#i should maybe do it with blink 182 as well after that

[senseiwu]

Suddenly have the urge to get back into twenty one pilots

[whatdoidosatoru]

First Date (Keisuke Baji x OC) chapter 1

PART 1 of The Only Exception

experimental emo!baji fic (Baji x OC that's just reader but with a name because i'd rather shoot myself than write y/n)

part 2 - part 3 - part 4 - ao3

Both, Baji and OC are into alternative music and I've tried to not describe OC physically so she can be anyone :)

pairing: Keisuke Baji x reader

word count: 7.2k

18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

I don't know how to tag but here goes nothing: oral sex (both receiving), fingering, slight dirty talk, face-fucking, penetrative sex, bathroom sex, slight asshole!baji, fem!reader

The met at a night club and turn it into a whole thing, songs to go with the story:

𝆕 Playlist

18 - Anarbor

First Date - blink-182

Bring Me To Life - Evanescence

The River - Good Charlotte

Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard

Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon

DONTTRUSTME - 3OH!3

Cherrypie - Warrant

Rebel Love song - Black Veil Brides

The day of the event finally came. I’d been looking forward to Emo Nite for almost a month now, ever since my best friend called me screaming that the new date had been announced. You’d think being in university with the event manager would help stifle the excitement over it since we could get any information about it whenever we wanted, but it’d been months since the two of us had gone out anywhere. It was the only thing on my mind as I dragged myself through my lectures, 3 pm could not have come any sooner. Finally, as the last lecture of the day came to an end, I started packing up my notes, trying to figure out what I was going to wear. 

My apartment was a short walk away from the university, the club, and our favourite gym, therefore this entire day was made that much easier as I didn’t have to depend on public transportation to get anywhere. 

Just as I opened the front door to my place that I shared with my best friend and roommate, I was attacked by my favourite playlist blasting from her room, the playlist I had made for her to get in the zone for these kinds of parties, all consisting of the music I had got moaned at for listening to in my teens. It very obviously was not a phase, mom. 

“You should put on 3OH!3” I let myself into her room.

“I don’t know what that means!!” She was frantically going through her wardrobe looking for something to wear.

“Give me the phone, trust me,” I said with a wink.

I clicked on the song and noticed some of my own clothes strewn over her bed, evidence that both of us currently had the same issue to decide on. I loved showing her the music I u̶s̶e̶d̶ t̶o̶ listen to as she never got to experience peak emo and scene culture in the town where she grew up. 

“What the fuck kind of line is ‘I’m a vegetarian and I ain’t fucking scared of him’”

“Mai, don’t question peak songwriting. It’s iconic.” 

She rolled her eyes, but I knew she was enjoying it. 

It was my turn to cook so I got to work preparing food for both of us before a well-deserved rest. Since I’d never been good at estimating the amount of rice needed for two people, there was now a full pot of leftovers that I promptly put away while cleaning up. 

The music blasting from Mai’s room was making me dance around the kitchen and postponing the tiredness I’d felt ever since opening my eyes in the morning. To take advantage of that burst of energy, I cleaned up all surfaces in the kitchen and dining room, giving Mai a break from her turn for cleaning that day, and moved on to the bathroom, where I made sure everything looked decent enough not to put me into a slump when we wake up the next day. Satisfied with the work, it was time to take a short nap before going to the gym. 

“Maybe this was a mistake, maybe we were too ambitious to plan to go out after the gym.” My friend complained on the way home.

“Well, maybe you should’ve done a low-intensity set like me like I told you! Because I’m feeling great!”

“I’m too old for this shit.”

“You’re 22! I dread to think how you’ll feel when you’re 80.”

She just stuck her tongue out at me in response. 

Both of us felt rejuvenated after a shower and it was high time to start getting dressed and doing our makeup. The playlist was back on and so was the random singing and shouting. I decided on a black blink-182 top, black jeans that are so ripped that I put fishnets on underneath, and an oversized denim jacket over the top.

The guitar pick necklace matched the t-shirt and all that was left was to put a fuck ton of eyeliner on. I went into Mai’s room to check on her and, damn, she looked incredible. She’d fit right in with her shorts, completely ripped black tights, Linkin Park t-shirt, and a plaid shirt wrapped tightly around her waist. I wolf-whistled.

“Not sure I can let you out like that, Mai.”

“Is something wrong with it? Is it too much? Oh no it’s too much isn’t it…”

“Hell no I’m just thinking of the best way to swat people away when they start swarming you.”

She smirked at the comment “You look just like you did in your old photos…just with better hair.”

“Please don’t remind me, I can still smell the hair spray.”

We sat on the floor and started doing our makeup, occasionally changing songs on her speakers and cracking stupid jokes. When we were done it was around 10 pm and Mai insisted on taking photos before leaving. My eyeliner sort of matched her plaid shirt, big black wings with red lines underneath, on my inner corners, and slicing through my eyebrows. On the lips, I opted for black-red ombre lipstick hoping it doesn’t transfer onto my cup of whatever I chose to drink. 

The walk to the club was pleasant as it wasn’t too cold or too hot. With those last breaths of fresh air of the night, we walked in and found our names on the list to be let inside. The space wasn’t very big, but it had only a few open windows so I felt sweat dripping down my back almost as soon as we got to the dance floor. Waving at the DJ and the event manager, we made our way to the bar. Mai started flirting with the bartender and I really had to respect the swiftness with which she got her first free drink of the night.

I grabbed my extortionately priced can of Red Bull and a straw and headed to the floor. There was quite a big crowd of people on one end of the room so we danced our way to the other side. The big reason why I loved going out with Mai is that she left all her shyness at home and sang from the top of her lungs even if her words were wrong. I, on the other hand, had to be broken out of my shell every time. 

After a while, having gotten comfortable with a big crowd of people all around us, I started noticing familiar faces walking in. Some of Mai’s friends from one of her lectures were there and we very quickly joined them in carving out some space for our group on the dancefloor. I could feel the makeup melting and everyone was getting water to freshen up so I decided to venture out to find the nearest toilet. Mai followed me out and kept singing as we walked past a group of guys, one of whom nearly knocked me into the wall.

“Watch it, assholes!” She shouted after them as I was regaining balance.

There was broken glass stuck in the soles of my vans and I could feel it scrape the floor as I walked on. 

“I swear some people don’t understand the concept of personal space, are you okay?” her worrying was adorable.

“Yeah, I just have to pick out the glass from my soles now. He didn’t even apologise, did he?”

“Nah, that’s okay I’ll find him back inside and feed him my fist though, don’t you worry.” I laughed as she pretended to punch the hand dryer. We tried to dab some sweat off of our faces with toilet paper but soon gave up as it would probably build up as soon as we stepped back into the room. Heading back, my favourite song came on and I had to sprint to get back to our group and share my excitement with others. 

“I really fucking love this song!” I shouted into someone’s ear, only to realise it was not one of my people, but the very asshole that pushed me in the hallway minutes before, along with his friends. He looked me up and down and, smirking like I was a child expressing their enjoyment of an animated film, chuckled “Good for you”.

I turned to find Mai, but she had already seen the interaction and followed what happened with raised eyebrows. 

“Was that…”

“Someone that still needs to get punched for being a dick? Yeah that’s the guy.”

“Mai, he’s hot. Why didn’t you tell me he was this hot! I would’ve pushed myself to save him the trouble of doing it himself if he needed me to!”

“I can’t hear half the words you just said and I don’t think I want to. You’re too sexually frustrated for your own good.”

Still I couldn’t stop picturing his face as he looked me up and down. Did he like what he saw? Did he find me cringe? Did he realise I was the person he pushed? I could’ve sworn I caught a glimpse of adorable fangs in his mouth, was he one of those weirdos that wore fake fangs to emo events?

Mai dragged me to the bar to get another drink, but I kept scanning the room to find the asshole vampire guy. With a new can in hand, I went towards the DJ to talk to the event manager. She was a really cool girl I had met waiting for our professor to start the lecture because both of us wore the same band t-shirt. Ever since she started organising these parties, Mai and I have been on the list and stayed until the very end of the party. 

“What’s wrong? You never not sing along to Ocean Avenue,” Hana waved in front of my face. Mai chuckled and told her I was just too horny to function. 

“Who’s the target tonight?” Hana asked with a massive grin.

“That long-haired asshole next to the bar,” Mai pointed towards him and his group of friends, all of them with drinks in their hands and not really dancing or looking like they were there for the music.

They kept talking while I made my way back out of the room to get some air and space to think. When someone stood next to where I was crouching, I assumed it was Mai trying to get me back inside.

“Sorry about pushing you earlier,” a voice that definitely wasn’t Mai’s said.

I looked up and was greeted by a pair of bronze eyes and a serious face framed by long black hair. Leaning on the wall with hands in his pockets, it was Asshole Vampire from before. The one I couldn’t stop looking for in the crowd, now he stood next to me where I could hear him better. I quickly stood up and swayed a little from getting up too fast. 

“I didn’t think you even noticed someone falling and stepping on glass because of you.” My voice was vibrating from screaming along with the music earlier.

“I know it’s not really an excuse, but I tried to get back as soon as possible to hear the song that was playing. I love Black Veil Brides.” He chuckled and looked down.

I looked him over, he was wearing a white button-up shirt that was slightly unbuttoned, black jeans, and black Converse. His hair was long and shiny, falling forward nonchalantly. 

“I will say that just might be a good enough reason, I’ll try to call off the hit I put on you.” I tried sounding casual despite the fact that he was standing so close to me I could feel the warmth of his body.

“That would be great, thanks. You have a good music taste, apparently. Good Charlotte is one of my favourite bands.”

I looked at him and blushed, that meant he definitely knew it was me shouting in his ear earlier.

“Yeah, sorry about that, I thought you were someone I knew.”

He looked amused, “I’m Keisuke. Now I’m also someone you know.”

I shook his hand, trying to secretly admire his beautiful long fingers. “Yuna. I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”

“I’ve never managed to get my friends to come with me before, and I’m not the type to go out to clubs by myself.”

“Well, I hope you get them to come next time as well, I’ve been to every Emo Nite and they’re always amazing. I’m friends with the event manager as well.” Wow shut up, I thought to myself, who gives a shit. 

“They’re not really into the same music, that’s why we’re just standing there like statues. Just observing. Like a bunch of creeps.”

That made me shiver a bit. Was I actually holding a conversation with this guy? If only Mai could see me now…she’d probably run over to punch Keisuke in the face. 

“I get it, luckily, my friend is discovering this music now and likes it, I’ve been into it since I was probably 10.”

“Ahhh, the right age to sing about all the greatest pains in life, back before you even knew what the real world was.” He stared ahead like he knew that pain now.

“Yeah, but it’s been 12 years since then, and it’s still my day-to-day music.”

“You’re 22 then?” He looked back at me, “Are you from around here? We could’ve been in the same year..”

“I moved here for university.” Okay great, he was my age and he had the same music taste. I couldn’t help but wonder what his lips would taste like…

“You know I can see you staring at my lips, right?” He grinned, obviously very pleased with himself having caught me staring.

“Hm? Oh…yeah. You’re insanely gorgeous, sorry,” I cringed at myself. What the fuck is wrong with me? May as well go get Mai and head home, there is no way I could enjoy my night after this. A soft chuckle escaped his mouth “Likewise, I didn’t get a very good look at you inside, but now that I can see you properly, I’m really glad I came out to check on you.”

Wait, what? “Check on me?”

“It seemed like you were unwell, and when you headed out I wanted to make sure you didn’t collapse or something,” he shrugged. My heart started pounding, he was looking at me inside? He worried about me? He wanted to help me? Woah. 

“That’s very kind, coming from the guy who almost flattened me with the wall.”

He threw his head back and laughed, “Are you going to hold that against me forever?”

“Maybe,” I smiled at him, “unless you make it up to me.”

He turned to face me completely.

“Well, how about we head back inside to enjoy some music together, and you think of a way for me to me it up to you?”

I took in his gorgeous jawline and the canines peeking through his lips.

“Lead the way, Keisuke.”

We went back inside, I immediately started scanning the crowd for Mai or Hana. They waved me over to them and I grabbed Keisuke’s hand to lead him to them. Mai’s eyes went wide and I knew we were going to have to talk about this later.

“Keisuke, this is Mai, my best friend, and that’s Hana, she organised this event,” I shouted into his ear, inhaling the scent of his hair.

Mai looked him up and down and Hana shook his hand. I was pleading with Mai with my eyes not to beat the shit out of him right then and there, signalling that I didn’t want him dead.

“I’m going to stay over at Hana’s tonight, if that’s okay with you, Yuna.” Hana turned to her with questions in her eyes, but Mai pinched her arm and smiled at her. 

Was she trying to give me some kind of a signal? Keisuke looked between us, all I could do was just nod and go dance. It seemed too convenient that the next song that was playing was a slow one. Keisuke grabbed my hand, “I assume you want to dance to blink-182,” he nodded at my t-shirt and necklace. 

I couldn’t believe it. We’d been dancing for several songs now, surprisingly, he’s actually got rhythm. Mai decided to stay with Hana and not come back for me, which normally never happens. It was always the two of us against everyone in the room. Maybe she saw the tension between Keisuke and me - wait…was there tension between Keisuke and me? He was looking down at me and smiling most of the time, save for when he was belting out to the music. Especially when both of us were singing the wrong lyrics to Fall Out Boy. After a while, he dragged me to the hallway to speak to me.

“Do you want to get out of here?” He looked at me intensely. It took me a few seconds to catch on.

“What did you have in mind?”

“Do you live nearby?”

This wasn’t weird, right? To the rational part of my brain, it sounded like a bad idea, but I’d been imagining what his lips would feel like on my neck for a good part of the night. 

“Yeah, walking distance,” As soon as I said that he leaned down and caught my lips with his. I reached for his neck and brought him closer, deepening the kiss. His lips were soft and I could smell his shampoo as his hair fell to tickle my face. There was a low vibration in the back of his throat. When he broke the kiss he looked into my eyes like he was trying to read them. I could get lost just staring at his face. He smiled and took my hand, “Lead the way, Yuna.”

I fumbled around my pockets trying to text Mai while he let his friends know he wasn’t going home with them. It seemed like a fortunate coincidence that Mai was staying over at Hana’s tonight.

Yunaaaaasty, 01:28

i’m going home with vampire guy, am i making the biggest mistake of my life?

Mai Darling, 01:29

thought so :) why did you think i made Hana let me stay over?

Yunaaaaasty, 01:29

you’re a mastermind and i owe you for this

Mai Darling, 01:30

oh yes you do but honestly it’s not as fun singing i’m not okay without you <3333

just let me know if you’re dead or alive in the morning so i can alert the police kbye have fun ;)

I looked up as Keisuke reached for my hand, his grip was so warm it immediately made my heart jump. I could feel warmth pooling in my stomach in anticipation of what might happen in just a few short minutes. Keisuke kept asking me questions about my life on our way there, though I wasn’t exactly sure why he was so curious if this was to be only a one-time thing. Maybe he was trying to determine if I was a psycho killer of some sort…or maybe he was? Oh well, he was so gorgeous I wouldn’t mind dying if it meant having some fun with him beforehand. 

We walked up the stairs and he started kissing behind my ear. My skin felt tight in anticipation of his touch and I felt myself shiver as his kisses trailed down to my neck.

“You’re distracting me, I’m trying to get us inside at least,” I chuckled at him.

“How long does it normally take you to unlock your front door?”

“Hey it’s difficult finding the key in this mess of keychains, now I have you making me thinking about uhhh…other things as well.”

He moved to my lips and nipped at my bottom lip. “Oh and what is it that I’m making you think about?” There is no way I was saying that out loud outside my apartment, so I just pushed the door open and dragged him inside after me.

~

I started taking my denim jacket off all the while not breaking the kiss and leading him to my bedroom. I shut the door and clumsily shook off my Vans, starting to unbutton his shirt. He looked at me with hungry eyes, his hands travelling along my hips and up to my breasts. Luckily, the fairy lights around my bed frame were left on so I could see his eyes as he was drinking in the lust in my eyes. When he shrugged off his shirt, he started unbuttoning my jeans and pushed me toward my desk, still messy with my coursework and at least four dictionaries and other heavy tomes. I broke the kiss to put the books away when he chuckled, “Damn, I was kind of hoping to knock it over in the heat of the moment and eat you out on top of the desk,” As hot as that would’ve been, this was the product of a month of research and hard work and it deserved to be put away safely.

“If I hadn’t spent all my sanity working on this paper I would say yes.”

“Can I still eat you out at least?” I felt my knees threatening to give out, why was his saying that so damn hot? 

“Please,” I moaned into his mouth and started to peel my fishnets off when he grabbed my hands to stop me.

“Keep them on,” his breathy voice rolled into my ear, “but how attached are you to those panties?”

This confused me, but he already grabbed the fabric of my underwear and started ripping them on the side and casting them away. He lifted me up and put me on top of my desk, now trailing his mouth down my torso to where my panties were a few seconds ago. His large hands ripped the crotch of my tights and started putting his hair up into a ponytail. I hadn’t noticed the hair tie that had been around his wrist until he took it off and held it with his teeth.

My head spun when he lowered his lips to my heat and started to lick long strokes between the folds. Leaning back on my hands, I let out a breathy moan that made him chuckle into me and start sucking on my clit.

“Oh my..Keisuke yes,” I couldn’t keep it in anymore, his tongue swirled all around the most sensitive area and when I looked down at his face his eyes were set on me, as if he needed to make sure I was coming undone. As if my moans and hitched breaths weren’t enough of a sign, he needed to see it with his own eyes. 

My hand went to the base of his ponytail to bring him closer to me, as I did so it felt like he dug in with an even stronger intensity than before. I was nearing my peak when he inserted a finger inside me. I could feel his lips spreading into a smile when he saw my reaction like he was saving that move until the end.

“Let go, Yuna. If you cum on my tongue now I’ll let you ride me.” That was all that was needed to push me over the edge and make me shake with pleasure while his hand held me down on the desk. 

He got up and pulled my t-shirt off, slowly unbuckling my bra and adding it to the pile of clothes on the floor. Keisuke let his hair back down and started pulling my hair into a ponytail, tying it with his hair tie. I pushed him onto my bed and crawled up to his crotch, pulling his jeans down as he pushed his Converse off his feet.

When I pulled down his boxers I was met with his hard cock slapping his abdomen and, looking up into his eyes, gave the head an experimental lick. His eyelashes fluttered and he closed his eyes so I took it as a sign to continue. 

Keisuke let out the sweetest moan when I took as much of his length as I could into my mouth, one hand on his shaft, the other on the balls. With long, circular motions, my tongue slid all over his cock, licking off any drops of precum it dripped.

His balls were in my hand, softly being massaged, causing him to huff and moan softly. His hand reached for my hair and grabbed it to lead me how he wanted me. He held me in place as his hips thrust up. As his thrusts got more and more frantic, my throat had had enough, so I released his balls from my hand and grabbed the hand that was holding my ponytail signalling I needed a break.

He released me and dragged me up to his face to kiss me, but I had to get things moving to get him inside of me as soon as possible. 

Leaning over to my bedside table, I pushed aside my phone and Polaroid camera, grabbed a condom from the drawer, and turned on some music, “Alexa, play Oh My Word It’s Happening playlist.” When the first song started playing, he let out a laugh,

“Really, First Date?” 

“Hey, I want to make this night last forever, okay?”

I handed him the condom and straddled his abdomen, leaning in to kiss him deeply. Keisuke’s hair was spread over the pillow like a dark halo, framing his beautiful face, I almost forgot how to breathe. His hands were trailing along my thighs, still covered with fishnet tights, as I positioned myself above his hard cock, slowly lowering myself down, his eyes rolling back and filthy moans escaping his soft lips.

When I sunk fully onto his cock, I couldn’t help myself but let out a high-pitched moan which seemed to wake him from the bliss he was in. He grabbed my hips and helped me bounce myself on him. The thickness that spread my walls made me feel full, and each thrust scratched an impossible itch inside me. When Keisuke started grunting with each thrust I knew he was nearing his peak. I reached to rub my clit with one hand, but he swiftly knocked it aside and replaced it with his own. I threw my head back in pure pleasure and let out all the pent-up pressure from my throat as I came all over his dick, he followed soon after with an animalistic moan and stopped thrusting. 

He looked spent and let go of my hips, I needed to burn the image of him lying underneath me into the insides of my eyelids. I reached over to grab my camera,

“Do you mind if I take one of you?” I motioned with the camera. He gave me a small smile,

“Is this some kind of a psycho killer trophy you’re collecting?”I couldn’t help but laugh,

“Maybe, but I want to remember this.” He nodded with a blissful smile, so I looked through a viewfinder and pushed the button. Putting the camera aside, I got off of him and lay next to him, gently taking the condom off and launching it into the bin.

~

“I feel obligated to mention that I’ve never done this before,” He raised his eyebrow at my comment, causing me to correct myself, “I mean, I’ve never brought someone home like this, especially after just meeting them.” He was tracing shapes on my stomach, all the while staring into my eyes.

“Me neither,” he admitted, “I’m still not convinced you’re not some psycho killer taking advantage of young men, taking salacious photos of them, and then disposing of their corpses in the nearby bushes.” I just had to laugh at the notion,

“You seem to have put a lot of thought into this scenario, are you sure you’re not the murderer?” He leaned over to place a kiss on my shoulder,

“Well, I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Looking over at him, I took in his loose hair, now messy and half-resting on my pillows.

“Honestly, after this, I think I would gladly let you kill me. I don’t remember the last time I felt this good.” When Keisuke pulled me closer to him, resting his hand on my hip, I swear I could have floated away.

After some conversation that sounded way too casual considering the way we had just made each other feel, I heard Keisuke’s stomach rumble so I offered to get him some food and dragged him out of bed and into the kitchen. He managed to put his boxers back on while I put on my pyjama top and we made way to investigate the food situation. 

“I’ve got some leftovers from today, I mean, I guess it’s technically yesterday now.” I pulled out the tub with leftover fried rice and chicken and stuck it into the microwave while he inspected the fridge door that was littered with polaroids of Mai and me, some from our work with other coworkers, some of us cuddling her cats from back home, some of our birthday and end-of-exams parties, and others of my old dance group from different competitions we attended.

“You have cats?” He seemed really interested in all individual photos.

“Ah, no, those are Mai’s parents’ cats. They live in the middle of nowhere and have a bunch of animals, unfortunately, we couldn’t get any of her pets here when we moved in,” I pointed at another photo of me with a big black labrador sitting on the beach, “That’s my dog, but he lives with my parents, as I’m too busy to take care of a dog right now.” He nodded and looked over a few more photos before stepping towards me and pushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. 

At that moment the microwave beeped and I went to grab the food and plate it up. We ate standing in the kitchen, neither of us feeling inclined to move away from each other. Keisuke was stuffing his face like he hadn't eaten in days,

“I think you need to slow down,” I said with a smirk.

“This is amazing, I can’t stop,” he said with his mouth full.

When he was done, he started to put the plates into the dishwasher and I offered him something to drink. With him in the kitchen, I made my way to the bathroom to wipe my makeup off, noticing the lipstick hadn’t transferred at all. Keisuke appeared behind me when I had taken off most of the makeup and started touching my ass. Luckily I didn’t put any underwear on, remembering how he ripped the pair I wore earlier. I looked at him through the mirror and smiled at his gentle caresses. He seemed entranced by my skin and started making his way towards my bare heat. Gently rubbing my sensitive lips, he elicited soft moans from my lips. Our eyes met in the mirror and he returned my smile,

“You’re so beautiful, did you know that? I loved seeing you with  the makeup, but this,” he reached for my cheek with his hand, the other one still rubbing my pussy, “is incredible.” 

He grabbed my face and kissed it, making me moan into his mouth which made him change his approach and sink a finger inside of me. He groaned when my walls sucked his finger in, adding another and hooking them to hit the most sensitive spot inside. My legs started shaking with pleasure, which seemed to amuse him enough to giggle and move to stand right behind me, spreading my legs.

“I don’t know what it is about you,” Keisuke whispered, “but you’re making me feel feral, like no amount of touching you will ever be enough,” his voice was making me wet with desire.

“Feral? We can do it like they do it on the Discovery channel then,” I invited him for another round. I opened one of the drawers under the sink and passed him a condom, causing him to chuckle,

“Very convenient.” 

“We like to be prepared,” he aligned his once again hard cock with my entrance and pushed in, throwing his head back in pleasure, my back arching to get a better angle, still holding the edges of the sink. He pushed into me until I couldn’t take any more and gasped loudly. He stopped and started pulling out and pushing back in, only up to the point I could handle. This angle made hitting the sensitive spot so much easier, it made me gasp and whine with every single one of his thrusts. His hands were squeezing my ass like it was the only thing keeping him grounded on this Earth. His cock was buried deep inside of me, hitting my most sensitive areas, pulling me apart from the inside.

I threw my head back and Keisuke took the opportunity to grab my jaw and pull me towards his face. He was grunting into my ear and kissing my neck, I was certain I wouldn’t last much longer. 

With his teeth, he scraped along my neck. With a cry, I creamed on his cock, which only seemed to make him go faster and harder. “Good girl, hold on tight,” he whispered into my ear, letting go of my jaw and instead holding the base of my ponytail as I held onto the wall in front of me for dear life. One of his hands snaked around me and found my clit, rubbing it in circular motions, sending me into another orgasm, this one louder than the last.

Never breaking pace, he chuckled and smacked my ass three times before returning both his hands on my ass, pulling me into his hips repeatedly.

“Faster Keisuke, please!” I cried out, and he obliged. Soon after that I felt another wave of pleasure threatening to swallow me whole. Just as I started crying out his name again, he moaned into my hair and finished, slowing his thrust leading us both through our orgasms. Once he stopped, our eyes locked in the mirror once more, I didn’t know if I had it in me to smile at him. His cock slid out of me and he took off the condom and threw it away, spinning me around to kiss me with all the energy he had left. I had half a mind to thank him, but I couldn’t form words anymore, I just grabbed his hand and led him back into my bedroom, cuddling into him on the bed. 

~

“Yuna?”

“Hmmm?”

“Are you okay?”

Turning around to face him, I caressed his face, taking in his loose hair, soft eyes, slightly protruding canines, and soft lips. I wanted to look at him forever, there’s something arresting about his face making me incapable of looking away. 

“Why do you ask?” Was he overthinking this whole night? Is he trying to make me start kicking him out so he doesn’t have to make the first move?

“You haven’t said a word since…since we fucked in the bathroom.” His tone was that of worry. 

“I think… you may have taken every ounce of energy that I had saved for conversation,” I said with a giggle, “I came twice before that, and then three times in the bathroom. A girl needs to breathe and rest.”

His smile returned, lighting his face up, I just had to close the distance between us and kiss him softly. 

“How are you feeling?” I wondered, gently caressing his arm.

“Completely empty. I feel like all my worries and stress just,” he made a floating gesture with his hand, “disappeared.” 

“I think we both deserve some sleep, don’t you agree?”

He looked into my eyes as if to read them again, then rolled me over, pressed me into his form, and softly whispered good night.

I grabbed my phone only to be met with a few messages from Mai:

Mai Darling, 2:30

hope you’re not dead because Hana said there’s another party in 2 weeks and she’ll kill us if we don’t come

Mai Darling, 3:15

ok you’re either dead and i have to clean up the apartment of your blood or you’re still fucking and i hope to everything holy it’s the latter and i don’t have to get the blood out of the carpet

Mai Darling, 4:45

i’m gonna choose to believe you’re so fucked out you can’t even pick up your phone. get it girl. Message me when you can though

Yunaaaaasty, 5:20

alive but barely. came five times. hurts my brain to think we have work today. see you soon.

Mai Darling, 5:21

YESSSSSSSS i knew that little bastard had it in him…or more accurately he had it in you! ;)

i’m home around 9, prepare the report and i’m making us some coffee for that piping hot tea

What a weirdo. My eyelids closed to the soft sound of Keisuke’s light snores. 

~

With a start, my eyelids flew open to quickly switch off the alarm before it woke up Keisuke. With a groan, he flipped over to his back, hand reaching over to try and locate his phone. He sat up to rummage through the pile of clothes we left on the floor to fish it out of his pocket. 

“Ah, shit. I have work in a few hours,” he looked over at me and smiled, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t stay a tiny bit longer. That is, if you want me here?” His eyes were full of hope.

I pulled him towards me and caught him in a kiss, his hand started wandering underneath the sheets, grabbing my boobs, hips, thighs, pulling me closer. Every time he squeezed me a moan escaped my mouth into his, which seemed to make him more eager each time.

His hands travelled down to my pussy and started to softly spread my folds, ghosting over my clit with each move. In an attempt to get more friction, I started to roll my hips on his hand, desperately trying to unravel the bundle of tension already forming in my belly. He smirked and probed my entrance with a finger, catching the gasp coming out of my mouth with his own. 

I was already reaching back into the drawer to fish out another condom, expecting another round, when his mouth left mine to trail kisses and nibbles down my neck to my collarbone while his other hand was holding my neck. Am I getting into this? His hands are so pretty that I kind of want them around my neck for a little longer. 

“How are you so amazing at this?” I squeezed out between moans. He chuckled, “It’s a curse.”

“Then please curse me again.”

His head snapped up and we locked eyes. Grabbing the condom from my hand he got in my face, “Only because you asked me nicely, gorgeous.”

This time his thrusts were slower, towering over me, leaning on his elbows, his hair fell into my face, smelling of his shampoo and my perfume mixed together. Citrusy and sweet. I hoped the pillow he had slept on kept the scent a little bit longer. His eyes were focused on my face, following every hitched breath as he hit my sensitive spot with every move.

My insides squeezed his length with the desire to keep him inside a bit longer, the slow and lazy motions we were going through seemed very fitting with the chilly morning air coming in through the open window. As fast and rough as last night’s sex was, this morning’s sex was gentle, careful, and deliberate. My hands were firmly planted on his back, nails scratching slowly. I was soon brought to my peak again, this time it wasn’t sudden and needy, but slow and sure. 

“Keisuke I’m close,” I moaned right into his ear, which seemed to set off something in him as his pupils dilated and his movements became needier. Like he’ll drop through the ground into the centre of the Earth if he doesn’t chase our orgasms. 

“Say it again,” he squeezed out through his moans.

“Keisuke! I’m so close, keep it going please!”

“More,” his voice was desperate, his eyes were squeezed shut with concentration.

“Please I need you, Keisuke! You feel so good, you’re making me cum!”

With a cry, we finished in sync and he dropped on top of me, barely breathing just like me. He pulled out slowly and discarded the condom, pushing his hair back from his face. 

“How many times was that?” 

“This was my sixth, but it felt more intense than the ones before.”

The look on his face was that of beaming pride and bliss. “Not bad for one night,” he said with a wink, “but I’m afraid I have to get going if I want to at least shower before work.”

“Where do you work?” Considering how much we talked throughout the night, I didn’t get this important piece of information. Sure, now I knew what his life goals were, how old he was when he broke his first tooth, and how many bikes he had crashed in his childhood, but somehow his place of employment hadn’t popped up.

“Pet zone. The one next to the main square.” He raked his fingers through his hair, leaving me in awe of his lean body and toned arms. He started putting his clothes back on, so I got up to find a new pair of underwear and an oversized T-shirt. 

Now that we were both dressed, we met in the middle of the room with another deep kiss, this time he pulled me into a hug. Huh, we had fucked 3 times and I fed him, but we just hugged for the first time. I could’ve just melted in his arms, but the sound of the front door unlocking made me step away and see him to the door. 

Mai walked in with a big smile on her face and a bag of groceries.

“Good morning sleepyhead, time to start on breakfast!” She said with too much energy for both of us. 

“Actually, I have to get going or I won’t make it to work,” with a quick kiss to my lips, he started for the door.

Mai turned to him as if wondering what he was still doing there.

“Okay, great seeing you, Kazuki,” she said with a smile.

“Likewise, Mirei.”

She frowned slightly, “It’s Mai.”

He smirked, “It’s Keisuke.” He winked at me and closed the door behind him.

Mai turned to me with a grin, “I like him, he can take a joke. Right,” she clapped her hands, marching into the kitchen, “I’m making coffee, you’re getting ready to spill everything. Apart from the coffee, of course.”

With sleep still in my eyes, I made for my bedroom to put the books and papers back onto the desk and let some more air in, since the whole room smelled of sex. As I raked through my hair, I realised his hair tie was still in my hair, I wondered if he left it with me on purpose.

[straightouttasantacarla]

Can you write a luke Patterson fanfic where the reader is also apart of their own band? 🥺🥺

Still into you ( Luke Patterson x reader)

Warnings : brief mention of alcohol but no one actually drinks brief swearing not a lot of use of ( y/n) pet names ( babe baby)

very fluffy. The story also takes place in 1994 a year before the boys death

READERS POV

" Thank you everyone for coming tonight . Until next time!" I smile while running off stage with the rest of my band. E just performed one of the biggest shows for our band tonight . One step closer to playing the orpheum. " That was sick guys!" My bandmate and lead guitarist Natalie cheers. " We're gonna play the orpheum soon." " That we are Nat. if we keep performing like that we will be opening for bands like Green Day , The Smashing Pumpkins , hell maybe even Blink 182." I fantasize draping an arm across Natalie's shoulders.

" Someones at the door." Darcie calls out. She walks over opening it and there stands my boyfriend Luke Patterson and his band mates. He smiles brightly walking over to me. "Hey baby. You were great out there." My bass player Crystal clears her throat behind us making us turn around. " Right sorry you were all great out there tonight . " Crystal smirks, " Thank you Luke." All the other girls giggle and thank him too.. Alex walks over bringing me into a hug. " I'm so proud of you. You too ladies!" He says making sure to compliment them so he doesn't make anyone feel left out.

Luke walks up behind me kissing my cheek."you guys should come over to Bobby's. we've got a party set up with snacks and drinks." "Snacks?" Darcie hops up off the couch . "Drinks? What kind of drinks?" Yazmin my drummer questions."soda water juice I don't know." " Alcohol ?" Bobby shakes his head no. " My parents would kill me if we had alcohol " " damn it." Sighs Yazmin. " Come on guys lets go." Luke grabs my hand leading me to his car.

* TIME SKIP*

We arrive at Bobby's which is also the boys' studio. The studio is decorated with balloons streamers and there's even a banner with our bandwrote across it. In the middle of the room is a table with different snacks and drinks. " Babe you didn't have to do this or us." "Yeah well we wanted to. You're our friends and we are proud of you guys." I hug him while holding his face kissing him. " I love you. " I love you too" " hey lovebirds come hang out with us." Reggie butts in.

We all sit around for the next few hours playing games talking about music and filling up on junk food " hey darcie come here." She walks over to me sipping on her Capri sun like its Don Perignon. "What's up?" " I think I wanna play the song." darcie smiles. " Great I'll go tell the girls." "Thank you you're the best." I hug her before she runs off to get the girls. " You having fun?" Luke wraps his arm around my shoulder "yeah I am. Again you didn't have to do this. " Babe you guys literally played one of the biggest shows of your career. You're closer to playing the orpheum than we are." He laughs. "Maybe." "Y/N" come here." Natalie pulls my hand dragging me to over to the boys' instruments.

I walk up to the microphone stand adjusting it to my height. " Boys if we can have your attention wed like to play a special song. " The boys sit down to watch us. Like looks at me with love filled eyes. Yazmin starts in on the drums as I sing.

"Can't count the years on one hand

That we've been together

I need the other one to hold you

Make you feel, make you feel better

It's not a walk in the park

To love each other

But when our fingers interlock,

Can't deny, can't deny you're worth it

Cause after all this time I'm still into you"

I smile as I grab the mic off the stand dancing around.

"I should be over all the butterflies

But I'm into you (I'm into you)

And baby even on our worst nights

I'm into you (I'm into you)

Let 'em wonder how we got this far

Cause I don't really need to wonder at all

Yeah, after all this time I'm still into you"

I continue dancing as the look of love grows in Luke's eyes.

" Recount the night that

I first met your mother

And on the drive back to my house

I told you that, I told you that I loved ya"

* FLASHBACK *

I still remember the first night met Emily. She was so welcoming and so sweet. Her and I got along so well we baked cookies after dinner. When Luke took me home sat in the car thinking about how in love with him I truly was. "I love you Luke." Luke braked and pulled off to the side of the road. " What?" " I love you Luke Patterson." He took one last look at me before kissing me. " I love you too" Ever since we've grown more in love with each other day by day.

* FLASHBACK OVER*

"You felt the weight of the world

Fall off your shoulder

And to your favorite song

We sang along to the start of forever

And after all this time I'm still into you"

I sang the chorus once more as I jump and dance around feeling the happiness of the song.

" Well, some things just,

some things just make sense

And one of those is you and I

Some things just,some things

just make sense And even after all this time"

I make my way over to Luke standing in front of him.

" I'm into you and baby not a day

Goes by that I'm not into you."

I pull Luke up off the couch to sing the chorus with me our voices mixing together in the perfect harmony.

" I'm still into you."

We finish the song looking into each others eyes forheads pressed together. " I love you." We say in unison laughing before kissing. As we pull away our friend clap for us making me giggle. " That song was incredible." " Thank you. And thank you again for being the incredible inspiration"

AUTHOR SPEAKS:

Thank you for reading. I really appreciate those of you who read my stories and interact with my post. I hope those of you who read this story enjoyed it. The song that helped me write this story was still into you by Paramore. As always my requests are always open so feel free to leave suggestions.

[themaribatpit]

Hanging by a Thread: Chapter 3

Rated M: DC canon-typical violence, suggestive threats

Author’s Note: Neither of us are actually American, and DC Fanboy has some gripes with certain American habits.  Please feel free to tell us how uncultured we are in the comments, and try and explain yourselves to non-Americans.

Ships: Jason Todd/Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Dick Grayson/Barbara Gordon (side ship).

Taglist:

@aespades​, @neakco, @ladybug-182, @seraphichana, @zalladane, @luminous-carrot, @jayjayspixiepop, @cap-noodles, @livelifeauthorstyle, @thepaceperson, @moongoddesskiana, @vroomtaka, @laurcad123,  @prettylittlebutterflie

Chapter 2 - Chapter 4​

Chapter 3

Dick slumped down on a chair when they returned to the Belfry.  He ripped off his domino mask and let out a sigh. “Damn he’s good, then again he was taught by the best.” 

“Dick!” Barbara gave him a dirty look. They both looked towards their French guest to see her still lost in thought. 

Ladybug transformed back to Marinette, and then slowly walked over to get herself another cup of hot chocolate to cheer herself up. As she operated the multi hot drinks machine in the Belfry, she thought about how incredibly convenient the device was. Barbara and Dick mentioned that unless it was winter, no one else used it for hot chocolate. 

Hot chocolate dispensed from the machine, and as she picked up the paper cup, a shadow loomed over her. She was able to make out the silhouette of an imposing figure with demonic pointed ears. She squealed in shock, spilling her hot chocolate on the figure. 

Dick rolled off the chair laughing, “Oh, better fly away home Ladybug.” “How long have you been waiting to use that joke?” Barbara said without looking away from the screen.

“Since the moment I met her, Babs,” Dick retorted.

After the initial shock, Marinette was able to see the figure clearly and realised she just spilled hot chocolate on Batman. The Batman. Marinette paled at what she had done, she fumbled around looking for tissues. All the while apologising profusely as she tried to find anything to wipe the Caped Crusader clean from this chocolatey mess. Her mind ran at a mile a minute, thinking of what Batman would do to her for spilling hot chocolate on him. She thought of how Batman would squish her like a bug, or perhaps he would break all of her limbs, and send her on the first flight back to Paris while tied to the cargo hold. Her mind was catastrophizing and going into a full panic as she stumbled around the kitchenette. 

Marinette found a damp cloth and began wiping Batman vigorously from head to toe and hoping it would somehow lessen her punishment. She looked up to see that Batman continued to stare at her with his infamous glare. Seeing that her attempts to clean up her mess had no effect, she ran back towards the main room and grabbed Dick, holding him in front of her as a shield. 

Batman slowly followed, without saying a word he stomped into the main room and came to a halt right in front of Dick. “Uh, hi.” Dick awkwardly greeted Batman. Marinette shakingly peeked her head out from behind. 

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng, also known as Ladybug.” Batman’s low voice boomed with authority. “What are you doing here in Gotham?” 

Marinette yelped and went back to hiding behind Dick. Barbara interjected, “She’s here to investigate a recent use of the Lazarus Pit, mainly the Red Hood. From what we gather the creatures that give her power were also the ones who created the pits.” She explained on Marinette’s behalf. 

An uncomfortable silence hung in the room as Batman contemplated her answer. “Fine,” he relented. He turned and walked away. 

Marinette released a sigh of relief as she saw Batman leave. Dick took out his phone and began tapping on it, he just had to notify the rest of the Bat Family of what had just transpired. After a few moments he put his phone back in his pocket and walked away, “I’ll get a mop” he yelled back at Marinette and Barbara. 

Marinette then slumped on the dining table, hands in her head. Completely embarrassed at how she made a fool of herself in front of one of the world’s greatest heroes. Barbara calmly patted her back in consolation. After she calmed down and got herself another cup of hot chocolate, Marinette decided to head home.

On the way back to the apartment she shared with Zoe, she checked the messages that Zoe sent her during the past couple of days.  “Hey, are you okay?” The first one read.  “I haven’t seen you in the apartment for a while now,” she said, followed by a message that said “Please don’t be dead, I can’t afford rent by myself.” Marinette sent a quick reply saying, “I’m okay, I’ve just been busy taking care of some things.  See you tonight.” she said. When Marinette got home, she logged onto her computer to see a few messages from Alya, asking her of how she found Gotham City. Expressing worry for her friend, especially with the notoriety of Gotham's crime rate.

Marinette typed up "Hi Alya! Gotham is all right, I can take care of myself, you know that."

Alya decided to video call Marinette and her face appeared on screen. "Hey!" Alya waved her hand to her friend.

"Hi" Marinette gave a tired wave back.

"Everything okay?" Asked Alya.

"Fine, just tired from moving into the new place." She explained.

"By the way, could you open up a portal with Kaalki to my room?" asked Alya.

Marinette complied with her friend, as she put on the horse Miraculous and opened a portal. Soon a paper bag dropped from the ceiling and landed on the floor. "I had a feeling you might want something to cheer you up, I went to your parents' patisserie earlier."

Marinette opened up the bag to see several treats from the bakery.  She thanked her best friend profusely, and began eating them “How are things back in Paris?” Marinette asked, taking a macaron out of one of the boxes, she smiled as she took a bite out of it.  It was almost like she was 13 again, and her dad had given her a box of macarons for the first day of school.  

“Nothing we can’t handle,” Alya said, winking at her. “So, have you met any of Gotham’s vigilantes yet?” Marinette rubbed the back of her neck.  “Well, yeah,” she might as well tell her some of the things that happened.  “I accidentally spilled hot chocolate on Batman’s cape,” she confessed. “And you’re still alive?” Alya’s mouth hung open in shock. “Well, he does have a pretty strict ‘no killing’ policy,” Marinette told her. “Okay fair enough, how are you still in one piece?” Alya asked, still somewhat shocked.

“He just kinda glared at me, and I hid behind one of his sidekicks.” Marinette told her, “So, that’s how.” “Ah so you’ve met the sidekicks then,”  Alya gave her another knowing smile. “Some of them, Nightwing being one of them.” Marinette told her. “Did you get a good look at his assets?”  Alya gave her a wink, and Marinette rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty sure his assets were spoken for,” Marinette said, and before Alya could say anything more she quickly added “and no, I am not telling you who the lucky person is.” “You’re no fun.” Alya pouted mockingly, but she couldn’t stay angry at her friend.  Alya noticed the faraway look in Marinette’s eyes at that moment, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Marinette wondered how best to phrase it, “do you know anything about the Red Hood?” she asked.

Alya’s eyes widened in shock, “You’ve met him? Are you and Zoe living in his territory?”

“No, at least not that I know of, I just…” Marinette assured her, “Do you know anything about him?” “Give me a moment,” Alya said, quickly turning away to search for something on her laptop screen, “must have heard something about the guy…” she muttered.  Marinette never really told Alya about her soulmate bond, and she wasn’t about to start now.  “Says here he’s a crime lord that operates in Gotham City, that he took over Black Mask’s crime syndicate not too long ago…” Alya told her, “Pretty brutal to those who cross him, by the sound of things.” “Good to know,” Marinette muttered. “Marinette, are you sure you and Zoe are okay?” Alya asked. “We’re fine, just that Ladybug ran into him while working with Batman’s sidekicks.” Marinette told her. “I should have been there, it would have been a fun interview for Ladyblog.” Alya chuckled, and Marinette raised an eyebrow.  “I mean, after the fight of course, or maybe I should just stop talking.” “Try pitching the idea to Vicki Vale or Lois Lane, I’m sure they would jump at the chance.” Marinette joked.

"Just you wait until I get my Journalism degree, I'll bother you everyday for a scoop." Alya retorted. The two of them continued to laugh and joke with one another before Marinette went to bed.

The next morning, Marinette was woken by someone gently nudging her awake.  “Get dressed dummy, we’re going out.” she heard a voice say. Marinette looked up and blinked a few times before Zoe’s face came into view.  “What time is it?” Marinette groaned. “9am,” Zoe told her, “we are going to go out and get some breakfast together.” Marinette groaned in response, but slowly got out of bed.  Zoe leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms and smiling.  She chuckled slightly at the sight of Marinette’s tousled hair, Marinette smiled slightly in response.  “All right, all right, give me some time to get dressed.” she said and Zoe left, closing the door behind her. 

The two friends sat down to eat breakfast at a nearby diner, and Zoe began telling Marinette all the ways in which America was very different from France.  “First of all, they call the 24 hour clock ‘military time’, I never understood that.” she explained before taking a bite of her pancakes.  Americans made pancakes a lot thicker and fluffier compared to crepes, was another thing Marinette noticed.  “Oh, no more 2 hour lunch breaks, and as a French person, you will get made fun of for having more time off work than the Americans.” she said.  

As the two finished breakfast, Zoe paid the bill and left a tip. Marinette raised an eyebrow at Zoe for paying what was higher than the bill. “Marinette, remember, always tip whenever you go eat at a restaurant or a diner.” She explained. 

“Why? Isn’t there a service charge added? Don’t the servers get paid?” Marinette asked.

“Not at all.” Zoe deadpanned. 

“What?” Marinette exclaimed in shock, she quickly covered her mouth as eyes turned to face her for her outburst. 

 Zoe beckoned Marinette to follow her, “Come on, I’ll show you all the hotspots in Gotham City.”

 The two walked out onto the street and across several blocks.  Zoe stopped as the two reached their destination. She then pointed to an old gothic tower, “That there is the old Wayne Tower, creepy isn’t it? Built in 1888 by Cyrus Pinkey for the Waynes right at the heart of Gotham City. It’s been closed for a few years now, since Wayne Enterprise moved to the New Wayne Tower in the financial district.”

 Marinette’s eyes widened in recognition, it was where the Belfry was located. She remembered the gothic tower, but she had no idea it was the old Wayne Tower. She decided it would be best to keep quiet about this revelation. 

 The two continued sightseeing as they ventured into Robinson Park. “This park is amazing, the biggest park in the heart of Gotham. Also it's very close to Gotham U, I’d love to come here everyday after class to unwind.” Zoe explained. The two calmly walked across the park, enjoying the scenery and stopping by to feed some ducks.

 “Anyway I need to get some things on the way back,” the two then walked to a nearby grocery store and bought groceries. Being on a budget, Marinette eyed the price tags frugally, calculating how much it would cost her. Zoe smirked at Marinette, knowing what would come next when the two went to the cash register. Marinette was thrown into a loop as the total amount did not match the price tags. Marinette tried to ask for an explanation from the cashier, but they were not helpful. The cashier only said that it was tax, “Why isn’t tax included in the price tags?” she pleaded to the cashier.

The cashier gave Marinette a light shrug. “That's just the way things are.” 

Marinette pulled her pigtails in frustration as to why the final price doesn’t match the price tag. “Ok fine, what's the tax in America?”

Zoe took the chance to intervene and explain it to her friend. “It depends, it varies between states, counties and even cities.” 

Marinette banged her head against the counter in frustration. “Why? Why is it so crazy here?” 

Zoe and the cashier laughed at Marinette's antics. The cashier asked “You new here?” 

Marinette did not lift her head up, “How could you tell?” 

The two made their purchase and walked home, Marinette had to do a double take on the loaf of bread she bought. She stopped Zoem and said that they needed to go back to the grocery store for another loaf of bread, because this one had expired. Zoe snatched the loaf from Marinette’s hands and took another look. “Nope it's fine, remember America uses Month/Day/Year here.” Zoe explained. Marinette’s eye twitched as the two walked back to their apartment. 

The semester began the following Monday at Gotham University. As a Fashion & Design student, Marinette had long studio classes which usually kept her busy during the day.  She would have to spend even longer hours in the studio if she had a project due.  When Zoe wasn’t attending lectures, she had a part-time job that kept her busy as well.  So Marinette didn’t see much of her by the time she managed to return to their apartment.

Over the course of the next few days, she would go to her classes by day and go out every night to search for her soulmate. However, the Red Hood had proved to be elusive, always alert to the movement of the red thread that tied them together.  Marinette found that the thread changed wildly.  Some nights she stopped by the Belfry, exhausted and dejected. Barbara had noticed this and decided that she had to know about Jason, it might change her mind or it might not. She deserved to know if she was going to go looking for him every night.

One night when she entered the Belfry, Barbara gestured to Marinette, “Come over and pull up a chair.” Marinette followed and brought a chair to the computer. The two sat side by side, “Mari, you deserve to know more about Jason...the Red Hood.”

Marinette’s eyes widened at the mention of her soulmate, “Please tell me more about him.” she begged.

“Marinette, I’m sorry, we knew more about him but we didn’t tell you.” Barbara apologised.

Marinette was hurt at how they were withholding information about her soulmate from her. “Why?” was all that she was able to say.

Barbara took a deep breath, “Because Jason was the second Robin.” 

Marinette’s jaw dropped at this bombshell, her soulmate used to be Robin. It would explain the skills he displayed out in their last encounter. Marinette wondered how tough his life was, how he suffered at the hands of the criminals of Gotham at such a young age. Some of the things he said back at the dockyards were now sounding like they came from experience.  “What was he like?” she asked, wanting to know what her soulmate was like before his death. 

“Angry, rebellious, Jason always felt like it was him against the world. He was caught trying to steal the wheels off the Batmobile, that's how Batman found him and brought him in.” Barbara explained. 

“How did he die?” Marinette asked.

Barbara grew silent at the mention of Jason’s death. “He tried to pursue the Joker, but it was a trap. The Joker caught him, tortured him for god knows how long. I saw his bruises, it-it was as if he was beaten over and over again with a crowbar.” Marinette covered her mouth and her eyes welled with tears as she heard the gruesome details of her soulmate's unfortunate end. 

“To make matters worse, he locked Jason in the room with a bomb.” “What about the Red Hood?” she asked. “We...we buried a mannequin in a wig,” Barbara explained, “the real body was taken by the League of Assassins, trying to make up for what happened.”

Marinette stood up and rushed to the guest room, she had heard enough.  She could not imagine the pain and suffering her soulmate had been through his entire life.

Jason had been constantly on the move, knowing that his soulmate was out looking for him.  He tried to shut off the part of him that wanted to get close.  He was honestly surprised the Bat clan hadn't told her every horrific story they had about him.  Either they didn't know they were soulmates or she was knowingly walking head first into the lion's mouth.  If she didn't find him, then she might stumble upon a group of his men at work, and they might be a lot less forgiving.   If he was constantly checking over his shoulder, making sure the girl wasn't close by, things were bound to start slipping through the cracks.  

He himself had various safehouses scattered around the city, but he couldn't keep running forever.   It was getting ridiculous, he had faced crime lords, assassins and even gone toe-to-toe with Batman multiple times.  Yet here he was, running and hiding from a girl who was about a foot shorter than he was.  He knew why, of course, he wasn't afraid of her but she should be very afraid of him.  He had hoped that she would give up the search, as she drew closer and closer to finding out the truth about what happened to him.  But life had never been that easy for Jason, and sooner or later she was going to get too close to the untamed monster beneath.  If she got hurt because of him, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.  Not even his old self could forgive that.  He would have no trouble protecting her from other criminals, not that she really needed it.  However, whatever came crawling out of the pits was something else.

After putting a swift end to some people who were causing trouble in his territory,  his mind wandered back to Ladybug.  Specifically, the sad look in her eyes when he explained how brutal and unforgiving Gotham could be.  He tried not to think about it, because that look made him want to hold her close, and reassure her that everything would be okay.  Thoughts of how the idea of her gave him hope all those years ago would come bubbling to the surface.  It made him want to protect her, to ensure that this world wouldn’t hurt her the way it hurt him.  When she looked at him with those eyes, it made him want to believe that she trusted him to do just that.  He shook his head, and told himself that what he was also the very thing she needed protecting from.  

Most nights Jason had nightmares about failing to save her.  There were even nightmares where she died by his hands.  Her blue eyes would become lifeless and vacant, her skin would feel ice cold, and he would end up cradling her limp form in his arms.  Batman would just love it if those nightmares came true.  It would only prove to him that Jason was nothing more than an unhinged monster he couldn’t cage.  It wasn’t as though the Bat had much luck caging the real monsters in Gotham anyhow.  Most days, Jason’s skin crawled as he remembered the feeling of the Lazarus pit’s waters.  The creatures she was palling around with were the ones who made it. They probably didn’t give a damn about the evil they had inflicted on the world because of it.   For all he knew, being around her little fairy friends would make the effects much worse.  Still, when he snapped back to reality, he would see the string glowing red, just as it had always done.  Occasionally moving and twitching as his soulmate searched high and low for him. Maybe the time had come to have a little talk, soulmate to soulmate...

[julia-highstorms]

Always (Eli x Kiera (F!MC))

Summary: Eli and Kiera share bits about their late families on the last night before the solstice.

Author’s note: giving more depth to Eli's scene in Chapter 18.

Song: Always by Blink-182

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Pixelberry Studios. 

Rating: mature and explicit (tw: smut) 

Pairing: Eli Sipes x Kiera Tomoe (F!MC) - Wake the Dead masterlist

Word count: +4.1K

____________________________________

Kiera stepped on the lodge's second floor, heading towards her room, the wooden floor cracking underneath her. 

She knew it was all covered, and Olympus was as ready as ever for the impending solstice. She knew that there was nothing else she could do, but wait.

And that was a nightmare in itself.

She never liked waiting. But there was only one thing she could do, and they have already done everything to prepare themselves for it. 

That was it.

Honestly, there's no telling what will happen tomorrow…

She stopped in front of her room, her hand reaching the doorknob. But instead of getting in, her mind drifted off to her closest friends… and to a certain special someone.

Eli, who slowly opened up to her. Scattered by himself in his room.

Eli.

Not only he opened up to her… but also made her feel comfortable and safe to open up herself to him.

They were so different in some aspects. And at others, they were so alike.

Eli.

Maybe… maybe she didn't have to spend that night alone. Being with someone else would definitely make her feel better. And, strangely - but not at all at the same time -, Eli had always been good at making her feel better.

Maybe she could check with him if he was up to spend some time together. Especially when that could as well be their last night on earth.

Eli.

Making up her mind, Kiera walked down the hall.

Her heart beat louder in her ears by each step she gave, the wooden floor cracking louder as she approached his room. She was feeling somewhat anxious.

Things with Eli were complicated. They have always been. 

Yes, they were talking again, and she felt more connected to him than ever, especially after that wonderful night they spent together a few days before, under the moonlight…

But they never really talked it out. About how they felt. She tried to make it very clear to him before that she cared about him, but maybe that wasn't enough… and Eli still acted distant, almost confused…

But tonight, she had to make sure that he understood the extent of her feelings towards him.

It could be her last chance.

Kiera finally paused in front of his door, and noticed that she was fidgeting with her hands. She had the habit of doing it whenever she was feeling nervous. 

She was worried that Eli wouldn't open the door. She didn’t know why she was anxious about it, and why he wouldn’t open the door.

Summoning all her courage, she took a deep breath and knocked.

One second… two… three–

To her surprise, he opened it sooner than she thought he would. His expression was unreadable. He didn't seem surprised to see her there at all.

Eli.

"You should be resting." - his deep and low voice reached her ears.

"I know." - it was all she said.

His brown eyes studied her face for a few, silent seconds, Kiera avoiding his gaze, her heart pounding inside her chest. He noticed that she chewed on her bottom lip and her hands fidgeted on the hem of her shirt, clearly nervous.

Without another word, the man held the door open for her to step inside. He was letting her in.

I've been here before a few times

And I'm quite aware we're dying

And your hands they shake with goodbyes

And I'll take you back if you'd have me

She heard the door closing behind her as she walked over to his bed. They both sat down in silence, Eli picking up his bow and checking it over, patiently waiting for her to say what she wanted to tell him.

It took a few moments for her to finally gather her thoughts coherently and to find her voice again.

"...I keep thinking about how this might be our last night together." - he put the bow aside as he turned to face her. Her dark brown eyes gazed into his. - "And I keep thinking about what you told me earlier today. And you were right. I've been unfair to you, Eli. Always asking about your past, wanting you to open up to me… when I didn't do the same. So, I want to tell you. About it, about everything." - she took one deep breath. - "I almost lost you before with the zombie bite, and I don't want to leave anything left unsaid between us in case…" - her voice died.

"In case one of us doesn't make it." - he finished her thought. She nodded.

"I care about you, Eli. A lot." - she said, bluntly, before she had the chance to chicken out.

His brown eyes flickered warmly.

"Kiera…"

"And this is no news to you. I've made it pretty clear countless times that you're important to me. But, if I'm going to die tomorrow, I wanted to tell you this straight. I'm so glad that I met you, Eli."

So here I am, I'm trying

So here I am, are you ready?

"I… I feel the same." - he paused briefly. - "I never wanted to get attached, but… You make me want to talk about things I tried to forget, about things I've never told anyone."

Eli Sipes felt like he could tell her about everything… about absolutely everything. Even his deepest secrets and fears.

She squeezed his hand back.

"You can tell me. About your past. About your family." - Kiera frowned. - "I mean, you told me what happened to them, but I want to know what they were like. I want to hear more about your parents. About your brother. And I promise you that I'll tell you about my fathers. At least, what I remember about them."

He nodded and Eli told her about his mother - and how organized she was -, his father - and how he always trusted people - and about David - who was the intellectual one. Kiera had a better insight about how life as a kid was before the apocalypse, and the struggles of growing as a biracial kid. She was too young at the time to remember anything before the apocalypse, but she could certainly remember the racism she and Brynn got as they tried to survive the outbreak, asking for help.

"You told me you had two dads, right?" - Eli asked, turning to her.

Kiera frowned.

"Yes… but I don't have many memories of them. Everything I know is basically from what Brynn told me about them. I was four when the outbreak happened."

He could see shame reaching up her face, as if it was her fault to not remember her family. But she kept on talking, anyway.

"I've never heard anything about our biological parents, only that we have Japanese ancestry, just like Angel. I was adopted when I was still a newborn. If Brynn remembered or knew anything about them, she never told me. She always made sure that Dad and Papa really loved us and that they were our real parents."

"It's what matters."

"Apparently, one of them was a college professor. I think he taught Political Science?"

"What a coincidence that you're like this."

Kiera chuckled.

"Oh, but I guess he wouldn't be so proud of knowing how many times I ditched classes with Troy." - she laughed louder. - "The other worked for a big tech company? I don't know."

"Do you remember something at all about them? Not about what Brynn told you."

She stayed in silence for a while, recollecting memories from a lifetime ago.

"...I remember that I loved asking them to piggyback ride me. I always felt so tall, like I was flying. They had gentle voices and warm hands." - she smiled to herself at the warm memory, Eli mirroring her smile.

"I know that life at the Tower wasn't as much fun."

"Yeah. Blackstock did a really good job keeping the old world outside and if someone dared to question his decisions and rules, well… you saw it first hand today what he did to those people.” - she shrugged, her hand instinctively touching the bruise around her throat. - “Obviously, when I was a kid, I didn't have this understanding of things. I met Troy the day I moved there and we've been friends since then." - her smile widened slightly. - "And, oh God, I just couldn't wait for school to end. I was always suspended for talking back to the teachers. As soon as I graduated, I got a job as a Scout. Basically pest control."

"So this is how you became such a great fighter."

“Heh, you could say so. I was the best archer in my group. Well, until I met you.” - she turned to him, smiling slightly, and bumped her shoulder on his. - "What about friends? Did you have any?"

"I had some from school, but after the breakout, we were homeschooled. But the closest one was this girl, Riya. We were the same age and, besides studying in the same class, she was our neighbor. Lived down the street. Our neighborhood had this strong sense of community, you know." - she nodded. - "So we were always together."

"How was she like?"

"Fearless. Too talkative." - Kiera chuckled. - "An idealist. She never lost hope." - she watched as a frown spread on his face. - "Her family was attacked. Neither of them made it alive. By the time they were found, they were long gone."

"I'm so sorry, Eli…"

"It is what it is.” - he shrugged, avoiding her gaze. - “I was sixteen at the time."

They fell into a comfortable silence, Eli testing the tension of the string of his bow. He set it aside and turned to face her again.

"I know we already talked a bit about it this afternoon, but… do you… want to talk about Brynn?"

Kiera frowned.

"It's not going to change anything." - she sighed. - "I still can't really believe it… That she's alive but a completely different person. That there's nothing left of my sister."

She was slowly accepting that fact. There was no way that Brynn would still be there, deep inside…

"If she shows up here, let someone else handle it. You shouldn't be the one to take her out. That…" - Eli paused for a second, memories of that day, three years ago, rushing back to his mind, the pain just as strong as back then, the sounds of gunshot, the smell of blood and powder. - "...sticks with you."

"Not sure I'll have a choice…"

Kiera noticed as he hesitantly took her hand in his, and threaded his fingers through hers, their eyes locking. She felt herself drowning in his.

Come on let me hold you, touch you, feel you

Always

Kiss you, taste you, all night

Always

"Why don't we… make the most of it?" - she asked, her dark eyes glimmering with expectation, and she shifted closer.

"Kiera…"

She frowned.

"Unless you don't want to…?"

"Of course I do, but–"

That was everything she needed to hear.

"But nothing. There might never be another chance, and if there is, we can deal with that then." - she squeezed his hand, her bare touch enough to make Eli feel his pulse speeding up. - "What I want tonight is you. Nothing else. No one else. Just you, Eli."

Always and forever.

And I'll miss your laugh, your smile

I'll admit I'm wrong if you'd tell me

I'm so sick of fights, I hate them

Let's start this again for real

Saying nothing, Eli gently cupped her face in his hand, his rough palm gentle against her skin. Kiera felt her heart skipping a beat under the intensity in which his eyes stared deeply into hers.

“...Then you can have me.”

His deep voice was low and husky, and she felt an exciting shiver running up her spine.

Unhurriedly, she leaned in, both of them gazing into each other’s mouths, and captured his lips. His hand slid around to the back of her neck to draw her closer, Kiera gasping as he ran his tongue along her lower lip. She opened her mouth, letting him deepen the kiss.

"Eli, I…" - she murmured, feeling her heart beating faster, the heat inside her threatening to burst.

I love you.

But his lips silenced her as he pressed them firmly against hers, the tension in her body slowly slipping away. He had that funny effect over her. He was the only one capable of making her feel so nervous to the brink of a heart attack, but, in the next second, make her feel safe and sound in his arms, making all her worries and fears fade away.

Eli pulled back to trail kisses along her jaw and down to her neck, where Blackstock’s had left bruises behind, each kiss tender and soft.

“Wish I could do this all night… Admire every inch of you…”

He felt Kiera stroking his shoulder as he licked over her pulse-point. The soft puff of his breath over that spot was enough to make her shiver in anticipation. He dropped his hands down to her waist, holding her tight against him, gliding his lips down to her collarbone.

“We’ve got time.” - he could feel the smile in her voice, her knuckles gently brushing over his cheek, making the worried creases on his forehead fade.

So here I am, I'm trying

So here I am, are you ready?

So here I am, I'm trying

So here I am, are you ready?

She lifted his chin to her and kissed the corner of his mouth. Their lips met again and she tugged his scarf free and let it fall to the floor behind her. She reached for the hem of his shirt, but Eli caught her hands in his own, his brown eyes locking with hers.

“Let me.”

The man reached back to pull his shirt up and over his head, Kiera taking in a sharp breath as she watched Eli slowly reveal more and more skin. A bit impatient to wait any longer, she skimmed her fingers down the muscled planes of his chest, making him shudder at it. She finally unbuckled his belt and helped him out of his pants.

“That’s better.” - she couldn’t contain a cheeky smile at the sight of him, completely bare and perfect in front of her. 

The young woman raked her gaze over his body, lingering on the jagged scars that littered his skin, and when she looked back up, his warm brown eyes were already watching her, expectantly. He raised a hand to touch her cheek, but she pushed him back on the bed, a smirk widening on her lips as she climbed on top of him, so she could bend down and kiss a vicious scar along his hip, close to where he wanted her mouth the most.

But Kiera was a teaser. She smiled as she felt the muscles of his abdomen tightening in anticipation as she brushed her lips over the mark and up, layering all her affection onto every and each old wound she could find.

“Kiera, what are you–”

A moan broke through his lips as she licked another scar across his chest, her tongue hot, Eli digging his fingers into the bedsheets. She moved up, kissing over the still-healing claw marks on his shoulder and placed a final kiss to his throat, just alongside the bite mark. She certainly was taking her time, enjoying a bit too much the agonizing effect she had over him.

“Just admiring you.” - she grinned and sat back, taking one of his hands in hers and bringing it up to her lips to gently kiss the small nicks that remained from years and years of hard work.

When she let go of his hand, Eli grabbed ahold of her shoulder, dragging her down on top of him to crash his desperate lips against hers. Kiera chuckled.

“What happened to taking our time?”

She felt his hands slide behind her and up under her shirt, the rough pads of his fingers running over her back. Kiera sighed, clutching his shoulders as he buried his face against her neck, her lavender scent overwhelming him.

“Can’t… Need to see you… Feel you…” - he mouthed at the exposed and smooth skin above her collar, his deep, husky voice sending a delicious thrill down her spine.

Come on let me hold you, touch you, feel you

Always

Kiss you, taste you, all night

Always

Kiera sat back just enough to finally pull off her shirt before he shifted back into place, sucking and licking at her shoulder. Breathing heavily, she unbuttoned her pants, and Eli’s hands skillfully pushed them down and off her legs, before grabbing her ass to drag her closer, their bodies pressed together, skin against skin.

“You’re so warm…” - she murmured, unclasping her bra.

He helped her out of it, tossing it to the floor, and laid her down on the plush comforter of the bed, kissing down her chest, his arms braced on either side of her. He then licked the curve of her breast and her nipple and Kiera bit her lip to hold back a groan as Eli sucked lightly at the spot until it was a hard peak.

“You’re beautiful…”

She shuddered as his stubble left a pleasant burn while he moved down to her stomach, licking and kissing along the band of her underwear. Need grew in her belly as his lips brushed even lower, reaching her inner thigh, and Kiera arched up in search of more, a desperate plea leaving her mouth.

She was a tease, but two could play that game.

“Please!”

Eli slid her underwear down, making her shiver as he left her completely exposed to the cool air. With a gentle move, he hitched one of her legs over his shoulder, and Kiera gasped breathlessly as she felt his tongue on her.

"Mhmm…" - Eli hummed as he tasted her, licking over every single sensitive spot of her, his hand pinning her other thigh to the mattress, keeping her legs wide spread.

She melted into him as he lapped his tongue against her, every touch going straight to her head, making her dizzy with pleasure, her eyes swimming in pure bliss.

"E-Eli…" - she struggled to find words, his movements slow and precise. He noticed when her legs started trembling, and she twitched against his lips and tongue as pressure built in her gut. But she needed more. - "It's not enough…!" - a strangled cry escaped her lips.

He suddenly sat back, a frustrated moan falling from her mouth as Eli left her aching. She breathed heavily, his eyes burning with want as he stared down at her.

“Tell me what you want.” - his low voice was husky and firm, and Kiera licked her lips before answering:

“I want all of you, Eli.”

He nodded curtly, before leaning down again to meet her in a sensuous kiss, Kiera moaning again to her own taste mingling with his smokey one as their tongues pressed together. Eli pushed down his own underwear, and one of his muscular thighs nudged her legs apart. She felt him brushing up teasingly against her core, hot and wet, making her jerk, wanting more of it, needing more of him.

“Eli, please, I need– Ooooh!”

Her words came out in a breathless moan as he began to press forward, the sensation overwhelming. Unable to control himself, he leaned down to kiss her fiercely, Kiera groaning against his lips, while she was being slowly penetrated by him, Eli taking his time, stretching her inch by inch. She was left shaking when he was finally fully inside.

He admired her flushed cheeks and glassy eyes, her chest moving heavily.

“Should see yourself like this…”

He groaned as he pulled back and then canted his hips forward, sparks blooming across her body when he rocked against her. His rhythm was slow to start, every thrust deep and steady, but completely taking her breath away, and Kiera wrapped her legs around his waist, bringing him even closer, in search of more.

“Eli…” - he could feel goosebumps all over his skin as he heard his name falling from her lips, that way only she knew how to say to drive him nuts.

Eli pressed again, deeper, hitting that spot inside of her that made her whole body shiver, Kiera bucking her hips up desperately to match his movements.

As he picked up his pace, his eyes never stopped gazing into her face, taking her in as she gradually fell apart beneath him. He noticed when her hand slid between her own legs to massage herself on a particular spot, and she started pulsing around him.

“I’ve got you…”

He molded his mouth to hers in a searing kiss as he reached down and catered to her, his fingers replacing hers. Eli was a fast learner and he soon figured out how to move his fingers and his hips to have Kiera frowning in pleasure and moaning his name loudly, each thrust of his hips and brush of his fingers sending a jolt through her body.

It didn't take long for the pleasure to overwhelm her and, with a final flick of his hand, Kiera felt like it was too much to bear.

"Eli!" - she cried out his name, clutching his shoulders and holding him close as ecstasy ran across her body until all she could feel was his body against hers as she reached her climax.

Gritting his teeth, Eli pressed his forehead to hers, squeezing his eyes shut as he felt her tightening around him. After a few more thrusts, the man cried out as he reached his own peak, Kiera shivering underneath him.

"Kiera!"

He collapsed on top of her, both of them breathing heavily, their hearts pounding, limbs pressed together. 

After a few moments of complete bliss, Eli recovered and rolled off of the top of Kiera to lay beside her in the bed. When he looked at her again, she was gazing at him, with tears in her eyes.

"Kiera, are you okay?" - he asked, his brown eyes shining in concern. His thumb brushed them off, but they stubbornly ran down her pretty face, Kiera giggling softly.

She took his hand in hers and kissed his knuckles tenderly before smiling with tears still in her eyes.

"I feel more than okay… I don't know what happened, I just… got a little emotional." 

As if to reassure him of it, she kissed him again, and smiled against his lips as she felt Eli's hand curling around the back of her neck, deepening the kiss. She could just keep on kissing, tasting him all night long.

Come on let me hold you, touch you, feel you

Always

Kiss you, taste you, all night

Always

When they finally pulled out, Kiera fished her underwear from the floor and caught Eli watching her as she slipped the fabric up her legs and back to its place around her hips.

"Liking what you see?" - she asked with a smirk, leaning over him again, and a lazy smile tugged on the corner of his lips. His hands grasped her ass and pulled her closer to him.

"You're phenomenal."

A warm smile showed up on her face, before she gazed into him in all seriousness, cupping his face.

"I'll do everything in my power to save her."

He nodded. He knew she would.

"Just be careful."

"I always am." - she smirked and he cocked a brow up, a bit doubtful. Kiera chuckled briefly, her thumb caressing his cheek, her smile fading away - "But… if I die… you promise me you'll take care of things here?"

He frowned.

"Kiera…"

"Please, Eli."

They gazed into each other in silence, until the man eventually nodded, begrudgingly.

"I will."

"Thank you."

I've been here before a few times

And I'm quite aware we're dying

"And… if we both survive…" - his thumb drew circles on the smooth skin of her hip.  - "I want to start this again. Whatever thing we have here… I want to make it work right, Kiera."

She smirked at him.

 "Eli Sipes being optimistic and making plans for the future? It really is the end of the world." - she chuckled to herself, before leaning in and planting a soft kiss on his lips once more. - "It's a deal." 

She whispered and turned to grab the rest of her clothes on the floor. Eli put on his underwear while Kiera finished clasping her bra.

"You know… you don't have to go."

She looked at him again and cocked a brow. Eli had his heated gaze fixed on her.

"You sure about it?"

"Yes."

His voice was firm, and he didn't elaborate more. Not that he needed it either.

He watched as a cheeky smile spread on her face and Kiera laid down again, resting her head on his shoulder, the closeness of their bodies comforting. Eli sneaked his hand around her waist.

"Okay, I shall stay."

Always.

With his thumb drawing circles on her skin, Kiera felt her eyelids growing heavier and she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Come on let me hold you, touch you, feel you

Always

Kiss you, taste you, all night

Always

____________________________________

Tagging: @smetje24689 @gipsydanger17 @calliope-luve @euphorichappiness10 @tinfoilhat2719  @banirareiko - if you’d like to be tagged on or off my upcoming Eli x Kiera fanfics, let me know

[wrenhyperfixates]

Home Is Such a Lonely Place

Pairing: Loki x reader Summary: When Loki is handpicked to be part of the Avengers new space force, it causes some problems in your relationship. Will distance make the heart grow fonder or is it too much to bear? Warnings: none I believe :) A/N: Based on the song Home Is Such a Lonely Place by Blink-182. This has been sitting in my drafts since February so here it is. Hope you enjoy :)

Permanent Tag List: @lucywrites02 @frostedgiant @lunarmoon8 @twhiddlestonsstuff @lokistan @lowkeyorlokificrecs @gaitwae @whatafuckingdumbass @castiels-majestic-wings @kozkaboi @cozy-the-overlord @birdgirl90 @myraiswack @mythicalgarlicknot @what-a-flammable-heart @marvelouslovely @laurenandloki @fallinallinmendes @sophlubbwriting @mooncat163 

Disclaimer: Gif not mine

Loki was perfect. No, you weren’t exaggerating; he really was everything you’d ever wanted. It was the circumstances that were the problem. Because you were born a mortal and he a god, so you were relegated to Earth while he spent increasingly more time in space.

The Avengers and SHIELD had both reached the same decision that Earth needed to be protected from extraterrestrial threats. So, who better to send out to space than those with the most experience out there? A team had been assembled, and Loki was put on it, traveling with them for a good many months now. You could still remember when he’d first told you.

“Darling?” he called out, coming home from work that fateful day.

“In here,” you called from the kitchen.

He walked into the messy room, hugging you from behind. Loki rested his head on your shoulder after placing a quick kiss to your cheek, breathing in your scent. You sighed as you relaxed against him, but there was an odd, nervous sort of tension in his body. Frowning as you tried to figure out why, you got an idea.

“Here, try this, love,” you suggested, holding a steaming spoon of pasta sauce to his lips.

After blowing on it a bit, he’d taken the spoon in his mouth, swallowing the sauce. He’d smiled at you, cupping your cheek. “Delicious, my sweet darling.”

“But...?” you’d prompted.

“It could use just a dash more oregano,” he conceded, pinching a small amount of the herb between his fingers and tossing it in, stirring the pot. Mimicking your actions from just moments ago, he held out a spoonful for you to try. “Well?”

“It’s perfect, Loki,” you beamed, pulling him closer. “So perfect, in fact, that I think you need a taste too.”

“Oh, is that so?” he chuckled.

“Mhm,” you hummed before kissing him, the taste of the sauce still on your mouth.

“You were right,” he purred, pulling back a little bit. “Absolutely perfect.”

Troubles momentarily forgotten, the raven haired god set the table for two as you finished cooking dinner. The two of you sat, chatting and eating and holding hands. Everything was going so well, and then you asked a question that made his smile falter.

“So how was your day?” you’d inquired.

“About that,” he said, setting down his utensil. “We need to talk.”

“Uh oh,” you responded. You felt a little nervous as you put down your fork too. “That doesn’t sound good. Is everything ok?”

“Yes... and no,” he sighed. “SHIELD is putting together a team to take care of threats from other planets. A team that they have told me I am to be on.”

“Oh,” you replied, trying to keep your face neutral. You didn’t want to be upset if it was something he was actually excited for. “And it’s required you go?”

“Not exactly. If I plead my case, I’m certain I can stay. Believe me, I do not want to leave you. I will stay, if you wish me to.”

“Well, how long would you be gone for?”

“I am uncertain. It could be three months, or it might be ten.” He bit his lip. “But, darling, tell me to stay and without hesitation, I shall.”

It felt like the floor was falling out from under you. Of course you wanted him to stay, but would that really be fair? Could you let yourself be the one to hold him back? If there was one thing you knew, you loved each other. As long as you didn’t forget or doubt that, you could weather anything.

“No, Loki, it’s a great opportunity,” you said. “You should go. I’ll be waiting here when you get back.”

“Oh, darling,” he whispered, sliding out of his chair. Kneeling before you, Loki rested his head in your lap, and you ran your fingers through his silky black hair. “I swear these next three weeks shall be the best of your life. I will dedicate all my time to you before I leave.”

“My love, I would like nothing more, but I don’t want to monopolize all your time,” you hesitantly said. Though you wanted to spend as much time with him as you could before he left, you didn’t want him to feel obligated to. “If you really don’t mind, though, please do.”

Of course, he was more than happy to and spent just as much time with you as he had promised. But now he’d been gone for six months, and you missed him terribly. You laid on the roof, petting the cat Loki had bought you before he left. So you never got lonely, he said. It had shiny black fur and beautiful green eyes. As soon as Loki gifted your new friend to you, you’d named him Loki Jr., earning you a playful eye roll from the trickster god.

Remembering that night brought a brief smile to your face. Now, you looked up at the moon, Loki Jr. purring as you pet his soft fur. You wondered where your lover was out there in that great expanse of space. Was he looking at it like an empty void? Or was he appreciating the stars and the wonders that were held out there? Maybe he was just indifferent to it, you thought. After all, he’d grown up on Asgard, so perhaps he was used to it.

Going back to your room that evening, your bed felt empty. Your home just felt so lonely without Loki. The real Loki, anyway. As much as you loved Loki Jr., it just wasn’t the same thing. Was your love thinking the same thing, you wondered? You hoped so, but didn’t want to think about it too much, lest your brain make you believe he didn’t miss you.

Sighing, you buried your nose into Loki Jr.’s fur. You had no one to blame except yourself, really. Loki had asked you repeatedly if you wanted him to stay, but you always said no. Told him he had to live his life to the fullest. That he couldn’t wait for you to give him the ok. You’d still be here when you got back, and you had your job at the Tower to keep you occupied. Of course, every mission you observed from there reminded you of Loki. How you’d met and all the shy glances you’d shared. You couldn’t help yourself from wondering how he was doing. He’d be alright, you were sure. But until he got back, it seemed there was nothing you could do to ease your worrying.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Space was beautiful, there was no denying that. But it was kind of cold and empty too. Especially since the trickster god had to be without you, his beloved. Now that’s not to say he wasn’t having fun or wasn’t enjoying the time he got to spend with his brother. He just still really missed you and your company.

Loki ran his fingers over the picture he had of you. Not too much longer until he could brush his fingers over the soft skin of your beautiful face. Oh, how eight months could feel like a million years, Loki didn’t know. Well, in a way he did; any time spent away from the one you loved with your whole heart as he did you was bound to be tedious and feel drawn out. He’d be arriving back home tomorrow. Or, rather, today, he realized with a thrill as he checked the clock, reading midnight.

It was a bit of a struggle, but soon he was able to fall asleep. When he woke up, there was a mere hour left before reentry into Midgard’s atmosphere. Even with as empty space was, it somehow felt even lonelier with you. And now he’d be back with you in your shared apartment. He couldn’t wait until that night when you got to lay together just holding each other, basking in the other’s presence.

“Well, brother, are you ready to head back?” Thor asked, clapping Loki on the back.

“You have no idea just how eager I am, brother,” Loki replies. “It has been too long away from my beloved.”

“And certainly, they are missing you, too,” the God of Thunder assured.

“I can only hope. But what if they have moved on? We have not even been able to talk to each other in over a month. What if... What if they do not love me anymore?” Loki let himself be vulnerable, utilizing the relationship he and his brother had cultivated on this journey. “They did, after all, encourage me to go. Quite a bit.”

“Yes, but you know they just did not want to hold you back. Cheer up, Loki. Everything will be just fine.”

By the time they landed, Loki had mainly eased his worries, though he did feel a twinge of panic in his heart when he didn’t immediately see you while walking off the ramp. Luckily, you were there, he’d just missed you in the crowd.

Immediately, you ran to him, giving him the biggest hug you could. He reciprocated, beyond happy to feel your frame pressed against his. Tension relieved from both your bodies as you held each other.

“Hello, sweet darling,” he smiled.

“Hello, my love.”

Kissing the top of your head, Loki led you, following the gathered group as they walked further into the Tower while laughing and chatting with their recently arrived teammates. Loki kept an arm around your shoulder, and you one around his waist, the need to keep each other close quite obvious.

You and your boyfriend had to separate for a little while as Loki went to a debriefing. Soon he was back out, and the two of you joined the Avengers for a little welcome party of sorts. It was really just a get-together for the team to catch up. Even though it was a ton of fun, you were more than happy when you and Loki were in your car, driving back to your apartment.

“Welcome home,” you grinned, opening the door. Loki Jr. immediately came and rubbed himself against your legs. Loki smiled as you bent down to pet the cat, glad to know his plan had worked, at least in some degree. “Did you miss it?”

He cupped your cheek, looking deep into your eyes. “You have no idea, darling.”

Unable to wait any longer, Loki leaned in and kissed you. You responded immediately, brining him closer to you. He lifted you up and put your body between his and the wall. You giggled when the two of you finally broke for air, and Loki planted a million little kisses along your neck.

“I missed you, too,” you panted, still breathless.

“Next time,” he said between kisses, “I am telling them I am staying here.”

“Wait.” You brushed a few of his raven locks behind his ear, cocking your head at him. “Next time?”

Loki sighed. He knew he shouldn’t have brought this up so soon. The last thing he wanted was to make you upset on the day he came back home. All the trickster god wanted was to be with you, but of course he had to mention it. You had an adorable inquisitiveness in your eyes as you continued to play with his hair, twirling some of it between your fingers. He wondered if there was still a chance to save the day after his blunder.

“Yes. Fury wants to ship the team back out in a few months. After so long away from you, my darling, the thought sounds torturous. I will stay here. With you,” he explained, setting you back onto the ground.

“But that’s not fair to you,” you protested. “I shouldn’t be the only thing tethering you here. I don’t want to hold you back.”

“No, darling. I want to stay with you, I swear,” he vowed. You frowned, and he felt his heart drop a little. You said you missed him, and yet you were telling him to go again. “Look, sweet darling, it is late already. Let us just enjoy this night together. There is plenty of time to decide.”

“Ok,” you agreed, burying your face against his chest as you hugged again. You really didn’t want him to go, but a human like you shouldn’t tie down a god like him, you thought.

You led him to the bedroom you’d so missed sharing with him. After getting ready for the evening, you both laid in bed, talking of lighter topics. Neither of you could keep your hands off the other, and constantly maintained some kind of contact. Loki hadn’t even realized how late it’d gotten until your sentences began to be punctuated by yawns. Though you would have rather continued the conversation, you acquiesced when he suggested getting some sleep.

“You know,” you said, cuddling up to him, already half asleep. “If you do want to go on the next mission, I won’t be mad, my love.”

“I know. But I want to be with you. Yet you keep telling me to go and...” he trailed off, absentmindedly rubbing your back. “We will talk another time. Just sleep for now, my sweet darling.”

“Alright,” you hummed against him. “Goodnight. I love you. I promise, I’ll never stop loving you.”

“And I promise the same. I love you too.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was only a month left before Loki would leave again. If he left again. You were both still debating, though you had eased up a bit after he voiced his concerns.

“Really, you should go. I- What’s wrong?” you’d asked during one such argument when he frowned.

“You say you love me, but you try to send me away,” he replied, a few tears gathering in his eyes, threatening to spill. “Why?”

“Oh, Loki, I really do love you. I swear on my life.”

“I believe you,” he assured while you kissed his forehead, though with an unmistakable hint of doubt behind the words.

“It’s just you’re a god. And I’m a mortal. I don’t want to hold you back. Hold you here. I don’t really want you to leave either; home is lonely without you. So if you really want to be on Midgard, of course I’ll support that too. I just can’t imagine you wouldn’t rather be free to roam.”

“In all honesty, my darling,” Loki began, “I do quite enjoy space travel. The settling down is nice too, of course, but there is something about being out there that’s freeing. So no, it is not that I want to be on Midgard, but that I want to be with you. I need to be with you. I love you so, so much, and I cannot bear to go without you for so long again.”

“Well, that’s it then. I need you too because I love you too. And you don’t want to go without me, but what about with me? We’ve been so caught up in our argument, we didn’t even consider another option.”

“Bring you with me?”

You nodded nervously. Maybe he was going to tell you it was too dangerous. Maybe he was just being nice saying he wanted to stay with you. But no, he wouldn’t have been this stubborn if that was the case. Just as you were going to try to recant your suggestion, Loki surged forward and kissed you.

“Darling, you’re a genius!” he exclaimed, pulling away. “I cannot believe we did not think of it sooner. You can work on the ship to monitor the missions, just like you do here. And we will be together. It is perfect!”

“Is it ok if we bring Loki Jr. too?” you asked as the cat plopped himself in your lap.

“For you, my sweet darling? For you I would do anything, so of course it is,” he chuckled as he cupped your cheek and kissed you again.

When you broke apart again, you felt happier than you had in a long time, knowing you wouldn’t have to part again. After all, he was your home, and you were his. So as long as you were together, home could never be a lonely place.

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Satisfied, Part 18

First

Previous

Next

~~~

The entire bat family looked surprised.

“But -- but you didn’t try and kill Hawkmoth!” Said Red Robin after a few minutes of giving her a wide-eyed stare.

She rolled her eyes. “That’s because I couldn’t. We’re pretty much indestructible in these suits and Chat wasn’t able to bring himself to cataclysm him. It took four years, do you really think I wouldn’t have preferred to just take out a gun and fu --.”

“Y’know, just once I’d like one of my future children to say ‘oh, hey, actually I think murder is a bad thing’. Is that too much to ask?” Batman said, squeezing his eyes shut.

She raised her eyebrows. “’Future children’? I don’t want to be adopte --.”

Nightwing rested a hand on her shoulder. “Shhh, it’s going to end up happening, it’s better if you just accept it.”

“I love her,” said Red Hood with a wide grin. “Lay off of her guys. I’m mentoring this one.”

Red Robin sighed. “Not happening.”

“Do I get a say in any of this?” Marinette said, shrugging the hand off of her shoulder and rubbing where it had been for a bug of some sort. Nothing. At least they weren’t that bad. “It’s the best option.”

Batman held his hands up for silence, and then turned to her and spoke slowly, as if hoping it would stick better if he enunciated every letter: “If we kill him then we’ll be just as bad as him.”

She stared at him for a long time after this, doing mental gymnastics to figure out just what his perspective could be. “Okay, first of all, Kant --.”

“Don’t bother with bats,” said Red Hood, striding over and slinging his arm around her shoulders. “He’s not going to listen.”

Robin seemed especially bitter about the whole ordeal, stewing between Nightwing and Batman, until he finally snapped his fingers. “Oh! But you didn’t kill Hawkmoth when you took his miraculous!”

The bat family reeled back in shock and stared at their youngest like he’d grown a second head.

Red Hood seemed particularly offended. “Did bats get to you, too?”

Robin shook his head. “I just think she’s being inconsistent and a hypocrite.”

“Alright. First of all: the reason I didn’t bother with killing him afterward is because the guy relied so much on his miraculous that it was obvious he wouldn’t be able to do anything. If he broke out of jail he’d have a little bit of fight training and a secretary. Second of all: screw you!”

Red Hood pretended to wipe away a tear. “Best new sister yet.”

She grinned and finally leaned into him. “Thanks. I try.” Her smile dropped as she looked at the rest of the bat family. “As the only one to permanently defeat anyone, don’t you think I should get a bigger say in this?”

Robin raised his eyebrows and gave her the first smile she’d ever gotten from him, though it was gone quickly. Nightwing brought a hand to his mouth to stifle a laugh. Red Robin wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that he was laughing.

Batman seemed less amused, eyes narrowed. “How about we put it to a vote. Everyone who agrees with Ladybug, stand next to her. Everyone who agrees with me, stand here.”

Red Hood remained at her side, but Nightwing and Red Robin stepped closer to their father. Everyone’s eyes fell on Robin, who was looking between the two sides with a conflicted expression.

Then he took a spot by Red Hood.

Three on three. Great.

Marinette sighed. “This is why you don’t do votes with even numbers.”

They all looked at each other awkwardly. What do you do when you say you’re going to vote and then tie? It doesn’t really happen a lot, and even less so when it came to topics such as murder.

She sighed. “Fine, fine. If you can give an actually good option that doesn’t involve murder, I’d love to hear it.”

“We throw him in Arkham.”

“Arkham?”

“Yes.”

“The asylum where he’s broken out of a million times?”

“Yes.”

She rolled her eyes. “Great idea, but maybe we need something more permanent.”

“It’s not going to work, Ladybug,” said Nightwing with a shrug. “Man always comes back. I killed Joker myself once, Batman saved him, you just kind of have to accept that the man isn’t going to die.”

“Well, maybe if he didn’t save him --!” she began.

“We won’t be killing him and that’s final!” Said Batman.

All the kids looked at each other warily. The man’s voice had a dangerous sense of finality to it.

Marinette sighed and bit the inside of her cheek. “Fine. If we do it your way we’d have to lock up every major criminal in Gotham to make sure he couldn’t get out. Do you have some sort of plan for it?”

Red Robin raised his hand. “I do. You’re pretty new and no rogues have any clue what you sound, or even really look, like.”

She raised her eyebrows. “My ladybug costume is pretty recognizable.”

“True, no one else would wear something that tacky,” said Robin.

She stared at him for a second, anger flickering in her eyes. “Have you seen yourself, Mr. Traffic Light?”

Before they could argue any more, Red Robin cut in: “You mentioned taking Hawkmoth and Mayura’s miraculi. Try using one of those instead.”

She bit down on the inside of her cheek. Those were notoriously hard to corrupt and use for evil, and she didn’t want to put them through that again so soon. “I’ll think of something else, but fine. I’m going to become someone else so I can... have a different outfit?”

“We want you to get close to the Rogues.”

After another hour of going through their plans, then an extra few minutes to make sure everyone jotted it down, they finally knew what they were going to do.

Then she was handed a small black object. She blinked and looked up at Batman. “Um...?”

“It’s a way to communicate with us. Just press down and we’ll hear both you and whatever you’re hearing.”

“Is it bugged?”

“No. Nightwing tried, but if you want your privacy then you’re allowed it.”

She spun the small orb between her fingers and slowly placed it in her ear. She pressed down. “TESTING!” She yelled and watched everyone wince and hold their own ears. She smirked. “Great, I love it, thanks.”

“I don’t know what you were talking about, Robin, she’s great,” said Red Hood with an even wider grin once his head had stopped twanging painfully.

“Aw, he talks about me?” She cooed, resting a hand over her heart.

Red Robin grinned, still rubbing his temples a little bit, but he would never miss out on a chance to mess with his brother, so he spoke up: “Hardly ever stops, to be honest.”

“Ladybug this, Ladybug that. It got annoying,” said Nightwing with a small smirk playing across his face.

Then everyone finally broke into laughter as the poor kid began to flush bright red. “That’s just because she sucks! Stop making it sound like that!”

Needless to say, they only laughed harder.

With that they began to break off into groups. Red Robin and Robin went to arguing over who knows what. Nightwing and Batman were discussing the logistics of their plan. Now she was alone with Red Hood, who’s smile didn’t waver.

She glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot. “Gun?”

He gave her shoulder a small squeeze. “Gun.”

~~~

My brain at 3am: Miraculous But Actually Good

My current fic: ??

~

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[lexosaurus]

I Love You

My fic for day 5 of DP Side Hoes Week (yes I’m a day behind). 

Character: Jazz Theme: Hospital

This oneshot exists within my Everything Was White fic series [ao3]. You do NOT have to be following Everything Was White to understand this fic, this one exists as a prequel in the timeline and I give enough context in the text for anyone to be able to understand it. 

Okay, enjoy!

---

Jazz sat on the armchair, her gaze blank. Hazy. She hadn’t moved since she sat down some time ago. Time moved without reason, and she wasn’t sure how long it had been. Her back hurt and her lips were chapped, but she hardly noticed her discomfort.

The only thing that mattered was the person laying on the bed before her.

The person she hardly recognized.

Four weeks. That’s how long he had been missing from their lives, that’s how long the Guys in White had him. Twenty-eight days on the dot.

She could never forget his eyes as he was dragged out the door. They were wild, desperately staring down their parents who were both pinned down by government agents with guns trained to their heads. He screamed, struggling against his captures. 

But it wasn’t enough. 

Because in the end, he was thrown in the back of a white van. All while Jazz stood on the stairs doing nothing. 

She should have freed him. She could have helped. But she was too weak. 

Too weak.

Her eyes stung, and she wanted to cry. Break down. Sob. But she had already used up her stock of tears hours ago, when she finally saw him for the first time since he’d be transferred out of critical care.

He was frail, tiny. Nothing but skin and bones. His body was scarred, torn, encased in gauze and casts. Doctors fluttered about, talking in hushed tones as they analyzed her brother’s body. They tried not to show it, but Jazz knew they were baffled by him.

There was talk about his injuries. He hadn’t woken up yet, at least not completely, but Jazz was already told of the more...drastic injuries.

The Y scar on his chest.

The paralysis.

The starvation.

No one knew what the permanent effects were going to be. No one knew how he was going to fair once he woke up. But there was one thing they all knew for certain, a truth that none of the Fentons had said out loud yet: 

Danny was not going to be the same anymore.

She crumbled, allowing her head to fall into her hands. Apparently, she still had more tears to give. A sob tore its way from her throat, pulling with it a wave of emotions that Jazz had just spent the last few hours desperately trying to repress.

She was tired. So, so tired. And yet, this nightmare refused to end.

“Danny, I—I’m so sorry.” Jazz’s voice was raw. The naked truth was hanging right there in front of her, the consequences of her complete failure. 

She should have been there for him during the ghost fight. The one between him and Skulker that ultimately led to his revelation right there high in the skies in front of the entire town. She could have helped him.

She should have known the Guys in White would then come surround their house and take him.

She should have tried harder to find him and break him out of the government compound. They tried so hard, but they couldn’t find the stupid building.

She should have practiced her questions better in court. Maybe then the jury would have decided sooner. She could have gotten him released before he was hurt so bad.

“I’m sorry.”

He didn’t respond.

“I love you so much, Danny. I’m so sorry.”

He didn’t respond.

---

“You alright there, son?” Jack asked. He tried to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

It didn’t seem to matter. Jazz doubted Danny even heard their father’s question. She was honestly questioning if he even realized they were in the room.

His eyes wandered around the room as if he were still trying to take in the walls of the hospital. He woke up four days ago, and yet every day had been the same blank wandering gaze. 

Jazz hoped it was just the pain medication the hospital was giving him. She desperately clung onto the belief that her brother would snap out of it one day and would come home and he would be back to normal.

Back to how he was before.

“Your mother and I are going to meet with the surgeon.” Jack put an arm around Maddie, pulling her into his side. 

Her face was white, streaked with red as if she’d been crying recently, and the bags under her eyes had never been so pronounced. But Jazz couldn’t blame her. After all, she probably looked more or less the same.

“Stay with Danny, alright? We’ll come grab you after.”

“Sure, Dad,” Jazz said, putting on a smile she hoped was comforting.

Her mother muttered something that Jazz didn’t catch, and then both parents were gone. 

And Jazz was alone. With Danny.

Again.

She turned back to face him. The doctors had said that he’d sustained significant brain damage, and they weren’t sure yet how much communication he would be able to do. He was too drugged up still, too out of it. 

He couldn’t speak, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t understand her.

Or maybe that was her hopeful side talking again. She shouldn’t get her hopes up. She would only be hurt in the end.

“Hey, Danny,” Jazz tried. Her voice was thin. Dry. She tried to wet her lips and spoke again. “I don’t know if you can hear me, but I hope you’re comfortable. If you were wondering, you broke your spine. I mean, I’m sure you already knew that but—” Her voice cracked. “—you know. That’s why you, um, might be uncomfortable right now. It’s the brace.”

He didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at her.

Just continued staring at the ceiling.

Jazz wondered if anything was going through his mind. If he had any questions. She would if she were Danny. 

She tried to imagine the sort of things he would say. His voice, crackling through the throes of puberty, as he poked fun at her in that annoying way only a brother could accomplish. She tried to envision a world where he could still do that.

And she tried not to think about the fact that there was a good chance that she’d never hear his voice again.

“Your SCI was incomplete, you know. So there’s still a chance…” Jazz shook her head. 

There she was getting hopeful again. 

“Everyone really missed you, Danny. I—I really missed you.”

He blinked slowly. In her imagination, Jazz heard him say “I missed you too.”

“I love you.”

He didn’t respond.

---

“What band are we in the mood for today?” Jazz asked, scrolling through her playlist.

Danny was starting to come to. He seemed to be able to hold eye contact, albeit not for very long, and his minute facial expressions showed at least some understanding of what was happening around him.

Although, he still hadn’t spoken yet.

Jazz glanced brightly down at him. Now that she knew he was conscious of her presence, she couldn’t afford to show up at the hospital in sweats with her tear-stained face anymore. She had to be there for him. She had to be strong.

Maybe she had been too weak to help him before. Maybe back then, she had failed him.

But she would be damned if she wasn’t strong enough to help him now.

“What do you think? MCR? Blink-182?” she asked. “I got these band names from Sam, by the way. So if she lied to me about what music you listen to now, don’t blame me.”

Danny just stared at her with his owl-ish expression.

“Here, if you want, you can choose.” Jazz held her phone screen out in front of him, watching as his eyebrows scrunched up ever so slightly as he gazed up at the screen.

Jazz felt her smile falter for a split second before she pulled her phone away and straightened herself up on her chair.

She had to be strong.

“It’s okay, I’ll just choose one.” She tapped the screen and set her phone down. 

The sound of over-compressed guitars filled the tiny bluetooth speaker on the windowsill, and Jazz beamed down at Danny, waiting for that tiny flicker of recognition to hit his face.

And, to her delight, some of the fog in his eyes momentarily lifted. He looked over to Jazz as if he were seeing her for the first time, the shock and disbelief seeping through the blank slate that was his expression.

Jazz was hardly able to keep the glee out of her voice. “You like it?”

His eyes flickered between Jazz and the bluetooth speaker. Back and forth again before settling back on the ceiling.

“Well, I’ll have to thank Sam for the recommendation later! She can’t wait to see you, you know. The doctors are only allowing family in your room right now, but maybe next week if you’re feeling up to it, Sam and Tucker can stop by. I don’t want to make any promises right now, but you never know.”

Danny’s eyes slowly traveled around the ceiling.

“Are you thirsty?” Jazz asked. “Hungry? Well, you’re probably not hungry. Doctors have been monitoring your nutrient intake a lot. I’m glad, too, because you have some color in your face again.”

His eyes shut, and a content smile twitched on his face.

Jazz couldn’t remember the last time he’d looked so peaceful.

“I love you, Danny.”

He didn’t respond. 

---

Danny was home now. That should have been a good thing. 

It should have been.

And it was. In so many ways, it was wonderful having him home again.

But in so many other ways, it wasn’t.

Jazz had been under some illusion that once he made it home, things would go back to normal. Sure, he would be in a wheelchair until his PT started, and he might not be able to turn into a ghost for a few weeks either, but her brother would be home. 

Except, Danny never came home. Physically, he did. But mentally he was still trapped somewhere far away.

He was talking now at least. He’d started talking the week before he’d left the hospital. He wasn’t able to speak in full sentences, at least not without pausing, and he wasn’t able to really understand long sentences either, but this was a start.

Jazz wanted to hope that things would get better, but hope was a dangerous drug.

After all, even though he’d started speaking again, he still refused to talk about what happened to him. Anytime Jazz would try to bring the conversation up, he’d clam up and close off for the rest of the day.

And that hurt. It hurt so bad. She so desperately wanted to be there and support him, to help him talk through the trauma he’d experienced, but he just didn’t want to.

But that was okay. It had to be okay. She had to be strong.

She stood in front of his door, pausing only to compose herself before knocking.

He didn’t acknowledge her knock, but Jazz wasn’t expecting him too. He was trying to isolate himself, and Jazz wasn’t going to let him.

She’d already failed him once. 

“Good morning, Danny!” Jazz bursted into the room, her voice chipper despite the fact that she hadn’t slept last night.

She doubted that Danny did either.

Danny was lying on top of his comforter, already dressed. Their mom must have gotten him situated before shutting herself down in the lab.

Their parents seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

“Come on, get up. I come bearing an activity!”

“Too early,” Danny grumbled.

Jazz ignored him, sauntering into the room brandishing a large, easy piece jigsaw puzzle she’d just ran out to buy that morning.

It was hard to find one for kids that wasn’t either a princess castle or a race car scene. Fortunately, the store had one on sale that had colorful, cartoon baby ghosts covering the image.

“Either you get up, or I drag you up. Either way, you’re doing this puzzle with me.”

“Puzzle?” Danny asked.

Jazz tried not to stare as he struggled upright, only swooping in to set his pillows upright behind him. “Yeah, puzzle.”

She set the box down in front of him, pulling off the lid and revealing the large pieces in front of him.

“That’s...so Boring.”

“Well, the doctors still want you avoiding screens for a little while longer. I figured this was better than staring at the wall.”

Danny eyed the box, his face impassive. 

“Here, wait.” She went out into the hallway, grabbing a large piece of cardboard from the wall. “I brought something to make the puzzle on. Figured it would be easier than the mattress.”

“Okay.” He picked up one of the pieces, inspecting it slowly as if he couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

“So…” Jazz plopped herself down on the mattress next to Danny and put the cardboard over their laps. “What do you think we should do first?”

Danny gazed blankly down, his eyes trailing between the cardboard and the puzzle piece in his hand. He blinked, and then put the puzzle piece down on the cardboard.

“Okay, we can start with that one!” Jazz chirped.

“No…” Danny ran his hand through his hair. “No that’s not...need to sort.”

“Oh?” Jazz grabbed another piece from the box. “So what should I do with this one then?”

Danny gazed quizzically over at Jazz, grabbing the piece to inspect it. “Edge,” he finally said, setting the piece down on the opposite side of the board from the first piece.

“So we’re sorting the edge pieces from the regular pieces?” 

Danny hummed, grabbing another piece from the box.

“Sounds like a good plan!”

They worked together in near silence after that, Jazz only stopping every so often when she could feel Danny’s attention slipping to ask him to help her sort a piece. It was almost cute how determined he was to complete the task correctly. It almost reminded Jazz of the quiet determination that would slip onto his features in the moments just before he transformed into Phantom. 

Solving the puzzle was a whole different beast. If Jazz were honest, she wasn’t sure if they would have been able to finish in one sitting. Danny still tired far too rapidly throughout the day, and he still slept for more hours than he was awake.

But finally Danny snapped the last piece into place, completing their simple blob ghost picture.

“Nice job!” Jazz put her hand up for a high five.

Danny blinked, slowly processing the motion, before his brain caught up and he gave a little smirk, a tiny eye roll, but met Jazz’s hand all the same.

She put the cardboard with the now completed puzzle on the floor before sitting back against the fluffy pillows. Breathing out, she allowed herself to sink back into the cushions for just a moment.

She was so tired. 

Her brain swirled, and she wanted to sink deeper into the darkness. But she couldn’t. She wasn’t allowed to.

“Are you asleep?” Danny asked.

“No.”

“Oh. Okay.”

A quiet trepidation settled over the pair. Jazz could feel the unspoken questions hanging in the air like forbidden fruit ripe for picking. But the apples were just out of reach, and she knew the branches wouldn’t sink lower until Danny was ready. 

But he had to come home first. He would never be ready to tell her what happened until he finally came back to them. And Jazz didn’t know how long that would take.

“I love you,” Jazz said.

Danny didn’t respond.

---

Thanks for reading!

[phis-corner]

Could you do a 23 Jason x Marinette? I also want to say I really love your fanfics.

Ohhh yes one of my favorite ships to write (and hurt.) Enjoy!

23- “What’s cookin’, good lookin’?”

Of course, it’s just her luck that she stumbles across a Gotham vigilante bleeding to death from not one, not two, but three stab wounds in the alley across from the fabric store she’s headed to.

And obviously, she’s not about to let him die.

So she gets Trixx to cast an illusion so no passerby sees a five foot girl carrying a man who must weigh at least 230 pounds without breaking a sweat through a blue portal, then asks Kaalki to open a portal home.

Marinette scoops up the vigilante, a red bat splayed across grey kevlar and red helmet hiding his features, and enters her bathroom, setting the guy down in the bathtub (because she is not getting blood all over her apartment, okay?), grabbing her medical kit, setting up a blood transfusion because there was a lot of blood in that alleyway (this guy is so lucky she’s a universal donor) and getting to work disinfecting his wounds.

Just as she’s about to start stitching them up, the vigilante awakens.

Marinette would probably have been more impressed if the first thing out of his mouth wasn’t “What’s cookin’, good lookin’?”

She threads a needle. “Oh, you know, just preparing to sew up the three stab wounds in your torso that made you bleed half to death in an alleyway. Nothing major.”

The mystery guy (she’s already calling him Red Helmet in her head) hums, still only halfway conscious. “Sounds kinda major to me. Ya shouldn’t be sewing stab wounds.”

“Well then, maybe you shouldn’t get stabbed.” Marinette retorts, tying the first laceration shut. “You didn’t seriously expect me to just let you die in the alleyway next to my favorite fabric store, did you?”

“This is Gotham, babe. Nobody even blinks an eye here.” Red Helmet mutters.

She doesn’t really know how to respond to that depressing statement. “That’s not right.” She finally says.

Red Helmet snorts, then winces. “Tell me ‘bout it.”

Marinette ties off the second wound. “So, do you have a name, Mr. Vigilante Person? Is it Red Helmet? Because that’s what I’ve been calling you in my head.”

“What? No!” Apparently-Not-Red-Helmet protests. “It’s Red Hood! And I’m an antihero!”

She waves her non-dominant hand lazily. “Eh, technicalities. Besides, Red Hood is stupid. You don’t even wear a hood. I’m going to call you Red Helmet.”

“But it’s Red Hood!”

“I’m calling you Red Helmet and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it, monsieur.” She ties off the third stab wound and leans back, admiring her handiwork. “There. Now I just have to bandage them, and you’re free to leave after your blood transfusion finishes, which should be in another two and a half hours.”

“Two and a half hours?” Red Helmet yelps, twisting around and finally noticing the IV in his arm. “I can’t stay in a civilian apartment for two and a half hours!”

Marinette rolls her eyes. “Will all due respect, Red Helmet, your average civilian doesn’t have the medical equipment necessary to set up a blood transfusion.”

“It’s Red Hood.” He barks. “And if you’re not a civilian, what are you?”

“Not a criminal, if that’s what you’re asking.” She grins. “You’re a Bat, aren’t you? Find out.”

Red Helmet leans back in her bathtub, grumbling. “How’d you even know my blood type, anyway?”

“I’m a universal donor.” Marinette tucks the last of her supplies back into her massive medkit and puts it back in her cabinet, stretching and feeling her spine crack. “Would you like something to occupy the next 150 minutes? A book, maybe? I have a large selection of classical literature.”

“Do you have Pride and Prejudice?” Red Helmet asks, somehow managing to look like a cute puppy even with the helmet on, and she smiles.

“Of course I do. I’m not a heathen.” Marinette goes to her living room, plucks her copy of the book off of her bookshelf, and returns to the bathroom to hand it to him. He takes it with eager but gentle hands, flipping to the first page and immediately buries himself in the book.

Marinette exits the room and sets a timer for two and a half hours, then settles at her desk to do some designing. All too soon, the timer goes off, and she returns to the bathroom.

“Time’s up.” She announces, and Red Helmet’s head snaps up. “You’re free to go now.”

“Already?” He asks, taking out the IV with precision that can only come from prior experience.

Marinette nods. “Would you like to exit through the front door, the balcony, or do you have a specific window in mind?”

“Balcony will do, thanks.” Red Helmet says breezily, not realizing that she was joking. Sort of. The sarcasm was heavy in her words.

She opens her balcony doors, and lets him out, the cool night breeze ruffling her clothes as she looks out over the Gotham skyline.

Red Helmet whistles, an odd sound when coming through the audio filters of his helmet. “Wow, that’s some view you got there.”

Marinette shrugs. “Yeah, well, you get paid very nicely when you’re Jagged Stone’s designer and get commissions from all sorts of big names.”

The helmet’s eye slits narrow. “Wait, seriously? You’re Jagged Stone’s mystery designer? MDC? And you’re apparently not a civilian, as you said earlier? Who the fuck are you?”

Marinette grins and says nothing, simply booting him off her balcony and giving a cheerful little wave as he curses and fires his grapple, swinging away.

A week later, Minette purposefully runs into Red Helmet along his usual patrol route, handing him a card with ‘MDC’ emblazoned on it in curling golden script, with a phone number and a smiley face drawn underneath.

That night, her phone buzzes with a text.

Unknown Number: What’s cookin’, good lookin’?

She smiles as her fingers tap out a reply.

M: That’s the second time you’ve used it on me.

M: You have got to find some better pick-up lines.

Unknown Number: Well, it worked, didn’t it?

M: Yeah, I suppose it did.

permanent tags

@wannajointhecrabcult @miraculous-simmer7 @certainmuffinbagelcalzone @fantasyislive @chocolateherringtacofan @junarvion @susiej1118 @aestheticnpoetic @toodaloo-kangaroo @ladybug-182 @itsmeevie01 @g-arya @souleateralicestein @nightstarblue @i-is-mysterious @moonystars14 @vixen-uchiha @the-flapdoodle-noodle @labschaos @nathleigh

unspecified @momothefemur @indecisive-mess-named-me @laurcad123 @ilovefluffbutsmutisalsogreat @sassakitty @fusser90

[dessarious]

What Makes a Family? Pt3

AO3   Beginning    Previous   Next

Her attempts to get her parents to excuse her from school failed miserably. They were well aware she didn’t have any urgent commissions, so she trudged to school, hoping she’d make it to class without seeing Adrien or Alya. She didn’t make it inside the gate.

“Did you see the news?” What did he do, leave the house early to lay in wait for her?

“Good morning to you too Adrien.”

“Lila was Akumatized, just like I told you she would be.” She did not have enough caffeine in her system to deal with this right now.

“Yeah, five hours later. Not to mention Lila gets Akumatized every other week whether or not I’m around. Everyone else goes to therapy or finds an outlet to control their emotions, but she feeds off of it. That’s not my fault.” Adrien just blinked at her in shock and she used his confusion to move around him and head into school. She was almost to the front doors.

“Marinette, can I talk to you for a minute?” Ivan was standing off to the side, looking nervous. Well that wasn’t something she expected.

“Sure, what’s up?” She walked closer since he seemed rooted to his spot. He had to take a couple breaths before speaking.

“I… I just wanted to thank you for what you said yesterday.” She cocked her head at him in confusion. “About parents not wanting their children and treating them badly because of it. I realized that a lot of the things my dad lashed out at me for weren’t my fault and I told him last night I wouldn’t take any more of his shit.”

“Wow, umm, I’m glad it helped.” He gave her a pained smile.

“He kicked me out.”

“Oh, Ivan! I’m so sorry!” He waved her off.

“It’s okay. Mylene’s dad said I could crash on their couch until I figure something else out. It’s strange being in a house where I’m not getting yelled at all the time, but it’s nice.” She had no idea his home was like that. Ivan was always so quiet and let everyone else talk about themselves. How do you know someone for years and not see something so important?

“I’m really sorry that you’ve had to deal with that all this time. If you need any help, with anything, let me know okay?” He just gave her a smile, patted her shoulder, and walked into the school. She really needed more caffeine.

“Girl, we need to talk.” Marinette actually groaned out loud. She didn’t mean to, she just couldn’t help it. “Don’t give me attitude when I’m trying to help you.” She turned to find Alya glaring at her with her hands on her hips.

“Help me with what exactly?” Given the look she was getting, Alya thought she was being flippant, but honestly she wanted to know.

“You need to make peace with Lila. I know Adrien has been on you about it lately. Don’t you want to do something to impress him?” She was so tired of this conversation.

“No.” Alya opened her mouth but Marinette just kept going. “I’m going to try and explain this to you, again, and this time you’re going to listen. I am not interested in Adrien anymore. I haven’t been for years. You would know that if you ever bothered to listen to me rather than lecture me about Lila. And as for Lila, the only way we’ll be friends is if she has a complete personality change or I get hit in the head hard enough to lose my memories. Because as long as she keeps lying and I know that she is, we can’t be friends.” Alya rolled her eyes.

“I can’t believe you’re still using that as an excuse. Name one thing Lila lied about.” Marinette just shot her a flat look.

“Just about everything that comes out of her mouth. Honestly, how many times has she spun some story about how I cornered her in a hallway to yell at her? You never believe that, yet you still believe all her wild stories. If anyone else told you that garbage you’d fact check it. I don’t understand why you just assume she’s telling you the truth.” Alya was frowning but it looked more like it was directed internally. Maybe she was finally ready to think for herself. “Also, I’ve been in a relationship for almost a year now.”

Marinette practically ran into the school after that parting shot. She shouldn’t have said it and she knew Alya would find her later to question her, but she hoped that it would help her realize Marinette didn’t care what Adrien thought about her. At least no more than anyone else. Surprisingly, the rest of the school day went really well. Lila seemed subdued. She had no idea why but it made her life easier so she didn’t feel like questioning it. Alya honestly just seemed shellshocked. Adrien was sulking. Maybe she should be that blunt more often.

When she got home, the bakery was closed. She just stood there blinking at the doors for a moment. She pulled her phone out. No texts or missed calls. It wasn’t a holiday. Did her parents have an appointment she’d forgotten about? That feeling of something huge happening hit her again, far more powerful this time. Before she even knew what she was doing, she ran to the side door and up into the house.

“Maman! Papa!” She burst through the door and stopped in confusion. Her parents were there. Kagami, Luka, and Chloe were there. Relief hit her hard and it took her a moment to notice the older gentleman in the room. “What’s going on?” Both of her parents looked worried. Chloe was just glaring at the stranger. Luka and Kagami had been sitting hip to hip but scooted apart slightly so that she could sit between them. Well that couldn’t be good. “Is someone dying?”

That seemed to break some of the tension. Chloe let out a snort of laughter and her parents seemed slightly less tense. The gentleman was studying her and it felt… normal? That didn’t seem exactly right but he wasn’t making her uncomfortable.

“No sweetheart. Everyone is fine as far as we know.” Her Papa’s gentle voice released all her remaining worry. At the same time, no one seemed to know how to continue. Finally the older gentleman stood to address her.

“Miss Marinette. My name is Alfred Pennyworth. It’s very nice to meet you.”

AO3   Beginning    Previous    Next

Ko-Fi

Tag List

@moonystars14 @ladybug-182 @elmokingkong @smolplantmum @jessigurl-design @trippingovermyfeet @its-salty-bug @whydoexamsexist @scorchdragon88 @alenee13 @lil-1254s-blog

[boognish-worshipper]

Midnight City AU

this is an au where the main characters are all young adults!! (or millennials ig? they’re in their 20s basically) i gave a rundown of what’s what on a diff post,, i’m also splitting it up into diff chapters,, so this is gonna take a looooong time to finish. i’m posting this before i nitpick my writing to the max

it’s basically a lot of references to that point in time, artists, pop culture etc. all the chapters are named after songs from that era (including the name of this au bc i love midnight city and what better way to describe LS ‼️), and the lyrics r usually connected to what the chapter’s about, or about a character dynamic :D i hope this isn’t too cheesy, or sounds off ig. any typos in this were probably over looked bc i constantly reread my writing and rearrange stuff and make sure it sounds good 🥳 hope y’all enjoy !!! i’m also including a tag to find the chapters under :)

//Chapter 1: Crimewave

Trevor would never, ever admit it, but he had fallen into the category known as “post-hipster”. This was a strange era that began culminating, taking LS by storm. Whether he liked it or not, he could never avoid it. Even if he swore up and down he wasn’t like them, it was practically a paradox. Saying he wasn’t like them just made him a branched off version of the thing he denounced. Each aesthetic that was churned out as the 2010s rolled in were tied to a style, a sound, and Trevor couldn’t care less. It’s not like people liked what he liked. He didn’t belong to anything in particular, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t like them. If anything, he just became another obscure genre in the mix.

One of his favorite music groups was a Canadian duo called Crystal Castles. He enjoyed a good number of their songs, developing an interest for electropunk and pop punk. There was something unique about the sound, and it made Trevor feel special, like he discovered some sort of hidden treasure. He was into pop punk groups like Paramore too, but it was something about them that was just different. People knew Paramore. He often lingered around Sterling Lake, where other post-irony hipsters and classic hipsters resided, careful not to fully associate with them. After all, he apparently despised them, even though he participated in their strange… “culture”. If you could even call it that. From time to time he would find himself discussing his favorite artists with whatever semi-normal person was there, making a couple friends himself who weren’t the snooty kind he’d grown used to.

They all loved talking about how exceptional their taste in music was, a wide variety of people hanging around with their own cliques. Some liked Fall Out Boy, while others liked Blink-182, and then there were the weirdos who liked groups like Radiohead. Most of those guys were whiny, proclaiming how misunderstood they were. He knew maybe one Radiohead song at most (he definitely, definitely never cried to “Creep” and even if he did, so what) but never found himself willingly getting into their music. Then you had the nosedivr crowd, which consisted of mostly girls, and the occasional hipster guy that defected. Their taste was.. alright. Consisted of artists like Lana Del Ray and Marina and the Diamonds, who were their idols. He found almost everyone there besides the few friends he made kind of edgy, and not in the cool way. But he figured all hipsters and guys like them were kind of uncool. Don’t even get him started on those other indie rock types. God. He still came back as often as he could though, establishing some kind of routine. Most people there avoided him anyway, which he preferred. He had enough troubles with them in the past. There was one day he grew tired of the people gawking at him, and he launched a hipster right into the lake. So yeah, nobody within their right mind so much as looked in his direction. That was just how he rolled.

Today, he sat on a nearby bench in Sterling Lake’s park, watching some ducks float on water. His usual friends had been there too, seeing his clowncore buddy Wade with his cousin Floyd. Wade was extremely different than the pretentious fucks around them. He had a shit ton of piercings, and ICP was his favorite music group. Floyd on the other hand, fit right in. Almost too much, like it was something he was forced to do. But he did genuinely enjoy Weezer, of all things you could enjoy. Wade started waving at Trevor, while Floyd hid behind him. All he did was awkwardly wave back, turning his attention back to the lake. He liked Wade, but the clown stuff he wore sometimes spooked him. He didn’t pay much mind to his relative. Looking back across the water, he saw someone new, observing the area. Some dude a little above the average height, hands in his pockets walking around. He seemed a bit lost, and Trevor figured he should help if he was. After all, what was this guy doing here? New people didn’t show up often.

“Hey bud, you lost or something?”

“Oh uh, nah not really. I’m just looking for this girl I met a while ago, said she hangs out around here?”

“What she look like? I’m here pretty often.”

“Uhh kinda short, dark brownish hair? Wears fishnet stockings, high waisted shorts or whatever those grunge people are into.”

“Let me guess, she into the Neighborhood?”

“How’d you know?”

“Yeah, that’s Amanda, she’s a bit of a regular. Not too fond of me I must say.”

“How come?”

“She’s just petty towards me.” He said with a shrug. He didn’t feel like relaying his encounters with her if the guy was dating her or something.

“Oh… well d’ya think you could help me find her? I don’t really know anybody else here. I could actually use the help, since you know her.”

“Eh sure, why not.”

It’s not like he had anything better to do. The two began to walk around the park, gravel and dirt crunching beneath their feet.

“So.. what’s this place about?” The strange guy asked.

“Hm? Oh, it’s just one of those places the hipster folks meet up I guess. Don’t understand it much myself, nor do I really like them.”

“Then why do you come here?”

“Dunno. It’s relatively peaceful, those freaks keep to themselves.”

The man, who was only a smidge shorter than Trevor, glared up at him.

“Hey man, don’t call my girl a freak.”

“Ehh I don’t really count her in with the generic skinny jean wearing hipsters. More of a.. what is it called.. nosedivr type. Whatever that stupid website’s called. Why do you think she dresses like that?”

“Huh.. Never really thought to ask her.”

As he thought about the stuff Amanda wore, he took note of how the man next to him was dressed. He sported an olive jacket with a black turtle neck, and a plain pair of jeans. He wore beat up black converse to top it off, and a pair of Rimmers sunglasses sat upon his head. He looked simple, yet distinguished with the way he presented himself, hair neatly combed back. He figured the two would look nice standing next to one another. They would’ve made an attractive couple, if they weren’t dating already, the kind that turns heads. Trevor wasn’t like them. He wore a black beanie over his mullet, and his favorite pair of red Dix sunglasses rested on the bridge of his nose. The rest of his fit looked disheveled. He had thrown on a wrinkled top, solid black with little surf boards and cars along the bottom- he was a sucker for Hawaiian shirts. His pants were tan colored but had some bleach stains, with old combat boots on his feet.

“Yeah, we may not like each other but I don’t really consider her a freak like those guys.”

He jutted a thumb in the direction of a circle of guys huddled around a phone. The man holding the phone had strawberry blonde hair and a clean outfit on. An expensive looking outfit.

“Who are they?”

“The people here I absolutely cannot fucking stand. The genuine hipsters.”

“Oh.. and you’re..?”

“I’m my own kind. I’m not like these losers, all uppity and shit.”

“Right. Gotcha.”

They walked around a bit more before finding the group Amanda was with. She sat on a bench, chatting with a few girls who dressed similarly to her. All of them had black incorporated into their style. She herself had a black jumper on, tucked neatly into the front of her jean shorts. Just like the guy described, she had fishnets on under them, skater shoes to match. Loose braids fell on her shoulders, and a small black choker was wrapped around her neck.

“Oh, there he is now! Babe! Over here!”

She narrowed her eyes upon seeing Trevor standing next to him.

“Hello, Trevor.” She huffed.

“Relax, I was helping your boyfriend or whatever look for you.”

Her face softened slightly, but still kept a small glare in his direction. She pressed her lips together tight before replying.

“Thanks, I guess.”

“Yup.”

The man turned to face Trevor, sticking out a hand.

“Hey, thanks for showing me around. Trevor, is it?”

“Don’t wear it out.”

He shook his hand, noticing how soft it was. It was in stark contrast to his own, which was rough and calloused.

“Name’s Michael. I’ll see you around most likely? Thanks again.”

“Yeah, no problem.”

Amanda huffed again, nudging Michael’s shoulder.

“Let’s go hun, Bean Machine closes soon!”

“I’m comin’ I’m comin’!”

The two sauntered off, hand in hand. Trevor stood dumbly, watching them walk away. He was right. They did look good together. He wondered if he would actually see this Michael again, kicking a rock. He went back to the bench he originally sat at, putting his earbuds in, listening to some Crystal Castles again to pass the time. The beat thumped in his ears, and all he could think was how much better this shit was compared to that club music shit that played on every radio station in a 5 foot radius. He sat there, scrolling through his own secret nosedivr account, reblogging some photo of a lit cigarette. Right before a hand touched his shoulder causing him to jump.

“What the fuck- Oh. Ron.”

Ron was another friend of Trevor’s, a guy he had met outside one of the iFruit stores talking about how “they’re tapping the phones they sell in there!” and all that conspiracy nonsense. He was a paranoid guy, but Trevor kind of liked that about him. Those were the kind of freaks he liked. He was shorter than Trevor, sort of frail in stature. He wore a bright red windbreaker over a faded tourist tee that read “I went to Liberty City and all I got was this lousy t-shirt!”, along with khaki colored cargo shorts. It didn’t help that he wore some goofy looking bucket hat, and socks with sandals. He dressed like someone’s middle aged father.

“Trevor! Have you seen Wade around anywhere?”

“Last I checked, he was with Floyd.”

“Did he say where he was going?”

“Uh no, but my best bet is they went to that vinyl shop Floyd’s girlfriend works at.”

“Will ya come with me to find him?”

“Now why the fuck would I do that? What do you need him for?”

“Well I- I uh- um..”

“I uh! I uh! Spit it out Ron!”

“It’s about the Merryweather Night Club.”

Merryweather was a big organization that had a wide range of private clubs all over the country, and complimentary body guards to suit. They were all expensive as fuck, and anywhere they settled jacked up the prices of everything else. A lot of neighborhoods became gentrified as a result, and people actually considered it a good thing. What a fucking joke. Trevor of course couldn’t stand it. He hated bullies, and Merryweather was no exception. He’d been wanting to dismantle the club since they settled in LS, seeing as they only amplified the fake feel of the city. Let’s just say he’s gotten into more than a few scuffles with the club. And let’s just say it ended with someone getting stabbed as a result. The guy had it coming to him anyway. Between bouncers and the clubbers, they didn’t like Trevor or his kind loitering around the joint. It didn’t stop him from plotting some sort of revenge though. Ron per usual was on board, his reason being Merryweather’s violent history that had been swept under the rug. They were rather forceful relocating people who had lived in certain neighborhoods for years, Ron being one of their victims. Wade only decided to tag along because he wanted to be included.

“Ah fuck, what’d those bastards do now?”

“They’re throwing some big party!”

“…What fucking for?”

“All I know some guy’s coming to visit, somebody they labeled important and he’s-“

“Woah woah woah wait, Ron. Who?”

“Steve Haines.” He breathed out, careful not to be overheard.

Trevor’s eyes widened, his gaze shooting over to the posse he had poked fun of before. Steve was talking to the group, all of them doing that fake laugh they always did. God, even their humor was pretentious.

“Those fucking hipsters!” He hissed.

“I abhor them, you know that-“

“I know. I know. But, that Weston guy’s gonna be there with him-“

“Weston? Devin Weston?”

If Trevor hated hipsters, then he utterly loathed rich daddy’s money boys like Devin Weston. He had only gotten that stupid fucking night club because his father paid Don Percival enough money to let Devin do whatever he pleased with the Merryweather body guards. It was an elitist club, and they only allowed the best of the best in there.

“What the fuck’s going on there?”

“Something to do with those guys he hangs out with. I think they’re doing something major, expansion maybe-”

“And him and Devin are working together or..?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t hear much after that, that’s why I wanted to grab you and Wade and-”

“Then let’s fucking go get him, Ron!”

The two rushed out of there, heading for the vinyl store to look for Wade. Trevor knew a shit storm was coming, and he absolutely couldn’t wait.

//the next chapter’s gonna be longer i promise lolz

[avatarvyakara]

Strands of Webbing

A Spiderverse Fanfic

Prompts 181-192

“Talking to the Dead”

First | Previous | Next

181. Chance

Miles could sympathize with Peter, he could. He thought about losing Uncle Aaron when he saw Peter with Aunt May, and wondered whether he’d act the same way.

And then he lost Uncle Aaron.

And now—

“...Miles?”

This Aaron Davis is old—certainly older, beard streaked with grey. To be fair, Miles is older too.

This is meeting a ghost. It’s not the Uncle Aaron he lost, and this Aaron has a Miles of his own, grown-up and turning the Prowler from a criminal into an anti-hero. (Which is...weird.) This isn’t his universe, it’s Mayday’s of all places. (And Mayday’s Dad appointed Other Miles—Prowler Miles—as kind of a scary unofficial babysitter, apparently.)

And he knows that. He knows that as much as he misses Uncle Aaron, he can’t and shouldn’t stay with this man. Maybe that makes him less compassionate than Peter, because Peter knows what Aunt May needs and she gets so much happier when he swings by. But Miles is Miles, and Aaron is Aaron.

Still—

“Hey, Uncle Aaron,” he whispers.

182. Hobbit

“I mean, the first book isn’t going to be released for another three years in your time,” says Miles, “but we figured you might like them.”

Peter takes the volume of four books, bound in red. (The kids can’t have known, they can’t.)

“I’m not really a fantasy kind of guy,” he admits. “But I guess I can give them a try. It’s real swell of you all.”

“Happy birthday, Noir!”

* * *

Uncle Benjamin went to war. Peter goes to war every day.

“But I don’t think anyone’s ever put it as clear as this, Uncle Benjamin,” he says, down by the meagre gravestone. “Not like this. You would have loved it. But at least I can share it with Aunt May.”

I do not love the sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.

Maybe it’s not who he is, not entirely. But it’s another part of who he wants to be, and that’s something.

183. Talk

The first time Addy stops by the workshop when Other Peni is there, Other Peni is furious at Peni for suggesting she come and say hi. Genuinely furious.

The second time—after some prompting and a long discussion where Other Peni Parker cries for the first time Peni remembers—Other Peni is there to greet her.

“Uhhhh...Peni? Is that you? You look tired. And...older.”

“...hey, Addy. It’s me. This is gonna sound weird, but...I’m from another dimension and I just...kind of wanted to see you again.”

She sounds so tender.

Addy blinks.

“It’s okay,” says Peni, coming around to the front of the space. “She’s...a friend. Sort of. But you have to keep this a secret. This is beyond mech stuff, it’s insanely important. Swear?”

Addy nods, wide-eyed.

“Good! You two have fun!”

“Peni, you weren’t supposed to—” Other Peni growls, but Peni’s already wheeling herself out.

It should help. She knows it would help her. And she’s about 90% certain Addy will forgive her, and has fifteen different prospective options to hasten that process.

...figures that when she steps back in, Addy and Other Peni give her rather evil grins.

“You know,” says Other Peni casually, “the nice thing about being the same person? It means you’re already well aware of a fair few...embarrassing incidents.”

“...you didn’t.”

“Me? No, no. We just traded life stories. If they match up, it’s just a coincidence, right?”

Addy cackles.

“I’ve created a monster.”

“Aw, lighten up, Choking Hazard.”

“Adelaide Brock, you swore not to tell a living soul—”

“Actually I just said I’d only talk about it with you. And, well...”

Other Peni laughs.

(The sacrifices one makes for the good of one’s fellow Spiders...)

184. Sympathetic

“So...I met someone.”

Gwen finds it easier to hear Peter’s voice—her Peter’s voice—these days. Being around the others...it makes it clearer, because there’s new words to hear and new inflections and she can hone it, but it also takes away some of the pain.

(Sound always feels so...so dull in the other worlds.)

Oh? he seems to be asking through the gravestone, with just a touch of amusement. Is this code for something? I’m not that clear on old person slang.

“You are older than me by two months, Peter Parker.”

And have I had a birthday cake at any point in the past four years? No, I have not. I refuse to keep up with everyone’s age if I can’t have my cake and eat it too.

“Oh my god, shut up,” she laughs. She shouldn’t laugh. It’s a cemetery. It’s a cemetery and she’s probably hallucinating. But it’s just...kind of nice. Like he’s still here.

Ah, still got the charm.

“You’re not smoothing your hair back, are you?”

What do you think me to be, of course I am. It looks dashing.

“It looks dorky.”

Agree to disagree. Now, about this mysterious ‘someone’...spill, Stacy.

She sighs. “I mean, I met him a while before? Years back. And he’s smart and kinda sweet and he makes quantum physics jokes and he doesn’t exactly look too bad...”

You had me at ‘quantum physics jokes’, I already love the guy. So what’s the problem? Night-life?

“Actually, he knows. He’s a Spider, too.”

...wow, that’s...different. So what’s wrong?

“You’re not...mad?”

Gwendolyne Beatrice Stacy, if you think I’m going to hold a grudge against you for keeping a secret from me that led to my becoming a rampaging brainless monster...then okay, fine, you might think that. But those were my choices. Not yours. You gotta move on, girl. It wasn’t your fault.

Gwen smiles, her eyes slightly wet. “You know my middle name isn’t Beatrice.”

I have been trying to guess your middle name since we were in the fourth grade and I’m not going to let mortality stop me.

Gwen laughs. Peter was always good for that, making her laugh. Like she made him smile.

Then she frowns. “The problem is that spending too much time together in one place means either his cells or mine completely collapsing in on themselves and dying.”

...ah. And obviously you’re not into post-mortem relationships.

“That is the fourth death joke you’ve used since I got here. Your limit is five.”

Way to kill the mood. Okay, okay, I’m done, don’t—up-bup-bup, I caught myself! See?

Gwen Stacy, laughing away in an empty cemetery, she must look ridiculous. But Gwen can afford it.

In all seriousness, though. You’ve travelled across universes, Gwen. And you’ve made it back alive. And you’re close enough to this guy that you’re actually contemplating death to be together, which, you know, very Romeo-and-Juliet. So...I say we come up with a plan.

“Planning is your department, and you’re awful at it. I just go for the head-shots.”

That’s your first death joke. You got four more. Anyway...

Their plan is corny. It’s ridiculous. It involves things that don’t even exist yet, far as she knows. And it might just work. Give it a few more years or so.

Just...keep coming by to say hi, once in a while? Mom and Dad are nice and all, and Aunt May and Uncle Ben can nearly hear me, but I miss my best friend.

“I miss mine too. Hell, though, I wish you could meet Peter B. You two would be hilarious to watch.”

Me, as Spider-Man? Damn right it would be hilarious. Exactly the right kind of black humour for this cruel world.

“...I’ll be back soon, Pete. I promise. Say hi to Mom for me, will you?”

Will do, Gwen. Say hi to your boyfriend for me.

“He’s not my boyfriend!”

Ye-et!

Gwen leaves the graveyard with a smile on her face.

185. Soundtrack

“...Mom really loved this band,” Peni admits, quietly, and Peter can sympathize. His parents apparently fell in love at a Tschaikovsky concert, and a phonograph disc of The Sleeping Beauty is all he really had to know them by, growing up.

“Do you remember much about her?”

The other Spider smiles. “Dancing, mainly. She was always so happy. She did—does, I guess—a lot of work on the ecoships, setting up the biomes.”

“She’s...” Peter’s confused. “Why is she there?” And not here, he thinks. And not with you.

“It didn’t really work out,” sighs Peni, and she seems so old when she says that. And so tired. God, can someone give this girl a break? “She wasn’t one for being tied down. And Spacers live longer lives than Earthers, she was practically just a kid herself. But it’s okay. I have Aunt May and Uncle Ben. And Takara and SP//dr. And you and the others.” She smiles again. “That’s more than enough for me. But those were fun times. I can remember them, and work better this way.”

Peter tries not to initiate contact with anyone beyond a quick touch. Porker is different, with Porker he doesn’t risk hurting him. With this girl—still a girl, still a child no matter the universe, how could you leave a child like this—he’s more hesitant. He can’t risk hurting her.

So he just won’t hurt her.

Peter reaches out carefully and slightly awkwardly and touches her shoulder.

“If it helps, sweetheart,” he says, “we’re not going anywhere. Especially me. You’re stuck with us until the end of time.”

...he really doesn’t understand why she starts crying, and all he can do is pat her on the back when she turns to hug him like he’s going to disappear if she lets go.

Until—

“You can’t promise that,” the seventeen-year-old whispers. Seventeen, but not much bigger than she was when first they met. “You’re—you’re already old. Too old. And you’re a Spider, just like them. You’re gonna die and they’re gonna die and I’m gonna be here all by myself—”

Oh.

“No,” he says, fierce as he can, and now he holds her. “You’re not. There’ll be a way. If anything can think it up, it’s that big brain of yours. And this ugly mug’s likely gonna be around till the albatross reaches the mountain.”

“...huh?”

“Never mind,” he mutters, and Peni giggles so that’s a good sign.

He’s not dying today. And he’s not leaving this kid, not at twenty-two or eighty-eight. (Doesn’t matter that his brain is telling him he probably won’t reach thirty-three.) By his timeline she’s nearly an adult, but by hers she hasn’t even started high-school yet. (Actually she’s already done, but that’s beside the point.)

He’ll find a way. He’s not going to let his best friend down.

"…think I could take a listen to those songs of yours?"

It’s far too loud and kind of tuneless for a man from the thirties, and it’s worth it.

186. Reminder

She still goes down to visit his grave. It’s not fair that Peter couldn’t have been buried in the same place, but she can do her part and pass on messages all the same.

“It’s strange, Ben,” she says aloud. “Part of me feels like I should be all alone now. The last remaining family I have is gone. Only...only they’re not. Peter’s still here. Just like you are. And so is Mary Jane, but she’s alive and grieving in her own way. And then...the other Peter, the older one, the one who lost both of us, he’s here. And Miles, he’s keeping Spider-Man alive and doing everyone proud. And all the others. Everything should be winding down, but...there’s so much to do.”

Ben grins.

“I know what you’re thinking. Don’t think I don’t, we were married for thirty years.”

Ben raises an innocent eyebrow.

“But it’s gonna be a while before I go, yet. Even if I make it to eighty, I’ve still got a while. And I’ve seen what Peter became—what our Peter could have become—when he mourned us and had nobody around. He’s getting better. But I can’t do that to you two. I want to be able to join you and honestly say that I gave it my all.”

Ben is smiling fondly, now.

“Guess I’ll see you later, then. I love you, Ben. But you don’t need to say it back.”

One look at Ben’s face is enough to tell her he feels the same regardless.

And Aunt May goes home again.

187. Zombies

"Nope. We are not doing that story. Nobody's allowed in. I've already talked to Miguel and Peni, they're put a failsafe on the gizmos. There is no way you guys are going there. It's too dangerous. They gave me a tough time."

It's not often that Ham gets genuinely serious. But as the most indestructible Spider, and the least likely to notice danger, when he says it's too dangerous then they listen.

188. Kinship

Locked in a bunker. That was her lot in life. Bitten by a radioactive spider, locked away for six years while her powers developed. That’s not much of a life for a thirteen-year-old, less of one for a nineteen-year-old. And the worst of it...the worst of it is that her family didn’t wait. Couldn’t remember her. While New York suffered attacks from creature after creature, villain after villain, Cindy Moon sat in a bunker and her family had their memories of her wiped. They might be dead. But she was trained to be a hero, and a hero she’ll be.

Finding that there are people like her is a shock. More so when it turns out that being bitten by the same spider releases...an unfortunate collection of pheromones. (To their credit, the Peter Parkers are all quite sympathetic and don’t try anything. She vaguely remembers Peter Parker in her own world—shy kid, crushing hard on MJ, not a bad photographer.) She finds a way to work around it, and to ignore the odd sensation that they keep getting around each other. The one called Noir gives her tips on adjusting to a personal life alone at a young age, which is decent of him. And the other Spiders are actually really nice—okay, Peni’s a bit abrupt, but Gwen gives really good advice (and her world has excellent ice cream), Mayday’s always coming by to make sure she’s still smiling, and Mary-Jane is as fun as her MJ (Maria Jameson) was.

Actually it’s seeing MJ again, meeting her again, that prompts Cindy to ask Miguel (not Peni) for help forging papers for a job at the Daily Bugle. How better to be Silk and look for her family at the same time, than as a freelance journalist? Besides, with what Gwen calls her When-and-Where sense, she gets a go at the big scoops days before anyone else.

Cindy Moon is still looking for her old family, but she’s not going to shut out her new one.

189. Awkwardness

“I think I get it,” says Harold N. Osborn. “More than you know.”

“What did Aunt May tell you?” asks Miles.

“Only that you were related to one of the villains who died in the fight around the time the collider went off. And again, I get that. That feeling that you’re not sure how to mourn, if to mourn, and you want to but how do you mourn someone who you loved but who hurt other people? Ahhh...” Harry sighs. “Guess I’d better come out and say it. My dad was the Green Goblin.”

“...dude. Mr. Osborn, I...”

“It’s okay, Spider-Man. It’s just...can I ask you something? Aunt May said you were...you were there. ...was it quick?”

Miles thinks back.

“I think it was, yeah,” he says.

Harry buries his face in his hands. “Thank God for small mercies. After what happened to Pete, and seeing the body, I...” He pulls himself together. “Okay. Like I said. If you ever need to talk to anyone, just let me know. Okay? No need for appointments.”

“Thanks, Mr. Osborn, I’ll...keep that in mind.”

190. Refusal

He’s been eaten, and what was left has been buried. Just like his Uncle Benjamin. And yet she refuses to believe it.

Gray’s not gone.

He can’t be.

And he won’t be.

So she won’t speak, here at this false grave. She’ll save what she has to say for when she sees him again.

No matter how long it takes to get him back.

191. Dip

“We don’t die,” says Porker, quietly. “That doesn’t mean we can’t be destroyed. Or—” he sniffs, and it sounds like an oink— “be character-assassinated.”

“...Porquito, not that I mind having you around, but why are you in my house at two in the morning?”

192. Memorial

Every year, the Spiders visit the grave of Peter Parker. New York’s prepared for it by now; it’s almost become part of the winter celebrations. Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year, Spider-People Day.

The Rhino tried to break it up, once. That didn’t go down too well.

By ten o'clock at night, though, only one Spider is left. (Miles has been persuaded to go home early, spend some time with his own family as they mourn a different man for different reasons.)

“In a way,” says Peter, tired as ever, “I’m kinda freaked out by how not sorry I am. I wouldn’t have wished this on you. But I wouldn’t have gotten to meet Miles otherwise. I wouldn’t have gotten a chance to say a proper goodbye to Gwen. I wouldn’t have found the courage to go back to Mary Jane. You know, we actually talked about naming a potential kid after you? Not me, you. I was kind of insistent it shouldn’t be me. Which was weird. Just a little bit weird, I admit. She talked me out of it. She usually can.”

Peter, the Peter down there, remains silent in a not unsympathetic way.

“Pretty sure there’s a whole new crop of babies in this New York named after you already. If it makes you feel better.”

Peter-down-there is kind enough not to roll his eyes.

“...I’m not trying to live your life. I promise. My Aunt May...she died. You died. We’re ghosts. And it’s more selfishness than she deserves, or than Miles deserves for that matter. But...it helps, Peter. It helps. To know that somewhere out in the multiverse she’s okay. A little fantasy. God, this is going to be difficult to explain if there is an afterlife. Hey, buddy, you got an aunt I could borrow? Just on loan.”

That doesn’t quite get the chuckle such a joke should have received. Tough crowd, really. He never laughs at his own jokes either, to be fair.

“Listen, I...I guess I can try to do something for you. Not training Miles, that’s for Miles’ sake. You would have loved that kid. But something else. ...would you like photos? Because seriously, the multiverse is amazing. There’s all these new places to see—places you should have seen. So that’s what I’ll do. You get to see with my eyes. Sound fair?”

The other Peter doesn’t seem to disapprove. Nor is he particularly thankless.

(Maybe he’s projecting, but who cares?)

“So...yeah. Photos of a hundred New Yorks, by and for Peter Parker. Expect the first edition soon.”

Peter knows that he would have smiled at this point.

“...although on a more serious note, strawberry ice cream? What kind of a heathen are you?”

The other Peter doesn’t put up much of a convincing argument, but he does have guilt on his side. What is it about this universe’s Spiders having such a good grasp of guilt manipulation? Must be something in the air.

“Fine. Fine. I get you.”

Peter sighs.

“I’ll swing by later. ...thank you, Peter Parker. You helped save my life.”

Peter Parker rests in peace.

And Spider-Man heads home.

[forever--rain]

*hops up and down excitedly* EVER I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ON HERE RN BUT FHDJKSFHA I CAME OUT OF MY CAVE TO SAY SUKKA PLAYLIST!!! DO IT DO IT DO IT I THINK WE ONLY HAVE ONE? ON SPOTIFY WHICH IS A TRAVESTY MAKE ONE PLEASE

BLUE, YOU ARE LITERALLY MY FAVORITE PERSON IN THIS FANDOM. YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL BRAIN. I'M NEVER GOING TO GET OVER THIS ASK.

Footage of me creating this playlist:

Look. You guys know that I love Zutara. But I don't think you all realize that I love Sukka just as much. Their love is so pure and their vibe as a couple is just... *sigh* 💙💚💙💚💙💚 So putting together this playlist was so much fun. I'll put all explanations of songs below the cut because this reply is already long without what comes next (but you should read them because you'll get the full effect of this playlist).

All The Small Things by blink-182

Cross Me (feat. Chance the Rapper & PnB Rock) by Ed Sheeran

I Think He Knows by Taylor Swift

I Like Me Better (Spotify Studios Version) by Lauv

Ho Hey by The Lumineers

Jackie and Wilson by Hozier

Passenger Seat by Death Cab For Cutie

Stand By Me by Florence + The Machine

The Bones - with Hozier by Maren Morris

Yours - Wedding Edition by Russell Dickerson

Send me a playlist title and I’ll give you 5-10 songs I think would go on it!

All The Small Things

She left me roses by the stairs/Surprises let me know she cares

First of all, Suki would. Second of all, I firmly believe that Sokka and Suki would constantly be doing little things to show each other that they care. Sokka would send Suki his drawings and things he's carved for her. Suki would send Sokka little gadgets and pick up fun little accessories for him at the market. They'd leave out snacks for one another. And they would always, always be there to support one another 100% of the time.

Cross Me

Just know, if you cross her, then you cross me

"WHERE. IS. SUKI?"

I rest my case.

I Think He Knows

He's so obsessed with me, and boy I understand/Boy I understand

I love this song for Sokka and Suki because we all know that Sokka throws off major "THAT'S MY WIFE" vibes in regard to Suki. As he should. But if you think that badass, super cool Suki isn't also low-key super into Sokka in the same way you are wrong. She's the type of girl to totally get why he's into her. (Why wouldn't he be? DUH.) But she would also 100% be like, "Check out this hot, goofy genius! HE'S MINE. I LANDED HIM! THAT'S MY HUSBAND!!"

I Like Me Better

To not know who I am but still know that I'm good long as you're here with me//Damn, I like me better when I'm with you

I picked this song because of the influence Suki had on Sokka's character. Their interactions on Kyoshi Island really did change him for the better. Sokka spent so much of the series lost and feeling as though he didn't belong, but Suki brought out the best in him and helped his character evolve. He saw her, this incredible warrior with a heart of gold who wouldn't take his misogynist crap, and started working to be a better person. And I think we can all agree it was awesome to see him come into his own as a strategist and warrior. A large part of that is thanks to Suki. And Sokka would acknowledge that.

Ho Hey

I belong with you, you belong with me/You're my sweetheart

I don't think this choice needs much of an explanation. Just... They belong together, you guys.

Jackie and Wilson

She blows outta nowhere, roman candle of the wild/Laughing away through my feeble disguise/No other version of me I would rather be tonight/And, Lord, she found me just in time//She's gonna save me/Call me "baby"/Run her hands through my hair

Again, I'd like to point back to Sokka and Suki's first meeting. She comes out of nowhere, sees right through him, and it's thanks to her that Sokka changes his views on women (it takes time, of course, and loss, but he gets there). Also, the loss that Sokka experiences with Yue clearly affects his relationship with Suki in Book 2. He has to learn to be comfortable with the fact that Suki can save herself as well as him. And by the time Book 3 rolls around, we see them working together as a seamless team. He knows she has his back and she knows he has hers.

Passenger Seat

When you feel embarrassed/Then I'll be your pride/When you need directions/Then I'll be the guide/For all time

Oh, this song is so subtly Sukka. I hear these specific lines and think of Toph and Aang laughing at Sokka's Suki sand sculpture and Suki being proud of the fact that he even tried. I think of them being each other's compass, guiding light, and level head in stressful situations. They are so steady for and so true to one another. And I'm not crying, you're crying.

Stand By Me

If the sky that we look upon/Should tumble and fall/Or the mountains should crumble to the sea/I won't cry, I won't cry/No, I won't shed a tear/Just as long as you stand, stand by me

I chose this song because of how Sokka and Suki make one another stronger. They bolster each other. They face down certain death in the knowledge that their partner has their back and that's a beautiful thing. (Also, Florence Welch's voice on this track is incredibly emotive and intensifies the Sukka feels.)

The Bones

When there ain't a crack in the foundation/Baby, I know any storm we're facing/Will blow right over while we stay put/The house don't fall when the bones are good

This is my quintessential Sukka song. I always think of them older, maybe ten years after the war, when I hear this song. The two of them are as unshakeable as they've ever been. Was their first meeting great? No. But they grew together and formed something solid and real. I'm not one to advocate for childhood sweethearts or high school sweethearts (which is what they would've been in a "normal" storyline), but my god. These two would've been the teenage sweethearts who made it. They'd still be super into one another at 85 and just as in love as they'd ever been. If they had trials, they would've only pulled through stronger. These are two people who are capable of seeing past first impressions and loving one another for their true selves and... UGH. I LOVE them, okay?

Yours

I was one in a hundred billion/A burned out star in a galaxy/Just lost in the sky, wonderin' why/Everyone else shines out but me//But I came to life when I first kissed you/The best me has his arms around you/You make me better than I was before/Thank God I'm yours

Sokka said it himself: Compared to the others in the group, he didn't feel special because they could all bend and he couldn't. He lost his boomerang and had an identity crisis. That's the boy Suki met on Kyoshi Island--the boy who felt inferior to his little sister and to the Avatar; the boy who had to put on a false facade of bravado because he was scared... The boy who thought that it was a man's job to be the protector. The boy who thought a girl couldn't kick his ass purely because she was a girl.

Our girl ignited that change in him. Sokka knows full well what Suki's influence has done for him and he adores her for it. He's grateful for her impact on his life and he's obviously blown away by the fact that she loves him. You can tell it's the kind of relationship where he realized that if he was going to be worthy of her, he needed to prove it to her because she knew her worth. She wouldn't settle for a guy who thought she was inferior to him--she wanted someone who would see her as an equal. By the end of the series, she's his partner in every respect. He proves to her that he trusts her to have his back, that he trusts her judgement, that he trusts her in general.

Sokka knows that he's the best version of himself with Suki. He would 100% spend the rest of his life in awe of the fact that she loves him and that he's landed this miracle of a woman who has always seen him as an equal--even when he didn't feel equal to anyone else because he couldn't bend.

[scribble-blog]

Soulmate AU part 12!!

First • Previous • Here • Next

“Thank you, Kaalki,” Marinette stepped out into her bedroom. It was, predictably, unchanged from how she had left it.

“Is that you, Mari?” Her Papa’s voice called from downstairs, and she called back.

“Yes!” She gave her room another once over, eyes lingering on the closed closet door where the Miracle Box hid before climbing down, only to be caught in her father’s arms.

“It’s only been a few days,” she complained as he squeezed her. “You don’t need to suffocate me!”

“But I’ve missed my little girl,” Tom Dupain pouted.

“Miss me with me on the ground then,” Marinette rolled her eyes, but she hugged him back before he put her down. “I’ve missed you too, Papa. How’s Maman?”

“She’s napping, after that akuma had to wake her up early this morning,” he told her, giving her one last squeeze. “I’ll be back down in the bakery.”

Marinette gave him a kiss and then went to knock at her parent’s bedroom door. When she heard the answering yawn, she entered.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” Maman defended herself with another yawn.

“It’s the midnight Akumas,” Marinette found herself laughing. “They’re the reason I fall asleep in science sometimes. My Hawkmoth suspicions list has sleep-deprived written right at the top, with three underlines.”

“I know what Tikki said,” Maman scowled, “but are we sure I can’t just take over being Ladybug for you?”

Tikki popped her head out of the pillow as well. “It wouldn’t work out, Sabine.”

“I have to be Ladybug, Maman,” Marinette echoed. “It’s...” there aren’t words, not really, for how right it feels down to her bones to be Ladybug. The times that she’s used other Miraculous are always interesting, but there is nothing that compares.

“I know,” Sabine said softly. “I know that you’re... chosen, or bound, or whatever word we use. Even if I’m not a true holder, being Wūguī feels more correct for me than being Ladybug.”

“You do a wonderful job at being Ladybug too though,” Tikki supported. “And after working with you, I can understand where Marinette gets it from!”

Tikki got up and floated over, alighting on Marinette’s shoulder before gasping.

“You met them!”

Marinette felt her face go from normal to bright red almost instantaneously. Sabine sat up straight, looking from her daughter to the red Kwami. “Met who?”

Marinette scrambled to grab Tikki as if it would be possible to contain her and keep her from saying, “She met her soulmate! I can feel it! Oh, Marinette, this is wonderful!”

Her Maman’s lips curled into a teasing grin. Of course, when Marinette had become Ladybug, her parents had found each other’s names, rolling up the insides of their forearms, where the were on constant display. They’d poked and prodded at Marinette about hers ever since, even if they ultimately respected her privacy. “Oh? Marinette? Why didn’t you tell us? How could you rob us of the joy of knowing about our future child?”

Marinette managed to make a noise somewhere between a wheeze and a whistling teakettle. “Maman, nooooo-“

“Oh, but now we’ll have to join you in Gotham~” her mother stood up and started bounding about the room, grabbing a bag and beginning to fill it, “meet them and their family, plan a vacation to get to know each other, start figuring out if you’ll get married in Gotham or Paris-“

“MAMAN!” Marinette had reached the reddest she’s ever been. “I only just met him earlier today! Stop planning weddings and give me back Tikki so I can meet with the Gotham heroes!”

“A dress designed by you, and the cake made by us, of course, and Adrien and Chloé and Luka and Kagami as your bridesmaids...”

Marinette grabbed the Kwami and marched out of the room. “I’ll be back tomorrow with Tikki unless there’s another akuma.”

“Oh, Tom!” Sabine called as she left. “Have you heard?”

“Oh, Marinette, she’s just teasing,” the Kwami giggled at her still blushing holder. “But it truly is wonderful that you’ve been able to meet your soulmate! Now we can truly balance the Miraculous, and you’ll be stronger than ever in your fight against Hawkmoth!”

Marinette froze in her steps at the bottom of the entrance to her room. “What do you mean? Balance the Miraculous?”

“Well,” Tikki’s big blue eyes blinked up at her. “Adrien is a wonderful Chat Noir, of course, but the balance of the Miraculous is always going to be off, with one true holder and one non true holder.”

“That’s-“ Marinette let out a strangled breath. “Tikki. Tell me honestly. Is there going to be any ill effects on me or Adrien just because we aren’t perfectly matched like that?”

“No!” Tikki rushes to comfort her. “Simply that you’ll never be at your true full strength unless your Chat Noir is also a true holder for Plagg. Which, by everything I know, your soulmate should be!”

The icy grip on Marinette’s chest released. “I’m not giving my soulmate the Black Cat Miraculous, Tikki.”

Tikki tilted her small head. “But-“

“No.” Marinette sighed. “I don’t care about my strength. As long as it won’t hurt either of us, I’m not ever going to take Plagg away from his chosen. Not for anything. Adrien is my partner, no matter what.”

Tikki sighed, but she didn’t sound particularly put out. “I guess I knew you’d say that. Even if it helped fight Hawkmoth, I don’t suppose you would be my Marinette if you did something like that.” The Kwami snuggled back into her neck. “Maybe we could give him another Miraculous. It would be fun to see if he’s as wonderful a hero as you.”

“I think he could be,” Marinette climbed into her room, remembering the series of, quite frankly, adorably awkward conversations she’d had that day. “He’s... a conundrum.”

That was the easiest way to describe her feeling about Damian. On the one hand, he was rich, hot, had a wry humor that made it difficult for her to keep a straight face, and a caring side that she very quickly realized he had done his best to bury. On the other...

He was proud, seemed shut off and cold to anyone who he didn’t deem as worth his energy investment, and- Marinette was, frankly, a bit wary of the way he’d fought at the Gardens. The grace and confidence he’d moved with was impressive, but no one learned to move like that for no reason. Even self defense only stretched so far.

“Do you think it’s possible that my soulmate isn’t exactly a good person?” Her lips are forming the question before she can stop them.

Tikki squeezes against her. “If he weren’t a good person, he wouldn’t be your soulmate, Marinette. Whatever made you think that, I’m sure there’s a reason behind it.”

Marinette nodded slowly. “If you say so. Hey, is there a reason it feels like I’m being electrocuted when I touch Damian?”

Tikki giggles. “Oh, that’s just- a safety measure of sorts! Throughout all the different Ladybugs I’ve had, quite a few of you decided to put your duty above your personal life and connections- to my chagrin. This makes it pretty impossible to ignore! Besides, it doesn’t hurt, does it?”

“No,” Marinette admitted. “And who knows if we would have actually met and somehow touched each other during the rest of our trip? But still, grabbing his arm and getting a hundred volts was a bit off putting.”

Tikki shrugged. “It’s not something I control. And it changes with each Ladybug! One time, I had a Ladybug whose eyes would glow whenever she was near her soulmate!”

The thought of what her friends would say about that made Marinette immediately slump with relief that it hadn’t happened to her. The connection she and Damian shared was subtle enough for her, thank you. “Let’s get back to Gotham. I’ve only got a few hours before I need to meet with Red Robin, and Chloé and Adrien are still waiting to ambush me about Damian. Kaalki?”

The horse Kwami zoomed out from the spot on her bed, ready as ever. “At your call, Marinette!”

“Full Gallop!”

TAGLIST:

@the-fusionist @rebecarojas07 @lowandco @kotaleartzu @resignedcatservant @alenee13 @mystery-5-5 @ladybug-182 @actual-disaster-human @loysydark @rumbelle18 @magic-miraculous @vixen-uchiha @athena452 @mochegato @ash-amg @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @thestressmademedoit @sassakitty @doriebell @jessigurl-design @emotionalsupportginger @kceedraws @kuroko26 @moonystars14 @toodaloo-kangaroo @myazael @theatreandcomicfreak @mer-mel @dahjokester @northernbluetongue @area51qt @renscorpio @redscarlet95 @razzledazzle247 @rosep16 @tired-butterfly @catthhay @shamefullove @imanerddealwith @chaosace @captainmac6 @bigpicklebananatree @abrx2002 @cici-schnee @multplelifes @shreky-boi @purple-people-eaters-productions @crazylittlemunchkin @weird-pale-blonde-person

[blxxdyvalentine19xx]

(Not really vibing with this one but it's at least finished. May elaborate on Trook getting found out by Landon or something like that 🤷🏻‍♂️)

First dates don't have to be fancy 🍝

Travis and Rook, first 'date' all proper n stuff and they do dinner and a movie (luca) and being a gentleman, travis walks Rook to the door at the end of the night, kells knew Rook rook had a date but didn't know it was Travis until he opens the door to find the two about to kiss.

Travis Barker x Rook Cappelletty

Song: First Date - blink 182

Travis had taken the time to start diner and clean the place up a bit, Landon was out with Jaden and Chase, Alabama out with Atiana. The kids being two less things he needed to worry about when he was more interested in making sure his date with Rook went without a hitch.

Rook grinned when Travis had a panicked look on his face suggesting the sauce wasn't to his liking. "Let me..." he took the spoon, raiding Travis's spice cabinet as the drummer watched him. "I might have picked up a thing or two from Baze"

Looking at the smaller yet humble drummer in front of him; Travis let Rook take over. Tucking a loose strand of the boy's hair back behind his ear. "You and Kells gonna fare alright without Baze around as much?" He asked, knowing the bassist and Slim moved out.

"We'll manage...maybe... we'll see about that" he bit his lip as Travis's fingers grazed his cheek. "Kells is doing pretty good with Chase being around so much." Rook shrugged. "I do my own thing anyway and I'm a half decent cook." He finished the Sauce, shutting the stove off as he set the pan on a hot plate.

"He isn't the best when it comes to food" Travis cringed as he'd seen the fall out from Colson's eggs and shuddered. "I wouldn't be surprised if Chase is the one cooking most of the time." He grabbed a couple of plates and was able to get the tongs when he and Rook were face to face.

Rook laughed, knowing just how back Colson was in the kitchen. "Chase does well to make sure Cols is eating something worth eating." He looked up, face to face with Travis on one side of him and the counter on the other. "Uhh, hey"

He froze as Rook's eyes were gentle, looking up at him with a curiosity. "H-ey" Travis snapped out of his wandering kind and grabbed the plates. "We uhh- we should eat" he mumbled and bit his lip as he felt Rook's eyes follow him.

💙 💙 💙

Rook attempted to wipe away a tear as the ending of Luca got to him, it was a bittersweet way to end a child's movie that centered on self discovery and friendship. "Fuck"

Travis looked over and suppressed a grin as he caught Rook shedding a tear. "Oh my god, you're really crying?" He shook his head when Rook glanced up and smiled.

"Hey, don't judge me, that shit was sweet!" He mumbled, talking Travis's hand in his. "You can't say that ending wasn't painful to watch" Rook spoke, the reality that they'd be parting ways when he had to go on tour soon. "That's going to be us soon enough"

"Of course it was sweet" Travis found it adorable that a movie affected Rook as much as "Luca" was. "I don't know about painful, but too real works" he pulled Rook towards him and slipped an arm around the man. "What? You think I'm letting you go on tour without making our time worth it first?"

Rook was failing for the man, he found himself putting more work into himself lately. He hated the end of the nights when they parted ways and said good night. "I don't know, we haven't even established what the hell we are yet" He looked at the drummer and sighed, relaxing into Travis's side.

He ran his fingers through Rook's hair, letting his hand rest on the man's  shoulder. "I was kind of hoping you'd be open to being my boyfriend" Travis went for it and hoped him falling for the boy wasn't for nothing.

"Op-" Rook paused mid word, looking to Travis as the man jsut asked him. "Thought we were supposed to hate eachother" he brought hand up, resting it on the back of Travis's neck. "Yeah, I'm open to it." Rook spoke as the older drummer looked down at him. "We have had a proper date after all." He grinned.

💙 💙 💙

Travis was well aware of what they were risking with the suggestion of walking Rook to the door but chose not to give it a second thought.  "We both know he's going to grill you for information" he said as Rook half leaned on the door.

"Probably" he slipped his hands in his pockets, smiling as Travis looked to be at ease. "Always has, he's like my dad that way." Rook stood up, the two of them eye to eye as Travis's hand settled on his cheek.

About to lean into a kiss, Travis heard the door open and let go of a sigh as he met Colson's messy hair and blue eyes. "Fuck"

Colson had been mid sip when he opened the door, expecting to find Rook with a girl. The shock registering as he realized the 'girl' Rook had been gushing over was actually Travis. "Ohh my bad" Colson looked to Rook and grinned. "Don't stop on my acc-"

"Well shut the door then you idiot" Rook grumbled, he was always being cock blocked by the blonde in true older brother fashion.

Colson cleared his throat and down the end of his drink before shutting the door.

Travis suppressed a laugh and shook his head as Rook sassed the rapper. "Barely over five foo-." He was cut off as Rook pulled him into a kiss, hands on his jacket.

Pulling Travis into a kiss; Rook locked his fingers in the fabric of the jacket and wrapped an arm around Travis's neck. "Shut up before you finish that" he mumbled as the kiss deepened.

Wrapping his arms around Rook's waist; Travis held Rook to him and nipped the drummers lip. The two of them fumbling until Rook's back was against the door. "So that's what makes you tick" he hummed before kissing the man's neck, letting him go as Rook rutted up against him.

Rook mumbled something incoherent and sighed as Travis walked back to the car. Sucking on his lip where Travis bit it, his hand grabbed for the handle and caught himself before the door opened again

💙💙💙

Pulling Rook inside; Colson looked at his drummer and eyed the man. "Spill, all of it" he was curious to know everything and started toward the kitchen. He pointed to the island and grabbed a tub of ice cream out of the freezer, courtesy of Chase.

Chase rounded the corner from the living room to find Colson practically coddling Rook as the drummer dropped into a chair. "What...do I ev..." he looked at Colson and the ice cream and back to Rook. "Did you tw-"

"NO! God no" Rook glanced up to Chase, suppressing a laugh as Chase looked completely fucked out and wearing one of Colson's  shirts with boxers. "No, kells kind of opened the door to Travis and I about to kiss." He said it out loud and smiled as a text from Travis popped up.

Colson grabbed a spoon and pulled Chase into his arms. "Kind of!? Rookie, you were all but drooling over him." He took a bite of the ice cream, grinning as Chase eased up when the cold hit his mostly bare stomach.

He answered the text and looked back up. "Okay, travis and I hooked up the night of your release party" he looked to Colson and ran a finger though his hair. "That next morning you asked me if I'd hooked up with someone...it was Travis." Rook bit his lip as the night flooded back.

Listening; Chase relaxed into Colson and let himself sink slightly as Colson shifted a leg outwards, enough to keep him up without a tight grip. "I had to hear him try and figure out who you'd been with." He mumbled, picking at the polish on his nails.

Colson grinned, it had been nearly a year since his last album had come out, he was impressed that his drummer and Travis had been able to keep it secret so long. "It took you two nearly a year to have a first date?" He jutted a leg out, keeping chase up while loosening his grip.

"Well...yeah, the way everything's been and all." He looked to Chase and figured the raven haired singer couldn't  have been here more than an hour as Landon had cut the night short by being home early. "Which was cut short by him being here" Rook had been able to play it off at the time as him and Travis working on the chords for the album.

"Yeahh, last minute plans don't work out so well when I'd already planned on being here" Chase had been able to manage his time a little differently on order to still be over at Colson's after. "Jaden ended up being hauled off Bryce so we called it a night." He shrugged as Rook looked at him. "Not my fault you two didn't tell anyone."

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Soulmarks, Part 8

First part

Previous

~~~

Marinette and Adrien stared at the wall of text in front of them blankly. Bruce was giving them a lecture on every villain -- sorry, Rogue -- in Gotham. There was… a lot of them, to say the least.

French scrolled past her eyes and she rested her head in her hands, not even bothering to look at the words anymore.

“Hey, Bats, I have a question...” said Tim, who had just walked into the Batcave for work.

He’d not given up vigilantism entirely, just fieldwork, and they were all just glad he hadn’t immediately jumped back into patrols. They were perfectly happy to allow him to sit back at the computers and talk to them over comms as long as he communicated when things were becoming too much.

Which is probably what the heroes should have done about ten minutes ago when they’d been struggling to wrap their heads around why a guy with a scar over half his body was so feared in Gotham. They took so long wondering about this that they got left behind and what do you mean there’s a sentient mud monster running around --?

She was pulled from her thoughts as Dick grabbed her and Adrien by the backs of their shirts and gently dragged them away.

She blinked. “Um --?”

“Shh! Do you want to escape or not?” He chided quietly.

She hesitated and glanced at Tim, finally beginning to understand what was going on. He was distracting Bruce so they could escape. She caught his eyes briefly and he made a tiny shooing motion with his hands before nodding and responding to something his father said.

She and Adrien gave each other looks. Sure, it was certainly a lot to take in at once, but it was all pretty important information if they wanted to start doing patrols…

They allowed Dick to lead them along. They were hard-working, sure, but they were still fourteen.

~

He raised his eyebrows at her as she stepped into his room, hugging a skateboard.

“Are you on ‘what does Tim still like to do’ duty for today, then?”

She huffed lightly. “I could just be doing this because I want to get to know my soulmate, you know.”

“Is that so?”

She chose not to answer, holding up the skateboard for him to see. “Tada!”

“I could buy one myself, you know. I have one, actually. Somewhere.”

She shrugged. “I know, I tried to learn a while back when I saw the soulmark. Don’t get what’s so fun about falling on your face, but if you enjoy…ed it then you should at least try and get back into it.”

He gave a small smile. “If you fall on your face a lot you’re doing it wrong.”

“Really? I thought faceplanting was the goal.”

“No, no, not quite.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Would you like me to teach you?”

She mimicked his posture with a cheeky grin. “You just want to see me fall.”

He shrugged. “Possibly.” He waved her along with a tiny grin on his face.

She followed after him and he walked backwards to make sure she didn’t get lost in the house.

He’d overheard a few horror stories from Adrien about how clumsy she was when she wasn’t in her Ladybug costume and he just had to know whether or not it was true. He’d seen her fight as Ladybug, she’d been pretty much perfect then, there was no way…

Unless there was.

And she literally didn’t even need to be on the skateboard to take a tumble.

She tripped over air and probably would have taken Tim down with her if he hadn’t been a little prepared. He caught her waist and pulled her close to him, giving a cheeky grin as her face crashed into his chest.

She looked up at him slowly and a blush spread across her face. “Hi,” she squeaked.

Tim laughed softly. “Hi.” He let go now that she had regained her footing, taking a step back.

She brushed herself off and coughed awkwardly. “Right. That didn’t happen.”

“Did it not?” He continued leading her along. “How is someone as clumsy as you a superhero?”

She gave him a pout. “I didn’t use to be.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Really! Being Ladybug means I have to have a lot of luck, and, I guess to balance it out, when I’m not Ladybug my luck just gets awful.”

He guessed that kind of made sense.

Still, it was kind of funny, and he wasn’t going to pass up on an opportunity to see just how awful her luck could get.

And so he took her outside and attempted to teach her how to skateboard. He really did put some effort in, he thought it would be kind of cool to have someone to skate with, but he was quickly realizing that she just might be unteachable as he watched her fall yet again.

This time, she didn’t get up, laying in the grass with a sour look on her face.

He leaned over her with a grin. “Hi.”

“Hi.” She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “This is impossible.”

He shrugged. “It takes practice. You’re not going to be good at it immediately.”

“What if I want to be good at it immediately, though?”

“Then you’re going to be disappointed.” He flashed her a grin, holding out a hand for her to get up. “C’mon. I said I was going to teach you and you’re not going to learn from down there. Let’s try again.”

“Why are you even bothering? I’m hopeless.”

“Well, that’s no way to look at it, now is it? And you’re improving. Now you can at least step on the skateboard without falling.” He hesitated. “Besides, even if you were hopeless at this, everyone’s gotta be bad at something.”

She stared at him for a long time, her face slowly reddening.

And then she pulled herself together enough to glare at him. “We’re doing something you’re terrible at tomorrow, then.”

“Not exactly the reaction I was going for but…”

He thought about it for a minute, his mind wandering over the different soulmarks he’d had. He wasn’t going to let her win without a fight, of course, so this took some careful thinking. Baking and sewing were off the table, he was a disaster at that… Gaming shouldn’t be too difficult, though. He used a computer a lot. Surely, there was no real difference, right?

“How about video games?”

She broke into a grin and finally took his hand. He pulled her to her feet.

“Video games sounds good.”

~

She tossed a controller at him.

He caught it and raised his eyebrows. “You were serious?”

“Yes, I was serious!”

And she was going to make sure that he lost. Usually, when she knew that people were going to be bad at it, she would at least go easy on them and let them win a bit. Not with him, though. There would be no mercy.

He dropped his controller with a groan, the millionth ‘Player One Wins!’ proudly displayed on the screen.

She set her controller beside herself and smirked at him.

“You’re cheating.”

“Maybe you’re just terrible.”

He rested his head back against his headboard, glaring at the controller in his lap. “I take back that ‘everyone is bad at something’ thing. I am not allowed to be bad at things. I’m going to devote my entire life to beating you at this… ‘Ultimate Mecha Strike III’ thing.”

“Well, then you shouldn’t have told me. I’m going to practice night and day. You will never catch up.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. He smiled despite himself.

He picked up his controller again and pressed the start button. She squeaked and scrambled for her own controller.

“That’s cheating!” She whined as she finally managed to grab ahold of it and started playing.

He lost. Again.

She smiled widely, turning to look at him. He wasn’t sulking like she expected (and maybe wanted), he was just watching her with his head on his hand, a tiny smile playing at his lips.

She blushed and looked away. “Can’t believe you had a headstart and you still lost.”

He snapped out of it a bit, sending her a half hearted glare. “You’re banned from my house.”

She grinned and scooted closer to him on the bed.

“Fine. I guess I can teach you a few tricks.”

~

Tim didn’t really keep close track of his soulmarks, to be honest.

Sure, he always found them cute, but he never actively looked for them. He’d done it for a while, but it had only ended in him feeling disappointed when he didn’t find anything new (because new soulmarks only popped up around once every few months for him). He’d decided that it was just a hassle and had chosen to just let himself find them when he found them.

So that was why, when he saw his name on his chest, he was completely taken off guard.

His face burned red as he looked at the script. Tim Drake. He ran his finger along it, almost expecting it to rub off like ink from a particularly awful prank…

But it didn’t.

He dropped back onto his bed and tried to fight back the growing smile on his face.

~~~

Next part

Taglist

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