss your comment and change the subject, but you excused that part for now and focussed all your attention on trying to match Noya’s pace without letting your school skirt fly up in the wind. 

So you continued to sprint up to the entrance of the Forrest with Noya but as soon as you passed the first tree, you paused to catch your breath and squeezed Noya’s hand, communicating that he should stop too. “Wait, Yū.” You panted, taking a moment to admire the new scenery you had been introduced to. “You’re too fast.” 

You hummed, tossing your head back to inspect your surroundings; which was predominantly Cryptomeria japonica trees that stretched up to meet the sky, creating a mystical yet mysterious atmosphere. There was also the distant song of flowing water which rang throughout the Forrest, and that was seemingly the only thing to be heard - besides you and Noya’s puffs - as the Forrest was known for lacking Fauna. 

Although you have lived near this Forrest your entire life, not only did you not know the name and opted to call it ‘the Forrest’ whenever you spoke of it - which wasn’t often - you also had never stepped foot in it before today..with Nishinoya. 

He was always pushing you out of your comfort zone, persuading you to try new things; most of which, you would never even consider doing if he wasn’t in your presence: like the time he convinced you to go on every ride at the amusement park with him and you actually kinda had fun, or the time when he insisted that you play MineCraft Bed Wars with him despite the fact you had made it clear that you hated most server games..but now you play Bed Wars every chance you get. 

Nishinoya could say the same about you though; you were constantly pushing him to be the best version of himself that he possibly could. For example, there was when he texted you saying that he was going to skip school so he asked for you to cover him but instead, you induced him to come in by telling him that his future self will thank him for having the best attendance possible. 

Before you had a moment to collect your thoughts, Noya took your hand again and guided you through the Forrest, the sound of rushing water getting louder as y’all went along. “Yū, this place is so pretty.” You mumbled, the chilly air lacing through your hair elegantly as you were dragged through the Forrest by Noya. 

“You haven’t even seen the place we’re going to have our date yet!” He exclaimed, his lips curling into a smile as you didn’t object against his use of the word ‘date’ like you normally would. 

Suddenly, he came to halt and once you caught up with him, you took a moment to study the smug expression painted on his face before following his gaze only to realise that y’all had finally arrived at his desired ‘date’ destination.

You studied the setting he had brought you to and to say you were pleasantly surprised was an understatement. 

There was long, lush green grass growing on the outskirts of a clear crystal pond which was being poured into by many miniature ‘waterfalls’ that were just water squirting out from in between the rocks decorating the far edge of the pond. Along with that, there were cute little flowers adorning the sides of the pink, checkered picnic blanket which Noya had kindly laid out beforehand. 

“Noya- it’s- this place-” You choked, absolutely lost for words at the beauty and magic that this place emitted. 

The adorable look of awe in your eyes was enough to make Noya fall for you even more, “Do you like it?” He inquired sincerely, taking off the mask of pride he wore to impress you to get your genuine reaction.

“It’s stunning, you- how did you even find this place?” You eventually managed to blurt out, turning to look at him with a gleeful grin which set his heart ablaze.

Noya shrugged, thinking back to the first time he stumbled across this serene setting and how - upon laying eyes on the bewitching sight - his immediate thought was of you. “I guess, I just followed the noise of running water.” He spoke, as if asking you the question while tapping his jaw with his index finger. 

Then, before you got a chance to take a seat for yourself, Noya pulled the moves on you which he had practising with a volleyball since he first found this place; he took your hand by tucking his index and middle finger under yours so he had access to your knuckles, then he bent over to plant a long, tender kiss on it.

That action on it’s own was enough set the tips of your ears on fire but when he looked up from the kiss so his enchanting brown eyes met your wide (e/c) ones, you felt ‘the thing’ again and shuddered yet somehow unable to bring yourself to yanking your hand away. “Yū..” was all you could choke out in a breathy voice.

He didn’t reply, instead he led you over to the blanket he had set out on the ground by the pond, sat down and let go of your hand so you could take a seat beside him. 

You went along with him, mindlessly dropping down by his right side but all while keeping your eyes glued to the breath-taking sight of the pond water glistening under the moonlight which penetrated through the slats in the canopy.  Appreciating the environment as you were well aware that it’d be a while before you were taken some place so beautiful again. 

Noya couldn’t help but chuckle at how fixated you were on the scenery, taking this opportunity to drop the line he had been refining for many weeks prior. “You’re acting as if you’ve never seen something as magnificent before  - I mean, you’ve looked in a mirror, haven’t you?” He asked, a cocksure smirk tugging at the corner of his lip as he thought he delivered that line rather smoothly.

Meanwhile, you playfully rolled your eyes, cringing slightly at how poor Noya’s acting skills were; he made it dead obvious from his clearly google searched ‘synonyms for beautiful’ use of ‘magnificent’ to the fact you just knew that there was no way he’d be able to come up with something so suave on the spot. There wasn’t a doubt in your mind that he had rehearsed that line many times preparatory for today but something about the thought that Noya cared enough about you to go through the effort of practising lines made your knees weak for some..unknown reason.

“Anyway,” Noya broke the deafening silence between the two of you by sliding off his bag, pulling it up to his left and rummaging through it in search of something. “I brought snacks and drinks for us.” 

“Oh, you’re too kind.” This piqued your curiosity as you sat up straight to try catch a peek inside of his bag to see what other stuff he had in there, along with what he could’ve possibly brought as a ‘snack’. 

Noya whipped his head back around to face you as he slammed two cans of Monster Energy onto the few millimetres of space on the blanket between your thigh and his, “Mango Loco for me and a Pipeline Punch for you!” He exclaimed with a foolish grin on his face which just got wider as he noticed a sweet smile gracing your features as your gaze dropped to the cans.

“How did you know Pipeline Punch is my favourite? Or was it just a guess?”

Noya snickered as you asked the question which he was praying for you to utter so he could give his ‘nonchalant’ response, “Oh, I just remembered the time at the arcade when we found a Monster vending machine and you chose Pipeline Punch - no biggie.” 

You chuckled, internally ecstatic that he would remember such a trivial detail about you but externally you were ecstatic to chug down some well-deserved Monster. You opened your can and promptly poured it down the hatch - bottoms up - taking a few audible gulps before letting out a faint ‘ah’ as the can parted from your lips. 

“That hits the fuckin’ spot.” You mused, staring blankly into the void as you felt any fatigue or sleepiness that might’ve been lingering inside your body slowly melt away, being replaced by passionate urge to..make out with someone. Shit. 

Noya guffawed at your visible enthusiasm for the beverage, which reminded him to open up his own. Gulping down the sweet taste in unison with you before sitting the can back down by his side, “I think that’s my third can today.” He said indifferently, as he turned to his bag and began hunting through it again.

Your immediate response was to gasp and luckily you didn’t have any liquid in your mouth at that moment or else it would’ve came spewing out, “Third?! Yū, that’s too much! I think this is my third can this year. You’ve seriously got issues, man.”

Noya nodded in agreement with your last statement as he tried desperately to stifle a chuckle, “I know.” He replied, then threw a bag of Doritos over his shoulder for it to land perfectly in your lap. “And here are the snacks.” 

You smiled, glancing down at the bag of chips sitting in your lap before shifting your gaze onto Noya, expecting him to turn around with a second bag of chips in his possession but instead, he was empty-handed. You quirked an eyebrow at this, knowing that Noya wasn’t the sort to give food to others without leaving some for himself, “Yū, where is your snack?” 

Noya opened his mouth, clearly about to give you a serious answer until inspiration stuck him like lightening - he just had to say it. “Sitting right next to me, why?”

You couldn’t help but titter at his stupid little joke; still, you were able to read him like a book despite not receiving a straight answer, “I’m guessing you want to share this bag then?”

“Well, yeah, it’s party-sized so I’d be surprised if you were able to finish it on your own.” 

“Is that a challenge?” You inquired, popping open the bag and twitching your nose slightly as all the ‘flavour dust’  effused from the bag sprinkled across your face, leading to you having to wipe it off with your jacket sleeve.

“No, I’m starving!” He cried as he aggressively stuck his whole arm into the bag to grab a fist-full of Doritos, pull it out and shove most of it into his mouth like the glutton he is. 

You scoffed, tossing the bag onto his lap as there was no way you were going to eat a single chip from that bag after he put his grimy, unsanitized hands in there, “Did you even wipe your hands before eating?- god knows where they’ve been!”

Noya shrugged, choosing to ignore your grimace and continue indulging himself in his bag of Chilli Heatwave Doritos which he now had all to himself. “Haters gonna hate.” He mumbled to himself through a mouthful or chips, causing little pieces to go flying everywhere.

“Haters gonna care about your health and wellbeing!” You snapped back, attempting to say that in all seriousness but a playful smile kept creeping back onto your features.

Although there was an effort made to hide it, his whole body tingled when you said that you cared. The fact that you’d admit to something like that was - in Noya’s mind - proof that you were starting to catch feelings for him. 

He couldn’t be too confident in his hypothesis just yet but he needed answers right away as your endearing little actions caused him to grow more impatient by the second; how you said you cared for him, the way you gazed blankly at the moon or the stare filled with longing that you both shared on the way here - all of those factors snowballed into a feeling which was brimming inside Nishinoya this whole time and now, he finally bursts.

He tossed the bag aside, swiping his hands against each other to remove all the ‘flavour dust’ and once he did so, he grabbed both of your shoulders and adjusted his whole body to face you, exchanging a yearning gaze similar to the one you both exchanged before arriving at the Forrest. 

You instantly flushed red like anybody would do in your situation - I mean, his face was only inches away from yours, close enough for you to feel his light exhales tickle the skin of your lips and as much as you wanted to look down, for some reason you couldn’t pry your eyes off of his. There wasn’t a word spoken between the two of you for a solid minute but the fierce look in his eyes did all the talking for him, he undoubtedly wanted to tell you something important.

Nishinoya mentally scolded himself for being so impulsive, he pulled you in before he had even mustered up the courage to say anything so now you were both intensely staring into each other’s eyes as you waited for Noya to find the right words. 

“(Y/N)-” he spluttered at last, “I obviously really really like you. And I know the night isn’t even close to over yet but I just gotta know, do I even have a chance? Is there literally anything I can do to win your heart? Or am I just fighting a losing battle?” 

You internally sighed of relief, glad that it was just about his feelings rather than your sneaking suspicion that his forceful grabbing was the first step in his plan to - quite literally - take you out. “Yū..I can’t-” You were about to explain your answer until you froze mid-sentence, realising that you didn’t even know the answer to the question yourself. 

“I’m- I’m not sure. I’m sorry.” You murmured, averting your eyes from him and lowering them to the blanket beneath y’all. In all honesty, you were ashamed to have such little control or knowledge over your emotions - you usually don’t let your feelings run wild like this but something about just looking at Nishinoya evoked something special inside you. 

“I don’t even know what to say- I guess, I’m just mortified thinking about the way I’ve treated you up until today. And how I can’t even give you an answer to the simplest of questions, an apology doesn’t even cover half of it.” You gushed, feeling something horrible weigh down on your chest and you didn’t need a therapist to figure out that it was guilt. Next thing you new, tears were streaming down your cheeks but you paid no mind to them in hopes Noya wouldn’t even notice.

However, he noticed, of course he did. The faint sobs didn’t even need to reach his ear for him to be able to sense you sadness, thus slipping his arms around your waist and pulling you in so the side of your head rested against his heart while he kept you secure with one hand on the small of your back and the other cradling your head. “Don’t cry..” He whispered, not sure how exactly to comfort people in these situations but aiming to do his best anyway. 

“I don’t think it even matters if I like you or not; you deserve someone a lot nicer than me - and someone who shares more of your interests and ambitions so y’all can skip class together and whatnot.” You butchered the last part of your excuse but so be it, he’d get the memo either way.

Nishinoya chuckled which - in the moment - seemed inappropriate but after he flopped backwards - taking you down with him - you understood why he was laughing and you’d be lying if you said a faint one didn’t escape your lips too as he fixed his position so he was laying down with your head still against his chest. “You’re silly, (Y/N). Have I ever told you why I fuss over you so much rather than any other person?”

You paused, your breath hitching slightly, “No, you haven’t, actually.” Surely that was something you’ve learned by now after the many times you’ve asked him to go simp for someone else but no; every time you tell him to do that, his response is always the same, ‘If their name isn’t (Y/N) (L/N) then I’m not gonna fuck with them.’. At the time, you thought it was a great misfortune that there wasn’t any other (Y/N) (L/N)s at you school but now that you are laying in Noya’s arms in the crisp winter air, you consider yourself lucky. 

“Well,” Noya started as he usually does when he is about to go on rambling about something, “I think we are soulmates, to be honest. I mean, two incredibly attractive people, both with immaculate music tastes - it’s basically written in the stars that we should be together. Also, we are kinda like ‘opposites attract’, y’know? Like, I am the sexy rascal and you’re the sexy librarian - I help you live your life and you help me with algebra.” He wasn’t really sure where he was going with that comparison so he just decided to leave it there, “Basically what I’m trying to say is I really like you because you are you and I am me, y’know?”

There was just something about his chatter that you found so inexplicably captivating, so you allowed a small giggle to pass your lips at his final comment. “Yū..” You cooed, feeling your eyes drift shut under the warmth and comfort of his body pressed against yours. “The only reason I didn’t want to go out with you is that I was afraid I’d mess up my GPA. But genuinely, it’s hard to give a single fuck about my grades now; you just make me so happy, Nishinoya. I can’t even begin to describe how amazing I feel tonight, especially since I’ve kinda been studying non-stop for a week or two.” 

Noya’s heart skipped a beat as he waited in anticipation for you to continue, eliciting him to prod you a bit, “So..does that mean..?”

You felt the world fade away around you - right now it was just you and Nishinoya, enjoying each others company and keep one another cozy. “Yes, Yū. I’ve officially fallen for you. Will you be my boyfriend?”

Nishinoya was simply unable to contain his rejoice and excitement so he temporarily lifted his hand from your back to pump it into the air in celebration, “Yes!” He cheered, a toothy smile plastered onto his face which didn’t seem to diminish any time soon. “Of course I’ll be your boyfriend!”

He tensed, his eyes darting around to find something to express his joy onto until he recognised that the perfect opportunity was laying right on his chest. Hence, he lifted your chin with his index finger so you were gazing at him with your sweet, tired eyes and then he leaned in to plant an adoring kiss on your forehead. 

“I promise to treat you better than anyone else ever could!” He beamed, entitling that as his final comment as it was clear that you just want to fall asleep peacefully in his arms - which was odd considering you had a few sips of Monster Energy but he wasn’t opposed either way.

After all, now that you were his, he could spend as much time with you as he desired so there was no rush.

[zuffer-weird-girl]

Hello, I like it when you write angst, I would like to request a scenario. Chisaki and angel have a daughter, so one day while Chisaki works, his wife and daughter decide to go out because it is a good day. When his wife and daughter go back home, both dead, the author of his death was a leader of a rival yakuza.

Angsty yes, yes, YESSSSSSSS

Warnings: mentions of rape, beating, blood. Carefull. Really. Dont read this was one I detailed.

I blame Law and Order for this.

"Papa!" To anyone else whose saw Chisaki pn that specific moment, they would think that he had an annoyed look towards the little girl running after him. But not even his wife could spot the smile and the fondness at the girl whose attached to his leg.

"Hey brat. Your mother got tired of you already?" He asked in a nonchantly tone but ruffled the dark brow hair his daughter had, messing the pigtails she was wearing as she scolded.

"Papa no! My hair!" She whined as she, with a pout on her lips, took off the hair bows. Giggling at when Chisaki messed her hair with two of his gloved hands now.

"Mama!" She squealed your name out loud while giggling, going to you and being picked up as she showed her tongue to her father who's wonky arched one eyebrow at her childishness.

"Cant anyone of you take a break on getting onto each other's nerves?" You giggled as Yua mumbled in a pout that if her dad attacked then she would do the same.

"You cant complain since she got your attitude." He sighed as if it wa a bother, but you knew exactly how much your husband held pure love and affection towards that little smart little girl.

That's what her name was about...binding love and affection. Chisaki himself chose the name after Yua was born.

"Did you told tell daddy what we are doing today?" You put Yua down as she gasped.

"Girls day!!!" She extended her arms open as Kai only raised an eyebrow again.

"We will go shopping, just that." You giggled "Yua needs some new clothes anyway, and she was begging me to take her to enjoy some new strawberry flavored ice cream or something." You sighed. "Wanna come with us honey?"

"No. Papa cant go, is only girls night mama." Yua spoke nonchantly as you gasped preparing to lecture her but Chisaki beated you on that.

"Can't deny that I was wounded by this brat words but I have work to do anyways." He sighed with crossed arms and closed eyes, opening them a bit when he felt his daughter hug his legs and tugging on his jacket.

"I'm sowwy papa..." her golden eyes locked with his as he sighed and crouched down to flip her forehead, one which she learned that was one of the most affectionate things her father was able to do.

"After lunch I guess you both will be going out then?" He asked with a grunt when he got up as you nodded.

"Nemoto agreed to leave us on the shopping and pick up us both later."

"I will call uncle Nemoto right now." Nefore you or your husband could say something, Yua ran before tripping and falling on the ground... Mumbling insults towards the "Bad dirty floor" before walking away.

"She got my attitude but the rest is all "kai chisaki energy" on my opinion." You giggled as Kai chuffed.

"Wouldn't it be my daughter if she hadn't something from me. At least she knows the importance of cleaning."

"Sure. Threw a fit when Rappa dropped chips on the floor, and I thought she was going to do the same thing as you do with the poor guy."

"... That's my daughter." You laughed at the bit of pride he carried on the sentence as he chuckled and accompanied you to lunch.

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.

.

"Yua." He called "Come here."

The said girl come in one blink of a eye, asking cutely what was it.

"There." He crouched down to show a a flower she hadn't know of.

"What flower is that Papa?"

"Is a lilie." He twirled the flower on his gloved fingers with boredoom "I gave once a rose to your mother, and now I am giving you this one simply because represents purity of the soul, innocence and intelligence. It is said, therefore, that nothing better than a lily to tell a woman that she is ideal and superior to all others.... So I am giving this one to you." He put the flower on a little box of glass and closed it, using his quirk to prevent close and pressed against the flower to not decay.

"You and your mother are above of all things and people on the world for me." He smirked at the adoration on her little golden eyes as she jumped on him to give him a hug.

"I knew it you loved us!" She squealed when he pinched her to get off of him.

"Go with your mother already you brat." He ruffled her hair with a nonchantly look as Yua stormes off "Hey put that flower on your room dont carry it everywhere you go!"

Soon you entered his office to give him your good byes and wishes of a good day. Begrudily he allowed to a simple kiss, not ever admiring how he usually craved for those as he wished a good day for you as well... jumping on a pile of work and waiting for the hour both of his girls would be back.

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.

.

"Slow down pumpkin!" You giggled as you walked hand on hand with Yua... well, actually you were being dragged by the little girl.

"The ice cream stand will close mama if we slow down." She looked up at you with the same look Chisaki gave to you when you asked "stupid things" as he said.

"Fine fine." You picked her up with a huff before nuzzling your nose agaisnt her, making her giggle "Straberey flavor huh?"

"Yep!" She nodded "Just like daddy!"

You smiled at sign as she talked politely with the man whose was selling the ice cream.

"My my." You yelped and twirled around, scaring your daughter accidentaly without wanting "Isn't this a pretty sign my boys?"

A man with a tuxedo was surrounded by younger males as you brought your daughter closer to you as she wrapped her arms around your neck, sensing that this was not a start of a good talk.

"Is not everyday we get to see Overhaul's plaything and a failed abortion walking around." You growles at them as Yua clinged to you tighter.

"If you wouldn't mind sir. We are doing nothing to annoy you or your minor gang. So excuse me and let me and my Yua alone, will you?" You give your back to then with a huff, thanking the man and handing the ice cream to your daughter, whose was playing with the little molded flower she had just been gifted by her father.

The man took his cigarette out of his mouth with a huff. The other males staring at him expectantly before he chuckled.

"Get them."

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.

.

"No master Overhaul. They didn't come back yet."

"Sorry man. Hadn't see them all day."

"Didn't saw (Y/n)-sama neither Yua-chan all day sir."

"I'm sorry master but (Y/n)-sama didn't called me back."

He was almost going crazy. Your phone went straight to the mail. Nemoto hadn't gotten a message for him to pick you up and Yua... Heavens what the hell happened with his wife and girl?

"Chisaki stay calm my boy. Maybe they just are enjoying some time between mother and daughter." Pops tried to calm his sucessor down, trying his nest to not freak out as well at his daughter in law and granddaughter dissapearing.

"(Y/n) is not one to turn off her phone Pops." He got up abruptly and picked his jacket and tossing over his shoulder "I will go look for then, call me if anything old man."

"Will do my boy. If anything I will send some of the guys to look after these two."

With one nod he got out, not caring if it was starting to rain...

.

.

.

"We searched the whole place Chisaki they're not here." Chrono pointed out regretfully as Kai checked his phone at each two minutes.

"If not here then where would these two would have gotten..?" He mumbled under hsi breath while walking. His phone buzzed on hsi pocket and hsi heart skipped a beat at the thought of finally being you to tell him you were okay, that Yua was okay, to hear his little blgirl chip in the phone to tell him about the walk like she usually did despites his scoldings to not interrupt his mother.

Although when he took off the phone of his pocket there was only two messages. One of Mimic and one of Pops.

Mimic

Dont come here dude... for your sake.

Pops

Kid... please come back home.

What the hell happened...?

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.

.

The moment his car was turning on the street he braked brutally when he saw police cars parked in front of Shie Hassaikai.

"FUCK THAT BITCH KNOCKED ME WHAT WAS THAT K ... Kai ..?" when Chrono recovered from the fright of the friar he was able to see the face of his childhood friend, pale as a ghost.

Not only police cars but he had a car that he would never think of seeing in his life ... a funeral card.

He accidentaly overhauled the door of the car. Ignoring the calls of the cops and hurting one that got in his process where he was walking...

He then saw a black send toilet loaded on a table and another but much smaller ... Pops arrived at him but what he said did not make sense ... he barely knew what to do or look until he saw a little arm outside bag ... dropping something very familiar to him.

The flower he picked up. The lily he gave to his daughter ...

He let out a scary scream that even scared the police after he accidentally overhauled the guard's arm that was preventing him from passing

When he used his quirk to open the two bags and his golden eyes widened on the almost unrecognizable faces of his wife and daughter.

They broke your nose ... you was stabbed and he wanted to vomit when he heard from a coroner that you were raped ... while his poor daughter had her body burned and beaten ... also with evidence of rape.

"NO!" he cried and screamed. an act of despair when using the overhaul to at least try but the guards caught him just when he was going to use touching the dead body of his child and wife.

"LEAVE ME YOUR DISCRAFTS IS MY DAUGHTER AND MY WIFE THERE FOR GOD'S SAKE FUCK-!" He cried as Pops almost begged him to calm down while the coroners took the bodies to the funeral van and closed the doors.

The screams and cries echoing of Overhaul were able to even leave each policeman, hero dying the death of a mother and child.

.

.

.

He was sitted with his head in his hands, eyes still wide open as Pops talked with the officer.

"We will do our best to discover whose were responsible for-"

"WHAT FOR SINCE NONE OF YOU DO SHIT ON YOUR LIFES?!" he punched the wall behind him as he glared daggers at the young hero.

"Forgive my-"

"NO. DONT "forgive my son" BULLSHIT POPS! I WILL FIND MYSELF THE RESPONSIBLES AND THEY WILL FUCKING PAY FOR EVEN TOUCHING ONE FINGER ON MY WIFE! MY DAUGHTER! MY FAMILY!"

Nd with that he stormed out of the room...

.

.

.

He stood on a pile of blood soaked floor with bodies around him... the fluid of the bastards dripping from his hands and face... he panted tiredly as he kicked with enough force, to send the mafia boss's head flying to the wall of the place.

He brought his hands to see the mess he had made... sobs got stuck on his throat. Flashbacks of his daughter and wife's smiles and laughter.

His throat was sore... yet he didn't cared anymore when he shouted until he had no voice anymore...

[secretlysheikah]

Watching Water

Look at me Gooooo! The next chapter ready to go! I’m chuffed, this was actually easy to write! I hope you all enjoy! As always I took inspiration from @jojo56830 and their lovely Linked Universe premise. Very cool I suggest you check them out. 

Start here:

Twilight peeled his eyes open to the soft rays of the midmorning sunlight filtering through the window above his bed and groaned. He felt awful. His head throbbed a slow and steady beat against the back of his eyes and his body felt like lead. He pulled his blankets snug around his chin, as he felt a shiver run through him. A cough quickly followed and he grimaced as he felt it rumble through his frame. As far as mornings go it wasn’t the best way to start the day. He shut his eyes tightly and talked himself through the process of sitting up. It took a monumental effort to lift himself to a seated position and his whole body protested loudly at the motion. The room swam around him and he had to take a minute to steady himself, ignoring the temptation to lay back down. 

This was fine, he was fine, he had to be. There were things that needed to be done and laying in bed simply wasn’t an option given the events of the previous day. Before he could submit to the call of his bed he swung his legs over the side with wobbly determination. A chill shot up his legs when his feet touched the cool floorboards and he wondered if the fire had gone out in the night. He could hear the light chatter of voices filtering up from the floor below followed by the soft clinks of plates and cutlery. 

He couldn’t smell anything but it was possible that no one felt the will to cook anything. He couldn't blame the others, not with Wild being… He shook his head, pushing the thought away for now and marveled at how the world continued to bob and weave long after he stopped. That probably wasn’t a good sign. The whole atmosphere of the house felt wrong, even as full as his house was right now, it still felt empty and he knew who to blame. He stoked the anger in his soul, using it as fuel to spur himself up and out of bed.  

Twilight felt another cough rumble out from his chest and he winced. He wasn’t sick, no, he was just waking up, that was all. He rubbed at his sore eyes and gave a stretch, pointedly ignoring the way his body threw up fresh protests to the movement. He ignored the cold that seeped into his bones and finally stood. The room swung dangerously and he steadied himself on the railing next to his bed and looked down. He could see Time, Legend and Hyrule sitting at the small table below. They were talking quietly as they picked at some dried fruit and cheese they had found in his pantry. He couldn’t see the others but he was sure they were somewhere. 

He carefully shuffled to the ladder and made his slow way down to the bottom floor. His hands felt clumsy, and he worried he might lose his grip a few times but he managed with little incident. His feet made little noise as they touched the floorboards below and he held on to the rungs until he was sure he was steady enough to move again.

“Good morning pup, I hope you…” Time started and stopped when he got a look at him. Twilight blinked a few times and offered a slow wave as he made his careful way over to the fire to stoke up the flames. He was freezing and he was surprised that the others were handling the chill of the room so well. 

“Uh, hey Twi, how are you feeling?” Hyrule called out tentatively and Twilight spared him a glance. He could see worry on his face and Twilight noticed how his fingers drummed on the table top. He raised an eyebrow and offered him a small smile. 

“I’m alright, Rule, just a little cold.” He said simply masking another cough behind the dull thump of the log that he tossed onto the fire. Heat flared up from the fireplace and he sighed happily as he felt some of the chill recede from his fingertips. 

“Are you sure? Because you look a little…” Hyrule said as his hands waved through the air aimlessly. 

“You look like a ghost,” Legend said tactlessly as he stood and made his way from around the table towards him. Twilight eyed him warily but didn’t move away as Legend grabbed at his sleeve to steady him. 

“I’m fine, just a little tired is all,” Twilight protested as Legend put the back of his hand against his forehead. He hissed and pulled away. 

“Stop that, your hands are cold,” Twilight groused as he slapped Legend’s hand away. He couldn’t read the other man’s expression and he wasn’t about to try. 

 “You have a fever, go lay down,” Legend said sternly and Twilight rolled his eyes. He was sure the vet was overreacting, he was standing next to the fire, of course he would feel warm. 

“I’m fine, you guys worry too much,” Twilight said as he slowly made his way over to the small bucket of water sitting on the counter. His throat did feel a little sore, but that surely was nothing, a little water would solve that. He felt himself sway and caught himself on the edge of the counter before he reached for a small cup that sat next to the bucket. He cleared his throat as he dipped it into the water and watched as ripples marred the still surface. A hazy memory from the night before, of crystal blue eyes looking out from a puddle floated to the forefront of his mind. It nagged at him, and he found he couldn’t look away from the rippling water.    

“Pup, you need to go lay down,” Time said and Twilight could hear the legs of the chair scrape across the floor as Time began to stand. 

“I told you I’m fine, we have… To plan...” Twilight said as he felt his breath leave him. His legs felt shaky all of a sudden, his hand quickly joined his legs and he had to sit his cup down for fear of dropping it. Had he imagined seeing Wild the other night in the water? Somehow he didn’t think so.  

“That can wait, you are clearly unwell,” Time continued but his voice seemed far away. The room was too small, like he had grown to the size of a giant while also feeling absurdly small all at the same time. The juxtaposition of the two opposing sensations felt overwhelming and it was getting harder to breathe and his hands began to grow numb. He could sense the others getting to their feet but things felt slowed down and too fast. He blinked, then he was staring at the ceiling. The room was silent around him but he suspected that that wasn’t actually the case. He could feel the rumble of floorboards under his back, his back? He looked around and to his surprise he found that he could see the underside of the table and the now abandoned chairs. How did he get on the floor? Nothing was making any sense and his racing heart only added to his distress. He blinked some more and the sound finally came back to the room. 

“I fucking told you!” Legend shouted (was he shouting?) as he knelt down next to him, as his cold hand came to rest against his forehead. Twilight tried to shake it off but the room spun wildly when he did and so he stopped. Why did it feel like he just got done running? He was pretty sure he was just standing not a moment ago but his heart was pounding against his ribcage and he was struggling to draw in breath.  

“Are you alright pup?” Time asked from his other side and Twilight felt distinctly confused. He was still having a hard time making sense of everything that was happening. 

“Why am I on the floor?” He asked stupidly, and even to his own ears it sounded slurred and slow. 

“You just passed out you moron,” Legend said tersely as he stood and stepped over him. Passed out? But he was fine? Right? Twilight groaned and tried to sit up but a new pair of hands pressed him gently to the floor again. A low whine escaped him but he relented, instead opting to rest his hands against his aching head, covering his eyes. His palms blocked out the light stabbing into his eyes and he felt this heart beginning to slow once more.  

“Hey, move your hands, I want to check the back of your head. You hit the floor pretty hard just now,” The soft voice of Hyrule commanded him and Twilight relented allowing him to turn his head to the side. Gentle fingers prodded at the back of his head and he sucked in a breath as Hyrule found a particularly tender spot. Maybe that’s why his head hurt so badly? 

“Okay, it’s not too bad, let me just,” Hyrule said slowly and Twilight could feel a warm tingling flutter across the back of his skull making the world blur at the corners. It helped somewhat with the pain but he could still feel the dull ache behind his eyes.  

“Alright, that should be better,” Hyrule announced and Twilight gave him a noncommittal grunt. 

“Can we move him?” He heard Time’s concerned voice rumble out above him as his hand came to rest against his head.

“Well we can’t leave him on the damn floor. Where the fuck are your rags Twi?” Legend snapped out from somewhere towards his feet, followed by the clunk of a cabinet shutting. He felt Time gently run his fingers through his hair and he leaned into subconsciously. 

“They’re u-uh, w-wait, I can get them,” Twilight stammered, as his sluggish brain had trouble recalling where exactly they could be without actually going to get them himself. 

“Forget it, I’ll get some from my pack, get him to bed,” Legend said dismissively as another cabinet door clicked shut and the sound of his footsteps stalked away from the small kitchen. Twilight huffed in annoyance. Great now Legend was mad at him. 

“Alright pup, slow and steady,” Time said calmly as he and Hyrule grabbed at his arms and began to lift him to his feet. Twilight felt the room spin with the movement and he felt Time and Hyrule support his back. Seeing as his bed was up a set of ladders, they slowly made their way to the couch against the underside of the loft instead and sat him down gently. Twilight felt himself sag into the soft cushions and before he realized it he was laying down with several blankets on top of him. He still felt the chill of the room in his bones and he pulled the blankets tighter around his shoulders. 

“Are you comfortable?” Hyrule asked and Twilight managed a small nod. He was so tired, and sore and even the act of keeping his eyes open was a challenge. He fought sleep, though, it didn’t feel right to rest just yet, they had to work on getting the others back. The memory of the puddle still hung in the forefront of his mind and he felt the urge to tell the others building in his chest. 

“I’m fine, just need to rest a bit then we can figure out our plan to get Sky and Wild back,” Twilight said through slightly chattering teeth. 

“I think the water is the key,” Twilight forced out between coughs and Hyrule shot a worried glance towards Time. Twilight hated that look, like they thought he was a invalid even though he was fine. They had things to do, plans to make, they didn’t have time for this. The water, he had to tell them. 

“Pup, you need to rest, we will figure out a plan, but for now you need to rest,” Time said softly taking up the spot next to Hyrule. Twilight snorted and felt a cough force itself out between his teeth. Hyrule gave him a sad smile and reached out towards Twilight’s forehead, humming as he judged his fever. 

“Please Time, they don’t time for us to wait around, the water...” Twilight pleaded weakly but he could tell he wasn’t getting anywhere. Time had a hard look in his eye that brooked no argument but he still tried anyway. They needed to know, they had to listen to him. He opened his mouth to continue but was cut off by his mentor. 

“Hyrule, can you give us a moment please?” Time said softly and Hyrule nodded before stepping away. 

“I’ll help Legend find some rags, your fever is high Twilight, get some rest, please.” Hyrule said over his shoulder before he walked away. Twilight ignored the comment and turned his attention to Time once again. 

“Please,” Twilight began again but was stopped when Time shushed him. 

“Twilight, listen to me, you are in no condition to worry about this. You nearly drowned yesterday and you are clearly ill and not making sense,” Twilight opened his mouth to protest but was stopped by a stern glare. 

“Stop, I can see it in your eyes, this is not your burden to bear alone and I will not allow you to run yourself into the ground yet again,” Time said and Twilight could hear a thread of anger lacing his words. He looked away from his mentor, a flash of shame making his cheeks heat up.

“You can’t make me do anything,” Twilight said stubbornly as he squinted back at Time who offered his own stern stare back. 

“Pup, that’s enough. You’re hurting yourself. Think of Sky and Wild. You are no good to them if you can’t even think straight,” Time pressed and this time he rested a heavy hand against the blankets. Twilight felt his heart give a painful throb at his words. How could he rest knowing the others were in danger? What if Wild was being tortured? What if Sky was doing… He swallowed hard, he couldn’t think that way.  

“You are ill, if you won't do it for yourself, then think of the others. You need to get your rest so you can help.” Time said, his voice lowering to a whisper as he leaned his forehead against Twilight’s. Twilight felt his eyes close and he choked back a harsh frustrated sob. Why wouldn’t Time just listen to him? Why did he feel so damn weak? He was supposed to be a hero for Goddess’s sake but here he was laying down when others were in danger. 

They stayed like that for a while, Twilight forcing back frustrated tears that burned his throat, and Time just resting his forehead against his while occasionally running a hand through Twilight’s hair. Despite his frustration he found it soothing and before he knew it his body felt relaxed and his eyes were staying closed for longer periods of time. His thoughts became well and truly muddled and after a while he couldn’t piece together anything even resembling coherent. He wasn’t sure when Time had left his side, or when a cool cloth had been laid across his forehead, but he was too tired to care anymore. He let his eyes fall closed as he felt the room continue the sway around him, and he let the soft motion rock him to sleep.        

*******

Everything was a shade of gray, washed out and dull. Twilight sat on the same log as he did the night before and watched the puddle at his feet. Faint music cut in and out around him but his eyes never left the water. It was important that he watch, and wait. So wait he did. The wind tousled his hair and leaves landed in the water making the mirror smooth surface ripple. 

He leaned down and plucked the leaves from the pool, determined to keep the water clear. More leaves continued to fall and obscure the surface and he quickly became frantic as he tried to keep the leaves from blocking his view. He had to see, he had to wait. More leaves fell. 

He knelt next to the water, no longer a puddle but a lake covered with leaves. He scooped them out by the hand full heedless of the constant ripples that were quickly turning to waves. A brilliant flash of blue eyes appeared in the depths of the sea and he shot a hand down into the water, reaching, questing. His hands felt nothing but the soft shifting sand below and he burrowed his hands deep into the sediment. 

Soon he was up to his armpits into the water, face inches away from the  dark liquid. The blue eyes continued to stare at him. Wild’s face came into focus and Twilight watched as he mouthed words to him that he couldn’t understand. 

“Hold on, cub!” He cried out as he dug his hands deeper feeling his fingertips grow cold as they scraped their way deeper into the waterlogged soil. Water tickled at the tip of his nose, Wild’s eyes looked desperate. Just a little more, he had to dig a little deeper. 

“Who are you looking for?” A voice called out from behind him but he didn’t stop his single minded determination to pull Wild from the water. 

“He’s in the water! I just need to get to him!” Twilight said desperately, hands still fumbling in the cold sand. 

“Who is in the water?” The voice asked quietly and Twilight spared a glance from his task, seeing a dark silhouette standing on the far off shore. Waves lapped at their feet, a sparkle of green eyes broke the shades of gray. The green eyes met his own and he stopped his endless digging. 

“Wild, I can see his eyes, he’s in the water, we have to get him out!” He shouted to the figure. They tilted their head but said nothing more before they faded away into the misty gray. He turned his attention back to the water and saw blue. He kept digging. The water rose around him and soon his face was under the water, bubbles billowing out from his nose as he dug. 

Blue eyes with gold hair, just below him. His heart raced and he needed air. He went to kick off from the watery bed below but felt a hand grab at his wrist. He looked down but instead of blue he saw red. More bubbles exploded out from his mouth and he tried to wrench away. 

“You want to see them so badly, then why won’t you join them?” Dark’s voice rang out from below him and his heart raced in fear. He struggled as his arm was pulled into the sand. He threw a desperate hand towards the distant surface of the sea and longed for air. He sank further into the sand and he drew in a breath of water no longer able to hold his breath. 

Twilight’s eyes shot open as he coughed and gasped for air. His chest burned as he coughed harder and gagged feeling weighed down. He worked a hand free from the weight and clawed at his collar trying to get the pressure away from his throat. Hands grabbed at his own and he fought weakly against them. 

“Calm down, let me help,” Someone said quickly as nimble fingers undid the buttons around his collar. Twilight let himself fall back against the pillows at his back as he worked through his coughing fit. His head throbbed painfully and he weakly pulled against the fabric at his throat even as the pressure receded. He drew in deep greedy breaths and shut his eyes against the faint light. He was shaking but he wasn’t sure if that was due to his fit or the nightmare. 

“That’s right, just breathe,” 

Twilight nodded slightly and just focused on drawing in more air. It was hard, his lungs felt weighed down and sluggish. His throat felt hot and raw and he swallowed against the burn with a grimace. 

“Do you need some water? You were muttering about it for the past few hours,” 

Twilight cracked an eye open and looked at Hyrule hovering at the side of the couch. His green eyes shone with worry and he held a cup in his hands. Twilight felt his stomach churn at the mention of water and he shook his head. 

“Please? You need to drink something,” He pleaded and Twilight squinted his eyes shut and continued to shake his head. 

“No water, I don’t want it,” He rasped even as his throat burned with a vengeance. 

“Don’t be dafted, you’re getting dehydrated,” Hyrule said and he felt the cup being pressed to his lips. He turned his head to the side and flung out a hand knocking the cup away. He heard it clatter to the ground. There was a curse as someone stood quickly from the side of the couch followed by a larger splash of water. 

“Damn it! Really?” Twilight opened his eyes and looked over to Legend as he stood next to the couch a wet splotch on his pants and a sour look on his face. He held a steaming cup in his hands and a tipped over bucket was at his feet. The floorboards looked dark with the water that had been tipped onto the floor, the cup he had knocked away a few inches away. Hyrule stood in the water head down and fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.

“It’s alright, we can go get more when Time comes back.” He said calmly and Twilight felt a pang of guilt. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean… I can,” Twilight said as he struggled to sit up more. 

“No don’t get up, just…” Hyrule said as he made his way back over to Twilight, his boots leaving wet footprints on the dry sections of floor before he bent down and scooped up the discarded cup. 

“Hyrule is right, just lay down Twi, we’ll clean this up in a minute. But you need to drink something,” Legend said as he sat back down on the edge of the couch and held out the steaming cup to him. Twilight eyed it blearily, the pale green liquid steamed innocently below his nose. 

“What is it?” He asked after a beat, noticing the slight tremor in the vet’s hand. 

“It’s tea,” Legend said slowly, the cup still held out to him. Twilight leveled a glare at him.

“What kind of tea? Who made it?” He asked, still not making a move to take it from Legend’s hand. The vet pursed his lips but didn’t pull his offering away. 

“What is this? Twenty questions?” Legend deflected and Twilight said nothing as he continued to stare into Legend’s reddish brown eyes. Legend shuffled uncomfortably but still stubbornly held out the cup. 

“It’s an herbal tea with some honey to help with your throat,” He said quietly, ignoring the second question entirely. Legend’s eyes darted to Hyrule for a moment, nervousness evident in the glance. 

“Honey huh? Is that what you added to Wild’s tea?” Twilight asked casually and watched as Legend’s posture stiffened slightly and he visibly swallowed. 

“Please, not here Twi,” Legend whispered as he motioned for him to take the cup. Twilight shot his own look to Hyrule who looked confused as he looked between the two. He still didn’t take the cup from Legend’s hand. 

“What will it do?” He asked after another tense moment and Legend sighed and finally pulled the cup away. 

“It will help with your throat for one, and seeing as you were having some sort of nightmare it should also help keep the dreams away for a while, at least,” he said slowly as he tapped the side of the cup and stared into the swirling liquid. 

“I take it when I don’t want to dream and it helps,” Legend said quietly, like he was admitting a terrible secret. Twilight considered the cup thoughtfully. But the memory of that night so long ago (had it really been just a week?) still simmered away in his mind. 

“No sleeping potion?” He asked in the barest of whispers and this time he saw Legend flinch slightly. 

“No,” He muttered between his teeth “I didn’t think you needed it.” Twilight forced the small flame of anger down and hummed softly as he considered, Legend was clearly trying to help, and he clearly meant no harm. The promise of a dreamless sleep was tantalizing and his tired mind craved peace even as another part of him felt awful for even considering going back to sleep. His hand reached out and plucked the cup out of Legend’s hands before he realized what he was doing. 

“No dreams?” He asked as he lifted the cup to his nose and sniffed. It smelled pleasantly earthy and slightly sweet. His heart twisted at the thought, like he was somehow betraying Wild by even accepting the cup. 

“None,” Legend confirmed as he stood and grabbed the bucket off the ground, keeping his eyes averted from Twilight’s. He nodded and before he even realized he had done it, he drank the lukewarm tea down before he could talk himself out of the promise of peace the tea offered. He was weak. It warmed and soothed his aching throat and tingled as it hit his empty stomach.

When it was finally gone Twilight let himself fall back onto the pillows enjoying the feeling of warmth that creeped into his cold bones. He held the cup out and someone, Hyrule maybe, took it from him. He was tired and sore and all he wanted was to be left alone with his growing feeling of guilt. He turned over so his back faced the room and pulled the blankets around his chin. He could hear the faint sounds of shuffling and fabric shifting but didn’t make a move to look round.

“Time will be back soon and then we will go and fetch more water,” Hyrule said softly as his hands rubbed soothing circles onto his back for a moment. Twilight couldn’t bring himself to answer. His silence seemed to be enough and he heard the pair move away. He stared at the back of the couch as his eyelids slid closed and the room continued to tilt and shift around him. Somehow drinking the tea, choosing dreamless nothing, felt like he was turning his back on trying to find a way to get Sky and Wild back them. Hot tears worked themselves out of his eyes and with a watery sigh, he let himself fall into pleasant nothing.

***********

Hyrule stared at Legend’s back as he placed the empty bucket on the counter top and moved to grab some of the rags that they had found. He wasn’t sure what Twilight was talking about when he was asking about the tea Legend had made but it was clear that it meant something to him. The room felt stuffy and close, and tension made his heart flutter. 

Legend moved wordlessly to the puddle of water on the floor and began to mop it up, studiously ignoring Hyrule’s questioning glances. He chose to let the conversation die for now and looked back over to Twilight as he slept peacefully. He could tell by the rise and fall of the blankets that he was still shivering despite the closeness of the room. 

Legend stood as the last of the water was dried from the ground, and walked over to the dying fire to hang the rags up to dry before stoking the flagging flames. Hyrule really wished he wouldn’t, it was already too hot in the room. But he did nothing to stop Legend as he threw another log on the fire. The silence was quickly becoming uncomfortable and he could feel his fingers twitch in agitation. He let out a small cough, drawing Legend’s eyes to him. 

“Your pants are wet,” He commented lamely, not knowing what to say to try to dispel the tension. Legend glanced down at his pant leg where the cup of water had splashed him when Twilight knocked the cup out of his hand. Legend continued to stare at his soaked pant leg and shrugged. 

“It’s not too bad, I’m sorry I knocked over the bucket,” He said as he rubbed the back of his neck. He seemed to be struggling for just what to say as well.

“It’s okay, we just need to go get more water that’s all,” The pair stood in silence once more, both fidgeting and not knowing what to say next. Hyrule coughed again and shuffled his feet and Legend hummed tunelessly. The silence grew oppressive again. 

“How much did you hear?” Legend asked after an age of awkward shuffling. Hyrule wasn’t sure how to respond. He had heard just about all of it even though he had tried his best not to. 

“I heard enough of it to have questions,” He said quietly and Legend let out a loud groan and tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling. 

“Fucking brilliant,” He groaned and suddenly Hyrule couldn’t catch his gaze no matter how hard he tried. He had gathered that Legend had made tea for Wild at some point, and apparently had done something to it but he couldn’t recall when that would have been. There were gaps in his memory and he didn’t remember Legend ever giving Wild anything. He was about to start asking questions when Time quietly opened the front door and made his way inside. Legend seemed grateful for the distraction and quickly turned his attention to the older man. 

“How is he doing?” Time asked as he made his way over to the couch and sat down making sure not to disturb Twilight’s rest. 

“He’s still got a fever, but he woke up for a little bit,” Legend said as he too walked over to the couch and leaned against the wall. Hyrule marveled at how quickly he changed gears, smoothly hiding the tension from not moments before and shifting into an air of calm nonchalance. Time nodded and rested a hand on Twilight’s back a small worried smile on his face before looking at the damp floorboards with a raised eyebrow. 

“I knocked over the bucket by accident,” Legend said with a shrug, “Rule and I were waiting for you to get back so we could go fetch some more.” Time nodded tiredly but didn’t comment on it. 

“The others found a small village, they went to grab some supplies so they might be a little while,” he said as he gently smoothed Twilight’s hair. 

“Has he had anything to drink?” Time asked without looking up. At that Legend shuffled slightly and Hyrule quickly jumped in to answer. 

“Yes, it was a bit of a hassle but we got him to drink a little something,” He said as he shot a glance at Legend. He was looking at the floor, still refusing to meet his gaze. Time hummed in acknowledgement and pulled out an old, worn looking ocarina from his side pouch. It was rare to see him play anything. He only ever seemed to play when one of them was hurt or injured and even then it was usually the same song each time. Hyrule wasn’t sure what it was, but it was lovely and soothing and always made him feel better when he heard it. It proved just how worried he must be about Twilight if he was going to play the little instrument again after he had spent the entire morning playing.  

Twilight was rarely ill and even then he never complained, never took the time to rest only claiming that he had ‘things that needed doing’. Everyone would always make sure to take things easy for a couple days of course, and sometimes they would make him go to bed early but that was always a struggle. So Hyrule could understand Time’s worry seeing how frail and small Twilight looked under all the blankets. This was his way of soothing Twilight as well as himself. Doing something even though there wasn’t much he could actually do.   

“Will you be alright if we went to go get some water?” Hyrule asked, suddenly wanting nothing more than to be out of the house. He couldn’t bear to look at Twilight’s shivering form anymore. 

“Of course, just be careful. I didn’t see any monsters on the way back from the spring but that doesn’t mean much,” He said softly as he brought the ocarina to his lips and began to play softly. Hyrule nodded quickly and practically ran over to the bucket and scooped it up. Legend pulled himself away from the wall almost reluctantly and joined him as he hurried out the door and down the ladder. 

The fresh air filled his lungs and replaced the stifling heat that had been swirling in his lungs. Legend lagged behind and Hyrule had to force his steps to slow so he wouldn’t lose his mentor. They continued to walk in silence for a little. Legend a dark and glowering presence to his energetic nervous one.      

“Go on, ask your questions. I can tell you’re dying to know,” He said, breaking the silence with a defeated finality. Hyrule hugged the bucket closer to himself as he thought about which question he wanted to start with first. 

“When did you make tea for Wild? I can’t remember you ever giving him any recently,” Hyrule started after a moment of thought. 

“You wouldn’t remember, it was after the incident at the tower. You were out cold at the time,” Legend said mechanically, eyes firmly on the road ahead. Hyrule was about to ask another question but was cut off when Legend continued.

“Twilight and I had brought Wild back to the camp and... Goddess I didn’t want you to find out this way. In fact I was planning on not telling you or anyone about it at all,“ Legend said suddenly twitchy and now actively looking anywhere else but Hyrule. 

“Legend, what happened?” He asked quietly. Legend took in a shaky breath, stumbling slightly as they rounded the corner into the spring proper. They paused halfway to the water’s edge, Hyrule still held onto the bucket like a life line as he waited for Legend to continue. 

“Wild was dead set on getting out of there. He was convinced of another attack. He looked at us like we were about to kill him.” Legend forced out between his teeth and he didn’t like how his eyes seemed dull and lifeless. His hands clenched his tunic as he worked through his emotions. 

“I was terrified Rule, I had promised something I shouldn’t have. I told him that we would leave even though I knew we wouldn’t,” Hryule could see tears in the corners of his eyes but he felt suddenly mute. 

“I lied to him, Rule. I thought maybe when he was given some time to rest and know he was safe he would sleep and rest. Then I saw his eyes, I saw how he watched all of us and how he flinched when Sky, Sky of all people was sitting next to him and I just knew.” Legend was breathing heavily, tears beginning to streak down his face. Hyrule felt frozen unable to move and not knowing what to do. This had been clearly eating away at him for some time and the thought that he was planning on never telling another soul pained him. Hyrule wondered if keeping this to himself was his form of atonement. 

“So I made a choice,” He gasped.

“I did something that I knew would earn me his distrust, I mean how much worse could it be? Wild already seemed to distrust us as it was,” Legend said as he swallowed hard and forced himself to breathe.   

“Oh Legend, what did you do?” Hyrule asked so quietly he wasn’t even sure if he had spoken. Things were starting to click together and it made his heart hurt. 

“I made him some tea, the same kind I normally make for myself when I know I can’t sleep for fear of nightmares and dreams. Except I added an extra ingredient.” He whispered eyes staring at the sand below them. Hyrule felt his heart stutter. 

“I put just a splash of a sleeping potion in. Not a lot, just enough to tip him over into sleep. He was hurt and clearly exhausted so I knew it wouldn’t take much.”  He hiccupped and wiped at his eyes. 

“Legend,”

“I knew it was wrong, I knew but I did it anyway. I felt dead inside after he drank it and the look he gave me. Goddesses above the betrayal, Hyrule. I knew, I just knew. I convinced myself that it had to be done. Then Twilight, he found out and confirmed it and I don’t know how I had enough strength to help put Wild to bed after that.” Legend threw his head back suddenly and let out a pained yell into the air before he squatted down and buried his head into his hands. 

“Tell me I'm a terrible person Rule! I earned it! I am worse than scum just say it! I’m no hero, I’m a fucking coward! Just say it, please, just get it over with,” Legend begged, head still in his hands as he shuddered. 

Hyrule wasn’t sure when he had dropped the bucket. He didn’t know when he had wrapped up Legend in the tightest hug he could. Legend was shaking and Hyrule wasn’t sure if it was from crying or just the aftermath of telling him his secret. Hyrule shushed him and rubbed his back gently as the older hero quietly raged against him. 

It all made sense now, Legend’s guilty almost manic behavior, Wild’s angry glances that he gave Legend for days, Twilight’s questions and suspicious glares when he was offered the tea. Hyrule squeezed him tighter and Legend squirmed slightly like he was trying to push him away. 

“You’re not scum Legend. You made a mistake sure but it doesn’t make you scum, and it doesn’t make you a terrible person,” He felt Legend freeze in his arms. 

“How can you say that? Did you even listen to what I said?” He asked shakily and Hyrule closed his eyes as he buried his head in Legend’s shoulder. 

“I heard you, and I know how you feel. But I’m here to say that you are not a terrible person. You were scared, and worried and you didn’t see another way. I won’t hold that against you, it was just a mistake,” Hyrule said firmly. 

“I don’t think I even said sorry, only that I would make it up to him. Now he’s gone Rule, he’s gone and I did nothing. I couldn’t do anything except watch.” He said softly as his arms finally came around and returned the hug. Hyrule felt tears sting at his own eyes as he remembered the previous day. He took in a breath and steeled himself. 

“We will get them back,”

“I know,”

“Do you?” Hyrule asked and Legend paused before he answered. 

“I don’t know,” He said after a moment. “I don’t have a lot of hope...” Legend admitted quietly and that had a tear run down his cheek at the words Legend hadn’t said. He didn’t have hope that they would ever see Wild alive again. Hyrule swallowed hard against the sudden lump in his throat.      

“Well then I’ll just have to have hope for the both of us,” Hyrule said gently as he pulled away from the hug and looked into Legend’s red puffy eyes. Hyrule offered him a smile which to his surprise was returned, even if it was a bit wonky. 

“Thank you Rule, I don’t deserve you,” He said and Hyrule let out a small laugh. 

“You deserve love and understanding Legend, more than you let yourself have,” He said softly and Legend nodded slowly. He wasn’t sure if Legend was accepting that fact, or if he was just nodding to appease him but he let it go for now. 

“Now, I think it’s time we get that water and go back to the house,” He said as he stood and grabbed the bucket. Legend stood as well and followed him to the shallow water. As carefully as he could Hyrule dipped the bucket in, trying to keep the sand and sediment out of the bucket as he did so. 

“Wild!?!” Legend shouted suddenly causing Hyrule to finch and drop the bucket. His head snapped to Legend and followed his eye line to the small waterfalls at the other side of the spring. He felt his mouth drop open as he saw someone silhouetted against the water. Legend rushed into the spring Hyrule following hot on his heels. Water splashed out from their running feet as they moved through the water and over the slippery rocks. 

Getting closer he could see Wild looking back at them but something was off. It was like he was rippling, his form wavering in the water. When they got close enough they stopped and stared. Wild stared back at them, his mouth hanging open, eyes wide before he lifted his arms and waved at them. Hyrule’s mind couldn’t wrap itself around what he was seeing, it was Wild yes, but just a reflection like the water was some sort of odd window. Before they could ask a question or even get closer, they saw Wild look behind himself and disappear. 

“By the Goddess, did you just?” Hyrule started to ask.

“You saw him too right?” Legend asked at the same time and they both looked over at each other. A quiet communication passing between them as they confirmed that they both had seen the same thing. Without another word Legend turned on his heel and began to slosh back towards shore, stumbling slightly on the rocks as he went and Hyrule made to follow. 

“No! Stay here in case he comes back! I’ll get the others! Just stay here!” He yelled over his shoulder as he hit the shore and ran off towards the tree house. Hyrule watched him go, as he left him and the bucket behind.  

[ineloqueent]

Starstruck: Part 9

Brian May x Fem!Reader

This is Part 9 of a multi-part fic. Click the links below to read the Masterpost, the previous part, or the next part of the fic :)

Masterpost / Part 8 / Part 10

Summary: When studying at Imperial College in the 1970s, your path is crossed by a beautiful boy as much in love with the stars as you.  

Warnings: swearing

Historical Inaccuracies: 

Only Freddie and Brian went to see Zandra Rhodes on that first evening. Also, this event occurred in 1974 and not in 1975, as I’m writing it :)

Word Count: 4.2k

⁺˚*·༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺

“Zandra bloody Rhodes?!” Roger cried for the hundredth time. “And she took your call?”

“Pretty fucking fantastic, isn’t it?” said Freddie excitedly.

The meeting had lasted hours, from morning until lunch— in which Roger and John had gone to pick up Indian takeaway— and into late afternoon. Freddie had a multitude of different ideas, and the others had passionate opinions on these ideas, so the morning meeting had quickly turned into an all-day event. Reid had left early on, claiming he had another meeting, this time with Elton— Elton bloody John— but you suspected he was just tired of you and Freddie and Brian and Roger and Deacy yelling ideas back-and-forth at the speed of derby commentators.

Now evening was rapidly approaching, the last sunlight of the day slipping slowly from the sky. The five of you were walking down the road to the flat of the one and only Zandra Rhodes.

Zandra Rhodes. You could hardly believe it. Sure, Freddie was brilliant, and persuasive too, but you hadn’t imagined that even he would be able to win an audience with one of the world’s most promising designers.

Freddie led the parade with you and John at his side, and Roger and Brian followed behind. Freddie glanced back at you, flashing a giddy smile. Roger stuck him a cigarette and the two of them sparked up in the amber glow of the streetlights. Deacy made a face, and you and he fell back to walk apart from the two smokers.

Brian was deep in conversation with Rog and remained that way, talking animatedly about something, a song, maybe, that you only caught snatches of because of the way the wind blew.

Just then, Roger made Brian laugh. Not quietly or shyly, but properly laugh, where Brian threw his head back and his shoulders shook and his smile spread across his face, broad and beautiful. You’d made Brian laugh like that once— when you’d sat on the wall outside of the Union Pub, months ago. Months ago.

It felt an age ago, it felt like yesterday, and how those two ideas could coexist was beyond you, and yet, exist they did. Brian was familiar, like the stars that wheeled above, like the soft sheets of your bed against your skin, like the strings of your guitar that were and would always be in E-A-D-G-B-E form. He was reliable, he was always there. If six point six seven times ten to the negative eleventh was the gravitational constant, then Brian was yours.

John’s voice startled you from your thoughts. “I see the way you look at him.”

You felt yourself flush, heat rushing through you in the same way that happened when you missed a step on the stairs and only just managed to catch yourself in time.

“I’m sorry?”

“Oh, don’t play silly with me, Y/N,” Deacy looped his arm through yours. “You know perfectly well what I’m talking about. You’re always looking at him when he’s not looking at you, and you look quite besotted.”

You opened your mouth to speak, then realised you had nothing to say. You watched your shoes hit the pavement instead. “It’s nothing,” you said finally, lowering your voice. “I’m just a little...” you bit your lip, searching for a word. You gave up. “I mean, look at him,” you gestured vaguely in Brian’s direction. His elegant silhouette seemed to shimmer in the darkness, as though he were made of dark matter, effervescently gorgeous in the shroud of mystery.

Deacy raised his eyebrows. “I do, quite often, and most of the time, it’s to snap at him for being too obstinate with his guitar solos. I don’t,” he pointed to you, “look like that.”

“It’s nothing,” you repeated, shaking your head. “And even if it was something, it would be one-sided, anyway.”

John scoffed. “Ridiculous, Y/N, you’re being ridiculous. You’re all moony, and he goes all starry-eyed—”

The need to justify yourself was suddenly overwhelming. “Okay, so maybe I’m a little starstruck, but that’s all it is!” Your tone had gone shrill, and the heads of the others in front of you turned, wide-eyes and questioning expressions abundant.

“Deacy darling, what did you say to her?” Freddie piped.

“Not a thing,” Deacy raised his hands in surrender and Roger laughed.

Brian slowed until you and John caught up with him. He smiled at you, and you melted a little. “Deacy’s talking your head off, is he?”

John rolled his eyes. “You’re one to talk, Mister Back-Chat.”

“Oh, leave us, John,” said Brian, and Deacy winked at you, jogging a bit to catch up with the others.

“Put those out, I’m here now,” you heard him say, and Freddie and Roger dutifully crushed their cigarettes.

“Oi!” said Brian. “In the rubbish bin, not on the ground!”

Freddie and Roger exchanged a look of ugh, mum, then once again proceeded to do as they were told.

Brian shook his head at them while you laughed.

“So, that rascal John Deacon bothering you?” he asked.

“I heard that!”

“Oh, he could never,” you said fondly.

“Does his hair make him more likable?”

You blinked, surprised that Brian remembered your conversations as well as you did. “No,” you said. “That’s your privilege and yours alone.”

Brian looked positively chuffed, and squaring his shoulders, he tugged the lapels of his jacket and pretended to fix a tie he wasn’t wearing.

“You’re secretly just as obsessed with your hair as everyone else, aren’t you?”

“No…”

“Yes,” you pushed him, “you are.”

“Okay,” he pushed back, “perhaps just a bit. But I used to hate it, you know.”

This surprised you. “Really?”

He nodded, tugging absently on a curl. “Brushed it out. Every day.”

“I’ll need to see those photographs,” you told him, admiring the way a ringlet framed his face in the dim light of the street.

“Ha!” said Brian. “Not if I have my way.”

“No?”

“They’re hideous,” he declared. “Can’t possibly let you see me like that. You’d never want to look at me again.”

Then, as though he really were afraid of you never looking at him again, his eyes fixed firmly upon yours, his gaze almost plaintive. The flecks of green amongst the hazel of his irises glittered, trimmed by dark, pretty lashes. The amount of sway he held with a single gaze would have been enough to disintegrate anyone.

“I think you underestimate the power of your presently curly hair,” you murmured, unable to look away from him.

Brian laughed.

Properly.

⁺˚*·༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺

Freddie rang the haphazardly hung doorbell to Zandra Rhodes’ small attic studio, and the sound of high heels against wood reached you through the door.

You and the others exchanged glances of anticipation. Freddie looked about ready to burst with excitement. You couldn’t blame him.

The door swung open.

A broad-shouldered yet petite woman, perhaps about five years older than you, held open the door. Her denim trousers were decorated in gems and assorted swatches of fabric, and her top was flowing, stitched of a fabric that looked to be African influenced. Wooden beads hung around her neck, and her boots were a white leather. Her bright eyes twinkled.

“Hallo! Come in. You must be Freddie Mercury,” Zandra ushered you all inside, then shook Freddie’s hand.

“Oh, I’m delighted to finally meet you, darling,” Freddie beamed.

“Likewise! I’ve been listening to your records everyday,” said Zandra. “You really ought to make another one. Roger Taylor?”

“I am,” Roger shook her hand with a grin.

“And you must be Brian, the studious one,” Zandra quirked an eyebrow at Brian.

“Sometimes,” he said with a friendly smile, and she laughed.

“That leaves John Deacon— or is it Deacy?”

Deacy shrugged. “Either one works, hello.”

Zandra nodded, “Noted.” Then she saw you. “And who might you be, my dear?”

“Oh, sorry, I’m Y/N,” you said, shaking her hand.

“Ah,” she smiled, “you must be… Brian’s wife?”

Freddie sputtered, then elbowed Roger who was looking like he wanted to laugh.

Brian’s cheeks had turned the same colour as Betelguse, the red star of Orion. You imagined your pallor was something similar.

“I’m sorry,” Zandra apologised, “Freddie mentioned someone in the group was married, and I just assumed, since—” she gestured at how you and Brian had come to stand side by side.

“No harm done,” John swooped in to save the day. “I’m the only one who’s married, but my lovely wife is at work, currently.”

“Y/N’s a friend,” Brian added. “Practically family, she’s been with us so long.” He had regained his composure and now had the gall to wink at you, so that your own composure crumbled further.

You managed a tight smile at Zandra, who above all seemed amused by the whole thing.

“Well, thanks for tagging along, Y/N. I could always use another set of eyes and another pair of hands to help me do fittings. Come on through,” she waved you all down a hallway.

Sorry, Freddie mouthed to you as you followed Zandra.

It’s okay, you mouthed back.

“Secret language?” said Brian from behind you, and his soft exhale tickled your ear.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” you replied over your shoulder, and Brian chuckled.

Zandra led you into a wide room crammed to the rafters with racks of clothing in all the colours of the rainbow, and all the glamour of Marc Bolan. Although, you supposed the glamour was Zandra’s own; she had only designed for Bolan just last year.

“Voilà, mes amis.” She swept her arms around the studio, and Freddie let out a little gasp.

“It’s stunning,” said Roger, and the others murmured in agreement.

“Thank you,” the designer said humbly. “I like to think I work hard.”

“So, now what?” asked Freddie, and Zandra shrugged.

“Go wild. Pick some things off the rails so I can get an idea of your concept.”

“Oh, be careful saying things like that,” Brian intoned. “Freddie’s like a child at a sweet shop.”

Sure enough, Freddie was already rifling through clothing pieces like he was on the clock.

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t destroy anything, by accident,” said John, and followed after him.

“I could never!” Freddie cried.

“By accident,” Deacy reiterated.

Roger ambled off to the other side of the studio, and Brian turned to you.

“Where to start, then?” you asked him.

He pulled a feathery hat down from a stand and plonked it on your head.

“Right here,” he decided. You dipped the brim of the hat and lifted your chin, posing. “Gorgeous,” said Brian, “but I think it needs something more…”

“What about this?” Zandra appeared with a swath of sparkly fabric, which she handed to Brian.

“Oh I shouldn’t— we’re not here for me,” you said. But Zandra shook her head.

“No one comes to my studio without the opportunity to feel fabulous.” She grinned, then swept away in a jangle of beads and gemstones.

“I think she’s right,” Brian said, and he draped Zandra’s fabric about your shoulders, arranging it with careful fingers. He adjusted your hat so that it sat at more of an angle. “Magnificent. I must be a genius,” he sniffed in a haughty manner, and you laughed.

“Your turn, then,” you declared, ushering him down a row of racks. “Here’s the starting piece,” you reached up and threw a silky, checkered scarf around his neck.

“Hmm…” you squinted up at him. He narrowed his eyes in response. From another rack you drew a fashion piece that was something between a kaftan and a kimono, printed with little birds. Brian bent his knees slightly so that you could wrap the material around his shoulders. He placed his hands on his hips and pouted.

He looked absolutely divine. His angles were accentuated by the way the fabrics hung from his frame, and his volume of hair and the heartbreakingly gentle line of his lips rendered about him a feminine sort of beauty that looked better on him than it ever would have on you.

All that was missing from the picture of glamour was the makeup.

“I think we need Freddie to do your eyeliner,” you said, leaning against the wall.

“Oh, love,” he said, and your stomach flipped. Leaning against the wall too, folding his arms and peering down at you, “you think Fred does my makeup? I’m glam too, you know.”

He was so close to you that his curls nearly hung over your face as well as his. It was difficult to breathe when he was this close, as close as when he’d helped you to play guitar the first time. You yearned for him to touch you, or for you to muster the courage to reach out and touch him. Still, no one moved. But his proximity was startling, and the thrill of it rushed down your spine like shooting stars.

“Well, Spaceman,” you said softly, “be glamorous. It suits you.”

Your eyes flicked up to his, and you could have sworn that his fell to your lips.

Then he looked away, and your shoulders sank.

But who were you kidding, anyway? You didn’t want this. You didn’t want him. You’d meant what you’d said to Deacy, because just like your thoughts of worthlessness, this too was all in your head; anything that truly existed was one-sided, a lonely phone call with no reply. Better to bury whatever fluttery notions that surfaced in you at the thought of Brian. He hadn’t wanted to give you the wrong idea. He didn’t want you.

“We should… We should see what the others have found,” you murmured half-heartedly, deliberately not looking at him.

“Oh. Yes… Good idea.” He cleared his throat quietly, a finger brushing the side of his nose. It was a nervous tic he had— you’d noticed him do it before, when he was uncomfortable. Around you, he did it often. You made him uncomfortable. Yet another reason to get as far away from Brian May as possible.

Brian retraced his footsteps, putting the checkered scarf and the kaftan-kimono back into their rightful places. You took off your flamboyant hat and replaced it from where it had been taken earlier, but you remained cloaked in the dark sparkly fabric, because you had no idea where Zandra had picked it up from.

“There you are, darlings!” Freddie said upon spotting you and Bri. “Come see— I’ve fallen in love.”

Deacy and Roger and Zandra joined you as well, and you found Freddie holding up a lovely white top with flowing sleeves.

“Fred, that’s a wedding top,” said Roger.

“And what is a performance if not the marriage of music and fashion?” Freddie proclaimed.

Zandra bore the expression of a proud mother. “He understands,” she said. Then she urged, “Try it on.”

Freddie was in and out of the changing room in moments, which was really quite a feat, given the structure of the white top.

“Oh, I see what you mean, now,” said Roger, a faint smile appearing on his lips at the sight of Freddie, who looked like an avenging angel, with his dark eyes and hair a brilliant contrast to the paleness of the top he wore.

John looked impressed too. “Stunning, Fred.”

“Very regal,” agreed Brian.

“Very Queen,” you said as Freddie spun in view of the mirror.

“Enough room to move about in, onstage?” Zandra asked.

Freddie nodded. He stopped spinning, facing her. “Darling, I feel I could fly.”

Zandra had genuinely gone teary-eyed. “Oh, that’s all I’ve ever wanted for people to feel.” Then she sighed, composing herself. She clapped her hands, “Time to get you fitted!”

“Excellent, Zandra dear,” said Freddie with a contented air. “Have you got anything similar that the others could try on, to be fitted as well?”

Zandra shook her head. “Sorry, that’s a one-of-a-kind. I’m going to have to fit you all to the same top, then have you tell me your design preferences and replicate the model.”

Deacy exhaled, “Sounds like a lot of work.”

“It will be. So how many am I fitting?”

Roger squinted at the white top Freddie modelled. “Mm. I might have a bit of a hard time drumming in that. Think I’ll keep browsing.” He disappeared between the racks again.

“Yeah, might get a bit on the sweaty side,” Zandra mused. She turned to John. “Deacy?”

“I’ve actually got my eye on another one of your other pieces.”

“Ah, lovely! Well, point me to that one, and I’ll sort that for you as well, while we’re here.”

Deacy went to retrieve his garment of choice.

“Brian, darling?” said Freddie in dulcet tones.

You watched the exchange from a distance, perched on a chair that was more for decorative than for accommodating purposes but lifted the weight from your weary feet nonetheless.

“You’d look like that lovely White Queen you’re always waxing lyrical about…”

Something shifted in Brian’s features at the mention of this White Queen, but you couldn’t distinguish a single emotion from the plethora of those that flashed across his face.

“How did thee fare, what have thee seen, the mother of the willow green; I call her name,” Freddie recited with a flourish of his hands. When Brian said nothing, only let his jaw tighten, Freddie went on. “And ‘neath her window I have stayed—”

“Alright, yes, I’ll do it,” Brian muttered through clenched teeth.

“Oh brilliant!” Freddie clapped.

You leaned your chin on your palm, wondering at the scene before you. When Brian’s stare caught on you, his eyes were so intense that you blushed and looked away. You felt like you’d been going through his diary and he’d caught you reading.

“Right,” Zandra dragged a crate towards where you were sitting, just as Deacy reappeared with a shiny black top, and Roger with a kimono. “I’m going to need some help, I think.” She tossed you a roll of measuring tape, which you caught deftly, despite your tiredness. “Will you take some measurements, please?”

“Yeah, no problem,” you nodded. She gave you some quick instructions as to which measurements she needed, then settled a pair of thick, round framed glasses on her nose, and went to work on scavenging fabric and threads.

You took Freddie’s measurements and then John’s, proving that both tops needed quite the alterations; they had been designed for women and thus did not fit the boys quite right.

Roger’s kimono, on the other hand, fit perfectly, and so he went on to peruse Zandra’s vast collection of fancy hats.

Freddie handed the white top over to Brian before joining Roger in the scavenger hunt for hats, and Bri went to change.

When Brian returned, you couldn’t help but stare.

Softness made his being— rounded lips, delicate curls, sleepy eyes— and he seemed wrong for this world; he belonged to the stars.

You stood motionless, the world spinning gently out of time.

And dry my lips no word would make. White Queen indeed.

“Are you alright?” he asked, and his voice too was soft.

You nodded but said nothing. Tearing your gaze away, you strode toward him and wound the measuring band behind him, around his back, drawing the ends to meet at his front. You felt his chest contract as your fingers skimmed his collarbone. But you wouldn’t let yourself think about how he breathed, how his head dipped toward yours.

“There, done,” you said, short of breath and scribbling down the measurements without much thought at all. Then you slipped away quickly, weaving through racks of clothing before Brian’s gentle touch could unravel you.

In your mad rush to get away from him, you ran straight into John.

“Deacy!” you cried when you collided. “Sorry!”

Deacy took one look at you and frowned. “Y/N. Stop running.”

“I’m not running,” you said.

“Only because I literally stopped you,” he sighed. “Stop running from Brian.”

“I’m not—”

“Yes, you are.” John sighed again, resting a hand on your shoulder. “Y/N, he spent the entire morning with his arms wrapped around you.”

It was true. Brian had made no move to get you away from where you’d perched on his knee that morning. If anything, he’d settled farther back into the plush of the settee to make you more comfortable, arms encircling your waist lightly, as though he feared both shattering you and not holding you tightly enough.

“Look,” Deacy had both hands on your shoulders now, compelling you to meet his eyes. You did, though with heavy reluctance. “Brian… he may have his cheeky side, but he’s not a flirt like Rog. You can’t pretend that doesn’t mean anything.”

From the way your heart thrummed, anyone would have said you’d run a marathon. But the only thing that ran was thoughts of Brian, through your head.

You were breathless, “But don’t you see that I have to?”

Someone like you and someone like him. There was only an abundance of ways in which such an affair could fail.

“No,” said John firmly, but he didn’t get a chance to develop the argument further.

“There you are!” Roger exclaimed, sounding rather exasperated. “This place is a maze. Freddie says it’s time we’re off.”

Deacy frowned, still in his thoughts, but Roger roped an arm around you both in a Freddie-esque manner.

“We must be nearing Brian’s bedtime,” Roger said. “He’s awfully grumpy. Again.”

“That’s not—” Deacy began, but you glared daggers, and he backed down.

The three of you reached the door of the studio, where Freddie, Brian, and Zandra stood waiting, the former two back in their usual garb, and Zandra without spectacles once more.

You handed Zandra your list of measurements, and that was that.

The past few hours felt like they’d passed in a dream.

“So,” said Freddie when you’d bid Zandra goodnight and started down the road again, “we’ve got the costumes, the finances, and the music, more or less, sorted.”

Deacy smiled bemusedly, and Roger stifled a yawn as he nodded. Brian had sunken into silence, and there he remained, distant and inaccessible.

Freddie continued, “But what about a place to write it all? This new album? We need to get away from all of this city buzz. It’s distracting.”

“The city itself, or the people in it, Fred?” Roger chuckled.

“Aha-ha. Very funny,” Freddie elbowed Roger in the ribs. “Quite seriously though darlings, that empty lecture hall just isn’t doing it for me.”

“Don’t think it does it for anyone, excepting our two resident scientists,” Deacy joked.

You rolled your eyes good humouredly, but Brian gave no indication of having heard John’s quip.

“Any real ideas?” said Freddie.

No’s were mumbled and heads were shaken. But for you, a thought blossomed.

“Yes.”

They all— even Brian— looked to you expectantly.

“Well?” Freddie prompted.

You wrung your hands, swung them by your sides. “Well, it might be a little silly.”

Freddie shrugged. “We’ve got nothing, Y/N dear, so have a go.”

“My family owns a farm…”

“Go on.”

“My dad has a recording studio.”

It wasn’t anything fancy, but he did, and the studio was fully functioning in every sense.

“Does he really?!” Freddie exclaimed with childlike fascination.

“That’s pretty fantastic, Y/N,” Roger commented, genuinely interested and for once devoid of sarcasm. “Do you think he’d let us use it?”

Deacy wondered aloud, “Do you think we could stay at your farm?”

“At a reasonable price, of course,” added Freddie.

“Your family has a studio,” Brian repeated, as though he were only just catching on.

“Yeah! Yeah, I’m sure you could use it, and stay,” you blurted.

What the hell, stop talking! your internal monologue reprimanded you.

Freddie’s face was lit up like a ferris wheel, and Roger and Deacy exchanged a glance of excitement.

You grinned back, their happiness contagious, until your eyes caught on Bri’s and your heart skipped a beat.

“When can we go?” Freddie inquired, looping one arm through yours and another through Deacy’s, who in turn linked arms with Roger, who pulled Brian into the chain.

“The summer holidays,” you said, as it was the first thing that came to mind. Apparently, the link between your brain and your mouth had been severed. “When I go home to visit anyway, and I can take some time off from studying.”

“Oh this is brilliant!” cried Freddie, pressing a delighted kiss to your cheek. “We’re going to have so much fun.”

But you couldn’t stop looking at Brian, and now you were inwardly kicking yourself; only a day ago, you had resolved to get as far away from Brian as possible, not spend an entire summer with him!

But from the way Roger cheered and Deacy literally waltzed down the deserted street with Freddie as partner, there was no backing out of this now. You would only let them down, and that was one thing you could not bear to do, no matter how selfishly your thoughts might have been inclined.

You would just have to face the dire consequences of your actions.

Even if those consequences involved Brian May. 

And his damning smile.

⁺˚*·༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺

A/N: the ridge farm era is coming up!! fun fact— this whole fic was inspired by a dream i had about living on ridge farm when queen turned up. the prologue to starstruck is actually a transcript of my dream. wild.

taglist: @melting-obelisks​ @hgmercury39​ @stardust-killer-queen​ @topsecretdeacon 

Masterpost / Part 8 / Part 10

[valkyrieofthehighfae]

Pairing: Wolffe x Danica Word Count: 2.5k Warnings: Mentions of hunting, but that aside, it’s pure fluff and humor Inspired partly by the magical David Bowie and Labyrinth with this lovely song Dani’s outfit and mask, Wolffe’s outfit (which is an amalgamation of two different suits; the vest from the first one, and the rest of it from the second) and his mask Tagging: @roseofalderaan​, @catsnkooks​, @clonewarslover55​, @captainrexstan​, @likeshootingstarsinthenightsky​, @miss-spixx​ and @colorfulloverbatturkey​

Winter had hit hard this year, frost coating the beautifully detailed windows of the palace in patterns of various flowers and swirls that had been etched into the glass. I was glad to be home for Yule, though, and wouldn’t trade this for the world.

“Here you go my love, some hot chocolate.” I smiled softly as I moved away from the window in the kitchen, a large mug in hand as I passed it over to Wolffe along with a freshly made croissant, the flaky crust sticking to my fingers as I let go of it.

“Thank you, cyare. Smells delicious.” He wore a gentle smile as I picked up my mug and we walked out into the grand hallway to make our way back to our room. Freyja and Tyr, our hunting hounds, were waiting patiently for us at the bottom of the stairs, their gems gleaming in the low lighting in the open foyer as they got to their feet and padded quietly up ahead of us.

“We need to take them out tomorrow for a run. I think they’ve been getting antsy thanks to us not going out much due to the snow.” I chuckled, taking a sip of hot chocolate and smiling into my mug when Tyr gave one sharp bark at Wolffe, wagging his tail excitedly.

“I’ll take them both with me when I go hunting with your father.” Wolffe replied and I choked on my drink, coughing hard while pounding my fist against my chest.

“You’re going hunting with my father tomorrow? Oh dear gods, did he rope you into hunting for the white stag?” I spluttered, rolling my eyes upon realizing what the hunt was for.

“Yes…?” Wolffe ventured after a moment of staring at me like I’d grown a second head. “Should I not go?” The confusion quickly became concern as I burst out laughing while pushing our door open.

“No, no, you should go, it would be an insult not to. I’m just disappointed that I’m going to miss this.” I set my things down on the desk and wrapped my arms around his waist, grinning up at the handsome man I’d fallen so in love with. “He’s been trying to catch that stag for years now and it always outsmarts him. Hope you’re a good shot with a bow darling, no blasters are allowed on the hunt.”

“A what?” Wolffe’s brow was furrowed and I burst out laughing all over again, having a hard time containing myself. Oh tomorrow was certainly going to be interesting. I would have to find a way to weasel out of helping decorate the ballroom for the masquerade so I could see this in all go down in person.

“Oh my love, you are certainly in for it tomorrow. Come on, we’re going to get you acquainted with my personal favorite weapon. Get dressed in something warm, darling heart.” I slipped away from his warmth, delving into the oversized walk in closet to put on a thick pair of pants and other winter clothes that would be suitable for the frozen world that waited for us just outside.

“Seems kind of archaic to use something like this to hunt with.” Wolffe muttered as I handed him a bow, studying the beautifully crafted weapon closely with a scowl on his face.

“Get used to it love, you’ll be becoming well acquainted with it by the end of tomorrow’s hunt.” I chuckled, grabbing my bow and two quivers of arrows before whistling for our hounds to come with us out to the archery range. “We choose to go old school with our weapons during this time. It’s our way of honoring our ancestors and the gods. You’re a quick study, I’m sure you’ll pick up on it faster than you think.”

~*~*~

I watched in shock and awe as father, Wolffe, and some of the other men came riding up to the palace from the woods, the white stag apprehended along with a few giant boars that were trussed and laid across the back of a couple of the ronki. Wolffe was holding onto the stag’s halter, smirking just slightly when he caught sight of me staring at him from the ballroom window.

“I’ll be damned, he actually caught the fucking thing.” I whispered while my mother came up to see what was going on.

“Is that…? No! They actually got it?” Mother gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

“I told you Wolffe was something special. I believe you owe me fifty gold.” I grinned and dropped my decorations before gathering my skirts and hurrying out to meet up with the others, stopping just shy of the stag. Up close he was magnificent to behold, his white fur gleaming with flecks of gold in the slowly setting sun, honeyed eyes blinking calmly as I slowly reached up to stroke his face softly, grinning like a fool the entire time.

“I never thought I’d see this happen. You finally caught him.” Mother had come out as well, laughing as she went to my father’s side, embracing him tightly.

“Not me, mirr qiaal, but Commander Wolffe. He’s the mind behind the trap that caught the beast. He’s also the reason we’ve got three giant boar for tonight’s feast.” Father was practically beaming as he bragged about Wolffe’s hunting prowess, making the soldier clear his throat and rub the back of his neck sheepishly.

“Come on, let’s get our new friend here to the stable for some food and rest before we release him back into the woods later,” I took the lead from Wolffe, clicking my tongue to get the stag to follow after me. “So how was it? Father didn’t bore you too badly, did he?” I glanced over towards Wolffe, eyebrows raised slightly when he shook his head.

“Not at all, cyar’ika. It was an interesting experience, not to mention it’s given me some ideas on training the rest of the pack in some different tactics in fighting the tin cans. Tyr here was quite the helper, weren’t you?” Wolffe smiled down at the Fae hunting hound who chuffed at him, pleased to get praised for doing a good job. “Freyja too, of course.” He added in when my hound yapped at him.

“Of course she did. My baby is a good hunter, aren’t you?” I cooed, kneeling down to scratch the white and purple hound behind her floppy ears, grinning when she leaned into me. “We need to go get ready for the masquerade. Father did give you a heads up that he and mother plan on announcing our engagement tonight, right?” I bit my lip anxiously as I got to my feet, Wolffe immediately wrapping his arms around me in a warm hug that had me feeling far more relaxed than I’d felt all day.

“Yeah, we discussed it. The pack and General Koon are coming in for the party, too. So be prepared for things to get loud.”

“Ah, yes, of course. I’m looking forward to it though, you know that I love them as much as I love you.” I leaned into him, arm wrapped around his waist tightly. It was true too; I’d quickly formed a tight bond with his brothers. Shedding blood with them, protecting them, going to bat for them when the time called for it really did strengthen the bond I had formed with them. It brought us together, made us like a tight knit family unit that I was honored to be part of. “Alright my love, I’ll see you at the masquerade. I’m off to go get ready.” I stood on tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek before bounding off, Freyja hot on my heels as we headed up to meet with my attendants and mother to get ready

~*~*~

I held tight to the railing of the crystalline staircase, my beautiful mask slightly obscuring my line of sight. I had decided on a beautiful white deer mask, with delicate silver patterns emblazoned into the white leather, though I was beginning to wonder if this was the right choice considering I either had to look down to walk or just hope for the best that I wouldn’t slip in my heels and fall on my ass. It was a beautiful mask though and it went nicely with Wolffe’s choice in mask, so I figured I could suck it up just for tonight and pretend that I was actually graceful and not an absolute walking disaster that tripped over air.

Wolffe was waiting at the foot of the stairs with my father, his eyes going wide behind his intricately carved wolf mask as I carefully made my way towards him, my grin hidden behind my mask at his reaction.

“You look beautiful, cyar’ika.” He murmured while reaching for my hand, lifting it to his lips to press a gentle kiss on my knuckles.

“Thank you, mirr haesd. You look rather dashing yourself. We should put you in a suit more often.” I teased him while looking him over. He really did look so good in the suit one of the advisors picked out for him. It was a simple white shirt with a nice, navy blue color with this gold filigree pattern that really brought out the golden undertones in those beautiful honey brown eyes of his. The black pants were tight, but not restrictive and made his ass look damn good, though I wasn’t going to point that out right here in front of my parents.

“You two look lovely together. Now remember, upon announcing your engagement, you two will be leading the first dance. Are you both ready for that? You have your song chosen, yes?” Mother was already back into proper Queen mode, her voice brisk and firm as she glanced our way.

“Yes mother, we’re prepared. It’s not as if we’ve spent the whole week preparing or anything.” I tried not to roll my eyes, but it was a challenge really. We’d spent all week rehearsing our entrance as well as the waltz we’d chosen to go with our song, it wasn’t like we’d slacked off or anything, though I understood why she was concerned. The other Courts would be here as well for the announcement and it was a big deal since Wolffe and I would eventually take our place as future King and Queen when she and father passed on into ususri'as lriiv at some point.

“Mmm good luck with this one, Wolffe.” Mother sighed dramatically, a playful smile on her face despite her words.

“Are you ready? We’re going to be flooded with congratulations all evening and it can be a little overwhelming. If you need to step away for a few to try and catch your breath, let me know, okay daesard ula?” I murmured softly, squeezing his hand gently in mine. He nodded in response, taking my arm in his, mirroring the way my parents were positioned as the doors opened and took the lead in walking us into the ballroom where a much larger crowd than I’d originally planned on greeted us with cheers and smiles.

“Presenting: King Hakon and Queen Anja, the royal majesties of the Court of Stars,” One of the attendings called as mother and father stepped out ahead of us, waving to the people and stepping aside for Wolffe and I. “And with them are the crown princess and commander of the Court of Stars army, Princess Danica and her fiancé, the esteemed Commander Wolffe of the Grand Army of the Republic, leader of the famed Wolfpack, honorary knight of the Court of Stars for his bravery at the battle of Elvegarden.”

Wolffe and I smiled, lifting our free hands in greeting, and I had to bite back a laugh as the Wolfpack howled and cheered the loudest of everyone attending, much to the chagrin of my parents who glanced our way with raised brows. We could only shrug in response, unsure of what exactly they wanted us to say other than his brothers were clearly very supportive of us.

“Queen Anja and I are pleased to present the future of our Court to you! Wolffe and Danica will make a fine King and Queen, ruling with fairness and wiseness that will serve them well in the years to come. Tonight we not only celebrate the gods, we celebrate the love of these two souls bonded together! Skal!” Father had taken up a drinking horn that one of the many servants were passing around, raising it in a toast in our honor. My cheeks were beginning to ache from the smile that lit my face up and I raised the mask up enough to take a drink from the drinking horn I’d been presented, handing it off upon finishing the bubbly champagne that left my head swimming with just how strong it was. I held onto Wolffe tightly as we descended the elaborate crystalline staircase to the ballroom floor, leaning into him as we began the first dance of the evening together.

“Well, how does it feel knowing you’re going to be a future King?” I laughed softly as we went through the motions of the waltz we’d chosen. A rotary waltz was simple yet elegant to watch and it worked beautifully with our chosen song, plus it was quick to learn considering we’d only had the week. Everything seemed to fade into the background as we danced, Wolffe’s hands warm against my skin, a soft smile that was reserved for moments like this lighting his face up with a gentleness that sent my heart into a flutter of quickened beats that matched to the tempo of the music. Other couples whirled around us, but my eyes were only gazing up at the one person who mattered more to me than anyone, a lovesickness striking me in my weakest spot.

“It’s strange, but with you by my side, I know we can handle it. We make quite the team.” He murmured, his hand squeezing my waist gently as he turned us about.

“I'll leave my love between the stars. As the pain sweeps through, makes no sense for you. Every thrill is gone. Wasn't too much fun at all, but I'll be there for you-ou-ou as the world falls down. As the world falls down.” A Fae singer croons away into a microphone as we dance across a floor of starlight, lost in each other’s eyes, ignoring everyone around us. Right now, it was only us as far as I was concerned.

“No matter what happens, I will always be here by your side, mirr ruya. Ir en irruisr eln irrui esa naila.” It was a vow that I planned on never breaking. The song came to an end and Wolffe swept me up into his arms, lifting the masks away from our faces, and kissed me hard, his hands pressing flat against the bare skin on my back. Whistles and cheers echoed around us as I wrapped my arms around his neck, smiling into the kiss that left me feeling lighter than air. *** cyare: beloved cyar’ika: darling, sweetheart mirr qiaal: My queen mirr haesd: my heart daesard ula: dearest one mirr ruya: my love Ir en irruisr eln irrui esa naila:  I am yours and you are mine

[ohallthecrushes]

I got you stuck in my head, isn’t it funny? Part 4 // Joker x Reader

A/N: This is more like 1/2 of part 4. There’s a nasty cliffhanger that you’d probably hate me for ^^, but I was so excited to present you this that I couldn’t wait. So here’s the first half of part 4. Hope you’d like it. :)

Contains: swearing, awkward silence, sexual tension (story of my life, lol)

Word count: 1416

Tick

Tock

Tick

Tock

The old clock on the wall was slowly ticking away seconds of the silence that filled the space between you and Joker, despite the music that was playing in the background. The way you look tonight by Frank Sinatra.

You were repeatable moving your hand up and down above your plate, stuffing the food into your mouth and chewing it quietly as you were trying to enjoy the risotto that he’d made for you. Yea, the chicken was burnt a little, but the rest of it was eatable and even tasty. You only wished, that you weren’t so diligently observed by the clown while you were eating.

Who wasn’t eating himself, by the way. The food was on his plate too, but for some strange reason he rather watched you eating instead. And to make it even weirder you could feel as he watched every single move that you were doing, with your hands, with your body, with your mouth, even with your eyes as if he was making notes about you or memorizing you.

You decided not to look at him, just pretending you had a dinner with yourself, totally not blushing, not at all. But his eyes were almost burning your skin to your bones, like small lasers burning up the way all over your body, wherever they landed.

And sometimes they landed on your breast, the part that the cleavage of the black dress exposed. It reminded you that you didn’t have a bra. Nor an underwear.

You crossed your legs, you couldn’t stand it anymore. You glanced up at him and he instantly looked down at his hands murmuring an apology.

It went like that for some time, he didn’t start a conversation and neither did you, for you didn’t even know what you could say. It was a date to him obviously, but to you it was more of a dinner with a strange clown in his apartment. Something fucked up and if you let yourself think about it, fucking hilarious as well.

You grabbed the glass of wine he’d poured for you both and took two, three, four sips. He watched you drinking too, but that didn’t make you feel uncomfortable. You had no problem with drinking alcohol in front of someone.

Though you had a little problem with the spoon he’d given you to eat the risotto. It was weird at first, eat the rice with a spoon, but then you’d realized it was out of precaution not giving you a fork or a knife to use.

You washed the food down your throat with the wine and looked at him. He caught your gaze right away and smiled at you.

It was this kind of genuine, shy, lovely first-date-ish smile that almost melted your heart. He looked so... chuffed, so excited and clearly nervous.

You couldn’t help, but smiled too.

- Do you like it? - he asked and you nodded.

- Yea, the wine is good.

- And dinner?

- Also good.

- And music?

You glanced at the player and nodded again.

- Sure, I like Sinatra.

- I know.

He knows.

You took another sip of the wine and licked your lips.

- You didn’t eat anything. Or drink - you pointed out the obvious as you put down the glass.

- I’m not that hungry - he shrugged and you could hear his leg bouncing under the table. You recognized it, it was his nervous tic. On group sessions he’d often tried to suppress it, but it had rarely worked for long.

It reminded you of your own ways to deal with stress and anxiety, that he was probably familiar with.

- Then at least drink with me. Don’t let the lady sip the wine alone.

- Right, sorry, I’m just... - he paused as he took the bottle to refill your glass - I’m not... I’ve never been on a date before, I’m not sure what to do.

You raised your eyebrow in disbelief, but after second thought, you weren’t surprised that much. He hadn’t talked much if anything about his love life on group sessions. You’d assumed that, yes, he most likely had problems with dating, and maybe this topic had been too private to him to bring it up in front of the people. But you didn’t think that he’d never dated anyone before.

Some pieces of puzzle suddenly fell into place.

You took your glass and raised it up, sending him a small encouraging smile. You could help him a bit with that.

- You can, for example raise a toast.

He got your message and repeated after you, as he took his glass in hand and lifted it up, clinking it with yours.

- For our first date - he said smiling and you both withdrew your glasses to take a swig.

You put down the glass and so did he. He licked his lips and so did you.

You shook off the thought of how responsive you were to each other.

- You can also compliment your date, which you already did when you said I looked pretty.

- Very pretty - he corrected you, emphasizing the first word with a serious look on his face. You broke the eye contact with him as you glanced down on your plate to quickly recollect your thoughts.

Damn, how easily he could make you blush.

- And you can... - you started again trying to figure out the next thing one could do on a date. Your fingers began tapping on the table next to your plate - ummm...

Before you figured out your sentence, he moved his hand towards you and brushed his fingers with yours. You locked your eyes on his hand and watched as it slowly climbed on top of yours. His hand was warm and a little sweaty and his fingers gently caressed your skin.

- Can I do something like that?

His question came to your ears in a strangely low and erotic tone, even though the gesture itself was more comforting than sexual.

How the hell could he be so shy in one moment and so freaking daring in another?

You nodded and parted your lips. Your eyes wandered back to his face and for a while you looked each other in the eye. You could swear that in that moment the air around you electrified with tangible tension.

And while you began searching for a way to release it, to say something that break the silence, Joker helped you out by coming up with a question for you.

- Why don’t cannibals eat clowns?

- What? - you blinked confused.

- I asked why don’t cannibals eat clowns? - he repeated patiently with a soft tone.

- Ummm, I don’t know, why? - you furrowed your brows, still confused.

- Because they taste funny.

He giggled and you too, though you didn’t get it at first. What came out of your mouth was a nervous laugh instead. You got the joke after you processed the answer in your head. So focused you were on his hand still on yours. This big, veiny hand with those slender fingers...

He was still giggling and you too, though your eyes were fixed on his hand and your mind on the memories from the hospital room.

- And you know what a clown like you can eat? - you asked him before you stopped yourself from saying it loud.

- No, what?

You glanced at him surprised by the words escaping your mouth. You wanted to take them back, but it was too late to bite your tongue. It was an impuls. A thing that you had in your mind and foolishly had decided to make it as a point of your joke.

- Me.

You gulped hard as you kept your face straight, waiting for his reaction.

Please, don’t get it, please don’t get it, please don’t get it, pleasedon’tgetit...

His lips spread out in a big grin and he giggled at that, though his giggling was low, more quiet than before. The hand that was rested on yours shifted a bit as his fingers slowly wrapped around your wrist. He raised himself off his chair and leaned forward, closer to you. You could feel his hot breath on your face as his dark green eyes burnt a hole in your soul.

- So you’re telling me that I can eat you?

Taglist:  @CURIOUSWILDI, @GREENSADMOON, @OBSESSEDANDTHIRSTY, @LADY-CARNIVALS-STUFF, @CREAMOFCORPSE, @POSESSEDXPARROT, @GERONIMOSANNA, @IAMTHEVERYBIGGESTGAY, @SIRIANFROMSIXTIES, @jokerhoe​, @pcrushinnerd​

[qobiin]

learning to indulge

pairing: platonic iideku (iida & midoriya), pre-iideku (iida x midoriya) 

genre: fluff, light angst | abo au, canon-compliant 

word count: 1620 

summary: His heart does a funky little flip-flop when Midoriya’s head pops out from under the blankets, smiling up at him as sunshine personified.

day five of @bnhaomegaverseweek (hoping my love will keep you up tonight) 

Tenya narrowly misses stumbling over the pile of blankets in the middle of the common room of the dorms when he comes downstairs for their studying hour.

Mostly everyone else is present, even Bakugou has pressed himself into the very corner of the couch with a textbook spread across his lap and a notebook on the arm of the couch. Tenya nods his head approvingly at the others already diligently beginning their homework or helping each other with any problems they are having with it.

He looks down towards the pile of blankets as he steps over it, frowning as he recognizes the tuft of dark, unruly hair peeking out from one of the corners.

He recognizes an omega’s nest in front of him, but seeing as Midoriya is the only omega in their class who does not wear scent blockers and indulges his urges, Tenya shouldn’t be as surprised as he feels. His heart does a funky little flip-flop when Midoriya’s head pops out from under the blankets, smiling up at him as sunshine personified.

It almost distracts Tenya from the irritation he can feel thinking of the clean laundry he and Yaoyaorozu just washed the other day.

“Midoriya, please tell me those are not the sheets I washed two days,” Tenya says instead of smiling back at the omega.

Midoriya blinks up at him owlishly, turning over so the blanket rolls with him. “I can wash them again when I’m done, Iida. I just felt the need to make a nest.”

Tenya exhales, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Please use your own sheets and make a nest in the privacy of your own room, Midoriya. It isn’t polite to inconvenience others with your random urges when sharing a communal space.”

He turns away then and faces the rest of the class who are staring at him in shock. Tenya doesn’t understand their reactions in the least until Midoriya’s scent rises to greet him.

He smells sad and hurt. It makes the alpha in him whine pitifully as the omega he is interested in rises and gathers up the blankets slowly before disappearing up the stairs, smelling dejected and looking smaller than he ever has before. He can catch the faint scent of saltwater too but he is ultimately puzzled about how this happened.

Tenya blinks at the omega’s retreating form, not able to comprehend what just happened until Bakugou slams his textbook shut with a growl.

“Fuck you, Glasses,” Bakugou barks.

Tenya is more than used to the aggressive nature of Bakugou’s taunts and body language, so he has experience in not puffing himself up and playing into the show of dominance that Bakugou wants. He is still caught off guard by his words though, not understanding why the room has gone silent or why everyone except for him and Bakugou smells nervous.

“Pardon?” Tenya tries, one brow raised in question.

Bakugou storms up to him, textbook and notebook in hand. “Fuck you, Glasses. What fucking right do you have to make Deku feel shitty for being an omega? Aren’t you his stupid friend?”

Tenya feels his brow crumple in deep confusion. “I don’t understand what you mean, Bakugou-kun. All I said was-”

“All you said was that stupid Deku was ‘inconveniencing’ the rest of us by making a fucking nest away from where we could easily trip over him or be distracted by his shitty mumbling! Deku didn’t do shit wrong, so why the fuck did you rag on him like that?” Bakugou growls, his fiery-red eyes roaring with a fire that Tenya is more than sure he would never like to have directed at him ever again.

Tenya sputters, trying to think of something to say before Bakugou speaks up again. “Do you hate omegas? Be honest, you fuckward.”

“Of c-course, I don’t! Bakugou-kun you should really watch your language or-” Tenya replies.

“Shut the fuck up! I’ll say whatever the fuck I want to say and you better fucking apologize to Deku or I’m gonna kick your ass for being ignorant,” Bakugou effectively cuts him off again, glaring him down until Tenya takes a few steps back.

Bakugou huffs and storms up the stairs after Midoriya, leaving Tenya and the rest of class 1-A speechless.

 The next day during class, Midoriya is not himself.

He laughs and stutters his way through conversations, his mumbling barely heard the entire day. At lunch, Bakugou grabs Midoriya by the arm and drags him to another table where he unpacks bento boxes for them both, glaring at the omega until he eats. Tenya watches this happen as dread builds up in his stomach, making him lose his appetite and only pick at his food as he listens to Bakugou grumble at Midoriya about “shitty alphas” and “stuck-up Glasses and his big mouth pissing him off”.

Midoriya is in better spirits after lunch, but he doesn’t talk to Tenya or even spare him a glance for the rest of the day.

Bakugou makes dinner that night later in the dorms and Midoriya stays with him in the kitchen as he cooks. He must also have eaten before too because, by the time Bakugou is yelling at everyone about dinner being ready, Midoriya has already slipped back upstairs in the rush that follows.

Tenya tries to ignore the pointed glare Bakugou shoots him all throughout dinner but ultimately fails.

 The blankets look lumpy and disorganized, but considering the fact that Tenya has never made a nest before, he has to say that it’s an okay job for a first attempt.

He throws in two of his pillows to complete it and leans back, studying the nest once more. He straightens one side of the blankets until it looks more circular and stands up. His phone is on his desk where he left it charging during dinner and he grabs it, opening up his messages.

Are you awake? His fingers type. He stares at the message for another moment before he nods to himself and presses send.

Now to wait.

A reply comes a few minutes later.

yes, y?

Tenya ignores Midoriya’s bad grammar and spelling mistake as he shoots off his reply.

Come over to my room, please. I have something I need to say to you.

He doesn’t receive a reply then but as he’s fidgeting with the blankets again, a soft knock comes from his door. Tenya stands again and rushes to the door, opening it to reveal Midoriya in a large, faded All Might T-shirt and green sleeping bottoms. 

“Come in,” Tenya says as he opens the door wider.

Midoriya does so, the confusion in his smell shifting to fondness instead as he catches sight of the atrocious nest on the floor. Tenya closes the door behind him, his own nerves settling in as Midoriya remains silent.

“It was brought to my attention that the way I addressed your nesting was not appropriate and so I wanted to apologize to you by making my own and sharing it with you. It isn’t the best, but I do hope that you can forgive me, Midoriya. I am truly sorry and did not mean for my ignorant words to hurt you,” Tenya recites, feeling proud of himself as Midoriya’s scent goes from fond to shy.

Midoriya scratches the back of his head, eyes kept firmly on the nest. “It’s okay, Iida. I know you didn’t mean it like that, but I appreciate your apology and thoughtfulness. I forgive you.”

Tenya stands up straight at that, motioning a hand towards the nest. “Would you care to join me?”

“Let me fix it first,” Midoriya murmurs in reply, kneeling down as he rearranges the blankets and pillows quickly.

When the omega leans back to display his work, Tenya can see the difference in their skills very clearly. Midoriya has turned the lumpy nest Tenya attempted to make into a perfect circle with the blankets even and the pillows arranged side by side instead of just thrown in randomly as Tenya had them. Midoriya lays himself flat on one side and pats the other, looking expectantly at him to join with a small smile on his face.

Tenya lies down carefully, glad that he thought to remove his glasses earlier as his head meets the pillow. Midoriya’s smile grows as he scoots closer to Tenya until he can curl himself into a ball against him, shifting until he finds himself in a comfortable position.

He hesitates for a moment before he drapes his arm over Midoriya’s torso. Midoriya hums in pleasure, nuzzling his head into Tenya’s chest with vigor and scenting him enough to let Tenya know it isn’t meant in a platonic kind of manner.

Tenya feels himself stiffen for just a moment before he presses his palm to the small of Midoriya’s back and buries his face into the omega’s curly hair. Midoriya smells of pine, cedar, and ozone just as he usually does but it is enough to make Tenya relax.

He exhales deeply over Midoriya’s scalp to scent him in return and feels his face warm when the smaller boy presses himself closer.

Midoriya’s breaths even out and eventually he falls asleep in the darkness of Tenya’s dorm room. Tenya admires the small chuffing noises the omega makes in his sleep and how adorable it makes this scene feel. He felt nervous before, unsure of what reaction he would receive but he has definitely gotten a lot more than he ever expected as Midoriya cuddles in a nest of their own creation.

Dirty sheets and laundry are far from his mind as Tenya’s heartbeat slows and he too joins Midoriya in the comfort of dreams.

a/n: thanks for reading! please remember that my requests are open (: 

[omoghouls]

Relaxing drive

(Aka: I'm not over Bloodwings death and wanted to write some lowkey Brick/Mordecai)

🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇

The gaunts under his eyes ached when his knuckle rubbed over the tender flesh. The sniper adjusted his goggles, fiddling with the strap as he became all too intuned to his surroundings. The murmured voices talked about furthering the mission, hushed as if the room was wire tapped. The constant droning hustle of the town below.

He couldnt stand it anymore.

[[MORE]]

Mordecai stood up. Catching the attention of the woman across the table.

"Where are you going?"

The sniper glanced at siren before continuing for the door. He lerched back as a hand gripped onto his shoulder.

"We need everyone to stay in headquarters until we get intel from the vault hunter," Roland gave, blankly staring at the lanky man.

Mordecai harshly shrugged him off, freeing himself from the crimson leader's grip.

"Solider!"

Mordecai clenched his fist as he swung his entire body around.

"I am not your fucking soldier, I am not apart of this stupid goddamn patrol of yours," Mordecai barked, "So if you excuse me," he added as he stormed out of the room, into the grundy streets of Sanctuary.

"Mordecai, wait!" Lilth called out.

"Let 'em be Lil'," A previously silent voice said.

Lilith looked at Brick with confusion. How could he be so calm? His friend just left.

"He's going for a drive," Brick said, as if reading her mind as they watched the man walked into the small hub of the city.

"A nice relaxing drive."

--

"Soldier, so God fucking far from the way it is," the man grumbled under his breath as he stomped away from the fast travel.

His vision adjusted as he looked around the wastelands. Empty. For now at least. Mordecai walked over to the florescent sign.

"Catch a riiiiiiiiide~"

Usually the grating, thickly accented voice caused the man to roll his eyes. But, today. Today it was a comfort as he waited for the vehicle to materialize.

Mordecai ran his hand over the metal before climbing into the driver's seat, engine purring as he pulled from the idle spot and onto the pathway.

There was no particular destination in mind.

Anywhere but back there was good.

--

Occasionally, Mordecai took his eyes off the road, glancing to the side. Nothing but barrenness and remnants of bygone times.

The past. Distant yet still so close.

The sniper sighed, shaking his head while taking a sharp turn to keep his mind from wandering futher than what was meters infront or in back of him.

Back on his home planet, driving was something he loved. The freedom of rolling faster than the local habitat, everything he passed became an uprooted blur. A Nomad of his own town.

The way he had liked it.

Maybe that's why other reason he left, dropped off land, wandering until he got to where he really wanted to be. Even then, he wasn't so sure he would stay rooted for long.

Mordecai swerved around the rocks, the car leaning just slightly too much to the right before smashing back onto the dusty ground.

A smile cracked on his face as he pressed his foot to the ground of the vehicle. The wind, the kicked up dust hit his face as he laughed.

"Just like old times in New Haven, eh gir-" His voice trailed, shoulders dropping when he saw only empty air above him.

The vehicle jerked as it came to an abrupt halt, drifting beneath the shelter of rusted bars.

A nomad without his pasture was just, a displaced man.

His fist slammed against the steering wheel, the searing pain traveled up his arm. He didn't care what damage he was causing to him, or the vehicle.

Frankly, he didn't care about anything; his mind clouded with resurfacing rage and a chest filled with a cold, lowly ache. His blurry vision glared towards the sky, the giant 'H' that loomed over Pandora. The lump in his throat emerged as he let out an angry,anguished cry; echoing off the sun washed billboards.

The sniper's chest heaved, breaths shallow as he rested his cheek against the steering wheel. Relishing in the cold material coming into contact with his burning face.

Exhausted. He was, exhausted; in the physical and emotional sense, he couldn't sleep, sure as hell couldn't drink the exasperation thoughts away. He tried.

But, with it replaying in his mind, he didn't even have to close his eyes to hear her pained screeching. The gurgling cries muffled from the echoes of the detonation. Followed by the hoops of laughter from the tyrannical bastard on Helios.

The sniper roughly rubbed at his tear stained face as he grumbled weakly.

And it wasn't fair.

It just wasn't fair.

Mordecai peeled his face away as he sat back up, silently watching the sun setting behind the mountains. The pink hue mixing with the natural yellows and oranges as the darkest times of twilight slowly emerged. Dim lights of the vehicle blinked on, casting skewed shadows against the boulders. He blinked slowly, wincing as he gripped the wheel once more.

--

Silence, save for the electric humming from the lights. Mordecai slipped into the headquarters, careful to avoid the few creaky steps as he walked upstairs.

He paused in his motions as he looked to the sleeping bodies. Lilith curled into a small ball, blanket tucked around her securely. Eyes wandered up, spotting the Roland, sleeping upright as he acted as a bed. The sniper held back a gruff chuckle at the two.

A yawn escaped past his lips as he tugged further in, hanging his rifle back up for the night before wandering out onto the porch. The sniper leaned against the guard as he looked past the monochromatic skyline of the town.

Sleep was at a fingers brush away, he finally was going to seize the opportunity.

He clutched his chest when he spun around, face to chest with the berserker.

"Ey, ey, give a man a warning before you do that," Mordecai said, although the tone came off as annoyed, he was glad to see the bigger man, in a sense.

Brick shrugged, "Guess I'm getting better at that sneakin' huh?" He chuckled.

Mordecai gave a lopsided grin, slowly fading when he saw the other man yawn.

"Did I wake you up?"

Brick shook his head, "Was waiting up for you, all were. "

The sniper's stomach knotted with guilt.

"You, you didn't have to do that," he quietly told.

"You went out without sayin' where you were going, of course we all were staying up, make sure you made it back," making a small nudge towards the other sleeping two,"Had half a mind to send one of my boys to find you. But," he paused with a small shrug, "I know you can handle yourself out there. Still though."

The sniper rubbed the back of his neck, he felt as if he were a teenager being caught sneaking home late.

"Fun drive?" The taller man said to fill the awkward air.

"Oh, uh, yeah, I guess," Mordecai said, "Same old shit just at an elevated speed, less dusty boots."

He flinched when the large hand patted his back. Leading the lanky man back inside.

Usually, Mordecai would stay put, not budge from the leading action. Tonight, tonight was an exception to that rule. He leaned into the contact, letting his head drop.

"Not the same without her."

Brick raised a sympathetic brow when he heard the mumbled voice.

"Course it ain't the same, ain't gonna be for a while," he explained, "you two were close, like me and Dusty."

Mordecai chuffed as the two sat on the cot. He didn't have to worry about being psychoanalyzed when it came to heart to heart conversations with Brick.

"Yeah, kinda like that," the sniper gave, letting his body slump onto the mattress. Too tired to further comment.

Brick looked at the man for a moment before standing back up. Mordecai tilited his head up in curiosity.

"Unlike you, I can't wear my shoes to bed, go to sleep, I'll be back in a bit," the berserker said.

Mordecai simply nodded before curling his knees to his chest, he wanted to see what the man was up to but, his body had made claims to the cot and was not leaving. The sniper closed his eyes to a dreamless sleep.

--

The light of a new dawn shone through the room. Mordecai groggily lifted his head, patting around blindly. He blinked slowly once his goggles were on.

He was the only one in the room.

"How long was I-?" His thoughts were paused when his hand brushed against a box by his head.

The sniper squinted as he held the box in his palm, carefully he tugged at the bow that held the top securely to the box. Mordecai peered in, eye widening as he quickly pulled the object out.

A chain dangled between his thumb and index finger. An all too familiar feather tickled the gap between.

"Oh, you're up."

Mordecai turned his head towards the door, watching as Brick walked in, standing idly by the cot, glancing at the opened box.

"Do you make this, amigo? How, how did you find her feathers?"

Brick smiled with a nod, " 'fore, what happend, when you two came by here she was shedding and dropped a few. Kept them, it ain't much but," the man was cut off when arms wrapped around his sides. Surprised by the sudden fling of affection coming from the scrawny sniper.

"Thank you," Mordecai softly said as he looked up at the bigger man, rolling the chain around his fingers when he moved away from the embrace.

The berserker tugged at his own necklace, the paws clinking together from the jostling.

Mordecai pulled the chain over his head, tucking the feather under his shirt,

"Gotta keep 'em alive somehow." Brick said as he gently patted the sniper's chest.

"I uh, saved you some breakfast, if that's something you wanted to come get right now?"

The man swallowed back the lump in his throat, "Yeah, actually might take you up on that," he said as he walked with the other man down the stairs.

Brick smiled, slinging his arm around Mordecai's small frame. He knew it would be a lengthy process for the sniper to go through, but this, this was a nice step towards that.

[sheepsandcattle]

Chapter 18

Sitting in a cab with Brandon, heading for his dad’s house from the bus station, was probably about the longest Curly’s held a piss in – to this day. Every bump in the road had him cringing and Brandon gagging. He supposes he’d rather be on the edge of pissing than on the edge of yoshing over the back of the driver’s seat.

“Curly,” Brandon had whispered, waiting for his mate to look his way before he’d said, “I’m gonna—“

“I know,” he cut him off, trying not to laugh (because he would literally have pissed himself) as he reached across the middle seat to pat his friend’s thigh. He raised his voice to ask, “mate, can we open a window?”

The driver said no but they did anyway, and spent the rest of the journey in silence until they reached his dad’s house and had to beg the driver to accept the only fiver to Curly’s name, despite it being half the amount the journey was meant to be.

He’d shushed Brandon as he chundered loudly into the bushes that lined the green on the street corner, as Curly himself pissed against a tree that still read ‘CURLY BRANDON WILL SUCK DICK FOR £££’ with his phone number hazardously scratched out beneath it.

“Fuck sake,” Brandon grumbled, and Curly turned just in time to witness him topple into the overgrowth.

“Dickhead,” he snorted, doing his fly as he passed his mate, who grumbled as he struggled out of the bush and caught up to him back on the pavement. “We’ve got t’be quiet,” Curls went back to whispering as they passed his dad’s neighbour’s front yard. “Gee’s sleeping. Jus’ don’t yosh in the upstairs bathroom.”

“I’ve just fell on my-“

“I know.”

“I’ve got sick all over—“

“Shh,” Curly swallowed a laugh; held his breath until the giggle evaporated somewhere in his belly. “I know, mate.”

Why did they decide to share that spliff whilst they waited for the cab? As if they weren’t shitfaced enough already.

His keys were still somewhere in Leeds, but he managed to pull the spare one from beneath the plant pot outside without it toppling and spilling all over the path. He unlocked the door and the two of them tiptoed inside in perfect silence, despite tripping over the rug in the hall. Even Mary didn’t bark, by some miracle - probably too old by then to be arse with his bollocks.

It wasn’t until he had his head over the sink, drinking from the tap when his sister peered into the kitchen. She wore pyjamas covered in a cartoon he’d never seen before and her hair was so mad that he choked on the water still in his mouth as he giggled.

“El?”

“Hiya, Gee.”

Brandon had cheered, “it’s Genie Clarke!”

“Shh! For fuck’s sake, Brandon.”

“Have you had some drinks?” Genie stepped away from the door and into the kitchen. “What’s that smell?”

Brandon and Curly’s replies mashed up into a mess of, “sick,” and, “wee,” and, “you can’t talk about weed to a kid,” and, “I said wee, bell-end,” and, “stop bloody swearing!”

“Dad!”

“No,” Curly hissed, arms waving frantically. “No, Gee. Go back to bed, yeah? We’re jus’ going to sleep.”

“Just getting a glass of water,” Brandon supplied and snatched a mug from the draining board and held it under the still-running water. “Mmm, yum. I’m parched. Are you parched, Curls? Spitting feathers, I am.”

“Mate, actually shut your mouth.” He reached over to smack the back of Brandon’s head.

“Shut your mouth!” Curls got a solid a shove back, sending him stumbling a bit before he pushed himself away from the kitchen counter, trying not to smile (because it was not fucking funny!) as he gives him another nudge.

“Shut—“

“Elliot, what the hell are you doing?” Their heads whipped back around to the door, where his dad stood in his boxers behind Genie, squinting as he placed a hand on the top of her head. “You’re meant to be in Leeds.”

“Yeah, it…”

“Cancelled,” Brandon chimed.

Mr Clarke’s frown only deepened. “Leeds festival was cancelled.”

The two boys shared a look and Curly had scoffed when Brandon winked.

“Your eyes look sore,” Gee say.

“No, Gee—“ Curls did a slow blink, breathing deeply as he clung to what was left of his sobriety. “—they do not.”

“You’re off your face.”

“No dad, we are not.” He blinked again.

“I think you better go to bed, lads.”

***

Genie calls him about a week after Brandon leaves. It’s nice; they’re all in Cornwall and she’s buzzing about the new house they’re staying in because the old lady next door has a black and white dog that looks like one their dad used to have. He’d only done a line when they rang and he’s glad he’s only a bit high because he’d be kicking himself if he wasn’t present for a call with his sister.

He’s also glad that he discovered how effective it is to do coke in order to forget how much he wants to do heroin instead. All he really needs to worry about these days is if he wants a nice pick-me-up or an easy come-down.

“I’m surprised you can remember Mary before she went grey,” Curly smiles into the phone as his sister goes on.

“I can’t, but that’s what mum said. The view in my room is dead nice,” she digresses. “I’ve taken some photos so dad can send them to you.”

He can hear wind around Genie’s voice and she’s out of breath as she walks. He hears her mum in the background talking about what to eat for lunch, then hears his dad say, “don’t forget I want to talk to him.”

“Cheers Gee, that’d be nice,” he says just to humour her. He ignores his dad’s voice for now as he puts the phone on loudspeaker whilst he rolls a joint. “Are you on a walk?”

“Yeah, we’re just climbing this hill so we can see Land’s End,” she announces and then, in a whisper, “I don’t know what that means.”

“Probably the end of the land, love,” he laughs, sealing his spliff. Head’s still banging. “Take some pictures up there n’all, yeah?”

“I will but the memory card’s nearly full and we still need ‘go to—“ She lets out a miserable groan, then huffs. “El, dad wants ‘speak to you. I’ve got ‘go.”

Curls chuckles, says, “alright, Gee. Love you,” as he puts the phone on speaker while he lights up.

She repeats the words back to him and, after a little scuffling on her end, his dad takes over the phone. He hears him tell Jenny and Gee to walk ahead before he says, “alright, El?”

Fuck sake.

It’s worth noting that he’s been missing his dads calls for a good few weeks now - ever since he rowed with his mum. They still speak sometimes -his parent- exclusively about him because he’s not always the best at communicating and he supposes it can take a team effort to get through to him sometimes.

“Alright, dad,” he returns, already scuffing his feet guiltily.

“Your mum’s worried,” he says simply, wasting no time, but it’s not particularly stern. Curly already knows this - and his dad knows that he knows, n’all. “I’ve been trying to phone you. Reckon you might need someone to talk to.”

He takes a long drag, taking his time to hold the smoke before breathing into the phone just to make the time it takes for him to think up an answer feel just a bit shorter - for himself, at least. “I’m fine,” he says. “You know what she’s like.”

“She said you could barely speak.”

Curly snorts. “I don’t remember that,” he says, but then decides it’s a poor choice of words. “It wasn’t as bad as she was making out, I bet.”

In high school his mum would catch him stumbling home pissed- had done more times than he can count. She never did like him getting up to that stuff, but his dad was so easy-going, would always say, “I’d rather know where you are and what you’re doing than have you sneaking around behind my back.”

Curly never really kept things from his dad back then - even told him about the pills he and Brandon took in Leeds, which he wasn’t too chuffed about, but admitted he’d done a similar thing in his youth.

“What did she find in your bag?“

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, I told her that—“

“I don’t like the idea of that bloke digging about in your things—” his dad interrupts him, trying to stay on-side, it seems. “—but it was still there.”

“I said—“

“She doesn’t believe what you said,” he sighs. “I don’t either, El.”

He presses his forehead against the fridge door, feeling weird and jittery as he shakes his head against the cool plastic. “Please don’t—.” He cuts himself off because he doesn’t know how to finish.

“I saw Brandon the other day. Stubborn pain in the arse, isn’t he?” His dad forces a laugh, trying to sound neutral as he adds, “have you had a word with him about it?”

As if he’d tell Brandon. He loves the guy to pieces but he’s too bloody soft. He wouldn’t be able to wrap his head around it; if he didn’t underestimate how deep Curly was in this shit, he’d panic and… chain him to a tree until he was clean or some daft.

What did Brandon say?

“He doesn’t know,” he mumbles. That’s right: he doesn’t know. So he can’t have said anything.

“I think he does, El. If you won’t speak to me about it, talk to him. He clearly didn’t want to bloody tell me. I know it took you a bit to feel at home there, mate. If you’re still feeling isolated, or— or lonely—”

“I have to go.”

He hangs up before can dig himself any deeper.

Brandon doesn’t answer his calls. He’s not sure if he wants to have a go at him for saying whatever it is that he said to his dad, or if he wants to take his old man’s advice and just talk, but he doesn’t answer anyway.

Curly returns to his bedroom where he sorts blunts and baggies, ready for the weekend. Got nothing better to do. Parties never seem appealing anymore - not until he’s too fucked up to forget he doesn’t fancy being there. Might as well be prepared.

Am I lonely?

His shakes his head - which is still killing him, and his jitters are unreal, but he tests some of the new coke he’s been getting in, rubs it into his gums (just a few samples to be sure) and it turns out it’s just as good as the last batch – maybe better.

“Brandon,” he mumbles into the phone on his third attempted call, when he finally lets it go to voicemail. “… Fuck you. You don’t…” He rubs a shaky hand over his face. “What’ve you said? I— You aren’t fucking there for me when I need you, you’re just… You’ve made it all shit.” He’s sure he says more but he forgets half the shit that come out of his mouth by the time he’s hanging up and selecting ‘block number’ for shits and giggles.

Maybe he should call Jordan again too because, thanks to him, Curly’s gone from always up-to-something to having fuck-all to do - ever. Thanks to him, he can barely see Jeff and Dean because he’s sick off lying about what happened with Jordan and thanks to him, Curly can’t even remember how to have a good time on his own.

He forgets to call him.

By the time Jules gets home, he’s tried snorting a bit too, just to carry out a fair test and to get rid of this stupid fucking headache.

“Jules, love,” he calls as he wobbles out of his room at the first sound of the door. His roommate chucks his phone onto the couch before he flops down himself.

“Not now, Curly. I’m not in the mood for your—“

“I’ve got summet to tell you,” he announces as he points at the man. “It’s important.”

Jules groans, rolls his eyes. “What?”

“It’s about Jordan.”

Another groan, more obnoxious this time as Jules folds his arms over his chest. “I thought you stopped talking to him. The guy’s got issues.”

“I have. I did.”

“Okay, so?”

He tries to speak but his words catch in his throat as he falls onto the couch beside Jules as his lip begins to tremble. Suddenly he’s crying like a baby as he presses his face into his friend's shoulder. He sniffs as Jules sits rigidly under his weight.

“Curls, what the fuck?” He’s whispering like he doesn’t want them to get caught like this. Jules isn’t the type of mate whose shoulder you cry on, but Curly doesn’t have that type of mate around at the minute. “Why—“

“I’m so fucking lonely.”

[peace-love-piper]

(Date: 11 October 2019; Location: Ministère des Affaires Magiques de la France; Part 2 of 2)

“I really don’t think we should—“

“Piper—“

“—do this Emi I—“

“Piper—“

“—have a bad feeling and I think we’re in over our heads here—“

“Piper!!”

Piper stopped her pacing back and forth inside the lift and looked imploringly at her cousin, who ran a hand through her hair and took a deep breath before saying, “Look, I’ve been in this Ministry building a zillion times…not on that floor, granted, but…I can have us in and out before anyone notices a thing, okay? Can you just…trust me?”

Piper chewed on her lip. It didn’t feel right, what they were doing, she knew they could get into trouble, but…not knowing would eat away at her, and she knew it.

So down they went, to the bottom floor: Le Bureau des Secrets.

The lift doors opened to reveal a guard. “Excusez-moi, mademoiselles—“

But Emi was two steps ahead of the game; she reached out to gently grasp the man’s forearm and he stopped talking, mid-sentence, and observed her curiously, eyes glazing over slightly in that telltale manner. “Puis-je vous aider?” he said in a much more genial tone.

“Ce serait merveilleux si vous pouviez nous escorter dans la salle des dossiers confidentiels…” purred Emi sweetly, batting her lashes. Piper’s heart was in her throat, and it was all she could do to force a half-smile and not run in the opposite direction.

The guard seemed to ponder this suggestion for a moment. Then he nodded and said, “Bien sûr.”

The walked in silence down a long hallway, Emi’s hand resting in the crook of the man’s arm as if he were her escort on an evening stroll, and Piper following behind. She was so nervous she could barely breathe, let alone even attempt to take in all the plaques on the doors the passed. They finally stopped in front of one, and the guard performed some complicated, efficient wandwork that opened the wards on the door.

Emi reached out and opened the door with ease, and after her and Piper slipped inside, she pointed her wand at the man and whispered, “Obliviate,” which left him blinking absently at the closed door, wondering how he’d managed to get so lost in his own daydreams.

If it was dark up in the Records Room, in here it was as black as pure obsidian. Piper fumbled with her wand before managing to shoot up a few flickering light orbs. She opened her mouth to whisper something to Emi, but before she could, another voice from deep in the room said, “Well, what do we have here? I take it you’re not supposed to be here…”

Both girls yelped in surprise and held their wands aloft, defensively. Out of the darkness stepped a very tall, very gaunt man. His skin was a pale, almost ashen color, and his dark hair was long and tied back. The pupils in his dark eyes were huge, and they glinted in the light in an odd, menacing way.

“Parlez-vous anglais?” he said. His voice was both smooth and electric; a palm over velvet mixed with television static.

“O-oui—I…I mean, yes,” said Piper.

“Lovely. What are you doing here?”

“We, er…we’re relatives of Monsieur—“ tried Emi, but the man cut her off.

“Save your breath. Your Veela magic won’t work on me.”

Piper felt her stomach drop as realization dawned on her. This main’s energy was incredibly faint, almost imperceptible, suggesting he had extremely well-controlled emotions. But what she could pick up felt…strange, cold, unnatural…

A vampire.

Piper instinctually reached out and squeezed Emi’s hand, breathing deeply. Be brave, she told herself firmly, He’s just another Being…misunderstood, just like we are. Though to be honest, this whole lurking-underground-in-the-darkness-trying-to-frighten-people thing wasn’t doing this guy’s image any favors. Probably the way he intended it.

“Erm…how did you know, that we’re…?”

He made a scoffing noise in his throat like he was offended by the question. “Please. I could smell you the moment you walked in. Your blood, it’s…how would you say…perfumed, in a way, ambrosial…quite intoxicating, really.”

A chill crept up Piper’s spine. Emi’s nails dug into her hand.

“So I’ll ask you again: what are you doing down here?”

“P-please, Sir…” said Piper, “…we’re not here to cause any trouble, it’s just…well, our family records, you see…i-it said they’d been, er, relocated down here…”

“I see. Well, your Visitors’ Pins grant you access to the Records Room, but I highly doubt you’d be granted clearance on this level, no matter who your family is…”

Emi huffed in offense and looked as if she were about to say something, but Piper shook her head to stop her. They weren’t going to get what they wanted by trying to outsmart him, clearly, and certainly not by talking back, either.

The vampire continued: “…now, I like to think of myself as the compromising sort, yes? So the question is…what can you offer me in exchange for information? And for not reporting you to the Law Enforcement Bureau right upstairs, of course.” He smiled. His incisors—retracted, but still sharp—glinted menacingly in the light.

“Well, erm…w-what is it that you want?”

“Blood,” he replied, matter-of-factly, and Emi gasped. “A bit of blood, from either one of you, I don’t care who. Government work allows so few pleasures, you understand…”

“Absolutely fucking not!” Emi exclaimed, while at the same time Piper said, “Why?” Emi gaped at her, and Piper, ignoring her, repeated her question: “I mean…why, do you want it? I mean…don’t they allow to, erm…feed?”

The vampire laughed at her darkly. “Allow me? I’m a very old vampire, child, and I do what I please…as for the government here, yes, I’m perfectly adequately compensated for my work, if that’s what you mean.”

“Then why would you want blood from one of us?”

“Because, Little Veela…your blood doesn’t just smell intoxicating. It is intoxicating, to my kind…rumor has it that just a few drops can drive a newly turned vampire mad with bloodlust…which is why I imagine your kind are so stingy about keeping it inside your pretty little bodies…”

Piper could sense Emi absolutely seething with fury beside her, but thankfully she managed to hold her tongue.

“…Now, I myself have never had the pleasure of sampling Veela blood. And a fine opportunity seems to have presented itself, no?”

The silence was so tight it seemed to vibrate, like a plucked guitar string. Finally, Piper said, “How much?”

“Piper, no!” Emi pleaded.

“Just a sip, really…” assured the vampire, “…hardly any at all…a fraction of what you’d give at a blood bar.”

Piper pondered the idea, hard. She was…absolutely fucking petrified, no doubt about that. But…what was a little blood, in exchange for knowledge? People donated blood to vampires all the time, it wasn’t unusual at all, really… And besides, did she have a choice, really? If she didn’t agree, what would stop him from turning them in? It was their only leverage.

Finally, after a long moment, she said, “I…I’ll do it.”

“You can’t be fucking serious, Piper!” Emi argued angrily. “It’s not worth it!”

Piper turned to look her cousin in the eye and said seriously, “Yes…it is.”

Boldly, Piper stepped forward, trying to fake a sense of confidence that she simply did not possess. When she was stood before the vampire, she looked up at him and asked, “Does it, er…does it have to be the…?” She raised a hand to the side of her neck timidly, unable to form the correct words.

“The neck? No no, your wrist will do just fine.”

He held out a hand expectantly, as if he were just asking her for a dance. Lip between her teeth, Piper took a determined breath and placed a hand that was only slightly shaking face-up on his. He closed his hand firmly around hers and raised her arm upwards, hunching over slightly to meet it. And then…

Piper cried out in pain when she felt two sharp points puncture her skin. Emi surged forward behind her, but Piper held out her other hand to halt her. “It’s fine, Emi, it’s…it’s not that bad,” she said through clenched teeth. And truthfully, it wasn’t that bad…it was painful, sure, but manageable. The initial shock of it was worse than anything else.

After one long minute, though, that seemed to stretch on forever, Piper began to hear her pulse in her ears, her knees going weak. Little white spots flickered in her vision and Piper whimpered, swaying where she stood.

“That’s enough,” Emi growled.

Obligingly, the vampire released Piper’s wrist from his grasp, and she stumbled back into a hard wooden chair that she could have sworn wasn’t there a minute ago. She glanced down at her arm to see blood trickling out of two circular wounds, and she was instantly woozy. The vampire tossed something through the air and Emi caught it, and then Piper hissed as something liquid stung the puncture marks. She winced through the unpleasantness of Emi cleaning the wound and bandaging her arm, and after a moment she was left with just a dull throb that she cradled, breathing heavily.

“Alright, fuckface,” Emi spat at the vampire, “You got your pervy little snack. Now give us the file.”

“Certainly, certainly…” he replied, positively chuffed, “…name?”

“Au-auclair,” Piper said, her voice cracking slightly, “A Veela with the last name Auclair.”

She didn’t know if it was just the blood loss making her feel slower, but the vampire moved fast. In an instant he’d dropped a thick file on a table beside them with a thud.

“What do you know about the De Wit Group?” he said suspiciously.

“The…who?” Piper said with confusion, and stood up shakily to join Emi, who was opening up the file.

Upon observation, there were a few basic cover pages that were in French, but the bulk of the documents in the file were in English, as if they’d been passed on from another Ministry or organization. Silently, Piper began to read…

Name: Andries de Wit

Birth place: Netherlands/Unknown

Birth year: 1901

Type: Veela, Full-Blood, Male

Status: Terminated

Report: Founder and leader of the cult-like organization known internally as the De Wit Group, also known as the United Sunshine Association of Charmed Peoples & Ideologies. Target is considered highly dangerous and has been reported to brainwash organization members (referred to as “family” by those within the group) and disseminate propaganda encouraging civil unrest and discord between various magical groups, including between magical species, against magical governing bodies, and against non-magical folk.

None of this was making any sense to Piper, and she was about to say as much when Emi turned the page and she read the next profile:

Name: Desiree de Wit (née Auclair)

Birth place: France

Birth year: 1941

Type: Veela, Full-Blood, Female

Status: Terminated

Report: Daughter of matriarch Emilia Auclair of the Auclair Veela Line, reported by family members to be estranged/disowned after running away with de Wit at age 16. Observed to be the favorite and assumed protege of de Wit’s mistresses and the only other Veela of the group. Reports indicate Desiree as his right-hand in group operations, where he would sow seeds of discord, discontent, anger and unrest, she would beguile potential followers, serving as a honeypot to draw them in with feelings of desire, passion, and longing. Considered highly dangerous and fastidiously loyal to de Wit.

Update: Further evidence suggest that target sired two offspring by de Wit, female twins. Note that twins are considered highly coveted in Veela bloodlines. Offspring names unknown but reported to begin with letter E. Field investigations indicate offspring were intended to formally be indoctrinated into De Wit Group via ceremony of some kind, but either fled or were hidden before forced disbanding of the group. Offspring whereabouts are currently unknown but are considered subjects of interest. If found, request immediate apprehension and transport to the nearest magical governing agency for questioning.

Piper felt sick to her stomach, and panic seized her entire body. This was what they’d been hiding from her all this time? Not to lie to her, but to protect her? She was wracked by guilt, unable to imagine the trauma her aunt and mother must have experienced, the constant fear they must have lived in trying to conceal their true identities. Everything made sense now, why her mother constantly moved them around when Piper was a child, why she’d picked a random surname for them, why she was so distrustful of authority and, most of all, of men…

And Piper had put all of it in danger by coming here, looking for answers.

“Someone’s coming,” the vampire said in a calm but urgent tone. “Over there, please…” he said, indicating a dark corner behind a row of filing cabinets.

Piper was frozen where she stood, but Emi grabbed her hand and pulled her out of sight, sending a fresh throb shooting up her arm. Pressed against a wall Piper trembled uncontrollably, her mind reeling; she held her breath and pressed her hands over her nose and mouth to prevent herself sobbing.

The vampire conversed in low, rapid-fire French with someone, and Piper didn’t even attempt to follow what was being said. Then a door closed, and everything was silent.

Piper and Emi held their positions for what seemed like an eternity, but which was actually probably about thirty minutes.

When Piper felt on the verge of passing out, the vampire finally hissed, “I would leave now, if I were you. And don’t come back.”

And, feeling like they were in a fever-dream, that’s exactly what they did.

[post-itpenny]

Patrica

Part three here we are!

And a proper introduction to someone at long, long last.

@clownsgobeepbeep @grotesquegabby

Since both of yours are here.

Cosmos cradled a small sleeping bundle. He was so exhausted but happy. A girl, a sweet baby girl that he and Vespers could spoil and love together. At long, long last Cosmos was a father.

Shame something had to sour the mood so quickly.

“So who the hell is this guy agin?”

“Cosmos not in front of the baby!”

“She’s a day old I think it’s ok.”

“But what if she remembers? What if hell is her first word?”

“Well Vespers considering you just said it too-“

“Will you two dorks chill the fuck out for a second?”

“Juno not in front of the baby!” They both shouted.

The family was being introduced to little Phoebe one at a time. Much to Cosmos’s dislike it was Juno’s turn.

To his surprise was Juno’s reaction.

“So this is the new bug huh?”she asked in her usual annoyance. Juno then stuck her tongue out at Phoebe.

Phoebe in turn blinked her large eyes and stuck her tongue out at Juno right back.

Juno blinked in surprise, “oh…… oh I love her.”

But Juno also came bearing other news.

“Dad says the guy is really respectful so if you don’t want him to visit right now he’ll wait a few days. But it’s tradition and all so yeah he’s coming.

“But who is he? I mean Vespers said it was like a grandfather?”

“An Elder Spaceman. Our elder, your baby’s elder. The original Blackwood.”

“Why does he even have to come?”

“Because it’s tradition.” Juno sighed, “look I’m not a record so I won’t keep repeating myself. Last time he was on the planet was when Vessy here was born. So like, he just wants to see the baby that’s all. Say congratulations and junk like that. Besides, he’s kinda cool.”

After so much drama and worry it was nice to finally have peace.

Calliope sighed as she sat back with her feet propped up and a cup of tea. A quiet afternoon and later would be dinner with her sweet Cuckoo.

There was a knock at the door.

Calliope sat up in surprise, who could possibly be here?

She took her time making her way to the door. She had not been expecting anyone, whoever it was would have to be on her time.

Calliope ran through a mental list of who could possibly be at the door when she reached the entry hall.

Waves of a powerful aura washed over her, Calliope stumbled to a halt in a mix of pleasant surprise.

Calliope opened the door.

And was immediately pulled into a hug.

“Lady Life! How wonderful to see you! I shan’t hug too tight, my goodness look at you! I’m so chuffed this is wonderful! You’re positively glowing! Why-“

“Blackwood!” Calliope called out in a muffled voice. All these years and she was still not used to these greetings.

Calliope was finally released and she stepped back to get a look at her visitor.

For someone who dressed in dark clothes Blackwood was vibrant in every sense of the work. His green eyes twinkling in delight as he grinned down at her. Calliope looked down to spy small wildflowers somehow growing on the stone of her entryway.

Yes, it was typical Blackwood no doubt.

“Please do come in, I was just sitting down to some tea.” Calliope warmly greeted.

Blackwood practically bounced on his heels. “Please dear friend allow me to serve you! I’m so sorry to bother you while resting but I was in the neighborhood so to speak and I just had to visit! Heard through the grapevine you were expecting and I’m just so happy for you and-“

Blackwood rattled on as Calliope lead him to the parlor where they could sit and talk. Blackwood immediately snapped his fingers and a full tea set appeared before them with several different kinds of sweets.

Calliope hummed in amusement as she fixed her cup and took a sip. Her favorite flavor, why was she not surprised?

“I must admit I might of paid a short visit to your spouse’s circus some time back. I wanted to do a more proper visit but I was caught up on business. They seem like such a lovely person I’m happy for you my dear friend. I must admit I was a little worried for you for a time. And you know how much I don’t like to worry.”

Calliope looked up at her fellow Elder in surprise, “Worry? What could I possibly have done to worry you?”

“Why I worried you were lonely my dear. Lady Life you always try to be like a North Star for others. Guiding, helping, protecting. But you would never let anyone do the same for you. But here you are with child and a mate. I say this one must be quite special.”

Calliope blushed, “yes Cuckoo is. I must say it’s nice to have someone.”

“I’m so happy for you.” Blackwood beamed.

Calliope chuckled and poured herself another cup, when was he ever not happy.

“By the way you haven’t happened to have run into my descendants at all have you? I’m here for a new birth.

Calliope’s eyes widened for a moment. That’s right, she had heard the news this morning. Cuckoo had actually gone to visit-

“Ah yes, my mate has gone to congratulate the father’s actually.”

“Father’s? Ah so it’s two father’s then! I hardly ever know anything about the mate though I do know this one has a large family. I’m so happy for them I just can’t wait to meet the new little one. I have the perfect gift for her.”

“I’m sure you do.” Calliope chuckled.

But I also need to check in on the others. It’s too my understanding there is a new head of the family so I would like to make sure everything is alright. Plus I’m curious about one of my special ones.”

Special ones? Did he mean-

Oh….

Calliope recalled the meeting with Bridgette. The old woman asking Calliope to keep Blackwood away from Magpie. Should she? They were both her friends and she wouldn’t want to pick sides yet this promised trouble Calliope was certain. What would she gain or lose either way?

“You mean Magpie?” Calliope said at last.

“Oh yes! So you know her?”

“Why yes I do, a very sweet creature. I’m sure she’s thrilled to become a great aunt. I’m sure also quite busy.”

“You think so? I’m glad I had a ... a feeling if you would. I always worry about the special ones they seem to have the worst luck.”

Calliope flinched just the smallest bit at Blackwood’s comment. Did he not know what had happened to Magpie then?”

“May I ask what you mean by bad luck?”

Blackwood seemed to grow somber for a moment, “I mean they all have a rather terrible habit of dying rather quickly. One or two have outright self- combusted.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Explode. Go out like a star.”

Calliope cleared her throat and quickly set down her cup. “Well I’m sure Magpie will be just fine.”

“I do hope so, and oh I just can’t wait to meet the little one.” Blackwood sighed and stood up. “Well perhaps it would be best to wait a few days. I’m sure he new parents need some time anyways. Have you thought about your coming little ones yet? What if there’s a girl!? Oh how about the name Patrica! That’s such a nice name! Or Lucy!”

“Blackwood-“

“Ooh, Ooh! If it’s a boy why not Peter or-“

“Blackwood.”

“Patricia is a nice name.”

“Blackwood!”

“Yes?”

Calliope smiled and shook her head, “Cuckoo and I have already been thinking over names.”

“Ah that’s just grand. So prepared already, you’re going to be a wonderful mother Lady Life I just know it. I shall see you soon then my dear.”

With a loud “pop!” Blackwood was gone and so was the lavish tea set. Instead sat two beautiful wooden cradles. A dark wood eloquently carved with little bats on the sides and working clocks on the hoods of each. Quietly ticking away.

[pookamaluka]

What Remains

Characters: Nylus Lavellan, Cole, Josephine Montilyet Fandom: Dragon Age

Nylus walked the battlements aimlessly in the early morning. It was still chilly and he had forgotten to bring anything to cover himself. He only wore a light shirt and leggings. He didn’t even wear shoes or wrappings. But his hair fell loose. The long tresses protected his face and neck from the cold.

Not many people were about. He could see Dennet tending his hart, Trumpet, and some of the horses. A few servants were walking in the courtyard too.

He had left Josephine asleep in his quarters.

His mind raced with thoughts he couldn’t put into words yet.

Finding the first Inquisitor had made him question his own role as leader. Ameridan had been almost completely erased from history. Would that be his future as well? They shared many of the same traits. Ameridan had been elven and Dalish like him. He had been a mage too, like Nylus. Even if that particular piece of information was still obscured to most people. They both were called Inquisitor. Would that be his reward after so much sacrifice? After the sleepless nights and haunted dreams and crushing sense of responsibility? After giving up everything he had been before to save everyone? People who wouldn’t even remember if the past was any indication.

Dorian had told him nobody would thank him when it was over. Nylus had nodded and agreed. And yet….he hoped that his efforts would make the masses see his People in a new light. He thought he had been doing something so different. Proving that elves were more than servants or savages. But finding Inquisitor Ameridan and learning the truth crushed his resolve. If the Chantry had eliminated the first Inquisitor’s less...savory traits and even dismissed the role the elf called Shartan had in Andraste’s own tale, what hope did he have?

He had just stumbled into a ritual and caught a fucking magic ball.

Nylus swept his hair back and chuffed.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.” He whispered.

“You do know.”

With his heart stuck in his throat he twisted around and saw Cole standing behind him, twirling his hands against one another and looking up at him.

“Cole! It’s too early for you to spook me like that.” He smiled and the boy smiled back.

“You do know. You know you’re supposed to lead, to protect, to guide, to help. You help, like I do. But not the same. Different. Better, bigger. Lots of people at the same time. I have to help them one by one. So many. It takes a long time.”

Nylus sighed, “Every little bit is significant, Cole. You help a great deal.”

“Thank you!” The boy smiled widely. “You shouldn’t worry. A face is not what matters. The action is what endures.”

“What was that?”

Cole climbed onto the stone parapets and balanced precariously before crouching.

“Is it worth it? He was me, I am him. Will I die forgotten? What if I fail too? What if nothing matters in the end?”

Nylus stared without blinking. His eyes watered a bit from the cold. So this is how it felt to be read by Compassion.

“I still don’t understand, Cole.”

The spirit boy looked at him from under the brim of his gigantic hat.

“You are like Ameridan but not. He isn’t you. You are you.”

“Cole…”

“That didn’t work. Let me try again.”

Nylus chuckled and waved his hand at him to go on.

“You are different. Your battles are other battles. But Ameridan didn’t fail. He wasn’t forgotten because what he did couldn’t be erased. The world is not like the Fade. Things here stay more easily. And Ameridan stayed. He stayed in the Island, in the Frostbacks. He stayed in the Circles and the Seekers and Templars, he stayed with the Dalish and with Drakkon.”

“How!? Nobody even knew he was from the People, that he was a mage, Cole!”

The boy leaned and watched him sideways, “What he was remained. His spirit and what he did changed the world. Without the first Inquisitor, how could we have the second? Two only comes after one. His presence moved people and his absence did too. He is still here!”

They were silent for a time, “You’re talking about marks, aren’t you? Tracks that remain even after what made them is long gone.”

Cole nodded, “You leave a mark just as you were marked. The big parts endure.”

“Hmm.”

The boy stepped down from the parapets and stood next to Nylus. Both stared into the courtyard watching people slowly joining the fray below.

“Oh!” Cole stiffened then sighed. “Thank the Maker. There he is. He seems fine. I hope he is. I wish he’d tell me what’s wrong. He doesn’t have to be strong alone. Such a stubborn, beautiful man.”

“Cole?” Nylus asked.

Cole moved aside and the Inquisitor saw what prompted his strange monologue. Josephine was standing on the other side of the battlements. She had a small smile on her face that Nylus returned immediately. Unlike him, Josephine had brought a scarf and on her feet were slippers.

Nylus placed a hand on Cole’s shoulder, “Thank you Cole. You helped.”

The spirit of Compassion grinned. “I am happy I did.”

Nylus started to walk past him but then Cole spoke again.

“She likes you. She could never forget you. It endures.”

The elf was startled and didn’t say anything as he watched the boy walk away and disappear, behind a door this time. Thank the Creators.

Josephine reached him and laid a hand on his chest.

“Good morning, my Lord. I worried when I couldn’t find you.”

Nylus frowned. “Josie.” He sighed and put her hand between his. “I’ve asked you not to call me that. At least not when we’re alone.”

She chuckled, “I’m sorry, my love. I forget sometimes.” Then kissed his cheek.

Nylus smiled and just looked at her face for a while. She fidgeted and became nervous.

“What?”

Nylus shook his head and drew his knuckles against her cheek in a caress.

“It’s okay Josephine. I know you remember what truly matters. And that’s enough for me, vhenan.”

He kissed her. Chaste and slow. But here was no mistaking the adoration in his green eyes.

She smiled and pulled his hand so he’d follow her back inside.

“Come. Let’s get you some shoes.”

Nylus laughed, “Not again!”

[zuffer-weird-girl]

maybe for pirate kai pt.2, Reader had been working for overhaul for a while, when an enemy ship attacks the Shie Hassaikai ship and the captain of it takes reader cuz he's interested in her. this makes kai furious and fights to rescue her, which makes him realize that he actually developed feelings for her at the end?

"You missed a spot." That voice which you came to hate and feel shivers at only hearing from afar spoke from behind you as you scrubbed the floor with a mop.

You turned to give him a dirty look behind your shoulder as he merely raised one of his eyebrows with arms crossed over his chest.

How you wanted to give just a piece of your mind to this fucked up Captain... but the fear of being throw on a icy cold sea surrounded by sharks just like the last time. So it was better than remain quiet and atture.

... but that doesn't mean you couldn't at least give one or two snarky comments to him.

"If you think that is such a shitty job then why dont you do it asshole?" You mumbled while aggressively shoving the mop on the bucket and then splashing rather close to his shiny boots.

"What is the fun of having a slave then? I can clean properly later, is much better when I can see you here paying for what you did, and slowly watch that hope to get out of here fade away." His boots echoes on the deck as he threw you a dark glance before walking off.

You mimicked him talking with your hand before continuing scrubbing the floor.

"You should be grateful!" You deadpanned at hearing Irinaka's voice from above you "Captain doesn't speak with actually no one asides from you!"

"Wish he just could shut it up instead and leave me alone!" You shouted back, flinching at how the strand led shout of a crow left his throat and almost killed your earbuds.

You heard laughter and shouting at your little discussion with Rappa until he shouted again some incoherent words while landing on the deck with a hard thud.

"What the-" you holded the mop close but then he ran past you and shouting after Overhaul.

"CApTAin! FuCK THErE ARe A enEmY ShIp NeArBy And TheY wAn-" overhaul lifted his palm at the man, an action you learned that it was a quite polite 'shut up' but then a canon ball hitted close to Setsuno's head as you screamed.

His golden's eyes narrowed at the direction it came the canon ball as he put it on his hat and started to walk.

"LIFT THAT CANDLE AND GET READY TO ATTACK YOUR BAND OF VERMS!" You widened dyour eyes and clinged onto teh mop in shock at hearing that man shouting and how fast everyone followed to his rules.

"W-What do I do now-?!" You looked at your sides but then Overhaul came by and grabbed your arm and dragged you to the coffins of the ship "LET GO YOU-YOU-! YOU PIRATE!"

"Goadly to know you have some sense." He growled out and pushed you into his office "Dont get out of here." He glared at you before slamming the door.

"Hey!" You punched the door and kicked as the ship started to shake "LET ME OUT OF HERE!"

You heard damon balls and shots and ju God did it scare you shitless. You started to wander off at hearing more and more shouts as you started to search for something, anything that could potentially be useful for self defense.

His desk was clear as ever and some old paintings and books were sprawled and tossed by the way the shipton was going as you looked for anything on the sheets.

You found a book and opened out of curiosity and widened your eyes at it.

"The jerk's jornal..." you muttered as you started to flip pages... even fouding the date where you were prisioned by these pirates.

It had been months since you were kidnapped... by as you started to read the notes and descriptions of ever treasure and how the sea looked for future provisions for traveling you saw your name writen over it.

You furrowed your eyebrows at it...

This (Y/n) is quite a feisty one. Cant follow any of my rules, give snarky comments. By seas, I guess even Rappa Kendo can be more respectful towards me than this little thief rat.

Yet I cant deny there is something... intriguing about her... She does this... witchcraft on my chest. Ever time she leople back at one of my orders I just have to talk back... I have to remain as best as I can to have her on this ship.'

"... this man is crazy or what?" You muttered while reading until you screamed when the door bursted open to see a blue haired man looking his ruby blood eyes with yours and smilling.

"What do we have here?" He spoke nonchantly as you clenched on the diary.

"Another pirate and just a slave of other.maybe?!?!?!" you shouted and yelped when he pointed a gun towards your head.

"Captain Tomura. Pleasure to meet you slave, now come with me before I decided to burst your brains on this neat office of that Captain of yours."

You gulped and followed his orders.

.

.

.

This Compress guy was good with swords despite having one fucking arm.

"Glad to see you havent changed!" The man smiled and hitted his swords along with his befor ehe twirled Compress's sword and threw at the air and pointe the tips of both at him, one at his throat and other at his heart.

"You miserables never change." He growled before hearing a shot gun and looking at Shigaraki keeping you captive.

Fuck..

"Stay right there Oveehaul, unless you want one of your stolen things yo have her their brain busted."

"P-Please dont. I prefer the cleaning maniac then this man seriously-" you whimpered and Shigaraki laughed as his own crew smirked and giggled.

"Owww! Can we keep her?!" Toga squealed as he threw a dirty look at the teenager.

"We will." Shigaraki smiled "Take us out of here. Kurogiri!" He shouted as some black and purple clouds started to surround the ship as Overhaul saw that one by one were dissapearing.

"Dammit-!" He threw his swords and ran towards Shigaraki, even extending one of his hands towards you "SHIGARAKI GIVE HER BACK-!"

You widened your eyes as Shigaraki grabbed your neck amd put his face close to your before dissapearing.

"Come get her then, Captain Overhaul..."

And just like that they were gone and Chisaki only grabbed the air as his eyes widened.

"Overhaul!" Chrono shouted and came to his side "They hadn't rook anything besides (Y/n), so I guess there is no prejudice-" he flinched when Chisaki pinched the wall of the ship so hard that it broke.

"DAMMIT!" HE shouted so loud that even Rikiya shivered, and just when it finally ended his shouting he ran towards the wheel, even letting his hat fall as he harshly turned the wheel towards where Shigaraki ships had dissapeared.

"The fuck you're doing?!" Rappa shouted while clinging to some place as others did the same to prevent being throwed in the water "THERE'S A STORM COMING OUR WAY YOU FUCKER! WE NEED TO GET OUTTA OF-"

"They stolen something that was mine AND I WONT HAVE LOSE IT! EVERYONE JUST ON THEIR POSITION AND IF ANYONE DARES TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS-" He pointed at the sea while the clouds started to get darker and even some thunder started to echoes "I'M FEEDING THEM TO THE FUCKIING KRAKEN HIMSELF!"

Everyone lowered their heads as Chisaki lead the ship, clenching his jaw at feeling the salty water and drops of rain hit his skin.

.

.

.

You sighed, rolling your eyes at being tied up on the mast as Shigaraki walkes around while reading Overhaul's diary which you might or not accidentaly stolen.

"My, so you are more than a slave then."

You chuffed and looked at him with hate as the indigo haired man tighten the rope even more around your waist, chest to the mast.

"Yet it seems that you are... huh. Quite special to that fucked up project of a Captain."

"To be honest he does keep his ship and subbordinates better than you do." You mumbled before the ropes around you were cutted and throw over to see Shigaraki glaring at you.

"Kneel, slave." You glared at him back and spitted on his boots as he threw a look to a lizard man.

"Kill this bitch."

You sometimes hated how you were always a snarky woman.

Just before the lizard could even step closer to you a thunder echoed along with a guttural amd terrifying shout as you widened your eyes at the sign of the known ship.

"SHIGARAKI!" The ma shouted and pulled his swords before taking one rope of his ship, running and even throwing himself at the deck of the other ship as the other did the same. Landing perfectly on two foots... excluding Rappa whose fell face planted.

His golden eyes narrowed as he growled at the other male as you could only blink.

"Attack!" Shigaraki commanded as one 13 old boy grabbed you by the waist and dragged you to the top of the mast by climbing on ropes. How? You didn't know.

He clenched his teeth together as he went forward, not caring how much blood he had to drip as he cutted with his swords at anyone who got in his front.

He grabbed one rope and jumped and crawled until you.

"One more step and she is food for the sharks!" The boy shouted while holding only your arm as you were being holded just above the sea as teh thunders echoed.

"Drop then." His comment was so nonchantly as you send him a desperate look.

"Wait what?" The boy spoke as you repeated his words but with more hate and desperatioms towards then.

"Drop. Her." He growled as the boy shrugged.

"You miserable son of a-" you screamed as the boy let go of your wrist and you fell towards the water.

you closed your eyes but when you thought you were going to find frozen water, you were simply ripped off and brought to a warm chest and an arm holding you very tightly against it.

you opened your eyes and screamed again when you realized that Chisaki had also jumped and caught you in the last second, grabbing a rope while you two seemed to fly around the boat.

"WHAT'S HAPPENING MY GOOD NEPTUNE LOVED THAT'S IT- ?!"

"Do you want to stop screaming?" he asked as if it was nothing and turned his head to his subordinates to give the final attack while he fell on his own ship, holding her in his arms in a bride style.

You later on noticed you were clinging to death on him and soon yelped when you meet his nonchantly gaze. Throwing yourself out of his arms.

"L-Lets forget about that." You mumbled as he put his hand behind his neck, only for you to gasp at him grabbing your hand and pulling you to a safe place.

"Stay there."

This time you decided to follow his orders... mostly because you can tease about the blushy om his cheeks later.

So he had feelings towards you for real? Huh....

What a weird pirate...

While he jumped and managed with his swords couldn't get the thoughts of you out of his head... even when he was battling with shigaraki.

Maybe he should invite you to tea later...?

Wait-

"WHAT?!" He shouted while lifting one punch and attacking one enemy from behind.

He was fuming in embarrassment at even the thought... why?! Why did he ever thought about that?!

"Overhaul?" His crewmates asked but he could only concetrate on the tone of your voice and just was actually waiting for him to get back.

What the actual... did he... fell? For a thief rat?

Boy he was screwed.