#i saw my uncle at a family function not too long ago and he showed me his woodworking pieces they were so good u guys.

[rillette]

recolored an old jason sketch 👍

[shelbgrey]

Glory of love(Eleazar Denali)

Chapter 1: the world's not perfect but it's not bad

Table of contents

She grew up in Forks under the protection of her father. She loved the rain and how small the town was, like her father she pictured herself living there forever.

She had everything she could want, a father that loved her, her two best friends Leah and Seth was like a little brother. She had little sister that looked up to her even if they only saw each other on a holiday.

But when she got excepted into college to become a teacher she was forced to move to Arizona. She hated it there, the sunburns, the dryness, but most of all she hated that her and Bella took care of the house while their mother went off on different 'adventures'

Her mother favorited Bella above her and put her little sister on the mantle. It didn't matter what the situation was, Bella could do no wrong in Renae's eyes. Y/n could go to school all day and have a good paying job, but her mother would still disapprove. Nothing was good enough.

Then one night she had enough and ran into the arms of the man she trust the most, she went home.

“we got each other and that's all that matters, I'll be there for you” her father told her.

Then when she graduated college her father Charlie showed up with his second daughter at their door step. They told her everything would be alright dispite the anger on her eyes.

--------( ....... )--------

He was no older than 30 when he turned and he felt that him and his family were only getting older when if they had forever.

He was scared to be alone after the woman he thought loved him left. After she left he was thankful for the blond he called his brother, even though sometimes they argued. Being in the Volturi wasn't easy, Carlisle is the reason he survived.

He knew the world wasn't perfect but it could be worse, as long as he had the coven he called family how bad could it be.

~~~~~~~~(.......)~~~~~~~~

Her TV never failed to wake her up, neither did the aching pain in her back from her horrible habit of falling asleep at her desk after staying up all night making lesson plans from her new class.

She sighed at the sound of the credits rolling of the movie she was too tired to remember what it was. The remote fell on her desk with a clank as she got up to start her morning. As she moved around her room her black Labrador, Duke woke up and started to follow her like he always dose.

She did the normal human functions of the morning, hair, makeup, you get the gist of it. For school she put on dark pants and a Elvis shirt that was gifted long ago. As she walked down the stairs to the kitchen she mostly used she slipped on a gray cardigan before starting breakfast for the house.

Her little sister was fist to grace y/n with her presence. Not much words were spoken just a small 'good morning' as Bella made her coffee.

“you ready for your first day of school?” she asked cooking some eggs.

Bella rolled her eyes. “yeah joining a new school when it's second semester... So great”

“Hey, I just got a job there and it's second semester... We're both doomed” y/n joked. Bella rolled her eyes as she sat down at the kitchen table.

“Dad, breakfast!” y/n shouted to her dad but got no answer.

Y/n left to get her Dad but saw he had already left for work. As she came back to the kitchen breakfast plates had been clean and Bella had already left for school. The oldest Swan quickly got her stuff together and was out the door in seconds after saying goodbye to her dog. She drove off in her red VW beatle.

--------(Cullen's house)--------

“Esme, have you seen a black folder anywhere? My graded papers are in there” Eleazar asked as he sped through the house. The rest of the residents of the home were doing the same, getting ready for school or doing last minute hunting.

“here, uncle Eleazar” Alice said aprearing out of no where with the folder. Alice was really the only one who called him that. For their human act Eleazar was the older brother of Esme and he had three nieces he a adopted, Tynan, Kate, and Irina. Because of Irina's more mature looks she had college classes while her other two sisters posed as sinors. The three girls were the cousins to the Cullen children when they were at school.

“Gracias Alice” he smiled and took the folder. As his hand griped the folder Alice gasped and images and scenarios of a girl with Eleazar flooded her brain.

She let go of the folder as Eleazar gave her a strange look. Him and the rest of the family were used to her random black outs, they knew it was vision.

“what did you see Alice?” he asked. She smiled brightly at him and shrugged. Eleazar usually never liked hearing about his future, he either doesn't believe the happiness one vision will bring him or he says her 'spoiler alerts' of life take the fun out of it.

“oh, I saw nothing” she knew what she was doing. She felt so happy he'd no longer be alone, but she knew better than to tell him. For the first time she didn't give out one of her spoiler alerts and let him figure it out for himself.

“what didn't Alice see?” Kate asked coming down the stairs with Rosalie. “nothing” Alice smiled and followed Jasper into the garage. Eleazar rolled his gold eyes preparing himself for a eight hours of teaching delinquents.

~~~~~~~~(.......)~~~~~~~~

“ah, you must be the new English Teacher” and older woman smiled as I walked into the front off with my bag and box thst held office supplies and books. I smiled and set my box down next to her desk.

“I am, y/n Swan” I said holding my hand out.

“Heather Webber” The older woman shook my hand then gave me the Bell schedule and a paper that had the attendance list off all my classes.

“and you have to fill a few of these out” the older woman said handding me some forms. I smiled softly and started to fill out all the forms, trying to get them done before the first bell rang.

--------(the parking lot)--------

“Alice, why dose me and Edward being single cause you so much distress?” Eleazar asked as he parked his '66 Cadillac Coupe DeVilleat the front of the school where most of the staff parked.

“it doesn't cause me distress... But aren't you lonely?” she asked as Eleazar opened the car door for her and Tanya. The blond chuckled as she claimed out of the back seat. The conversation that lasted the whole ride to school was already the highlight of her day.

“yeah you need a woman in your life” the blond added.

“Chicas, this is not a crisis worth dealing with” Eleazar said grabing his school bag and the folder that held his lesson plans from the trunk.

Alice held a finger up as she skipped over next Eleazar as he closed the trunk. “but it is worth dealing with!”

“exactly” Tanya said.

Eleazar rolled his eyes at the two girls as the three walked into he school. “you know Edward has been single longer than I have, why don't you bother him?”

“we aren't talking about Edward, are we?” Alice said.

As the three walked through the hallway that led to Eleazar's classroom the girls pressed the subject. “girls will-”

He stopped mid sentence as he passed by the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. She was carrying a box of school stuff when she slightly looked up at him without relizing. She had most beautifulest eyes he'd ever seen. Her curly hair bounced as she moved making her sent more noticeable.

Her sent was intoxicating. The smell in the air was so sweat and greeted his sences graciously. The smell of spearmint, Roses, and old pages from a book never smelled so heavenly. He couldn't help but take another breath while the girls looked in his general direction trying to figure out what shut him up.

“looks like the new English Teacher” Tanya said.

“Ella es hermosa(she's beautiful)” Eleazar whispered. The girls gave a confused look do to the fact their Spanish was rusty.

“huh?” Alice asked coming up behind him and looking over his shoulder.

“come again?” Tanya said. Eleazar quickly shook his head motioning the girls to follow as the morning bell rang.

[staynskz]

Making Amends: Part Two

Pairing: husband BangChan x female reader

Genre: slight angst, fluff

Word count: 2.2k+

Warning(s): none

At work, your boss realized how distracted you were. “Y/N, are you okay?” she asked, snapping you back to reality. “Huh? Oh… yeah I’m doing okay, just a bit deep in thought.” She stared at you with worried eyes. “It doesn’t seem like it. Look, why don’t you go home and get some rest for a few days while I work on the rest of the project, okay?” “What? No, it’s okay-I’m completely capable of completing the project, don’t worry, I-” “Y/N… you’re my hardest working employee. I’m sure it’ll be fine if you take some time off, okay? Why don’t you go home and stay with your kids for a bit and see how it goes. Maybe spend some time with them while they’re still small, hmm?”

She was right. You’d been so caught up in this project, you barely slept, ate, nor spent much time with children anymore. You thought the project was only going to last for a bit, but that was never the case with any project at work. “Are you sure?” you guiltily asked. “Yes, I’m sure! Now go! Enjoy the rest of your day off, hun!” As she shooed you out of the office, you walked out into the street and realized that you didn’t even remember how to have fun. You planned a small date for you and your kids. They for sure were going to have fun with you today. You were going to make memories they’d never forget.

After picking up the kids from Changbin’s house, you surprised them by going to the park near the house. It had been so long since you’d brought them here. It felt like a million years had gone by already. The three of you ate ice cream, played lava monster on the playground, and ate dinner together. The day was set as a memory you’d never forget. When the three of you got home later that evening, you saw that Chan’s car was in the driveway. It was weird that he was home so early. You weren’t displeased, but from the last conversation you both had, you weren’t so happy either. Either way, you inhaled deeply and went into the house.

Chan was sitting on the couch when the three of you trudged your way in. Aris and Eli both dropped their backpacks on the ground and ran over to Chan. “Daddy!!!” they screamed as they attempted to climb onto Chan’s lap. “Hi kiddos,” he said while grabbing them both and placing them on his lap. “Daddy, guess what mommy and us did today??” Aris asked Chan. “What is it? What did you and mommy do, hmm?” Eli cut his sister short as he started exaggerating every detail of the day. They were both so busy entertaining Chan that they forgot you were still standing by the door just watching them explain things to their dad.

Before the story could get any crazier, you decided to let them both know that it was time for bed, and that they needed to sleep so that they could wake up and go to uncle Binnie’s house tomorrow. “Awwww but I wanna stay up with you and daddy!!!” Aris complained while pouting. “Yeah!! You said we could do anything we want today!!” Eli chimed in tune with his sister. “Now, you both know how mommy is when she gets mad, you two. Why don’t you go shower tonight, and we can all ready a book together tonight, hmm?” Chan explained calmly to them. With a loud gasp, Aris said, “Can we read about the warriors who slay the dragon??!!!” “Noooo!!! I want to read about Cinderella,” Eli retorted. It was literally as if Aris was the brother and Eli was the sister from the way they both acted. It was too adorable. Chuckling, Chan obliged to read both stories to them. Running away happily, they took their bags from your hands and got ready to shower and end the day.

When the kids had finished showering, Chan laid in bed with them-both books in his hands. He really was going to read both books, wasn’t he? You just stood at the door watching your children smile while they laid across Chan’s lap. “Mommy?” Eli said interrupting your thoughts. “What is it, baby?” “Can you come lay with us?” Surprised, you stood awkwardly at the foot of the bed, looking at where to join the children and Chan on the bed without actually being near Chan. “Come on, mommyyyy, I want to get the story started!” Eli complained while you stood there-still looking like an idiot. “Mommy, just sleep by daddy!” Aris demanded while making some room by Chan on the bed.

Not wanting to waste any more time, you walked over to the side of the bed and joined Chan under the covers while the kids shifted their way around the two of you. It was awkward, to say the least. You were still struggling on how to sit next to Chan but could only lean back towards the wall behind you. It was the most uncomfortable feeling ever. The four of you sitting in your daughter’s small bed trying to find space just to read a simple bedtime story. “Mommyyy! Can you move, please? I don’t have any space,” Aris complained beside you. “Well mommy doesn’t have any space either, baby. Why don’t you sit on my lap, hmm?” “No, I don’t want to mommy. Why don’t you just lay on daddy’s shoulder like you always do?” The most awkward tension had been brought back by your sassy five-year-old daughter.

So it was true-toddlers were probably worse than teenagers because of their unruly filter. All that time, Chan just sat there laughing and giggling to himself under his breath with Eli. He truly did know how to get under your skin. Especially since you were both still not speaking to each other than about the kids. You shot a glare at Chan while adjusting yourself to compromise with your daughter.

It was hard getting intimate with Chan-even just putting your head on his shoulder. It had been so long since you’d both been intimate-whether it be holding hands or even making love. It just wasn’t there anymore. You missed it, to be honest. It was the hardest thing to admit. You wanted to be independent, show that you were tough, but all you wanted in all honesty was for Chan to hold you. You missed the way he would caress your body, the way he would kiss every inch of your body, make you feel his love through his actions, whisper sweet nothings in your ears, tell you how beautiful you were regardless of anything you thought of yourself. You missed those days. The days when you were both able to enjoy small moments together. “Are you comfortable, babe?” Chan asked, bringing you back to reality. Shocked by his sudden words, you whispered a simple yes without looking at him and you laid your head on his shoulder. “Okay, let’s begin, shall we?” Chan asked the kids as he opened your daughter’s favorite book. “Once upon a time, there were three kingdoms…” that was the last you’d heard while you could keep your eyes open.

The next thing you knew, you were waking up in your bed with Chan’s arms around your waist. He must’ve brought you to the bedroom after he read the books to the kids. Pulling his arms off you, you walked toward the bathroom to get ready for work. It was hard holding a grudge against Chan at times. Times where moments were so sweet and loving like last night. But one moment wouldn’t fix that. One moment can’t fix the lonely nights you cried in bed alone and cold. One moment can’t fix the many times you’d had to tell friends and family that Chan was busy at work while you were at family functions he promised he’d show up to. It had been going on for long enough. You did want to forgive him, but forgiveness had to come with change; that was the only compromise you’d ever needed from Chan. Regardless, you were going to try and make this work once you finished your unfinished project at work. There was too much at stake to lose the deal you were close to closing.

Dropping off the kids at Changbin’s house went smoothly and arriving at work seemed less stressful than previous weeks. Maybe your boss was right taking a day off definitely helped. “What are you doing here, Y/N?” you heard your boss’s voice behind you. “What do you mean what am I doing here? I’m here to work,” you said nonchalantly to your boss as she followed you into your office. “Y/N… when I said take some time off, I didn’t mean only half a day.” “…What do you mean?” you asked. “I meant take a few days off, Y/N. I can’t make my most hardworking employee burn out!” “But the project-I can’t just-” Taking the paperwork out of your hands, your boss quietly said to you, “it’s about time you and your hubby go on vacation, yeah?”

Vacation. That word was so foreign to you. It was so long ago since you’ve been on vacation. “I don’t think vacation’s a great idea since we’re trying to land this deal…” you said while trying to snatch the paperwork back. “Noooo… you do realize that they agreed to the deal, right?” “They did?!” “Yeah, they did. I don’t know how they came to a conclusion to work with us, but here we are.” “Wow… that makes me feel so much easier now,” you said while sitting down. “Good. So that means that I have to kick you out of this building just so you’ll take time off, right?” she asked as she grabbed your purse. “What? No, I need to-” “Ah! No. If you don’t listen to what I have to say, that means I’ll have to fire you just so you’ll stop living here, right?” “I mean…” “No-that’s what I thought. Please, Y/N, you need to leave this place for just a few days, okay?” “Please go home and rest while you can before we have to close another deal, okay?” She rushed you out of the office and blew a kiss before choosing the lobby floor for you in the elevator.

You couldn’t even catch sight of what was happening-just that your boss had given you the next few days off. Sounded good, though, since you needed it and wanted to catch up on a few projects back at home. You texted Changbin’s wife asking if they could keep the kids until the same time so that you could run some errands. With a sweet reply, she said yes.

Pulling into the garage, you saw that Chan’s car was still parked in the garage. Did he not go to work? Either way, you still didn’t want to talk about the situation with Chan. It was like you were both walking on eggshells- not just around the kids, but it you were both struggling to find a middle ground. It’s not like you were trying to make a point by not apologizing… okay maybe it was a bit of pride, but you also felt that Chan should’ve been more helpful as a husband and father.

Opening the door to your house, you saw that there were packed suitcases in the living room. Why were there suitcases? Was Chan leaving you? Was it the nightmare you wished would never happen? It made your stomach drop. No matter how independent you were, in this marriage, it only worked as a codependent relationship. Not only that, but as parents, it would be easier to work together in one home than in two-in most cases. Was Chan falling out of love with you? Was Chan going to leave you alone? Were you really going to be the single mother you’d always felt you’d been for the past few months?

As those thoughts were running through your mind, Chan walked into the room. “Hey, babe… let’s go.” “Go where?” you asked. “We’re gonna miss our flight.” “Our flight? What do you mean? I still have work, and the kids-” “I’ll explain on the way to the airport-” Chan said as he pulled you back into the garage and into his car along with the suitcases. On the car ride to the airport, you couldn’t help but ask so many questions. Where were the kids? Where were you guys going? What happened? Chan answered the questions with simple yet vague answers. It wasn’t helping your frantic mind at all.

Boarding the private jet, you weren’t ready to go anywhere-you were just worried about your babies. You knew you left them with Changbin and his wife, but you didn’t get to say goodbye before leaving to whatever destination Chan had been rushing you to go to. Taking a seat on the jet, you opened your mouth to ask Chan another question, but were hushed with his stern voice saying for you not to worry, and that you needed to get some rest before arriving at the destination. Furious at the vagueness of his answers, you turned toward the window and stared at the sky as the jet took off.

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

Author’s note: Here’s part two :) I’m just glad I’ve been having a bit more time to work on this with the few days I get off of work.

Tag list: @crispbang 

[animationnut]

Feelings In Free Fall

Rating: K+ Summary: After the terrifying ordeal that was fighting F.O.W.L., tumbling through the air with no parachutes was far from the worst thing to happen to the McDuck clan that day. After all, what's better than hugs in free fall? 

Spoilers for The Last Adventure!

...

The bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds would have been peaceful if Huey wasn’t currently free-falling through the picturesque scenery.

The wind slapped at him from all sides. Huey kept his eyes firmly closed, pretending he was at the harbour or the beach and not plummeting to his death from tens of thousands of feet in the air. He tucked his legs against his body to prevent himself from tumbling in all directions.

“I’m going to be okay, I’m going to be okay,” he chanted. “We just survived the insane Bradford Buzzard. We’re not going to die because Launchpad accidentally hit a button. Fate is not that cruel.”

Something solid stuck him and Huey’s eyes flew open. He yelped as Louie frantically clung to him, his movements causing them to spin. “Louie!”

He grabbed hold of his brother’s wings and adjusted his body into a horizontal position. Louie copied his movements so that they were directly across from each other as they fell through the sky. “We need to get a cover for that button,” said Louie flatly.

“Don’t think it would help much. Launchpad will still find a way to crash the plane.”

“Yeah, but at least we’d be inside when it happens.”

“That would be preferable,” admitted Huey.

Louie arched a brow at the steady stare Huey aimed at his face. “Do I have something on my beak?”

“What? No.”

“Then why are you looking at me like that?”

“If I look down, I’m going to freak out,” said Huey, more calmly than he felt.

“Ah. Gotcha.”

“Hey, guys! Check this out!”

Louie glanced down, rolling his eyes at the sight of Dewey moonwalking through the air, moving his hips and arms to a rhythm only he could hear. “Show-off.”

Curious, Huey snapped his gaze down just long enough to catch Dewey’s dance routine before returning his eyes back to Louie’s face. “It’s kinda impressive.”

“I thought you were too scared to look down!”

“I am! But I only looked at Dewey, not what was under him.”

Louie was baffled. “How do you even do that?”

Dewey spun in a circle and flattened himself out, sailing up to join his brothers. Louie and Huey each grabbed one of his wings so that they were free-falling in a circle. “Pretty cool, right?” said Dewey cheerfully.

Huey could not help but smile. “It was very smooth.”

“You guys should try and do some tricks!”

“No way,” said Louie with a strong shake of his head.

“Yeah, I’m good,” said Huey feelingly.

Dewey regarded his brothers, his expression softening. “I’m really, really glad nothing bad happened to you, Huey,” he whispered. “We freaked when we saw you left your Junior Woodchuck Guidebook behind.”

“I’m glad nothing happened to you guys, either,” returned Huey. “I was really happy to see you.”

Louie grinned. “We could tell by how you nearly strangled us with your hug.”

Dewey lightly jostled Louie in the side. “You were great, by the way. That pep talk on the plane was something I needed. Thank you.”

“I knew the Dewey in you was there. You just had to stop trying to be Mom, Uncle Scrooge and Uncle Donald in order to find it. That plane flying of yours is seriously amazing and it’s all you.”

Dewey beamed. “Thanks! I am pretty awesome, aren’t I?”

“So humble, too,” said Huey sarcastically and Louie snickered.

“Heads up!”

The shout caused Huey, Dewey and Louie to look up in time to see Webby was hurtling towards them. Louie and Huey hastily let go and created a space for her to drop through. Before she went out of their reach, they snagged her by the wings, pulling her up to join their circle.

“Hi!” she chirped. “Isn’t this so cool?”

“I did a moonwalk over the clouds!” said Dewey excitedly. “Did you see?”

“I did! It was amazing!”

“Ha! See?” Dewey grinned smugly at his brothers. “Told you I’m awesome.”

“It’s a good thing you don’t wear hats,” said Louie. “That big head of yours wouldn’t fit into any of them.”

Huey studied Webby closely. There was a bright light in her eyes and she didn’t seem to be too fazed by the events of the day. “Are you okay?” he asked worriedly, wanting to be sure she was all right.

“I’m fine,” she answered with a nod. “Are you guys okay?”

“We’re good.” Dewey nibbled on his bottom beak. “Seriously, Webby, about the whole…clone thing. You’re not upset?”

“I was, at first,” admitted Webby. “But I think I was mostly angry. Angry that I was lied to by Granny. That I wasn’t who I thought I was. But I was wrong. It doesn’t matter who made me. It doesn’t matter that I was made and not born. I am the girl I’ve always been. Nothing changes that.

“And…well, I thought I lost my parents a long time ago. Now I have a dad!” Her delight was short-lived as she considered, for the first time, that this might not be something the triplets would be particularly happy with. “Does…does that bother you?” she asked in a small voice. “That I’m his daughter, and that I’m the one who found the Papyrus?”

“No,” Dewey said fiercely. “Not at all.”

“We think it’s so great that Uncle Scrooge is your dad,” said Huey sincerely.

“You were family before we knew about your past,” said Louie. “Why would that change now?”

Webby beamed. “I love you guys.”

“We love you too,” the triplets chorused.

“Hold that form, lads and lass!”

The kids glanced up to see Scrooge careening towards them, a wide grin on his beak. He did not show any signs of diverting from his path and Huey asked nervously, “Uhhhh what is he doing?”

For a moment it seemed like Scrooge would crash right into them. The shriek formed in Huey’s throat but before it could be released his great-uncle soared neatly through the middle of their circle. He somersaulted in place three times before angling his body so that the air carried him back to the kids.

Webby and Louie parted to make room and Scrooge joined the little formation they had created. He gripped Webby and Louie’s wings tightly, his eyes glinting with delight. “Ah knew Ah should have made ye kids wear those life vests.”

“Uncle Scrooge, even if there was water below us, a life vest would be useless given the speed with which we’re falling,” said Huey.

“It’s a joke, goof,” said Louie with a roll of his eyes.

“I know, but I feel we’re having too much fun given our life-threatening situation.”

“That’s never stopped us before,” countered Dewey. “At least this life-threatening situation isn’t, like, dark and dire.”

“We’ll be fine, lad,” said Scrooge, giving Huey a reassuring smile. “Fenton will nae let us plummet tae our deaths.”

“But Mom and Uncle Donald will,” said Louie with a straight face. “Totally don’t blame them.”

“Ye know what Ah mean,” said Scrooge with a slight smirk. His humour faded slightly and he regarded them all seriously. “What happened today was nae like anythin’ we ever faced before. If ye need tae talk, ye know Ah’m—”

“We know,” said Louie, giving Scrooge’s wing a tender squeeze. “We can always talk to you, Mom and Uncle Donald.”

“We already checked in with each other,” spoke Dewey. “We’re fine, Uncle Scrooge. What happened today was hard and terrifying, but we got through it, because we were fighting for each other.”

“Family sees us through, always,” said Webby earnestly.

“Aye, that it does,” said Scrooge with deep fondness. He surveyed the children that had changed his life so completely, an intense love burning bright in his heart. “Ah love ye kids. Always.”

“And we’ll always love you,” said Dewey with devotion, and Huey, Louie and Webby chimed in with their affirmations.

Though a warm fuzziness filled Huey’s chest, the anxiety still tingled, not letting him forget about their current predicament. “I hate to have another cute family moment interrupted, but we really should start making our way to the others.”

Dewey and Louie shared a mischievous glance. “All right, all right,” said Louie casually. “You want a boost?”

Huey blinked. “A boost? What does that—?”

Louie let go of Scrooge’s wing and Dewey pulled on Huey’s arm, yanking him from Webby’s hold. Ignoring Huey’s protests, Dewey and Louie each took one of his wings and used all their strength to send Huey hurtling downwards, where the others were scattered at various altitudes in their own free falls.

The sky flipped in all directions, just like Huey’s stomach, as he spun out of control through the air. Huey screamed with panic as he flailed, trying to put his body back into a stable position and failing.

“I haaaaaate you guuuuuuuuuys!” he wailed, even though he was sure his brothers couldn’t hear him any longer.

Alerted by the screams, B.O.Y.D. looked up to see Huey twisting towards him. He reached out and tried to grab his best friend, but missed the fabric of his red shirt by inches. Huey pitched below them and B.O.Y.D. cried out, “Huey!”

Gyro activated the communication function of Lil Bulb, connecting him to Gizmoduck’s helmet. “You’ve got Hat Nephew incoming,” he said.

Fenton snapped his gaze up. He could hear Huey’s screams but couldn’t see the boy. He was about to ask Gyro if Huey was still in his sight when the red-clad duckling plummeted through a cloud just above their heads.

Fenton jerked backwards, tilting his head as far back as possible so that Huey wouldn’t get hurt on his propeller. Gandra extended her wings and there was an oof from both her and Huey as she caught him.

“We’ve got him,” Fenton reported to Gyro.

Huey clung to Gandra, his stomach still twisting and turning despite the fact was he no longer moving. His heart raced in his chest and his breaths shuddered out of him. Gandra tightened her grip and said soothingly, “You’re okay, Huey. We’ve got you.”

“What happened?” asked Fenton in concern.

“My…brothers…are…jerks,” he wheezed.

“Siblings can be like that,” said Gandra in amusement.

Huey caught his breath and the roaring in his ears died down. He properly processed his surroundings, finding himself pressed against Gandra’s chest with his head tucked against her chin. She was in Fenton’s arms, cradled securely against the chest piece of the Gizmoduck armour.

Huey’s cheeks burned red. “I ruined a sweet moment, didn’t I? I am so sorry.”

“You did,” said Gandra with a teasing lilt.

“But now we’re having a new moment,” said Fenton cheerfully, briefly raising one armour-covered wing to stroke Huey’s feathers.

“Ugh, gross,” said Gandra, pulling a face, but a smile broke through when Huey wound his wings around her neck.

Up above, the cackling of Louie and Dewey was promptly cut off by a firm grip falling on their ears. “Ow,” whined Dewey. “Uncle Scrooge!”

“Ye know your brother does nae like tae be surprised like that,” he said sharply.

“That was mean,” chided Webby, crossing her wings over her chest.

Louie’s phone trilled in his pocket and, bewildered, he pulled it out. “Uncle Donald?” he said in confusion.

Scrooge let go of their ears and said knowingly, “Answer it.”

Louie tapped the screen and brought his phone to his newly-freed ear. “Uh…hello?”

“Where’s Huey?” barked Donald. “What happened?”

Eyes wide, Louie darted his gaze left, right and center. But Donald was nowhere in sight and he said in disbelief, “Wait, where are you? Did Huey fly by you?”

“He’s not with you?!”

“How did you even know?” cried Louie.

“It’s that sixth sense he’s got,” grumbled Dewey. “He always knows when we’re up to something.”

Scrooge nicked the phone and said smoothly, “The boys thought it would be funny tae throw Huey through the air. He’s fine, Ah saw Fenton catch him. Hmm? Yes, one moment.”

Scrooge returned the phone to Louie and, knowing what was coming next, he muttered, “Thanks a lot, Uncle Scrooge.”

“Yeah, thanks,” said Dewey with a pout.

“Ah trust ye two will be able tae find your way tae the others,” said Scrooge pointedly. “Come along, Webby Darlin’.”

Webby happily linked up with Scrooge and together they soared downwards. Louie winced and put his phone on speaker. Donald’s voice, already in mid-rant, erupted through the air.

“—and this is not the time to be goofing around or flinging your brother through the sky! When we get down to the ground you are going to apologize! Do you hear me?”

“Yes, Uncle Donald,” Louie and Dewey mumbled.

“And we want some sincerity when you apologize,” chimed in Della sternly. “You know your brother has anxiety. There’s a line, boys, and chucking your brother through the open sky by himself while we’re in free fall definitely crosses it.”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Do we need to come and get you?” asked Donald warningly.

“No!” said Dewey quickly. “No, we’re on our way down.”

“Don’t dawdle!”

The line went silent as Donald hung up. Louie sighed and stuck his phone back in his pocket. “You know the thing about having a big family? A lot of parental figures.”

“Isn’t it great?” said Dewey happily.

Louie snorted. “Yeah, when I’m not in trouble.”

He performed a spin before angling his body directly downwards. He went gliding away and Dewey stayed in place, the wind whipping past him. He spread his wings and fell backwards, his gaze trained on the bright blue expanse above him.

A few years ago, Donald freaked if they went onto their docked houseboat without their life vests. Now here they were, free-falling thousands of feet through the sky, and his uncle wasn’t tearing his feathers out trying to get to them. He trusted them to make their way to safety without his help.

But the protectiveness had been in Donald’s voice, just as strong as ever. Dewey knew, even if his uncle had learned to let go, he would always be there.

The thought of Donald and his near-death experience caused tears to spring to Dewey’s eyes. He swiped them away and refused to dwell on the memory that had nearly broken his heart. His uncle was safe. His family was safe.

The family that risked life and limb to save each other. A family that was much bigger than Dewey ever imagined it would be. A family he loved with his whole being.

Dewey flipped over and soared downwards. He spotted B.O.Y.D. holding Gyro by the back of his vest, his rocket feet propelling them through the sky and keeping them out of gravity’s mercy. In Gyro’s arms were Lil Bulb and Louie.

“The extra load isn’t too much for you, is it?” Dewey asked when he came within earshot.

“Not at all!” said B.O.Y.D. brightly. “Dr. Gearloose is quite light.”

“I wasn’t talking about Gyro,” said Dewey with a snicker.

Louie glared up at him. “Shut up.”

“I’m sorry, the Gyro Express is closed,” said Gyro flatly.

“Don’t listen to him,” dismissed Louie. “He told me the same thing.”

Gyro narrowed his eyes. “I can still drop you, Green Nephew.”

Louie groaned. “Come on, man. How long are you going to pretend you don’t know our names?”

“I don’t,” said Gyro with a sniff. “I haven’t gotten around to it. I’m a busy scientist. I don’t have time to learn the names of snot-nosed brats.”

“You can ride with me if you want,” offered B.O.Y.D.

“Nah, I’m good. I’m gonna go find Launchpad.” He extended a fist and said warmly, “Thank you, B.O.Y.D. You put yourself in a lot of danger to save my brother. That means a lot to me.”

“To us,” corrected Louie seriously.

“I’d do anything for Huey,” said B.O.Y.D. passionately. “I’d do anything for any of you.”

They exchanged a fist-bump and Dewey grabbed hold of Louie’s cheeks, squishing them together. “I love you, little bro.”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying,” whined Louie. He reached up and wrapped his wing around Dewey’s neck, pulling him as close as he could for a hug. “But despite that, I love you too.”

Gyro gave a yelp of surprise when Dewey hugged him next. Squeezing tight, Dewey whispered, “You saved Uncle Donald’s life. I can’t repay you for that, because it means absolutely everything to me, but I’ll try.”

“Yeah,” said Louie softly, resting his head against Gyro’s chest. “We owe you.”

“Don’t be stupid,” said Gyro gruffly, lightly setting his wing against the top of Dewey’s head. “You don’t owe me anything. It’s, uh, what family does. The whole saving each other thing.”

“He said it!” crowed Louie, gripping the front of Gyro’s shirt and shaking him. “He said we’re family!”

Gyro’s teeth rattled from the rough motion. “Knock it off! I mean it, I will drop you. Louie!”

“Ha! You do know our names!”

Dewey laughed as Gyro spluttered angrily. He continued his descent and it was barely a few minutes of falling later when he came upon Fenton, Gandra and Huey. “Eyyyy! How was your trip, Huey?”

“Terrifying!” snapped Huey, straining to smack at his brother.

“Listen, Uncle Donald told us to apologize, but he said to do it when we’re on the ground and we’re not on the ground yet, soooooo…”

“You are the worst.”

“You’re confusing me with Louie,” said Dewey jokingly.

“This isn’t the time to play around,” scolded Fenton lightly. “Hop on.”

“Thanks, but I’m on my way to Launchpad. Just wanted to stop by and give my big bro some love.” He rested his forehead against Huey’s and said affectionately, “I love you.”

His ire melting, Huey wrapped his wings around his brother. “I love you too. Even when you tap dance at three in the morning.”

“Aw, that’s sweet,” said Fenton warmly.

Gandra furrowed her brow. “You tap dance at three in the morning?”

“Sometimes I get restless,” said Dewey simply. “I like to dance it off.”

“But why tap dancing specifically?”

“It calms me down.”

“Er…okay.”

Dewey regarded her, the way her arms were wrapped securely around Huey and how his brother was nestled comfortably against her. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. “For helping out my family today. This is, like, a weird way to officially meet, but I can’t wait to get to know you better. From everything Huey’s said about you, you’re awesome.”

“He talks about me?” said Gandra, touched.

“All the time.”

“Not all the time,” said Huey quickly. “A reasonable amount of time.”

“I’m flattered, Red.” Gandra playfully pinched his cheek. She smiled at the boy in blue and said, “Thanks, Dewey. I’m looking forward to getting to know you, too. I’ve never really found a place where I fit in before. I think your family might be what I’ve always been looking for.”

“It is,” said Dewey confidently. “Right, Fenton?”

“Absolutely,” said Fenton with a nod. “I…I didn’t think I had what it took to be a hero. But Launchpad, Mr. McDuck, you guys and everyone else showed me I was wrong. You are the reasons I fight.”

“So much mush,” said Gandra with a shudder.

“Get used to it,” teased Fenton. “You sure you don’t want to ride with us, Dewey?”

“Huey’s with his best friend and I ought to go to mine. See you in a few!”

It took a bit longer before he encountered the next group. The girls were all surrounded with Lena’s blue magic, keeping them anchored in the sky and letting them move as they pleased. Dewey cupped his wings around his beak and he shouted, “Webby!”

“Dewey!” she shrieked back gleefully.

She opened her wings and Dewey performed a spin before landing in her embrace. He gripped her tightly and whispered, “Thank you, Webby. For believing in me even when I didn’t. For not giving up even when I wanted to. I couldn’t have found out what happened to Mom without you.”

“I’ll always believe in you, Dewey,” said Webby fiercely, clinging to his shoulders. “Thanks for trusting me with your secrets.”

“Awwwwwwww.”

The coos came from the gathered girls, though Lena’s was a touch more sarcastic than sincere. Dewey stuck his tongue out at her and she made a face at him in return. He spun around so he could fully face May and June and took hold of their wings.

“Webby is like, the best sister you could ask for. I know everything is going to be crazy different for you now, but it’s going to be way better. I promise.”

“We’ve never been part of a family before,” said June hesitantly.

“I didn’t have a family at first, either,” said Lena softly. She pulled Violet against her side and said warmly, “But Violet and Webby changed that for me, and we’re going to change it for you.”

“We’ll show you the ropes,” said Violet confidently. “Don’t worry. You will be well-loved.”

May peeked at Dewey and said hopefully, “We always wondered what it would be like to have a brother.”

“Now you’ve got three,” said Dewey with a grin. “I’m the best triplet, though, but I’m sure you’ll soon figure that out.”

“Okay, one of the rules of this family, Huey is the most trustworthy triplet,” said Lena with a roll of her eyes. “So, like, don’t take anything this dork says seriously.”

“Noted,” chirped May and June.

Dewey clutched at his heart. “I am wounded.”

“Whatever,” said Lena with a snort. “You wanna fly with us?”

“I’m actually on my way to Launchpad. I thought I’d see you before I passed by.”

“Group hug before you go!” whooped Webby.

Dewey found himself smushed between the group of girls. “Cooties! I’m infected!”

May blinked. “Cooties?”

“Get outta here!” said Lena with a laugh.

Dewey found himself encased with blue magic. He yipped as Lena flung him down and as he twisted and spun through the air, he found the inspiration for his apology to Huey.

Thanks to the burst of power from Lena’s magic, Dewey came upon Manny, Mrs. Beakley, Scrooge, Della and Donald much quicker. “Heeeeeey!” he said dizzily as he finally straightened himself out.

“What are you doing?” demanded Donald. “I told you not to dawdle!”

“I’m not! I’m on my way to Launchpad!”

“Where are your brothers?” asked Della with a frown.

“Louie’s with Gyro and B.O.Y.D. and Huey’s with Fenton and Gandra.”

“Is Webby still with the girls?” asked Mrs. Beakley.

“Yup! Just passed them.”

“Launchpad is too far down,” insisted Donald. “Get over here.”

“I’m going to be fine! I can literally see Launchpad from here, it won’t take long.” Dewey grinned at Manny and said, “Love the makeover, by the way. Beyond epic.”

“I must say, it’s nice to have my own head once again,” Manny replied.

“Don’t see what was wrong with the other one,” said Scrooge under his breath.

“All right, before I go, I have some very important things to say,” declared Dewey. He drifted over to Mrs. Beakley and folded his wings around her neck. “Thanks for being our protector,” he said softly. “I love you.”

Mrs. Beakley set a wing against his back. “I love you too, Dewey. I will always fight the battles you cannot,” she said strongly. “And thank you, for all you’ve done for my—for Web—”

“For your granddaughter,” interrupted Dewey firmly. “She’s your granddaughter.”

It took Mrs. Beakley a minute before she could speak past the lump that formed in her throat. “Yes. She is.”

Dewey latched onto his great-uncle next and Scrooge wasted no time into pulling his nephew against his chest. “Ah’ve hunted years for the most sought-after treasures,” he whispered. “But ye kids and your uncle reminded me that there will never be a greater treasure than my family. Ah love ye, Dewey.”

“I love you too,” said Dewey, nuzzling into the front of Scrooge’s coat. “You taught me so much. You showed me the world. You helped me realize that I’m special as I am, and that the only one who thought I wasn’t good enough was me.”

“Ye are perfect joost the way ye are,” murmured Scrooge. “Do nae ever change.”

“Thanks, Uncle Scrooge.”

Scrooge gently let him go and Dewey floated back into the air. He angled himself in front of his mother and uncle and, at the sight of the tears already building in their eyes, his own started to spill over.

“You know, I’m the luckiest kid in the world. When I set out to solve the mystery of my mom, I only wanted to know what happened to her. I thought she was lost, but then I found her. She wasn’t who I thought she was—she was even better than that. She’s been trying to be the best mother she can be ever since she came back and though she makes mistakes sometimes, I know she loves us, and she’s already taught each of us so much. She’s amazing.

“Even if I didn’t understand it or always appreciate it, I was protected for the first decade of my life by someone who loved me and my brothers more than anything else in the world. He loved us enough to bring us to meet our great-uncle, and we’ve grown together ever since. I know that even if he learned to let go, he’ll always be close enough for me to reach out and grab hold of. I never had to go searching for my dad because he’s been with me since the day I was hatched.”

Donald seized Dewey by a wing and pulled the boy into his embrace. Della twisted around and placed one wing on the back of Donald’s neck while the other curled around Dewey’s waist. Donald nuzzled his beak against the top of Dewey’s head and the duckling clung to them, tears splashing down his cheeks.

“I love you,” he said tearfully. “I love you both so much. I’m who I am because of you.”

“No, you’re who you are because of your uncle,” said Della with gratitude. “The best brother a girl could ask for, and the best dad. I see so much of Donald in you and your brothers.”

“When I look at them, I see you,” countered Donald, lightly running his wing through Dewey’s feathers. “Their spirit, their love of adventure and their strength is all you.”

“No,” said Scrooge, his voice thick with emotion. “The boys are both of ye. Ah know because the traits that drove me crazy when ye were kids are the same traits that these kids have.”

Donald and Della looked at each other and laughed. Della wiped the tears from Dewey’s face and kissed his forehead. “I love you, baby. I am so, so proud of you.”

“You boys are my world,” said Donald tenderly. “That’ll never change.”

Dewey beamed. “You guys are my world, too.”

“Now go to Launchpad before I strap you to Manny,” said Donald.

“I would prefer if you didn’t,” the horse said.

Donald and Della raised their wings with Dewey holding on. For a moment he floated in the grasp of his guardians, and Dewey’s heart felt like it would burst from the amount of love he felt.

The twins let go and Dewey tuck and rolled, sailing further down. He spun onto his back to blow Scrooge, Della and Donald a kiss, which they mimed catching in unison with adoring, loving smiles on their beaks.

Dewey fell into a dive and he hollered, “Launchpad!”

“Little buddy!” cried Launchpad.

“Can I ride with you?”

“You sure can! Get over here!”

Dewey fell level beside Gosalyn and she grinned at him. “All right! Now we balance out the nerdiness with our coolness!”

“You know it!” he cheered, high-fiving her.

Darkwing ruffled his feathers. “Better get secure, kiddo. I think the ground’s fast approaching.”

Launchpad grabbed hold of Dewey and the boy let out a small squeak as he was sandwiched against the pilot’s broad chest. “Don’t worry, Dewey. I’ll keep you safe.”

“I know you will,” said Dewey with a smile. “Thanks for being my best friend, Launchpad. You inspire me every day. I love you.”

“Aw, buddy, I love you too,” said Launchpad with a sniffle, squeezing Dewey even tighter. “But you inspire me way more.”

“You’ll never guess what happened in the evil guy’s lair,” said Gosalyn eagerly.

“What happened?”

“Launchpad became Gizmoduck! He kicked butt and it was awesome!”

Dewey craned his neck and said excitedly, “You got to borrow Gizmoduck’s armour?!”

“I sure did!” said Launchpad proudly.

“Tell. Me. Everything.”

As Launchpad started to tell an enthralled Dewey the story, Darkwing turned to Gosalyn and frowned. “Wait. Borrowed? I thought Launchpad was Gizmoduck.”

Gosalyn shook her head fondly and lightly tapped Darkwing’s beak. “Yeah, no, he’s definitely not, Clueless One.”

“Hey!”

[pinkhairedlily]

Endless Seasons With You

Chapter 12 of The Spring He Came Back | 12 of 12

Hinamori’s eyes fluttered open at the arresting sound of her alarm clock. Her phone was also simultaneously ringing. How she came home she’ll never know, but she was still in her coordinated outfit and she was lying down in her room with the heater perfectly functioning. Her mouth was so dry and coarse like felt paper; it was as if the alcohol evaporated inside. Her last memory before she blacked out was….Hitsugaya, his hooded gaze, and his lips on her.

She reddened immediately at the recall. Her hands slapped her cheeks several times to get out of the trance. She was fairly certain it was a dream. Sharp pain shot through her temples, indicating the coming and going of migraines from an alcohol-induced night. Her eyes found the medicine bottle and the note under it on her side table.

For your hangover. Sorry I wasn’t able to say goodbye. – Shirou

What? Hinamori grabbed her still ringing phone and saw the caller ID.

“Finally you picked up!” Rukia’s voice greeted her a bit cheerier than last night.

“How come you don’t have a hangover?” Hinamori asked, still massaging her temples. “I feel like puking.”

“Oh but you were truly a sight last night, you know. We need you to spill all the details later,” Renji said over Rukia’s laughter.

“Don’t be late. We need to see them off on the train platform at 12 noon.” The two quickly hang up, saying they had some errands to do.

“12 noon?”

Hinamori rushed out from her room, towards Baba’s, and and to the guest room. He wasn’t here. His things weren’t here anymore.

“Momo? Are you looking for Toushirou?” Baba called out from the kitchen. “He slept at Dr. Byakuya’s house last night, but he went here this morning and delivered some medicine.”

Hinamori slumped to the floor in a puddle of hopelessness she last felt a decade ago. Did she misread everything again? Did she wear her heart on her sleeve so naively that it came back to bite her for the second time around?

Whatever happened last night wasn’t enough to warrant a reason for him to stay. This encounter on the platform was her last chance, and if it won’t work out, at least she’ll be able to let go of him with the knowledge that she told him her true feelings. She looked at the time on her phone and saw that she only had one hour left.

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

The train’s whistle sounded twice, indicating that it was nearing the departure time. Hinamori jumped off her bike, her farewell gift in her arms. Then again, just like ten years ago, the doors started closing when she was running towards the platform.

“Wait! Shirou!” She quickened her run, the flowers losing some of their petals in the process. She tried to look for silver hair at every cab, even just for a split second. Surely, she might still have this last chance. She wasn’t able to say her last proper goodbye. Why was fate so harsh on her?

Tears started to blur her vision, but in the last cab she finally caught glimpse of Urahara and Byakuya. She pounded on the train’s doors, hoping they would somehow pry open, but the train started to move. She still hasn’t found him. “No, no, no, no.”

It was the last whistle, the moment to leave. She ran just before the train rode the momentum, she ran like her life was on the line, she ran with the hope that maybe she could catch the rail and be swept away in its journey. But the wheels were so much faster than her legs, and she was just one step away from the end of the platform.

Maybe I should jump.

Before her feet could lunge at the space between the platform and the last cab, someone grabbed her waist and pulled her to safety, the bouquet of daffodils loosening from her grip and flying with the strong wind.

He was gone. The train has left the station. She stared at the open blue sky, dotted with the swirling petals of her yellow daffodils and the pink cherry blossoms. How dare you be a beautiful day when I just lost him.

She cried openly, like how she did when she lost her parents. What a pathetic life she has led so far. She got manipulated by a man she truly admired, she thought she lost her grandmother due to her negligence, she drove her best friend away from his hometown, and she lost the chance to make him stay. “I haven’t told you yet I like you, Toushirou. It’s so unfair.”

“You already told me last night, Momo.”

His scent wafted around her, arresting her senses in a sudden burst of realization. She turned around and saw that he supported her fall on the platform. There was a hitch in her throat when it dawned on her that he didn’t leave. She succumbed in his embrace on the ground, afraid that he would suddenly leave or take the next train. She hugged him a little bit more – never mind that people were looking, never mind that traffic patrol was calling them out on the radio, never mind that their friends were breaking out to cheers and yells.

He held her hand as they walked towards a quiet spot on the side of the station. “I wasn’t on that train. Why were you getting on there?”

“Are you gonna be on the next one?” Hinamori asked. She wasn’t in the clear yet.

“Of course not.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you were drunk and you passed out. In the middle of drinking, no less.”

“You could have told me this the day you arrived.”

“Because I wasn’t sure if you would have me.” That pout seldom came on Hitsugaya’s face, but it did now in a random moment of insecurity.

Hinamori was suddenly pissed. She didn’t run across a train platform like a crazy lady for her sincerity to take jabs. “How much more should I prove to you that I would have you?”

“I know, I know. That’s why I stayed,” he reassured her. “You kissed me.”

It wasn’t a dream. They really did kiss last night. “And you kissed back.”

“Are you regretting it now?” He reached out to her other hand like a second nature. This hand holding was fast becoming a routine for both of them.

“Silly, don’t you dare regret staying behind too.” Hinamori sighed at the sight of yellow petals in the wind. “I brought you a bouquet as a farewell gift. They’re frost-resistant and they bloom all year round. I grew them myself.”

“See, I told you you’ll come up with that idea.” Hitsugaya let go of her hands and wrapped them around her waist. He pulled her closer so the wall can cover them from the prying eyes of the crowd. “I think I need to reward you with a kiss.”

His head lowered down on hers, and their lips found each other in a sweet, lingering way. “Would it be too fast if I asked you to go out with me?”

The whistle resounded again, this time signaling an arrival.

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

Five years later

The spring season was ending, but the daffodils in Hitsugaya’s arms were as fresh as the first bloom. In front of him was Baba in a wheelchair, still spritely as ever but her legs have given way to old age.

“Congratulations, Momo!”

The academy’s robes fit Hinamori like a second skin. Hers were maroon instead of the traditional blue for the undergraduates; she finished her bachelors and graduate studies in five years in a feat only she could have done by grit and hard work. Her thesis built upon her work on floral ecology and climate-resilient flowers which earned her several distinctions and publications. She has done all of these and still managed to keep her florist job afloat. Proud was an understatement.

She went to Hitsugaya and Baba after the pictorial, her arms enveloping them in a large, warm hug. The three Rs plus Gin also gave her bouquets and gift baskets.

“So where are we eating?” Urahara, Byakuya, and Unohana blended in the crowd in disguise, careful not to catch the attention of other faculty and students. The three became members of the academy board with Unohana passing the crown of chairpersonship to Byakuya.

“There’s a grand luncheon in our house,” Baba said. “It’s not my cooking, but they’re all my recipes.”

Hitsugaya hailed their service, a large van that can accommodate all of them. Long tables were set on the family grounds under the shade of the old camphor tree. Just like any other big day, announcements were bound to be made.

When Byakuya offered a wine glass to his sister, Rukia declined. “Isn’t it too early to be drinking?”

“I’m pretty sure you drank wine when it was still nine in the morning,” Byakuya said. Then he looked over to Renji and saw the nervous expression.

“Oh Byakuya, you’re gonna be an uncle!” Urahara patted him on the back, the latter choking on a morsel of food.

The couple got married last year during fall. It was Rukia’s wish to have a rustic-themed wedding in a barnyard, and Renji encouraged this. Hinamori was happy enough to curate the floral arrangements in warm muted red, orange, and yellow tones. Now they were bringing a baby into the world.

“Congratulations Rukia and Renji!”

“You should one-up me, Rangiku.” Rukia smiled at her friend, knowing what was up. The blonde took up Rukia’s offer. Rangiku’s hand showed her ring finger adorned with a silver band with a small turquoise in the middle. Having been engaged a few months ago, her wedding announcement with Gin was overdue.

“So we settled on a winter schedule,” Gin announced, kissing Rangiku on the cheek. Unamused expressions looked back at them, slightly disoriented at the date.

“It’s the busiest school season what with the orientations and the trainings and the school openings,” Byakuya protested.

“Oh come on, make time for me,” Rangiku whined.

“You’re not my sister,” Byakuya retorted.

“Fine. Rukia will still go anyway, and I doubt you’d leave your pregnant sister unattended.”

“Sly, Rangiku. No problems for me.” Urahara opened a new bottle of wine. “Any news from you two, Hitsugaya and Hinamori?”

Hinamori quizzically looked at her boyfriend of five years and wondered if she missed anything major. “Um, I graduated?” Hitsugaya weirdly avoided her eyes.

“That merits a cheer.” Unohana held up her wine glass and proudly beamed at Hinamori. “To Momo!”

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

Their guests left just before dusk settled down, ending the celebration with an exhilarating high. It was a tiring day, but it was mostly fulfilling. Just a series of accomplishments that have accumulated over the years; a series of interactions, of hellos and goodbyes, of hugs and quarrels, a series which made relationships, lasting memories, and great achievements.

After securing Baba’s bed and her medicine, Hinamori and Hitsugaya went to the back of the family compound for a quick reprieve from house chores. The rumors were quick to lash out with their living-in arrangement, but they honestly didn’t mind them, neither did Baba. The compound was too large, and they could easily sleep in different rooms and in different sections. Obviously, they didn’t because they spent a long time too far apart and any more distance would keep the other awake throughout the night. Cuddling was also a much more effective way to fall asleep.

The foothills and the vacant lot behind the compound were now filled with plots of different floral varieties. The dusk had a magical feel to it, the way the sun would transition into the soft glow of the moonlight, and the play of lights across the petals of the blooms. Half of the area was dedicated to daffodils, Hinamori’s memorial to their meadow of childhood and adolescent memories. Hitsugaya, having been granted by Baba’s blessing to own part of the compound, converted some rooms into his laboratory and office. More or less, they have started leaving imprints on this ancestral land.

HItsugaya had a plan – become the youngest tenured faculty, have watermelon contests during summer, and live out the rest of his days with the only family he knew – and his plan succeeded. He initially thought he strayed from that path and entertained the idea that maybe, perhaps, in some foreign countries, there was some other face he could come home to.

But Momo was home. He knew that before he left some fifteen years ago, when they left things unsaid and dealt with the repercussions of it within that decade. He knew that when he came back one spring season and saw how she built herself back up, when he realized he had a chance to turn his dream into a possibility. He knew that when he slept beside her and soft sighs escaped her lips as she snuggled closer. Momo was home.

They were indeed two separate journeys merging at the end of their respective successful conclusions, and he couldn’t be any happier.

“What are you smiling about?” Her hair was undone; it grew to a length reaching her waist, and he wanted nothing more than to slip his fingers in between those strands.

“Your hair and the moonlight,” Hitsugaya said. “I don’t want to one-up our friends earlier.”

“We’ve had conversations about this, but I’m not sure if I’d ever be ready.” She slid some straying locks behind her ear, blushing at the implication of his words.

Hitsugaya observed a little more. She said she wasn’t ready, but anxiety wasn’t in her body language. Maybe his timing was just right. “Looking back, it was quite a feat that I made you fell in love with me in one week.”

A light punch landed on his arm. “There’s that usual saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I’d like to believe it was planted there before long.”

“The trysts in the secret room really did their job, huh?” He had an inkling about that too, and he was glad he did those little things because those little things soon became bigger pictures and the pictures became dreams.

Hinamori laughed at the memories, the sneaking in the early mornings, and the pitiful self she was before. “The most we did was sleep on each other’s laps.”

“Well, don’t you want to sit on my lap right now?” Hitsugaya asked.

“We did this before Shirou and I only got allergies,” she complained, but she slid closer to him and he enveloped her in a back hug.

“Here’s a crown for my pretty girl.” The daffodils were beautiful on her hair, and the stars slowly ascended on the night sky. “And here’s a ring for the love of my life.”

Hinamori didn’t say anything and for a second, he was afraid she would say no. His plan B was to hole up in his laboratory for a few weeks and then ask for an explanation from her, but he soon heard muffled sobs from her.

“I told you I’ll never be ready for this. I’m tearing up so much.”

“Momo, we talked about communication so I need a definite yes or no,” he said as he was wiping away her tears.

She turned to him and nodded happily. “I’ve had five spring seasons with you, and you might think I’m greedy but I want them all.”

Hitsugaya mouthed a silent yes and matched it with a fist pump before he could slide the ring on Hinamori’s finger, both of their hands trembling in happiness.

“I’m quite nervous,” he said to her. He wiped a stray tear from his eyes, not noticing that he started tearing up as well. “I guess I’ll be like weepy Renji on his wedding day, but I’ll be happy to spend endless seasons with you for the rest of my life.”

It was Hinamori’s turn to cup his face. “That makes the two of us.”

The two kissed under the moonlight, the yellow daffodils swaying to the gentle caress of the wind, their meadow of happiness never wilting.

A/N: Everyone, thank you for reading my work. It was a joy writing HitsuHina. I hope you found some bit of comfort in their stories, and I hope you are all safe and well. On to our next journey! :)

[slashiest-slasher]

michael, jason, billy lenz, brahms, and thomas hewitt with a s/o who's deceptively strong? like they go to manhandle them one day, or maybe there's a fight/argument and s/o just goes "lmao nope" and pick them or someone else up like a bratty cat????

this is such a fucking mood my dude. i do this to my friends all the time when they're being lil shits and standing in my way on purpose. just boop! pick 'em up and plop 'em down somewhere else | ￣︶￣|o but i'm a big ol' soft boy so is surprises them every single time

‘nother read more bc i physically cannot stop myself from writing hella lot. warnings for nsfw-ish bits with billy lenz and brahms

Michael Myers

- You must've done something to royally piss Michael off, because he has been trying to stab you all day. And normally, you would brush it off as him trying to spook you, but he had gotten a slash in on your thigh that stings like a fucking bitch.

- Okay Michael, you want to dance, then let's dance.

- The next time you see him he's coming at you with his knife, you're prepared. He doesn't expect you to tackle him around the middle, and hoist him over your shoulder like he was nothing but a sack of potatoes. It startles him enough that he drops his knife.

- And he doesn't expect to not be able to squirm out of the grasp you have on his wrists after you dump him on the couch and crawl on top of him.

- You had looked to weak, so pathetic. That was part of the reason Michael spared you in the first place. But now the tables have turned, and while Michael never really like relinquishing his power, to anyone he lets it go just this once. And whatever reason he thought of that made him want to kill you is forgotten.

- But you forget that Michael is stealthy, and thinks he's just as strong as as you are. So he can and will sneak up on you and pick you up. But you easily overpower him. You think he would learn from the first time, but Michael is determined to get one over you.

- The only time he finally, finally learns that you're stronger than him is when you hold him down and tie him to the bed, and have your wicked way with him. It might not entirely be a bad thing for you to be stronger than him.

- But that still doesn't change the fact that Michael thinks he's stronger than you.

Jason Voorhees

- Okay so, you could understand why Jason always wanted to kill the people that trespassed onto Camp Crystal Lake. It was his camp, and campers had killed his mother (even though it was out of self defense). And a lot of the people that came here were, frankly douchebags. But c'mon Jason, these are just some friends that want to go on a camping trip!

- And he outright ignores you, and locks you in your cabin, as if that's going to stop you. You get to the campers before him, because while he may know the lay of the land better, you are overall lighter and faster than him. All it takes is a warning of a serial killer on the loose and flashing a fake police badge for them to pack up and leave, heading to a motel you recommended.

- And Jason is /not/ happy. If he could yell, he would, but instead he grumbles and groans as loudly as he can and stamps his foot. Angry enough, it seems, to try and pick you up and wrangle you back to the cabin. But oh, ho, ho Jason! You're not in the mood for playing around!

- Jason is yet another victim of being effortlessly thrown over your shoulder, and he has no clue what's going on when it happens, until you're halfway back to the cabin. Even then, he's unable to squirm out of that iron clad grasp of yours until you let him go in the cabin, and decide that you're spending the night in town if Jason's going to be in a mood.

- He is absolutely flabbergasted, so shocked that he can't function until you're long gone.

- But you're so tiny. He was almost touching the ground even despite you carrying him. And even though he should feel indigated at the whole experience, it reminded him too much of his mother. Yes, Jason was always a well behaved boy, but there were occasions where he acted up and Pamela had to carry him to his room for a timeout.

- And Pamela recalls this fondly, and says that you're going to be such a good parent if the two of you ever got around to having kids together, even though Jason's pretty sure he can't even have kids with someone, let alone with you.

- Oh well, a mother can dream.

Billy Lenz

- Of course you know Billy's hiding up in the attic of the sorority, but it's not like you're going to spill the beans and tell anyone. Technically, you weren't supposed to be here either, but the girls were letting you crash here during the fallout of some dorm drama. There was an empty room they could never decide on someone to stay there, so it was all yours.

- And Billy loved breaking into your room in the middle of the night. Barb might've had a tongue on her, but you were the one ballsy enough to tell Billy "not to threaten you with a good time" and "put his money where his mouth is if he's man enough". And as far as the girls of the house knew, you had a secret boyfriend who you would have a go at in the middle of the night. Yeah, the people who couldn't sleep through it weren't happy about the noise, but no one suspected it was Billy who was making you moan like that.

- And you had told Billy to knock it off for the night, because everyone was drinking, and everyone was passed out in the living room. And even though they sleeping solidly, Billy knew how loud you got when he slipped his hand in your pants and played with you, let alone his mouth. He was crouching between your legs, trying to shimmy your trousers off, and licking his lips as his mouth watered, so you knew exactly how this was going to go.

- Phyl was starting to shift and groan, so there was no time to waste. Pulling your pants back up and buttoning them as quickly as you could, you tossed Billy over your shoulder in a fireman's carry and sprinted up the stairs, and crawled up into the attic without so much as batting an eye.

- Billy however, oh dear Billy was so shocked that until you dumped him down on the mattress in the attic he slept on. As soon as he was set down, he jumped at you, mouthing at your neck and pulling you down onto the mattress with him, begging you to "Play with naughty Billy again, play with Billy until you make him scream.".

- Sufficed, Billy is very, very excited, and wholeheartedly supports any shows of excessive strength when it comes to him. He may initially have loved holding power over you, and don't get him wrong, he still does, but the way you can pick him up and treat him like a doll really gets him going.

Brahms Heelshire

- Bratty, baby Brahms is a mad cuddle fiend. In any regard, in any way you'll let him. Big spoon, little spoon, forking, laying against each other, hugs, Brahms will take anything you give him, even if it's just holding hands.

- And he knows you love them just as much as he does, and he does use this against you all the time.

- No, no, we don't need to eat breakfast just yet, we can lay in bed a few more hours.

- Fine, you can go pee, but Brahms will hold your hand the entire time (because he knows you'll let him).

- But this was it, this was the final straw. Brahms was sitting in your lap, facing you, arms wound around your neck and snuggled quite happily against the side of your face while you tried to read a book over his shoulder.

- But by God, Brahms reeked. You know baths weren't his favorite, but he had been running through the walls for days while something in the house was being fixed by a construction crew. His entire body reeked from sweat, his hair was greasy, and he certainly hadn't changed his clothes the entire time. You liked when Brahms had a musk about him, but this was too much for you.

- It was a back and forth for the past hour of trying to get Brahms to get up and bathe. You would tell Brahms he was a stinky boy, and he would say five more minutes. Enough was enough. When you grab Brahms' ass, at first he finally thinks you've caved to have fun times with him, but when you stand up and keep him held up by those hands, he wraps himself around you in an effort not to be dropped.

- Even though he has probably been though longer falls than this would be, he begs you to please put him down, but you do not waver. Regardless of how spooked he is, he is also incredibly turned on, knowing that you could take him up against a wall whenever you wanted, or even *gasp* carry him around like the baby he is!

- You can appreciate him shutting up, but in retrospect, him rutting against you and letting out those deep whines might be harder to deal with. Especially when tries pulling you closer by digging his heels into the small of your back. Another adventure for another day, you think, when you dump him into the shower and crank the cold water on full blast, clothes and all.

- Brahms isn't exactly happy about that, but it's a non-issue for you to strip and pin him down in the tub to fling his sopping clothes off and scrub him down with a loofah and wash his hair.

- When Brahms is finally clean, and sitting on his bed in a towel, he carefully plots his revenge. And oh, he will get his revenge. He just needs to figure out how to work around your freakish strength first.

Thomas Hewitt

- So you don't know what entirely is up with the Hewitt's yet, but you know it's something pretty bad is everyone else avoids them, or refuses to talk about them. But you had moved into town with your family quite a bit ago, and you had eyes for their son Thomas.

- You didn't know what the fuss was about when you popped into their gas station and asked his uncle (brother?), Charlie, for proper permission to take him out for a date. After all, it was the only polite thing to do, since you rarely saw Thomas out and about without one of his family members after he stopped showing up to the new school.

- If Luda Mae hadn't stopped him, you would've had your head blown clean off. Luda Mae let you down kinder, saying she was real happy someone had eyes for Thomas, but you were an outsider and had no place in their family.

- Oh well, like that was going to stop you. This boy made your heart thump, and you weren't about to give up because he has some nasties in his family. Hell, your family wasn't the happiest about your choice in crush, but you were determined.

- His sister (aunt, cousin? you didn't really know what was up with his family) Henrietta was kinder, and agreed to be your little liaison, delivering flowers and letters to him on her behalf. And you didn't know about it, but she had been working Luda Mae to let you two out for a date.

- Charlie, oh boy, was he pissed when you showed up on the property to take Thomas out on a picnic date. No matter how much Luda Mae yelled at him to leave you the hell alone, he was still fixing on shooting you clean in the head. Cocky son of a bitch sure didn't expect you pick him up and set him down on the couch, before scooping up Thomas and walking out of the house with him.

- You weren't much to look at, so Charlie was thrown for a loop when you put him in his place, and was down right shocked like you picked Thomas up bridal style like it was nothing, and strolled out to your pick-up truck.

- Thomas is just as surprised, though goes willingly. You had seemed so sweet and kind and soft, he knew you wouldn't mesh well with the Hewitt lifestyle. But you made him so happy that he wanted to throw all caution to the wind. He's delighted to know that you could hold your own against his family.

- Everyone, even himself, expects him to be one big, mean, bastard, but after confirming with an arm wrestling match that you're much, much stronger than him, he lets his guard down. He can be scared, and confused, and not expect a backhand or called an animal or a retard. I mean, you call him a stud, but even he knows that's meant as a compliment.

- He gets so bubbly and happy when you pick him up and carry him around, especially when you do it without him asking. It makes him feel like a kid again. It also puts you two on even footing for once, so he can kiss you and bump his face (which you don't mind? it boggles his mind) against yours.

- And it's always a good day for everyone when you put Charlie in his place, and he shuts the hell up for once. Despite his intense dislike for you, everyone else in the family adores you and welcomes you with open arms. There's not many people that Thomas without exception or hesitation, and they're always welcome members of the Hewitt household.

[purplesurveys]

1040

survey by amandahudson48

When's the last time you said you were sorry? Maybe last Friday or yesterday? I haven’t been replying to Andi because I was in a slump, then when I was finally able to get back to them I made sure to apologize first and explain why it took me a while to respond.

Have you done anything interesting in the last week? I got to dine in at a restaurant again after nine months last Monday, and I brought my parents to treat them as well. The three of us had ramen, then I also treated them to frozen yogurt after. It felt nice to be out, but we also headed to a mall Gab and I used to regularly go to so everything ended up being too difficult to process and I was fighting tears the whole time at the ramen place.

Are there any songs you listen to everyday? I don’t think so. There have been a lot of days where I’ve avoided music altogether.

What do you consider a waste of time? Having to manually go to a government office nowhere near your house to queue for an ID or document when it could be done digitally, but you can’t and have no choice anyway because the agency’s website isn’t even working. In short, welcome to the Philippines where the government can steal billions but can’t maintain their own damn websites.

How do you react to stress? I tend to have a shorter fuse around people. So that I don’t accidentally lash out on anyone, I’ll bring myself to work on autopilot until I get a task done. If I find time to myself, I cry in private for a few minutes because stress sucks; then I try to dust myself off and get back to working.

Have you ever considered what you would do in certain life/death sitches? Sometimes. My game plan for the most part is to simply scream at the top of my lungs to rouse attention, but I’ll never really know what I’ll do unless something actually takes place. I have a track record of being scared frozen when scary men have approached me in the past, so idk if I will have it in me to scream in a life or death situation.

Have you ever gone mud riding? No. Photos don’t look too appealing mostly because I’m not into vehicles and driving them on unconventional terrain lol, but I mean I would still give it a shot at least once.

Do you edit your photos? Just sometimes, if I mean to show off or promote someone/something to my mutuals; like the time I promoted my uncle’s business when he gave me a free cheesecake. I usually use the VSCO or Foodie apps.

What kind of cookie do you like the most? Chocolate chip cookies that are crispy on the outside and gooey inside; and dark chocolate macadamia cookies.

Do you enjoy working alone? Sure, though I don’t mind the occasional groupwork.

Is there anyone you're not over and feel like you never will be? Yes, I’m in exactly the same place I found myself at five years ago.

Do you like long or short surveys? Medium-length, so like anywhere between 40-70 questions is the perfect length for me.

How often do you listen to your iPod? I used to listen to it everyday because I brought it with me throughout middle school and the first half of high school. When iPods slowly went out of style in junior year, I started using it less frequently.

What kind of house do you want? Something modern and minimalist; I’d like it to be predominantly rectangular or square in shape with large windows. I do also want a brutalist style for myself but I might have to give that up if I ever end up with a family, as I don’t want my kids thinking their own home looks aloof and unapproachable.

Would you like living on the coast? It sounds like paradise. Yeah, absolutely.

What song was the last you listened to? To Let A Good Thing Die - Bruno Major. Then I got really sad and had to stop listening to music altogether and scramble to watch something hilarious on YouTube.

When's the last time you were really late to something? Last week, for a meeting with a client :/ I wasn’t accustomed to my weekly calls just yet and ended up attending a 4:30-5 PM meeting at 4:57, right when it was ending, because I thought it started at 5. It was embarrassing and my manager was rightfully jokingly mad at me.

Do you prefer to take back roads or the highways? Highways as much as possible, but if I’m stuck in traffic and if it looks like I wouldn’t be able to get to my destination on time then I ask Waze to guide me through backroads.

How do you spell your name without consonants? Rbyn or Rbn, depending on what you consider y to be.

What's the last movie you watched? Uhhh it was still That Thing Called Tadhana but it’s been a while. I mainly watch a Korean drama titled Start Up these days.

What would you like your generation to change? The people society votes into office. Young Americans seem to be leading the charge on this front, which is so so great. Meanwhile in my country Manny Pacquiao is planning for his 2022 presidential campaign and we are once again fucked because voter’s literacy is so fucking low that I actually see a possibility of him winning. Migrating has never sounded more attractive.

Do you use your cell phone a lot? Yeah, it’s beside me with the screen turned on nearly the entire day.

When's the last time you saw an ocean wave? Not sure about an ocean wave, but the last time I saw a wave in general (we were at a beach) was August 2019.

How long can you hold your breath? Maybe a minute max? I haven’t had to try in a while.

Would you rather work behind the scenes or be the star? Behind the scenes. I loathe the spotlight and I’ve never been the performing type, and I always hated it whenever I’ve had to perform in school or for a family function. It’s also why, as fun as hosting looks like as a career, and as much as I know I would’ve been decent in it if I tried, it was just ultimately never the path for me.

Are you a sore loser? Yeah, I hate it. I’m competitive to the bone, which personally sucks too because it’s hard for me to enjoy games lol. I make it easier for the playing crowd by just watching at the sidelines so that I don’t ruin things for them.

When's the last time you used a pair of scissors? Yesterday when I was doing embroidery.

What was the last word you thought? I mean...’embroidery,’ I guess, since I typed it last before reading this question.

Is it easy to make you angry? It takes me a while to explode.

Have you wondered if other people wonder what you’re thinking? No.

Do you sing a lot? When I’m alone and am certain no one can hear, yes.

Do you think you have an addictive personality? Uh no, not really. I like keeping a certain distance with everyone I interact with. As nice as I can be, I try to make sure my personality isn’t the type that would ~leave people wanting more~ so to speak.

Which affects us more: our genes or the environment in which we're raised? For me, it’s the environment. Genes are strong too, but they’re already there; they’re given, they’re constant, they’re wired into each person. The fact that people can still be constantly affected depending on what kind of situation they’re in says much about the capabilities of being raised in a certain environment. For instance, I know for sure I would’ve ended up being more emotionally stable if I was provided with a healthier, gentler upbringing.

Why do you believe that? Oops, I may have already answered it above.

Honestly, do you enjoy arguing? Nah. Watching others do it can be fun, but I avoid them myself.

Do you prefer to use tape or glue? Tape. More secure.

Do you see routine as a comfort or a rut? Comfort. I do like bursts of spontaneity every now and then, though.

When's the last time you cried? Last night. I wanted to this morning, but I already did so much heavy crying last night that I just gave myself a break today.

Do you believe that love can get you through anything? No. I know that now.

What do you wish you had more of? Money is always a good answer. Also, weekends.

If you HAD to change one thing about your best friend, what would it be? I wish Angela lived nearer, so that it’s easier to visit. I wish Gabie wasn’t so selfish.

Have you ever gone to sleep mad? It’s harder that way, lol. But I mean yeah I guess I’ve felt angry while trying to go to bed; it’s just that I usually use certain outlets so that I could calm down and fall asleep more easily.

Do you like your computer? I love it. Even though it’s an older Macbook Air I have no plans to replace it; it’s still so low-maintenance and reliable after all this time.

Which theory do you wish but perhaps not believe was true about afterlife? This is a good question and something I always wish was verbalized more. For me, it’s the idea of reuniting with all your deceased family, friends, and pets in death. That has always given me comfort, but I don’t necessarily cling to it.

Is there anyone that you truly could not live without? I can think of one such person, but we’ll see if it holds true.

[dreamcatcherjiah]

Looking at the face of your daughter made everything so much more real. She had just turned four, a few months ago, and she was already growing up so much. Her hair was let loose and spread over the pillow, and her eyes were half-open the light fluttering between her long lashes, as her little chest moved up and down. The extent to which your feelings had grown for the little girl in a few months was unbelievable. You could say, without the shadow of a doubt, that you would do everything in your power, give up your life so that this little girl could have a happy life. Looking at her, your heartbeat accelerated and your breath caught in your throat. Some days, when she showed you a full-toothed grin or told you how she had made uncle Kookie laugh so much he spat milk out of his nose, some tears came to your eyes. How had you managed, being such a plain human being, to be lucky enough to call this marvel your daughter? Yoongs calling her his daughter continuously had done something to you. That word gained a special meaning for the both of you, something so sacred that made the two of you agree to pause anything that could develop between the two if it could affect her.

But now you knew, yours and Yoongi’s relationship was nothing but something the three of you should treasure. You were a little family. Not perfect, but there were endless amounts of love. And at the end of the day, that is what matters.

Seeing Yoonji peacefully sleeping, you kissed her forehead and walked slowly out of the room. Watching her sleep always made you happy, but today there were things you had to attend to. The letter addressed to you and Yoongi as “Kang Yoonji’s parents” sat at your coffee table since you cleaned the leaving room after dinner. The white paper was a stark contrast against the mahogany table Namjoon bought as a housewarming present. If you were to be honest, you weren’t really looking forward to reading that thing. It was written in the all too familiar handwriting of the real parent of your child, and that alone filled you with such anxiety you couldn’t properly function. But you couldn’t put it off any longer. If things went well tomorrow, like Yoongs predicted, Yoonjinnie would be, to all concerned, your daughter. And you could not in good conscience keep ignoring the last thing her father wrote. Just waiting for Yoongi to arrive was excruciating, looking at that envelop and imagining the multitude of things that could be hidden there.

Finally, the lock emitted the beeping sound you knew to be Yoongi pressing the code and it took you less than a second to snatch the envelope from the table and jump into his arms. His shoes were still on his feet when he circled you with his arms.

“I knew it. You’ve been stressing all day about it, haven’t you?” He asked, with his face hidden in the crook of your neck, and his hot breath sent shivers down your spine. His voice, you noticed, sounded tired and resigned. It was then that you realized he had been stressing just as much as you had been.

Without giving you time to think, he kicked off his shoes and, picking you up, took you both to the sofa, sitting you on his lap. You weren’t about to complain, having him near you would make whatever was inside that letter much more bearable. His presence tended to have that effect on you.

“I think we shouldn’t delay this much longer, Yoongs” you said, your voice diminished with the anticipation.

“Yes, love. That would be a good idea…”

However, neither of you moved to open the letter, looking at it the same way the both of you had looked at the adoption paper that day so many months ago. There was anticipation, of course, but also some fear mixed into that pot that were your feelings that night. What could Mr. Kang have had to say to the both of you that hadn’t been said that day at court when the lawyer read his words? You were still expecting someone to knock on your door and tell you the adoption had been all a joke and that your baby girl wasn’t really yours… But that hadn’t happened and your baby girl was secure in her little bed, dreaming away the night, so that couldn’t be it. Looking at Yoongs, his eyes never leaving the letter in your hand, you understood. This was it, again. This was the adoption all over again.  But that’s okay, the three of you were together and that was alright.

Your fingers opened the envelop before your head knew what was going on. From the package fell two small objects and a letter. One of the objects was a small locket with a picture of Yoonjinnie the day she was born with her mother and father, with the inscription FOREVER OUR ANGEL engraved in the silver surface. You couldn’t stop the tears from falling, and Yoongs cleared your cheeks with his rough but gentle hands.

“We’ll keep it for her,” he said “and when she’s old enough, she’ll know how much we all love her. She was lucky enough to have two sets of parents who love her to death, my love.”

The second little object made you cry even harder, you remembered the day that picture had been taken. Yoongs had been complaining that you were spending too much time with the baby, a 13-month-old Yoonji at the time, and refused to leave your apartment until it was time for Mr. Kang to pick his daughter up. When that time had come, Mr. Kang had found the three of you knocked out cold on the sofa, cuddling. Apparently, he had printed the picture and in the back, in his, all familiar handwriting were the words: Mom and Dad loved you from second one, Yoonjinnie. Love them back as much, my little angel.

Your tears were now impossible to stop, and you really weren’t trying anymore. What was happening? It looked as if Mr. Kang had been planning the adoption from the second Yoongs and you had waltzed into his and his daughter’s life. If that was the case, you didn’t really know how that made you feel. How desperate could a man be to do something like this? “Stop over-thinking stuff, Y/N. Just read the letter, please.” His words, tense and curt, brought your attention back to the letter in your hands. You nested your head in Yoongi’s shoulder, and with his warm breathing gracing the top of your head, you began to read the letter out loud.

Dear Min Yoongi and Y/L/N Y/N:

I am aware of how unsettling this letter must seem to you but bear with me a little. Yoonji’s story is not one of happiness, at least it wasn’t until you met her. I am not writing this letter in hopes of provoking pity in you. I have been around you two for only a couple of months and I can certainly say that I have never seen anyone look at her with as much love as you two do. That is why, at risk of having you reject her, I have decided to appoint you her legal guardians in case something happens to me, and I fully intend to prepare the adoption forms as well.

You see, in our family, we are prone to ill health. Yoonji’s mom couldn’t survive giving birth to her, suffering a heart attack. God, this sounds awful and pitiful. How have things come to this? I am just going to tell you, but, you two, don’t you feel pity. What happened, happened, and we the living can do nothing more than move along with life, living it to the full. 

Nearly two years ago, my little sister arrived in my doorstep drenched and with a pregnancy test in hand. She had just gotten a job in a good company and was well on her way for a promotion. Until some imbecile got her pregnant and left. You must understand how a single mother would have been treated if word got out, so we made preparations. We were going to move to the country and pretend Yoonji’s mom was a widow, living with her brother to raise the child. In the end, we didn’t need those preparations at all, because my sister couldn’t go through delivery. Happily, the child did make it. So instead of my sister, I became the widower and registered Yoonji as my daughter. I repeat I am not writing this with the thought of guilt-tripping you into taking care of my niece, nothing further from the truth. 

I could see, from the moment both of you saw Yoonji that you would be what she would need in case I was no longer there. As I said, ill-health runs in the family. The both of you will take care of her, I know it. And once you realize it, you’ll also take care of each other. 

Hoping this never reaches your hands, Kang Taejun. 

You couldn’t believe what you had just read. If it wasn’t because it had been your voice reading it, you would never have guessed this to be the truth.

“He was a fucking nutcase!” Suddenly yelled Yoongi, which startled you into slapping a hand over his mouth.

“You’ll wake up Yoonji, and I doubt you want to explain it to her any time soon, so shut it.”

“Don’t you see what he did there, Y/N? He was trying to avoid prejudice and scrutiny and instead of putting Yoonji up for adoption, he leaves her with two strangers, unmarried and not related to her in any sense?!” Yoongi was getting angrier by the second, and you could see where he was coming from. But in this case, he was not right.

“Yoonji would have never been put up for adoption and you know it. Neither of us would have allowed it, and we would have fought them tooth and nail for that little girl.” You were putting your foot down tonight. You knew, deep down that Yoongi didn’t mean everything that he was saying, but it was out of the love that you felt for him that you wouldn’t let him go any further and say something he would regret. He loved Yoonji with everything he had, from the first second she had looked at him, and you were not gonna let some blind angry feelings break that for him.

“You are still not seeing the point here, Y/N! Okay, so let’s see what happens in a couple of years when Yoonji has to go to school and we have to deal with a pack of entitled vultures, who will make our daughter’s life hell, just because her situation at home is not the normative one. I am not getting shit from anyone, Y/N. NOT WHEN IT COMES TO MY DAUGHTER!”

You didn’t want to yell back, but you couldn’t for the life of you see the problem. It made sense that the two of you weren’t married. You had just started living together after adopting Yoonji and had accepted your liking of each other only recently. You hadn’t even told each other the three-lettered word, aside from Yoongi’s favourite pet name, the word love hadn’t even been mentioned. So what the hell was his problem now?

“We’ll cross that bridge when we have to, Yoongs. Besides, I don’t want to argue tonight. We know now why Mr. Kang did what he did, and that should be enough for now.” Yoongi however, didn’t seem to hear you, too busy mumbling.

“This is NOT how I wanted to do it, Gods Namjoon is going to kill me when he finds out… well, him and the rest, for not being in the fucking loop…” 

“Yoongs…? Are you okay?” You asked unsure. 

Suddenly, he got up from the couch, taking you with him, and putting you back on it once he was standing. He was now towering over you, with his eyebrows in a frown and his dark eyes looking straight through your soul. His hands were balled in fists, and his pulse was beating like crazy in his neck, so much you could see it from your position below him.

“Yoongi, I don’t know why you are so upset about this, but it is completely unreasonable!” You started, trying to calm his breathing down a bit by reaching for his hands and stroking them calmly. That didn’t seem to do the trick, because his pupils dilated so much they nearly ate the iris completely. 

He freed one of his hands from your grip, and with it, removed some stray hairs from your forehead. The look on his face had somehow changed into such an intense look of affection that you felt your heart aching for him. All the confusion, the rage, the fear that you could have seen before if you looked at him in the eyes, were all gone now. Now he was looking at you with such devotion-filled eyes, with his heart open for you, you were missing words to describe it. His eyes spoke volumes while his hand moved from your forehead to your cheek in a feather-like caress, and then to your neck, where it stayed, moving up and down and sending shivers down your spine. When you realized your eyes had closed on their own accord, you opened them again to see Yoongi kneeling in front of you.

“Have I ever told you how deeply I am in love with you?” He asked, bringing surprised tears to your eyes. “I don’t think I have, haven’t I? Well, I am telling you now. I have only told you bits and pieces, in those quiet moments after sex, where you have me at your mercy and I don’t know what I am saying… you must be a sorceress to have coaxed that out of me so easily…” he chuckled to himself. “Ever since Yoonji was very little, seeing you taking care of her made my heart swell so much I sometimes doubted it would keep beating. Soon I started dreaming that someday, even if not with Yoonji as our daughter, I would win your heart and be able to have a family with you, just like we had been doing for the last four years. Fate is funny, you know? I feel terrible somedays because I can’t help but think that if I hadn’t wished so strongly for a family with you and Yoonji, Mr. Kang would still be here. But in those bad days, I come back home, and Yoonji tackles my legs in a hug and tells me her “I LOVE YOU DADDY”, and you smile at me with that face full of happiness, and I regret nothing. I guess what all of this comes to mean is that I really do love you, with all my heart. You have been the love of my life from the moment you entered it and will continue to be it for as long as I live. You are also the mother of my child, the best mother she could have wished for. What I am trying to say in this roundabout, chaotic speech is that, if you’d have me, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I want to raise our daughter together in that normative environment, not because we have to, but because we love each other so much that we cannot be apart. I want to have children with you Y/N. Me, Min Yoongi, because I’ve fallen in love with you and nothing more.”

Through the tears, you saw him pulling a small blue box from his jacket and open it. It contained the most simple and beautiful ring you had ever seen in your life, a thin rose-gold band with a small bow in the middle decorated by a solitary stone. It was so beautiful, and it represented your relationship so well, it made you cry harder. You just hugged him so tight, throwing your arms around his neck, whispering a hundred million little yes in his ear, while he unhooked your arms from him, and put the ring in your finger, kissing your knuckle above it. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears, and the emotion in them told you, not as a revelation but more as a little secret, that yes, this was the man you were going to grow old with.

“Can I hear it once more, my love? Will you marry me?” He asked, his voice now cracked.

“I’ll marry you, I’ll raise Yoonji alongside you, I’ll have children with you, I will grow old with you, and I will love you through it all, my love.” You said, finally connecting your lips with his in a kiss that felt new and sacred, as something neither of you had felt before but a kiss that changed things forever.

🎐Bubbles (Yoongi!Producer x Reader!Writer)

Bubbles Masterlist

Part 18

Plot: Yoongi, a famous music producer, and y/n, a writer, had been neighbors for a couple of months when Yoonji and her dad moved to the apartment in between the two. Due to some unbelievable coincidences, these two weird incompatible people were appointed baby Yoonji’s babysitters. What will they do when something happens to Yoonji’s dad and she’s left alone in the world?

A/n: Wow that was intense!! I sincerely hope that you liked it, and was worth the delay!! If you want to tell me what you thought about it, I would really appreciate it!! And because here in Europe is still October 13th, HAPPY JIMIN DAY  🥺 💖I hope all of you are having a great weekend and I love you all UWU💓💘💝💖💗💞💕

Send me an ask if you want to be added to the tag list.

Love 💜🌙

Tag list: @daydreamindollie @live-2-fangirl @mizz-kraziii @rjsmochii @jiminslovly @igotarmyofarohas @desteweirdo @chewymoustachio @lvnakook @sugapaste @salty-for-suga @expensive-grl @threedecadesofawkward @elegantfanshoelover @jisnuq @krystalizando @littlestsweetpea28 @chogiyeol-utopia @delilaahbards @agusttaegid @thebookishnerdsblog @kisskissshutmydoor @httppbaby @girlwith-thecinder-blockgarden @mabel-k3 @thenocturnalreadingotaku @midnightxxxmemories @tirednation @jayhope88 @peachesandviolets @tremendousminyoongi

[msjr0119]

Cordonian Wags

Part 18- A new day has come

In a world full of Professional footballers and their demanding wives- can their football team nicknamed the ‘Cordonian Apples’ succeed? An American female physiotherapist joins the club. Will this cause issues with the footballers wives?

*This series is based on The Royal Romance characters who belong to Pixelberry - AU Plot switch*

Tags: @annekebbphotography @burnsoslow @drakesensworld @ladyangel70 @kingliam2019 @bbrandy2002 @butindeed @bascmve01 @drakewalker04 @pedudley @captain-kingliamsqueen @duchessemersynwalker @insideamirage @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @kozabaji @texaskitten30 @ibldw-main @kimmiedoo5 @nikkis1983 @dangerouseggseagleartisan @gnatbrain @walker7519 @lodberg @cmestrella @hopefulmoonobject @addictedtodrakefanfic @angi15h @liamxs-world @rafasgirl23415 @notoriouscs @whenyourheartskipsabeat @jovialyouthmusic @nz1091 @yukinagato2012 @indiacater @seriouslybadchoices @rainbowsinthestorm @cordonianroyalty

*****

Breaking News- Apples star, Drake Walker arrested on suspicion of... More news to follow.

Drake thought back to a few hours ago, when he was forced out of his cabin by the police. Once arriving at the station, he was given one phone call- Riley.

“Baby, I’m fine. Don’t worry. Book a room at the hotel we stayed at- text me the room number. I’ll see you there when I get out. I love you Riley. Always.”

Sitting at the table, he crossed his legs- leaning back into his chair with his arms above his head.

“Now Mr Walker, we need facts. You plead your innocence, but Mr Rhys is adamant that you caused him to collapse.” Drake was losing the will to live deep down but not showing it- he could potentially kill Bastien and Lindsey at this moment in time.

“I didn’t do it. I have two alibis. Liam and Leo Rhys. As I’ve already said. I’m innocent. You do know that Connie has a dodgy ticker anyway. He’s a big drinker in general. How do you not know that was the cause of it all? Besides I wasn’t the only to visit him- I spoke to him asking him to reconsider Xavier being our head coach/manager. I had a drink with him and left.”

“I think the hospital staff would have done all the tests- his drink was spiked, purposely. Until we have solid proof you may go home for now.”

“THANK YOU!” Drake waved his hands in the air, as he stormed out of the police station. Ignoring the paparazzi- his priority was to get to Riley.

*****

Riley was pacing up and down the hotel room, hoping that Drake was okay- she knew that Bastien and Lindsey did what they did for her. However she was furious that Drake had been punished for it. Drake stormed through the door, scaring Riley- she had been thinking about handling this situation herself instead- thinking of all the possibilities to save her lover and family.

“Drake, what happened?” She asked softly. Handing him a whiskey she knew he would need it- if not he would definitely need a few shots instead.

“I could kill your uncle and sister- the police are sure that I did it.” Punching the wall, making her flinch, he soon regretted his actions. Pulling her close to him, he kissed her on the forehead- hoping she wasn’t scared due to his outburst.

“But you didn’t - we can work through this. I’ll have a word with Constantine. Drake you mean the world to me- I wouldn’t let you get punished for something that you didn’t do.”

“Ri, I’m sorry. I’m not going to ruin this night with you.”

******

The morning after, Riley knew Constantine was back at work- she intended on confessing to a crime that she didn’t commit just to save her families and Drake’s necks. Knocking on the door to his study, she was shocked to see Xavier sat at his desk. Fuck.

“Hello beautiful.” Shooting up from the chair, he pulled Riley in for a hug. Shit the finalised divorce papers obviously haven’t reached him yet.

“Hi, erm... is your father around? I need to speak to him urgently. I should have rung before to make sure.” Xavier ignored her question as he saw the locket around her neck. Riley locked eyes with him, knowing that all familiar look- that expression that always made her become injured or hurt. Following his gaze, she realised she was still wearing Drakes locket.

“I should go.... it’s... not important... I’ll see you around.” Yanking her arm, he forced her bag off her shoulder- locking it away in the desk.

“You’re not going anywhere Riley! You are talking to me.” Turning around, she needed to get out of the room- she could replace the belongings in her bag. But she couldn’t replace new wounds- she was still suffering for the past scars he had caused. Grabbing her hair, as she tried to escape- she began to cry, fear that she hadn’t felt in a long time began to return with an immediate effect.

“Xavier you’re hurting me!” Crying, she regretting coming in the first place- she could have provided a fake confession in many different ways; text, phone call, written letter, even an email.

“Who got you the locket? Tell me now!” He growled, with anger in his eyes.

“Lindsey.”

“You’re lying! She wouldn’t be able to afford this.” Riley stood frozen, not knowing how to get around the lie, he had confiscated all of her belongings including her phone, there was no way to gain any help- this was the only time she had lied during their relationship. Maybe this time she deserved it, she kept thinking.

“How dare you lie to me, all for what? To protect him?” Before Riley could respond, she felt the sting across her face- before her head was smashed against the picture frame loosely hanging on the wall due to the force of the punch into her jaw. Constantine stormed through the door, hearing the commotion. Immediately pulling his son off of her- he truly did believe that he was a changed man before now. How wrong was he. Feeling guilty, that he had potentially caused this- he needed to make amends.

“Xavier! What have you done?” Helping Riley stand up, Constantine held her, as her body shook uncontrollably - wiping her tears away he noticed the blood drip down her neck.

“Riley... baby I’m so sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“Don’t ever touch me ever again!”

“You’re my wife, I’m sorry. I’ll be a better husband. I just became jealous. Jealous that I didn’t buy you a present that you deserved.”

“Not anymore arsehole! You stupidly signed the divorce papers on my birthday- it was the best gift you could have ever given me. Oh by the way Sir, I spiked your drink. I’m truly sorry for doing it- I wanted revenge for you bringing this monster back into my life.”

“Xavier, I think you should leave NOW!” Xavier swiftly exited the room, knowing he was in the wrong- knowing he was back to his old ways using his ‘wife’ as a punch bag.

“Riley, I know you didn’t do it- I know who did it.” Passing her some ice that was wrapped in a towel- he gently pressed it on her head, before moving it to her jaw. Riley suddenly forgot about Xavier, her main objective was to convince him that she hurt him- whilst also wondering why the playboy chairman was being so kind and sincere.

“It wasn’t Drake! It was me.” Please believe my lie.

“It wasn’t either of you. It was Bastien.” Riley stood frozen, not knowing what to say- her mind couldn’t function or string a sentence together to respond to his confession about knowing the truth all along.

“I’m so sorry for all the hurt I’ve caused. I’ll drop the charges- can we start over? I’ll sort Xavier out. He won’t ever hurt you again. I hope you’ll attend the charity event tonight?”

*****

Riley stared in the mirror whilst getting ready with Lindsey- she had updated her on what happened with Xavier. Lindsey grit her teeth, whilst clenching her fists- as Riley attempted to cover up the damage that he had caused with make up. The usual thing she constantly did back in Manchester.

“When are you going back to New York?” Riley asked, trying to change the prior subject based on her pasts poor decisions.

“I was due to go back tomorrow, but I can’t leave you- not after what he’s done.”

“Or you can’t leave because of Leo?” Riley said winking- attempting to change the morbid atmosphere.

“Well yes, that too. I love you Riley. You’re my sister. I just want you to be happy and live the life that you deserve. With someone that you deserve. Someone that will make you feel like life if worth living.”

*****

Drake noticed that Riley wasn’t her usual self- all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and comfort her. Keeping his distance- he needed to avoid obvious affection until Xavier was aware that he was divorced.

“For fuck sake.”

“What’s up Drake?”

“Connie and that arsehole are heading this way.” Maxwell, Liam and Leo looked up- all Shaking their heads.

“Walker, I’m sorry for the hurt that I have caused. I can’t remember who did it to me. I’ve dropped the charges, hopefully the police will accept that. Xavier has something to say to you too.” Nudging his son, he knew this was an awkward situation. After what had happened with Riley, Constantine persuaded Xavier to let her go- if you love her you’d let her go. At least until you can prove you are the man she once fell in love with. But if she has moved on, you have to respect her decision. I’m saying this as your father, please think about it.

“Drake, I’m sorry for hurting Riley again. The best man won in the end. Don’t lose her like I did.” Constantine smiled at them all before walking away. Xavier turned facing all of the men, putting his hand out to Drake- he hesitated not knowing how sincere he was. Pulling Drake closer to him.

“Did you like my little ‘publicity’ stunt? This isn’t over- just because we are now officially divorced, it doesn’t mean that I’ve lost her for good. I’ll be watching you like a hawk. You may have bought her a locket- but I bought her so much more in past. See ya.” Drake felt anger build up inside him, watching Xavier walk off smirking. The men noticed how their friend remained calm- possible for the sake of Riley.

“Drake? What did he mean hurt her again?” Maxwell wasn’t the brightest spark of the group, but in the whole conversation he had picked up those words- panicking for Riley.

“She’s been quiet. That bastards touched her again.” Ignoring the men’s advise for him to remain calm- he walked over to the women, interrupting their conversation.

*****

“Ri? Can we talk?”

“Sure what’s up?” Guiding her into the corner of the room, he wanted to ensure that she was okay- if not he wanted to convince her that he was always going to be there to support her.

“Are you okay? You seem a bit off.” Shit he can see straight through me. Lie to protect him, or at least white lie.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just not feeling well. I keep feeling sick and I’ve got a headache. That’s all. Don’t worry about me.”

“Do you want me to take you home? Xavier said he knew about the divorce so we don’t need to hide anymore.” Remaining silent, she was happy that he knew the truth- but also regretted how she informed him- not knowing what else he was capable of doing. Drake noticed her mind working overtime.

“Ri? Did he do something to you?” Coming out of her trance, her baby blues fixated on his brown eyes that were gradually forming tears.

“Don’t go mad. Promise me that you won’t go mad.” Drake nodded, not knowing how he would react to whatever she was about to confess. “He slapped me across the face, then punched me- I banged my head due to falling backwards into the wall. But I’m fine. I forgot to take the locket off. He knew you bought me it. Constantine walked in before he could do anything else.”

“That son of a b-” Wrapping her arms around him, she could feel that he was tense.

“Drake, please just ignore him. I don’t want any trouble. I love you. My future is with you.”

“I love you too. My place or your place tonight?” Feeling his cock slightly twinge, he just wanted to the escape the charity event- spending time with just Riley.

“Either, I better get back to the ladies. Hana was talking about her and Maxwell’s sex life- I doubt that you’d want to be part of that conversation. Neither do I for that matter but I’ll just blank the details out.”

“Yeah, I’ll leave you to that one. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

*****

Riley had found out that Maxwell and Hana had an impressive sex life- she still couldn’t comprehend why they kept their relationship a secret from the press. Asking the waiter for a glass of water, Lindsey eyed her sister suspiciously- knowing there was something wrong.

“Linz, can you come to the toilet with me? Something isn’t right, I’m supposed to be going home with Drake- but I really don’t feel well.”

“Of course. Quick, go in to the bathroom. What’s up?”

Madeleine followed the girls into the toilet, overhearing them- her eyes widened. Interesting, she whispered to herself before making a phone a call and sending a text.

******

BREAKING NEWS- Lindsey and Riley Brooks spotted at the family planning clinic, thanks to our source informing us of the women’s plans- we followed them there. Is one of the girls pregnant? More Apples news to follow!

Walking out of the clinic, the girls saw the press snapping photos of them. What the fuck? They both said in unison. Not understanding why they were being stalked by the paparazzi. Before they could react, Leo’s Ferrari pulled up screeching to a halt outside the clinic entrance- Drake had a text message from Madeleine prior to them arriving at the clinic- Hi Drake, I just thought you should know something. I’ve just overheard the Brooks’ sisters in the toilets. Riley said ‘I need to go to the clinic as soon as possible, and get rid of it. Linz please don’t tell Drake.’ I think she’s pregnant and is going to terminate the pregnancy. I hope you’re okay? Maddy xo A while after that text was sent, it was breaking news all over Twitter.

“Riley!”

“Drake? Leo?” Drake ran up to Riley, holding her hands- holding in the tears.

“Riley, I will look after you both. I’ll provide for you both. Please don’t abort my baby.” Riley looked at the broken man in front of her- not knowing what to say- he had his wires mixed.

“Drake, I’m not pregnant. I don’t know why you’d think that?”

“Madeleine text me saying she overheard your conversation in the toilets- then breaking news on twitter.... you were complaining of a headache and feeling sick....”

“Drake. I’m not pregnant. Do you really think that I’d terminate a pregnancy after my last one? My arm swelled up, I wasn’t feeling well, they’ve removed my implant immediately because the area around it became infected. That’s what I needed to get rid of. I asked Lindsey to not tell you because I didn’t want to worry you. We were going to sneak back in. I’m sorry. Can we talk about this somewhere else?” Drake nodded, suggesting going back to his cabin. Leo drove them back there before leaving with Lindsey.

****

Drake and Riley arrived at his cabin, she noticed that he was extremely quiet- regretting not communicating with him before the Chinese whispers began. Wishing she had been upfront about where they were going, rather than just leaving abruptly. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he held his head in his hands- feeling a dickhead for blurting out what he did.

“Drake?” Placing her hand on his shoulder, she looked down on him with sorrow in her eyes.

“I’m sorry. For a split second I believed that you was pregnant. That I was going to be dad. I should have ignored Madeleine’s text- I knew you wouldn’t terminate a pregnancy with your past.”

“You don’t have to apologise. I’m sorry.” Sitting next to him, he remained silent- in a daze. “Drake, I know we haven’t been together long. But if I was pregnant- I’d be thrilled.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I fell in love with you instantly. You are my saviour- and I know you’d protect our child. You’d make a brilliant dad.”

“I’d protect you both until I take my last breath- you’d make a brilliant mom. I can’t wait to be a dad in the future- I’d do everything my dad did with us- camping, teaching them how to make s’mores, basically turn them into a Boy Scout.” Riley smiled at him reminiscing about his childhood.

“What if it was a girl? She wouldn’t be a Boy Scout- she would be a girl guide.”

“I’d do the same with her. If we had a daughter she will beautiful like her mom.” Cupping her cheek, he looked into her eyes. Noticing her blush he laughed.

“Charmer.”

“heh, I can be. I suppose we need to go to a shop soon.” Riley looked at him confused. “You’re not on the implant anymore. We will need other protection.”

“Or...”

“Or?”

“Do you see a future with me Drake?”

“Of course I do. Why do you ask?” Gulping she didn’t know how to explain what was running through her head.

“I know this is really premature, considering the amount of time we’ve been dating- and you don’t have to give me an answer... or if you don’t agree that’s fine... I’m happy just being your girl... but...”

“Ri?” Wishing she would spit out what she needed to say, he wondered why she was asking about their future.

“If you can see a future with me and I can see one with you... we both love each other... it was instant... I broke your heart making you think that I was pregnant... how about we make that reality?” Riley saw the vacant expression on Drake’s face- regretting immediately saying what she had said. She sighed, before standing up making her way into the bathroom.

She wants to try for a child? Did I hear her right? Is it too soon? Not too long ago I thought she was pregnant anyway- and I said I would look after them both. What if she changes her mind about us? What if she thinks I’ll do to her what I did to Kiara- I wouldn’t but it wouldn’t surprise me if that doubt would be in the back of her mind. Could I be half the father, my father was to me? I hope they look like Riley- she’s too good for me, what does she even see in me? What would people think about us planning a family this quick? In fact fuck what they think- Savannah became pregnant after a one night stand with Bertrand. At least myself and Riley will have made this decision together. Every time I see her my heart flutters, knowing that she chose me when she first arrived. I know I said to her on her birthday that I’d marry her as a joke but was it a joke? Maybe that was me testing the water. I love her. If she wants to start this journey with me who am I to turn her down.

Riley you idiot. Why did you put him in that predicament? I bet he thinks I’m desperate- using him as a replacement for Xavier and Luis. But I’m not. I love him. I thought I loved Xavier even with the abuse- that was until I met Drake. It doesn’t matter how long you date someone, when you know you know. Or in my case I do. We have both had poor relationships, which both made us heartbroken. Are we each other’s saviours? Can we be a family? What would other people think? I hope I haven’t pushed him away with this idea. When I’m curled up in his arms I feel safe, he would protect us both. I love him more than anything at this moment in time.

Walking into the bathroom, he noticed her staring into the mirror. Placing his arms around her waist, he looked directly at her reflection.

“Do you think we’ll make good parents?” Looking at his reflection in the mirror- she noticed him look at her adorably with hope in his eyes.

“I believe so. What are you saying?”

“I want a future with you- and if that includes a little one, my life is complete. I’m ready for this new chapter, if you are.” Holding her stomach, leaning down into the crook of her neck, he placed light kisses there- they looked at each other through the mirror. Both feeling nervous and anxious about the commitment they had both decided on. Turning her around, he lift Riley up on to the sink.

“Are you going to seduce me then Mr Walker?”

“Damn right I am Miss Brooks.”

[crazyperfectsense]

4/30/20/1

god April was 5 minutes long and I’m going to spend all 5 of them writing this post

this is honestly probably far too personal to put into the public of the internet, and perhaps I’ll take it down before anyone really sees it, but Tumblr is comforting because it is almost a graveyard and the people who remain (who I see in fleeting posts in passing, hi) I trust (or just will not see this because they do not care or the algorithm does not favor long text posts), whereas Facebook is horrifying and Instagram is worse, and this is likely going to be too long to hold anyone’s attention for the whole thing, but I also want to get some notes down for whenever I finally get to talk to my therapist again, so here we go

I woke up at 6:30am naturally (horrifying!), leapt out of bed because I realized how much work I had to do (hate when a nap turns into just...sleep!), and got a text from my dad 15 minutes later that my maternal grandfather was in critical condition, and somehow still managed to do work for the next six hours out of necessity

it briefly brought back flashbacks to 2012, where my dad didn’t tell me for a week that his father died because I had finals my first semester of college, but told me right after he picked me up as we were driving across campus to pick up a friend that we were taking back home, so I had about 3 minutes to compose myself before a 2 hour car ride (horrifying!)

my grandfather died around 1pm, and I had the truly unique (horrifying! ! ! !) experience of finding out via text while I was on a Zoom call as the TA, where I was the only person sharing video other than the professor (my advisor!), and I had to keep my composure while simultaneously finishing creating the homework that I was behind on making while also trying to figure out what to respond to this text notification of mortality, because I don’t know how to say any sort of condolence really in Chinese, but my dad was handling communications and just texting in English anyway — and I don’t know, it’s the kind of thing where I probably could’ve ditched the call and made excuses later, but the effort to preserve even the slightest tinge of normalcy in this moment seemed right, and I did my very best (and succeeded!) to not spontaneously burst into tears on camera, even though I did about 0.03 seconds after I hung up

an aside: thank god that my advisor was sharing screen and people were hopefully focused on him / in speaker mode or something, because my neutral face is....poor! not entirely sure because I avoided making eye contact with my virtual self aside from brief checks to make sure that I was still alive, still functioning as I flickered from screen to screen across my two monitors

I had a meeting scheduled with my advisor afterwards, and he was all ready to move into it, but was so extremely understanding the second he saw my message I had sent 50 min earlier that was effectively “can we push this back a bit because my grandfather died and I need to call my fam lol” and suggested (as any normal person with emotions would) that I take the time to formally postpone and regroup if needed (needed!) rather than just pushing back a half hour or so like I naively thought would work

I had to desperately cry for about 20 minutes (horrifying!) before I felt ready to call my family, even so 

I hate hearing my mom sad! it’s the fucking worst! but it was a relief for 2 seconds to exist over a phone line with someone who also couldn’t talk straight without needing to take a few gasping breaths

another aside: i didn’t write about this in February because, well, everything was on fire in my life already, so briefly: my mom was supposed to be in China through mid-March, having gone there in October. things obviously went to shit, given *gestures at COVID-19 and the world*, and we booked her an early return flight, given that the senior living facility my grandparents were in had already closed to visitors out of precaution. my brother, dad, and I collectively freaked the fuck out (my brother started crying in the middle of class and had to leave, I barely held it together in mine but paid negative attention) when flights back from China started getting cancelled (and for those like, terrifying few hours where Trump was going to ban foreign nationals since my mom’s not a citizen and they didn’t make it clear that immediate family of US citizens were fine), but we somehow made it happen

so, back to the phone call: I just let her talk and she had so many regrets about leaving China when she did, and it just made me feel like the shittiest person for wanting her back home in America when it deprived her of the chance to see her dad one more time. my uncle and mom luckily got to take my grandparents out of the senior home for one night to celebrate Chinese New Year the day before the facility closed to visitors, so they had one last dinner together as a family but thinking about the what ifs makes me want to cry all over again. my mom just kept saying how she wished she could’ve done more, how she wished they had gone to the hospital earlier for a check-up, and the most I could helplessly contribute was “coronavirus concerns were already rampant and it could have been even worse, given airborne contagion,” even if I said as many other things as I could, about how dialysis was painful as hell and my grandfather, the former doctor, said he didn’t even want to be in the ICU at the end years before his passing

I learned what the Chinese words were for “depression” today, when my mom said my grandfather said he had it and they had gotten him some medication for it a few months ago, and I was so stunned that it was “depression” and not some strange disease I was unfamiliar with that I couldn’t say anything for 30 seconds, and I can’t really write more on this point because I will just start crying, but perhaps I should really think about how aging research is largely focused on non-Asian populations and how perhaps, I’m uniquely equipped to contribute a bit to the field here (but, that is true for so many things, and I am tired!)

my grandfather was great. he was quiet, but stubborn as hell. he was a doctor, and he loved routine. he cared so, fucking, much about me and my brother. he always insisted on taking my brother and me on walks to the same few places that he liked to visit — I remember visiting this community center that had a ping pong table — and him going out of his way to find me internet access, since my grandparents’ apartment didn’t have it for most of the years I visited. he loved taking me and my brother to KFC, because he thought it was the height of Americanized cuisine in China, and was so proud of how much better it was than American KFC (which he hadn’t had, but he knew, and he was right. we would eat every single bite of a two-piece meal each. even the ketchup was better). he once cut out a newspaper clipping ranking UT as the #2 college on this huge list of colleges (I think it was referring to research endowments, but anyway) and saved it to show me almost a year later. he told me in 2013 that he would probably live to see me finish college, and he lived to see me two years into grad school, dying when I was halfway through year three. he was 89. I loved him so much, even if we didn’t get to talk much at all.

I’m so mad at all these fucking people who, in the land of the free and the home of the so-called brave, are being idiots in this time and not social distancing. I’m so mad at every single friend who posts a large or small gathering to their story, at everyone who is so thirsty for social connection that they’re willing to put everyone they’re in close contact with at risk to hang out with another person for just a few hours (horrifying!). humans are social creatures who need engagement and connection to live — having written 22 pages about health and social relationships across 12 hours a few weeks ago, I understand this point so saliently that it’s painful. but seeing such....levity when my mom is crying over not being able to even go back to China to properly say goodbye because they won’t admit anyone from the US (and the US has banned travel to China, like that was necessary in this xenophobic environment) makes me want to punch a wall. suck it up! call your friends over Zoom or FaceTime like the goddamn rest of us!

grief is so strange, and grief is encapsulated in every molecule of this new normal — the strangeness of missing the life that once was, even if the past wasn’t something that I thought I’d miss. I remember feeling so, so guilty for traveling twice in February because of the studying for comps that I should’ve been doing, and now I marvel at my foresight. (and have so many regrets for the people who I told “I’ll see you in April when I’m back after comps are done!!”

I’m in this weird spot where I feel like I’m screaming at the people around me to care, and all of them are too busy with different social ties, and I’m watching my connections wilt and fray because everyone thinks I’m so stable and put-together (or boring and shy?)

an example: I was left off of a reunion Zoom call with some people I worked with in college that was widely talked about on social media regarding “love having shared all this time with these strong women” and all, and it felt very, idk, selfish and whiny (horrifying) to be like “how can you call this feminism when I, a real woman, am being left out of this call”! the following exchange, about the above, happened with in a group chat with a very blunt friend:

D: “Also, how does it feel to be left out of that [organization] Women zoom call, Amy?” another aside: (this....was a stupid question. but we’ll allow it, because boys will be boys.) me: “lol it honestly hurt my feelings but it's not like they weren't cliquey from the very beginning ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ to be expected I suppose” D: “Yeah when I saw that I was like “Why didn’t include Amy, she was there at the same time as they were”” me: “LOL thanks for thinking of me 🥺 they clearly did not”

(the other friend staying quiet, because it was tangibly awkward, even if I tried to play it chill, but my feelings remain hurt) perhaps if I cared more, or wanted to try and make people feel bad, I would’ve replied to a story with “tfti”, or laughed, or heart-reacted, or something “casual” that still implicates “where was my invite”, but....is it even worth investing the hurt and care and time when I’m not even sure it would spark embarrassment on their end? because perhaps they intentionally just do not...care about me and my feelings? at all? (horrifying?)

(I already know this to be true, even if the snub was unintentional, but I needed to muse about it anyway)

another aside: I still talk with plenty of people from this organization who I am MUCH closer with, and I shouldn’t feel snubbed to be snubbed by people who I never felt too close with in the first place! (and yet! horrifying!)

sent an extremely passive aggressive message earlier and yet, K tells me that the people in the chat might not even read it as passive aggressive! (horrifying!)

god. I don’t know! I feel so much sadness and anger, and yet still have a few hours of work to do tonight. it’s wild that even today, where my heart just hurts every few seconds if I think too hard, I still have my mind centered in needing to be productive and not lazy because I’ve already spent too much time procrastinating on my work (horrifying!). but the work is about Asian American collective action / media production, and I feel good about it, and I’m working with some badass Asian women, and I really hope it lands in this flagship journal, because that would be a win, and I kind of just need one! 

oh if it’s not clear I finished comps and I don’t know if I passed yet but they’re done so...that’s something

also whoever fucking looked at Chicago style citations and thought “oh hmm, let’s make another type of Chicago style that is DIFFERENT and call it Chicago style documentation” is the literal fucking devil

ok this is enough for now bye. god this was long. (horrifying!!!!!!)

[zzloch]

You Like Him- Lyredey and Gruvia Double date

Hey people, this is set in a high school au, I hope you like it

A blue-haired girl stood in front of her midnight blue car, nervously waiting for one of her best friends to arrive."Meredy!" Juvia yelled at the pinkette, waving her arm. "Juvi!" Meredy said excitedly. Juvia and Meredy hugged. The best friends had both had been busy, with schoolwork, clubs, and Juvia started had swimming.

"What do you want to do tonight and tomorrow?" Juvia questioned her friend. This was the one night they could meet up and have a sleepover.

"Well, I was thinking we just lounge around." Meredy shrugged.

"Juvia got tickets to the carnival!" Juvia said, holding up two slips of cardstock, with barcodes on them.

Meredy eyes lit up, the carnival was her favorite place to go.

"YES!!!!!!!!" Merdey yelled ecstatically.

Meredy loved the carnival and Juvia knew this, and intended to take advantage of that

"Merds, that's not all."

"Oh, what else? Are we going to the Waterpark?" Meredy's eyes sparkled.

"No, not quite, Juvia had two extra leftover, sooooo."

"So, what?"

"Juvia gave the other two to Lyon-Sama and Gray-sama and told them to meet us there," Juvia said sheepishly

"Juvi!" the pinkette whined.

Juvia just laughed, Meredy had the biggest crush on Lyon and hated it when Juvia tried to set them up.

"Please, Juvia won't force you to be around him," Juvia said.

"Yeah right," Meredy said, rolling her eyes.

They pulled up to Juvia's house and walked inside. Meredy was always amazed at how well decorated her household was. It was always so clean. Contrary to Juvia’s adoptive family, who all looked very messy

The way the house looked and functioned would be considered normal until you saw Juvia’s adoptive family. The Redfoxes were very odd, 'that's a good word for it.' Meredy thought.

As Juvia and Meredy stepped in the living room, a loud crash, followed by a string of curses were heard from the garage.

The door of the garage opened, and a tall tan man stepped inside the house, covered in sweat and soot, and grumbling about how his head hurt.

“Hi, Uncle” 

He nodded at the two girls

“What was that Noise?” Meredy asked cautiously, Metalicana terrified her and she was very nervous around him.

“I was trying a grad a tool, and all my other tools fell down” he grumbled

“Were you standing on something you shouldn't have been” Juvia questioned

“Nooooooo” 

Juvia rolled her eyes at her adoptive father

“Aunty isn’t going to like that there is soot everywhere.”

“Kan isn’t home right now.” 

“Well once she comes home she’s going to be upset.”

Metalicana rolled his eyes at his daughter.

“What are you guys doing tomorrow?” Metalicana changed the topic

"We're going on a double date tomorrow."

"Are you going out with that Fullbuster boy again.”

"Yes, Uncle,”

“Wait, wait. You are going on a date and dragging me along, and I am being forced to hang out with your boyfriend's stepbrother,” Meredy defended herself.

Metalicana looked at the girls confused and shook his head. “Whatever I'm ordering Chinese.”

“We are eating in Juvia’s room,” Juvia said grabbing Meredy’s hand and pulling her up the stairs

Metalicana nodded as the girls went into juvia’s room

The walls were a light blue. Her bed had a white comforter and black sheets underneath, With some midnight blue velvet pillows. She had a TV in her room and even a mini-fridge. Her trophies for swimming had replaced the dolls she used to sew of her crush, Gray, but since they had started dating she had stopped sewing her gray dolls collecting pictures of him, etc.

Juvia jumped on her bed with Meredy and pulled out the remote and turned on the Television. She had put in a fantasy movie that Meredy had never heard of. "Soooo," Juvia said "What," Meredy said gulled to the screen. "Lyon told me something..."

"MmHmm," Meredy said, not looking at her friend, she knew where this was headed.

"He likes a girl..."

"I don't care."

"With pink hair."

"Probably Sherry"

"Nah She's dating Ren."

"Since when?"

"About 3 months ago."

"Doesn’t mean he doesn’t like her."

"The girl Lyon likes he said she was kind."

"Don't care."

"She used to be really rude."

"Sounds like you," Meredy said, not looking away from the T.V

Juvia then shoved her off the bed, Meredy laughed while tumbling off the bed

"Meredy He likes YOU!"

"Don't get my hopes up" Meredy mumbled.

"You like him, you like him," Juvia teased.

After Juvia continuously said this for about 30 minutes, Meredy caved, "OK, I LIKE HIM!"

"Juvia knew it!"

"Ugh, Tomorrow is going to be a long day."

"You know it" Juvia giggled at the pinkette.

*Time Skip: 12 hours*

It was around 8, and the girls were getting ready, how they got up so early is a mystery.

"Meredy, can you do Juvia lashes."

"Fine"

"Thanks. I'm horrible at them" Meredy rolled her eyes, Juvia really was terrible at makeup, no matter how many times her “mom” tried to teach her how to do it.

"All right, Done."

"Thanks"

"Which do you think I should wear?" Meredy asked her friend. She held up an oversized pastel pink hoodie with jean shorts and magenta crop top with white jean shorts

"Second, with black sneakers and rose gold hoops."

"Which one?" Juvia proceeded to hold up 2 outfits. A grey crop top with midnight blue jean shorts and Grey tank top with blue skirt

"Grey tank top with shorts and white converse with those cross earrings gray got you that match his necklace."

"Thanks, Meredy" Juvia said running into her room to get changed

*Time skip 1 hour*

Gray and Lyon waited outside the carnival.

"How much longer till we can go in, so I can beat you at some carnival games," Lyon asked Gray, teasingly.

"I don't know it's not like I track my girlfriend."

"What do you mean you have a tracker on her phone." "I do not. Her dad took it off" Gray mumbled the last part, and Lyon stifled a laugh

"Gray-sama, please stop fighting with Lyon-sama," Juvia said, walking towards her boyfriend.

"Hi, Lyon" Meredy waved at the white-haired boy.

When Lyon saw her, his cheeks went pink. Gray elbowed his brother in the rib cage and pushed him towards the pinkette. "Hey you look nice" "Thanks, you too" An Awkward silence rushed over the two flustered students

"Meredy, Let's show these guys we can beat them at any game," Juvia said, knowing that would make Meredy excited, she was very competitive.

"Come on Lyon so I can beat you," Meredy said, grabbing his hand.

Gray Laughed at his blushing stepbrother, getting dragged away by his crush. "Gray-Sama" "MmmHmm," he said, pulling her closer towards him. "Juvia is gonna beat you," Juvia said, running away "Good Luck!" Gray yelled at his girlfriend as he ran after her

*Time Skip 2 hours*

The entire morning was full of the 4 high schoolers playing carnival games, fighting (mostly by Gray and Lyon), Laughter and blushing. "Hey is 12 we should really get something to eat," Lyon commented. "Sure, could you and Meredy go get some pizza, Juvia needs to talk to Gray real quick," Juvia asked Lyon, totally not trying to get Lyon and Meredy alone together. Meredy was about to deny her request, but Lyon jumped in "Sure Juvia." Lyon pulled Meredy towards the food.

"Hey, You're a girl right," Lyon asked

"Last time I checked," Meredy said smiling

"So, there's a girl."

"MmHmm" Meredy tried her best not to feel jealous

"I really like her."

"Then, tell her."

"I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"She's too good for me."

"Lyon if you like her, then just tell her."

"Can I practice on you."

Meredy stopped walking, she should have known he would have asked that Lyon always said 'If you don't practice you can't accomplish most things.' Knowing Lyon wasn't going to give up, why was she friends with such stubborn people, she agreed.

"Okay," Lyon took a breath. "Hey, I like you."

"Now just tell that to the girl you like," Meredy said.

"I just did," Lyon said, scratching his head.

Meredy's eyes went wide. Lyon, one of the most popular boys at Fiore high, liked her, the dorkiest girl at her school. "Why?" was Meredy's response. Lyon could have any girl he wanted, but he chooses a girl who could drag down his reputation in mere seconds.

"Because you aren't like all the other girls at our school, you are passionate about everything you do, you aren't stuck up, and you make me feel like a normal person, you don't treat me like some celebrity, you aren't afraid of teasing me and I need a girl that can do that."

"Lyon, I think I like you too." Lyon sighed, clearly relieved.

"That's a lot better than you not liking me." Lyon smiled.

"We should probably go get the pizza now," Meredy said.

"Yep," Lyon said, grabbing her hand and walking her towards the pizza place.

Elsewhere (totally not sitting at a table so they could overhear Meredy and Lyon) were Gray and Juvia. Juvia was squealing her heart out.

"They like each other, soon they'll start dating."

"Now that you got them together can you stop trying to play matchmaker and focus on us," Gray said, hugging his girlfriend's waist.

“Maybe, only if Mira doesn’t recruit Juvia to do more work.”

"We're back," Lyon said, holding Meredy's hand and the pizza.

Juvia smiled at the new couple

*Time Skip 8 hours*

The rest of the day was spent with Juvia teasing Meredy about her new boyfriend, Gray and Lyon trying to see who can get their respective girl more stuffed animals (Spoiler alert It was a tie, the rivalry continues). They had a lot of fun. Lyon offered to take Meredy home, and Meredy agreed.

"Thanks," Lyon told Meredy as they were driving to the girl's house

"For what" Meredy seemed very confused

"Not rejecting me."

"Why would I, I've liked you since I met you."

"I'm just so happy, I now have a girlfriend who is sweet, kind, not stuck up."

"Thanks, I think," The new couple talked the entire way home.

They pulled up to Meredy's house, Lyon hopped out of the car to open the door for Meredy. He hugged his new girlfriend.

"Bye Meredy"

"Bye Lyon" Meredy quickly ran inside, excited to tell her 'sister/mom' Ultear. Also, to make sure her 'brother' Jellal doesn't kill her new boyfriend.

Gray and Juvia were also on there way home, Juvia was talking to Mira the whole time theme planning the following methods to get their ships together. 'Man' Gray thought to himself, 'I love my girlfriend.'

I love Double Date AU's. Also, Lyredy and Gruvia are two of my favorite ships. Anyways I hope you enjoyed the story. Thanks for reading. BYEEEEEEEE

-Z.Z Loch

[everlarkficexchange]

The Price Of One's Soul

Written by: @peetaspikelets

Prompt 65: “You did all this for me?” Submitted by anonymous via @katnissdoesnotfollowback

Betaed by: @sponsormusings

Rating: M, for adult themes and coarse language.

A/N: This is the first part of my new story. There will be one or two more parts to come which will feature the prompt. It’s been awhile since I’ve written anything, especially Everlark and I’m so glad I decided to go for it. I’ve really missed these two beautiful souls. 

This story was heavily inspired by Mockingjay and Brooklyn 99 because I have no idea what it’s like to work as a police detective. 

Summary: 

“I’m proud and relieved to say that due to the FBI’s efforts, and Mellark’s outstanding work, Operation Mockingjay was a success and last night the FBI arrested Snow and 16 of his associates with a number of charges longer than my arm.”

Everyone in the room applauds and shouts out in glee. It’s not the most professional reaction you would see in a police station, but knowing Snow has finally been arrested brings an enormous sense of relief to everybody who’s ever come across his brutal handiwork.

Katniss, however, remains silent, her mouth unable to form words. She feels overwhelmed by the news and what Peeta was a part of. Luckily, Finnick looks over and must be able to read her mind as he’s voicing the only questions she wants to be answered right now.

“Does that mean Peet’s back? It’s over? He’s back at the seven five?”

Katniss eyes Haymitch with a wide, hopeful expression. Beside her, she thinks she feels Gale tense up, but she’s too engrossed in what’s happening right now to linger on it. Finally, Haymitch meets her gaze and his lips curl into a small smile they don’t see very often. “The boy is back.”

Really? Are you sure about that Haymitch? *EVIL CACKLE*

Enjoy! Let me know what you think :)

CHAPTER 1

“Everdeen! Hawthorne! Where the hell have you been? The daily briefing started 10 minutes ago.”

“Sorry, Captain,” Katniss replies, dropping her backpack on the dirty floor of the briefing room and taking a seat at the front. “We thought we could get in some shooting practice before work. Instead, Gale spent most of his time flirting with Recruit Officer Undersee.”

“I was not,” Gale huffs, taking the empty chair beside her. “She didn’t know how to hold her gun properly, so I thought I’d be a nice guy and teach her how to grip it correctly.”

“Yeah right,” Katniss answers dryly. “With all the giggling I heard in her booth I bet that’s not the only thing you helped her with.”

“What, are you jealous Everdeen?” Gale asks, shifting in his chair to face her, his eyes glinting with smugness. “Because really you don’t need to be. I could always take you out the back and show you how to grip my –”

“That’s enough!” Captain Abernathy snaps, his voice booming off the rooms yellow stained walls. He looks around the group in annoyance. “It’s like I’m stuck here on a daily basis babysitting a bunch of kids.”

“Aww don’t say that, Dad. You know you love us,” Detective Finnick Odair chimes in from across the room. He starts swinging back on his chair and looks over to Katniss, giving her a cheeky wink.

Katniss rolls her eyes and shrugs her braid off her shoulder. She knows when Finnick gets in this type of mood there’s no point in trying to stop him from riling people up. Even someone as superior as the Captain doesn’t miss out on his juvenile antics. It can be annoying at times, but with the seriousness of the job, she’ll admit there are some days she’s grateful for his jovial character.

 “Finnick, be quiet,” Annie hushes beside him.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Finnick reassures his girlfriend. “We all know deep down the Captain is like a big cuddly teddy bear. He pretends to act all gruff and indifferent when I know for a fact the other week he gave Effie from Human Resources a big –”

“If one more person speaks out of turn again, they’ll be on desk duty for a month,” Captain Abernathy snaps, interjecting into the conversation. A vein pulses in the middle of his wrinkled forehead for emphasis.

Sighing, Finnick falls silent and tilts his chair forward, so all legs are safely back on the ground. He stares at the front of the room with a pout like he’s a child who’s been scolded by his favorite teacher.

“Now children, eyes to the front, and let’s get back to discussing the Coin murder case.”

Everybody straightens in their chairs, giving him their full attention as he turns on a large television. Katniss stares as a number of photographs pop up on display, showing the latest crime scene the precinct is investigating. She hasn’t seen these before, so she leans forward in her seat to examine the images of the body.

After all her years of working as a police officer and then being promoted to detective, most crime scenes don’t faze her anymore. It’s like she’s been immunized to the absolute horror human beings can inflict upon one another and today, this case is no exception. The female victim got repeatedly shot with a crossbow. It isn’t a pretty sight, but her mind has the ability to compartmentalize.

After a few minutes, Katniss feels bored as she isn’t one of the lead detectives on the case. Instead, she turns her head to where Finnick and Annie are sitting across the aisle from her. Both are great detectives and good friends of hers. They’re also known as the precinct’s most nauseating couple. Katniss can count on multiple hands how many times she’s caught them at work in a compromising position. She’s had more views of Finnick’s bare arse than any other guy she’s dated. Not that there’s been many, as she’s too committed to the job and not a big socialiser. After a 12-hour shift investigating murders, assaults and robberies she never feels the need to get dressed up and go out. She much prefers going home to her small but comfortable apartment, sitting around in her pyjamas, drinking hot chocolate and watching Netflix.

She doesn’t have many friends. When she was a teenager, she lost her beloved sister Prim and her parents in a car bombing, and ever since then she’s had difficulties in learning how to trust and be vulnerable around people. Even now years later, the hurt is still raw, but she knows - thanks to years of therapy - that she can’t live as a hermit for the entirety of her life.

So, over time and working in close proximity with Gale, Finnick and Annie she’s slowly taken baby steps and allowed them to worm their way into her heart. Even if she wanted to run and hide, their tenacity and loyalty have made it impossible for her to leave. They have her back and she has theirs.

Even Captain Abernathy plays an important role in her life. When they were growing up, she and her sister used to call him Uncle Haymitch, as he was good friends with their parents. He was always a permanent fixture at family barbeques and any big social occasion. Like her, he didn’t handle the nature of their deaths well. Where she purposely isolated herself from the world and didn’t eat or speak to anyone for months, Haymitch turned to white liquor for comfort. In the end, it got so bad that he could barely function. Now years - and a few stints in rehab later - he’s proudly sober and continues slaying that demon daily.

There is another person in Katniss’ life. Certainly the most important person. But these days she tries not to think about him too much.

From the moment Detective Peeta Mellark started his first day at the 75th precinct in Panem, he made it impossible for anybody to hate him. When he first stepped out of the elevator with his carefully styled blond hair and shining blue eyes, it was like he’d just come from a GQ photo shoot. His friendliness and charisma soon followed and caught the attention of everybody immediately, especially the women. Katniss tried to hold it against him, as she was wary of people who had that kind of influence, but his detective skills were too damn good to ignore. In the first few weeks of his arrival he helped her bring down Seneca Crane, a cybercriminal mastermind she’d been hunting for 2 years. After that, they’d worked multiple cases together and he quickly rose from being her casual drinking buddy and trivia teammate to her best friend and confidante.

On their shared days off they would often have lunch together at his family’s bakery before Katniss took him to the local park to teach him how to use a bow and arrow. He wasn’t very good, but he was always keen to join her every week. He had a habit of trying to make her laugh in order to throw her off, but it never worked and the day always left a big smile on her face.

But while he may not have been good at archery, one of Peeta’s many talents was baking. A taste of one of his flaky cheese buns always had her moaning out in pleasure. It soon became a weekly ritual for him to bring in an assortment of baked goods for the whole squad to massacre.

Those were the good old days filled with wonderful memories.

And then things changed.

The day Peeta told her he had to go away for a case and he wasn’t sure when he would be back had come as a shock to her. He had become such a permanent fixture in her life that she felt a sudden rush of loss and sadness. The rational side of her understood and knew the job came first, but the whole situation sucked. After they finally managed to say their goodbyes, she watched him walk away with nothing but a box of his belongings in his hands. But before he got into his car he’d paused and turned around to face her. She swore she saw intense longing staring back at her, an emotion she’d never seen from him before, and it had caused her to freeze in place.

As weeks flew by, she continued being haunted by that moment and spent most of her days trying to decipher what it meant. But ultimately, cases piled up on her desk and she soon stopped replaying the moment, coming to the conclusion that it meant nothing.

“Now, O’Dair. Cresta,” Haymitch barks, pulling Katniss out of her thoughts. “How’s your investigation going on John Cato and Rebecca Clove?”

“We don’t have anything solid on them yet, Captain,” Annie answers with disappointment.

“It won’t be long though,” Finnick adds. “They may be cunning, but they’re also overly confident. It’s a bad combination. They’ll slip up eventually.”

Haymitch nods, satisfied. “Hopefully it’s sooner rather than later.”

“According to our informant, they’re supposed to be meeting with their supplier in a couple of weeks. This could finally be our opportunity to arrest all their sorry asses,” Finnick tells him.

“Good. Keep on them for the next couple of weeks. If you need back up call Everdeen and Hawthorne.”

“Aye, Aye, Captain,” Finnick says, giving him a mock salute.

Haymitch groans in annoyance and closes his eyes. His mouth starts moving slightly, giving Katniss the impression he’s trying to keep his anger in check by counting to 10.

“Hey, Everdeen,” Gale whispers.

Katniss looks over and notices his chair is too close to her own. His muscular thigh is now touching hers, and she can feel the heat radiating off him like he’s trying to burn a hole through her pants.

“You feel like getting some breakfast at Sae’s after we wrap up here? My treat,” he adds, his gaze penetrating.

She narrows her eyes and wonders what the hell is going on with him lately. She’s not sure why he’s basically sitting right up against her and she can’t crack the ardent look he’s now giving her. Over the last few months, she’s noticed the increase of social invitations from him, all of which seemed to be on the romantic side. Only last week he invited her out to dinner to the swanky Panem Bistro. Luckily she’d been sick with a cold, so it had been easy to get out of it. But it hadn’t prevented him from stopping by her apartment with a container of soup.

The shooting range they attended earlier this morning was his idea, but as it was work-related, she didn’t see any harm in saying yes. But now the whole situation was getting confusing - one moment it seemed he was asking her out on a date, and the next moment she’s witnessing him flirt with Recruit Officer Undersee. She doesn’t get men - or more specifically, she doesn’t get Gale Hawthorne.

“Now, before I dismiss you I have an announcement to make,” Haymitch says, turning off the screen. Both Katniss and Gale straighten up in their chairs, forgetting their conversation for a moment, taking note of their Captain’s serious tone. She swears there’s now a look of pride etched upon his face as he looks around the room. And she must not be the only one who notices the change, as all voices in the room cease, and look up at him with renewed interest.

“Now, what I am about to tell you we’ve never been able to discuss as the details were highly classified. But as you all know, 18 months ago Detective Mellark left us to be part of an undercover operation with the FBI.”

Katniss’ body freezes. The sound of his name hits her hard.

“What you didn’t know was that Detective Mellark agreed to infiltrate the Capitol Mafia.”

There are surprised gasps all around the room, the loudest coming from Katniss. She knew he was going undercover, but she had no idea who or what it was for. Obviously, he couldn’t tell her anything and she understood that. But the Capitol Mafia?! That was huge. They’re the worst of the worst. Their leader Cornelius Snow is a sadistic bastard, who runs a highly dangerous underground gang who engage in money laundering, murder, kidnapping, drugs, and bribery. He’s known as the most notorious criminal in Panem, and he was good at covering his tracks. Whenever the precinct investigated one of his crimes there was barely any evidence to link him and when a witness did come forward they were always found poisoned with Nightlock days before they could testify in court.

“It was called Operation Mockingjay,” Haymitch continues above the hushed whispers. “It was originally supposed to be a 6-month stint. However, there were…complications and Detective Mellark was forced to stay undercover longer than we would have liked.

Katniss grips the table, her knuckles turning white.

“I’m proud and relieved to say that due to the FBI’s efforts, and Mellark’s outstanding work, Operation Mockingjay was a success and last night the FBI arrested Snow and 16 of his associates with a number of charges longer than my arm.”

Everyone in the room applauds and shouts out in glee. It’s not the most professional reaction you would see in a police station, but knowing Snow has finally been arrested brings an enormous sense of relief to everybody who’s ever come across his brutal handiwork.

Katniss, however, remains silent, her mouth unable to form words. She feels overwhelmed by the news and what Peeta was a part of. Luckily, Finnick looks over and must be able to read her mind as he’s voicing the only questions she wants to be answered right now.

“Does that mean Peet’s back? It’s over? He’s back at the seven five?”

Katniss eyes Haymitch with a wide, hopeful expression. Beside her, she thinks she feels Gale tense up, but she’s too engrossed in what’s happening right now to linger on it. Finally, Haymitch meets her gaze and his lips curl into a small smile they don’t see very often. “The boy is back.”

“Yes!” Finnick yells, jumping from his chair and fist bumping the air.

“When can we see him? Where is he?” Katniss bursts out, thankful her mouth is finally cooperating with her brain.

Haymitch pauses for a moment, a flash of hesitation in his eyes before he says. “You’ll find him in my office.”

Before Katniss knows what she’s doing, she’s leaping out of her chair and racing towards Haymitch’s office. She hears Finnick’s loud, hurried feet rushing up behind her.

When Katniss reaches her destination she’s confused for a moment, and wonders if in all the excitement and shock she’s accidentally run into the wrong office. She looks up at the name plaque on the door and knows immediately she’s in the right spot. But sitting on the opposite side of the Captain’s desk with his back to them is a man with broad shoulders and ink black hair. His whole body stiffens at their sudden intrusion before he slowly stands up and turns around to face them.

Katniss’ mouth drops open in shock. After Haymitch’s announcement, she was expecting to find her best friend with his signature grin waiting for her, before running over and wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. But to her utter disappointment, none of that happens. Instead, the person in front of her looks like a stranger. He has Peeta’s familiar blue eyes, but they’re now etched with harshness and shaded by dark circles. His cheekbones are also sharp and defined like he’s lost some weight and his overall demeanour is wary and guarded.

“You’re back?” Katniss says, her tone coming out more like a question than a statement. 

Peeta takes her in silently for a moment. His eyes narrow in quiet contemplation as they travel down from head to toe, mapping her out, trying to become reacquainted. His shoulders relax slightly and he nods his head in acknowledgement. “Katniss.”

His voice is rough and deep like he’s been smoking a pack a day and he makes no other effort towards her. He’s just standing there, staring at her intently and it makes her feel lost.

“Wow, Peeta,” Finnick says, coming up to stand beside her, and taking in his friend’s new hair and dark leather attire. “You’re a brunette now.”

Peeta smirks and runs a hand through his hair, the action making it scruffier. “Yeah, well I thought if I’m going to join the dark side, I may as well put the effort in and go all out.”

Finnick chuckles nervously and leans against the door frame. It’s clear he’s not sure how to take this new Peeta Mellark as well.

“You didn’t join the dark side,” Katniss blurts out before her brain can catch up with her. She doesn’t like the way he’s talking. “You’re a police detective who went undercover to bring down one of the worst criminals in Panem’s history. What you did in the last year and a half was incredibly brave and the operation was a success because of you.”

Peeta looks over to her and shakes his head.

“Peeta, you’re a great detective –”

“Katniss, stop,” Peeta says, raising his hand suddenly, cutting her off. “I don’t want to talk about this now. So don’t go there.”

“It’s okay Peeta,” she continues, ignoring his wish and taking a tentative step towards him like she’s approaching a baby deer. “You’re home and you’re safe. It might take you awhile to forget about Snow, but –”

Peeta suddenly charges towards her, making Katniss freeze mid-sentence. He’s up in her face, looming down at her with a twisted and grotesque snarl. A rush of fear floods her insides.

“Forget, about Snow? Really, Katniss? You say it like it’s so damn easy, but you have no idea,” he spits out. She hears him take a few deep breaths, his eyes still piercing hers, before he transforms his face into a look of indifference. “Has it ever occurred to you that maybe I don’t want to forget? That I don’t want to forget Snow? That I don’t want to forget my time with him?”

His words scare her and suck the breath out of her lungs. His cold, unfamiliar glare awakens her need to run and lock herself in a cupboard like she used to do when she was younger. No matter what she ever said, the old Peeta would never have treated her like this. He’s not her Peeta anymore. She can’t even see a glimpse of the old him. He’s acting like their friendship never existed.

The atmosphere in the room is left cold and uneasy as Peeta takes a few steps back and looks down at the floor. He rubs a hand roughly across his forehead multiple times like he’s in pain or agitated.

“So, ummm…you’re back for good then?” Finnick asks carefully in the soundless space, hoping to break the discomfort.

“For now,” Peeta replies simply, not caring to extend his answer as he leans back against Haymitch’s desk. “So, enough about me. What have I missed around here?”

“Nothing much,” Finnick shrugs. “We got a new vending machine in the break room and the department finally updated our surveillance equipment. I wanted to take the new body cams home to try on Annie, but she wouldn’t let me.”

The corners of Peeta’s mouth curl up. “I’m glad to hear you’re still together. I would have thought by now you’d have fucked things up.”

A look of hurt flashes across Finnick’s face before he puts his signature smile back on. “Nah, man. Annie’s my reason for living. She’s my everything.”

Peeta’s eyes soften slightly at the sentiment and he nods his head. He briefly looks over to Katniss, but before she can meet his eyes, he’s turning back around and giving his attention to the new face standing at the door.

“Hey, Mellark. Good to see you, man,” the familiar voice of Gale rings out as he saunters into the office and stands beside Katniss.

“Gale. Nice to see you,” Peeta replies curtly, his eyes narrowing at his old colleague.

Although back in the day the two never fought and worked well together when they had to, there always seemed to be an underlying tension between them which Katniss never understood. She found it difficult sometimes as they were both her friends, yet if she wanted to hang out with them, she usually had to do it separately.

“I like the look you’ve got going on at the moment. It suits you.”

Katniss and Finnick turn and give each other perplexed looks.

“Thanks,” Peeta answers tightly, his jaw tense and eyes cold.

“Yeah, so you’ll notice some changes around here,” Gale continues, swinging his arm around Katniss’ shoulders, and bringing her in closer to his body.

She grows rigid on the spot, too surprised by the public display of affection to push him away.

“We moved some people around in the bullpen after you left on your…mafia holiday. Katniss is now at your desk next to me, but there’s an empty one near the kitchen you can have –”

“No!” Katniss cuts in and wriggles herself free of Gale’s grasp. “Peeta can have his desk back. It’s fine. I’ll take the spare one.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Peeta replies back gruffly. “I’ve already spoken to the Captain and I’ll be moving a desk down to the records room.”

“The creepy basement where no one ever goes?” Finnick asks surprised.

“Yeah, it’s perfect. Besides, open spaces don’t agree with me anymore.”

As he says this Katniss looks down and notices his left hand is shaking like it’s in spasm.

That’s new.

She watches the action sadly, feeling a sudden rush of warmth towards him, which is unexpected after their disastrous reunion. It’s a vulnerable moment (which the others choose to ignore) and it reminds her of the old Peeta. Yes, their first meeting has gone horribly, but once he gets back into his old routine he will remember who he is again and will be back to the Peeta Mellark they all know and love.

She’s pulled out of her reverie by Peeta who’s picking up a ratty box from the floor. She’s curious to know what’s inside, but he quickly balances the weight against his muscular chest before she can sneak a peek. As he heads towards the door, he stops calmly in front of Katniss and Gale.

“So, I’m assuming you two are together now,” he states evenly, his expression giving nothing away.

Katniss’ eyes widen at his assumption but before she can correct him, he’s already walking past them and calling out unkindly over his shoulder. “Sending you my condolences.”

The words sting and Katniss feels tears start to well in her eyes.

They watch him walk down the stairs to the basement, without even a backwards glance. Finnick turns to her in disbelief, while Gale mutters out, “I always knew he was an asshole,” before stomping out of the office.

Katniss wants to run after both of them. She wants to yell at Gale to find out what’s going on with him. And she wants to shake Peeta so hard that he comes back to himself, but her body won’t move. Instead, she feels exhaustion set in and it keeps her rooted to the spot.

“It will be alright, Kat,” Finnick tells her kindly, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We all know you and Gale aren’t a couple and never will be. And even if it was true it’s none of Peeta’s business anyway. What he said was really uncalled for.”

Katniss nods her head, refusing to show any emotion. Instead, she says, “Thanks Finnick,” and heads towards the bullpen in a daze.

“He’ll come around,” he calls out behind her. “Just give him some time.”

Quietly, she sits down at her desk, ignoring the worried looks being sent her way and opens her top drawer, pulling out a handful of colored photographs. For years the squad used to display pictures of themselves all around the precinct. Some were from Christmas parties, training days, or simply goofing around with each other in between cases. When Peeta went undercover, Haymitch made her take down all the photos that featured him, in order to protect his cover. And they’ve laid in her drawer safe and sound ever since.

She stares sadly at the bundle in front of her, each colored memory seeming like a lifetime ago. In every photo, Peeta is either making a funny face or staring at the camera with an easy-going smile. She wonders when she’ll see it again and then a painful thought occurs to her.

What if they’re wrong? What if he never comes around?

A single tear falls quietly down her cheek. What if Peeta Mellark is lost to her forever?

[b-kitsune]

Many ways to say I love you: Day Twelve.

Kidge-a-palooza 2019 Prompt: Sneaky. Pairing: Kidge (VLD) Universe: Garrison! AU Status: Part 2/4

Keith sighed with regret as he patiently kept the distance to perform the perfect acrobatics in sync with his peers around him, dictating orders at the necessary moment when one of his companions maneuvered in the wrong direction. It was a simple exhibition, to show the public the speed and precision of the latest aircraft made in Garrison in association with the altean technology. While Iverson commanded from the main cabin, the function was turning out just as they had rehearsed during the last five weeks.

As the main driver, and part of the promotion among the best pilots of his generation, Keith was forced to show the skill and discipline that the Garrison expected from his cadets. And he was in charge of directing the function for people who were interested in applying for the academy's program the next semester. Even if he had initially wished to reject it, Shiro had convinced him that thanks to that he could be considered for the space exploration program in conjunction with Daibazaal, one of the planets allied with the earth and the place where he was born. So it would be an insured position if he did that favor to Iverson.

Krolia had been proud as soon as she heard that he was considered to be an aircraft and that it was the perfect opportunity for Keith to show to others how skilled he was as a pilot. Keith didn't doubt that his mother was surely among the crowd with his uncle Kolivan to witness the spectacle.

In the end, he reluctantly accepted, Keith usually didn't like to command, but at that moment he felt good guiding his companions when they finished the last flight to expel the chemical vapor and paint the sky with colorful stelae. The people gathered from different parts of the galaxy shouted excited about the presentation.

Everything had gone well. The lieutenants congratulated them when they ordered them to descend to the established track.

At last, Keith could go down and do what he had been waiting for since he woke up that day. They were placed in position while the high commands awaited them in the hangar, congratulating them and giving them the chance to enjoy the event, as long as they behaved correctly today. All responded affirmatively.

Before Keith managed to escape, he was taken by Lance, seeing him with a cheeky smile that never led to anything good.

''No no no. Surely you will go to the training room. We are going to take advantage of the day like good comrades.'' Keith grunted in response by taking the arm from his neck.

''I don't have time for your nonsense, Lance.''

''But he's right.'' Shiro approached them when he heard Lance's words, looking at Keith with inquisition. ''Surely you will go to the training simulation while they don't see you. Don't you think it's a good opportunity to socialize with others? You gave an amazing presentation today, you should take advantage of it to get closer to your classmates.''

''Actually, Shiro, today I had something planned.'' He answered nervously, giving a quick glance to Lance, who didn't seem to believe him at all. ''I promised Pidge that I would show her the hangar of the aerospace zone, which is open to the public today.''

''Pidge? Who is? Your girlfriend?'' Lance joked, bothering Keith a bit, but before answering, James intervened.

''You're not talking about Katie, Major Holt's daughter, are you, Kogane?''

''It's none your business, Griffin.''

''Stop there.'' Shiro snapped before they started a discussion. ''If that is the case, then go ahead. I think I saw her with Matt at the Garrison kitchen.''

''Thanks, Shiro.''

He smiled before leaving the hangar and heard Griffin's irritation in the distance, dismissing the matter. Although his relationship with him had been transformed into something more neutral and respectful over the years as co-pilots, there was still some friction between them. Especially since Griffin discovered that he and Pidge started dating a few months ago.

When he had told Pidge about it, she let him know that Griffin was her father's assistant and that from time to time he had found her rummaging through the research rooms. He was kind to her most of the time as long as she didn't get into trouble, and he acted like an overprotective big brother, seeing her as too fragile for her own good, even if Griffin knew that she was completely capable of defending herself.

Keith had listened attentively that day, but he didn't believe in Griffin's good intentions. Besides, he surely thought that he was not good enough for her and that he would hurt her as soon as he got bored just like Lance used to do with his girlfriends. What was completely separated from reality.

Keith liked Pidge, a lot. Things had changed between them since the time he found her in the rain last winter. And both Shiro and her family were calm and happy that they both spent time together, had been positively influenced and didn't overstep the limits when things started to become more intimate with each other. They had kissed many times while nobody saw them, thinking that they were being sneaky enough so that no one would notice.

Maybe nobody had proof about them, nor were they officially dating, but there was something between them that could be palpable. Even Colleen had bothered them once when they would formally begin dating, to Sam's dismay. Alluding that her daughter was still too young to think about such things, but he had never denied her exits with Keith, even if they sometimes ended late into the night.

Matt, however, was more invasive and renegade at the idea that Pidge had a boyfriend. Reaching self-invite himself to many of their outputs so that none will make some strange movement. Keith thanked the heavens that when Shiro knows about what Matt was doing, he started inviting him to spend time with him every time Keith and Pidge went somewhere.

Keith smiled as he remembered that until he realized he was being followed by Lance and Hunk on the way from the kitchen. He watched them with a raised eyebrow when he stopped.

''What are they doing?''

''I'm going to the kitchen, I'm hungry after that show.'' Hunk replied as if it were something obvious.

''I want to know what the nerd looks like.''

''Don't tell her like that, Lance, I warn you.'' Keith growled loudly. So Lance raised his arms in surrender when he realized that he had pressed his buttons unintentionally.

''Ok, dude. Don't get mad at something like this ...'' Lance lowered his hands when he saw him sigh and continue on his way, so they began to accompany him closely. ''It's just that I'm intrigued that you're so interested in Commander Holt's daughter.'' Lance said, in a more complacent tone. ''I wonder if he's going to be a brainy girl with big glasses and everything like Matt.''

''How do you know she wears glasses?'' Keith asked intrigued, Lance buzzed with a grimace.

''Then it's definitely that girl is away from my league, don't worry about me mullet, I'll say hello and Hunk and I will be satisfied, is not that right, big man?''

''What? But I really go to the kitchen to eat something! I'm not interested in how Major Holt's daughter looks.'' Hunk crossed his arms to emphasize his point. ''Besides, it's a girl Keith, how many years did she have? thirteen years? I'm surprised that even Shiro agrees with you to go behind her.''

''She's fifteen, and I'm not going after her. She's my friend!'' He answered uncomfortably. But Lance and Hunk hummed without believing anything.

''Keep lying mullet, but don't worry. While she doesn't report you, you don't do anything wrong.''

Keith ended up hitting Lance in the head at that statement that brought more than a disturbing look at the Garrison's visitors. Besides, it's not like he's lying, they were friends.

That from time to time they would end up holding each other while kissing and caressing in places that brushed the imminent danger, was another business.

They entered in the kitchen room without much difficulty, although there were enough people around the corridors, the biggest attractions were in the courtyard, so very few people had decided to go in search of food. When Keith began looking for Pidge by the seats, he heard her scream his name when she approached wearing a charming green dress that he had seen him wear before in formal celebrations. Keith smiled unconsciously when he was hugged tightly by Pidge, she looked charmingly cute at that moment.

So much so, that perhaps Lance's cry had come a little later than he expected.

''No way! She's too cute to be a complete nerd!'' Before Keith answered, a hand hit Lance's head hard enough to get him out of the stupor. ''And why was it?''

''To shut your mouth in front of my sister.'' Hunk greeted Matt as he stood next to Pidge. ''She is Katie, the next semester she will apply to the pilot program. So surely you will see it frequently in a few months.''

''Hunk, it's a pleasure.'' Hunk offered his hand with kindness, to which Pidge responded in the same way. ''And the jerk next to me is Lance, I suggest you don't take it too seriously.''

''Hey! I can be a great influence when I propose it.''

''Were not you the guy who hit the Kerberos flight simulation?'' Lance blushed notoriously at the mention of the accident.

''What Keith told you is completely exaggerated. Even if it doesn't look like it, I'm an excellent main pilot.''

''It was not Keith; it was my dad. You burned the data processor by overheating it because of the terrible decisions you made.'' All tried to uselessly contain the laughter about what happened that day. It was a stain on Lance's record and one of the accidents most remembered by the Garrison.

''You know? I begin to realize why you two get along so well.''

''Oh sorry, I didn't mean to bother you.'' Pidge replied, extending her hand towards Lance. ''You are one of the most interesting people that Shiro and Keith have known, they talk to me a lot about you. I hope we get along when I get into the program the next semester.''

Lance looked at her skeptically, but at the mention of Shiro, he was able to relax again, making him happy that someone like him recognized him outside the Garrison. The girl was somewhat aggressive, but he could say she was kind, it was something that Lance felt he could handle. So, he decided to accept her hand.

''Pidge, we'd better hurry if you still want to enter the hangar.''

''Oh, yeah, sure''

''Wait, what hangar are you supposed to be going to?'' Inquired Matt with inquisition when he saws them slightly nervous.

''The one in the aerospace flight area is open and Pidge wanted to know the models of the hunting ships that Garrison was using.'' Keith answered simply; Pidge nodded for emphasis.

''And you're not invited! So don't ever follow us.'' Pidge added, but Matt looked quite satisfied with Keith's response.

''Yeah, of course, you can go without problems, it is a public area and there will be many people around.''

They both left the kitchen before Matt decided to change his mind for some reason, saying goodbye to Hunk and Lance in the passage. They began to walk through the corridors of the Garrison, taking several completely opposite paths to the exit they had decided to use as bait, mocking one or another lieutenant who was doing that day as a precaution.

They stopped in an elevator in the area of ​​scientific advance that gave access to a restricted area, but Pidge got the key to his father as he had said to Keith yesterday.

''Are you ready?'' Pidge looked at Keith with determination, if anyone found out what they were trying to do, surely, they would be expelled from the Garrison for life. Keith nodded, swallowing heavily, but with the same emotion in Pidge's eyes.

''Completely.''

When they entered, the elevator began to descend for long minutes. So, Pidge, in a moment of boredom and excitement at the danger that surrounded them if they were discovered, began to annoy Keith. First hitting him with the body playfully, earning a slight laugh from him. Then she began to tighten it over the clothes, ending in a battle to see which of the two could stand up to the other's touches.

Pidge lost. Being knocked down with Keith's hands on her waist and a languid kiss that accompanied her when she fell to the ground.

They looked at each other for a few seconds without needing to separate, in moments like those, they enjoyed completely stealing some of another kiss to fulfill their daily goal of happiness.

''You look so cute with that dress.''

''Thank you.'' Pidge replied, somewhat embarrassed at the compliment so direct. ''I like your jacket; it looks good on you.''

''Surely it will also look good on you when you are forced to use it every day.''

Keith smiled playfully as he aimed one of his hands towards her face. That it was clear thanks to the strands taken from her hair in a simple ornament on the back of her head.

But before continuing their moment of confidence, they saw through the elevator what they had been investigating throughout the year, leaving them so impressed that they were barely able to speak. What the Garrison and alchemists of Altea were hiding from the universe during all these years. What Pidge and Keith had been trying to discover in fraganti when they heard a strange conversation between Shiro and Sam.

There, under Garrison, they were building giant robotic lions.

[diveronarpg]

Congratulations, ALEXEI! You’ve been accepted for the role of BENEDICK. Admin Rosey: Alexei, you have no idea how happy we have to have another beloved Montague, Benedick, join our ranks! It’s a difficult thing, capturing the nuances of a character within a single application -- laying out their past, present and future in a way that gives each of us a glimpse into your plans for them without revealing it all. But you managed to do it, and very successfuly too. We are so very excited that you have captured Benedick so well and we cannot wait for him to bless our dashes! I, personally, can’t wait to see what type of trouble him and tragedy you have planned for him. Please read over the checklist and send in your blog within 24 hours.

WELCOME TO THE MOB.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Alias | Alexei/Sasha

Age | 23

Pronouns | They/Them

Activity Level | I’m not really sure how to rate it on a scale of 1-10, but I’m confident that I can do 4+ replies a week and be reasonably active in a group chat. My active hours would probably be sporadically in a group chat from about 9am-2pm, and then I could be working on replies nights from 8-11pm EST. My job/general schedule has pretty steady hours.

Timezone | EST (GMT-5)

How did you find the rp?  | I told Victoria I was still indie roleplaying and she showed me this ring.

Current/Past RP Accounts | Sorry!

IN CHARACTER

Character | Battiasta Tahan - Benedick

What drew you to this character? | In Much Ado About Nothing, Benedick is written as a sarcastic actor-type, always performing to keep the crowd (and his closest friends) guessing, never showing his true face. According to Battista’s bio, he’s mostly like that in his early life, but I thought it would be interesting to explore how this kind of behavior bleeds into the more serious, quiet attitude that seems to come with more experience, more hardship, and more trauma. Is the “new” him the real one, or is it just another mask worn to ingratiate himself with those around him? I find myself drawn to him because I love to look underneath the underneath, to seek out the bare bones motivations behind people’s actions and let them spin their stories as they will.

Battista is a man that’s made many mistakes and has a lot of regrets — though maybe less than we’d think. His story is compelling, and I look forward to doing the deep dive, turning over the rocks to find the soft damp dirt beneath. I want him to have some satisfaction, and I want him to grow into someone capable of being a good friend, if not a good person.

What is a future plot idea you have in mind for the character?  |          Team Making or Team Breaking—

    Battista knows how important it is to trust your team. Just like in the military, knowing that they have your back can be the difference between holding back just a second too long and ending up with a bullet to the skull, and trusting them to watch over you enough to do what you need to do. But how is a trio composed of a control freak, a wild card, and a walking dead woman supposed to function?    It’s not an area suited for his silver tongue— these people need a solid leader, dependable and strong, not someone that charms them and runs when he gets what he wants. He doesn’t want to give up, but bad blood and hard feelings pin him on one side, and a completely unreadable mystery on the other. Is it possible that he can win them over, or will his white-knuckled grip on the reins just end up bloodying all of their mouths?

        Explosive Personality—  

    It’s nothing personal, except when it is. Whether Battista dislikes him on principle, or out of jealousy, something about Everett Craven drives him up a wall. It would take a push for him to resort to outright premeditated murder, and he wouldn’t do it to an emissary without permission, keeping in mind the delicate position it could put the already at war families in. But, well. He certainly wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.    As for the murder weapon— what better way to win a war than with guerilla tactics? Battista isn’t an explosives expert by any means, but he knows his way around something so simple as a booby trap car bomb. With a car as well-loved as Everett’s, it’s a no-brainer to use something ignition-based as a method of assassination, as it’s almost guaranteed that he’ll be the only one caught in the blast. Almost.

         Be It Spark, Inferno, Or Nothing But Ash—

    No man is an island, no matter how much Battista would like to pretend that’s the case for him. With every bullet in the bodies he drops, every hit he takes, he can’t help but wonder just what it was that Genevieve Zhang saw in him the fateful night he prostrated himself before the Montague leadership that made her speak for him. He doesn’t feel it’s his place to outright ask, not yet anyway. He’s unsure if he even wants to know the truth of it.

    Her opinion shouldn’t matter to him. He tells himself it doesn’t, that he’s a grown man, confident in his abilities and his place in the world. Still, the possibilities keep him up at night.

        You Killed My Father, Prepare To Die—

    It seems a distant dream, with all that’s happened. Nearly fifteen years since the cold December night his mother called him, incomprehensible and weeping. Since he had to go down to the morgue with her and try to identify the bloated, dirty corpse the police had pulled from the river. Someone had murdered him, cut him up so badly they could only confirm it was him by the distinctive tattoo on his left shoulder, and the scar from his ACL surgery.

    They’d known it was the Capulets, sure. That’s what got him into this goddamn mess in the first place, though it helped that he knew they were hypocrites, ‘men of the people’ his shapely ass. But he knows it had to be one person to shred his face to ribbons, to strike the final blow. And he knows someone had to okay the kill order. He’s kept an ear to the ground, but it’s hard to hear anything about a nobody that was killed over a decade ago. Still, there’s the tiniest spark of hope. Some day, someone will slip. If they’re still alive, they’ll brag about killing Battista Tahan’s father, and when they do…

    They won’t make it to hell in one piece.

Are you comfortable with killing off your character? | Well, Yeah. Empty Revenge isn’t a whole lot to live for.  

IN DEPTH

What is your favorite place in Verona?

    An odd sort of smile lingered at the corners of his lips in the aftermath of such a question, like he was unsure of whether it was allowed. He shrugged just the left shoulder, palm raised to the sky dismissively like you had asked him how his day was going, how his mother was— how was it ever, yeah? What did it matter, where his favorite place was? It couldn’t hurt to share, but still the answer seemed ripped from him. “The Arena.” One corner of his mouth turned further, expression shifting into something akin to bemusement, and his hand turned down to mime writing. “I like to sit in the shadow of it during the heat of the day, and try to draw.” A grimace, and then a laugh to follow. “Emphasis on ‘try’. But it’s loud, full of people going about their business. Good to people watch.” It was a far sight better than sitting on his thumbs in his empty, silent apartment, anyway. It was nice to pretend that someday he’d be able to draw more than a single line, or write more than a sparse sentence.

What does your typical day look like?

    “Still can’t help but wake up at six,” the comment came off-hand, a huffed laugh out of a wide mouth quirked into something like a chagrined smile. “Drink coffee, work out. Usually sleep for another hour or so after that, if I can.” He rubbed the back of his neck, tough fingers cold against his own skin — a grounding gesture. “Outside of that, I don’t have much of a routine.” Routines make you complacent, after all. A dangerous thing to be, especially when you’re predictable as well. “I try to show my face at the usual haunts, let people know I’m alive and well. Check in on the ducklings, see what they’re up to. Do odd jobs for my landlady— she thinks I’m some fucked-up vet, guess she’s not far off.” He laughed outright at that, something biting creeping into the single bark. Silence reigned.  “I try to keep my head down, unless asked otherwise. But I do like to party.” A last wry twist of his lips. “My only vice.”

What has been your biggest mistake thus far?

    His throat clicked in protest against the single dry swallow he managed — his only reply for a while. The question didn’t make him flinch, which he considered a victory. Shoulders remained straight, the line of them loose and his fingers very deliberately uncurled. Look upon him and see how unbothered he was. “Leaving my mother when I did—” Battista’s eyebrows furrowed, and he cut himself off. Softly, he continued, “no. It’s not even that, she would have wasted away with or without me there to watch.” Funny thing, that. He was glad he didn’t have to watch. “I guess it was… when I was young, I was never around. It wouldn’t have changed anything, but at least I would have known them. I was so caught up in my own. Shit, in my own faux-glamorous life, that they didn’t know me and I didn’t know them, at the end.” He shook his head, a soft huff of humorless laughter escaping. “They were the only family I ever had, no aunts or uncles or grandparents. And I don’t know a damn thing about either of them— I don’t even know if they loved each other.”

What has been the most difficult task asked of you?

    “I’m good at everything.” The response was immediate, dismissive— he didn’t even lift his eyes from the phone in his hand. In the silence that followed, his brows furrowed, as he pretended to think about it further. “Well, except baking. Not very patient, you see.” The mask is near perfect, but the truth of it is this— it seems like nothing is ever easy, anymore.

What are your thoughts on the war between the Capulets and the Montagues?

    Battista blinked, surprised to be asked such a question. “How do I feel about any endless war? It’s pointless and painful, and it’s getting good people killed.” The answer seemed so simple, said aloud like that. It made him grimace. “Reductive, sure. Do I wish death on every hypocritical man-of-the-people Capulet? No. Maybe more than a few, but not all. I know the Montagues aren’t saints either, singularly or as a whole.” A sardonic laugh. “And I know if it had been me that was murdered, or if it had been Daly or Rosso, King, Ivarsson — we wouldn’t have gone to war over something so destructive as pride.” His gaze grew distant for a moment, chewing the inside of his lip. The remainder of his little speech is little more than a murmur: “but I follow orders, and I keep my mouth shut, and these are the things that matter.”

In-Character Para Sample: TW; descriptive injury, death, gore

    The firefight started at 0243 in the streets of a decrepit, abandoned town with crumbling buildings and dusty roads. They were on patrol with some locals— him, Rossi, the snipers they called Rana and Rospo, and a few others scattered among the buildings. Rossi was pink-cheeked and bright, sighing out great clouds of crystalline breath in the cold moonlight from the cloudless sky, making bad jokes about being a dragon. Their lack of quality couldn’t keep the small grin from Tahan’s face, something half-cocked and tucked into his collar. Rospo had asked if he’d ever seen snow with something close to incredulity in his tone, about as much expression as they’d ever seen from the man, and Rossi’s wide-eyed reply was punched out of him before he’d even had a chance to get the first word out, a fine red mist splattering onto Tahan’s face.

    Then they heard the shot.

    It spurred their loose formation into action as they leaped to cover and following the trajectory of the bullet to its source. The night erupted into sound, the sharp rapport of an AK-47 in a window off to the left. Their squad returned fire, and Tahan fell into a crouch and darted the two feet separating him from Rossi, gripped the straps of his gear, and dragged him into a doorway behind a grim Rana and one of the trainees, Allaiwal. He crouched over the man and swallowed the bile that rose in his throat when he saw the damage — glassy brown eyes, no breath, an entry wound an inch under his jaw and an exit wound gaping where his brain stem should have been. He’d seen worse. He had to tell himself that to get his lungs to pull in some air, and when he licked his lips to try and wet his mouth, he could taste blood. He nearly gagged on it, but he still had a job to do.

    The firefight was over before it really began. A half dozen men firing on a lone window could only miss so many times in five seconds, and when the night quieted Tahan let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. He carefully ran his hand over Rossi’s eyes to close them, a smear of blood left behind over a slack face. Grit his teeth, gripped his rifle. The night rang with shouted commands, suggestions, curses, and his voice cut through it all in short, barked out commands. Fan out, check for any more surprises— Rana, call for a CASEVAC, Allaiwal, you’re with me. The slighter man shadowed him with a silent nod, and everyone else jumped to their assignments.

    Tahan led them to the squat building with his rifle ready, grip steady. Focused. The initial screech of the hinges on the door made him cringe, but as they stepped over the threshold and into the dark, the house remained silent. Blood was smeared on the windowsill, on the ground. Bullet holes riddled the wall behind them, and the room smelled like gunsmoke, like unwashed bodies lying in wait, like death.

    But there was no body.

    They exchanged glances, Tahan’s flat, Allaiwal’s a little nervous. They didn’t speak, but as he stalked back into the night after the scattered blood trail, Allaiwal followed. Their footsteps made no sound in the streets, two hunters on the prowl under the pale moonlight, and the sounds of their team clearing the buildings behind them faded into the distance. They were breaking protocol. Nobody called them back.

    The specks of blood led them out of town. His body was steady, his eyes focused, even as his head felt fizzy and light, pulse pounding somewhere high in his throat and his heart stuttering away somewhere in his chest. The wind picked up away from the shelter of the cluster of solid buildings, cutting against the skin of his cheeks, his nose, his neck. The blood led them on, great globs of clotting and widespread speckling among the scattered stones and dry dirt. The gore on his face, the bits of Rossi that still clung to his skin were drying into flakes, gumming his eyelashes and glueing his mouth shut. He breathed through his nose, though for the first time in his life the smell of copper was making his stomach roll. The trail led on, into the dark. It dried up, and he circled to look for the trail, as Allaiwal kept eyes on the ridges, looking for movement, for an ambush. Something howled in the distance. He picked up the trail fifty meters from the last spot, just as he was starting to lose something he didn’t dare call hope. They pressed on.

    They found the man half by accident when Tahan nearly tumbled into the ravine that had put an end to him. Allaiwal gripped his sleeve and saved his life, roughly jerking him back and putting his feet on solid ground. The near-miss set his heart pounding once more, choking him. He stared down at the corpse as they clutched each other’s shoulders, unable to tear his eyes away from the twisted form, the broken bones, and the gaping wound in the nameless stranger’s shoulder that would have put an end to him sooner rather than later, if the fall hadn’t. He swallowed hard, and tried to feel something. Satisfaction, disgust. He couldn’t.    Allaiwal must have seen something on his face, because he stuttered something out. Tahan couldn’t understand him for a moment, blinked uselessly, realised— he was speaking english.

    “ — Sorry?”

    “I said —” he swallowed hard, as the whites of his eyes seemingly took up all of his face. “Do not worry, someone will come to bury him. We should go.”

    The percussive sound of a chopper echoed faintly through the valley, and he turned his gaze up to the ridge above them. There, on the edge: a lone rider on horseback, a black shape silhouetted by the moon. He raised his hand in greeting, and Allaiwal made a nervous sound behind him. The rider raised their hand back, and then turned and disappeared from view, and silence reigned, and so he thought about Rossi, being sent home to his mother in a heavy box. He thought about standing on her doorstep in Taranto with an apology on his lips and heaviness in his weary heart. It pressed on his chest, and he turned his gaze back to the corpse in the ravine, bile in his throat at the futility of a single man shooting at a six man cell, of dying alone. What was the fucking point of it all?

    Worry? I wouldn’t say worried.

    It was the first clear thought he had since dragging a corpse into a cold, empty house an hour ago, and so Tahan didn’t say anything. He shrugged one shoulder, turned his back on the cooling body, and followed a similarly silent Allaiwal back to the remains of their squad in that tiny, forgotten town.

EXTRAS

Sample blog |  https://cuorepietoso.tumblr.com/

Some headcanons | He has kept a journal since he was small, scribbled words about his thoughts, messy sketches of the things he’s seen—used to love spending hours drawing people, animals, plants, items that caught his eye, and writing. Since he’s come back to Verona, he can’t seem to put a pen to paper anymore. Perhaps he should try photography? \ He’s a Capricorn sun, Scorpio moon and ascending, so at the surface he seems fundamentally responsible, serious, efficient, and rational, but deep down he’s repressed, dramatic, and cunning as hell. \ His role in the Col Moschin was Incursor-specialized Combat Medic, meaning he was good at getting into places and good at keeping things inside people where they belong. \ He’s nearing six feet and a buck seventy.

Pinterest board | https://pin.it/3vvntdclvgej3i

Spotify playlist | https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5vJ07jCsvhHWU5NtsxxSLE

Preliminary notes/research | https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l4m0F-m0FdHLUNBlWTnw-hugOSu4GbC1uZbPg9VFV6c/edit?usp=sharing

[picturetoburnnn]

Twin Trouble | Calum Hood x Reader

Word Count - 1.6k exactly

Warning - none?? angst and fluff??

A/N - @cxddlyash inspired me to write this since we were discussing dad!sos so here blame her. Also hey!! It’s 2019!! Happy new year!!

Tags -   @songforhema @asht0ns-world @lukesflaredpants @sunflowerxcal @star-gazing-calum @cxddlyash @emomack @merryblueberry02 @kinglyhood @caswinchester2000 (dm me to be added)

Masterlist

Do Not Repost My Work Without Asking For My Permission

The only sound that broke the unbearable silence of the dark room was shallow breathing. Neither one of you dared to speak, but a soft sigh came from Calum. Your back was to him, laying on the bed that once felt so comforting but now felt strange and uninviting.

“What do you want from me, Y/N? I can’t help that I’m busy, that I have commitments. But you know that. What more can I do? What do you want?”

You stayed quiet for a second before answering. “I want you to stay in your sons’ lives. They need you, Calum, and you can’t be there for them if you’re halfway across the world. I love you, and I know this is your job, but we’re your family. We need you.”

You could picture him running a hand through his hair like he always does when he’s stressed. “Honey,” he breathed. “I never enjoy leaving. It sucks to leave you guys for long periods of time.  I hate leaving you and the boys. But I have to, because Luke and Ash and Mike do it too. These fans, they’re the reason we are where we are. We have to go out and show them how thankful we are.”

“I know,” you whispered.

The bed dipped as he sat next to you, a million thoughts running through his mind. His hand came to rest in the dip of your waist, fingers idly massaging the skin above your hip.

“It’s just hard sometimes,” you mumbled. “When I pick the kids up from school, Koa always looks sad when it’s me in the driver seat and not you. Theo writes all these letters that he wants to give to you but it’s Mommy picking him up. Not Daddy. They think the world of you, Cal. They love you, so so much. But I can’t stand to see their heartbroken little faces when you’re not home.” You wiped under your eyes to stop the inevitable tears, still too stubborn to turn to face him.

“Please don’t cry, no, I hate when you cry,” he fretted, laying behind you and tucking his body into yours (he would never tell anyone except you, but he loves how you fit together like two pieces of a puzzle). “I’m sorry that I’m not here, love.”

You shake your head as he presses a kiss to the back of your neck. “It’s not your fault,” you sighed, finally rolling over to face him. You almost missed the relief that flashed through his eyes.

“No, and it’s not yours either. This is out of both of our hands, so we just have to roll with the punches, sweetheart. I swear, I will fly you guys out to me every chance I get. Just because I’m not at home does not mean that you guys aren’t my world. You and the twins keep me going, love. Don’t doubt that.”

You gave a small smile as you brought a hand to cup his cheek. “I love you,” you muttered.

Calum didn’t reply, but he didn’t need to as he brought his lips to yours.

Kissing Calum always just felt like home. When everything was wrong, he was what was right. He saw your ups and down, knew your heart’s desires, knew everything about you and didn’t back down. He never let you feel anything less than perfect, and kept you grounded.

As he pulled away, you heard him whisper a quiet “I love you too.”

~~~

“Theo! Koa!”

The twin boys peeked their heads around the corner of the banister, thinking you couldn’t see them. You sighed tiredly, bracing your hand on your forehead. It was already hot outside, so standing in the entryway with the front door open was not very

“Any boy in this household whose last name is ‘Hood,’ if you are not--”

“You called?” Your husband’s sultry voice cut you off, his arms wrapping around your waist. His nose was buried in your hair as he hugged you from behind. A devilish idea snuck into your head, making you spin in his hold and capture his lips with yours.

A surprised grunt escaped Calum, but he didn’t hesitate in kissing back. You smiled against his lips as you heard the six-year-olds groan, claiming Mommy and Daddy are nasty! as they ran through your legs. You broke away from Calum, ignoring his whines.

“You’d better be running to the car!” You yelled after your boys’ retreating figures.

“You really gonna leave me like that?” Calum pouted, setting his thumb under your chin, forcing you to look at him. “All sad ‘cause my beautiful wife won’t kiss me longer?”

“Hmm, yes,” you teased.

His jaw dropped, eyes widening.

“Unless…” you trailed off.

“Unless?”

“Unless you promise me you’ll make sure the boys are in their car seats in the next five minutes and ready to go drop you off.”

“Deal,” he all but groaned into your mouth.

You giggled as he tried to steal another kiss, leaning back and making him chase you.

“It’s time to go, Cal. Is all your stuff in the car?” you laughed.

He nodded. “One more kiss.”

“No more kiss, get in the car.” You bit the inside of your cheek to stifle your laughter as Calum pouted but started walking out the front door. Taking one last glance at the house, you shut the front door, twisting the lock into place.

~~

The ride to the airport was full of your two boys screaming the words to the songs on the radio, begging to go to the bathroom (“We stopped five minutes ago, Koa!” “Well I didn’t have to go then!”), and asking if they’re there yet.

“Momma,” Theo whined, “how much longer?”

“Five minutes less than the last time she told you,” Calum answered.

A loud ‘hrmph’ sounded in the back seat, making you and Calum share a glance.

You were about to suggest changing the music when Koa asked “How long will Daddy be gone this time?”

You spared a glance at Calum worriedly before turning your attention back to the road. Let him manage this one, you thought to yourself.

“I’ll only be gone for a few months, bubba. But you’ll come out to see me a couple times before that. It won’t be long - time will fly by.”

Koa frowned. “I don’t want you to be gone,” he mumbled. “Want Daddy to stay home.”

Calum watched as Theo nodded in agreement. Your husband sighed sadly. “I know, bubs. I want to stay home too.”

“Stay!” Theo piped up.

“I can’t,” Cal tried.

Theo and Koa pouted, making Cal look at you pleadingly. Do something, he seemed to plead.

“Theo, Koa, remember what I told you last time?” Your question broke the momentary silence.

“Yeah,” they sighed in unison.

“We have to remember that, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

~~

“Alright guys,” Calum sighed at the gate. Goodbyes were always the hardest, and it only got worse once the twins were born. Calum knelt down to be level with them, fixing them both with a stare. You stood behind them, heart aching.

“You can still stay home,” Koa mumbled.

Calum’s heart wrenched in his chest. “I wish I could, bubs.”

Theo said nothing, but threw his arms around his dad, hugging tightly. Calum didn’t hesitate in wrapping an arm around his waist, pulling the boy impossibly closer. Within seconds, Koa repeated his brother’s actions, Cal pulling him closer too.

“I love you boys,” Calum whispered, “so much. You’re on my mind every moment of every day.” He pressed a kiss to the top of their heads, fighting back tears.

“Love you daddy,” one of the boys whispered.

“Gonna miss you,” said the other.

“I’m gonna miss you two so much.” Calum pulled back, a hand on each boy’s arm. “Promise me you’ll take care of Mom?”

They nodded, little smiles coming on their faces. Calum looked up at you, a teasing smile on his face before looking back at the boys. “You know she can’t function without me.”

You rolled your eyes as Calum stood, taking a small step toward you. His hands ran up and down your arms comfortingly.

Your husband leaned forward to kiss you, and you happily met him halfway. “I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you too, baby.”

“And I’ll miss you.”

“I’m gonna miss you too.” Your arms found their way behind his neck, ever so slightly pulling him closer.

“I told the boys to take care of you, so you should have five-star treatment the entire time.”

“Is that right?” You giggled, looking down at your boys who were saying goodbye to their uncles (you’re pretty sure you saw Luke tearing up when Koa hugged his legs, Theo squealing as Michael lifted him off the ground, and Ash crying as he said goodbye to his wife Britt and their little baby).

“Hey,” Calum whispered, all joking out of his voice as his hands found your hips. “I’m serious. I love you. And I’m gonna miss you every day.”

“I love you so much, Calum.”

With that you pulled him to you in a bone-crushing hug, which he didn’t hesitate to return.

“I’ll be home before you know it,” he whispered in your ear. You nodded, trying not to cry.

“What did you tell them last time?” He asked, referencing what was said in the car.

“I told them that you love them, and no matter where you are in the world, you’ll always come back home to us.”

Calum released a shuddering sob with a quiet “Oh.”

“Now go be a rockstar.”

[moonbokrk]

MGA Season 5 - Episode 2 Skill Evaluation - Rapping Performing: Til I Die - pH-1 and Jay Park (00:13 to 2:11) Outfit: [x] Mentioned: @ericxrk @rkmason @yuzurk @rkyeji @rkyuna​, @jacksxnrk​, @rkxbin​ TW: MENTIONS OF DEPRESSION, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND MEDICATION

He should have been happy, he'd been considered one of the top 50 contestants and made it through to the next round. But when the results had been shown, Moonbok couldn't stop himself from bursting into tears when he saw that Yoona wouldn't be progressing to the next round with him. While he was happy that he'd made it through, along with so many of his friends, his heart broke for his cousin who simply forced a smile and gently chided him for crying.

"Guess this means you'll have to do your best for both of us, Bokkie."

His mood hadn't been helped by a series of phonecalls not long after the show had aired on Saturday; one from his parents who sounded exasperated that he'd 'run into something like this without telling anyone' and another from Yoona's father, absolutely infuriated that Moonbok had been the one to survive. At least his parents had been supportive by the time they'd hung up, his uncle wished him nothing but misery.

Moonbok had spent most of the next afternoon in a bout of depression until he pulled himself together on Sunday evening. Yes, it sucked that Yoona, Chan and so many others were eliminated so early. But him moping around wouldn't bring them back, nor help him progress any further. And there was no way he was going to give his uncle the satisfaction of falling here. Not if he could help it.

When the day had come for the skill challenge, Moonbok enters the studio and let his eyes roam around the set, heart still clenching at the fact that their numbers had been reduced to half. Of course, it just meant that they were now at the same number of contestants as the they were in the first episode last year, but it's still a little sad to see, given how many talented people had had to leave last week.

"Not so much like Produce 101 now, hm?" Moonbok snarks to himself before going to find a seat. Not too far ahead of him he can see Eric up to something and feels as though he should stop him. However his name is called by Changbin before Moonbok can go and try to put a stop to Eric's antics, and by the time Moonbok has taken his seat, Eric has returned to his, looking very pleased with himself. Praying that the younger hasn't done anything that will get himself tossed out, Moonbok engages Hwang Yeji in small talk, shyly accepting her compliments on her hair and wholeheartedly complimenting her dancing the week before.

The results of Eric's mischief become clear when Yena returns from talking to another contestant (Kenta, right?) and complains that she can't find her chair. This provokes amusement from the other contestants, particularly when Jackson Wang pointedly offers her his lap to sit on though it ends up being one of her girlfriends that makes Yena sit on her instead. Having no doubt that Eric was behind that little mishap but not any situation to scold him, all Moonbok can do is laugh and roll his eyes to himself as the CEOs enter. Then once again, he's on full alert, dark eyes trained them.

In all honesty, he was a little confused as to why they were showcasing their strongest skills yet again. Granted the previous week they'd showcased two of their strongest skills too. In any case, had he known that he'd be showing off his rapping again, he'd have kept one of his self-composed songs for this week instead. That's not to say he isn't happy with his choice of performance for this week, even if it is in English. The lyrics completely encompass his feelings and Moonbok sorely hopes he can do them justice.

The rappers would be the last to perform, with Moonbok himself going fifth. Until then there are a lot of other performances to have to sit through. Not that he lets himself lose focus, watching each of the others intensely. Though he can't help but lower his eyes when Shin Yuna takes the stage, knowing she too would be furious that he'd made it through to this round instead of Yoona. She hates his guts on a good day, after all. That's not say he doesn't enjoy her performance, but he does spend most of it staring at a spot beside her on the stage rather than at Yuna herself.

Moonbok wishes Yeji a quiet 'good luck' as she takes the stage for her performance, enjoying it thoroughly and giving her an encouraging smile when she returns. He also continues to be impressed with Eric's evolution and growth when it comes to his dancing. Not only was he sticking to a boy group song again for this week, but he'd managed to incorporate gymnastics into his routine, something Moonbok could only dream about being able to do.

Like last week, it feels like even though it's one of the longest waits of his life, it also feels so sudden when his name is called. Pulling himself to his feet, Moonbok makes his way down the stairs and onto the stage where the judges are waiting. Automatically he bows.

'He's always bowing! Sometimes it makes me forget that he's actually a rapper, he's almost too polite!'

Moonbok isn't sure who the whisper comes from, but he pointedly ignores it and straightens up to speak to the CEOs, offering them a small smile.

"Hello again. This week, I'll be rapping to pH-1 and Jay Park's 'Til I Die.' Please watch over me."

Brief piece said, Moonbok takes a step backwards. Silently, he waits for the music to begin and once he hears his cue, he starts without hesitation.

Lately I been caught up in my feelings Cus I was moving way up no ceiling I grabbed a chance heaven sent It ain't been the same ever since I’m waking up, sweating every morning

Truly, nothing has been the same since he decided to walk on the road of becoming an idol. So much had changed, his relationship with his parents (not in a bad way), his relationship with his uncle (That had always been poor, it had just gotten worse) even who Moonbok himself was. Sometimes he isn't even sure if he was pursuing this dream for his own sake or if he's doing it to prove to his parents that they hadn't given up on seeing him become a doctor in vain. He can't help but wonder if they secretly resent him for it, given the lack of progress he seems to have made in nearly two years. He knows he resents himself.

Though surely, if they were upset with him, they wouldn't have encouraged him like they did on Saturday night, or like they did on the night he'd been eliminated a year ago.

Fighting myself in my dream I'm my own opponent Every now and then I pop a pill to numb it down Voice inside my head I need to turn it down yea

He's never 'needed' to take anything for his moods, has never seen anyone about how his feelings sometimes feel as though he's drowning, suffocating in despair. He knows about the stigma of mental health issues in South Korea, he knows that being the eldest son confers certain expectations on him. He's terrified of looking weak, having to depend on medicine to be able to function. It's been hammered into his head for so long that he has to be strong and in control of his emotions.

But Dear God, it's not as though he's never thought about defying those expectations before. To get help and be free of the feeling that he's nothing more than a burden to his family and friends.

Can't hold it down Any longer I’m clipping Swear all these people just Praying til I'm slipping One thing I can't ignore is That I'm different

In the original song, this rap is melodic and almost song-like. But Moonbok has changed it to be a straight rap, bar for some undulations in his tone. It was a challenge to pull off, but as he listens to himself, he’s happy with how it sounds.

He wonders how many people are hoping he’ll mess up. He’d watched the last episode, he’d heard and read the comments said about him, Eric, Mason and the other returnees. How they didn’t really deserve to be there and should have given their spots to others. It still hurt him, and his face takes on a slightly melancholic look as he raps.

This is why he has to prove them all wrong.

The way I envision My future ambitions Chips on the table I raise to the max Can't beat my hand Imma leave with the bags Riding the wave I create on my own Imma jump in and give it all

What’s that saying? ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ He knows that he could have forgone participating this season and tried the more conventional ways to be signed. But if he hadn’t done it, he’d have spent the whole summer wondering ‘what if’ and getting annoyed at himself. Just like when he’d forgone going to the SuperStar KT World and spent the next few weeks kicking himself for it, and that was probably what motivated him to enter the Triple Threat Challenge, even knowing that there was a chance that nothing would come from it. Not that it had, but it had at least helped him move on. In time, all of this heartache, confusion and hard work would pay off; he would be the star he promised himself he’d be.

Cus Imma do this til I die Imma do this til I die Cus imma do this til I die Imma do this til I die

After three years in university and a year and a half of actively pursuing the path of an idol, Moonbok is sure of one thing. No matter the outcome, he truly can’t see himself working in a field that isn’t music from now on. Whether as a performer, a producer, a lyricist and composer or as a music teacher, Moonbok’s life is music by now. And he honestly can’t imagine how he’d gotten by for so long beforehand.

(He’ll never say it aloud, but owes that bastard Youngsik everything.)  

They be like Aye Jay Where the heck* you going? (expletive edited for broadcast) I'm like aye you know? But don't be really knowing

His movements on stage aren’t as strident as last week, though he doesn’t take the microphone from it’s stand and paces back and forward as he sees fit. It’s probably an annoyance, but he’s always been able to focus on his rapping when he’s able to move around a little. Besides, it’s not much, a few steps to the side, pause for a few lines before returning to the center.

What's the end goal? I’m just focused on us growing Necklace iced out Boy it’s looking like it snowing

He’s grown a lot since that first audition a year ago, from where he nearly bawled his eyes out while auditioning. Sure, the songs are as impactful as they were then, but Moonbok has been better at presenting a facade of calmness and letting the lyrics fuel his performances instead of being caught up by them.

But one thing I do knows Take it to the top Either that or we die trying Every verse I write I gotta make it hot Brains over bron gotta Einstein It's in hindsight but Can’t attain the dream Gotta put in way way more work

His face breaks into a grin as he begins to speed rap, in English no less, enjoying the stunned gasps and murmurs it results in. True, he’s probably not on the same level as Mason, especially when the other is a native English singer, but Moonbok knows he’s no slouch.

He dares a direct look at the CEOs grinning even more at the slightly stunned expressions on some of their faces. Granted, he’s not sure whether that’s a good or a bad thing, but he decides not to worry about it too much. At least he knows that people are sitting up and taking notice of him, and not just for his hair.

Screw the garbage make it with the team* (expletive edited for performance) Everybody got their own worth I ain't there yet but I'm making my way Screw the haters you can doubt me*  (expletive edited for performance) I don't really care what you say

There’s one thing that irks him about rapping in English, though. And it’s the prevalence of swear words. Sure, he understands that they’re used for emphasis (sometimes), but he’d rather not get into hot water with Mnet or the CEOs and have his screen time cut for cursing on air. Hence he’d had to get creative with censoring, keeping the rhythm and flow of the words intact while still maintaining his speed. It had been a challenge, but he thinks he’s pulled it off.

Even without the swear words, the message is the same. Granted, he does care about the comments made about him online, but if he shows they upset him, then it’s only opening the floodgates for more abuse. In a twisted way, it’s like motivation. He wants to succeed, to make all of the people who dismissed and insulted him eat their words. Whether he does that with odd society, through a contract or even by striking out on his own, he’ll defy everyone who only see him as a pretty face.

Imma do this til I die They all wonder why It’s probably cause I see my vision going past the sky

His expression once again morphs into a serious and determined one, Moonbok fully embracing the lyrics he was belting out. How much of this rap would actually be understood by the people watching him, Moonbok wasn’t entirely sure, given that English is still a language that many people find difficult to understand. But there was sure no way they could deny his passion and his determination to succeed ‘until he died.’ That is surely universal.

Imma do this til I die They all wonder why It's probably cause I see my vision going past the sky!

He repeats the last verse in an almost triumphant tone, standing tall as the last notes fade away and the music ends, a resolute smile back on his features. He holds his position for a moment, before bowing once again and offering the judges his thanks, his voice back to its usual soft-spoken tone. He replaces the mic back onto the stand and returns to his seat, once again leaning forward to watch the rest of the rappers show their skills.

This stage, even more so than Red has reignited his passion and determination; and he hopes that everyone will see it. Yoona, his parents, even his uncle and anyone who spoke ill of him. He hopes he’s proven that no matter how hard it is or whatever it’s going to cost him, Moonbok won’t give up.

[Word Count: 2,193] [Word Count without Lyrics: 2.527] Lyrics credit: x